Page 9 of Darcy in Distress (Pride and Prejudice Variation #17)
For the people of Mirandia, it had always been called The Razor, though its true name was Mount Eustra, named after an ancient king.
It rose far above the plains of Zale, and its sharp peak often danced among the very clouds which flew, with eagle’s wings, across the great expanse of the sky.
Snow, ice, and black rock clad its steep slopes, and even the wild mountain goats could climb only a few hundred feet up before turning back toward safer ground.
It was a dark place, and a dangerous one, but to Lilia, daughter of the goatherder, Rumer, the Razor was a wondrous sight, one which filled...
The door to the library opened softly and Mr. Bennet lifted his face to peer distractedly at his favorite daughter.
“Ah, Lizzy,” he murmured. “Give me a moment so I can finish this paragraph.”
“Of course, Father,” Elizabeth said, walking quietly over to a chair by the fire. Mr. Bennet turned back to his paper, tapped his fingers on his lips, dipped his pen into the inkwell, and continued .
It was a dark place, and a dangerous one, but to sixteen year old Lilia, daughter of the goatherder, Rumer, the Razor was a wondrous sight, one which filled her with awe and a knowledge deep within her that there was more to her life than grass and goats, than wells and wheat.
She loved her parents, she loved her friends, she loved her life, but when she walked out into the dewy grass of morning, and gazed up at the Razor, she knew, somehow, that she had a destiny beyond the vast mesas she had known all her life.
-
How far is the capital city from the plains of Zale?
The goatherder Rumer does not have a horse, but others nearby do.
It is important to make Lilia’s distance from the Palace reasonable – she must not be too close, or too far.
When the time comes for her return to the palace as the lost princess, the journey cannot take too long, or her evil uncle will have already succeeded in entirely taking over the kingdom. ..
Mr. Bennet sighed, leaned back, and said aloud, “Perhaps one hundred and fifty miles? The journey would only take a few days but would keep Lilia safely away from intrigue in the palace during her formative years. What do you think, Lizzy?”
Elizabeth, who was quite accustomed to her father’s habit of throwing out plot points at odd times, said, “I suppose it depends on the state of the roads, Father.”
“That is an excellent point, my dear,” Mr. Bennet mused, scowling down at the papers on the desk. “Lilia is being raised in a rather primitive community, and thus the roads are likely not good. Perhaps I had better make the distance from her home to the capitol more like one hundred miles.”
He sighed and gathered his papers together, tucked them into a large drawer, and locked it. “I believe that is enough writing for this morning, as my mind is rather fatigued. How are you, my dear?”
“I am well enough, Father,” Elizabeth answered, “but I warn you that I am here to ask you for a quite significant favor.”
Her father sighed dramatically and leaned back in his chair. “You may ask, of course, though I do not promise to give an affirmative answer.”
“You have not yet met Mr. Bingley, and I wish you to call on him and rectify that situation,” Elizabeth said.
The master of Longbourn cast his eyes heavenward and said piteously, “Oh Lizzy, not you now as well! I already told your mother that I will not be governed by foolish societal rituals. Besides, thanks to the kind offices of Sir William at the assembly, you have all met Mr. Bingley and his companions. Why must I leave my library to engage in tedious conversation?”
“The situation is different now,” Elizabeth said sternly. “When we knew nothing about Mr. Bingley, it did not seem important that you meet him, especially since you were in the planning stages of your new book. You are more remote than usual when thinking up the broad strokes of a plot.”
“Am I?” her father asked in some surprise.
“Oh yes. You are always a trifle on the taciturn side, Father, but when you are submerged in deep thought regarding a new book, you are even more...”
She trailed off delicately, and Mr. Bennet, with a chuckle of amusement, continued, “Even more difficult than usual?”
“I would say, even more antisocial than usual.”
“That is reasonable enough, I suppose. What is the second reason I should visit Mr. Bingley, Lizzy?”
“He is a charming young man with a delightful character, and I think there is a real chance that he and Jane will make a match of it. You will need to give your permission, Father, and it would be far less awkward if you had met the man before he asked for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”
“Technically,” Mr. Bennet said judiciously, “he need not ask for my permission, as Jane is of age.”
Elizabeth huffed in exasperation and said, “Mr. Bingley will wish for your blessing, at least; he has great respect for the proprieties and will not wish to wed a gentlewoman without her father’s approval.”
Mr. Bennet considered his second daughter gravely and said, “Tell me, my dear Elizabeth – do you have any feelings for Mr. Bingley? If he is so estimable a young man, I do not see why Jane should capture him rather than you.”
“Oh, not me, I assure you, Father!” Elizabeth declared, her eyes widening.
“Mr. Bingley is very pleasant, along with being rich, which is most laudable in a gentleman. He is not a scholar, however, and is rather too tractable to suit me. I have no wish to dominate my husband and thus may well never marry. There are few men who are intellectuals, and even fewer who would wish for an impertinent, garrulous miss like me.”
Mr. Bennet rose with a laugh and walked over to embrace his second and favorite child. “My dear Lizzy, any man would be fortunate to win you, but I must congratulate you on your perspicacity. You must be able to respect and honor your husband. Nor am I in any hurry for you to leave Longbourn.”
Elizabeth smiled and rose up on her tiptoes to give her father a kiss on the cheek, then asked, “Will you visit Mr. Bingley?”
“I will, and soon,” Mr. Bennet promised.
/
The three men pulled their horses to a halt at the top of the hill and looked around with interest. The estate of Netherfield stretched to the south and east of them, and to the north the brick manor house squatted comfortably next to a copse of great oak trees.
The manse was not remarkable for its architecture or style, but it was well built and sturdy.
“I am looking forward to a warm fire and a glass of brandy,” Mr. Bingley commented, his breath showing white in the cold air. His gelding, a bay, whickered softly, apparently in agreement.
“I am as well,” Wickham concurred, patting his gray mare on the neck. “However, it was an enjoyable and informative ride, Bingley, and I think you have chosen a fine estate. ”
“What do you think, Darcy?” Bingley asked of the master of Pemberley, who was looking to the west from the great height of his stallion, Phoenix.
“Wickham is correct,” his friend said, a little absently. “Netherfield has been somewhat neglected, but the land is good and the tenants to whom we spoke seem to be hard working.”
“What are you looking at, Darcy?” Wickham asked curiously, as his friend was still peering west.
Darcy looked back and said, “I was wondering if Longbourn is in sight from this edge of Netherfield, but I do not see it.”
“Longbourn?” Bingley asked in surprise, then added suspiciously, “Is it possible you are interested in the lovely Miss Bennet, Darcy?”
“No, not at all,” Darcy assured him quickly. “She is a charming young woman, but not for me. However, my mother met Mrs. Bennet, Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth and liked them very much. She wishes for Georgiana to meet them.”
Wickham, adept at reading the tone of his friend’s voice, asked, “And you disapprove of this?”
“A little,” Darcy admitted, touching his stallion gently with his heels, which prompted Phoenix to begin walking. His friends also nudged their steeds into action and followed him down the hill, toward the warmth of Netherfield Hall.
“You disapprove of the Bennets?” Bingley demanded indignantly.
“Disapprove?” Darcy repeated. “Who am I to disapprove of anyone given the shame of my current situation? No, it is merely that I worry about my mother and sister. Both have suffered these last years, and while the eldest Miss Bennets are all that is delightful, their mother is not a refined and cultured woman.”
“Does Lady Anne wish for your protection against vulgar matrons?” Wickham inquired patiently.
This provoked a reluctant chuckle from his friend.
“No, not at all; in fact, when my expression indicated that I thought Georgiana ought not to be introduced to the Bennets, my mother glared at me with such menace that I quailed before her. My intellect tells me that my mother is in the right of it. The Bennets are a kindly family, and the older girls are charming. Georgiana needs friends, and high society families are reluctant to engage with us due to Matlock’s actions. ”
“Miss Darcy does need friends,” Bingley agreed.
“I think the Bennets will be good for both her and Lady Anne,” Wickham said, and then added softly, “Darcy, you cannot protect them forever. ”
“I know,” his friend and employer agreed. “It is difficult for me to ... but you are correct, of course. Oh! Is that...?”
“Colonel Fitzwilliam!” Wickham cried out at the mounted man trotting down the road which led to Netherfield.
Richard Fitzwilliam turned in his saddle and waved a cheerful hand. “Darcy, Wickham, Bingley, good morning!”
“Richard!” Darcy cried out. “Thank God you are here!”