Falling for Elizabeth Bennet Read online

  Falling for Elizabeth Bennet

  A Pride and Prejudice Variation

  Debra-Ann Kummoung

  To my beloved husband, Jeff, who encouraged me to take a chance and follow my dream. For Mom, Kate and all my family and friends who believed in me. Lastly for Nana, who was always there for me. I miss you, Nana. I did it!

  Also - for the approximately 65 million people worldwide who suffer from epilepsy and deal with the stigma every day. This book is for you.

  Definitions

  Falling sickness - the Regency era term for epilepsy

  Epilepsy - a chronic neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness or convulsion associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain - Google

  Spell - Regency era term for any type of seizure (heart, brain or type of paralysis)

  Chapter 1

  Fitzwilliam Darcy sighs to himself as he stands at the sitting room window at Netherfield Park, looking out into the darkness of the night. Darcy is half listening to his host and friend, Charles Bingley. Darcy is seven and twenty and stands over six feet tall with wavy dark-brown hair and dark-brown eyes, while Bingley is six and twenty and stands just under six feet tall, has reddish blonde hair and blue eyes. The two men are a study in contraction. Bingley, who is as easy-going as Darcy, is taciturn. Bingley talks excitedly about the local assembly that they and their party will be attending this evening.

  “Bingley, what possessed you to agree to attend this assembly so soon? You just arrived. Surely we do not have to attend this evening,” grumbles Darcy.

  Bingley laughs. “Darcy, we have already been introduced to many of the men of the families in the neighborhood this week, and you know that I promised to attend. You know that Caroline has been even more vocal about her displeasure with my leasing Netherfield Park.”

  Darcy sighs. “Bingley, you know the minute we arrive everyone will be speaking of how much we are worth and trying to marry us off to their daughters. The society here in the country is not the same as the society we experience in town. I have no problem with you leasing Netherfield Park. It is a good estate for you to lease in order to see if you are ready to purchase your own estate and learn estate management. You know that I dislike social settings and just want the evening to be over with already.”

  Bingley crosses the room to stand next to his friend and says, “Darcy, you should try and have some fun tonight. Try to talk to someone and not insult any of the ladies. You might enjoy the evening more if you just speak to someone and make a new acquaintance or a new friend. I would like to at least have one person from Netherfield who has fun tonight. As you already know, Caroline does not like the area, and unfortunately, Louisa and her husband, Mr. Hurst, tend to ignore Caroline. I want to make a good impression tonight.”

  Darcy looks to Bingley. “For you, my friend, I will try. I am not optimistic that it is likely to happen.”

  Darcy proves to be accurate in his description of their arrival at the assembly and is disappointed to be correct. He watches that as the Netherfield Park party arrives, everyone in the room stops talking and dancing and turns to look at the new arrivals. Darcy observes as Sir William, the master of ceremony, comes over and welcomes the Netherfield party to the assembly. Sir William introduces his wife and two daughters, and then he proceeds to take Bingley and the rest of the Netherfield party around the room and introduces them to all the local families. Almost as soon as Sir William leads the group around the room, Darcy hears the whispers “five thousand a year” and other whispers regarding Mr. Bingley, Miss Bingley, the Hursts, and himself. Once his name is mentioned, the whispers start getting worse as Darcy hears the usual “ten thousand a year,” “owns half of Derbyshire,” and other such rumors. Darcy sighs to himself thinking how everyone would react if they knew the full extent of his wealth is not even half of what is being discussed. Sir William is bringing them to one of the last families—and the one family with one of the loudest, most vulgar mothers. Darcy watches as their party is introduced to Mrs. Bennet and her daughters—Jane, Mary, Catherine, and Lydia. The last two daughters are pointed out loudly as they are currently dancing. Bingley takes this opportunity to solicit Miss Jane Bennet for a dance, and Darcy excuses himself. Darcy is laughing to himself as he assesses that Bingley has picked the most beautiful woman in the room to dance with.

  He slowly starts walking the room, watching the different families dancing and speaking, and watches as Bingley dances with Miss Bennet inwardly. Darcy sighs and is slightly shaking his head as he admits that Miss Bennet is a lovely lady and Bingley seems to have found himself another angel. He thinks that Miss Bennet is a lovely-looking lady—tall and slender with blonde hair and blue eyes with a serene countenance and a lovely smile. He shakes his head and continues his walk. As Darcy is walking, he suddenly hears a beautiful full-bodied laugh, and he stops to look around to find the source. He turns and sees two young ladies laughing and talking together. Both ladies have brown hair. Darcy recognizes Miss Lucas, who he was introduced to when he first arrived at the assembly. Miss Lucas is a few years older and more composed but is plain in comparison to her companion. The other young lady is quite petite with flawless skin and has dancing eyes as she laughs at something her friend says. He watches the younger lady nods and goes to sit down in a far corner. Darcy decides to take Bingley’s advice and make a new friend and decides to have Bingley introduce them. He walks in Bingley’s direction as the dance finishes. Bingley escorts his partner from the floor and heads in Darcy’s direction. As Bingley arrives at Darcy’s side, Darcy asks, “Bingley, do you know who the young lady in the far corner is?”

  Bingley turns and raises an eyebrow at his friend and then looks at the lady that Darcy has pointed out. Bingley looks and sees a young lady that he has not met. Bingley turns to his friend and says, “Darcy, I am sorry. I have not had the pleasure of meeting her. Why are you asking?”

  Darcy gives Bingley a small grin and says, “I was taking your advice and was going to talk to someone and possibly make a friend.”

  Bingley is amazed at this and says, “Darcy, give me just a moment. I will ask Miss Bennet to join us. Perhaps she can assist us.”

  Darcy nods and watches as Bingley goes to speak with Miss Bennet. A minute later, Bingley and Miss Bennet join Darcy where Bingley reintroduces them. Darcy turns to Miss Bennet and asks, “Miss Bennet, can you tell me who the young lady in the far corner is?”

  Miss Bennet turns and looks in the direction that Darcy is referring to and responds, “Mr. Darcy, the young lady you are referring to is my younger sister, Elizabeth.”

  Bingley and Darcy both look at Miss Bennet in surprise, and Bingley asks, “Miss Bennet, your sister was not included in the introductions. Was she accidentally overlooked?”

  Darcy watches Miss Bennet as concern flashes across her face. He turns to Miss Bennet and says, “Miss Bennet, I do not mean to make you uneasy. I happened to hear your sister laughing with a friend. Your sister has a beautiful laugh, and I happened to notice that she was sitting in a corner alone with no company. I just wish to meet her—I am uneasy in company of people I have not met before.”

  This comment causes Bingley to laugh, and he replies, “Miss Bennet, my friend here has spoken more in the last minute than he has at any other function he has been to this year. He means your sister no harm.”

  Miss Bennet turns to Darcy and replies, “Mr. Darcy, I understand. I am just following my mother’s wishes. I do not agree with them, but I try to respect my mother. If you will follow me, I will be happy to introduce you to my sister. Elizabeth is next to me in age. I will caution you that Elizabeth can be quite outspoken
and impertinent, but she is a dear sister nonetheless. Mr. Darcy, please do not spend too much time with Elizabeth. It would make my mother unhappy”. Darcy bows to Jane as Bingley escorts her to her sister.

  Darcy is watching Miss Elizabeth as the small group heads in her direction, and now that he can see her better, he can see the surprise on her lovely face. Miss Elizabeth is quite petite next to Miss Bennet, perhaps only an inch or two over five feet in height. She has dark wavy chestnut hair and hazel-colored eyes. Miss Bennet greets her sister and says, “Elizabeth, these gentlemen would like an introduction. May I present Mr. Bingley, who is leasing Netherfield Park, and his good friend, Mr. Darcy?”

  Elizabeth gives Bingley and Darcy a lovely curtsy and says, “It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy. How are you enjoying Hertfordshire so far?”

  Darcy watches as Bingley smiles at Elizabeth and says, “I am enjoying the area very much. I am looking forward to my time in Hertfordshire. I leased Netherfield Park to better understand estate management. My friend here has come to offer his assistance since he has been handling his own estate for quite some time.”

  Elizabeth replies, “Mr. Bingley, did you pick Netherfield Park, or did your friend pick it for you?”

  Miss Bennet cuts in, “Lizzy!”

  Bingley laughs and replies, “It is all right, Miss Bennet. Your sister has already sketched my character and quite well, and you will get along well with my friend here, who is also a studier of people.”

  Darcy turns to Elizabeth and asks, “Miss Elizabeth, would you be surprised if I were to tell you that Mr. Bingley had indeed selected Netherfield Park as the estate of his choice?”

  Elizabeth laughs. “If that is the case, Mr. Darcy, then the neighborhood is fortunate indeed to bring not one but two eligible bachelors to the neighborhood.”

  Miss Bennet turns to Miss Elizabeth and says, “Lizzy, I am returning to the assembly. Please watch the time. Mama has already noticed us here. Mr. Bingley and I will return to the dancing.”

  Darcy watches as Miss Elizabeth’s smile slips a little, and she nods to her sister, and Bingley and Miss Bennet depart.

  Darcy turns to Elizabeth and says, “Miss Elizabeth, please accept my apologies if my coming over here is causing you problems. I had heard you laugh with your friend earlier and had wanted to meet the lady who had such a lovely laugh.”

  He watches as Elizabeth looks up at him and replies, “Forgive me, Mr. Darcy. I am not used to having company aside from my sister Jane and my good friend, Charlotte Lucas. Charlotte and I were exchanging observations of the various people in the room when you heard me laugh. I am afraid that I was not being nice to everyone in your party.”

  Darcy grins at Elizabeth. “Miss Elizabeth, were you perhaps thinking that some of the party would rather not be here tonight but are too polite to say so?”

  Elizabeth gives Darcy a small grin. “Yes. Unfortunately, at first I thought you might be like Mr. Bingley’s sisters. But someone who thought himself above his company would not come and seek me out.”

  Darcy watches as Elizabeth looks over his shoulder, and he turns to see the loud mother he had been introduced to earlier glaring in Elizabeth’s direction. Darcy turns to Elizabeth. “Miss Elizabeth, your sister warned me not to stay too long with you as it would anger your mother, and I am afraid that we might have already angered her. I would like to continue our conversation as I am truly enjoying myself.”

  Miss Elizabeth looks at Darcy and tells him, “Mr. Darcy, I think it best that you continue to meet others at the assembly tonight. My mother is upset as you are a single gentleman who might be more interested in one of my sisters and that they should have a chance to meet him.”

  Darcy looks to Elizabeth in surprise and says, “Miss Elizabeth, how about we compromise. I will go and get us refreshments and find another way to continue the conversation we are having.”

  He watches as Elizabeth reluctantly agrees but as Darcy starts to turn away she says, “Mr. Darcy, it would be in your best interest to stay away from me.”

  He makes no comment but regards Elizabeth with a focused stare and moves off to get their refreshments.

  As Darcy crosses the room to the refreshment table to collect drinks for Elizabeth and himself, he is puzzled by both the Misses Bennets’ actions and how they both seem not to want to draw attention to Elizabeth. Most women Darcy knows would do anything to get closer acquainted with him. As he is waiting to collect their drinks, Darcy notices that Elizabeth’s mother has approached her and that whatever Mrs. Bennet is saying to Elizabeth causes her head to become bowed. Even from this distance, Darcy can see that Elizabeth is shaken. He is truly confused. Most mothers would be thrilled for him to be speaking with one of their daughters—not warning them off. Darcy waits until he sees that Mrs. Bennet departs before approaching with Elizabeth’s drink. As Darcy draws near, he can see tearstains on Elizabeth’s cheeks. Darcy carefully withdraws his handkerchief and hands it to Elizabeth along with her drink. Darcy bows to Elizabeth. “Miss Elizabeth, I saw your mother come over. I am going to slowly walk a circuit of the room, and I will come back to finish our conversation—even if you do not see me. Please do not cry, Miss Elizabeth. You should be smiling and happy at an assembly. I look forward to continuing our conversation.”

  Elizabeth bows her head and gives Darcy a curtsy and says very softly, “Thank you, sir.” And with that Darcy withdraws.

  Darcy slowly walks about the room, watching how Bingley’s sisters interact with the people in the room. He is honest enough to note that he himself is normally guilty of acting like Bingley’s sisters—that he is socially superior to the people around him. Darcy does not feel this way about Elizabeth. He was drawn to her as soon as he heard her laugh. As Darcy continues his way around the room, he notices that Elizabeth is still sitting in the corner where he left her and that no one has come to speak with her. At this point, Darcy encounters Bingley and his sisters, and they chat for a moment before Darcy excuses himself and continues on. As Darcy slowly makes his way back to Elizabeth, he notices that the corner where she is sitting is by an open window, and through that window, Darcy can see a balcony. He decides to slip outside so as not to get Elizabeth in trouble. Once outside, Darcy makes sure that no one else is on the balcony and walks up to the open window where Elizabeth is sitting in front of on the other side of the window.

  Darcy calls out softly, “Miss Elizabeth, please do not turn around looking for me.” He watches as Elizabeth responds to his voice but does not move. Darcy continues, “Miss Elizabeth, I promised I would come back to continue our conversation, but I did not like seeing your mother upset you. Are you well?”

  Elizabeth replies, “Mr. Darcy, I thank you for your concern. I am well. I have to confess that this is a novel way to conduct a conversation. What I would like to know is, where are you?”

  He chuckles. “Miss Elizabeth, were you aware that your chair is positioned in front of an open window that happens to have access to a balcony? I saw the balcony as I was walking about the room and saw that you were sitting in front of the open window and thought this would be a perfect opportunity to continue to make our acquaintances. Does this meet with your approval?”

  Darcy is delighted to hear Elizabeth laugh as she replies, “Mr. Darcy, this is perfect. I wonder that no one else has thought to try this approach in the past. What would you like to talk about, Mr. Darcy? Since you are the visitor here I shall let you have the pick of the first subject.”

  Darcy smiles and replies, “Miss Elizabeth, I thank you for the choice of topics—there are so many things that can be discussed at an assembly. The first subject I would like to talk about is you. I am curious to know whether you always sit alone at social functions. I did notice you speaking with Miss Lucas earlier but noticed that she has not been back to visit with you since. I would like to think that a lively young lady such as yourself would be dancing and having fun at an assembly such as this.”

  Darcy li
stens as Elizabeth sighs. “Mr. Darcy, you are a very observant gentleman. I usually am only able to have a brief visit from my sister Jane or my friend Charlotte. My mother does not like to have any attention drawn to me. My mother becomes upset if even my sisters visit me. She would rather they try to find gentlemen to court them. Please do not be upset with my mother. I am used to her ways, and she does have her reasons for acting the way she does. It does not help that I am her least favorite daughter. Although I cannot help but be pleased to be sitting in the corner tonight, as it gives me a chance to meet such an interesting young gentleman who is willing to befriend a young lady stuck in a corner.”

  “Miss Elizabeth, this will not do. We are not going to discuss a sad subject at an assembly. Tell me, what sorts of books do you like to read? Please tell me you read more than fashion magazines.” Darcy admonishes her.

  Elizabeth laughs and replies teasingly, “Mr. Darcy, really, do you not know that one is not supposed to talk about books at an assembly! I actually love to read. My father instilled in me with his love of reading. I read a variety of books, and what I read many times depends on my mood. Favorites are poetry and Shakespeare, and for practical purposes, I have been known to read books about history and agriculture. What about you, Mr. Darcy? What kind of books do you like to read?”

  Darcy tells Elizabeth that he enjoys the same wide variety of books that she enjoys reading. They discuss favorite books for the next few minutes. Darcy asks her, “Miss Elizabeth, what else do you like to do when you are not reading?”

  Elizabeth replies, “I like to walk or ramble about the countryside. It gives me time away from the noise of my family and my mother. I find that walking brings me a sense of peace and gives me a chance to reflect.”

  Darcy ponders on this and replies, “I find that we both enjoy being outdoors. While I do enjoy walking, I personally am more apt to ride when I need to be outdoors or to relieve stress.”