Chapter 1:
Elizabeth looked out the window of the rickety coach, searching for the familiar trees that she had once seen on a beautiful Spring morning. Had it really been that long? She let of a heavy sigh, remembering what the past year had brought. She sometimes wondered what would have happened if she had chanced upon him here, at his ancestral home, when she had come to visit with her beloved Aunt and Uncle. But alas, they did not meet. They had barely enjoyed the grounds of Pemberley when they arrive at Lambton and received an express that Lydia had ruined them all. Stupid, stupid Lydia, she thought to herself, one time too many.
The coach left her a mile away from the entrance of Pemberley, the best her last coin could afford. She had used up her entire fortune, if one could call on that, on this. On this adventure. On this last effort. What if he was not home? She began to panic. She had not even thought of that! But it was too late. Nightfall was almost upon her, the sky was gray from the heavy rain, and having come this far, she treaded on...
Elizabeth hesitated as she approached the entrance of Pemberley. It had been a year since she had last seen it and somehow, even with all the rain and wind, it was just as beautiful as it had been on that morning Spring. She stopped her steps for a mere moment, her chest heaving, looking around at the beautiful, albeit very wet, gardens and laughed at her own folly—she could have been a mistress of all of this! But perhaps she was not too late...
She continued on, for her feet soaked and the sun finally setting into the cloudy and rainy skies, nightfall rapidly approaching. She could not have planned for a worse entrance but she would not let courage fail her now, she had run out of money when she arrived at Lambton and had no choice but to continue on foot to Mr. Darcy's residence. She could only hope that his generosity would extend her a dry place to sleep, she would not let her mind imagine that he still cared for her, that perhaps, he could renew his interest.
It seemed like an eternity until she reached the beautiful doors and she knocked, waiting for a footman or perhaps the butler to receive her.
The butler opened the door and looked surprised to see a lady of gentry, soaked, without a companion nor coach in-front of her.
"May I help you?" he asked hesitantly, looking around behind her for any sign of carriage or baggage.
"Good evening, may I speak with Mr. Darcy?" she asked, mustering her courage and sounding every bit the lady. She knew she looked dreadful but she hoped that he would take her question in earnest and actually search for the master instead of mistaking her for a beggar and sending her away.
"Yes, one moment, ma'am" he said, and was about to close the door when a voice stopped him.
"Who is there, Mr. Rogers?" asked Mr. Darcy, who happened to be walking out of his study, a brandy in his hand . He soon found the answer to that question when he looked and saw to utter surprise the lady infront of him.
"Miss Elizabeth!" he said, his expression changing at once to one of concern, "Please come in! Mr. Rogers, ask Mrs. Reynolds to bring a heavy blanket and some tea! At once!" He rushed her in, showing her into the drawing room near the entrance where he instructed a footman to light a fire and motioned her to sit.
"I could not" said Elizabeth, stifling a weak laugh, "I shall drench your beautiful sofa, Sir"
"It is of no consequence Miss Elizabeth, please do sit down" he insisted. He now took the opportunity to look at her and was thankful that Mrs. Reynolds came in rushing with a thick blanket, for Elizabeth had begun shivering and even drenched, she looked as beautiful as he remembered.
Mr. Darcy did not know how to word his question—his Elizabeth was here, looking nervous, perhaps even scared, and to have come this far unaccompanied. He did not begin to comprehend.
"Miss Elizabeth!" he said, pacing back and forth.
"Mr. Darcy" she said, her enchanting brown eyes twinkling and looking as beautiful as he had remembered. And oh goodness, how he remembered. Those eyes bewitched him body and soul and they still continued to haunt his dreams. "I am sorry for frightening you, I know this must look odd, I have a question I must ask you" she said, standing up, as if gathering strength.
"Mr. Darcy" she said, now lowering her voice, for she was aware of numerous servants in the room, "Is your offer still available?" she asked, lowering her eyes and biting her lip.
"Miss Elizabeth" he said hesitantly, pained at having to respond, "I am married."
"Oh" said Elizabeth, feeling faint, she raised her hand to her chest and began looking around, the room spinning before her. "Oh goodness" she said, "I am so sorry!" And before Mr. Darcy could react, Miss Elizabeth fell on the floor.
"Elizabeth!" exclaimed Mr. Darcy, with such passion that even Mrs. Reynolds blushed.
"Mr. Darcy" she asked hesitantly, "Shall I have a room readied and call for a doctor?"
"Yes" he said, bending down and lifting Miss Elizabeth into his arms. She felt so light and yet so right, he could not help his chest pounding hard, half agony, half pain. Oh my darling, he thought to himself. "Mrs. Reynolds, please ask the doctor to be discreet. Miss Elizabeth is a gentleman's daughter and her reputation must remain intact" he said, a warning to all those servants present.
"Yes, sir" said Mrs. Reynolds and motioned for one of the footman to help Mr. Darcy bring Elizabeth upstairs.
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This was the story that would not leave me, that would come back and back again, asking to be told. I have it all played out in mind. I am nervous at publishing it, for it has been in my mind for so long, its kinda daunting putting it on paper. Let me know your thoughts! I am posing as I write, reviews are always encouraging!
