OUT OF THE BLUE CLEAR SKY: (A PRIDE AND PREJUDICE VARIATION)

by SANDRA P. HIGGINS

  OUT OF THE BLUE

  CLEAR SKY

  (A PRIDE AND PREJUDICE VARIATION)

  SANDRA P. HIGGINS

  OUT OF THE BLUE CLEAR SKY

  (A PRIDE AND PREJUDICE NOVELLA

  Copyright © 2019

  by Sandra P. Higgins

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, in whole or in part, in any manner whatsoever without written permission.

  This book is a work of fiction. All the main characters depicted in this book are fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and the author has depicted events in history as they have been reported by others.

  CONTENTS

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  DEDICATION

  To my mother for her wonderful love and guidance to our family over her many years on this earth. We will remember you forever.

  CHAPTER 1

  It was a pleasant fall day in London when the coach carrying Miss Elizabeth Bennet arrived. She had left her home at Longbourn earlier that day and her father had taken her to the coach station in nearby Meryton and saw her away. A fortnight earlier her eldest sister Jane had returned from London where she had stayed with her aunt and uncle and helped with the Gardiner children. Her Uncle Gardiner was her mother’s brother and he met his niece at the station.

  “How are you Lizzy and how goes your family? I assume your ride went well?”

  “We are all fine Uncle Edward and the trip was uneventful.”

  “Then you have no stories of highwaymen to tell?”

  “Thankfully I have no such stories to tell. I prefer to read about such things instead of experiencing them.”

  “Well, said, Lizzy. The others are eager to see you. It means a lot to Madeline and I when you and Jane come to visit and the children are always excited.”

  “Jane and I both enjoy getting away and there are so many things to do but most of all we enjoy being with family.”

  Soon they arrived at the Gardiner’s home on Christchurch Street in Cheapside. Elizabeth was pleased with the welcome she received from her younger cousins and her aunt was already suggesting some of the places she might visit during her stay.

  The weather remained sunny and not all that hot when Elizabeth was in town but a few days before she left she needed to run an errand for her father. Under a clear blue sky Mr. Gardiner and her took the carriage and he left her to shop in the store near to where he would be shopping. They would return to the carriage when they were done but Elizabeth was inclined to not shop very long for she and her Aunt Madeline planned to take the children to a park later that day and it was a beautiful day to be outside. She took a last look at her surroundings and a deep breath as she came inside the store.

  That very day Fitzwilliam Darcy and his younger sister, Georgiana were shopping in town. This was their last stop that day and Darcy wanted to see if the books he had ordered had come in. As his younger sister perused the many aisles of books her brother soon discovered a young woman speaking with the owner about some new books.

  Now Darcy was not one to listen in on the conversations of others but he could not help himself. He was not that near to her but still caught most of their conversation and was impressed with the books she was seeking. He had to suppress a chuckle when the woman declared the books were for her father and her. This is certainly a big surprise to come across such a woman. Where is she from? I must suppose her father is a professor or perhaps a writer.

  The owner then tried to persuade the woman to make another purchase but it seemed that most of the other books he chose to recommend she had already read, including those of Shakespeare and the other great authors. The fact that she often could recite many of the lines from the books suggested to Darcy that this woman had a brilliant mind.

  He stood amazed at this young woman. For a brief moment he tried to imagine what it would be like to be on the receiving end of such a lovely and intelligent wit. When she next turned her head after hearing some noise behind her, she noticed him and he saw her eyes as his heart began to pound.

  How can a young person be so intelligent? I do not think I have ever seen anything to equal this young woman, and yet she has other attributes as well. She is a petite thing for sure but she has beautiful eyes and dark hair and her mannerisms and her sweet voice are enough to captivate any man looking for a wife.

  Wife, you say? Get control of yourself, Darcy. Best not to think of this woman now.

  Unbeknownst to her brother, Georgiana watched as he studied the young woman and she was surprised at the intensity of his look. Never had she seen him that curious about a woman and he was eight and twenty.

  They both saw her leave with her books and Darcy watched as she looked his way a second time as she left. Though Georgiana noticed the woman looked at her brother, she could not read his mind or know how that brief eye contact between her brother and the woman was received. Darcy thought he felt his heart move in his chest and he felt a longing he had never felt any other time in his life.

  His heart continued to beat rapidly and he realized that this young woman was like a magnet drawing him inward and he could not tell if he wanted that or something else, but he knew those eyes had bewitched him and he would not be satisfied until he knew more about her.

  That night Georgiana spoke with him about their day.

  “William, that was interesting in the book store. Why do you suppose the young woman was so intent on finding her books?”

  “I heard her say that both she and her father are interested in the same books and you also know that I am interested as well, for I have those same books here at Darcy House.”

  “Then it is too bad you did not tell her. Just think, you might have had the pleasure of showing her your library. Do you wish that you had spoken with her? You could not take your eyes off of her. Is she the type of woman who could make you happy?”

  “Georgie, you are playing the role of matchmaker. This is not the way a man chooses a wife.”

  “Does the woman always have to accept the man who chooses her? Why must a woman wait to be asked to marry? Why do women not make their own choice?”

  For some reason Georgiana seemed confused, but so was the servant standing just outside the door who now took mental notes of what was said.

  “Georgie, a woman must agree to a marriage, but having a man that is interested is a good sign. I am certain that women have proposed to men, yet I know of none that have. Women are not forced to marry and are free to refuse a man. Then there are others who seek out a man and use their arts and allurements to get a husband. Georgie, I believe love and matrimony to be a high stakes game. Have you not heard of fortune hunters?”

  Georgiana laughed but the sting of his words she put aside. “You are thinking of her even as we speak. Do you think she is pretty?”

  “I believe she has a look that can grow on a person. She seems to be a spirited woman and she appears to possess an exceptional mind. What do you think is her age?”

  Darcy nervously tapped his fingers on his seat and heard his sister say she thought the woman was about twenty. “William, she might be too young for you.”

  He did not reply but continued to read
his book as Georgiana left for bed.

  Later that night Darcy could not sleep and thought about the young woman. He returned to the book store the next day and the day after hoping to see the woman, and he did the same at two other book stores but he could not discover her. It was not to be.

  Three days after he first saw the woman, Elizabeth Bennet told the Gardiners and her cousins goodbye and boarded a coach to take her back to her home at Longbourn in Hertfordshire.

  She had spent the past fortnight helping her Aunt Gardiner with her young children and now she was needed back home.

  If everything went to schedule, her coach would arrive before noon in Meryton and a driver would meet her there and transport her home.

  Elizabeth saw the trip home as a chance to catch up on her sleep for she had continued to think of the stranger in the book store. She knew she was being silly to think about this stranger but he was dressed as a gentleman and she did not think the young woman with him was his wife.

  He is likely not married and the young woman with him may be a relation or a friend. Now physically he is a man’s man who any young woman would find most handsome. His looking at me even caused me to blush. Why must I continue to think on this man? Is this what happens at the beginning of a relationship? It is too bad that I will never see him again.

  As the coach left London she thought of her visit and her only regret was that she never met the man that day. She was cognizant of the young couples about the town holding hands and smiling and walking together and laughing and smiling. They all seemed happy and she wondered what it would feel like to be cared for, even loved. Jane came to mind and being the oldest of five daughters Jane was hoping to meet a good man, but now that was Elizabeth’s wish as well.

  When she finally nodded off as the carriage moved closer to Meryton she had a dream of the man and he had asked her if he could kiss her. In her dream he had kissed her but she awoke in a full blush with tingling feelings she had never known before. Her heart beat wildly as she tried to calm down as the coach arrived at the station.

  When she arrived home she was swarmed by her sisters as three of her four sisters were excited to tell her about the wealthy single man who had recently rented Netherfield Park. That was good news for Mrs. Bennet. Lately it seemed that her whole purpose in life was to see all five of her daughters well settled. There was good reason for her to be concerned. Mr. Bennet inherited Longbourn but the property was entailed along the male line and once the man passed Longbourn would be the property of a distant cousin. That would not have been an issue if the Bennets had a son and so Mrs. Bennet was focused on marrying off all her daughters as soon as possible.

  Netherfield Park was but three miles from their home and now the Bennet females were already preparing for the upcoming dance in Meryton.

  The new man was Mr. Charles Bingley from Northern England and he and his guests were expected to attend the dance at the Meryton Assembly Hall Saturday night. His guests included a younger sister and a married sister and her husband.

  Things were hectic at Longbourn in the days leading up to the assembly. The middle sister, Mary, was not excited about the dance, but the others certainly were, though the two youngest, Lydia and Kitty, were both incorrigible. Elizabeth was called Lizzy by her family and friends and she was the second daughter. Jane, the eldest, was Elizabeth’s best friend and was considered the sweetest and the most beautiful of the sisters. Mary was the most pious sister whilst Lydia was the youngest and the wildest sister. Catherine, called Kitty by her family and friends, was Lydia’s best friend and usually she let Lydia take the lead on things as she followed along.

  The dance at the Assembly Hall in Meryton was enjoyed by many but Mrs. Bennet must have enjoyed it the most. The reason for her merriment was that Mr. Bingley and Jane Bennet were immediately attracted to each other. Elizabeth enjoyed the dance and was happy for her sister but saw no man that she was interested in. There was a man who caught her interest but she would not see him in Hertfordshire and she knew she would probably never see him again.

  She saw him as a gentleman and thought he might be a good dancer but she remembered how handsome he looked and thought they both liked to read.

  What other things would we have in common? He is a gentleman and I am a gentleman’s daughter but he looked to be very rich. If the man had attended the dance he might have never asked me for a dance but may have asked Miss Bingley. My! That woman was dressed as though she was attending a great ball in town. She and her sister seemed to look down their noses at everyone so perhaps the man would not have asked her either.

  CHAPTER 2

  The following Tuesday Darcy arrived in Meryton and took a short respite before continuing on to Netherfield to visit his friend Bingley. In Meryton he caught his second glimpse of Elizabeth Bennet as she left a local store with her sisters.

  He was almost giddy to find her and knew he would soon meet this woman. Darcy had rarely been so surprised and he knew these first time feelings and thoughts made him happy in a way he had never felt before and now he wondered if Hertfordshire had other such women as her.

  She was still a good distance away but as she turned she noticed him staring at her and abruptly turned and continued to walk with her sisters.

  Later, Darcy arrived at Netherfield and was pleased to learn that Bingley’s sisters and Mr. Hurst had left the day following the dance and returned to town and would not return until after Christmas, if at all.

  “How was your trip Darcy? The clothes you gave me for your stay are already in your room and there is much to talk about.”

  “The ride went well and the roads were good. I am sorry that I missed the dance. Have you found any interesting ladies that have caught your eye?”

  “You know Darcy, I believe that I have. She and her four sisters live at Longbourn and it is just shy of three miles from here. You came within a mile of their home when you rode here.”

  “Five daughters you say, and no sons? Are the parents still alive?”

  “Yes, Darcy, but the father did not attend the dance.”

  By now Bingley had poured his friend a glass of wine and proposed a toast to the five Bennet sisters.

  “Then you met all of them?”

  “I did and that included the second daughter, Elizabeth. She had just returned from town and is very pretty and is very intelligent.”

  Darcy was caught by surprise. Could it be Bingley had discovered the same young woman he had seen? Darcy could not believe his poor luck. How will I react when he introduces me to his new angel?

  “Are you well, Darcy? You look as though you have just seen a ghost.”

  “I suppose I am tired from the trip plus I ate very little breakfast this morning so I must be hungry.”

  “How foolish of me,” replied his friend and as if on cue, a servant brought in some cut up meat and cheese along with a garnish of green lettuce and scones with jam.

  “There, Darcy, the cook has anticipated your needs.”

  “Thank you. Now tell me more of this young woman that you have met. Is it her intelligence that won you over?”

  “Darcy, the woman is all grace and friendliness and she is a beautiful woman who converses easily. She is all that I could ask for.”

  “And she just had arrived from town?”

  “No Darcy, you were not listening earlier. I said that Miss Elizabeth was the brainy sister who just returned from town.”

  Such news brought Darcy much relief. He could not say it to his friend, but only he would be suitable for this Miss Elizabeth, if indeed she was the woman who he saw in town and in Meryton.

  “Then perhaps I was wool gathering, Bingley, but please tell me about the others.”

  His friend spoke of each of the sisters but mostly about the second daughter, Elizabeth.

  “Darcy, Miss Elizabeth is your type of woman but she would not be easy to live with. No, her intelligence would keep her from most men out looking for a wife and though she could fit in
with the highest circles, most people would be uncomfortable being around such an intelligent woman.”

  Good, Bingley, so all I ask is for you to deliver her here and I will be your friend forever.

  By now Bingley had refilled Darcy’s glass as well as his own.

  “You will meet the sisters tomorrow evening as we are invited by Sir William Lucas to a dinner party. All the Bennets will be there and things will go better with Caroline and the others back in town.”

  “So tell me, did they enjoy the dance?”

  “They did not. Both sisters felt out of place and of course they had to dress as if it was the best ball of the season. Darcy, they embarrassed me and made only enemies of the locals. I doubt that they will return and I hope they will stay away entirely. Think of your visit as a chance to be rid of Caroline and her machinations. Frankly, she still fancies herself as your future wife and she clings to that hope but I also heard her speaking to Louisa about another man she recently met in town.”

  “Hopefully I can find a good woman whilst I am here. It appears that you have already found your woman.”

  Bingley showed him the home and they rode around and visited with some of the tenants and next visited with the present owner’s steward who would stay on if Bingley later decided to buy Netherfield. Darcy and his friend then prepared to meet with the remaining tenants later so as to discover if Netherfield was a good investment.

  That evening they ended up in the study.

  “It is not much, Darcy, but I have never been a good reader. I will be most embarrassed for Miss Bennet and her family to see that I have practically no books in my study and those that are here are covered in dust.”

  “You know, Bingley, I believe I can help you out. At Darcy House there are many books that I have not put in my library and quite frankly they are not needed as they are duplicates that I got free from publishers. I will gladly give them to you as they are just taking up space.”