It all might have been different...
This will be a series of one-or-two-shots in which a small alteration has far reaching results. There are no promises of happily-ever-after, at least for our dear couple. Still, I hope that you can enjoy the stories anyway.
Author's note: I have not forgotten nor abandoned "Interrupted Journey" nor "Simple Things." I am just uncertain of where to go with all or part of these two stories. Please be patient with me.
The Lake District
What if Uncle Gardiner had been free to visit the Lake District after all?
The setting: Touring Muncaster Castle, the Lake District
"...and this area, which now features the azalea garden, was once the location of the Roman barracks. It spans an entire acre, and..."
Elizabeth Bennet drifted away from her aunt and uncle and the gardener effusively praising the vast estate. It was a truly remarkable place and the history of Muncaster Castle was something which might normally catch her attention, but at the moment she was fighting melancholy.
"A woman as beautiful as you should never wear such an expression," a deep voice chided softly. Elizabeth jumped and looked up to find herself facing a very tall, well-dressed, and decidedly handsome man.
Her surprise and melancholy made her less than charitable and she replied, "As we have not been properly introduced, I will ask you to keep your observances to yourself."
Rather than being offended, the man looked amused. He bowed politely and then promptly made his way over to where her aunt and uncle were listening to the gardener. The insufferable man means to force an introduction! She wanted to stalk away, but then memories of her less than gracious behaviors toward Mr. Darcy intruded upon her memory. No! I will not behave like a termagant again, regardless of how the other party behaves.
So when her aunt beckoned her over, Elizabeth had no choice but to comply. Mr. Gardiner made the introduction, "Mr. Pennington, this is our niece, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Elizabeth, Mr. Arthur Pennington, nephew to Baron Pennington, whose estate we are touring."
Elizabeth resolved to be civil and made her curtsy. Even though he clearly outranked her, Mr. Pennington had bowed first, "Mr. Pennington, I am honored to meet you."
In his deep, rumbling voice the man replied, "And I you, Miss Bennet. I noticed that your were less than charmed by the formal gardens. Is there any feature in particular that might attract your attention?"
Mr. Gardiner chuckled, "Our Lizzie is a creature of nature, Mr. Pennington. She much prefers the wildness of God's work rather than the sculpted gardens made by man."
Elizabeth blushed, but Pennington had a twinkle in his eye, "I must entirely sympathize. Whenever I visit my uncle's estate I spend most of my time searching for trails I might have missed or sketching birds that I have not yet cataloged."
This caught Elizabeth's attention, "Are you then involved in the study of birds or of all nature, Mr. Pennington?" For the first time she noticed the satchel hanging from his broad shoulders and tucked behind his back.
He nodded, "While I make no claims to be at the same level as my dear colleague, Audubon, I am fascinated with ornithology." Audubon's first book had been published a few years earlier to wide acclaim.
Elizabeth forgot her earlier melancholy and reticence and allowed herself a brilliant smile. Soon the young pair were walking away from the others as they spoke enthusiastically about the birds of England and elsewhere in the world. It was with deepest regret that Madeline Gardiner had to remind her niece of a previous commitment half an hour later.
Before they could go, however, Arthur Pennington extracted the information that the trio would remain in the area for two days more... and secured permission to call on Elizabeth to share his sketches and paintings with her. All went well on the following day and the small family group was quite impressed with his artwork. The older couple, after ensuring a proper chaperon, left the younger pair to talk over Mr. Pennington's many adventures in the interest of ornithology. When he finally excused himself for the day, it was not until he had again obtained permission to visit Elizabeth again on the following day.
When Arthur arrived on that third and last day, it was to find the Gardiners out on a walk and Elizabeth distraught. Elizabeth had been quite certain of the handsome man's interest, but honesty compelled her to tell him the horrible news of what her sister Lydia had done.
Rather than withdraw, Arthur sent for the older couple and then provided an additional piece of interesting and pertinent information: He was involved in the business of intelligence and counterintelligence for the War Office. This meant that he knew people who knew every inch of London. After insisting upon being allowed to help, he rode ahead with Mr. Gardiner to set the search in motion.
By the time that Elizabeth and her aunt had completed their much slower journey south to London, Mr. Pennington's contacts had managed to locate the couple in the dregs of the city. George Wickham was a deserter and a scoundrel, so he was clapped in irons and facing trial before another day was done. All that was left was to find a way to minimize the scandal that Lydia Bennet had created. Mr. Gardiner found a young, respectable businessman who needed funds to launch his next venture and was willing to work to redeem a young and beautiful wife.. Mr. Gardiner provided what he could, as did Mr. Bennet, naturally. But both men suspected that Arthur Pennington may have supplemented their efforts with his own contribution, but they chose not to demand the truth.
Mr. Raymond was a handsome, distinguished looking man who had once been an officer in His Majesty's Army. Lydia quickly forgot about Mr. Wickham under the gentle but firm attention of his replacement. It did not hurt that she would now live in London in a fine house and with more pin money than her mother. A week of living in a hovel with Mr. Wickham had done much to open her eyes.
Despite the scandal, Mr. Pennington installed himself in Meryton shortly after Lydia's wedding, ostensibly to illustrate the birds of the area which Elizabeth had noted, but in reality because he had found a much greater treasure which he was unwilling to give up.
When Fitzwilliam Darcy read the engagement announcement of Arthur Pennington and Elizabeth Bennet six months later, he allowed himself one night to get drunk and then he resolved to move on with his life. He did see her in London, two years later, when he took his new wife to the theater. Elizabeth looked even more beautiful than ever on the arm of Sir Arthur Pennington, recently knighted for his clandestine efforts for his country. Elizabeth managed to secure a private moment with Mr. Darcy, in which she softly stated, "I am deeply sorry, Mr. Darcy, for the way I behaved towards you and for willfully misunderstanding you. Please know that I wish you and your wife all of the very best for the future."
And surprisingly, Darcy felt quite content with that. He spent the rest of his life ensuring that his wife, sister, and children were never in doubt about his love for them.
With the end of the war with France, Sir Arthur and Lady Pennington travelled the world with their growing family, meeting people and sketching wildlife. His own works were never on par with those of his friend, but he found no reason to repine.