Eyes Without a Name
A Pride and Prejudice fan-fiction
Summary: Three years before the events of Pride and Prejudice, Darcy meets Elizabeth and falls in love with her lively eyes but never learns her name. How will this affect the course of the story, does it change at all?
Disclaimer: I do not own "Pride and Prejudice."
A/N: First time writing P&P fanfic, so please review!
Chapter 1: I Didn't Give It
At the ripe age of seventeen, Elizabeth Bennet's wit surpassed that of any of her sisters, and her father would even say that it surpassed that of her mother, who he was wont to call silly. Her mother thought her playful and sarcastic nature too much to handle most days, yet her father doted on her. Unfortunately for Elizabeth, her father would much rather sacrifice an intelligent conversation for a few days peace from her mother's incessant complaining that "Something must be done about that child or no man will ever want her!" or "She will die an old maid!"
And that is how, after a peck on each cheek from her father and Jane's promise to write, Elizabeth found herself on a carriage halfway to Gracechurch Street to be a "burden" on her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner.
Other petulant young ladies would be upset at being sent away, but Lizzy was taking the whole situation in stride. It had been almost half a year since she had seen her favorite Aunt and Uncle, and she was very much looking forward to seeing them again.
When she last wrote her Aunt, her Aunt had mentioned something about an inclination to taking a small trip to the Peak District, visiting some estates, including a visit to Lambton, the small town in which she spent the majority of her childhood. Having heard much about Lambton and the many splendid summers spent there, Lizzy was eager to go.
"My dearest Lizzy, my how you have grown!" her Aunt greeted her as she alighted from the carriage.
"Oh Aunt, and you haven't changed at all!"
Lizzy was ushered inside by her Uncle, where she was then bombarded by her small cousins, eager to see what new things she had brought for them this time.
After a week's interval, the trip to the Peak District was set into motion, and Elizabeth, along with her Aunt and Uncle, set off.
Elizabeth had never seen such beauty as that which accosted her eyes now, but she was very pleased at the idea of spending two weeks here. When they arrived at the inn in Lambton, Elizabeth was sure that she would never want to leave the place, as much as she missed Jane and her father.
"Tomorrow we go to Pemberley," her Aunt was saying.
"Pemberley?" Lizzy looked up from Jane's letter she was reading; her family was well, though her father missed her dearly and her mother still complained about non-existent ailments.
"It is the estate not ten miles from here, all the land we passed on our way here belongs to the grand estate. It is the grandest in the county, and the owners have given our small town much to benefit from," her Aunt was talking with great pride about the estate, as if she had once lived there.
Elizabeth was not so much interested in the owners, but rather the land and the idea of having miles of lanes to walk in, but she asked her Aunt a question, "And the owners, they are of a royal family?"
"The Darcy's? No, not royal at present, but they are of an ancient noble family."
"Have they any children?"
"Oh, but of course, it is only the children who are left. The late Mrs. Darcy passed in childbirth, a daughter I believe."
"And Mr. Darcy?"
"The late Mr. Darcy passed not more than one year ago. Their son, the current Mr. Darcy, is in possession of the estate now, such a handsome young man, of five and twenty if I am not mistaken."
"And he has not married?" Elizabeth asked, not quite interested, but she knew her mother would harass her for these details and it would be best if she was prepared.
"I believe not."
"Then he must have only one thing wanting."
"Yes? Pray tell me, what would a handsome young man with a large estate and a good name be wanting?"
"Why Aunt, it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife," Elizabeth said, a smile at her lips. She knew that her Aunt did not believe in such things, but her mother made it a point to imprint this idea into the minds of her daughters. Lizzy knew she could not really believe such a thing, Jane might have considered it at one point, but Kitty and Lydia had grasped and held onto the idea. Mary could be bothered less about such trivial matters.
"It's beautiful," Lizzy admired everything as they made their way up to the entrance of the estate. She was immediately in love with the place, and the woods seemed to call her name.
"Yes, it seems that every time I visit it grows in beauty."
"Mr. Darcy must be pleased."
"Master Darcy is very grateful for all that he has in life," the stewardess Mrs. Reynolds said as they walked into the main entrance of the estate.
After a tour of the house — the Darcy's were in town and not expected back for a few days — they got a tour of the grounds, or as much of it as was within walking distance.
"You are welcome to return and enjoy the lanes, they are among the finest in the county, especially during this season. I am sure a young lady like yourself would enjoy herself very much," Mrs. Reynolds extended an invitation to Lizzy after she expressed a wish to walk the lanes when their visit ended.
"Would it be appropriate?" Lizzy asked, not sure if the owners would be pleased about her using the lanes when they were to return soon.
"Any respectable young lady is welcome here, I am sure Mr. Darcy would find it quite acceptable," Mrs. Reynold's smile was so sincere that Lizzy, after prompting from her Aunt, accepted the invitation.
"You are too kind, I will return then."
The next day, whilst she was walking along one of the lanes that bordered the larger gravel path the led to the estate, she heard the unmistakable sounds of horses and a carriage. She peered through the trees just in time so see a handsome chaise and four pass, and a noble looking figure riding a horse up ahead. She figured it to be Mr. and Miss Darcy, but she was more interested in returning the next day to further inspect a pretty looking copse than to know more about the inhabitants of Pemberley.
Mr. Darcy was walking through one of his favorite lanes, determined to rid himself of the sense of melancholy that seemed imbibed in him since the passing of his father, when he heard her. It was a sweet and soothing melody, and he thought that he was surely going mad, when, through the tangle of trees, he spotted a bonnet-clad figure.
Mr. Darcy first thought of returning in the direction from which he came, for he knew it wouldn't be wise to be caught alone with a young lady lest they be caught in a compromising situation, propriety demanded he leave. But then he realized that she was the source of the sweet sound that so pleased his ears, she was humming. Her figure, so calm and at peace in this scene, as if she belonged there, seemed to lure him instead.
She turned her head at the sound of his movements through the shrubbery. Her eyes met his, and he was immediately struck by her eyes, the liveliness there diffusing over her pleasant face and lending it a greater beauty. He didn't know if he had ever seen a prettier face.
"Pardon, I did not mean to intrude upon your musings," he stammered, before regaining his composure and bowing to her.
She blushed, and curtseyed. He took this time to take in her light and pleasing figure. She must not have been out for too long, a year perhaps. But there was something about her presence that made her seem much more mature for her age. He wondered whence she came from, and what it was that brought her hither.
"It is of no importance. Forgive me for so boldly straying into your lanes, but you have a wonderful prospect," she replied, and gesturing with a hand towards the view that she had been focused on previously.
Darcy stepped forward and looked upon his land, he knew the view that waited for him there, for this was also a favorite haunt of his and offered the best view of the land; no one had ever found it before. But here, this young lady, as simply dressed as she was in a country frock, had found the view and her presence and praise seemed to give it a beauty heretofore unheard of.
"It is wonderful, isn't it?" he looked at her face; she was smiling taking the view, as if committing it to memory. Her manners pleased him, and he knew she must be a gentleman's daughter.
"Yes, lovely," smiled up at his face, and when he looked into her eyes, he felt something in his heart, as if he had finally found his home, there, in the eyes of this young lady who was a stranger to him.
"I suppose I must be off," she sighed contently and made to move down the lane.
"Oh do not leave on my behalf," Darcy urged, his manners returning to him.
"But I must. Good day Mr. Darcy," she smiled before heading off at a brisk step and disappearing at the turn on the lane.
And then he realized that she knew his name, no doubt gathering from his attire that he was the master of the estate, but he didn't know hers.
"I'm sorry Miss, but I'm afraid I didn't catch your name," he said once he had caught up to her, she was a fast walker.
"Oh, I didn't give it. Goodbye." He was too stunned to follow, no young lady had treated him in such a manner, and he found that he rather liked it. By the time he reacted she had gone, as quickly as she came.
Mr. Darcy did not share the encounter with another soul. He half believed that it had not happened, for it had been over before he even really knew what exactly had happened. Besides, he knew that even if he did tell someone, they would scarcely believe him, there was no name, and it might she might as well not existed.
But those eyes, so full of life, life he yearned for, those eyes remained etched in his mind forever.
It had been three years since, and he had vowed to find the maiden with the fine eyes. He would not marry until he found her and made her his wife. She already had his heart, and he knew that no young lady could possibly refuse an offer of marriage from him.
But he was beginning to lose hope, within his social circles there was no young lady whose eyes compared to those of the nameless maiden, and he wondered if he would ever find her.
And then Bingley insisted that Darcy accompany him to Hertfordshire where he was to take up a house with his sisters. Begrudgingly he agreed, seriously doubting that he would find her among country folk.
Little did he know what he would find there.
A/N: So what did you think? Should I continue this? Please REVIEW!!!
