Chapter 1

Meryton: Autumn 1847

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a widow in possession of a small child, must be in want of a husband. Whatever the sentiments of the actual lady in question may be, this truth is so universally acknowledged that the lady herself may be considered the rightful property of any number of gentlemen with or without her encouragement.

"Why is it," mused Lady Elizabeth Astley to her dearest friend Charlotte as she attempted to hide behind a potted fern at the Meryton Assembly, "That in addition to fending off every unsolicited gentleman who believes me to be his for the taking, that I must also discourage my stepmother from marrying me off?"

"You know your stepmother's purpose, Eliza," replied Charlotte Lucas, "For indeed, she has been struggling in vain these last few years to tempt gentlemen to marry your sisters. When you return to the neighbourhood as a wealthy widow, she has no choice but to pair you off with someone and quickly, in order to return the gentlemen's attention back to Jane."

Jane was more than welcome to Mr Percival Godwin, mused Elizabeth as she watched the dancers on the Assembly floor, before instantly feeling a pang of guilt for her thoughts. She would not wish Mr Godwin on any of her half-sisters. A more annoying specimen of gentleman was rarely encountered. Every moment in his presence was spent listening to him patronise her about all the wonderful things he would do for his estate with her fortune and the lovely boarding school he had selected for her daughter.

"Miss Astley will quite enjoy Miss Mayfield's Academy for Girls," Mr Godwin stated ten minutes before as they danced a set together. "I am told that there is no school to compare for accomplished ladies. Miss Astley will have no trouble finding a husband after her studies there."

"To be sure, Miss Astley will do quite well when the time comes for marriage but at four years old, she is much too young to consider marriage or school," replied Elizabeth tersely. "I am sure I plan to see to her education at home in any case, as befits her station."

"Of course, you cannot be expected to have her at home, my dear. You will have too many other duties with our children once we marry," patronised Mr Percival Godwin. "Miss Mayfield's Academy takes young ladies of any age. You need not worry about it, Lady Astley. I assure you, I will manage everything."

As she related the encounter to Charlotte, she heard a voice from a few feet away. "Darcy, I cannot abide seeing you stand about in such a stupid manner. You agreed to come and help me learn about running an estate and you know I must have the goodwill of my neighbours. Your behaviour is not helping at all. You had much better dance."

Lady Astley looked about and saw the new tenant of Netherfield Park, Mr Charles Bingley, speaking with his house guest, by all accounts a Mr Darcy from Derbyshire. Lady Astley knew him by reputation only; he was known among the ranks of the ton to be honourable, if not proud and fastidious . She met his paternal grandmother once, through mutual friends in the ton, but the great lady rarely travelled from Pemberley. His parents were both gone for many years, and he was reputed to be a devoted guardian to his young sister. He was an exceedingly handsome gentleman, she mused. No wonder he was so standoffish. A man such as he must be hunted everywhere he went.

"You are dancing with the only handsome woman in the room, Bingley," growled the handsome man.

"Oh! She is an angel! Quite the most beautiful creature I have ever beheld!" enthused Mr Bingley. "But there is her eldest sister just there speaking to Miss Lucas. Do allow me to obtain you an introduction."

"Who are you speaking of?" asked Mr Darcy, turning barely an instant in their direction. "She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me. I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who have been slighted by other men. Not to mention she clearly has no sense of appropriate attire. Has no one told her it is unacceptable for young ladies to wear such dark colours? She looks quite ridiculous," stated Mr Darcy arrogantly.

Elizabeth simply could not help it. What a foolish man! Laughter bubbled up inside her and she could not contain it. She threw back her head and laughed heartily. The gentlemen turned to Lady Astley and Charlotte in horror. Just as quickly she chastised herself and covered her mouth and turned away. It was obvious that Mr Darcy was awkward in society. She recognized his reserve for what it was. A shy man who reacted badly to being hunted. She heard many comments about his ten thousand a year when he entered the assembly and if she heard them, then of course he had as well. No wonder he acted churlishly. That did not, however, excuse his poor manners and she was under no obligation to subject herself to them.

Taking Charlotte's arm, she turned away abruptly and made her way towards her family, little though they wished to see each other. She did not intend to dance many sets tonight, but the next gentleman on her dance card would likely appear soon. Elizabeth did not get along with her stepmother, but it was proper to be rather near her and her sisters, even if the village knew they spoke but little. Elizabeth was not flighty, and she endeavoured to create no gossip by her behaviour.

"What an unpleasant gentleman! And Mr Bingley is correct. His guest's behaviour will earn him no favours in Meryton!" spoke an outraged Charlotte Lucas.

"Do not speak to anyone of his rudeness please, Charlotte. It was clear to me that he barely looked over at us before he made his appalling statement," replied Lady Astley.

"He looked long enough to notice the colour of your gown. One would think he had never encountered a widow before!"

"Yes, but you know I do not appear to my age. I take no pride in admitting I look like an eighteen-year-old girl. It would help if I wore the lace cap, but I cannot stand the ugly things," answered Lady Astley, who had passed her twenty-fifth birthday. She sighed, thinking of the gown she had chosen for the evening. She felt so unsettled in her widowhood. Immediately upon the end of her half-mourning, everyone expected her to make the change from lavenders and light greys to brighter colours. As much as she did not wish to wear black for the rest of her life, nor was she inclined to any shade of purple, she was not ready to cast off her mourning entirely or to appear ready to entertain suitors again.

She settled on dark jewel-tone colours for most of her gowns. Some very dark garnet or green dresses, but she favoured the midnight blue she wore this evening. Three years had passed since Sir Christopher Astley died in a carriage accident and still, she had yet to throw off her mourning entirely. It was a terribly dark colour for a young lady, she thought. But it was not her fault she was nowhere near as young as she appeared, in years nor experience.

As she appeared a few feet away from her stepmother just to keep up appearances, she faced a flurry of admonishments. "Where have you been, young lady?" shrieked her stepmother. "Mr Godwin was looking for you! He wants to ask you for another set! And do not think of declining the poor gentleman, I promised him you would encourage his suit and I will not hear of any missish-ness!"

"First, all of the dances I intend to participate in are claimed, Mama, and second, please do not make any promises on my account," said Elizabeth firmly. "I appreciate your concern for my protection, but I am quite secure in my future. If I am ever ready to marry again, I will know how to encourage the gentleman of my choice. You would do better to direct gentlemen toward my sisters, as I attempt to do."

"How easy that is for you to say when you are aware no gentlemen will consider your sisters when they could have the fortune left to you by your late husband," hissed Mrs Bennet. "If you refuse to take yourself off the marriage mart, the least you could have done is stay in London rather than expect your sisters to compete with your fortune."

"I am not ON the marriage mart, Mama. I am a widow," replied Lady Astley evenly. "And if you sent Jane or even Mary to visit me in London when I asked you to, they would likely be married to fine gentlemen already. I have offered both of them seasons in town, which you have declined."

"You'd like that wouldn't you?" ground Mrs Bennet through her teeth. "You would love to take my precious Jane to town and marry all my girls to gentlemen in trade or some such thing. Then you could take all the credit for saving us, but I have no need of your help! I can manage my daughters without any help from the likes of you!"

Lady Astley sighed unhappily as she took the arm of her next dance partner. It had always been thus. Elizabeth had always tried to be kind and loving to her stepmother and half-sisters. They just did not want any part of it.

*****

When Elizabeth's mother passed away of influenza two years after her birth, Mr Thomas Bennet did not let any grass grow under his feet. He had a baby girl at home, and no wife to manage the household. He went to the very next assembly, black armband upon his arm, and began a courtship with the most beautiful girl in the room. Of course, a widower with a small child could get away with such behaviour.

Sadly to say, the most beautiful girl in the room was Miss Frances Gardiner, the seventeen-year-old daughter of the local solicitor. Mr Bennet barely took the time to know the girl. All that mattered was that she was pretty and lively and would take care of his household.

There was not even a reading of the banns. Mr Gardiner was a shrewd man who knew his daughter was no match for the scholar nearly twice her age. He obtained a common licence and had them in church long before Thomas Bennet could change his mind.

Mr Bennet was not a sentimental man and did not grieve his first wife overly much, though he had professed to love her ardently. He was very willing to enjoy his honeymoon period with his pretty young wife. However, when they finally began leaving the bedroom and speaking to one another, Thomas Bennet quickly realised his mistake. He was married to an uneducated, loud, vulgar, mean-spirited fishwife whose only intention was to spend money, spread gossip, and keep his child out of sight as much as possible.

Mr Bennet was not overly concerned for the child. She would be fine, he was certain. However, it irked him that he could have very well let the housekeeper see to the child since the woman he brought home to be her mother could not stand the sight of her. And he had not even acquired a decent conversationalist in the bargain. And all this after he had already been swindled by his first wife's family.

*****

Lady Astley tried to pay attention to William Goulding's inane prattle as they danced up the line. It was no use. The gentleman was silly and foolish like so many other young men with nothing of particular importance to say. As the dance continued, she continued her musings.

Twice had her father married without heed to sense, and he had not taken either situation well. When he met Lady Cristina Antonia Bonneville in London, he was enchanted. The youngest child of Lord Charles Bonneville, the 6th Earl of Hexham, and the only child by his second wife, Giovanna Isabella Di Angelo, Cristina was pursued by many, but she had eyes only for a minor gentleman from Hertfordshire.

Fascinated by her continental beauty, and lured by her generous dowry and connections, he courted Lady Cristina assiduously. Believing himself to have made quite the match, Thomas Bennet did not even read the marriage settlement before signing the document.

After the wedding, he was incensed to receive only one-third of Lady Cristina's dowry. When his solicitor explained the document, Thomas was even more enraged. They had tricked him. Only fifteen thousand pounds was to be released to him on his marriage. Lord Hexham knew his daughter to be in love. He wanted to indulge her wishes, and also protect her in case she had been deceived. He also wished to protect her from the entail he knew to be on Bennet's estate, and had stipulated in the documents that the remaining thirty thousand pounds could not be obtained in any way by her husband. It must remain in a trust in her name and managed by her family, providing her quarterly pin money, and also her widow's pension in the event her husband left her with no provision. The money could only be split among the daughters and younger sons of her body upon her death or be returned to her family. Thomas Bennet had no hope of acquiring the rest of the dowry.

Thomas Bennet became a changed man overnight. He believed himself to be in love with Cristina, truly he did, but he would not stand for this crime. It was a farce! Everyone knew that a husband controlled everything his wife possessed. Except for him. Because he had signed it all away. He became quite cruel in his attempts to force Lord Hexham to release the dowry. He was so intent on winning his game that when Lady Cristina Bennet passed away from influenza, she had not been permitted to communicate with her family in almost two years. Though Thomas Bennet should have been able to expand his estate significantly and live more than comfortably with the amount he received, he was convinced he had been tricked, and never forgave his first wife's family.

Now, many years later, as the dance ended her reverie, Lady Astley stepped onto the terrace to take the air. As a widow, she need not worry about the rules unmarried ladies must follow, and so had no fear of being alone. As she laid her head on the cool stone of the terrace she heard a step behind her. Mr Darcy stepped out of the shadows. She immediately tensed. Just because she couldn't be compromised, did not mean she wanted any rumours. She was not that sort of widow. As she waited for him to reveal his intentions, he spoke; "Lady Astley, please allow me to sincerely apologise for my intemperate and untrue words this evening," Mr Darcy said awkwardly.

Elizabeth was quiet as she observed him. Then after a moment, she spoke. "Mr Darcy, I always speak just as I find, and I cannot fault anyone who does the same, even at the expense of my own vanity. I believe it would have been kinder of you to keep your observations silent, but I hold no animosity toward you."

"But they were not truly my opinions, Lady Astley. I assure you, I do not believe what I said."

"Come Mr Darcy. It is not your fault that I have a youthful appearance, and seem ridiculous in my widow's weeds," Lady Astley teased.

"Indeed I was entirely wrong, madam. That shade of blue becomes you very well. I must admit to you that I am in an ill temper this evening. I do not usually share my personal affairs, but as the eldest of so many young sisters, I know you will understand. I came here to help Bingley, but my spirits have been much trampled of late. My young sister, of whom I am guardian, and is not yet 16, has been recently disappointed by some that she trusted and it has broken her confidence. It pains me greatly to see her unhappiness. I am uncomfortable in society as it is, particularly society I do not know well, and I rarely dance. I wanted Bingley to leave me alone, and I behaved badly to achieve it. I truly did not mean a single word that I spoke. Please forgive me for my abominable behaviour."

"I suppose it would be churlish to refuse such an apology. I forgive you, Mr Darcy," said Elizabeth graciously. "Indeed, I saw that you barely looked at us, and I already observed your reserved manners. We have something in common. Being a widow of means, I am acquainted with being hunted by gentlemen in society as I surmise you are hunted by ladies and their mamas. I am sure society's behaviour does much to affect your address and I understand your desire to keep yourself apart. However, to make things right, I would ask a boon of you."

"Certainly. Anything within my power will be done, Lady Astley," Mr Darcy said earnestly.

"As you can see, gentlemen are scarce this evening, Mr Darcy," Elizabeth replied. "You are to be a guest in the neighbourhood for some weeks, I gather. Your friend Mr Bingley is correct. You earn him no goodwill with your current demeanour. You will have my forgiveness if you dance with one or two of the ladies present. You have danced with the ladies of your party. Surely there is another lady or two present with whom you could pass a half hour.

"Indeed you have humbled me. Can you recommend a young lady?"

"Certainly I can, Mr Darcy," Elizabeth replied. "There is my very dear friend, Miss Charlotte Lucas, whom I was speaking to earlier. You may have a battle there, for she was not pleased with your manner. But she is well-liked and respected in our neighbourhood so you would do well to earn her goodwill. There are also my sisters Jane and Mary, who are genteel ladies. Or perhaps one of Mrs Long's nieces."

"Lady Astley, would you grant me your next available set?" Darcy asked hopefully.

"Sadly, I did not plan to stay late tonight," Elizabeth replied. "My young daughter is at home, and I dislike leaving her alone with the servants so late. I have promised my next set to your friend Mr Bingley, and then I shall return home."

"I thought I heard someone say that your father remained at home tonight?" Mr Darcy inquired.

I do not stay in my family's home. I am at Lilac Cottage temporarily, until something better becomes available in the neighbourhood," answered Elizabeth.

"That is the dower house of Netherfield, is it not?" asked Darcy with curiosity. "We were told the dower house was not part of the lease, but I do not believe Bingley realised it was occupied."

"It was not at the time that Mr Bingley signed his lease, but we took up residence later in the summer," answered Elizabeth vaguely. "I must go in now as the next set will begin soon. Allow me to introduce you to my friend Charlotte."

Charlotte, returning from her dance with Mr Haywood, the parish curate, approached them as Elizabeth nodded to her. With a raised eyebrow at Elizabeth, she curtsied to Mr Darcy. "Mr Darcy, may I introduce Miss Charlotte Lucas of Lucas Lodge? Miss Lucas, this is Mr Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire."

"That was a rather smooth introduction for someone whom I know you have not been properly introduced to, Eliza," observed Charlotte when the introduction was complete.

"Heavens, Mr Darcy, she is correct!" laughed Elizabeth aloud. "We were so intent on reconciling our differences that I forgot about proper introductions entirely! Mr Darcy, surely you will think us all heathens!" she jested.

Mr Darcy chuckled good-naturedly and replied, "The lapse is surely my fault, for I approached you, quite wrongly now that you point it out. I hoped I might have redeemed myself and have rather shown that I have no manners at all! My sister would be quite shocked to see me thus!"

"I am sure your sister quite despairs over your manners, sir. You will have to tell me more about Miss Darcy, for I am curious about her, but for now, I must dance with your friend," Elizabeth said as Mr Bingley approached with his hand out.

Mr Darcy requested Miss Lucas's hand for the set, an offer the lady accepted with a grim line to her mouth. He was rather apprehensive as they took to the floor, and made the decision to bite the bullet and do what needs must. "Miss Lucas, Lady Astley has graciously forgiven me for my intemperate words earlier, but I feel I owe you an apology as well, for my comments rightly shocked you. Truly, I am rather uncomfortable in company and was trying to make Bingley leave me alone. I did not mean anything that I said and I hope you will not regard me as boorish for my ill temper."

Charlotte Lucas regarded the gentleman evenly and said, "Indeed Mr Darcy, please do not trouble yourself. I can see you are in earnest, and if Eliza has forgiven you then I shall as well."

Their conversation faltered as the dance separated them and threw them back together, but when they parted at the end it was with goodwill. Darcy immediately saw that Miss Lucas was a practical lady of good sense and an intelligent conversationalist. He was wrong to assume everyone here would be beneath him. For a certainty, there were exceptions such as Mrs Bennet and the lady introduced as her sister, but ladies like them were two a pence in the ton. Truly, high society did not mean better behaviour. His thoughts turned to his Aunt Catherine. He would not wish to witness her behaviour in a London ballroom before all of society.

It was among people like this whose society he ought to let Georgiana into, he thought. He kept her away from society in London, to protect her from false friends, compromises and malicious company. She occasionally accompanied his aunt for calls in London on her visits, but that lady did not attend many daytime events where young ladies of Georgiana's age might be found. He never thought to encourage associating with the good people of Derbyshire and other country villages. He knew all the families in their county, but had not socialised with them regularly since his youth. That ended when his mother died and he was waiting for his future wife to take it up again. Georgiana could make estimable acquaintances and build her confidence in a society like this, and would already have done if she had a mother or older sister to manage it.

He would think more on it tomorrow. Perhaps he would ask Lady Astley for advice. She had four younger sisters of her own. The younger ones behaved atrociously, but Lady Astley had lived away from their home for a number of years had she not? She must, however, know a great deal about young ladies.

When his set with Charlotte ended, he looked for Elizabeth, but she had left the assembly. Charlotte provided him with an introduction to Elizabeth's sister Miss Mary, who promised him a dance later. Wait. Did he just call her Elizabeth in his thoughts? He rather thought he had. Perhaps more than once. He must be careful not to address her so informally. His behaviour had been appalling already.

*****

Elizabeth returned to her earlier thoughts as she rode home in her carriage by moonlight. After her father realised his mistake with Mrs Fanny Bennet, he withdrew to his library as much as possible. She did not remember this time, having only been a toddler, but she was told later by those who observed it. With each successive daughter, her father withdrew further into his book room. When it became abundantly clear no son was coming, Mrs Bennet began to lash out at young Elizabeth for everything wrong in her life. Elizabeth was not allowed in the nursery with her sisters, leaving her to sleep and learn alone. Her mother's family appealed to see her, but Thomas Bennet was firm in his refusals. If Hexham wanted to see his granddaughter, it was going to cost him the thirty thousand pounds Bennet felt he was owed.

When Elizabeth was ten years of age, Lydia was born. Mrs Bennet laboured harder over her birth than any of the others, and took much longer to recover. After four daughters, the doctor recommended she have no more children. Mrs Bennet's sister-in-law, sensing that life was about to get harder for Elizabeth, suggested to Fanny that she might benefit from Elizabeth's help during her first confinement and would appreciate it if Elizabeth could come to London with her for a time. Fanny Bennet, not caring where Elizabeth was as long as she did not have to look at her, shooed her out the door, and Bennet made no objection. His wife might be silly and ignorant, but her brother and his wife were good and refined people.

Shortly after Elizabeth arrived at the Gardiners' residence, the couple was contacted by Lord Robert Bonneville, the 7th Earl of Hexham. Having promised his father to watch over Elizabeth as best as he could, the earl had her watched by someone in Meryton for many years and received regular reports. As soon as he ascertained Elizabeth's presence in London and that she was being kindly treated there, he sent out his correspondence to the Gardiners, asking to visit with Elizabeth.

Gardiner and his wife, not having made any promises regarding the Hexhams to Bennet, and not caring for his and his wife's treatment of the girl, kindly allowed the visit to take place in their home. Her Uncle Hexham apologised to Elizabeth for having never met her, promised to do what he could to help her and planned to send some masters for Elizabeth's education. He visited with her once a week and she visited his daughters and wife, her cousins and aunt, while she visited town.

Elizabeth remained indefinitely in London, though she still went home for a few months every year. Mr Bennet would not allow it to appear that she never lived in his home, but as long as she came home for Christmas and a few months each summer, he did not object to her helping Aunt Madeleine . Indeed he did not enjoy seeing her suffer at Fanny's hand, but he was not willing to stir himself to put an end to it. At least this way he saw the child sometimes, appearances were kept up, and the girl seemed content with her lot.

Fanny Bennet occasionally thought Madeleine was getting too much of a bargain, and perhaps she ought to make Elizabeth come home and help with her younger sisters. But no, Mrs Bennet preferred that Elizabeth have no contact with her sisters at all. The girls were taught to treat Elizabeth as a stranger or a fallen woman and little notice was ever paid to her when she was at Longbourn, unless company was there, and even then, any notice was perfunctory.

Elizabeth sighed as the carriage pulled up to Lilac Cottage. At least she was home now, but she did not know why she was dredging up all of these old memories. She committed herself to hold no grudges against Mrs Bennet or her sisters, and to make sure of their security if her father passed. No matter how they behaved, she held Mr Bennet and his neglect responsible for most of their behaviour and bore the ladies no ill will.