Ooops or Consequence & Consequences Chapter 12, a pride and prejudice fanfic

You asked for it…

Now why does that sound familiar? 😉

Thanks to everyone who (thankfully nicely) pointed out my mistakes in the last chapter. I think I fixed them all.

I even corrected the spelling of Brandon (Brendan) and Aidan (Aiden). Those and Conor are Irish names. Since I had picked Riona for Lady Carlton, I thought I'd go with a theme.

~~~o0o~~~

Winter at Pemberley was a subdued affair. Miss Georgiana Darcy was still recovering from her experience over the summer, when an old friend of the family had played on her fond childhood memories, and had made her think to be in love.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on their point of view, her brother arrived before she could be lured into making a truly bad decision. She had immediately told Mr Darcy about their childhood friend who was courting her, only to be told that the man she loved was a practised seducer. When she discovered the truth, she was glad to have escaped a lifetime of misery, although the cruel words spoken by the scoundrel, when he realised that his plan to obtain her dowry had failed, had sapped her confidence.

Afterwards she realised that her brother kept blaming himself for not trusting her with the information about the changes in character to their former friend. In an attempt to cheer up her brother, she had encouraged him to visit with Mr Bingley, when he leased the estate in Hertfordshire.

It appeared to have worked. After two weeks at Netherfield, Mr Darcy's letters to her had begun to describe some of the neighbours, not just his frustration with Miss Bingley's attempts to capture his interest. One name in particular appeared regularly in his missives, describing the lady in glowing terms, and Georgiana hoped that Miss Elizabeth Bennet might become the sister she had longed for.

Her hopes were dashed when her brother arrived unexpectedly in London at the end of November. He appeared even more moody and distracted than usual. Within a few days, they were on their way back to Pemberley to spend the festive season in their beloved home, although neither of the siblings was in a particularly festive mood.

~~~o0o~~~

One evening, just before Christmas, the Darcys shared a quiet meal, both lost in their thoughts. Afterwards, in an attempt to cheer her brother, Georgiana performed her latest pieces of music on the pianoforte.

Darcy listened abstractedly. He remembered another lady playing that song, and while his sister was technically better, Miss Elizabeth had played the song with such feeling, it had etched itself into his mind.

His sister interrupted his thoughts. 'Brother, will you not tell me what troubles you? Ever since you returned from Hertfordshire you have been even quieter than usual.'

Darcy tried to make light of the situation. 'You know that I have always been quiet. It seems to be a family trait. Perhaps you simply notice it more since you have been rather quiet yourself.'

'I know why I am more quiet than normal. I would like to know the cause in your case. Does it have something to do with Miss Elizabeth Bennet?'

'How… where did you hear that name?'

'From your letters, of course. You mentioned her on many occasions, and I became convinced that you were developing feelings for the lady.'

'I mentioned her in my letters?'

'Frequently. Will you not tell me about her?'

'Miss Elizabeth is a lovely lady.' Darcy admitted. 'But I could not afford to develop feelings for her, as you put it. Her family, except for her oldest sister are a disgrace. But we did become friends. I suppose I miss my friend.'

'Then tell me about your friend,' Georgiana encouraged her brother.

He felt just mellow enough, having been caught up in memories, that he was inclined to reminisce.

'Miss Elizabeth is the daughter of a gentleman with a small estate, neighbouring Netherfield. She is not classically beautiful, but her features are made captivating by very fine brown eyes. They sparkle with intelligence and humour.'

'She is kind and caring. Would you believe, when Miss Bennet became ill while visiting Miss Bingley at Netherfield, Miss Elizabeth walked three miles through mud, to look after her sister. She loves the outdoors, and thinks nothing of walking several miles all alone.'

'She sounds rather… independent,' Georgiana said hesitatingly.

'She is, and she know her own mind. And she is not afraid to speak it. Bingley despaired of us when we started debating. He claimed those were arguments, not debates.'

Darcy chuckled at the memory. 'Miss Elizabeth never simpered or fawned. Instead of agreeing with everything I said, like Miss Bingley does, she often expressed opinions not her own, just to start a debate.'

'Miss Elizabeth sounds perfect. How did you meet? You never said.'

Darcy's features clouded over. 'I must admit that when I arrived in Hertfordshire, I was in a foul mood. The first day I arrived, Bingley dragged me along to an assembly. Since I did not want to be there, I avoided introductions.' He sighed. 'When Bingley pestered me about dancing, and pointed out a lady he thought would be pleasant, I barely looked at her before declaring her not handsome enough to tempt me.'

Georgiana gasped in shock that her beloved brother could be so very rude. Darcy huffed. 'The irony is, that lady was Miss Elizabeth, and a few days later, I found out that she had heard us. She was kindness itself when I apologised, and granted that since as I was out of sorts on that night, she would not hold my ill-considered words against me.'

'She was most gracious to forgive you, Fitzwilliam. With all those wonderful qualities, why…'

Darcy shook his head sadly. 'The crux of the matter is, that while Mr Bennet is a gentleman, his wife is the daughter of a tradesman, and still has relations in trade, one of whom lives in Cheapside. Mrs Bennet's origins show in her manner. She is loud, crass and mercenary. She kept pushing Miss Bennet at Bingley, declaring to one and all that it was only a matter of time until the two would be wed. And their younger daughters' manners were atrocious and they should not have been allowed out.'

'No, Georgie. As lovely as Miss Elizabeth is, I cannot pollute the shades of Pemberley with that family,' Darcy declared firmly, not realising how soon he would be forced to eat his words.

~~~o0o~~~

In Mr Bingley's household in London, the atmosphere was equally gloomy. Christmas was approaching, but there was no cheer.

Miss Bingley had managed to delay her brother's departure for Hertfordshire until the weather turned bad, and travel became chancy. Then she insisted that she wanted to spend Christmas in town, where there were many entertainments for their amusements.

Eventually, Bingley agreed to remain in town, but consoled himself with writing a letter to Mr Bennet, explaining his absence. This letter was never even sent, since Miss Bingley intercepted it.

Ten days passed without a response.

Mr Bingley reluctantly came to the conclusion that Darcy might have been correct. He saw Mr Bennet refusal to respond as a sign that the gentleman was aware of his daughter's feelings, and protected her from his wife by cutting the connection.

It hurt abominably, particularly since Caroline was still harping on what a lucky escape it had been.

Even now, his sister interrupted his musing. 'What think you of Miss Huntington? Is she not an angel? And such wonderful connections. Did you know that her uncle is a Viscount? Just think, how wonderful it would be for all of us to be related to such a family.'

She smiled dreamily. 'With such relations, I am convinced that Mr Darcy will not hesitate any longer and offer for me. After all, he could not do better than marry the sister of his dearest friend. I am formed for him. With my education, beauty and style, not to mention my dowry and connections, he could not find a more accomplished lady to establish as Mistress of Pemberley.'

'Caroline, stop. How often do I have to tell you that Darcy will never offer for you. You might consider yourself superior, but when all is said and done, you are still only the daughter of a tradesman.' He shook his head in frustration.

'Darcy even refused to countenance marrying Miss Elizabeth, and she is the daughter of a gentleman.' Mr Bingley might seem oblivious much of the time, but even he had noticed how attracted Darcy had been to the lady.

'Of course, Mr Darcy would never marry a country nobody with no accomplishments, other than being a great walker. He needs a wife who can shine in society, who is refined and accomplished and agreeable. Not some hoyden who will argue with him. Miss Elizabeth would never give him any peace. I, on the other hand, would ensure that everything is to his liking.'

Mr Bingley gave up. There was no reasoning with his sister, since she refused to listen to anything she did not want to hear. He went back to mourning the absence of Miss Bennet's soothing presence.

~~~o0o~~~

In Meryton, Mr Collins was most put out with his cousin. Just a week ago he had announced his arrival, planning to stay at Longbourn, while preparing for his wedding to Miss Lucas.

When he had arrived on Friday, he found the house closed up, and the housekeeper refused to admit him. Collins tried to force the issue by claiming that as the future Master of Longbourn, he had the right to stay in the house.

Mrs Hill was adamant. 'When you are the Master of Longbourn, you may stay here. Until then you had better find other accommodation.'

She shut the door in his face.

Since the driver of the chaise which he had hired to take him to Longbourn, had already unloaded his trunk and departed, while Collins was arguing with Mrs Hill, the parson had to walk back to Meryton, carrying his trunk.

He made it as far as Lucas Lodge, when inspiration struck him. He would stay with his new family.

While Sir William and Lady Lucas were sympathetic to his plight, they cited the impropriety of his presence under the same roof as his fiancée as the reason why they had to refuse their hospitality.

At least they provided him with transport to the inn, where he would stay until the wedding on Monday. He was too enervated from his exertions caused by travelling from Kent followed by his walk, to do anything that evening. He had a tray in his room and went to sleep.

~~~o0o~~~

The following day, Mr Collins dined at Lucas Lodge, where he attempted to find out what was happening at Longbourn.

'Nobody in Meryton knows where the Bennets have gone, although there is a great deal of speculation. All we know is that Mr Bennet took Jane and Elizabeth to London, and then decided to take the rest of his family on a holiday. Somewhere up north we believe,' said Lady Lucas when Collins enquired to the whereabouts of his cousin.

'I believe the Gardiners must be joining the Bennets, since Jane and Elizabeth have been with them for the last three weeks,' Charlotte Lucas added rather sadly. 'I had hoped that Eliza would return and stand up with me on Monday, but she sent me a note apologising for her absence and wishing us felicity.'

'Do not concern yourself, my dear,' Collins told her pompously. 'You have brothers and sisters, who can stand with us on that joyous occasion. I must admit that I am pleased that Cousin Elizabeth will not be present. I told Lady Catherine about her ungracious refusal of my hand, and the great Lady informed me that I had a lucky escape, not to be saddled with such an impertinent chit as my wife.'

He smiled benevolently. 'As a matter of fact, Lady Catherine congratulated me on my wise choice of bride, and greatly anticipates getting to know you.'

'I too am all anticipation to meet your patroness,' replied Charlotte. Although her reply was truthful, she expected to be amused rather than awed by Lady Catherine.

~~~o0o~~~