Rembering the Future Past
Copyright: 2021
By Jadie Brooks
AN:I do hope you all enjoy this story. I welcome constructive criticism however I will not accept "guest" reviews because there is no way for me to respond or ask for clarication of them.
This is a AU story of Pride and Prejudice. E/D Rated T,
Warning: There are character deaths, but not any of the Bennet family.
A carriage accident changes the course of the Bennet family.
Chapter 1
Longbourn rang out with warmth and loud Christmas cheer. The Gardiner children lent much to both, but especially to the happy noises of the holiday. Although the little ones loved to be with their favourites, their eldest two cousins, their merriment could not be contained to any one person or place for more than a few minutes.
At that moment, the three Gardiner children were playing a riotous game of spillikins with Lydia and Kitty. Normally, their genuine laughter would have brought huge smiles to the faces of Jane and Elizabeth. However, this holiday was the exception. The reason was that for all intents and purposes, Jane had been jilted by a near neighbour, Mr. Bingley.
That young gentleman had left the area without a word the morning after the ball he had hosted at Netherfield. His sister had sent Jane a short note explaining that Mr. Bingley would not be returning. She hinted that he would soon be engaged to Miss Georgiana Darcy, the sister to Fitzwilliam Darcy—Charles Bingley's closest friend.
Elizabeth glanced at Jane and saw a weak smile on her face. Lizzy wondered if her own facial expression looked as false as her sister's. She did not have exactly the same reason to feel melancholy as Jane did. The gentleman for whom she pined—there was no other word in her mind for it—had not openly admired her as Mr. Bingley had done with Jane, so as to build up expectations only to destroy them without a backward look. On the contrary, Elizabeth had only winks and the sly teases which had taken deep root in her heart. She knew she had no chance with a man such as Mr. Darcy, but her emotions and her heart refused to accept it. Jane was openly pitied and comforted while Elizabeth was left to carry the burden of lost hopes entirely alone. She had anticipated that a visit from the Gardiners would chase away her downcast feelings. Regrettably, at their arrival and upon seeing the loving exchange between her aunt and uncle, her longing had only deepened.
As she sat with her family, Elizabeth allowed herself the luxury of remembering the first time she met Mr. Darcy. It was at Meryton's autumn assembly.
As was their habit, the five Bennet ladies arrived early, without their father who enjoyed the quietude allowed him when the rest of the family was gone. Kitty and Lydia were the first to leave their mother's side to join a group of their friends. Mary found a quiet place to sit and read, while Jane and Elizabeth stayed close to their mother as Lady Lucas and her elder daughter and Elizabeth's good friend greeted them.
"Charlotte, you look lovely tonight." Elizabeth was the first to speak, drawing her friend a short distance from their mothers.
"Thank you, Eliza," Charlotte replied with a wry grin. "It is not true, but I appreciate the sentiment."
"Oh Charlotte, I wish that you would not speak so lowly of yourself," Elizabeth scolded.
"How else might I speak?" she asked with a teasing smile, "When I am surrounded by 'the jewels of the county', to quote my dear father."
Changing the subject, Charlotte asked, "Have you met the new residents of Netherfield?"
"Our father called there, and Mr. Bingley returned the call," she explained. "However, the gentleman did not come to the parlour, so we have yet to be introduced."
"I am certain that when they arrive, my father will do the honours. I am told Mr. Bingley and his sister were expecting guests from Town. We may have a bit of variety in our dance partners this evening."
Mrs. Bennet joined the young women to announce quite eagerly, "Mr. Bingley is a gentleman of five thousand a year. Think of it, Jane. If he should take a fancy to you, what a life you would lead!"
"Mama, please," Jane begged in a whisper, "I have not even met the man. Do not begin to plan for my future."
"Of course not, my dear," Mrs. Bennet said as she patted her eldest daughter's arm. "It is just that you are by far the prettiest girl in Meryton. He is bound to fall in love with you at first sight."
Elizabeth could not help but be glad that she was not her mother's favourite. She could not be so sanguine as Jane at such embarrassing speeches from her mother. She was about to say something to her sister to distract her when those gathered went silent and stared at the newest arrivals.
Mr. Bingley was the first to enter. She had seen him at a distance from the upper window when he called on her father. Behind him walked an elegantly dressed couple. The man, short in stature, was rather plump and red-faced. The woman was more petite than her spouse with a decided air of superiority about her.
Elizabeth was going to say something to Charlotte about the new arrivals, when her attention was arrested by the tall and extremely handsome man who entered next. So stunned was she that at first she did not even notice the thin, prettyish young woman who hung on his arm. Lizzy's full attention focussed on the gentleman's demeanour as he glanced over the crowd. He seemed to find little that pleased him until he caught her gaze. His face softened for a brief moment before it returned to its former aloofness.
As Charlotte had predicted, Sir William Lucas soon introduced Mr. Bingley to the Bennets, or to the ones who were still close enough to Mrs. Bennet to be included. The Bennet ladies curtseyed, and almost immediately Mr. Bingley asked Jane for a set.
Her mother smiled triumphantly and walked off to declare Jane's conquest. Elizabeth heard Charlotte stifle a laugh.
"At the rate your mother is going I believe that she will be asking for the banns to be read in a week," teased Charlotte.
"It is no joking matter, Charlotte," Elizabeth said with a grimace. "I do wish that Mama would control her tongue. It is quite embarrassing."
"I am sorry, Eliza, I was only teasing."
"I know you were, and I am not upset, merely frustrated by her at times like these."
Samuel Lucas arrived at that moment to ask Elizabeth to dance. She accepted reluctantly. The Lucas heir had recently returned from his studies at university. Lizzy thought that the crowd he had run with must have fancied themselves as well-dressed dandies. His jacket was showy and garish in brightly coloured brocade while his waistcoat clashed with it.
All during the two dances, Samuel Lucas talked of his friends from London and all of the parties and fêtes he had attended. He performed the steps well enough, but his boasting seemed to affect his timing in the dance.
Happily for Elizabeth, the set finally ended, and she was able to find a place to rest as Lucas sought his next partner. She did not mind sitting out a set or two, especially when from her view point, she could observe the tall gentleman as he danced with the ladies of his party. It was also when she finally truly noticed the young woman who had come into the assembly room attached to the gentleman's arm. The lady, she had learned from Samuel Lucas, was Mr. Bingley's younger sister who was to keep house for her brother. She danced with a practiced step and held her nose quite high, looking very satisfied with herself and her partner.
On the other hand, the gentleman appeared to only endure the set, not speaking often. Elizabeth wondered if the reason for his behaviour was that he did not care to dance or particularly care for his partner. Either way, he did not look as if he enjoyed the activity.
Once that set was concluded, the gentleman escorted the young lady to where her brother stood chatting cheerfully with Jane. The gentleman bowed to the older lady, obviously asking for the next set.
Jane and Mr. Bingley walked around the perimeter of the room until they finally came to where she was seated.
"Miss Elizabeth, how are you enjoying the dancing?" Mr. Bingley asked with a smile.
"I am enjoying it very much, sir," Elizabeth answered.
"I am happy to hear it and would like to have the pleasure of dancing this set with you," Mr. Bingley beamed when Jane looked pleased at his invitation.
"Should I take you to your mother first, Miss Bennet?" he asked.
"No, my next partner is headed this way. I shall be fine until he arrives."
"Very good, but remember, you promised me the next set."
"I will not forget, sir," Jane said, blushing.
Dancing with Mr. Bingley was agreeable. His jovial manner and lively conversation helped to make the set far more pleasant than her first. Several times, Elizabeth noticed that his eyes strayed to Jane although he was not obvious about it. She smiled inwardly at his apparent interest in her elder sister. Perhaps her mother's predictions would come true after all, if her mother's excited manners did not frighten him away.
"If you do not mind my saying so, Miss Bennet is a charming and lovely young lady," Mr. Bingley commented, his face colouring.
"Why would I mind a compliment to my dearest sister?" Elizabeth laughed lightly. "I cannot but agree, and since I have known her all of my life, I can tell you she is angelic in her dealings with others."
Mr. Bingley heartily agreed and continued to sing her praises as they moved through the dance.
Once the set was over, Mr. Bingley escorted Elizabeth to her mother and waited for Jane to return.
Mrs. Bennet eagerly complimented Mr. Bingley on his generosity in dancing with her eldest daughters while emphasising Jane's grace and talent. He readily agreed with her assessment although he was gallant enough to praise Elizabeth's skills as well.
When the next set was announced, Mr. Bingley once more escorted Jane to the floor while Elizabeth made her way to her favourite spot. It was not until she reached it and sat down that she realized Mr. Darcy stood not too distant from her. As he did not seem to notice her, she decided to indulge in the pleasure of observing him.
Mr. Darcy still did not seem to be enjoying himself, but he was more relaxed now that he was alone. Elizabeth wondered if the man was shy or if he felt himself above his company. One thing was quite obvious to her. He did not want to be there. His eyes frequently strayed to the door as if he were plotting a way to leave.
Smiling inwardly, Elizabeth could sympathize with the man. Often she sought an escape from her mother's nerves and her complaints about only having daughters. Elizabeth was often reprimanded for not being a son, as if she had any choice in the matter. This was one of the reasons Lizzy spent so much time walking out of doors. The trees and grass never criticized her or decried her lack of beauty, especially as compared to Jane or Lydia.
At the break in the set, Mr. Bingley walked to Mr. Darcy and said, "Darcy, you must dance. I hate to see you standing around in this stupid manner."
"I will not," was Mr. Darcy's curt answer. "You know how much I dislike dancing with strangers. I have already danced with your sisters. You have been dancing with the only beautiful girl in the room."
"Oh yes, she is a veritable angel." Bingley glanced around and spied Elizabeth. "There is one of her sisters. I danced with her, and she is a very lovely girl too."
Elizabeth became very uncomfortable, listening to the gentlemen's conversation. However, she hoped that Mr. Darcy might relent and ask her to dance. His response dashed her hope.
"She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me." Mr. Darcy then turned, caught her eye, and winked before giving his friend one last admonishment, "Return to your lovely partner and leave me to myself."
Elizabeth could not account for the shock and thrill she felt when Mr. Darcy winked at her. He must have known she was there the whole time. What could he mean by it?
Shaking his head, Mr. Bingley strode back to where Jane was standing.
Once he had left, Mr. Darcy casually moved closer to where Elizabeth sat. He did not sit or even look her way. Merely standing near her, he spoke in a low tone. "I hope you will accept my apology for the patently false statement I just made about you. When Bingley has an idea, he has the tenacity of a terrier. I have learned that I must show no weakness if I am to keep from doing something I do not wish to do, although I would have liked to have danced with you, I did not want to give in to Bingley's prodding, for it would have made it harder for me to convince him of my opinion at another time.
"He pushed me into coming to this assembly. I would have declined vehemently. However, I did not wish to be left at Netherfield in the sole company of Miss Bingley, as she did not wish to attend and would have stayed behind." Mr. Darcy sighed and continued, "I am not sure why I am being so candid with you, Miss Bennet. I hope you will pardon my bluntness."
Keeping her eyes on the dancers, Elizabeth said, "As I have often been told that I am impertinent, I accept your apology. I shall not reveal your opinions either."
"Thank you," he breathed out in relief. "I hope that when next there is an opportunity to dance, you will do me the honour of agreeing to stand up with me."
"Indeed, sir, I would be happy to do so."
On the other side of the room, Elizabeth caught sight of Miss Bingley. Displeasure and even anger pinched the lady's face. "Do you have an understanding with Mr. Bingley's younger sister?"
"With Miss Bingley?" He shivered with obvious revulsion. "I do not and never will have an understanding with her. Pardon my frankness once more, but she has had an eye on my home, Pemberley, for quite some time, and since there is no other way for my estate to come into her hands, she wishes to obtain it by marrying me."
"If that is so, then I understand why she is glaring at me in such a manner," Elizabeth smiled as she replied.
"Now, Miss Bennet, if you will excuse me, I must leave your side," Darcy said with reluctance. "I would not wish you to experience Miss Bingley's contumely. Her words can be sharp, spiteful, and oftentimes hurtful."
"I believe that I will be able to stand up to whatever she might say to me, but I should go back to my mother's side before she begins to look for me." Elizabeth stood and gave Mr. Darcy a brief glance.
She could not help but smile when he winked at her again.
A happy screech from one of the children brought Elizabeth back to the present. No one seemed to have noticed her lack of attention. Olivia ran to her side, declaring that she had won the game.
"Lizzy, I never won before," the five year-old said as she crawled into Elizabeth's lap. "It was great fun. I do wish that you would play with us."
"Another time, perhaps, Livie," Elizabeth answered and kissed the little girl's cheek. "However, it is very close to dinner. I must go change and you must return to the nursery. I have heard there is to be a great feast up there."
"Oh!" Olivia exclaimed, "I had nearly forgotten. Nathan, James, we must go to the nursery for our Christmas dinner."
As the children scurried eagerly up the stairs with their nanny following them, Mrs. Gardiner spoke. "Thank you, Lizzy. I was going to make the same suggestion, but I did not think I could turn them from their games so easily."
"You are welcome, Aunt," Elizabeth acknowledged, "But it was easy, as I remembered how much I loved Christmas dinner as a child."