Disclaimer: Sorry Jane … borrowing again!
Special Thanks: ThisIs – I agree there should be more "Lost in Austen" fanfics!
Note: A slightly longer chapter than the first (which was more of a prologue).
Chapter 1 – An Unusual Welcome
"A mind lively and at ease, can do with seeing nothing, and can see nothing that does not answer." – Jane Austen
I wake up to find my surroundings have altered drastically. I can hear voices around me that sound like chirping mother hens. Slowly, I open my eyes to find that I am surrounded by four women, all of whom are wearing cloth rollers in their hair.
"She is awake," cries out the girl closest to me.
"Lydia, do not shout," a calm voice scolds.
Finally, my eyes flutter open to see a beige ceiling with pink roses painted upon the corners. This is most certainly not my apartment bathroom. For, the rules of my apartment complex are that the walls must be white and we cannot even decorate the walls with appliqués and such and hanging pictures are allowed but, sadly, are looked down upon.
Where am I?
"I-"
"Ssh," a soothing voice speaks up from behind the girl in front of me. "You fainted, my dear Lizzy. You must rest."
Whoa! Back up there. Lizzy?
"Oh! My poor nerves," a shrill voice cries from behind the girls. "I know I shan't live a moment longer! I just know it! Not when I had such news to tell Lizzy and she's fainted!"
The girl with the calming voice soothes, "But, she will be better in time for whatever news you have."
"W-where am I?" I have the gumption to ask though I know the answer to that question. I knew the moment I heard Lydia's name being called out. I can scarcely believe that I am where I think I am, for, if this is a reality show; it must be one bloody good one.
I'd like Mr. Darcy behind door number one please!
"Oh!" The oldest lady cries out, "It is as I suspected! Lizzy has gone mad!" She holds her heart, "Oh my dear! My failing heart!"
The calm girl and Lydia bolster me up and walk me towards a bedroom. Soon, I am lying upon pillows that are scented with lavender and scored with lace. "Where am I," I ask again.
"Lizzy," Lydia looks at me in disbelief, "you are beginning to frighten me. Do you not you know where you are?"
"I have heard of such cases where people have lost their memory-"
"Jane," Lydia rolls her eyes, "no one loses their memory from having their stays too tight."
No, they just lose an organ or two, I think to myself.
"The predicament is that, dear Eliza, does not remember where she is."
"Well," Lydia bites her lip playfully, "let us ask her some questions then. It shall be great fun."
Yippy?
"Where do you think you are," Jane asks.
"Um," I hesitate, "Hammersmith, London?"
"Oh my," Jane's eyes widen, "it is worse than we thought."
"You are in-"
No, it can't be!
"Hertfordshire?"
Jane takes in a breath of relief as Lydia chides, "I see that some of your common sense still exists."
I sit back in bed; thinking that if I pinch myself; I will wake up and everything will be reality once again. It takes a moment for me to register as I slowly say, "Longbourn?"
Jane raises an eyebrow up, "Yes, Lizzy. That is what our home is called."
"Has Netherfield been let at last?" I ask.
"That would be a joyous occasion to behold, but, alas, Netherfield has been vacant for quite some time," Jane smiles.
"So, this is before the beginning then?"
Lydia pauses, "Before the beginning of what?"
Modern electricity?
"Nothing! Nothing!"
"Lizzy, you are quite out of your senses today." Jane says tenderly, "Perhaps, a short stroll outside will refresh your spirit."
"Perhaps."
We walk outside to see a man walking towards the house. He is of average height and possesses blonde wavy hair. Handsome, and I daresay, would make even a modern girl swoon.
He knocks upon the front door only to be ushered in by our maid.
We both find ourselves compelled to walk back inside the home and we see Mr. Bennet conversing with this man; the door slightly ajar.
"Mr. Bingley," Mr. Bennet smiles, "I would like to invite your family to dine with us at Longbourn."
But, this is wrong! All wrong! We're supposed to meet Mr. Bingley at the ball tomorrow! Not today! And, it was a written invitation … not a face to face meeting!
"This is wrong!" I find myself loudly shouting.
Oh great! And Mr. Bingley is staring straight at me. "Hi," I awkwardly wave.
Mr. Bingley awkwardly waves back, "Hi." He looks back at Mr. Bennet; confused. Jane pulls me aside, "Elizabeth, you should not speak to them unless they speak to you first."
"Them?"
"Men," Jane whispers back. "Perhaps, you should rest. Tomorrow is the ball and you need your strength for that.
***
The ball is not as grand as someone would expect. It is held in what seems to be a decorated farm house with a hearth; heating up the room. The rest of the warmth in the room, I daresay, has been altered by the amount of people. I am in love with the quaintness of the ball room. I keep on peering over my shoulder; thinking that I will meet you-know-who tonight.
I turn to see Mr. Charles Bingley who comes towards me and waves and says, "Hi."
Oh great! Have I started an inside joke with Bingley and I?
"Hi," I wave back; as Mrs. Bennet slaps my hand down with her fan.
"Lizzy, leave waving to the Queen of England," Mrs. Bennet scolds.
I bow and Mr. Bingley bows as well. "Allow me to introduce my sister, Miss Caroline Bingley," Mr. Bingley smiles.
Kitty, Lydia, Mary, Jane and Mr. and Mrs. Bennet all bow and Mr. Bingley and Caroline bow again.
I knew there was a lot of bowing in Jane Austen World, but, I didn't know to what extent, I think to myself.
"I feel that I bring bad tidings," he replies.
"Oh?" I ask.
"My friend, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, has taken ill."
"Yes," Caroline haughtily holds her head high, "it is all so very sudden and severe."
"Oh!" cries Mrs. Bennet, "How I would have so liked to meet him!"
Nerves, I think to myself. Was she really always this grating?
"Is it bad, do you know?"
"I do not know the full details," Mr. Bingley looks away; focusing on Jane.
I feel that there is something that Mr. Bingley is hiding and do not ask him anymore questions. I move towards Caroline and ask, "How do you like your stay?"
"How do you like yours," Caroline raises her eyebrow.
"I do not know to what you are referring," I try my best to speak 1800s language.
"Surely, you do," Caroline laughs lightly.
"No," I hold my head as high as Catherine will allow, "I am sure I do not. And, you implying I do; is a measure of your character."
"Lizzy," Jane gasps in shock.
From the corner of my eye, I see Mr. Bingley stifling his laughter at his sisters' expense. The look on Caroline Bingley's face is priceless.
"Speechless for once, are we," I say to Caroline before joining the dance reel.
Maybe I am angry that Caroline Bingley; a two-dimensional character … just a name on a piece of paper is trying to control me and tell me my low station in comparison to hers. But, I am very much enjoying my stay. I am also slightly peeved that Mr. Darcy did not have the guts to show.
Believe it or not, I am beginning to doubt of his existence!
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