Chapter 11: Of Repentant Suitors and Surprises
Mr. Bingley's leg was shaking in the carriage. His sister Caroline was so sick of it that she slapped his knee. He winced and took a deep breath. He asked the driver to stop, and he got out to walk and breathe. He felt nauseous. He would see Miss Bennet in a few hours. Darcy warned him that she was unlikely to welcome his attention in the express he sent. Charles could not give up hope. He was prepared to grovel, beg, and do anything she required to gain her favor again. Miss Bennet was the most beautiful, kindest woman he had ever met. She was soft-spoken and sweet. He was sure she could be forgiving. He would do what he must to earn that forgiveness.
"Charles, what on Earth are you doing?" Caroline exclaimed from the carriage.
"Stretching out. I am taller than you, and my legs get too uncomfortable."
"I thought you were anxious to get there," Louisa poked her head out.
"Yes, of course. Let us go."
Miss Bennet had a lovely morning. Miss Darcy had three different joupe-pantalons, and she told her she was welcome to use any. She woke up early. Checked on her father and aunt and went down to the stables. Onyx seemed happy to see her. His left hind leg was bandaged. She greeted him, Hermes, and Zeus. Mr. Darcy and the colonel got to the stables soon after she took off with Hermes. She decided to stick to the main roads. She did not want to seem further improper. She took off calmly, but Hermes seemed to be in the mood for more intense exercise, and soon enough, they were at a gallop.
Mr. Darcy and the colonel followed her at a distance. Darcy had to check on the repairs due to the floods. The colonel could not help but follow Jane with his eyes. She was so agile and graceful on that horse. Of course, she was riding astride. No lady could hope to ride at such speed without spreading her legs. Bad Richard. Do not even contemplate that train of thought. Not even in passing, an inner voice that sounded a lot like his mother scolded. Richard shook his head. He would not disrespect Miss Bennet. But he was intrigued, and he wanted to know her better.
"Darcy?"
"Yes?"
"Will you be here long?"
"Half an hour, probably. Why?"
"No reason. I may go ahead and check on Miss Bennet," the colonel nodded.
"Richard… Do not bother her. She is enjoying her time alone."
"Darcy! I would never. I am just being a tour guide this morning."
"Mhmm."
Hermes and Jane flew over two bales of hay. The horse enjoyed riding with such light weight on top, and he was glad that his rider was constantly petting him as they moved. She found an orchard, or rather... Hermes took her to an orchard.
"I see what you are doing, Mr. Hermes."
The horse neighed as if he was laughing.
Jane chuckled and dismounted. She took an apple that seemed to have fallen recently and cleaned it with her joupe. "Here you go. I hope Mr. Darcy does not mind. I do not know how many treats you are allowed per day."
"However many you wish to give him, I would guess," Colonel Fitzwilliam was walking and pulling his horse behind him.
Jane turned around. "Colonel," she curtseyed briefly.
"Miss Bennet, good morning."
"Good morning."
"Darcy is not that strict about fruit treats. Sugar cubes should be used very sparingly, though. But just between you and I… I believe he fears his horses will take a bigger liking to those who provide the cubes than toward him."
"I doubt it. Mr. Darcy does not strike me as the insecure type," she replied and immediately blushed upon realizing what she had said and to whom. Just as she was about to apologize, the colonel chuckled.
"And just what type do you think he is?"
"He is a good man. Smart, caring, kind, loyal, and generous," Miss Bennet replied with certainty.
"Very succinctly put, Miss Bennet."
"I am just being honest."
"Refreshing," he smiled charmingly only to be barely acknowledged. This woman was something else.
"Tell me, Colonel. I imagine you have been here many times."
"I have, yes," he stood up straighter.
"Other than this orchard… What other fruits are available for harvest here at Pemberley?"
"All year round, the Bramleys, of course," he pointed at the tree behind her. Hermes was trying to catch one of the green apples. "There are cherries on the west side of the property, Conference pears past the orchard, and maybe you can find some blueberries and plums closer to the greenhouse. Why? Are you hungry, Miss Bennet?"
She shook her head, "No, not yet. It is far too early. I ride better on an empty stomach… My mother wants to bake something for the Darcy family, as a thank you."
"To bake something herself?" Richard's eyebrows shot up. "With her own two hands?"
"Yes. She is an excellent baker," Jane frowned slightly. She did not understand why it was a problem.
"I see…" the colonel said. He, however, did not see.
"Do you happen to know if they have a favorite dessert or pastry?"
"They do. But it is not the same one for both…"
"Oh…" Jane sighed. She composed herself quickly. "That should not be a problem, I think. They each deserve their own special treat."
"Really?"
"Yes. We are crafty country girls. Please tell me."
"Georgie loves Charlotte Russe with berries because she is a fancy princess like that," Richard rolled his eyes but laughed. Jane thought it was clear how much she loved Miss Darcy. "And Darcy… Darcy is a simple man with a sweet tooth. He will eat almost anything, but his favorite used to be his mother's lemon tart, but he will never get to have that again. He also likes vanilla blancmange."
"Are there any lemons in the property?"
"Yes, in the greenhouse, but no one has been able to recreate my aunt's recipe. It was a bit damaged and some of it cannot be read properly."
"I see… Well, thank you for your help, colonel. I should not keep you from your ride. Have a lovely day," she said as she got on the horse.
"May I see you to the greenhouse?"
"No, thank you. I know where it is."
She took off quickly before he could insist. What a creature! No wonder Bingley was head over heels. What a fool to allow himself to be taken away from the delightful Miss Bennet!
Miss Darcy smiled to herself as she walked to break her fast. Miss Bennet had asked her what Richard's favorite dessert was. She had been pleasantly surprised to hear it was brandy snaps. Miss Bennet smiled and thanked her but did not say more. Perhaps she could play Cupid for two more people. They would make such a lovely couple. Georgiana was dreading Miss Bingley's visit. She told Miss Elizabeth this, and Lizzie promised she would intervene if needed and that Gigi could use her or her ill family members as an excuse to escape any social interaction she did not want to endure. Lizzie grabbed some food and left with her plate to relieve her sister Mary, who was with her aunt and needed to come downstairs to eat.
Mrs. Bennet was glad that all the things the Darcy family liked were within her skill set to make. Lizzie and Jane were ready to bake with her as soon as they could procure all the necessary ingredients. She went to the kitchens to look for Mrs. Reynolds.
"Mrs. Bennet. Good morning," the housekeeper smiled and curtseyed. "How can I help you? More broth, perhaps?"
"No. Thank you. I have a bit of an odd request."
Mrs. Reynolds blinked, "Oh? Do tell."
"I think it is a lovely gesture," Mrs. Reynolds told the cook in her small study. "They will need one of the ovens after lunch. Do you think you can be civil?"
"Madame! Vous m'avez blessé! I am civilité personified!" the chef replied with a thick accent. [You hurt me! I am civility personified!]
"We all know how you feel about other cooks in your domains, Claude," Mrs. Reynolds chuckled.
"Je ne comprends pas cette madame… I am a great chef, not a cook. Why not ask the chef to make the treats? Why invade my space?" [I don't understand that lady.]
"Claude, please behave. This is a special request. That madame will probably be Mr. Darcy's mother-in-law if things go well. It is in your best interest to help her."
"Fine. Je le ferai. Mais s'ils provoquent un incendie, ne blâmez pas Claude !" the chef threw his hands up in a giving up gesture. [I will do it. But if they cause a fire, do not blame Claude!]
"Toujours fataliste, mon ami le cuisinier," Mrs. Reynolds laughed. [Always the fatalist, my friend the chef]
Claude groaned and threw his arms up in annoyance as he left.
"Mrs. Reynolds?" Miss Elizabeth approached her as she picked up ginger in the medicinal garden for Mrs. Gardiner.
"Miss Elizabeth," she stood up. "How can I help you?"
"We did some investigation…"
"Oh?"
"And the colonel said Mr. Darcy's favorite treat is his mother's lemon tart…"
Mrs. Reynolds sighed, "It is."
"Do you happen to have her recipe?"
"I do. However, we have never been able to make it just like she used to. The parchment got wet years ago, and the ink… Well, several areas of it are smudged. We have tried to figure it out, but we have had no luck so far."
"I would still like to see it if you do not mind. We want to attempt to figure it out."
"Of course. I shall bring it up to your room before lunch."
Lizzie beamed at the older lady, "Oh, thank you so much! He… He is doing so much for us, and he deserves something special."
"Mr. Darcy?"
He looked up from the documents he was reading, "Yes, Mrs. Reynolds?"
"I need you to grab your Miss Darcy and the Colonel and leave, sir."
He blinked, a bit perplexed, "Beg your pardon?"
"Your female guests are in need of privacy."
"I do not understand."
Mrs. Reynolds got closer and whispered, "The Bennets want to do something special for Miss Georgiana"
"Oh?"
"As a thank you for being such a good hostess," Mrs. Reynolds smiled. "They asked to use certain areas of the house, but it will be impossible for them to do what they want unless you take your family out so the surprise is not spoiled."
He realized and felt grateful. Gigi was doing an excellent job choosing menus, arranging flowers, arranging rooms, and even providing entertainment. She deserved recognition, and he was glad the Bennet ladies noticed.
"I... I seem to remember I owe my sister a… bonnet, now that you mention it."
"Make it a dress, sir, and shoes… That will take long enough."
He smiled, "I see. Of course. Thank you for letting me know, Mrs. Reynolds," he stood up from his desk and went out to find his sister and cousin.
"I am telling you it's rosemary."
"In a tart?"
"Maybe. It goes well with lemon."
"Perhaps, if it was poultry…"
"Wait, but it ends in a 'y,' right? What else could it be?"
"We do not know it ends in a 'y'! Only that there is one in the word!"
"This is a disaster…"
They sighed.
"We cannot give up."
Lizzie squinted at the parchment, "Caraway?"
"As in the seeds?" Jane asked, taking the parchment from her.
"Is that not too much of a stretch?" Mrs. Bennet asked.
"Why?"
"That would be too… exotic," Mrs. Bennet replied.
Mary chuckled, "I do not want to point out the obvious, but they are rich… The rich like exotic. Right?"
They all laughed at the absurdity of their discussion.
"Let us try to figure it out… We should all name possible ingredients for a dessert starring lemons with the letter 'y' somewhere. Go!"
"Thyme?"
"In a tart?!" Mrs. Bennet looked completely against that idea.
They all shook their heads.
"Prickly?" Mary offered.
"What?!"
"As in prickly pear?" Mary tried not to laugh at her own suggestion but failed.
They laughed and shook their heads.
"Honey?"
"Maybe…"
"Cherry?" Jane shrugged.
"Blueberry?"
"Blackberry?"
"Gooseberry?"
"All the berries?" Mary asked.
They giggled once more.
Miss Darcy was beloved amongst the merchants. How could they not love her? Her brother never said no to her requests. Both siblings were polite, patient, and knew what they wanted. They always bought expensive, high-quality items, and they paid on time. As such, any trip to the shops meant a lot of niceties. Georgiana was a bit puzzled at her brother's insistence to get her a new dress and shoes. He never begrudged her any trips to the merchants but rarely offered to take her without her prompting. The modiste would usually travel to them.
"Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy, Colonel, welcome," the modiste smiled at them. "How can I help you?"
"My sister needs a new dress."
"Oh, of course. Let us start with the models. We will find something you love, Miss Darcy."
"Thank you," the girl beamed and went after the woman.
The colonel pulled Darcy away. "Why are we here?"
"To buy Georgie a dress and a pair of shoes."
"Darcy. I am not a child. What is this about?"
"The Bennet ladies are planning a surprise for her. They needed her out of the house."
The colonel nodded, "I see… You should make the most of this outing."
"Huh?"
"You did not procure an engagement ring, did you?"
"I asked my attorney to bring my mother's ring from London."
"You will give her a family heirloom?"
"Yes."
"You are completely besotted."
"I am."
The colonel looked into his cousin's bright eyes. There was no way that emotion was fake. "I am so happy for you, William."
"Thank you."
"But now that you mention it… I should go get some things."
"Like what?"
"Just… Stay with Gigi."
"Fine. Keep your secrets," the colonel narrowed his eyes playfully at him.
It took a few hours, but the Bennet ladies worked well together. Claude sat on a chair in the corner of the kitchen. He was pleasantly surprised. The women knew their way around a kitchen. When he asked questions, they respectfully replied either 'Yes, chef,' or 'No, chef.' They were very grateful. He had tasted everything upon their request, and he had to admit they were really good cooks. They had made confit lemon peel and candied ginger. They had also made blueberry jam.
Claude was impressed to see Miss Bennet making brandy snaps. It was not a dessert for beginners, and yet the ladies even shaped them into the proper shape without much fuss. Miss Mary was exhausted from whipping the chantilly cream filling. She had volunteered, but it was a lot of work. The Bennet ladies hoped the lemon tart was good enough, even if it was not exact. They were almost positive that the missing ingredient was caraway seed. Claude had been so pleasantly surprised that he had even taken out the more ornate bases for them to display their final results.
They arranged the table, placed the flowers Jane had picked up earlier, and got ready to surprise the Darcy siblings and their cousin. Mary had wanted to arrange the Charlotte Russe herself. She placed it on the left of the table. It was beautiful. The lemon tart was placed in the center on the highest base. Mrs. Bennet insisted. The brandy snaps were placed on the right side. Many were filled with the cream, but they left some cream in a serving bowl in case anyone wanted to add more. They carefully arranged the plates, the dessert forks, the tea service, and the napkins in the dining room. Then, they sat down to wait in the sun room.
They did not wait long. The family returned with the rushed opening of doors and a flushed Miss Darcy, who had been too excited to show Lizzie her new bonnet but froze when she saw the scene.
"Pardon the interruption," she curtseyed. "I thought the room was empty."
"Not at all, Miss Darcy."
"Is everything alright?" the young girl paled a bit.
The ladies had agreed to look very serious so the surprise would be even better.
"You will have to tell us if it is, dear," Lizzie replied.
"Oh?"
"We just had to take over your hosting duties."
Georgiana looked down. She blushed. "Have I done such a terrible job?"
The ladies did not reply. Mr. Darcy and the colonel shared equally confused and concerned looks.
"Oh, no. I am so sorry! It is just that I have never had to mind a house with so many people all at once… I apologize for the inconvenience." She turned to her guardians, "I told you we would be late for tea! But no, you had to go to all the shops," she whisper shouted.
"Please follow me, Miss Darcy," Mrs. Bennet led the group to the decorated room. "Prepare yourself for something very dreadful."
Miss Darcy's hands trembled as she reached for the door. She braced herself and opened it. She gasped. It was a beautifully set room and table with what looked like-
"Charlotte Russe!" she exclaimed and rushed to the table, forgetting her manners.
"Surprise!" the Bennet ladies said with big smiles.
"We wanted to do something special as a humble thank you for your incredible hosting skills. We also want to thank Mr. Darcy for everything he is doing for us and the colonel, of course, for bringing Jane back safe after her adventure."
Georgiana's eyes filled with happy tears, "How did you know this is my favorite?"
"We may have used each of you for information on the other," Jane smiled.
"You did?" the colonel raised a brow at Miss Bennet. He lowered his face closer to hers, "And here I thought I was special-"
"Richard!" Georgie chastised him. "Look!"
"What, sweetling?" his jaw fell. "Brandy snaps! My favorite! Truth be told, Mrs. Bennet? Miss Bennet rescued both Onyx and me."
Jane blushed. Mrs. Bennet smiled at this.
Finally! Richard thought. At last, a transparent reaction.
Mr. Darcy stayed back, just enjoying the homely scene. It had been long since this room had seen a family interaction like this. It had been too long since he saw Gigi so incandescently happy. He looked at Elizabeth, who -like him- was staring at Georgiana's joyful expression as she tried the treat.
"This is the best Charlotte Russe I have ever had!"
"Mary insisted on plating it all together herself."
Georgiana placed her plate down on the table and turned to hug Mary, "Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you! It is both beautiful and delicious."
Lizzie walked over to her fiancé. "Come," she took his arm and pulled him closer to the table. "We did our best to try and recreate your favorite."
Gigi had been blocking the tart from view. She took a step to the left, and William finally saw it. He gasped. Gigi saw the treat and then his face, and she immediately moved to hold his hand supportively. Ever since she was a child, she remembered the cook always trying to recreate their mother's lemon tart that William so loved and failed time after time. He looked profoundly touched.
"It will probably fall short, but we think we may have discovered the smudged ingredient," Mrs. Bennet smiled as she poured the tea.
He approached Lizzie, who cut a slice for him and handed him a plate and a fork. He looked at the tart and then at Lizzie with naked, fierce love. "I am sure it will be delicious."
Mr. Darcy brought the plate closer to his face. He smelled it. His eyes widened in recognition. Could it be-? After all these years of failed attempts? Had his Lizzie and her family accomplished the impossible? He took a forkful of the treat and tasted it. His lids fell closed. Heaven. That was the only word that came to mind. It was the exact same flavor. The same je ne sais quoi. He could see and hear his mother laughing as she made this with him for his birthday. Now that he had smelled and tasted it, his memory was clear: caraway seeds. That was the ingredient his mother used in the crust. That was the secret. Tears fell from his closed eyes. Mrs. Bennet ushered everyone to sit to grant him some semblance of privacy while he collected himself. She had never seen a grown man cry.
Lizzie squeezed his arm reassuringly. She wished she could hug him, but it would be improper. She sat to let him compose himself.
He hastily wiped his tears with the napkin and joined the ladies at the table, "I have no words… You… You brought my mother back to me."
All the ladies looked at him, not knowing what to say to such a heartfelt compliment.
"We are so glad you liked it."
"Mrs. Bennet… I did not just like it. I have been searching for this exact flavor for years. Claude was so upset at my continuous disappointment that I feared he would quit... No one managed to discover this… There is nothing I can ever do to repay you for this kindness."
"Oh, no. There is something," Lizzie smiled.
"Name it," he smiled back.
"Keep eating," Lizzie beamed.
He chuckled and took another forkful.
They all tried each of the treats. As they all started to scatter away to go back to their tasks, Lizzie approached William. She whispered, "I took the liberty of writing this once more. That way, you can have Claude make it whenever you want."
"I will treasure this, but… if it is not too awfully presumptuous or selfish of me, and if it is not too taxing for you… I would prefer it if you make it for me or if we make it together."
Lizzie looked around. They were all alone. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him sweetly. "I will do this for you any time you want."
He smiled goofily.
"And I suppose I can also bake your favorite," she winked cheekily and ran out to catch up with Jane. It was their turn to see to their aunt.
William chuckled as he stood rooted to the spot. His fingers caressed the ghost of her lips on his. He looked up at the 'heavens' and thanked his maker for allowing him this second chance with the love of his life. He did not deserve her. He would spend the rest of his life trying.
Mr. Bennet groaned. The maid who was minding him while she worked on mending a shirt was startled by the noise.
"Sir?"
He groaned louder.
"Can you hear me?"
He groaned once more.
"Stevens! Go tell Mr. Darcy that Mr. Bennet is groaning as if in pain and send someone to fetch the doctor, immediately!"
A/N: Thank you for reading. Those of you who are liking the story need not read past this point.
As for the rest of you... I have had people leave very strange comments and/or send me PMs on FF dot net, especially. People seem to have significant issues with how I have chosen to do this story. Fanfiction is NOT CANON by nature. For the love of Austen, if you want canon, go re-read her work. No one is stopping you. It seems like there are several of you who conveniently suspend disbelief when you want to but fail to do so whenever you see fit.
No need to try to educate me on geography. I am aware that in canon, Longbourn is in Meryton and that Meryton is supposed to be 3-4 days away from Pemberley (supposed because, unlike other places in the novel, like Kent, Meryton is *imaginary*). I did not mention Meryton as the hometown of the Bennets because Longbourn needs to be closer to Pemberley for the story to work. I can't believe people want me to do Math for a story I am sharing for free. I'm not too fond of Math. There is a reason I am an English major. However, as per my research on carriages in the 1800s, average carriages could cover 15 miles per hour. A fancier, better carriage with strong and rested horses, would probably do maybe a couple more miles per hour.
I did not make this explicit because it did not seem necessary. But some of my neurodivergent readers* (I am guessing here, and I mean it as a compliment) need the details. Mr. Darcy did not leave on the same day that he picked the Bennets up. As the letter warned, he was there first thing in the morning. He wanted to leave as early as possible. The only way was for him and his staff to travel the day before. Anticipating delays, he got to Longbourne at 6 am and was made to wait until 9 to talk to Mr. Bennet. Their talk did not take too long. Mr. Gardiner had sent an express informing Mr. Bennet of this situation days before. Due to this, Mr. Bennet ordered his staff, without Mrs. Bennet's -or his daughters' knowledge- to pack for their trip. By the time Mr. Darcy told Mrs. Bennet, all she and her daughters had to do was change into their traveling clothes and get into the carriage.
If they left by 11 am and stopped only to drop the youngest girls, I believe it would take 7-7.5 hours to get to Pemberley with a necessary short break halfway to eat and change horses. The change of horses would not take too long because Mr. Darcy took precautions just in case. That way, they arrived to eat dinner with Miss Darcy and Elizabeth at around half past 7 pm or fifteen minutes before eight, give or take. They would have covered 115 miles or 185 km one way. Darcy would have covered twice as long because he went there and back. I hope that helps. Someone else says my Darcy is too 'familiar' with his staff and the Bennet sisters… Again, my Darcy is not canon Darcy. I have tried to keep the shyness and awkwardness while showing a man trying his best to overcome the things Elizabeth criticized him for when he proposed.
Those who are familiar with the rest of my writing know that "Don't like, don't read" is the hill I will die on. There is no need to bully, harass, or in any other way try to harm an author whose only crime is to write to entertain others. You don't need to announce you are leaving the building. You are not Elvis. Just click on the 'x' in the corner and leave quietly out of respect for writers sharing their work for free.