Page 7 of Heiress of Longbourn (Pride and Prejudice Variations)
On the Road to Meryton
Saturday, 23rd November, 1811
The verge of the muddy road was covered in a slimy layer of wet brown leaves, the gray bare trunks and boughs shivering above them. Yew hedges marched solemn and dark-needled down the lane. Above them, some brave few trees clung to the last of their orange and red leaves, the occasional flash of valiant color above a landscape awash with browns and grays. Chill air wrapped around the scene, though the previous day’s rain had at last passed on.
Across this rather dreary landscape moved two bright spots of color. Jane’s fair hair and cerulean eyes were flattered by her blue pelisse and hood, and Elizabeth looked quite fetching in green. Both were clad in sturdy boots that kicked up mud with every step and tan gloves intended to keep their wearers warm as they satisfied propriety.
“Lizzy, you are walking too fast,” Jane Bennet protested.
Elizabeth sighed, slowed her steps, and turned an apologetic look toward her elder sister. “I am sorry, Jane. I confess that I am afraid that Lydia will come tearing out of the house in pursuit, and I am tired of talking about the upcoming ball at Netherfield.”
Jane laughed and shook her head. “You need not worry, Lizzy. Lydia loves to sleep in, and I daresay she is still in bed.”
“I suppose,” her sister agreed and slowed down a little more still. “Of course, I am looking forward to the ball very much, but I find the non-stop chattering about it to be wearisome.”
Jane reached out and took her sister’s arm in her own. “I know, my dear. Kitty and Lydia are very young, certainly, but it would be pleasant if they had interests beyond militia officers.”
“Quite,” her sister agreed with a sigh and then blew out her breath and smiled. “But enough of that, Jane. Are you excited about dancing with Mr. Bingley at Netherfield Hall?”
“Of course I am,” Jane replied, smiling. “I am not confident that we will make a match of it, but he is the best of all the men who have pursued me. Moreover, he presumably likes me for myself, not my position as heiress of Longbourn.”
“Indeed,” Elizabeth agreed cheerfully. “I do pity you, dear sister, for being the family heiress. Not only are you tantalizingly lovely, you will inherit an estate when our father dies. It is no wonder that men flock to you like bees to honey.”
Jane lifted her left hand to pull her scarf tighter as the wind was freshening and said, “It is difficult at times, but Mr. Bingley is a wealthy man and thus not primarily interested in the estate. But come, Lizzy, you too are doubtless excited about dancing with Lieutenant Wickham?”
Elizabeth felt her cheeks warm and her lips curve in a delighted smile.
“I am excited,” she admitted. “He is, without a doubt, the most fascinating man I have ever met, and while I have never danced with him, he is so light on his feet that I am confident that he will be a good partner. I only hope that Mr. Darcy does not cause any trouble for Mr. Wickham, though given how irritable he was during the assembly in Meryton, perhaps he will not even bother to attend the Netherfield ball.”
Jane pulled her sister closer and said, “I am sorry about Mr. Darcy’s insult, my dear. I hope you are not too distressed about it?”
“I am more amused than hurt,” Elizabeth said stoutly, though in truth, there was some lingering pain over Mr. Darcy’s rude statement about her looks. “I am more upset over his cruelty toward Lieutenant Wickham, but there is nothing to be done about it. At least we can do our best to make Mr. Wickham’s stay here in Meryton as pleasant as possible.”
“Of course we will,” Jane assented, as the pair of sisters passed the first building at the boundary of Meryton. “Now, we need to purchase shoe roses for the ball and some ribbons for your best hat?”
“Yes,” Elizabeth agreed. “Kitty also suggested that you add some lace to the sleeves of your light blue gown. Do you wish to do so?”
“Kitty already has excellent ideas about such matters,” Jane said as they turned and climbed two steps to the door of the dressmaker’s shop. “What do you think I should purchase, blue or ivory ribbon?”
***
Breakfast Parlor
Netherfield Hall
Fitzwilliam Darcy squared his shoulders and entered the breakfast parlor only to relax at the sight of his friend, Charles Bingley, who was seated at the head of the table with a full plate, while at the other end of the table, the man’s two sisters were eating muffins and drinking tea while poring over a list of some sort.
He had been worried that he would find only his hostess, Miss Caroline Bingley, and her sister eating at this hour, and Miss Bingley was almost always annoying.
“Darcy!” Bingley cried out eagerly. “Good morning! I assumed you had already broken your fast!”
“I do not know why,” Miss Bingley remarked. “There is no need to rise early merely because we are in the country.”
“I went for a ride this morning,” Darcy explained, walking over to pour himself coffee and gather eggs and ham on his plate.
“Oh, Mr. Darcy, I am so sorry that no one was available to ride with you!” Miss Bingley exclaimed.
“Not at all,” Darcy replied. “I enjoy solitary rides on occasion.”
This was true at the best of times, and now, with his near obsession with Miss Elizabeth Bennet, he found himself badly in need of some time alone to wrestle his wayward heart into control.
He hoped he had succeeded.
***
Dressmaker’s Shop
Meryton
“I will put this on your account,” Mrs. Frank said to the Bennet ladies.
“Thank you,” Jane replied with one of her glorious smiles.
Elizabeth tucked the ribbons and shoe rosettes into her reticule, and the pair departed the dressmaker’s shop and stepped carefully onto the cobbled road, which was rather muddy thanks to the combined activities of the villagers and militia men, some of whom were on horseback.
“Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth!” a voice called from the other side of the street, and Elizabeth looked up and smiled in delight as Lieutenants Wickham and Pratt made their hasty way across the road toward them.
“Mr. Wickham, Mr. Pratt,” she said and curtseyed along with Jane, while the two officers bowed.
“It is wonderful to see you today, ladies,” Wickham said, his white teeth gleaming. “I confess I had not hoped to see your fair countenances today, not with such weather as we have been having.”
Elizabeth turned her eyes skyward, where dark clouds were forming in a threatening manner, and said, “I know it looks dreadful, but our coachman has a remarkable nose for weather, and he insists it will not rain today.”
“In that case,” Wickham said gallantly, “might I have the honor of walking you both home?”
“That would be wonderful, Mr. Wickham,” Elizabeth said, feeling her cheeks flush with pleasure. “Mr. Pratt, would you have time to come to Longbourn as well and be introduced to our parents?”
“I would, thank you,” Pratt replied gratefully.
The foursome began walking briskly toward Longbourn, and Elizabeth was pleased indeed when Mr. Pratt took Jane’s arm, which allowed Wickham to take her own. The walk seemed shorter than usual, as she and the extremely well-favored lieutenant spoke on a variety of topics, including the ins and outs of London. Elizabeth had spent many weeks in London visiting her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, but Wickham had spent several years there, and as a man, he had more opportunities to enjoy the delights of Town. Elizabeth, always curious, found the conversation enlightening and enjoyable, until there was a most unexpected interruption.
“George!”
The voice came from a carriage which had passed the group a minute earlier, and Elizabeth turned, startled, to observe the vehicle, now quite still, with the door open and a gentleman, dressed in sober black, with a simple black hat on his head, standing on the road some thirty feet away.
“George!” the man said again, “How wonderful that I happened to catch sight of you!”
Elizabeth, glancing at her companion, noted that Wickham had flushed red with surprise. Or was it anger?
The man turned to speak to the coachman for a moment, in a lowered tone, and then strode toward the four walkers, and Elizabeth, as the gentleman grew closer, found her jaw dropping in disbelief. She looked at the newcomer, and then at George Wickham, and then back at the newcomer, and…
“Good morning, Brother,” the young man said, holding out his hand. “It has been such a long time!”
Elizabeth watched as Mr. Wickham’s jaw tightened, before he reached out his hand and shook the visitor’s.
“Why, you look exactly alike!” Jane exclaimed, her lovely eyes wide with wonder.
“Yes, George and I are identical, and I am but twenty minutes younger than my brother,” the other Mr. Wickham said. “But come, I must not forget my manners. George, will you not introduce us?”
Elizabeth, casting a confused look on the elder twin, observed a crease in the lieutenant’s formerly smooth forehead. A moment later, he blew out a breath and said, “Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, Lieutenant Pratt, may I please introduce my brother, Mr. Alexander Wickham. Alexander, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, and Mr. Pratt, who serves in the same militia regiment I do.”
The ladies curtsied and the younger Mr. Wickham bowed and then said, “It is wonderful to meet you, but I will not intrude any further. George, I will be staying in the village at the local pub – the Pig in the Poke, I believe? Perhaps you could look me up there?”
“Oh, but Mr. Wickham,” Elizabeth said, “as the brother of our friend, we would very much like to spend more time with you. Will you not come to our home, which is only a few minutes further walk, and meet the rest of our family?”
Rather to her surprise, the newcomer nodded and said enthusiastically, “Indeed, I would be very honored to do so. Surely the coachman will agree to leave my trunk at the inn, so I am quite at your disposal. Thank you!”
Based on the older brother’s expression, there was no doubt that Lieutenant Wickham was not pleased, but Elizabeth was far too curious to regret her invitation. Why had Wickham never mentioned a twin brother? It seemed odd in the extreme, given his extensive descriptions of his boyhood at Pemberley. How could he have not so much as mentioned his own brother?
She was determined to find out.