June 1816
Derbyshire

Nicholas Tulane had been wandering the countryside for the better part of the afternoon before he realized he was completely and utterly lost. He had not been paying the greatest amount of attention to where his horse was leading. His horse was a dapple grey mare with a silvery white mane and tail along with dark brown eyes. Nicholas's gaze had become lost in the beauty of the countryside and he was beginning to understand why his mentor had sent him from the mainland of Europe to visit the countryside of England. When he was young his father died and his mother used all their money to send her only son to boarding school in London. He never saw his mother again as she died of pneumonia a few months later. Truth be told Nicholas hardly remembered his blood father, only the man who had come to be his adoptive father.

At a school recital for visiting European musicians Nicholas had performed on the piano and was instantly recognized by an Austrian composer as a naturally talented child. Nicholas would always have a special place in his heart for his guardian Franz Joseph Haydn, who soon after took Nicholas in as his own adopted son. Haydn had come to London to compose symphonies for a large orchestra. He brought the young Nicholas into his home and taught him the violin in additional to furthering his piano lessons. He also began to instruct him in the ways of musical composition. While the foreigner had no children of his own he cared for Nicholas as if he was his true born son. Later on when Haydn had to return to Europe he brought Nicholas along and the lad spent a handful of years abroad in Vienna. This was where he became antiquated with another composer- and pupil of Haydn -Ludwig van Beethoven, a man who Nicholas admired tremendously and had grown to follow in his footsteps of being a conductor.

The works of Nicholas's surrogate father had become incredibly popular in London and so the two of them traveled back after a period of time in Europe. Nicholas had come to realize that he was extremely fortunate to have musical skill, it was practically unheard of for anyone in his former class to ever amount to anything special. Now he was an accomplished young gentlemen who had not yet reached his twenty-second year and already he spoke three languages (English, German, and French) and played two instruments professionally. Not to mention he had been to half a dozen foreign countries and seen several world class performances of operas, symphonies, and chamber music. Seven years ago Haydn's health had begun to fail him more so than usual. The famous composer had been dealing with age related issues for more than five years by this point. Eventually he could no longer compose as he once had. At the age of seventy-seven Haydn had lived a wonderful life and urged Nicholas to explore on his own before settling down somewhere. He died peacefully in his home, surrounded by loved ones including Beethoven and Antonio Salieri who had previously led a captivating recital in Haydn's honor. In Nicholas's inheritance he received £4,000 a year- in addition to his own earnings in performances. It had been one of Haydn's final wishes for Nicholas to travel back to England as a young man and explore his homeland. For a few years Nicholas stayed in Vienna and performed on the violin and piano before honoring his father's will.

Looking about his surroundings Nicholas could hardly make out where he had gone to. The rollings green hills were all too enticing and he found himself being swept up in them and not minding where his horse was walking. Thankfully they had come across a main road so they were not truly lost- but rather terribly misguided. Nicholas was bad with cardinal directions in this unfamiliar countryside. He knew they were still in Derbyshire as the locals at the inn he was staying at said it was more than a day's ride to the neighboring areas. Continuing along the main road he hoped to find a sign pointing him back towards the town of Lambton.

He halted his mare to pause on the main road looking in either direction. Up a head slightly more Nicholas could see where another path began and led into the nearby woods. He wondered if this led to an estate or other small town, or maybe even Lambton itself. A warm summer breeze blew past him and ruffled his clothes. Nicholas wore dark grey riding boots that reached just below his knees, matching long grey socks, high waisted beige breeches, a long sleeved white tunic shirt with collar, a grey waist coat, over that he had on a dark blue double breasted riding coat with tails, lastly, he had a grey top hat on.

Deciding to follow the wind and travel the diverting path Nicholas urged his horse on into a trot. He had no real foundation of how far he had ridden aside from the passage of time in that the sun was beginning to set. Assuming this path would led to someone's probably wealthy estate he hoped he would not appear too much a fool when asking for directions. Nicholas generally tried to not appear stupid whenever possible. Entering the woods he became immersed in a whole new array of sounds. The wind in the treetops was soothing as was the dainty chirps of birds. All of this with the rhythmic hooves beneath him made Nicholas wonder if he would ever have a break from music. He continued along the path through a few winding turns. He thought to himself about how this might just be getting him even more lost than he already was. Nicholas brushed those ideas away and figured it was better to try and find another person than aimlessly wander by himself.

Nicholas had been riding down the new road for all of fifteen minutes when something captivated his attention. A voice was calling out. He pulled back on the reins to stop the mare and listened intently. He was not sure if he had merely imagined a voice. Nicholas was about to ride on when he heard it again.

"Help!"

"Where are you?" He called back, his senses tingling hoping to locate the source. It was a women's voice.

"I'm over here, please help!"

Turning his horse off the road Nicholas headed towards the direction of the voice coming from his right.

"Don't worry, I'm coming!" He hollered and kept his eyes peeled for anyone. Approaching a small drop off he pulled back on the horse and shuffled sideways to look down. That was where he saw her. The voice belonged to a young blonde haired lady who was clutching her ankle. Looking down Nicholas gathered that she must have fallen into the gully and injured herself.

"Please sir, I can't walk. Can you help me?" She pleaded to him looking up with desperation. Nicholas saw that she had a few more cuts on her arms and her dress was dirty. Springing into action he assured her he would help and dismounted his horse immediately. Carefully he made his way down to her level. Nicholas saw that she had a few tear stains on her cheeks and he realized she must be in a lot of pain.

"Here, I can make a temporary bandage for these." He said while untucking his shirt. Nicholas tore off a strip and wrapped it around the lady's upper arm. He tied it off and she winced at the pressure and he apologized and made a mental note to do the next ones more delicately. Her hands were scrapped and he slowly wrapped each of them and did his best to tie them gently. Looking at her ankle he could see it was a little swollen as well as bleeding from a cut. Ripping off more of his tunic's waistline Nicholas made one more bandaged and wrapped her ankle more than the others. He made sure to bring the fabric around the heel of her shoe to help support the weight that way it would hold in place.

"Thank you, sir." She said when he had finished.

"Please, it's no trouble. Now, where are you from? You can ride on my horse- I'll walk, where should I return you to?" Nicholas asked calmly.

"I live at Pemberley. It's just up the road from here."

"Excellent, may I carry you to my horse?"

She nodded and lifted her arms up to wrap around his neck. Nicholas put one arm around her back and the other under her knees and stood firm. He was internally very grateful that she was an averaged height female with a modest frame or else he would have struggled. Nicholas was not the most muscular boy of his age and his upbringing had prevented him from acquiring the skills of heavy labor. Pushing up the slope Nicholas hoisted her onto his horse sitting side saddle. He shed his riding coat as she noticed she was still quite pale and helped her put it on. While looking up at her, he noticed that the bits of sky visible through the trees were swirling with dark grey clouds. Nicholas began to worry that a storm was approaching and they would do well to not be caught up in it.

"Forgive me sir, but you have not yet told me your name?" She inquired.

"Oh! My apologies my lady. My name is Nicholas Tulane." He said and dipped his head in respect.

"I am Georgiana Darcy, pleased to make your acquaintance." The lady smiled.

"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Darcy." Nicholas beamed, his grey eyes illuminated.

"We are not far from Pemberley, Mr. Tulane, it is just further up the road." She said motioning in the direction of the estate.

Nicholas slid the reins over his horse's head and led on foot. He hoped he was going at a comfortable pace for Miss Darcy as she had to still be in a good deal of pain. Along the way she explained that she had been out walking in an attempt to be more like her brother's wife who was fond of walking. Nicholas gathered that Miss Darcy greatly admired her sister-in-law and would emulate her habits. He listened earnestly as she told him of her older brother, Mr Darcy, and how much she loved him and how he had to be worried sick about her by now. Normally she was never gone by herself for this long. As it happened Miss Darcy had been looking at the sky above and not where she was walking and accidentally tripped and subsequently fell into the ditch. In her tumble she had cut her arm and scrapped her hands. She had landed on her foot and her ankle started to swell. When she had tried to regain her footing the pain was too much. Miss Darcy thanked him again for saving her as she would have been stuck there till a search party came for her.

She further asked Nicholas about what he was doing in the area. He truthfully admitted to her that he was actually lost. Miss Darcy laughed at his statement and informed him that he was actually only five miles from Lambton. Nicholas shared her laughter, realizing that he could hardly call himself lost when it was just five miles that had led him astray. When asked about his profession Nicholas explained to Miss Darcy that he was a musician. Her light blue eyes brightened at the mention of music. Nicholas learned that Miss Darcy was an accomplished pianist and he declared that he would like nothing more than to hear her play eventually- once they were out of the growing heat. Nicholas realized that the humidly was rising and raindrops were beginning to fall.

At first it was a gentle drizzle and Nicholas was unbothered and extended his top hat to Miss Darcy to keep her head dry. She fretted about his growing dampness and he insisted she take it. Wearing his coat and hat Miss Darcy kept herself for the most part dry. Nicholas on the other hand was that the mercy of the relentless rain. That light sprinkle quickly turned into a torrential downpour. Nicholas asked if they might speed things up a bit to which Miss Darcy approved. He began to pick up the pace and brought his horse to trot and glanced up relieved that Miss Darcy was not in pain from the movement.

Thunder rumbled across the gloomy skies. Soon enough all of Nicholas's clothes were soaked. Thankfully his coat was enough to keep her dry. Tiny streams of rain poured off his head turning his chocolate brown hair into dripping ringlets. They splashed through growing puddles along the road and he silent wished that the estate would magically appear as soon as possible. Checking on her Nicholas saw that Miss Darcy was looking at him with pity. He worried naught for himself, after all it was just a bit of water. A flash of lightning caught his eyes up in the clouds and when he looked once more ahead he saw the faint glimmer of fires and a grand estate.

"That's Pemberley! Mr Tulane we're here!" Miss Darcy cried happily.

Nicholas did not slow his pace until they had approached the main doors. He was unfamiliar with the house and thus did not know where to led Miss Darcy or his horse to. Thankfully a party of people rushed out to greet them. Among them was Mr Darcy and his wife Elizabeth. They were covered by their servants umbrellas and Mr Darcy held a large blanket in his arms and wrapped it around Miss Darcy once Nicholas had helped her dismount. Mr Darcy embraced her and Nicholas felt his stern gaze looking him over.

"Georgiana, thank goodness you are safe!" Mrs. Darcy said, also joining their embrace.

"Make sure this horse is properly care for," Mr. Darcy said to his stablehand. "and you, young man, come inside we have much to discuss." He said turning his attentions to Nicholas who immediately felt small.

"Oh Fitzwilliam, let him change into dry clothes first. There's no need to interrogate him as you can see Georgiana is perfectly fine." Mrs Darcy countered and he was appreciated her words. Nicholas realized that Mr Darcy probably thought he had something to do with Miss Darcy's injuries. She also was wearing some of his clothes.

"Please brother, I'm alright. Mr Tulane actually is the one who saved me!" Miss Darcy explained.

"Then he has my sincerest thanks and appreciation. I will not forget this. Please, come inside for I am sure we can find you something more suitable to wear." Mr Darcy said and carried Miss Darcy inside and was subsequently followed by the whole party. Nicholas entered last walking alongside Mrs Darcy. He watched as the dark haired brother carried Miss Darcy up the stairs followed by a few maids and the local doctor. Nicholas was surprised to see that the medical expert was already on the premise, unless they had their own employed at the house. Nicholas, upon seeing the interior, realized that the Darcys of Pemberley were among the wealthy elite of society. The opulent radiance was without question one of the finest estates he had ever had the privileged to see.

Standing in the foyer Nicholas was unsure of where to go and decided to just wait until instructed to do something. The rest of the staff was returning to their duties and soon it was just him and Mrs Darcy in the waiting room.

"Pay my husband's defensive nature no mind. Four years of marriage have done little to soften his harsh exterior but rest assured, he is grateful, nay we all are, that you have returned Georgiana to us safety." Mrs Darcy explained to him. Nicholas was reassured by her kind words.

"Thank you, Mrs. Darcy for you hospitality."

"Please, you may call me Elizabeth."

"Mrs. Elizabeth if you don't mind- darling you've only just met." Mr. Darcy corrected coming back down the grand staircase.

"How are William and James?" Elizabeth asked, to which Nicholas assumed these were their sons.

"They are both still sound asleep." Mr. Darcy replied. He took her hand before directing his focus to Nicholas. "Earlier, I'm afraid I did not quite catch your name from Georgiana."

"Oh it's Nicholas Tulane, sir."

"Fitzwilliam, please, let him rest. You can become better acquainted in the morning. Mr. Tulane is standing in a puddle." Elizabeth stated, remarking on his wet clothes.

"Quite right. Mr. Tulane, one of the servants has drawn a bath for you and will show you your room for the evening." He said gesturing to a waiting footman.

"Thank you. I trust Miss Darcy is alright now?" He asked.

"Yes indeed she is. Just had a bit of excitement is all. The doctor says her recovery will be in no time at all."

Nicholas bid the married couple goodnight and thanked them both once more. He followed the footman down a corridor and through more hallways and Nicholas found himself in a labyrinth of a mansion. They arrived at the guest room and the bathtub was steaming. It was oh so alluring and Nicholas thanked the servant and requested that he be left to bath himself alone. The footman was unbothered and approved the request. He graciously departed and Nicholas closed the door behind him. Deeply exhaling he began to shed his clothes and drape them over the provided drying rack. The bathtub was warm and he made sure to clean thoroughly. After being out in the rain and subsequent wet clothes Nicholas wanted nothing more than to dry off and dawn on fresh fabric. As expected the guest room was set with a spare pair of sleepwear. He slipped into the soft undergarments and pulled back the bed sheets. The comforter was exquisitely detailed and Nicholas tucked himself in. Laying down he was beginning to realize just how tired he was when before he knew it, Nicholas was already fast asleep.

Timeline of Events for this Story

1811 is when Pride and Prejudice event's begin in late September
1812 is when Elizabeth Bennett is married in October | Arthur Collins is born in November
1813 is when William Darcy is born in August | Alice Bingley is born in December
1814 is when Sarah Bingley is born in October
1815 is when James Darcy is born in March
1816 is when Nicholas and Georgiana meet in mid June

1816 Character Ages: Nicholas Tulane is 21 | Georgiana Darcy is 20
Fitzwilliam Darcy is 33, Elizabeth Darcy is 25 | Charles Bingley is 27, Jane Bingley is 27
Mary Bennett is 23, Catherine Bennett is 22 | Charlotte Collins is 32
Lydia Wickam is 21, George Wickam is 31