AU: How would things at the Bennet household be different if Elizabeth had a twin brother: Edward?
Disclaimer: I do not own Pride and Prejudice or any of the characters. This is just a story that I am writing for fun.
Author's Note: I'm still alive, I promise! I have been busy over the break, but I am trying to write as I have time. This is a bit shorter than the past few chapters have been, but it is a new chapter nonetheless. I hope you enjoy it and THANK YOU to all who are reading!
After Jane, Elizabeth, and Edward had eaten some breakfast, Edward insisted that Elizabeth get some rest. She only agreed after Jane said that she would feel bad if Elizabeth got sick because she did not rest enough because Elizabeth was taking care of her. Edward promised to sit with Jane and take care of her while Elizabeth rested.
Elizabeth immediately went into her room to get some rest. She felt the effects of staying up all night with Jane. She barely got dressed in her nightclothes before she fell into the bed and slept.
The afternoon sun was streaming into Elizabeth's room when she awoke again. She was still a little tired, but she felt much better having slept all morning. She was glad that Edward had insisted that she eat breakfast because she was not hungry and did not have to go and find food. She got dressed and went to go and check on Jane. In the hallway, she saw Edward quietly closing Jane's door. Edward smiled at Elizabeth and led her down the hallway toward the main areas of the house before he said anything.
"Jane just fell asleep. I asked one of the servants to sit with her while I took a walk around the gardens. Would you like to join me?"
"I believe a turn in the gardens would be wonderful, but you must wait while I go and get the proper outer clothing for outside."
"I will wait for you in the main hall." Elizabeth and Edward parted ways, Edward heading toward the drawing room to give a report of Jane to a worrying Bingley and inform them that he and Elizabeth would be walking around the gardens if they were needed and Elizabeth to her room to properly dress herself for the walk outside.
When Elizabeth had made it to the entry hall, she and Edward went outside and started walking around the gardens. They did not talk of much but just enjoyed the scenery. They had not been walking long when they heard footsteps coming along the path ahead of them. The footsteps told them that only one person was approaching, and it was a man. Elizabeth secretly hoped that it was Mr. Darcy, for she was enjoying learning about who he really was instead of the mask that he put on in large groups, but she did not voice her hope to Edward because she did not want the approaching person, whether it be Darcy or not, to hear her.
Elizabeth smiled as the man rounded the corner.
"Edward, Miss Elizabeth, I hope that I am not intruding, but a turn in the garden sounded like a wonderful idea."
"You are not intruding, sir," replied Elizabeth. "We were not talking much, just enjoying the scenery. I believe that we have walked the gardens and woods around Longbourn so much that they do not appeal to us as much as they once did. A change in scenery is a wonderful thing."
"A change in scenery is wonderful, but I personally never tire of the scenery around my home," Mr. Darcy replied, "but I do not have the privilege of seeing it as often as I would wish."
"What is your home like?" asked Elizabeth as they began walking together through the gardens. They had stopped when they met up with Mr. Darcy. The path was not quite wide enough for three people to walk along, but Edward pretended to be interested in a certain flower that he saw and let Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy take the lead along the paths. Edward was, after all, the son of Fanny Bennet; he had some matchmaking in his blood, though he was more subtle about his attempts at matching his sisters with men that he thought were worthy of them. Elizabeth was aware of her brother's habits, but she said nothing because she was interested in getting to know Mr. Darcy more. Darcy, who was not as familiar with Edward as Elizabeth, did not think anything of Edward's actions, but was glad to be able to talk to Elizabeth directly without the interference of Caroline. Bingley had convinced Caroline to say inside. He was tired of her interference with Mr. Darcy and was trying to help Darcy by keeping her busy.
While Mr. Darcy was describing his home, Pemberly, to Elizabeth, Edward kept finding things to "look at" in the garden so that he was always a few steps behind them.
After they had walked for a while, they decided that they should go back inside. While they were going to the house, Edward caught up with them.
"Darcy, though we were not able to practice or have a fencing match today, I am willing to let the results of yesterday's matches stand, if that is acceptable to my sister," he said. "It would allow us to proceed to our match sooner if you are willing to fence with me earlier than originally planned."
"I believe that yesterday's results were fair and would not change with another day of practicing. I am willing to let the results stand."
"I would be willing to have our match tomorrow if that is acceptable to you," said Mr. Darcy. Through the conversation, it sounded like Edward had bested Elizabeth in the match, but he was not convinced. They seemed to have a language of their own and could communicate in a way that Darcy had not seen before. He attributed it to their being twins, but he was still fascinated by it.
"Then it is agreed. The match will be tomorrow. Might we plan the match for the afternoon when Jane is resting? I would very much like to watch."
"That sounds acceptable to me," said Mr. Darcy.
"And me as well," added Edward.
With that, all three of them went into the house. Elizabeth went up to check on Jane and sit with her for the remainder of the afternoon. Edward and Mr. Darcy made their way to the library. They both were hoping to get some reading done in the silence of the afternoon while the ladies of the house were resting.