Page 7 of The Duke of Derby (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

After leaving Hunsford, Darcy’s mind was full.

Memories of his failed proposal filled his thoughts, but curiosity as to how the Bennets’ fortune would be changing was nearly as strong as his heartache at finding that Miss Elizabeth had no warm feelings toward him whatsoever.

All he really knew was that Miss Elizabeth wasn’t necessarily determined against him, but if he wished to win her heart, he would need to correct the faults she had seen in him.

His mind frequently replayed their conversation after his proposal.

Her initial reaction had been laughter. Not happiness, not anger, but laughter.

It made no sense to him, but it did make him feel ridiculous.

Her laughter was loud and long, and he eventually realized that she was laughing at much more than his proposal.

There was something about the entire situation, including elements completely unknown to him, that she thought was funny.

As her laughter slowed and faded, he also realized that it had been an emotional outburst of some sort, because afterward, she was much calmer than she had been when he entered the room, so much so that she was able to explain her refusal without any ire.

In the ensuing discussion, she had pointed out four objections she had to him, the first being that she had no inkling of his feelings toward her.

It was a valid point, since he had been hiding his feelings even from himself up until only a day or two before his proposal.

This objection, however, was easily remedied.

In fact, for the most part, it had already been remedied.

Now that she knew how he felt about her, there was no need to hide his feelings from anyone.

The second objection she had was that he had made the assumption that just because he knew who her mother’s relations were, he must know all her connections.

It was a reasonable assumption but far from foolproof.

There were plenty of minor gentry with connections to nobility, and they often lived out their lives with as little pomp as the various denizens of Meryton.

He had erred in assuming everyone was as simple and straightforward as they seemed.

The third objection was a little harder to rectify.

She was correct in her assertion that he had been looking down on everyone in the neighborhood during his stay in Hertfordshire.

She was even correct that it was foolish of him to expect her to like him after such behavior.

He had been selfish, unable to see, much less take into account, anyone’s feelings but his own.

While it would take some work, he was determined to improve this aspect of his character.

Her fourth objection had been the only one without merit, but he was grateful she mentioned it, nonetheless, for it had given him a chance to defend his honor against Wickham’s accusations.

While the dastard was a perpetual thorn in his side, Darcy had been unwilling to speak against him for fear of ruining Georgiana’s reputation.

Additionally, Darcy always had a tiny hope that once Wickham ran out of money, he would find a way to turn his life around.

Unfortunately, that hadn’t happened yet.

By the time his journey to London was complete, Darcy was mostly at peace with his disastrous proposal, and he was prepared to work to improve himself so that when he met Miss Elizabeth again, he would be able to earn her love.

Darcy’s first stop in London was at his uncle’s house.

While Georgiana should be able to live on her own with her new companion, Mrs. Annesley, ever since her experience last summer when her companion, Mrs. Younge, and Wickham teamed up to work against her, Georgiana had been reluctant to stay with only her new companion for company.

Instead, she had been staying at Matlock House while Darcy had traveled to Kent to visit Lady Catherine.

After seeing that her trunks were strapped to his carriage, he helped his sister and Mrs. Annesley into the vehicle. Darcy House was only a few blocks away, and they were there in moments.

It always felt nice to be in his own house with his own servants.

He knew what to expect from them, and they knew what his natural schedule was like.

For a few days, he focused solely on Georgiana, taking her shopping, chatting, listening to her play every piece of music she had learned while he was away.

Then, the brother and sister made their way to Pemberley. Neither of them was particularly fond of the city once the weather began to warm up, so it was common for them to head to the country in the second half of April.

As they traveled, Darcy was pleased to see his sister being more like herself, the way she had been before Wickham and Mrs. Younge had destroyed her self-confidence. She was always soft-spoken and a little shy, but once she warmed up to someone, she was just as chatty as any other young lady.

She talked his ear off about the ideas she had for bonnets and gowns. She spoke at length about the various music passages she had struggled with. She even talked of the scenery with pleasure. Darcy was overwhelmingly grateful to see her so happy.

Settling back in at Pemberley was like greeting an old friend. There was much to catch up on at first, but it all became familiar and easy quickly enough.

Two days after his arrival in the country, Darcy was in his study working on some correspondence. Mrs. Reynolds, his housekeeper came in with a sealed message. “A messenger just brought this for you, sir. He is waiting for an answer.”

Darcy took the letter and looked at it as Mrs. Reynolds left the room. He was surprised to see that the seal belonged to the Duke of Derby.

Darcy had never met the old duke, since he was just becoming a man when the duke had decided to retire from society, but his father had spoken of him occasionally, mostly out of sympathy for all the losses the duke had suffered in his long life.

He knew the old duke had died. He had, like many others, assumed the title would be extinct, since it was obvious that there was no heir.

The message in his hand, however, indicated that an heir had been found…

a long-lost heir. An image of Miss Elizabeth explaining that they had recently discovered a connection that even the Earl of Matlock would not object to popped into his mind.

Barely even admitting that there might be a connection, Darcy hastily opened the letter.

April 18, 1812

Dear Mr. Darcy,

I will start by saying that, though I must sign this missive as the Duke of Derby, you might know me better as Mr. Bennet of Longbourn.

Yes, Mr. Darcy, the old man who was barely worthy to speak to you in Hertfordshire is now a duke.

Life certainly likes to play little tricks on us all from time to time.

I am writing to you to ask for your assistance.

As you are aware, my family is used to a much lower status and standard of living.

Though most people, including myself, would deem it fortunate to be suddenly elevated in such a way, I am finding that there are a few difficulties we must face during this transition.

First and foremost, my family needs, at the very least, a governess who is familiar with court etiquette.

I am hoping that a man of your standing might know of such a person.

Additionally, if you are so inclined, I could use some assistance in understanding the nuances of dealing with a vastly more complex income than I am used to.

My secretary has been inordinately patient, but I am uncomfortable simply taking his word for everything, since doing so leads to one being cheated left and right.

If you feel inclined to render such assistance, I would be most happy to have you visit us for as long as you would like to stay.

Please be aware, however, that though my home is sound, the furnishings are old and faded, so it might not be quite up to your standards.

If you find that you are uncomfortable here, I can make arrangements for you to stay in one of my smaller houses in Derby.

My daughters, Marchioness Northdale and Lady Elizabeth, have requested that I extend your invitation to include your sister, if you are inclined to bring her with you. Please respond via my messenger so that I may know when to expect you and how many will be in your party.

Sincerely,

Thomas Bennet, 13 th Duke of Derby

Darcy read the letter four times. There was simply so much information packed into those few short paragraphs.

Mr. Bennet was a duke. Apparently Miss Bennet was his heir, based on his mentioning Marchioness Northdale as his daughter.

The most shocking, yet pertinent information, however, was that he was being invited to Lockwood to assist them in settling into their new roles.

Once he understood the situation, Darcy leaped up from his chair and practically ran to the music room where Georgiana was practicing.

As he burst through the door, Georgiana immediately stopped playing and looked up in surprise. “Brother!” she said. “What is the matter?”

Darcy paused. Though he had rushed here, he did not know quite how to tell her about the letter.

The entire situation was complicated by his past knowledge of the Bennet family, and he simply didn’t know where to start.

As her face grew more concerned, however, he decided to be as brief as possible.

“We have received an invitation from the new Duke of Derby to assist him and his daughters in settling into their new roles,” he said.

Georgiana’s eyes grew wide as saucers. “Why would someone like that need assistance from us?” she asked.

“I do not know all his reasoning,” said Darcy. “The letter he sent was rather short. However, one thing that was likely a factor in his decision is the fact that we are already acquainted. Do you recall me mentioning the Bennets in my letters when I was in Hertfordshire?”

“Yes,” said Georgiana. “You mentioned Miss Elizabeth several times, often enough that I wished I could meet her. You even mentioned her in the letter you sent from Rosings.”

Darcy nearly blushed at this. He hadn’t realized that he had said so much about her.

But he kept his mind on the current situation.

“Well, the man who was Mr. Bennet of Longbourn is now Thomas Bennet, Duke of Derby. Since he already knows me, it makes a little more sense why he would ask me to assist. As for you, his daughters have requested you to join me so that they can meet you.”

“His daughters?” asked Georgiana. “Does that include Miss Elizabeth?”

“She is Lady Elizabeth now, but yes. She and her oldest sister specifically requested you to join me,” he said.

Georgiana’s face brightened immediately. “Yes! Yes! I would love to go,” she cried.

For a moment Darcy wondered what he had written in his letters to give Georgiana such a desire to meet Lady Elizabeth, but he set it aside.

“I should tell you that His Grace mentioned the house is faded and worn. He offered us the use of a house in Derby, which is a few miles from Lockwood, if we are not comfortable in his home.”

“I would rather stay at Lockwood if at all possible,” said Georgiana, “though I suppose it is something that we can decide when we get there.”

“Very well,” he said. “I shall send a reply saying that we will both come. I assume you will want Mrs. Annesley and your maid to go with you.”

“If it is not too much trouble,” said Georgiana.

“I can’t imagine it would be,” said Darcy. “I will tell him that we will be there mid-day tomorrow. Can you be ready to leave tomorrow morning?”

“Of course,” said Georgiana. She clapped her hands together in glee. “I am very much looking forward to this.”

“As am I,” said Darcy. He then went back to his study to compose a reply.

April 18, 1812

Your Grace,

First, I would like to offer my congratulations on your new title and position. Second, I would like to say that it would be my pleasure to assist you at this time, both in finding a suitable teacher and in understanding your new wealth and responsibilities.

Toward that end, my sister and I will leave here tomorrow morning and should arrive at Lockwood between noon and one in the afternoon. I will be bringing my valet, and my sister will bring her companion, Mrs. Annesley, and her maid.

As long as accommodation can be found within the house, we would prefer to stay there, but we are willing to remove to Derby should it be inconvenient for the servants. I imagine there is a great deal of upheaval among them at this time, so we can be flexible on that score if necessary.

I look forward to seeing you again.

Your servant,

Fitzwilliam Darcy

Once the letter was written, Darcy sealed it up and summoned Mrs. Reynolds. He discovered that the messenger and his horse were both currently being fed. He gave the letter to Mrs. Reynolds telling her to allow them both to finish their meal before sending them on their way.

He then headed to his room to tell his valet to begin packing for an extended stay.