Turnabout Chapter 15 - Meetings and Misses, a pride and prejudice fanfic

I'm loving your comments. Particularly Amanda – thank you for commenting on my favourite bit of the chapter. 😊

I also need to warn you about a couple of things. This is the last completed chapter I have ready. Things might get a bit irregular for the next couple of weeks, although I am hoping to have the story ready for publication at about Christmas. This of course will mean that I will have to remove the bulk of the story from this site. I can only leave a small part which proves that this is my story.

Thanks for following and favouriting it.

~~DGH~~

Meetings and Misses

The whispers had started slowly in the circles to which Miss Bingley and her friend belonged.

It did not help that both Bingley and Darcy were curiously absent. Hardly anyone was aware that the former nursed what he considered a broken heart while the latter was waiting for his bruises to fade.

Admittedly, the little season was only just starting, and Darcy was never particularly sociable, but no one had seen him for weeks despite the fact that he was known to be in town.

Two weeks after Miss Bingley's visit to her friend, the rumours spread further.

This event coincided with Darcy's return to full health.

~~DGH~~

The day after Lady Matlock's first visit to Gardiner House, Georgiana Darcy nervously awaited the visit by the ladies her aunt had mentioned to her as people whose company she might enjoy, a sentiment fully endorsed by her cousin Richard.

When Elizabeth and Mary, who had decided that it might be too much for a shy girl to be overwhelmed by three sisters, were announced, Georgiana was grateful for the company of not only her companion, Mrs Annesley, but also her aunt and her guardian.

It was fortunate for Georgiana that Elizabeth and Mary did not hold her brother's manners against her. Not only that, but the sisters were also immediately struck by how nervous the girl was and could not help by try to put her at ease.

'Miss Darcy, I understand from your aunt that you have a great love of music and are a virtuoso on the pianoforte,' Elizabeth said to her in an attempt to draw her into the conversation as soon as introductions were complete, and they were seated.

'I do love music and while I practice diligently, I would not call myself a virtuoso. Any proficiency I have gained is due to practice, rather than native talent.'

'You sound just like my sister,' Elizabeth said with a smile as she nodded towards Mary. 'She also refuses to acknowledge how well she plays.'

'My sister gives me too much credit. I do enjoy practicing to improve my performance. I frequently ask Elizabeth to play duets with me, but she rarely has time.' Mary smiled at Georgiana. 'Perhaps you would be inclined to play duets?'

Since they were discussing her favourite subject, Georgiana soon forgot her nervousness as she became engrossed in debating technical details with Mary.

Colonel Fitzwilliam was pleased when his ward became more animated and appeared to be enjoying herself. At that point he started paying more attention to Mary and realised that while she did not have the striking beauty of her older sisters, she was still an exceptionally lovely young woman. He was amazed at the ease with which she managed to draw out his cousin and found that he wished that she would direct those gentle smiles at himself.

As the attention of the younger girls was focused on each other, Lady Matlock engaged Elizabeth in conversation and was again delighted by her lively wit and unassuming manner. And while the countess enjoyed her own conversation, she was not so busy as not to notice her son's attention to Mary. She suppressed a gleeful smile. Perhaps there was hope in that direction.

~~DGH~~

Darcy, blissfully unaware of any rumours, was on his way to Meryton. Having been stuck inside his house for weeks until his bruises healed, he chose to ride as he felt he needed the exercise, and it would speed his return.

It was only when he entered the outskirts of the town that he remembered that not only did he not know the way to Longbourn but last time he was here no one wanted to speak to him.

Darcy thought that fortune must favour his endeavour, since the first person he encountered was someone with whom he was familiar, although he wondered what his aunt's parson was doing in this town.

'Mr Collins,' he hailed the man.

Collins turned towards the caller and, recognising Darcy, bowed deeply. 'Mr Darcy, good afternoon. What an unexpected pleasure. I had not expected to encounter such an august personage as yourself in this humble neighbourhood.'

Despite not having been able to convince Mrs Bennet or any of the daughters to consider his suit, Collins had remained at Longbourn. Lady Catherine had given him leave to remain for at least two weeks and he was taking this opportunity to have a holiday. That this holiday included free food and accommodation at his cousin's house was a bonus.

There had been one other unexpected benefit. He had encountered another lady, who although not quite as beautiful as his cousins, was all that was charming and genteel, as well as being favourably inclined towards himself. She very charmingly listened to him and complimented him on his perspicacity.

Remembering the words of his most revered patroness, choose a gentlewoman for my sake, and for your own; let her be an active, useful sort of person, not brought up high, but able to make a small income go a good way, he thought that he had found the perfect companion for his life.

He was currently on his way to propose to the lady when he encountered Lady Catherine's nephew.

'Good afternoon, Mr Collins. Are you perchance familiar with these environs? I am looking for an estate called Longbourn.'

'Longbourn? What a coincidence. Indeed, I am familiar with that estate since I have the honour of being its heir. But why would someone like yourself wish to visit such a humble family?'

Darcy ignored the enquiry, since he had no intention of telling that snivelling sycophant anything he did not have to. 'Could you please point out the right direction.'

'It would be my honour to conduct you thither,' Collins replied, eager to be of service to the nephew of his most venerated patroness.

'I am in somewhat of a hurry and since you are on foot…'

'Oh. Of course, sir. I should have realised.' Collins pulled himself together and provided the directions to Longbourn.

Darcy thanked the man and made haste to finish the journey.

~~DGH~~

Mr Bennet was comfortably ensconced in his library and full of amazement when Darcy was announced.

'To what do I owe the honour of your visit?' he casually greeted his unexpected visitor.

'I have come to offer my apologies for my abysmal behaviour when I was last in Meryton.'

'It has been three weeks since you left. Did it take you this long to work out that your manners could use some improvement?'

'No, sir. I learnt that lesson the day after arriving back in town. The three weeks were necessary to recover from that lesson.'

'Three weeks to recover? Who is your cousin

My cousin was most vexed with me and his message quite detailed and severe.'

'At least one member of your family has an understanding of what it takes to be a gentleman.'

'Indeed. Mr Bennet, I am heartily sorry for having insulted your daughter. It was most ungentlemanlike of me to do so, and my comment was also patently untrue. Would you allow me to apologise to her in person?'

Bennet observed the penitent look on his visitor's countenance and softened slightly. 'I accept your apology on my own behalf, but you cannot see my Lizzy.'

'Mr Bennet, I assure you, I will be polite.'

'I believe you, Mr Darcy. But Lizzy is not here.'

The idea that the lady would not be immediately available had never occurred to Darcy. 'Could I perhaps wait for Miss Elizabeth if she has just gone visiting…'

'She has gone visiting, but you would not want to wait for her.'

'Will you not reconsider and let me wait for Miss Elizabeth's return? Now that I am here, I do wish to express my sincere regret to her.'

'You would have a long wait. I expect her to return for Christmas.'

Darcy wondered if Bennet was making sport of him until the gentleman added, 'She has gone to visit my brother in London. You may have heard of him since I believe that Miss Bingley was quite vocal about the tradesman who lives in Cheapside.'

'Oh.' Darcy was caught off guard. 'Would you be kind enough to give me his direction and perhaps a note of introduction so that I might deliver my apology to Miss Elizabeth without further delay?'

Bennet's brows rose as he asked, 'You would lower yourself to visit the house of a tradesman in Cheapside?'

'I would visit the king of hell if necessary to make amends,' Darcy replied vehemently.

'You do not have to go that far. Gracechurch Street will do nicely.' Bennet grinned, pleased by Darcy's determination. He pulled out a sheet of paper and his pen and quickly wrote a brief note. He folded and sealed it, then added the Gardiner's address on the outside.

'This should do the trick,' Bennet said, handing over the letter.

Darcy took it with a bow. 'Thank you, sir. I hope that you will excuse me. I would like to get back to town with all speed.'

Bennet waved him away and returned to his book, hoping for some peace to finish the chapter. He was disappointed in his endeavour as Collins returned to Longbourn, hoping to engage Darcy in conversation. As he was disappointed in that respect, he pestered his cousin for details about the visit of his patroness's nephew.

Since Collins was spoiling his fun, Bennet retaliated by telling him that it was none of his business. This resulted in putting Collins into a huff which caused him to withhold the news of his engagement to Miss Charlotte Lucas.

~~DGH~~

While Darcy was in Hertfordshire, Miss Bingley's spies informed her that Darcy had left the house, although they did not know where he had gone. As he was riding, she felt that he could not have gone too far.

In the afternoon Miss Bingley was strolling along Grosvenor Square in the hope of accidentally encountering Mr Darcy on his return.

As she rounded the corner to walk along Audley Street before returning to Grosvenor Square so as not to be caught loitering, she saw a familiar face which she had hoped never to encounter again… and most certainly not in London.

She saw Miss Bennet being handed out of a grand carriage by an exceedingly handsome man, before he reached into the vehicle and extracted a package which he handed to her, bowing extravagantly. He then moved the hand which he was holding so that it would wrap around his arm in an intimate gesture. They were both laughing as they ascended the stairs to the front door, which was being opened by a liveried footman and they entered with a nod at the servant, who closed the door behind them.

Caroline Bingley had been arrested by this view, completely forgetting her plan to encounter Mr Darcy. She strolled a block to where she had left her carriage and boarded, still deep in thought, busy analysing what she had seen.

It was obvious to her that Jane had come to London to continue her pursuit of her brother. But since coming to town, she must have found a more lucrative and susceptible prey.

It had been perfectly evident that the man owned the house they had entered. Therefore, it followed that he was wealthy.

The couple had seemed on intimidate terms and Jane had been unchaperoned. Miss Bingley could only draw one conclusion from this evidence… Miss Bennet was now the mistress of her wealthy paramour.

Once she returned to the Hurst townhouse, Miss Bingley contemplated how to gain the greatest advantage from this information.

Would it be better to hide the presence of Miss Bennet in London, or should she inform her brother of the woman's mercenary ways to cure him of his infatuation which caused him to still sulk in his chambers.

~~DGH~~

Charles Bingley was indeed in his chambers, but he was not sulking as his sister assumed.

He was planning how he could return to Meryton to pay court to the love of his life. The longer he was away from her, the more perfect she became in his mind.

It never occurred to Bingley that the main reason for his interest was that for once the lady he was captivated by did not respond to his advances in a positive manner. While Jane Bennet had been unfailingly polite whenever they met, she had never sought out his company. That very circumstance fired his love of the chase, making him determined to capture the lady.

Bingley considered going to Meryton and putting up at the inn but considering that he had been asked to leave Netherfield, he doubted that any rooms would be available to him.

Perhaps he could rent a house under a different name?

Or he could write to the lady and press his suit by correspondence?

But would such a demure lady not be offended by the impropriety of such a move?

For days he had wracked his brains trying to find a workable solution until at last he hit on a scheme which should be successful

Bingley remembered that the family had a relative who lived in town. He would be perfectly willing to visit Cheapside to spend time with the lady. He would write to Mr Bennet, requesting him to send his daughter to London and to approve a courtship with Miss Bennet.

Recovering his vigour, he set out to pen a missive to Mr Bennet.

~~DGH~~

On his return to London, Darcy encountered fortune both good and bad.

The bad fortune happened as he was near St Albans where Hermes lost a shoe. As he was used to his horse's gait, he noticed quickly when the stallion started to go lame.

He immediately dismounted to discover the problem.

His good fortune was that he was not far from St Albans and was able to gently walk his horse to the town where he found a farrier, who was able to fashion a new shoe.

But since he did not wish to further strain the leg, Darcy put up at an inn overnight to give Hermes a chance to rest and recover.

It was midmorning the following day when Darcy returned home for a bath and a change of clothing before setting out for Gracechurch Street to make his apologies.

As his carriage turned out of Grosvenor Square, he was too engrossed in his thoughts to notice another carriage going in the opposite direction, conveying none other than Elizabeth Bennet.

~~DGH~~