An Unwanted Proposal: A Pride & Prejudice Variation

by Lane Cossett

  As he entered the house, he was surprised to see Dr. Jenkins coming down the front stairs with Mrs. Reynolds.

  “Good morning, Mr. Darcy.”

  “Good morning.”

  “Do not be alarmed,” said the doctor, who was holding a large brown bag. “I have been asked to go to Mattingly this morning and I do not know when I will be back. I thought you would want me to examine Miss Darcy again.”

  Mrs. Reynolds bid the doctor goodbye and slipped away, leaving them to talk privately.

  “And what news do you have?”

  The doctor, who was new to the area, was looking tired. Darcy had heard that he was being summoned to many homes in the district and was being welcomed by all as a much better replacement for Dr. Tyler who had been the only doctor for miles around and considered to be old, cantankerous and more likely to kill his patients than heal them.

  Dr. Jenkins had a reassuring manner and spoke swiftly and clearly. “Miss Darcy is doing very well. She was very lucky that after her fall she was not more badly injured. Her hand is not badly damaged thought it will be sore for a short while. I have left a liniment for the bump on her head and she can disguise it with her hair or some powder. Her side will be sore for some time and there is some discolouration which will fade in time. Her ankle was slightly twisted but it will not impair her walking. Unless you are worried about her, there really is no need for me to call again. She is well looked after.”

  Darcy frowned. He was not sure he approved of the doctor’s comments about his sister’s looks. “Is there anything else?”

  “Only that I suggest Miss Darcy rises today. There is really no need for her to be in bed. In two days she will be feeling far more like herself.”

  Darcy had one more question for the doctor. as he walked with him towards the front door. “My sister may need to travel to London. Is there any reason why she shouldn’t?”

  “Not at all,” said the doctor. “As I said sir, Miss Darcy has been most fortunate.”

  Darcy thanked the doctor and they parted ways. Darcy went to speak to his sister.

  Georgiana’s maid left the room as he entered. His sister was sitting in a chair by the window.

  She smiled as he entered. “Fitzwilliam. The doctor says that I need not stay in bed.”

  Darcy sat down on the window seat, stretching out his long legs. He thought she looked so tiny and vulnerable and yet he could not protect her all his life.

  “Dr. Jenkins says that you will soon be well again.”

  “I am not ill,” she said. “I only have a few bumps and they will go away. Dr. Jenkins should never have been called.”

  “I am glad that they did,” said Darcy firmly. He gazed around the room for a minute. He needed to talk to Georgiana, but it was a conversation he had never expected to have with her.

  “I have been talking to Lady Frances,” he said, watching her carefully. “Our aunt says that you still think of Wickham.”

  Georgiana suddenly looked down at her hands. She nodded but didn’t immediately speak.

  Darcy felt the awkwardness between them. Georgiana had never tried to talk to him about Wickham and he had always assumed it was because she was too embarrassed. Perhaps it was him who was at fault and by avoiding the subject he had not given her any opportunity to confide in him.

  “Do you still miss him?”

  Georgiana’s head shot up.

  He thought there might be tears, but there were none.

  “A little,” she said, “but most of all when I think of him I feel ashamed.”

  Darcy was startled. “But why? You did nothing wrong.”

  “If you had not come to Ramsgate, I would have run away with him. I deceived you and that pains me still.” Her cheeks were tinged with pink. “I would never want to do anything which would displease you.”

  Darcy could hear the pain in her voice and it struck at his heart. He may not understand her, but he had always felt a deep love for her. “You should not feel ashamed. It is over and one day you will find someone who is worthy of being your husband.”

  “Will I?” Georgiana looked a little disconsolate. “Since I came to live at Pemberley, I have rarely seen anyone apart from you and Richard. Lady Frances has been complaining that I hardly visit, and you have not even taken me to Kent to see Lady Catherine.”

  “Do you want to go?” asked Darcy thinking that Georgiana had never expressed a desire to see the most difficult of their aunts.

  “No, I do not.” Georgiana sounded indignant and then her voice softened once more. “But as much as I love Pemberley, I am lonely.”

  Darcy saw her earnest face and felt another pang of guilt. He had not meant to, but she was right he had kept her as a virtual prisoner. It had not been done out of malice. He had been scared for her and he’d wanted to save her from being hurt again. He could see that it was not the right thing to have done.

  Darcy took a deep breath. “Would you like to go to London for the season? There will be lots of balls and parties. I’m sure you will get many invitations and perhaps you will see some old friends.”

  Georgiana beamed. “But you do not like London.”

  He could not lie. “It is true I prefer to be at Pemberley, but if it is what you like, we could spend the winter months there.”

  Georgiana looked as if she was going to burst with happiness. “When can we leave?”

  Darcy laughed. “There are things I need to arrange, but if our aunt is willing to take you there is no reason why you should not leave in a couple of days and then I will join you as soon as possible.”

  A tear ran down Georgiana’s cheek. Darcy was alarmed. “Naturally if it going to distress you, then you need not go.”

  Georgiana gulped with laughter. “I am crying because I am happy. Are you sure our aunt will be willing to accompany me?”

  “It was her idea,” admitted Darcy rather grimly. He only hoped he was not making a mistake. He and his cousin had made a mistake before in trusting Georgiana’s companion, Mrs. Younge, and he was desperate not to make the same mistake again.

  He had to remember Lady Frances was not Mrs. Younge and she certainly would not allow any unsuitable gentleman to have contact with Georgiana.

  Darcy stayed a little longer with his sister. He even told her a little about his mother and how she and her father had often held house parties at Pemberley. Georgiana was fascinated and asked him lots of questions until he had to stop, telling her he was tired, and they would speak of it again.

  Georgiana kissed him warmly as he left. “I do love you, Fitzwilliam,” she said.

  Embarrassed, he left the room as quickly as he could and went to find his aunt.

  * * *

  He found Lady Frances in the music room, sitting at a harp with her fingers pulling at the strings. She stopped as soon as she saw him.

  Her reaction was typically ebullient when he told her she could take Georgiana to London. “That is marvellous. What a time we shall have. I am glad you have come to your senses Fitzwilliam. You will see that I am right. Before the end of the season I will have found a suitable husband for Georgiana.”

  Darcy did not try to argue with her. He was fond of his aunt, but he had every intention of spending as little time as possible with her. As he turned to leave, Lady Frances suddenly delivered another shock. “And what about you, Darcy?”

  Darcy slowly turned around. “I am not sure what you mean, aunt.”

  Lady Frances gave him a quizzical look. “Do not be so dense, Fitzwilliam. It is time you found yourself a suitable wife.”

  “I am in no hurry to marry,” said Darcy carefully.

  “Well, you should be, Fitzwilliam. You have the future of Pemberley to think of.”

  Darcy had tolerated her interference in Georgiana’s life, but he had no intention of letting her interfere in his. “I will see you later,” he said and thankfully left the room.

  He soon heard the sweet sound of the harp being played. It was easy to see where Georg
iana had gotten her musical ability from. He breathed a sigh of relief that his aunt had not tried to question him further. She was an astute woman and if he was not careful, she might suspect there was someone who he very much hoped to make his wife.

  29

  Elizabeth sat at her writing table as she tried to compose a letter to Jane Bingley. She had promised her sister that she would write every day until they saw each other. It was a promise that so far she had not kept. She was finding it a great deal more difficult than she thought it would be. She did not want to worry her sister and she knew Jane would think it was strange she was in London and not at Longbourn.

  She had always been very happy staying with the Gardiners, but on this occasion, she found it very odd. She had no idea why there were there. They had arrived at the Gardiners’ house in Cheapside more than a week ago and yet she had hardly seen her father.

  He dined with the Gardiners each night and then he left the house and did not return until the early hours of the morning. Elizabeth did not understand it. At Longbourn he had always spent many hours in his study wandering around in his gown and nightcap, often refusing to go out even when they were invited to dine.

  She knew there was no point in trying to question her father. The closeness that had always existed between them had now disappeared and it saddened her greatly. Unable to talk to him, she had tried discussing it with Mrs. Gardiner, but her aunt had dismissed all attempts to find out more.

  “Elizabeth, do no question it,” said Mrs. Gardiner. “I want you to enjoy your time with us.”

  Disappointed, Elizabeth had fallen silent. She was mindful of her aunt and uncle’s generosity in having them to stay so she had not brought up the matter again, but she could not help thinking that something was very wrong.

  Leaving the letter, she saw it was time for breakfast and she put it to one side to finish later. She checked her appearance in the mirror before leaving her room and going downstairs. She met Mrs. Turner, the housekeeper, in the hallway.

  “Good morning, Miss Bennet. Mrs. Gardiner is in the parlour.”

  “Thank you.”

  Elizabeth crossed the hall and opened the door to the parlour, which was smaller than the one at Longbourn, but much more cheerful.

  Mrs. Gardiner looked up from a letter she was looking at. “Good morning, Lizzy. I hope that you slept well.”

  “I did, thank you.” It was not entirely true, but she did not want to worry her aunt. Her dreams had been punctuated with images of Mr. Darcy.

  As she joined her aunt at the table, her father and Mr. Gardiner appeared. Elizabeth was surprised to see her father but she did not say so. There were letters waiting for both of them. Elizabeth wondered who was writing to her father. He was not a man who received a great deal of correspondence. Her father briefly glanced at it and she saw him frown before he folded it up again and then turned his attention to the food in front of him.

  He helped himself to some cold meat and some fresh bread, while Elizabeth poured him a cup of coffee. He sniffed the aroma appreciably as he took it from her. He put the cup down before announcing.

  “Lizzy, I thought tomorrow you would enjoy going to a ball?”

  Elizabeth could not have been more astonished. She looked at her aunt and uncle, who seemed equally as surprised.

  “A dance, father?”

  “Yes. At Longbourn you attend balls at the Assembly Rooms. I thought you would like to attend one while you are here.”

  Elizabeth was bewildered. He father had never shown any interest in her visits to the Assembly Rooms, indeed he had always refused to attend or discuss the event afterwards.

  She looked for help from her aunt and uncle but Mr. Gardiner had his eyes firmly fixed upon the paper, while Mrs. Gardiner sipped her hot chocolate.

  “It is kind of you to suggest it, sir, but there is no need. It would not be so amusing without my sisters to accompany me.”

  Mr. Bennet peered at her over the top of his glasses. “I am sure your aunt would enjoy accompanying us.”

  Elizabeth was embarrassed that he had not even asked Mrs. Gardiner. “But we do not know anyone in London. I would not like to spend the entire evening watching others dancing.”

  “Lizzy, that would never be the case and I have some acquaintances in London who have sons who will be only too eager to know one of the most beautiful women in Hertfordshire.”

  Elizabeth did not find the words flattering. It only made her feel very uneasy. Her father had never been one to pay her extravagant compliments.

  “Father, I really would rather not go.”

  Mr. Bennet frowned and his tone changed. “Elizabeth, we are going. I have already purchased the tickets. You will enjoy it and I am sure it will lead to many invitations to dine while we were in London.”

  Elizabeth wanted to argue with him, but once again she knew her father’s mind was made up. She was beginning to worry that some sort of affliction must have affected his mind. A ball? She did not understand his sudden desire that she attend. She did not want to go. She was sure wherever it was it would be much larger than the ones held in Meryton and she would stand at the side all evening unable to dance. Was there to be no end to her humiliation?

  “Elizabeth, I think it will be splendid.” said Mrs. Gardiner, smiling at her.

  Elizabeth did not return the smile. She could only see one reason why her father wanted her to go to a public ball and that was for her to meet a young gentleman. He did not seem to accept there was only one man she would give her heart to and that was Mr. Darcy.

  Mr. Bennet took her silence as agreement and turned his attention back to his breakfast.

  Elizabeth could not wait to get back upstairs to finish her letter to Jane. Worry or not, she had to tell her sister what was happening.

  30

  This wonderful dog was

  Dame Hubbard’s delight.

  He could read, he could dance,

  He could sing, he could write.

  Victoria Gardiner giggled at Elizabeth’s serious voice and nudged her younger sister who clapped her hands in delight as they looked at the pictures she held out her.

  She gave him rich dainties

  Whenever he fed,

  And erected this monument when he was dead.

  Eleanor suddenly stopped smiling. “Oh, the dog is dead. That is sad.”

  Elizabeth hastened to reassure her. “Eleanor he only died when he was very old and then Old Mother Hubbard built him the monument, so everyone would remember him.”

  “Don’t be sad Eleanor. It really is alright and it is a funny tale. I love Dame Hubbard’s big nose,” said Victoria.

  Eleanor pursed her lips. “You have a big nose.”

  Victoria was enraged and pinched her sister. Eleanor screamed.

  “Now stop that at once, or I shall not read to you again,” said Elizabeth firmly.

  They both immediately sat up, giving Elizabeth angelic smiles. Elizabeth tried not to laugh. They could be very trying, but they were nice children.

  “Cousin Elizabeth, will you read us another poem?”

  “Not today,” said Mrs. Bonner, the children’s governess as she came into the room. “Miss Bennet has spent quite enough time with you.”

  The young girls’ faces fell, and Elizabeth felt Mrs. Bonner’s tone was unnecessarily sharp. “I love being with them.”

  Mrs. Bonner sniffed. “Well, it’s time for their walk. Come along, girls, you must get ready.”

  Both young girls frowned, but Victoria, who was on her feet first, held out her hand to her younger sister and pulled her upright and they left the room together.

  Mrs. Bonner looked at the cover of the book Elizabeth had in her hand. “I am not sure Mrs. Gardiner would approve of such stories for her daughters,” she said, reading the title.

  “I think she would and as their cousin it was my decision.” Elizabeth spoke firmly. She knew Mrs. Bonner resented her being there, but she did not care. Mrs. Gardiner had encourage
d her to spend as much time as she wanted with her cousins. In truth she was glad to do so. Time was hanging heavily on her hand. She did not tell Mrs. Bonner she had already sought Mrs. Gardiner’s permission to read Sarah Catherine Martin’s poem.

  “I will visit the children after tea,” she told the governess and, leaving her alone, went downstairs to her own room. She hoped to see her boy cousins who were the youngest in the nursery when she returned.

  She had not been in her room many minutes when Mrs. Gardiner arrived to speak to her. Elizabeth was standing gazing out the window and was startled when her aunt came in.

  “Oh, Lizzy, there you are. I have had to change my plans for this afternoon and I wondered whether we should go into town and purchase some cloth for a new dress?”

  “You are having a new dress made?” asked Elizabeth.

  “No, you are,” said Mrs. Gardiner patiently. “Your father suggested that you may need a new dress while you are here.”

  Each moment was becoming more puzzling. “I am in no need of a dress. I brought one to wear on any special occasions. I am sure it will do for this ball.”

  “Elizabeth, your father has insisted. It is not for the ball tomorrow. Indeed a dress could not be made up that quickly, but your father says you will be attending other events and he would wish that you look your very best.”

  “But why?” Elizabeth almost stamped her foot in frustration. Her father had never spoken about her dresses before, nor would she have expected him to. Why was it so important now? And where was the money coming from to pay for them?

  Elizabeth shook her head. “It is unnecessary and extravagant. I cannot believe that father is suddenly in the position to spend such money.”