“You know this actually reminds me of some twisted version of A Christmas Carol, but I’m being haunted by one annoying ghost.”
“Fascinating—please elaborate.”
“Well, basically an old miserly man is haunted by spirits: spirits of his ex-business partner, and then Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come.”
“Sounds preposterous.”
“Says the talking ghost ...well basically he learns a lesson and isn’t a cranky old man afterwards and is generous.”
“Well, how does all of that pertain to me?” Darcy inquired.
“Well, aren’t you trying to teach me a lesson?”
“I suppose—I mean how do the ghosts teach the elderly man a lesson?”
“They teach Scrooge by whisking him away to his past, present, and future to show him scenes to make him repent for all his wrongdoings.”
“Interesting—I think I like that. Perhaps, I can put my own twist on this tale and instead of having you repent, I have you regain the meaning of Christmas and love.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes, “So a Hallmark version of a Christmas Carol then?”
“I do not know this hallmark you speak of—but your attitude tells me it is a good idea.” With no other words, Darcy snapped him and Elizabeth out of Chatsworth House.
Elizabeth blinked several times to adjust her vision, and she was slack jawed. “What did you just do? Where am I?” She asked as she stood in the middle of the ballroom where she first dreamt of Mr. Darcy. This time it was empty but that all soon changed when she heard a woman’s voice yelling at another. “Why did you bring me to your past?” Elizabeth whispered through clenched teeth.
“Wait, a moment and you will see that this is just as much as your past as it is mine.” Darcy cryptically answered.
The woman who she assumed was yelling came into focus and Elizabeth’s breath caught in her lungs. She whispered, “We’re here to see your wife? She’s going to have my head on a silver platter.”
Darcy rested his hand on Elizabeth’s foreman, “She cannot see us nor hear us, you are safe, my dove.”
“Fitzwilliam Darcy—I will not have you marry this woman,” another woman came barreling through the doorway into the ballroom.
“Who is that?” Elizabeth whispered.
“Lady Catherine de Bourgh, my aunt,” Darcy whispered back.
A living version of Darcy appeared and took his wife’s hand in his and stood with his chest puffed out before his aunt. “I shall indeed marry her—and you have no say about it at all.”
“I will disown you and you will be cut out of my will.” His aunt snarled.
“I do not need your approval or to be in your will,” he snarled back.
His wife stood there as they exchanged words, she squared her shoulders back and faced down his aunt. “Why do you find me unworthy of marrying your nephew? In God’s eyes, we are equal and handsomely matched. It is God’s doing that has brought us together and it shall be God’s doing to separate us. No force on Earth or person shall ever come between us. I love your nephew and the only shame that is soiling his good name is your arrogance and childishness.”
Lady de Bourgh snarled, “How dare you speak to me in that way? Darcy, do something. Defend my honor, for I am family. She is lowly and of no good standing.”
Darcy clapped back, “You are no longer my family. Miss Bennet is my family now. In the eyes of God, she is not lowly, and she is of good standing—for she was made in God’s image and she has bewitched me and has stolen my heart.”
Lady Catherine screeched back, “This is most disturbing that you choose her over me, Fitzwilliam. This shall not do—this shall not do at all.”
“It shall do, and you are no longer welcome here. I cast you away now, Aunt. Be gone and out of my sight.” Darcy waved his hand.
His Aunt turned her heel and left without another word. She looked like a wounded puppy.
Darcy reached into his pocket and handed the other Elizabeth a locket.
The other Elizabeth’s hands flew to her mouth. “Mr. Darcy—you shower me with gifts after that horrible fight? I meant no harm to cause such disharmony with your family.”
Darcy laughed, “It was long overdue, my dove. I shall shower you with gifts for as long as we both shall live. Please do me the honor of allowing me to place this necklace around your neck.”
“With pleasure—but first may I look inside?” the other Elizabeth asked.
Elizabeth stood next to ghost Darcy, intrigued by the scene that played before her. Without realizing it, she was inching closer to both Darcy and the other Elizabeth to examine the locket. Her breath hitched as she stood no more than an inch as the other Elizabeth opened the locket. Elizabeth’s eyes bugged out to see there was a picture of Darcy and herself looking back at her. Correction—the other Elizabeth. It was like looking in a mirror.
Elizabeth turned back to ghost Darcy who was by her side, “What is the meaning of this? This is the locket Santa gave me!”
“Yes—I know, you see I gave that to her. I was meaning to give it to her on a special occasion and that seemed like the right moment. She stood up to my aunt and my love grew for her more at that moment.”
Elizabeth closed her eyes, “This is not at all like a Hallmark movie—it’s worse, it’s like a Lifetime movie. I’d like to leave now.”
Darcy nodded and snapped his fingers and they were back at Chatsworth House.
“So, what exactly was the lesson I was supposed to learn there?” Elizabeth crossed her arms in frustration.
“To learn the meaning of the necklace, and that you and my Elizabeth were one at one point and that I loved you dearly.”
Elizabeth’s let out a long sigh and her shoulders slumped in defeat. Why is he adamant about making sure I know that I am his Elizabeth and we’re destined for one another?
“Because it is the utmost importance that I let you know that you are loved, Elizabeth Bennet, in this lifetime and in another lifetime.”
“Oh, great, I keep forgetting you can read my mind. This is right up there with getting a root canal.”
“I am dreadfully sorry but what is a root canal?”
“Trust me, it’s painful and unpleasant—just like this conversation and situation with you right now. I should have stayed with Elinor and gone on that tour.”
As if by some psychic means, Elizabeth’s heard Elinor calling out for her. She turned her head and saw Elinor down below.
“Crap, you need to go—” Elizabeth turned to Darcy, but he had already disappeared.
“Who are you talking to, Lizzy? And what are you doing up there? You need to get down before we’re thrown out”
“Nobody,” Elizabeth shouted a little too loudly and huffed all the way down to the first floor.
“Then why are you telling me I need to go?”
“You misheard me, I was saying, ‘Crap, I need to go before Elinor freaks out.’“
“Hmm um,” Elinor pressed her lips together. “Now, tell me exactly how you got up there and why?”
Elizabeth really didn’t want to get into it. She began to come up with an excuse but was saved by the sound of footsteps.
A guard entered the library looked Elinor and Elizabeth up and down with a disapproving stare. He cleared his throat “Ladies, this is a restricted area— I have to ask you to leave the library.”
Elizabeth shot a look of relief to Elinor. She was sure they were going to be thrown in the dungeon with the look they were given.
Elinor nodded, “Yes—we were on our way out. I was trying to rescue my friend who strayed from our tour group...” Elinor flashed her best smile, which seemed to melt the guard’s reserve.
He relaxed a little and nodded. “Happens more often than not. You, ladies, enjoy the rest of your stay.”
Elinor grabbed Elizabeth’s arm a little too tightly and Elizabeth winced. They walked past the guard and were back to where the tour was.
The tour guide announced that the
tour was concluded, but they were allowed to walk the gardens if they so pleased.
Elinor narrowed her eyes at Elizabeth but didn’t let go of her arm. “Shall we have a turnabout the garden, dear Lizzy?”
Elizabeth plastered a fake smile and nodded. She’s going to interrogate me and it’s best I agree—there are witnesses and it could be nasty.
Once outside, a gust of winter air smacked Elizabeth in the face. “Can you please let go now, Elle? I promise not to run away.”
Elinor loosened her death grip on Elizabeth. “Okay, but explain why for the past hour I couldn’t find you and when I did you were talking to yourself and in the library? Which was definitely off limits?”
“Wait—what did you say? An hour? You mean Darcy took me away for an hour...”
“Hmm... what Lizzy? Who is Darcy? Did you have a secret rendezvous that I didn’t know about?”
“No way—”
Elinor stopped in her tracks and stared Elizabeth dead in the eye. “Elizabeth Jane Bennet, you will not leave here until you tell me what is going on with you. You’ve been acting strange and more PMSing than usual. Spill the beans or after we leave England, our friendship is over.”
“Woah, Elinor, that’s super harsh.”
“Well, it was the worst thing I could think of. I can’t be friends with someone who doesn’t trust me, and you seem like you don’t lately. You know the whole—if you love someone let them go—”
“Well, that doesn’t exactly apply to us—but I know your threats aren’t hollow but promise me you won’t send me to a mental hospital if you I tell you what’s going on.”
Elinor saluted “Girl scouts honor. Now spill it.”
“Can we go somewhere a little more private?” Elizabeth asked seeing people were starting to come out into the gardens.”
Elinor nodded and lead them away to the furthest part of the grounds.
“Secluded enough for you?” Elinor asked.
Elizabeth surveyed around and didn’t see a soul in sight. She took in a long deep breath and let it out. “Elle, I’m being haunted by the ghost of Mr. Darcy. Like the Mr. Darcy and we had a weird Christmas Carol moment in the library.”
Elizabeth closed her eyes to brace herself from Elinor’s reaction. She wasn’t sure if she was going to get pulled away to be put into a mental institution.
“Hey, Elizabeth, open your eyes. It looks like you’re waiting for me to smack you or drag you away—”
“Well, I don’t blame you for either one.” She said as she opened her eyes to Elinor’s softened concerned expression.
“I’m not going to drag you to a mental institution or smack you. I mean what type of friend would I be?”
“So, what are you trying to say, Elle? You believe me?”
“Well—I’d be an awful friend not to believe you. It’s a little far-fetched, but that doesn’t mean you didn’t experience it. I mean many people experience weird things when stressed out. I think it’s partly my fault, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth’s jaw went slack. “Excuse me? How is this your fault?”
“Well, I didn’t give you much of a choice to come here and I was only trying to help you get over your parent’s death and Steve’s death. You are still grieving and under a lot of stress.”
Elizabeth’s head spun; this was not the conversation she thought she’d be having with Elinor. One where she was blaming herself and taking her confession so well. Normally, Elinor would be a little more hard-headed and very skeptical. Or at least call me a kook, she didn’t believe in the paranormal mumbo jumbo. She always tried to debunk stories like the one Elizabeth was telling her.
“Woah—wait a minute. Elinor, are you telling me that you now believe in the paranormal?”
Elinor shrugged. “I mean there is a possibility. You can’t rule out that there are other things happening behind the curtains of this life. I mean I’ve recently experienced some crazy stuff, but I’ve been too afraid to tell you.”
Elizabeth’s heart beat faster. “What kind of stuff Elle?”
Elinor walked over to a stone bench and patted for Elizabeth to sit down. “You might want to sit down for this, Lizzy. It’s a doozy.”
“How could it be worse than mine?”
“Well, trust me—it’ll come as a shocker to you and it’ll explain why this is all my fault.”
Elizabeth reluctantly sat down next to Elinor and turned to face her.
“A couple of months ago, I dreamt of this really hot British guy, but he was super old times, like regency I believe. He told me to bring you to him. He told me his name was Fitzwilliam Darcy, and he needed to find you. Obviously, I thought it was because I watched Pride and Prejudice and had too much wine.”
Elizabeth turned white and felt her chest tightening. She motioned for Elinor to go on.
“Well, I ignored it and then I started seeing things in my house and things kept falling down when no one was around. My computer was even on and the website for the Peacock bed-and-breakfast was staring back at me on my screen. Elizabeth, my computer was off and nobody else was home. I ignored it until I finally appeased the spirit and then it all stopped.”
“Elinor, did he tell you why he needed me? Why couldn’t he just hop on a plane to find me himself?”
Elinor laughed. “Is that all you can say, Lizzy? He didn’t tell me why he wanted you and I doubt ghosts can just jump on a plane. I think he was stuck here in this area and couldn’t really roam about. He is like tethered or some crap.”
“Woah, how would you know?”
“I went to a medium. This stuff happens. She even told me to appease him and he’ll stop.”
“Wait—when did you go to a medium? You are practically married to your job and have barely any time for me. Also, why didn’t you just let me come alone since you’re so invested in work?”
“First off, I’m not married to my job, and I didn’t want you to come alone, just in case I sent you off to be kidnapped by a hot ghost or sucked into another dimension.”
“This is too weird—even for you Elinor.”
“Are you mad at me?”
“No of course not, Elle. This is so strange. How come you never told me about any of this? Granted, I wouldn’t have gone along with it and stayed home.”
“All the more reason to deceive you—I’m sorry. I didn’t know what else to do. The ghost dude was very demanding and unrelenting. I tried sage, holy water, the Bible, ghost hunters, the works. Nothing would stop it until I booked us a trip here.”
“So, you used me to regain your sanity and to get rid of a ghost? That takes balls, Elle. I’d probably have done the same. I’m a little irritated but not mad, I promise.”
“Woah, you’re really taking this like a champ, Lizzy.” Elinor hugged her. “Now how about we go back to the inn and have some lunch?”
“Sounds like a plan and I can have a word with Mr. Darcy.”
“Ha, you tell him who’s boss, girl.”
Fitzwilliam Darcy
DARCY FOUND HIMSELF in a dusty shop filled with crystals and the smell of patchouli saturated the air. He wasn’t sure why he wasn’t back at the Inn or at Chatsworth with Elizabeth.
A woman’s voice startled him. “Grandfather, thank the stars that you are here.”
Darcy spun around and was face to face with an old woman.
“Who are you? What am I doing here?”
“It would seem your spirit is tethered to this.” She held out a spoke from a carriage wheel.
“This makes no sense.”
“I sensed your presence and was told of your plight in a dream. I am your four times great-granddaughter, Madeline.”
Darcy’s eyes bugged out. “This is surely witchcraft,” He sputtered.
Madeline blinked and sighed. “Hardly, you died today, two hundred years ago and I have pieces of the carriage that you died in.”
“What? Surely you jest. Am I in Hell?”
Madeline shook her head and ushered him along to follo
w her. He walked to the back of the shop where there were portraits of himself and his Elizabeth. “No, you are in Derbyshire in the year 2018. You’re in between. I also had a premonition last night that you would show up on the anniversary of your death. You died on this day. I do believe your spirit is in limbo because you are attached to Elizabeth Bennet of the future.”
Darcy took a deep breath. “How do you know for certain? And how do you know of Elizabeth?”
“I am a medium. I have a connection with the spirit world, angels, and all things occult. It helps that I can see things in my crystal ball. This isn’t the first time a spirit has been connected to an object causing their death. As for Elizabeth, she showed up in my tea leaves and tarot cards. Her spirit is very present, and I do believe attached to you from a past life.”
“If then what you say is true, I found a woman that looks exactly like Elizabeth and I ended up at Chatsworth House before she summoned me to leave and before I found myself here.”
“A reincarnation, perhaps?”
“Perhaps. I felt the pull of my Elizabeth. I felt like we were one. I also contacted her in her dreams. We were in a ballroom together.”
“How peculiar and fascinating.”
“Indeed, it is.”
“You have to go back to your time.”
“How do I do that? And what If I don’t want to.”
“I have to figure that out. I really didn’t see this one through. I actually didn’t think you’d show up here.”
Darcy shook his head. “So, for the time being, I get to haunt a beautiful woman.”
“Don’t get too attached.”
“I promise, I won’t.” He crossed his fingers behind his back.
“However, in the meantime, I think it’s best you stay in my shop and haunt the customers. It would be good for my business. People like that sort of thing around here, especially tourists.”
“I cannot promise that. I feel a connection to this woman. I must see her again.” He didn’t divulge that he lured her, to begin with by haunting her friend. He didn’t want to get into the logistics of how he wasn’t able to reach her but was able to reach her friend. Perhaps it was because those who are less skeptic are easier to reach or that her friend imbibed too much wine and secretly wished for him to enter her dreams. This spirit stuff and haunting was too complicated for him to figure out—but he was satisfied that Elizabeth was here and he was going to do everything in his power to keep her in his life—even if that meant leaving his old life to have a new one.
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