Hi everyone,
This story started as an exercise on Austen Authors. I wanted to find out what would happen if Darcy met the leading ladies from other Austen novels? Would he get along with Emma Woodhouse? Would he be attracted to Anne Elliot? In this story we will find out. And we may find out why Elizabeth Bennet will always be his true love! This will be a short story, probably only 3-4 chapters long. I hope you enjoy it!-Elaine Owen
Meetings in Meryton
To my estimable cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam,
I am writing to you from Netherfield, the estate in Hertfordshire that Bingley is leasing with an eye towards purchasing it one day. This little town of Meryton, of which Netherfield is the principal dwelling, is filled with good people of the middling sort. You know the type I mean- good enough for Bingley but rather beneath my notice. Nevertheless, I am here to assist Bingley in whatever way I can. So, after some urging on his part, I agreed to go to an assembly with him last night in order to allow him to become acquainted with the neighbors. 'Twas an irksome duty but one I was determined to tolerate for his sake.
When Bingley and I entered the room we were at once the objects of curiosity on every side. Nearly the entire assemblage stopped what they were doing to gape at us, which was exactly as I had expected and the principal reason I did not wish to attend. Wanting to avoid their gaze I requested an introduction to almost the first creature I saw- it mattered not who. I was rewarded with the hand of a Miss Fanny Price, whom I believe to be visiting from L-shire.
This was a most disappointing choice. Miss Price was so shy that we scarcely spoke ten words for the first ten minutes. Also, she tired within a short time and had to sit down before completing the first set. It was just as well, as I found nothing particularly appealing in her company.
It was not an auspicious beginning to the night. Bingley had already paired himself with the only woman in the room worth noticing, a local woman who is considered a great beauty. I stood about in an awkward, uncomfortable way for some time before finally allowing him to introduce me to someone else. That someone else turned out to be a Miss Elinor Dashwood.
I suppose I cannot blame Bingley for bringing the lady to my attention. She had a fine disposition, and I gathered that she, her mother and her sisters are reliant on the kindness of family. She was the very embodiment of a "poor relation." But I felt no attraction for her. She was too reserved, too cautious, and too guarded in her manner to gain my attention. I felt as though I were dancing with a cipher.
By this time word of my fortune had spread through the assembly, with the usual and predictable results. Practically the entire assemblage of mothers, and even fathers, began lining up to try to meet me. I had scarcely left Miss Dashwood's side when a Mr. Woodhouse, a country squire, introduced me to his daughter Emma.
Miss Woodhouse was entirely the opposite of the woman whose company I had just left, being a young lady of superficial charm and no small amount of vanity. Her chief occupation in life appears to be observing others and convincing them to do as she likes. She would never do as a sister for my dear Georgiana, who would soon find herself at the center of every scheme Miss Woodhouse could devise. I risked being abominably ill-mannered by not even asking her for a dance, but I am under no obligation to honor anyone with my attention. I made an excuse and left her company as soon as possible.
It was then that my evening took a different turn. When I turned away from Miss Woodhouse I collided with a woman who had come up behind me unexpectedly. We both apologized and perforce introduced ourselves. Her name was Lady Susan Vernon.
My dear cousin, you would have been smitten in a moment if you had met this lady. I know you would have, for she is older than me, a recent widow, and possessed of a certain sophistication, an air which I know has drawn you to women like her in the past. Genteel, wealthy and handsome besides- just the sort of lady who might catch and keep the attention of educated and worldly gentleman such as ourselves. I asked her to dance at once.
The first set was exceedingly pleasant. My partner spoke extensively of books and reading, demonstrating a well informed mind, an impressive education, and everything else a well bred woman should possess. By happy chance we had encountered each other just before the fourth set, so I was expected to take her in to dinner, a duty I happily complied with.
Our conversation continued right through the beginning of the meal, and I had every reason to believe our enjoyable interlude would continue afterwards, until Lady Susan suddenly announced that she did not feel well. She began a violent coughing fit, and nothing would do but for her to leave the table. Being a gentleman, I had to give her my assistance.
Lady Susan leaned on my arm as I guided her through a doorway, following the directions she helpfully supplied. I thought she was guiding me to a quiet room where I could leave her to catch her breath. Instead, within a short time, I found that we had entered a darkened room which seemed nearly empty. I stepped away from Lady Susan long enough to push back a curtain and admit more light.
Are you laughing at me, cousin? I am sure you are, for you have doubtless discerned what I had yet to fully comprehend.
Lady Susan suddenly gave a cry and sank down onto the only piece of furniture in the room, which I now realized was a bed. Horrified, I leaped to her side and called her name, urging her to rouse. In response she clutched my arm and pulled me closer to her. We struggled back and forth until I lost my balance and fell directly on top of the lady. What a position to be in! I realized my danger and tried to pull away, but she held firm.
At that precise moment the door of the room flew open. I expected that whoever was about to come into the room would see Lady Susan and myself entangled and demand that I do the honorable thing. The triumphant smile on my companion's face told me she thought the same thing.
But the man who entered the room immediately cried out, "Lady Susan, what the devil do you think you are doing?" I later learned that his name was Reginald De Courcy and that he is engaged to Lady Susan's daughter.
Lady Susan affected the utmost innocence. "Reginald, my dear, you have interrupted Mr. Darcy and myself in a tender moment!"
"Not bloody likely! You are trying to entrap this poor fool, who does not realize what a spider's web he has fallen into!"
It is rather amazing how such an insulting statement can be so accurate. I would have been offended had I not been so relieved.
Lady Susan's pleasing expression changed into one of wrath. "If you think you can still marry my daughter after this shameful display, think again! I will not allow Frederica to marry you if you do not cease carrying on this way!"
De Courcy advanced towards her and answered back loudly, something I could not make out. By now I was intent on making my escape, and luckily there was a door knob just to my left. I grabbed hold of it with barely a look. It may have been to another room, a closet, or even a privy. It did not matter. I opened the door, stepped through, and closed it firmly behind me.
At once the noise of the argument behind me disappeared. The room I found myself in was mysterious and dark, lit only by a single candle and a scant amount of moonlight coming in through a window. There was barely time to take in the outlines of the room before a low cry came to my ears. A young woman stood at the far side of the room, holding her hand over her heart. "Are you real, or are you a spirit?"
Out of the frying pan and into the fire, as they say. I had fled one compromising situation ony to find myself in one that was not much better. When had this evening taken such a dismal turn?