Flames and passion at ne.., p.1
Flames and Passion at Netherfield: A Pride and Prejudice Variation, page 1
Flames and Passion at Netherfield
A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Florence Gold
Editor: Ariana Thompson
Copyright © 2023 Florence Gold
All rights reserved
This work is in copyright as stated by
Berne Convention for the Protection
of Literary and Artistic Works.
Text: Copyright © 2023 Florence Gold
Cover: © 2023 ana damian powered by https://discord.com/
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters,
places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination.
Any resemblance to actual events or persons is entirely coincidental.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
A special thank you to Tish Holmes
I am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me.
Elizabeth Bennet
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
Epigraph
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Epilogue
Books By This Author
Chapter 1
Thursday, 25 June 1812
It was rare that Elizabeth and Jane found themselves alone at home, and they intended to celebrate their brief freedom.
“Almost alone,” Elizabeth smiled, “let us not forget Mary hidden in Papa’s study.”
At an early hour of the morning, their father and Uncle Gardiner had set off for some sport on the estate of a long-time friend fifteen miles away. They had left the house with the exuberance of young boys on their first holiday from school. Shortly after breakfast, Mrs Bennet, Aunt Gardiner, and Kitty had departed on a different sort of expedition—to Meryton—to procure ribbon, bonnets, and lace from the milliner’s shop.
“I need some fine lace for an old dress that I wish to improve,” Mrs Bennet had informed her sister-in-law while Kitty impatiently waited in the carriage.
“Hurry up, Mama,” she called to Mrs Bennet, who was searching for her yellow parasol. “I want us to be the first to arrive; today, everyone will be out to see the new arrivals!”
Her mother merely smiled as she settled herself into the carriage. She enjoyed visiting Meryton, meeting other ladies, and learning about those little events that took place in Hertfordshire that made her life so delightful. And there were more reasons for her happiness, for her youngest Lydia was already married, living with her handsome husband, whilst Jane—engaged to one of the wealthiest men in the county, the amiable Mr Charles Bingley—was set to marry in a few days. It was a promising start, for as she held low expectations of Mary’s prospects in matrimony, only two of her daughters remained without husbands. She was confident that the forthcoming season would bring about the desired changes.
Meanwhile, Netherfield was preparing for the impending nuptials, Mr Bingley intending to provide his guests with an unforgettable stay. Some of them, such as Mr Darcy and his sister, Miss Darcy, had already arrived.
Elizabeth and Jane plotted to remain home, claiming they required the time to prepare their gowns for that evening’s dinner and the following day’s party at Netherfield. “We must ensure that they are elegant,” Jane declared with a bright smile.
“Are you certain Mr Darcy and his sister will be at Netherfield?” Elizabeth asked, feeling her cheeks flush slightly.
The news intrigued her, though she resolved to abstain from confiding her intentions to Jane and possibly overshadowing her sister’s joy with the complications of bygone misadventures.
Haunted still by the memory of what had happened in Kent—the peculiar proposal and her angry retort—Elizabeth wanted to apologise to Mr Darcy for her outburst and the unkind words she had uttered…and then forget everything. And when it was about apologies, her sister could give her good advice.
To her astonishment, Jane looked up from the ribbon she was sewing onto her dress. “You seem exceedingly curious about this gentleman, Elizabeth. This is the third occasion on which you have asked! Mr Darcy is Mr Bingley’s dearest friend, who had already arrived to contribute to the preparations. Why are you so curious about him?”
Clad in their day gowns, they relished the leisurely morning alone in the cosy drawing-room that had always been their refuge. Yet their conversation was interrupted when a maid entered and implored, “Miss Elizabeth, Miss Jane, please go to your room and dress as your mother has requested. Someone may appear at any moment.”
Jane beamed, her beauty and joy radiating throughout the room. Everyone knew that by ‘someone,’ her mother meant her betrothed, who had the habit of calling in the morning and again in the afternoon. If it were possible, he would undoubtedly come again in the evening. Mrs Bennet was so eager to witness her eldest daughter’s marriage that she was willing to turn a blind eye and allow the lovers to see each other as many times as Mr Bingley wanted.
“I am elated about this evening’s dinner,” Jane murmured. “Mr Bingley asked me to take the place of the mistress of the house.”
The position held by his sister, Miss Bingley, Elizabeth ruminated. This change might bring novel hostilities. Fortunately, Jane would see nothing except her love for Mr Bingley.
Many times had Elizabeth observed Jane’s disposition and mien, at times with concern, yet more often with admiration. Jane appeared to float through life, only to be grounded by misfortune, such as the sudden loss of Mr Bingley’s interest and his departure from Netherfield. It was during Elizabeth’s stay in Kent that she learned it was mainly due to the actions of Mr Darcy.
Though tempted in the past to reveal the truth to Jane, after Mr Darcy played a crucial role in locating Lydia and Mr Wickham following Lydia’s imprudent conduct, Elizabeth had to concede that Mr Darcy possessed praiseworthy traits, prompting her to reconsider her previous judgment of him.
Then Mr Bingley had remarked, on many occasions, that it was his friend who persuaded him to return to Hertfordshire, and Elizabeth could not help but think that she might have played a role in improving Mr Darcy’s perception of Jane. She greatly appreciated those who recognised their mistakes and tried to rectify them, a testament to their good character and honesty. Acknowledging Mr Darcy’s intelligence, refinement, clever and subtle conversation, and sense of humour, Elizabeth could imagine him as a potential friend, yet never a man she would desire to marry.
“Why are you suddenly silent?” asked Jane, eager to uncover the cause of her sister’s reflective countenance.
“We have indeed discussed this subject at great length, but of late, I find myself pondering once more whether one ought to marry solely for love,” Elizabeth mused.
“Of course! What are you saying?” Jane replied with that ardour that was uniquely hers. “I cannot imagine anyone besides Mr Bingley being by my side!”
“My dear,” her sister said, smiling, “just imagine if you had not encountered Mr Bingley.”
“Oh, I cannot, I cannot,” Jane cried. “Why would you wish for me to have such a dreadful notion? Mr Bingley was…is the one, and he ultimately appeared…as it was written in the stars.”
“Then imagine that my chosen one is late to appear—or never comes.”
Jane let the dress tumble to the ground. “I do not want you to think this way,” she said affectionately, embracing her sister. “I am certain he will come soon, and you will be as happy as I am now!”
Elizabeth smiled indulgently as she often did when confronted with her sister’s aspirations.
“Like many other ladies, I am in search of him; nevertheless, if such a love never appears, do you reckon a lady could marry a gentleman who is very respectable, affluent, and of good character without being blissfully in love on her wedding day?”
Jane gazed at her with incredulous eyes. “Are we discussing someone you have already met?”
Elizabeth concealed her eyes in the lace she was applying to her sister’s gown, surprised by Jane’s astute observation. “No, no, you would be the first to know. However, it is possible to marry without love. Recall Mr Collins...I could have been in Charlotte’s position, living in Hunsford.”
“This morning, you appear to be somewhat too mournful. You have such melancholy thoughts.
“Mr Collins? How could you ever have accepted his proposal?”
Well, firstly, it would have resolved our parents’ predicament since married to Mr Collins, I would have become the mistress of Longbourn.”
“You cannot marry to resolve a predicament. It would be unjust to live with a man you do not love! And of all the men we know, Mr Collins would be the worst!”
“You are correct regarding Mr Collins; my first impression of him only worsened when I visited him and Charlotte. However, I could meet a man of character and have a pleasant marriage founded on companionship and respect!”
“Nonsense, Elizabeth! I know that in bygone times or even currently, some ladies marry to attain a certain status or are forced by their families. Fortunately, Mama and Papa have granted us the freedom to choose our spouses. Remember, they did not impose anything on you when Mr Collins was lurking in Hertfordshire.”
“Lurking?” Elizabeth laughed heartily. “What a peculiar word in your mouth, my dear sister,” she smiled, “but I cannot deny that you are correct.”
“To answer your question, I believe that in certain circumstances, a woman could accept a worthy and honourable man’s proposal without feeling love for him. However, for me, love is of the utmost importance. I dare say it would be impossible for a woman to love her betrothed more than I love Mr Bingley.” Her words flowed like a bird’s trills, her eyes distant as she remembered her lover and their embraces.
Then, in a whisper reminiscent of their childhood, she said, “There is so much you need to know about...love!”
Elizabeth sensed her sister’s hesitation and suspected what she meant. Love was not just a feeling, a heart matter, but also the gestures and actions accompanying it. Both sisters blushed but hoped to continue the conversation. They worked on the dress, combining ribbons and laces to create miniature roses that they carefully applied to the hem. Although wholly dedicated to this task, they secretly yearned to debate the intimate aspects of marriage that they had never dared to imagine and even less to discuss.
“At fifteen years old, Lydia had no shame. She was...well, she was like a wife to Wickham before their marriage,” Elizabeth remarked, recalling with a sense of shame her brother-in-law and the friendship they had shared for a short period. Once, she had preferred Wickham to Mr Darcy, but that was long gone.
“How do you know they...did things...before their marriage?”
“It seems they were in…bed together when he found them,” Elizabeth revealed.
“He? Who are you speaking of?” Jane asked with great curiosity. “Our uncle?”
Elizabeth hesitated, unsure of what to do. She did not like lying, yet telling Jane such a secret would mean breaking a promise. But, after all, Jane was to marry Mr Bingley, Mr Darcy’s best friend, and for certain, such a secret would not endure. And Elizabeth hoped that once Mr Bingley became a member of their family, he would return Mr Darcy the money he had to pay Wickham’s gambling debts and the money he gave him to marry Lydia.
“Well, my dear, it is odd news, but our uncle was helped in every way possible by Mr Darcy when he went in search of the runaways,” Elizabeth disclosed.
Jane’s surprise was so great that she could not continue their work, her hands trembling. Fortunately, her dress required no further attention. Elizabeth finished the last four roses before taking her sister upstairs to dress.
They sat silently on the little bench at the main window, looking at the garden below.
“I am sorry, but I had to tell you this,” Elizabeth said, taking Jane’s hands. “Papa wants me to thank Mr Darcy on behalf of our family.”
“Of course, Elizabeth, you did the right thing by telling me, even if it was not pleasant news for our family,” Jane replied.
She was silent for a long moment, trying to comprehend and accept such a difficult circumstance—a stranger so involved in her family’s most disturbing event.
“However, it is interesting how this revelation answers a difficult question I had for Mr Bingley,” Jane spoke, somewhat reflective but calm. “I did not understand his friendship with such a man as we believed Mr Darcy to be!”
“Yes, we were all mistaken, but I was mostly wrong. I can usually discern a person’s character, yet I was never more mistaken than in his case. He knew how to find Mr Wickham and how to persuade him to wed Lydia. He even provided him with funds to marry our sister…after paying his debts!”
“What?” cried Jane. “My poor sister! What a burden you had on your shoulders! Do not fret. I shall speak to Mr Bingley, and we shall find a way to give him at least a part of the money. I am certain Mr Bingley will agree, as devoted to Mr Darcy as he is!”
They sat hand in hand, unable to dress, attempting to console each other. Elizabeth wished Mr Bingley would not arrive as he often did, for she needed more time to spend with her sister, who, while appearing to read her thoughts, said, “Mr Bingley is not coming. He dispatched a letter last night informing me that he had to receive new guests. It appears that besides Mr Darcy and Miss Darcy already arrived, Colonel Fitzwilliam and some relatives from Nottingham are also coming. This evening will be a rather large gathering, and from now until the wedding day, it will be the same.”
The maid knocked at the door, asking whether they needed assistance dressing, but they giggled and declined. It was delightful to be together, their mother not present to rush or scold them, free to discuss the matters they desired, which was so difficult when their sisters were around.
“Lydia is our sister, but I must confess she is a terrible person,” Elizabeth said. “So spoiled and thoughtless. It was pure luck to meet Mr Darcy the day we discovered her elopement. Imagine her fate if they were not found in time to compel Mr Wickham to marry her.”
“Imagine our situation!” Jane said, turning pale. “Endless disgrace and no suitors for us for a long time. Yes, we owe much to Mr Darcy and our uncle. It is not nice to say this but I am glad she is not here for my wedding.”
“There is more, my dear!” Elizabeth said, gazing at her sister. “Mr Darcy proposed to me when we met in Hunsford!”
That was more than Jane could bear—so pale that Elizabeth feared she would faint—but Jane was stronger than her family believed. She looked at her sister, finally understanding Elizabeth’s torment during the previous weeks. She blamed herself for being distracted and not noticing the drama around her.
“My mission is difficult this evening,” Elizabeth said, “as my conduct was so reprehensible in Hunsford! Declining a proposal is always a delicate matter. And, instead of being considerate, I was dreadful, saying the most awful things. I despised him then; I dare say I had reasons since his proposal was rather…unusual. Let us say we both acted inappropriately. When we met at Pemberley, I wanted to discuss the matter with him and settle it one way or another. But then the shocking news about Lydia arrived, and I no longer had the opportunity.”
Jane listened, feeling guilty, her mind consumed for weeks only by her upcoming nuptials and her future husband. She had assumed that everyone around her was equally content. Elizabeth continued to speak, ignorant of her sister’s inner turmoil. “I have come to learn of his boundless generosity and selflessness and must admit that I had misjudged Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth said. “Tonight, I intend to apologise for my behaviour at Hunsford and express my gratitude for his kindness.”
“A difficult undertaking indeed,” Jane agreed. “But I trust that a pleasant atmosphere can contribute to a pleasant ending. Henceforth, we shall regard Mr Darcy as an esteemed and valued friend.”
They dressed in silence, aiding each other. They did not need the maid to intervene, sensing that their conversation was far from over.
“Now I understand your words about marriages without love,” Jane remarked. “There are certain men, such as Mr Collins, with whom one could never envisage being wed.”
“Yet there are also extraordinary individuals,” Elizabeth added, “and some women might conceive of life alongside such a man without the sentiment we call love. One may make a rational decision to establish a union founded on friendship and benevolence.”
“Indeed, you speak truthfully,” Jane conceded. “Sadly, in such a marriage, one may forfeit that...yearning...which I experience.”
