This idea has been tickling my mind for a while, and I finally got down to writing it! This is the one where Caroline buys a love potion to secure Mr. Darcy's love, and things DO NOT go to plan. Enjoy!
Prologue:
Miss Caroline Bingley picked her way by moonlight from her carriage along the narrow, winding path where her lady's maid, Miss Margaret, had promised the peddler's wagon would be waiting. An icy breeze tore through the boughs of the ancient trees on either side. Miss Bingley clutched her shawl ever more tightly to her shoulders. The unfortunate lady silently cursed her maid for sending her on such a foolish errand on so chill an autumn night. If this turned out to be nothing but one of Margaret's absurd jests, Caroline would see the foolish girl without a character reference by morn.
The path made an abrupt turn, and ten paces ahead, the moon cast an eerie glow over a dilapidated wagon. Caroline clutched the pouch of coins, her knuckles turning white, as she glimpsed a faint light gleaming through the wagon's curtains.
So, Margaret was correct. The mysterious peddler who sold the key to true love was here.
An owl hooted softly in the distance, sending a shiver down Caroline's spine, but she steeled her nerves. She had not come this far to back out now. By God, love was the one thing her fortune could not buy, but she was determined to have it.
Summoning her courage, Caroline rapped sharply on the worn wooden door. "Mr. Alistair Beaumont?"
The door creaked open to reveal one of the most peculiar figures Miss Bingley had ever beheld. Mr. Beaumont's clothes hung from his wiry frame as though hastily they had been draped over a scarecrow. His dark, deep-set eyes seemed to hold both secrets and a touch of mockery. Surely, Caroline thought, this could not be the one who held the key to Mr. Darcy's heart.
The bizarre gentleman peered at Caroline with an inscrutable expression. "Ah Miss Bingley, I was expecting you," he drawled in a mocking tone.
How had he known she was coming? Caroline stifled a gasp. Her courage wavered, but a moment before her desire for Mr. Darcy's hand steeled her nerves once more.
"Were you?" she asked, screwing her courage to the sticking place.
"Indeed," he replied, stepping aside and beckoning her into the dimly lit wagon. "Please, do come in."
As she stepped inside, Caroline's gaze was immediately drawn to the multitude of trinkets and bottles lining the shelves. She could not help but stare at the sight of something that appeared to be constructed from the bones of some unfortunate rodent. Creepy, and intentionally so. Surely, she mused, this man was nothing more than a charlatan. And yet...
Amidst the clutter, her eyes settled on a small vial labeled 'elixir amoris'., Could this be it? Would potion bind her beloved Mr. Darcy to her?
Mr. Beaumont followed her gaze, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his crooked mouth. "Ah, I see you've found our most popular item."
Caroline eyed him skeptically, her heart pounding despite herself. "And does it truly work?"
Mr. Beaumont shrugged, leaning against the worn wooden counter. "That depends entirely on your definition of 'work,' my dear."
Caroline scoffed. "Well, I expect it to make a gentleman fall madly in love with me, of course."
"Ah," the peddler nodded sagely, "but love is such a fickle and unpredictable thing, is it not? Can one truly bottle and sell it like some common tonic?"
Caroline frowned, her patience wearing thin. "You do not give me the confidence I require in this transaction, Mr. Beaumont."
The peddler grinned, revealing a row of crooked teeth. "My apologies, Miss Bingley. Perhaps I can offer you a different potion instead? I have one that's said to cure warts, and another that guarantees a fortnight of fair weather!"
Caroline pursed her lips, irritation threatening to overshadow her desperation. "I want the love potion, Mr. Beaumont, and I will pay handsomely for it."
Mr. Beaumont's grin widened, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Very well. But remember, Miss Bingley—love cannot be bought or forced. Sometimes, it must simply be... allowed."
Caroline rolled her eyes, reluctantly handing over the pouch of coins. "Spare me the cryptic nonsense, peddler. Just give me the potion."
With a dramatic flourish, Mr. Beaumont placed the vial into her outstretched hand. As Caroline Bingley walked away from the peddler's wagon, clutching the elixir she hoped would win her Mr. Darcy's heart forever, she could have sworn she heard the faintest sound of laughter in the wind.
THANK YOU FOR READING! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the idea! I've been having a blast writing this, and I plan to have another chapter posted tomorrow!