A/N: To those of you who have read Change of Heart (Changed Hearts Part 1) on Amazon. There is a Part 2 to that story which is The Changing Hearts (Changed Hearts Part 2). I am preparing that story to be published and am in the middle of editing. I am working as fast as I can to get edits done so that I can publish the story on Amazon.
As a warning, this story takes place more than 10 months after Change of Heart (Changed Hearts Part 1) ended. Our characters travel from London to Kent to Hertfordshire and finally Pemberley before the end of the story. A great deal happens in that length of time, some new story lines. shocking plot twists to the story and the introduction of new characters in that story who show up in this story.
The Heart of Change
Sequel to Changed Hearts Series (Part 1 & Part 2)
A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Tina Marie Noel
Chapter 1
Elizabeth glanced around the sitting room at Netherfield and observed The Hursts and Mr. Bingley playing cards, she knew Jane was upstairs abed as she had caught a chill, Mr. Darcy was busy writing a letter and she was reading a book.
She glanced down at the book on her lap of which she had been unable to concentrate. She excused herself, "I must check on Jane." Elizabeth smiled and felt if she had not known better, this might have been a scene from a year ago when she was still Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
"I shall join you, my love." Darcy stood to his feet and held out his arm for his wife.
Elizabeth slid her arm through her husband's and rested her hand lightly on his arm. She looked up into Darcy's eyes and smiled with an arch of her eyebrow. "You are going to join me while I check on Jane."
Darcy winked at her as he stopped her on the stairs, "No, I am going to join you to enable us a few minutes of privacy, something which has been scarce as of late."
Elizabeth lifted her hand as she caressed his face, "Since we returned from our holiday, we have been surrounded by loving friends and family."
Darcy bent to claim Elizabeth's lips, "Our being here at Netherfield has brought back all kinds of memories of our time here last fall."
"I was just thinking that myself." Elizabeth admitted, "With Jane being ill, Bingley and the Hursts playing cards, everything seemed so similar, I would have almost mistaken it from a year ago."
"With one notable exception," Darcy pulled Elizabeth into a fierce embrace, "I could not have done this with impunity back then." He lifted his wife into his arms with a passionate kiss that left Elizabeth breathless.
As he set her back onto the floor reluctantly, Darcy revelled in the closeness they had developed over the past year. "While you are checking on Jane, I will visit the nursery and see if our son is awake."
"I will join you as soon as I may."
As they reached the top of the stairs, Elizabeth turned toward Jane and Bingley's rooms and Darcy turned toward their own suites.
When Elizabeth opened the door quietly, she found Jane awake, "I am so happy to see you." Her sister was enthusiastic, "I have been going mad with only my thoughts for company."
"How are you feeling?" Elizabeth inquired; although she was convinced, she already knew the answer.
"I am much better."
"I am very pleased hear such good news as we have been invited to attend an assembly in Meryton on Saturday." Elizabeth beamed at her sister, "We have been asked to bring any available single men."
"Did you explain that we did not bring any available single men?"
Elizabeth's eyes were full of mischief, "To be absolutely truthful, we seem to have attracted a few." Jane's brow rose in an unspoken query, "Mr. Ashcombe and Captain Worthing called this morning. It would appear Mr. Ashcombe has taken up residence locally and Captain Worthing is staying with him."
When she heard the report, Jane chewed on her lip nervously before she spoke, "Elizabeth, you know I am loath to involve myself in your business, however when the subject is Mr. Ashcombe, I must express my view."
Elizabeth sighed, "There is no need to trouble yourself, as I am aware of what you wish to say to me." Jane watched as her sister paced the floor, "I have been foolish as to the feelings and motivations of Mr. Ashcombe. Fitzwilliam, Lydia and Georgiana have been correct in their observances of the gentleman's behaviour." Elizabeth shook her head with regret, "I confess, I was distracted during the days leading up the harvest ball and clearly did not perceive his interest in me. I still do not comprehend why he should develop such an interest in an old married woman with a baby. I see no sense in his attentions toward me."
Jane smiled, "Men are not logical creatures when it involves their emotions as they have led us to believe." Elizabeth shook her head with a smile, "I, myself could not find fault with any man who were to fall in love with you."
"I must be very direct at the next meeting with Mr. Ashcombe." Elizabeth's determination showed in her resolution.
"Elizabeth, I must say I am surprised you have not already used that razor sharp wit of yours against Mr. Ashcombe." Jane smiled wickedly, "I do not seem to recall you having any such trouble with your husband prior to your marriage."
Elizabeth laughed, "I know that although I tried very hard to deny it, I was extremely hurt by what Fitzwilliam said about me at the Meryton assembly." She sighed, "I was happy to return the favour to him by being border line rude to him every time I was in his company. I used my wit as a defence mechanism." Elizabeth paced the floor, "I have no wish to hurt Mr. Ashcombe but I know it must be done to discourage his misplaced affections."
Jane's eyes twinkled, "My only wish is to be present when you give the devil his due."
"Jane Bingley," Elizabeth laughed, "I had no idea there was such a vengeful spirit living within you."
"I have learned from the best."
"Why do I think you are referring to me?"
"Whatever could have possibly given you that idea?" Jane giggled.
Elizabeth kissed her sister's forehead, "I must take my leave at present as I am to join Fitzwilliam and Bennet now but I hope you are well enough to join us this evening."
"I will be there." Jane assured her.
Elizabeth spent a wonderful afternoon with her husband and son. Bennet's parents played and entertained the baby until he began to fall asleep in Elizabeth's arms. Darcy read aloud from a book of poetry until Elizabeth laid the baby in his crib.
As they left the room, Darcy commented, "It took Bennet a long time to get to sleep."
Elizabeth giggled, "He fell asleep a long time ago but I love it when you read aloud so I let you read to me."
"I will read to you any time you like." Her husband vowed as he escorted his wife downstairs just in time for the return of Georgiana and Lydia from Longbourn.
"If you will excuse me," Elizabeth kissed her husband, "I must speak to my sister." She crossed to Lydia, "I must have a few minutes of your time."
"Of course." Lydia agreed at once as the two ladies took their leave.
"We can talk privately in your room." Elizabeth told her.
When the two were ensconced in Lydia's room, Elizabeth turned to face her, "Lydia, I must know why Captain Worthing is calling on Netherfield with Mr. Ashcombe. I was not aware the two gentlemen knew each other. So you can imagine my surprise to hear that Captain Worthing is staying with Mr. Ashcombe locally."
Lydia drew a deep breath, "Oh."
"Lydia..."
Lydia sighed, "Mr. Ashcombe called on Pemberley to see you the day after the harvest ball. He said you were expecting him to call. As you will remember, Mr. Darcy had planned a holiday for the three of you to begin the day after the harvest ball."
"Yes..."
Lydia's memory took her back to the harvest ball and the moment she was dancing with Captain Worthing.
As the two had taken the floor for the first two dances, Captain Worthing smiled, "Miss Bennet, I am overjoyed with having secured these dances with you."
"You are wasting your time with me, Captain." Lydia's eyes were dark and brooding as she looked at the gentleman, "I have nothing to give any man."
Captain Worthing's eyes closed briefly before he said quietly, "I am asking for the chance to change your mind." He pleaded, "Please let me call on you tomorrow.
"You are free to do as you wish but I am as well and you may find I am not available upon your calling."
"Miss Bennet, please allow me the opportunity to show you how I feel."
Lydia refused to meet his eyes as she said, "Captain Worthing, we are both aware that I am your second choice." Her eyes lifted in defiance, "The Bennet sister you really wanted was Kitty but since she is now unavailable, you have settled on me."
Captain Worthing sighed deeply, "Miss Bennet, you could not be farther from the truth." His eyes pleaded with her, "I admit when I first met your sister, I was intrigued by her. Nevertheless, I lost that battle a long time ago to the good colonel. To be honest, once I had time to think about it, I was glad I had lost." He saw the disbelief in Lydia's face, "Naturally, I was not happy in the moment. However, later I knew my loss had been a blessing. Had it happened another way, I would not have been free to pursue my interest in you." He held Lydia's hand longer than necessary with the pass, "Please allow me the honour of your company."
As Lydia nodded her affirmation, it was barely perceptible but Captain Worthing's eyes had glowed bright with pleasure.
"Captain Worthing did call on me the next day." Lydia told Elizabeth, "However, Mr. Ashcombe called on you at the same time."
"Oh." Elizabeth breathed in understanding.
"After I had observed his behaviour toward you the night before, I decided to enlist the help of Georgiana and we challenged the gentlemen to a game of billiards." Lydia smiled, "I had hoped to learn more about Mr. Ashcombe."
Georgiana was having difficulty with a particular shot. She was dithering with the stick in her hand as she tried to decide the most advantageous shot.
Lydia grinned wickedly as she addressed Mr. Ashcombe, "You should help Miss Darcy or else we may be here until morning."
"Miss Darcy," he addressed Georgiana, "This is the shot that will prove most effective." Mr. Ashcombe moved his hand along the trajectory to show the young lady.
Georgiana was a little hesitant but tried to make the shot and missed.
Mr. Ashcombe shook his head, "Had you followed my precise instructions, you would not have missed."
"Miss Darcy," Captain Worthing was supportive, "You have made a very valiant attempt and you will improve with practice."
Lydia was grateful for the support shown by the captain as she knew Georgiana was still insecure about her own abilities.
"When do you expect Mrs. Darcy to return from her holiday?" Mr. Ashcombe asked abruptly.
"Mrs. Darcy and my brother will be gone for a week or more." Georgiana said coldly, as her natural protectiveness emerged, "They are very affectionate with each other and can never have enough privacy."
Mr. Ashcombe appraised Georgiana, "Surely, now that Mr. Darcy has his heir, their time together will be limited." His demeanour was haughty with derision, "I know many married gentlemen and they have all assured me that their singular activities are in no way curtailed by their marriages."
Georgiana laughed, "You are very much mistaken if you believe that my brother and his wife's marriage is as any others you have known." Her eyes were defensive, "William and Elizabeth's love for each other is absolute. Their desire for each other is a physical manifestation of their all encompassing love." Georgiana drew herself up to her full height and glowered at the man, "If you do not recognise true love in its most basic form than I feel sorry for you."
"I thought Napoleon was a difficult opponent," Captain Worthing joked as he tried to lighten the mood in the room, "However, he was nothing compared with the ferocity of Miss Darcy."
Georgiana blushed profusely as she said, "I will marry for nothing but the truest of love that I see in my brother and Elizabeth."
"Me neither." Captain Worthing vowed as his eyes caught Lydia's and she felt the impact of his magnetism.
"Captain Worthing was the peacemaker that day and became friendly with Mr. Ashcombe, although they have very little in common." Lydia finished with a smile, "Mr. Ashcombe seems very cold to me and Captain Worthing has a fiery depth of feeling."
"You could be right about Mr. Ashcombe, I do not know." Elizabeth expression changed, "Although when I spoke to him at Pemberley, I felt a great deal of emotion from him."
"Elizabeth," Lydia looked worried, "The only time he shows any emotion is towards you. I would be very careful around him and you should never be alone with him."
"I agree." Elizabeth sighed.
"We cannot always see below the surface of a calm pond to what lies beneath." Lydia remarked, "Case in point being Miss Darcy, with her seemingly calm exterior, I could never have dreamed she was capable of the volcanic explosion she showed to Mr. Ashcombe."
"The Darcy's are both very like icebergs." Elizabeth chuckled, "All you can see is above the water; however the real danger lurks just beneath the surface." She smiled, "I know from my own experience that the passionate nature lying beneath can certainly take an unsuspecting person by surprise." Elizabeth shook her head, "If we are through philosophising, we should rejoin the others downstairs."
"Agreed."
Elizabeth turned around as they left the room, "Lydia, I love you and I am so very happy to have this opportunity to spend time getting to know you."
"I love you too." Tears glittered in Lydia's eyes, "When I think how close we came to losing you..."
"We shall not dwell on the past." Elizabeth proclaimed, "We shall only remember what pleases us from the past and nothing more."
The sisters minds were reeling with the depth of their own thoughts as they joined the others downstairs.