Just to Hear 'I Love You': An Alternate Tale of Jane Austen's 'Pride & Prejudice'

by Sarah Johnson

  They left the room, Elizabeth telling her aunt of the games she and Mary had devised to play with the children on the long ride.

  Madeline chuckled as she followed Elizabeth down the stairs, “I do appreciate your efforts, though somehow I doubt my boys will be entertained by your efforts. It is only the promise of playing along the beach which has made Henry agree to be on his best behavior while we travel.”

  The Gardiners had four children. Eight year old Juliana reminded Elizabeth and Mary of their eldest sister Jane. She was always prim and proper, happy to sit with her elder cousins as they embroidered or read. Juliana lovingly guided her younger siblings in everything they did, and six year old Emma was now beginning to act much like Juliana, though it was more of a challenge for her. Emma dearly wished to be just like her sister, but she did not yet possess the ability which often comes with age to sit still quite as long as was required for some of their activities. What she lacked in calmness though she more than made up for in fortitude. Whenever she sat beside her older sister, she imitated precisely how Juliana sat, how she held her cup, even how she tilted her head. Emma was determined to one day be just as graceful.

  The two had their mother’s light brown curls and their father’s blue eyes. Mary always said she loved those eyes because they were the one feature she remembered of her own mother. Edward Gardiner and his two late sisters, Frances Bennet and Martha Philips, all shared that common feature.

  As much as the Gardiner girls embodied what society felt proper young ladies should be, their boys could not be more opposite. Five year old Henry was precocious, always getting into situations which confounded his parents. His bright red hair made attention turn to him when he came into a room, and his green eyes seemed to always hold a secret he did not wish to reveal. The youngest of the family was baby Joseph. He would soon turn two years old, and though he was definitely the most rambunctious of the Gardiner children, he did not get into as much trouble as his older brother Henry. The brothers were a force to be reckoned with when they combined forces, as their nursemaid learned all too often.

  Mary and Elizabeth spent hours preparing for their holiday. They perused every book Elizabeth could find at the circulating library on the entertainments Ramsgate held, and soon a list of places they wished to go and things they wished to see emerged. Everything from visiting certain tea shops and seashell hunting, to watching the parade of soldiers on the promenade and viewing the ships in the harbor, was on their list.

  The journey was long, and at times did prove to be difficult with the little ones, but they were all soon enjoying the city and all it held. Mary found the sea air invigorating and enjoyed joining Elizabeth daily as they took in the culture around them.

  Eager to collect all the shells they could during their five week holiday, Elizabeth and Mary went to the seashore every morning to scour the sand for interesting sea life. It was on one of these early excursions that they met Miss Darcy and her companion, Mrs Younge. The girls began to meet nearly every morning. Usually Mrs Younge would leave her young charge in Elizabeth’s care. Elizabeth did not think this odd until Miss Darcy began to speak of a man who was paying her court, unbeknownst to the Darcy family, and that her suitor was urged on by the encouragement of Mrs Younge. Knowing Miss Darcy was too young to be involved in such a scheme, Elizabeth tried to talk with her about what it might do to her reputation, but Miss Darcy was not willing to hear what Elizabeth had to say on the matter. Miss Darcy instead assured the Bennet sisters of the gentleman’s affection. While Miss Darcy insisted he was of good character, there was something in the gentleman’s eyes, the one time they met, that Elizabeth could not trust.

  Elizabeth determined to talk some sense into the girl one last time, and if nothing came of it, she would write to the Darcy family, letting them know it was imperative they come to Ramsgate for the good of their youngest relation. It was this letter, delivered to his house in Town and signed only ‘from a concerned friend’, which made Fitzwilliam Darcy travel to Ramsgate. The note did not give particular details, saying only that it would be in the family’s best interest if someone came to Ramsgate to check on Miss Darcy.

  Elizabeth did not expect the girl's brother to arrive at her doorstep, nor for him to be so hostile. She hoped he would be more willing to listen this morning when he returned to speak with her. Feeling more courageous after a good night’s sleep, she expressed to her uncle a desire to speak with Mr Darcy alone. Edward felt his presence in the room was essential, especially after his intrusion the previous evening, and assured his niece he would sit in the corner, giving them sufficient privacy while they talked.

  A knock at the chamber door pulled her from her revelry. She bid the person enter and Aunt Maddie opened the door.

  “I came to see if you need assistance this morning, but I see you have completed your toilette already. I love how you arranged your hair.”

  Elizabeth’s fingers went to the dark curls piled on the back on her head, fingering the braid wound around them, “Mary saw this on someone at the beach last week and thought it would enhance my curls.”

  “It is very becoming, my dear,” Madeline replied. “Are you ready to go downstairs?”

  “Yes. I believe I may be able to put some weight on my ankle today.”

  “Elizabeth Bennet, I love you as if you were my own child,” she placed both hands on her niece’s shoulders as they both looked into the mirror in front of Elizabeth, “but you are mistaken if you think I will allow you to cause permanent damage to your ankle by walking on it too soon. It needs time to heal, especially after you kicked a chair leg last night. John will carry you to the sitting room to await your visitor.”

  Elizabeth sighed, “I fear I shall not be able to walk along the beach again before we leave.”

  Madeline kissed her niece’s cheek, “If you will promise to stay off your ankle, I will promise to find a way for you to visit the shore at least once more before we return to Town.”

  Elizabeth smiled, “Thank you, Aunt Maddie.”

  “You are more than welcome, my dear. Now, you stay here and I will return directly with John,” she said, turning to leave the room.

  Elizabeth was comfortably settled when the clock struck ten. Their punctual visitor knocked on the front door at the stroke of the hour.

  “Thank you Henderson, I will get the door,” Edward dismissed the butler and opened it himself. “Welcome, sir.”

  “Thank you. I am sorry I did not have the opportunity to be officially introduced to you last night,” Darcy bowed. “Fitzwilliam Darcy.”

  “I am Edward Gardiner, and as I am sure you surmised, I am Miss Bennet’s uncle and guardian. “Before I allow you to speak with my niece, I would like a few words with you in private, if you will please follow me this way, sir.” He led the way to the deserted dining room, closing the door behind them. “I know why you are here, but I would caution you to not lose your temper as you did last night. I will not have my niece’s recovery thwarted because of you upsetting her in any way.”

  “I offer my sincerest apologies for my actions last night, sir,” Darcy assured the older man.

  “After speaking with my niece of the particulars of the situation, I cannot say I would not do the same. However, today is a new day, and nothing good will come of a repeat of last night,” Edward warned.

  “Yes sir, I understand.”

  With a nod, Edward led him to the sitting room, nodding to Elizabeth and choosing a chair in the corner, as promised.

  Darcy bowed, “Please accept my apologies for my rude behavior last evening, Miss Bennet.” When he rose up from his low bow his eyes caught some bluish marks on the side of her face.

  Elizabeth felt him staring, her fingers reaching up to touch her eye and cheek tenderly as she turned away from him. “Please excuse my appearance, Mr Darcy.”

  “No, no, it is clear you have been injured. I did not see the bruises last night.”

  “There was not much light then,” she
observed. “Please be seated, sir.”

  Darcy sat in the chair opposite the sofa on which she lay, her foot propped up by some cushions, “Were you in an accident of some kind?”

  Elizabeth looked nervously at her hands as she answered, “I tried to catch a carriage as it sped away.”

  “Why would you do such a thing?” he asked, full of curiosity.

  “I was trying to convince them to stop, sir.” She looked back up, catching his eye as she said quietly, “Your sister was in the carriage.”

  Darcy paled. “I am very sorry, Miss Bennet. I misjudged you and I must offer my most sincere apologies once again. I should not have barged in here as I did.”

  “I too feel I owe you an apology for my temper last evening. It was impolite of me to speak as I did, accusing you of causing all this with your sister.”

  Darcy sat forward in the chair, “What did you say that I did not deserve? I forced my way into this house when I knew your uncle was away, and I was rude to you and the staff.” He stopped and took a deep breath, quietly saying, “I truly am at fault for my sister’s situation, and I appreciate your pointing it out to me.”

  “Yes, well, it was not my place, sir. I am sorry.” At his nod of acceptance, she continued, “I take it your family received the note I sent?”

  “You are the ‘concerned friend’? I have to say, after I had time to think last night I thought you might be. My cousin and I share guardianship of my sister—my parents are no longer alive.”

  “Oh, I did not know. Miss Darcy did not speak much about her family.”

  “No, we usually do not speak of our parents.” He closed his eyes and swallowed hard, “Please Miss Bennet, tell me all you know of the situation with my sister.”

  Elizabeth told him how she and her younger sister Mary met Miss Darcy, and all she knew of the girl’s companion and the gentleman of whom Miss Darcy often spoke.

  “Did you ever see him?”

  “Yes, twice, and both times there was something about his eyes that unsettled me.”

  “Do you know his name?”

  “No, he was never properly introduced to us, and your sister was careful not to say his name when we spoke of the situation,” Elizabeth explained, immediately thinking of something that might help. “Although, my sister may know from... well, she just may know.” She turned to get her uncle’s attention, “Uncle Edward, can you please have Mary join us?”

  He eyed her, “Are you certain?”

  Elizabeth thought for a few seconds before she answered with a nod, “Yes, I am certain.”

  Edward left the room with a warning glance at their visitor, and Elizabeth used the time to speak with him about Mary. “Mr Darcy, there is something I must tell you about my sister. When she was eight years old, Mary suffered an injury that led to her losing her hearing. She is deaf.”

  “Oh,” Darcy was taken aback.

  “I think she may know his name because Mary hears others by watching how they form their lips when they speak.” Noticing his hesitancy, she added quietly, “Please do not stare at her when she comes in the room; it makes her very uncomfortable.”

  “Oh, yes... of course.” He heard Mr Gardiner in the hall and stood to be introduced to Miss Bennet’s sister.

  Edward looked at Mary as he said steadily, “Mary, this is Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy, Miss Darcy’s brother.” He then turned to the visitor, “Mr Darcy, my niece, Miss Mary Bennet.”

  With their greetings exchanged, Mary went to Elizabeth’s side, sitting on the edge of the sofa so her sister could talk with her using their language of hand symbols. Darcy tried not to stare, but it was a rather odd display. Miss Bennet moved her mouth as if she was speaking, but nothing came out, and both were moving their hands in strange ways. He assumed it was a way for them to communicate. When Miss Bennet looked back at him he realized he was staring and looked away.

  “Mr Darcy, my sister is certain the man’s name was George, though the last name is a bit harder to determine. She thinks it may start with a W—I—C sound.”

  “Wickham!” The color in his face drained immediately and Darcy sat back down heavily in the chair. He finally looked back at the sisters, “It is as I feared. I must leave for Gretna Green immediately.”

  Mary shook her head no and turned to Elizabeth, moving her hands again.

  “Mr Darcy, my sister says they are not going to Gretna Green. They said something about going to another town, but being unfamiliar with the names, she could not make out what it was.”

  He turned to Mary and quickly asked, “Miss Mary, would you be able to choose this place out of a list of names?”

  “Mr Darcy, you must speak more slowly to my sister. When one speaks quickly the lips do not form words the same way and she cannot understand you,” Elizabeth explained.

  “Oh... I... am... sorry,” he replied, this time drawing out every word very slowly.

  Elizabeth chuckled, “Sir, it is not necessary to go quite that slowly. Just speak at a normal, moderate tempo.”

  “I do apologize, Miss Mary.”

  Mary moved her hands in response and Elizabeth replied, “She understands, Mr Darcy.”

  “Do you think you would be able to select the name of the town if you saw it written?” he asked again, this time at the appropriate speed.

  Mary nodded and turned back to Elizabeth, moving her hands again.

  “She says they were also speaking of going to London first, so it is possible they are there instead.”

  “Thank you,” Darcy stood and looked at both young ladies, “for everything.”

  “We wish you luck in finding her, sir,” Elizabeth said while Mary stood and curtsied.

  Edward walked out to the hall with their visitor when Darcy was ready to take his leave, “I hope you find her in time.”

  “I hope so as well. My cousin is in Town still with his regiment, so if they are there, we will find them. Thank you, Mr Gardiner.” He started to walk out the door, and then turned around, “I wish to pay for your niece’s medical care.”

  Edward put up his hand, “That is not necessary. She has been far worse off of her own accord before this.”

  “Nevertheless, my sister is the reason she was injured, and I feel it is my duty. Please. I insist.”

  “We had her examined, but there has been no reason for a doctor to be called again, Mr Darcy. As soon as she is healed enough to endure the journey we will be returning to Town,” Edward replied.

  Darcy extended his calling card, “If you will not allow me to pay for a doctor, at least let me offer my carriage to return you and your family to Town. It is well sprung and will help with Miss Bennet’s comfort.”

  Edward accepted the card, offering his own in return, “Thank you. I will let you know.”

  Darcy gave a short bow, “Again, I am sorry for the trouble my family has caused yours. I will have a list sent over for Miss Mary to look over and see if the locations look familiar. My staff will be at your disposal in any way you need.”

  He tapped the card on his palm, “I will let you know what comes of the list. I pray you find your sister, Mr Darcy.”

  With a quick bow, Darcy exited, returning to his residence to assemble a list for Mary and to inform his staff of his offer to Mr Gardiner.

  As Darcy rode to Town to meet with his cousin and start their search for Georgiana, he could not get the Bennet sisters out of his mind. He wondered what they had been through to engender such obvious mutual love and devotion. He began to wonder if the lack of such feelings between he and Georgiana could be the cause of her recent rebellious actions.

  Three weeks later:

  Sir, there is a Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy to see you,” the butler told his master when he was bid enter at the knock.

  “Oh? Please show him to me.” Edward Gardiner replied, shuffling the mail in front of him into a neat pile as he awaited the unexpected visitor.

  Greetings were exchanged and soon the two men were seated. “So what brings you to my ho
me, Mr Darcy?”

  “I was in the neighborhood and wished to enquire of Miss Bennet’s recovery. Is she well?”

  “Yes, she is much improved. In fact, she and her sister have gone for a walk in the park across the street,” Edward replied.

  Darcy sat up a little straighter, “Sir, would it be acceptable if I speak with your nieces today? I wish to thank them for their help in recovering my sister.”

  “I appreciated the note you sent and was glad to hear she was returned without consequence.”

  “Yes, my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, with whom I share guardianship, employed some of his contacts in the Army, and with Miss Mary’s information we located my sister quickly. That is why I wish to offer my gratitude in person.”

  “I am glad Mary could be of service to you. She has had a difficult life and most people do not give her much credit. To be honest, I did not think you would either.”

  “Had I not been in such a dire situation, I wonder if I would have as well,” Darcy said honestly. “One thing I have learned from this entire circumstance is that I desire a bond such as your two nieces possess, though I doubt I will have the opportunity with my dear sister.”

  “What my nieces have was born of life’s harshly dealt blows which have united them. Both grew into strong ladies and taught me much in the time they have been with us,” Edward replied.

  “If you do not mind my asking,” Darcy broached the sensitive subject, “how long have you been their guardian?”

  Edward chuckled, “Four years, and that is all I will say. If you want to know more, you have my permission to speak with my nieces. I would not feel right telling their story.”

  Darcy stood, “I may do just that. Thank you.” He started to go, then turned back to ask, “Where in the park, sir?”

  “They can usually be found feeding the ducks.”

  With another bow of thanks, he left, waving his footman away and walking towards the park. Darcy could see them sitting on the bench throwing scraps of bread to the ducks in the small pond. As he walked towards them he noticed how similar they looked from the angle of his approach. It was clear to anyone observing them that they were sisters. He and Georgiana were nothing alike; he looked more like their father and Georgiana was almost identical to their mother in stature, not that she remembered their mother much. Anne Darcy died when Georgiana was just a babe, and their father also five years ago, leaving the siblings alone. Darcy kept his sister in the right schools and did everything his family suggested, yet this was the second showing of her defiant nature since Twelfth Night, the first being when the school she attended contacted him saying she was caught sneaking out of her room several times. He was starting to think perhaps what she needed most was to be in a true family. His aunts and uncle assured him this was how things were done for girls her age, and he usually followed their suggestions, but in this case, he was at fault for what took place.