This is my very first Pride and Prejudice fanfic . Honestly , it's quite nerve-wrecking for me since the style of speaking is one I don't personally use myself and I sure as heck don't hear randomly while among strangers . So forgive me if it's a but amateur-ish as it is the best I could do :) I just had a perfect summary for this story and decided I ought to challenge myself more- so here it is ! Possibly the most poorly written re-make of Pride and Prejudice with lots and lots of heart put into it . Enjoy :D
Disclaimer : I do not own Pride and Prejudice , nor any of Jane Austen's briliant characters . I just write the plot and bend the characters to my will ;)
Around The Bend x.X.
In the encroaching years of Elizabeth's one and sixth birthday, did the cold hand of illness strike Elizabeth's much adored father , Mr. Bennet . Already , the nerves of Mrs . Bennet reaching substantial highs with the carrying of her third child , along with Elizabeth's and Jane's soon of coming out , had the mother in a constant frenzy and disarray . Her husband's sudden taking to illness added to her fears of bearing a daughter and their estate of Longhourn to be entailed away as soon as Mr. Bennet lay cold and dead . There would be no more time or chance for her to produce an heir before such tragedy took it's course . Mrs. Bennet spent much of Elizabeth's coming out in fear , and was determined to find Elizabeth and Jane men that would not only provide in title but perhaps more than a little wealth .
This wish was never fulfilled on her part however for as fate would allow her another daughter , christened Lydia Bennet with her hair a pretty shade of brown with eyes of hazel , not even the thought of her loveliness could not be a cause of rejoice to the dismayed mother . Mrs. Bennet cried and the Gardiners , the missus being Mrs. Fanny Bennets sister , came to offer their congratulations at a safe birth , and her condolences for her brother-in-laws untimely health .
" It is but a terrible time for you dear sister . For such a situation is not beneficial at all not only for unborn child but your eldest daughters as well ."
Mrs. Gardiner placed her gloved finger on Fanny's fingers sympathetically while shooting an urging look towards her husband . The former of which began rather hesitatingly ,
" Oh yes , I do love our nieces quite impeccably . To see them so affected by this situation - why it puts me at a loss as to how to assist . "
Fanny sniffled , nodding and holding her handkerchief to her nose as she heaved . Mrs. Gardiner nodded her head at the baited words , smiling knowingly at her husband's direction . Mrs. Gardiner added that Fanny was unfit in such a situation to have much care nor time . Especially with the young girls almost being out , her sister kindly reminded her that such an affair was beneficial to the young ladies future lives and urged Fanny to allow her to take them both under her wing . In such a state , Mrs. Gardiner , could only imagine her sister sitting with tears in her eyes every few seconds wailing to any suitor at all that Jane or Elizabeth would be such an excellent match -driving all their future prospects out the window .
With Fanny's emotional state , along with Mr. Bennets rapidly declining health , she consented , and was ushered by her sister to rest while she explained to the girls to pack their belongings and set out . Within a day , Mr. Bennet was informed , although half-conscious Mr. Gardiner wasn't sure , had consented and given his best wishes to his two daughters . Murmuring how utterly bore some he shall be without Lizzy there to drive him some sanity . Fanny Bennet gave both her daughters the best of her smiles , embracing them with tears in her eyes before waving them off the very next day , Lydia managed to stay quiet the duration of their leaving to Mrs. Bennet's relief .
As the girls watched their house disappear in the distance , Jane grasped Elizabeth's hand in hers as they anxiously scanned the plains of their new home , coming to view - their new lives were to begin so very quickly , Jane was sure she would miss it .
. . . x x X X x x . . .
The Gardiners has a rather large fortune that accumulated from the start of Samuel Gardiners grandfather , William Gardiner , who was an excellent tradesman that discovered pockets of gold , hidden in the recesses of some faraway mountains where the source of the mother lode was found - that of which bore no name at the time of his vast and growing wealth . He became quite wealthy selling much of his gold to the royals of Spain who , at the time , were unquestionably rich with gold and silvers , magnificent tapestries and unfathomable power- an empire that seemed impenetrable. Spain had treated William right , who retired from such trade and bought a house that gave him a handsome sum of 8 thousand pounds per annum. Along with his trade money , William , and the generations to follow could live their lives in idle leisure if they so wished .
Samuel Gardiner however , prided himself on his ability for business and never immersed himself with frequent visits to idle-ness . Perhaps it was in his genetic make-up to work hard for Samuel only found pleasure in travelling . Samuel , with his pleasant countenance and sturdy shoulders stood at '5,9' , was only forty and two and loved his wife of almost twenty years . It was rather unfortunate that Mrs. Gardiner , in the twenty years of marriage , had been unable to procure for him a son . However , Mr. Gardiner loved her all the same and relished in having Elizabeth and Jane to live with him , in such a large , lonely house - pleased that his wealth could be of some use to anyone at all .
As Jane and Elizabeth stepped foot inside the polished floors of their new home , unaccountable feelings flooded as they explored their rooms - gasping and smiling -bursting really . The thoughts of their homey Longhourn was still held dear to their hearts , the girls were simply too excited and gracious to be moody and unpleasant . Lizzy's room was large , not as large as many of the other rooms of the house , but allowed her to gaze lovingly at the green scenery outside . With it's plush curtains , poster-board bed of mahogany and mirrors , bureaus , armoires - Lizzy was overwhelmed along with Jane who chose a slightly larger room with furniture that described Jane's daintiness along with her soft , feminine personality . Pink and frilly - Lizzy would only begin to tease .
Mrs. Gardiner set foot right away to the girls education after their settling , acquiring a governess by the name of Ms . Brushworth to teach the girls the propriety of London society along with etiquette and the works . The girls found their lessons with Ms. Brushworth to be wonderfully eye opening , with their only education being self-taught , Elizabeth did very well in her math , history and English . Jane excelled at etiquette , while Lizzy fumbled , but had no liking for the works Lizzy so dearly loved . Mrs. Gardiner had promised her nieces that she would not force her will on them , they would be free to invest their time on their interests so long as lessons were completed . Half a year flew by , Ms. Bennet hardly wrote and Mr. Bennet's health was only stable .
At the age of 16 however , Jane was as ever , a fine beauty with her large blue shaken eyes , fair skin and richly golden hair that shone as a harvest of bright wheat would , on the best days of yield . Her face was small , cheekbones high with thick lashes that battered at the tiniest of compliments . Along with her amiability , Jane was truly thought to have a heart of pure gold with a mind made to see only good . That being said , Jane was much more accommodating to dictatorship and unable to find any harm in anyone- less than honourable intentions being placed about her . Elizabeth kept a close eye on her sister , as a hawk would surveying the land for it's enemies . Preying on Jane's innocent admiration was an unfortunately easy feat , Lizzy found herself quite nervous as the days of their debut with the Gardiners drew by, for keeping an eye on Jane as that took place would be more difficult than stopping Lizzy's morning strolls . Lizzy could not do without her strolls .
Ms. Brushworth gave a sudden laugh that caused Elizabeth's stitch to go array , straight into her finger while she gave an exasperated moan .
" Oh for the love of - how I do hope any man who does seek my hand has no further wish for my stitching , Ms . Brushworth. It shall be horrendous indeed and he may be so aghast , I shall see nothing but his coat-tails fleeing the scene before the making was done ! " Lizzy sighed mockingly in her governess's direction , as playful as ever . Ms. Brushworth rolled her eyes , continuing her own stitch-work while responding rather amused ,
" Please Elizabeth , if you could hold your tongue and focus at task , you shall have mastered the art of stitching long ago . Alas , if only it were possible to silence the wit of Elizabeth Bennet - now that is what has men a running my dear . "
Eliza's face lit with a grin , cocking her head to the side , the stitching long forgotten , she laughed and proclaimed that a man who could not know even the basics of what she had set herself upon , should not be prevailed to know her at all . For she shall be in the library , and what man of lesser good reading would find himself in a library for what else but to read ?
Ms. Brushworth could only smile with an affectionate shake of her head as she urged Elizabeth to take to her stitch-work with ferocity or she shall disappoint Jane with her delaying .
For today , the sisters were to place a call on a Mr. Bingley. He , by Mrs. Doight's reports , was a young man of twenty and five , whose fortune consisted of trade - and who also had the good mind to lease the large estate of Bromswell , which sat right in the smack of London society . Tall and large , this fastidious building had charmed Mr. Bingley with it's large glass windows , winding staircases and untampered scenery . Thus , while entering their society with a good four or five thousand pounds a year , with a reported amiable and very much obliging attitude , the Bennet sister's were set upon meeting the promising man .
To meet such a promising singleman , Mrs. Gardiner corrected , with a wink in the girls direction .
" He shall be enchanted by my girls I'm sure . " she had sung proudly , sipping on her tea with a satisfactory expression to her dear Mr. Gardiner , that very morning her tea had been procured . Elizabeth seated to her right , continuing her stitch work for the day with a hardly concealed smile on her plump lips while Jane strolled down the gardens in search of nature's treasures . Atleast that was where she was, seconds before she bursted through the doors, begging pardon, and whisked her sister out and about .
" Lizzy , surely you have not forgotten our plans ? Heavens Liz , you're not even dressed to leave ! "
Jane said hurriedly , practically running up the steps to Elizabeth's door before rummaging through her bureau for a proper ensemble . Only Jane could prompt Lizzy to even bother for a change of clothes , after all , it was hardly a ball Lizzy reminded . Although , when standing next to Jane ( an angel with the ability to make tatters look demure ) , perhaps a change of clothes was appropriate .
After being assisted in dressing , Elizabeth peered at the square necked , white sequined dress she wore while Jane smoothed invisible wrinkles , moving frantically to Elizabeth's silken locks of brown and weaving her hair quickly into a beautifully styled bun . Meanwhile , Mrs. Gardiner called forth the girls , exclaiming their carriage was prepared and to give Mr. Bingley her greetings .
" Make haste girls ! We must ensure more time in his company if we are to elicit his interest in one of you both . "
Elizabeth's peel of laughter rang as she scampered down the stairs and with a playful tone and hands held at her hips she started ,
" Hardly aunt , for Jane but needs a moment to look and he shall be a calling on the morrow ! Love at first sight I predict . " She nudged Jane teasingly once she ascended the stairwell to stand beside her , a prim blush set upon her fair complexion .
" Oh please Lizzy , how could you possibly come to such a conclusion when we have yet to meet him ? "
" If he isa man , he shall be at your feet in less than a second I know ! Take care not to step on his heart now Jane for he has been wounded - you shall have stricken his heart ! "
The fair haired damsel could only go three shades redder while her aunt and sister laughed and exclaimed it's truth . Then , Mrs. Gardiner staring at the set clock upon the wall to left could only push the girls out her set doors and into the carriage with the best wishes before Lizzy teased saying they need not luck at all , not for Jane at the very least .
The coachman sped away , hooves clicked while Lizzy noted to her companion of the seasons , their temperature and her long thirsted need for her strolls . Jane commented that while she was in the garden it had been quite chilly and assured her that if wrapped up warmly , she shall continue her strolls without fear of ailments . She ran a small smile as Lizzy added the worse ailment would to be attacked by cascading leaves , and return looking as a begrudged monster of the sorts .
This carried on in such a fashion , that Bromswell had been reached and the rest of the commenting had been of it's stature , it's width , the number of ponds , lakes and streams with the added compliment to it's robust finery . Once the carriage halted , the coachman promptly opened the door when suddenly , a ball of fur streamed through the opening and onto Jane's lap .
After the initial shock wore over , the girls laughed , realizing they were in the company of a rather harmless cat . A small , rather playful , tabby with it's green eyes and small pink mouth that began to purr as Jane stroked it's brushed furs . Questions started to arise when they took the cat outside the doors of the coach and stood side by side to face the house . Who could the owner possibly be ?
Enamoured with the little thing , Elizabeth battered with it's paws , before she heard a shout in the distance . The girls could see a man moving at a rapid pace to their stance , a grin etched on his pleasant countenance with a head of flaming , red hair .
" I do beg your pardon but my cat , Sylvester , had seen your carriage ride this way and in his excitement had run off quite quickly in your direction . I do hope he hasn't imposed on you Miss . . . " the man's green eyes locked onto Jane's blue and suddenly , all words were left forgotten as the two seemed to disappear from the world . Lizzy gave a smug smile in Jane's direction .
Love at first sight - her words had rung true !
The pair seemed perfectly content to gaze into each other's eyes till the end of the world- if not for Sylvester , annoyed by Jane's lack of attention , leapt from her arms and onto the pavement below . Reluctantly did their eyes cease their connection , both sported a pinking blush , and turned their heads embarrassedly . He gathered his wits , returning to propriety and escorted the ladies into his household , his eyes sought Jane's every moment he could hear her prancing steps near . Escorted to the parlor , did he offer tea and pastries ; of which he discovered how Jane adored the strawberry sandwiches he provided . Elizabeth was much more thrilled with the rose tea than the pastries- the smell was absolutely intoxicating and richly to her tastes .
Lizzy sheepishly consumed her cup , in record time and bit her lip gently as she realized how quickly she had deployed at emptying its' contents . Throughout the rest of the visit , Jane and Lizzy alternated with initializing questions , with Lizzy instigating some rather deep, profound thoughts from the man . He did not seem too stressed by her curiosity as she was rather enthusiastic throwing questions of various nature in his direction . As Jane questioned him of his own family , he had realized that with the captivating beauty of Jane along with her sisters intriguing personality , he had forgotten to mention a companion of his own who had accompanied him along his journey .
" Why yes , I have not come alone . It is my dear friend , the owner of a large estate of Pemberly , that assisted me on my conquest of this magnificent estate and whom has been unfortunately been deprived of your visit - as he is attending to the matters of buying a horse in Meryton ."
" I am glad he had accompanied you , for I find your company rather enjoyable Mr. Bingley . His pointing out of this promising estate would have otherwise caused us to never meet . " Jane could not meet his eyes as another thought crossed her mind , one that concerned her future happiness .
" Yes , to never been introduced to his delicious , strawberry sandwiches - " Lizzy feigned a gasp , a hand going to her lips , " a loss indeed my darling Jane ! "
A chorus a laughter followed , along with more strawberry sandwiches and a round of rosebud tea ( much to Lizzy's delight ) . Elizabeth's own thoughts however , were not so cheerful as the name of Bingley's companion ran several times in her mind , it echoed as his words of 'Pemberly' had .
She remembered meeting that man at a social gathering in London , an impromptu whisking away that had occurred when Lizzy had been grabbed by a rebellious Charlotte Lucas , to a party she had described as boorish and uninteresting . Elizabeth had no time to prepare , but consented to Charlottes pleading expression after feeling somewhat hypnotized into doing so . Dressed in a lilac purple , with her hair hurriedly wound in a simple bun , Lizzy attended and having not been out as of yet , felt out of place and unsure if she were allowed to dance or mingle at all . As fate would have it , at such a gathering , Charlotte had been engaged to dance a set which allowed for her meeting with a Mr. Darcy of Pemberly .
Although not face to face , the encounter had been horrifying as a man , seeing Elizabeth's sitting out , grabbed Mr. Darcy , and attempted to prod him into dancing a reel with Elizabeth ,' the lady in the lovely lilac sitting delicately on the chair to your right . ' as he had so subtly put .
She was aware of his face examining hers shortly after and with a disgruntled murmur , she could sadly make out his declination . When questioned why , she found no words within ear-shot when a lady started laughing hysterically in a group nearby , drowning everything but his last words . " ... disagreeable to me . "
After such a reverie , and some eavesdropping on her sister's and the gentleman's conversation , Lizzy became sadly aware of the time and called upon Jane to once again give her greetings before making their leave . Her companion could only comply with a notably disappointed air before springing in delight as Mr. Bingley suggested calling on her tomorrow .
She ceded to the suggestion immediately , somewhat shy in response at his returning smile to her answer . With their introductions in order , and their goodbyes , Mr. Bingley escorted the girls to their carriage and gave Jane a dashing smile as he bowed . Lizzy was sure Jane were about to faint if not for her leaning ever so close for support , squeezing her hand to ensure her consciousness .
" We do eagerly await your call tomorrow , Mr. Bingley . " Lizzy replied with a polite smile before indicating to Jane who could only fluster about a word of affirmative before gathering her skirts inside the carriage . With Jane settled quite flusterdly inside , Elizabeth took the chance to inquire of how Mr. Darcy would transport home .
Mr. Bingley replied with a rather humorous smile that Mr. Darcy would travel by horseback if allowed , though with Mr. Bingleys disposition , he did not question her asking and Lizzy gave a wave before she set foot inside the carriage . The door closed and just as the coachman slapped the reins , Mr. Darcy galloped to a stop as the carriage made a bend down the lane . Mr. Bingley at the time had realized he had never given Ms. Bennet , Mr. Darcy's name - he could not fathom how she could have known .
Elizabeth gave a relieved sigh . She had seen a man in the distance , riding by horse in their direction and ridden with anxiousness did she plan her words to send Jane away before reassuring that the man would most certainly be Mr. Darcy . She hurried off , and just in time she had noted , as the handsome , dark haired man could only watch the carriage ride away ,
around the bend ,
and away to home .
We could only avoid fate so long .
Goodness , that felt incredibly long . I feel like I've written at least 30 chapters while in the process of editing this , horrid spelling mistakes and all . I do hope you readers enjoyed this version , no matter how poorly done , and will review to encourage me on ! Thank you for reading . It's all greatly appreciated ! Please review !