Emily Russell - Through Pemberley Woods: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

E lizabeth Bennet leaned against the carriage window and watched the surrounding countryside grow wilder and more rugged as they entered Derbyshire. Rolling hills gave way to scrubby brown peaks and cliffs. Dark forests replaced cultivated woodlands. The landscape was wild and romantic, more so than she expected from examining the pictures in her fathers books. Elizabeth had never travelled so far north, and she smiled as she anticipated the weeks to come. She was impatient to explore the Peak District and meet the friends her Aunt Gardiner had spoken of so many times.

She gave her aunt an affectionate look. It had been a long journey from Hertfordshire to Derbyshire and on the final portion of their travel, Aunt Gardiner had slept for several hours. She was wide awake now as if shed sensed their approach to her beloved home county. She gazed out the window with the same eagerness as her niece while the carriage brought them closer to the town where she grew up and spent so many happy years.

I am sorry Uncle Gardiner could not join us, said Elizabeth. But I am sure we shall have a wonderful time in Lambton. I have always longed to see Derbyshire after all those years listening to your stories. I intend to memorise every wood and stream, and every mountain and hill. We shall not be like other travellers, jumbling them all together until we cannot tell one from the other.

Aunt Gardiner laughed. It is a shame Edward could not come, she agreed. If his clerk had not mislaid paperwork from the imports, he would not have needed to remain behind, and we would be on our way to the Lake District now. But I own I am looking forward to spending time at the place where I grew up. You will love it, Lizzy. There are so many scenic walks where one can ramble for miles without meeting another person. I doubt I will see much of you at all once you find your bearings! There is also a magnificent estate not five miles from Lambton surrounded by woods and hills. The owner has given nature as free a reign as he could. I think you will explore every inch before we leave.

An estate surrounded by woods and hills, said Elizabeth. She laid her head back against the carriage seat as she pictured it. She could already see herself rambling for hours, losing herself among the trees only to return home as the sun went down, tired but happy. That is how it should be. What is the name of the estate? Who is the owner? Is he likely to be home?

I should not imagine so. It is still early in the summer and many estate owners will linger in London for some weeks more. The estate is called Pemberley, and its owner is a young man called Mr Darcy. I was not well acquainted with the Darcys when I lived here. They moved in far different circles to my own. But I remember old Mr Darcy and Lady Anne as fine people, for all they were so grand. She smiled. I recall young Mr Darcy when he was a little boy. His nurse would bring him out for air in a little phaeton his father had bought for that purpose. I think about that tiny boy from time to time; all dressed up with a little white bonnet on his head. I wonder how he has turned out.

What is his age?

Aunt Gardiner pursed her lips as she considered. He must now be in his late twenties. Somewhere between seven and twenty or thirty.

He is young to be master of an estate.

Aunt Gardiner nodded. He is. It is a shame his father died so early. I remember reading of his death in the paper and thinking it was a pity the young Mr Darcy was forced into such a responsibility at so young an age. But perhaps it has given him a strong sense of duty he might not otherwise have had. Edward considers it is the ruin of first sons that they cannot pursue other occupations while they wait to inherit. Most of them are bored and idle. They have nothing to do in the intervening years between finishing school and inheriting their estates but spend their fathers' money in disreputable activities. In my opinion, it can only have improved Mr Darcys character he has not had the opportunity to do the same.

Is he married?

Aunt and niece looked at one another and burst into laughter. It is a harmless question, Elizabeth said with feigned innocence. I know his age and some information about his family. I even know the colour of his childhood bonnet! It stands to reason I would then follow up with asking about his marital status.

No, I do not believe he is married. Aunt Gardiner still smiled. I heard no rumours of him being attached to a young lady and the newspapers are full of such gossip. But I have not looked for news on him in particular, so if it was there, I might not have noticed. She gave her niece a sly look. It is a shame he is probably still in London. What a fine thing it would be if I were to return you to Longbourn betrothed to the wealthiest landowner in Derbyshire. Your mother would never cease thanking me for my kindness.

It is a shame, Elizabeth agreed with a sigh of mock regret. If I knew I might encounter him, I would devise ways to throw myself in his path and adopt all the arts of captivation my mother has tried to teach us over the years - and at which I fear Kitty and Lydia have become far too adept. I would trap him with my charms and come home in triumph as Mrs Darcy. Who cares a jot as to the mans character if I am wealthy and secure? What does it matter if he has crooked eyes, an unseemly countenance and a smell that makes birds fall from the trees as long as I have carriages, a house in Town and and a bank vault of jewels to call my own?

The ladies laughed again. I am sorry to say your mama would not realise you spoke in jest if you said as such to her.

She would not. I once said something similar to tease her, and she only nodded and said she was surprised I could speak sense when I put my mind to it.

Aunt Gardiner laughed again. Poor Fanny. I cannot help but feel for her. With Longbourn entailed away from daughters, she has always been most concerned about your futures when your father dies. But it is not right she should attempt to throw you and your sisters into the paths of wealthy men with no regard for whether the men in question are worthy of you and whether you could respect and esteem your partners. I can understand her motives, but I cannot agree with her methods. She smiled at her niece. Well then, it shall be a nice summer for you, my dear. For a few weeks at least, you need not fear anyone will try to throw you in the paths of wealthy, eligible men. You may enjoy yourself and give no thought to husband hunting.

And I shall never be able to thank you enough for inviting me. A few weeks without my mother trying to throw me into the arms of delightful suitors is welcome.

A fter a few more hours of travel, the carriage came to a stop outside a pretty manor house on the outskirts of Lambton. As the Gardiners servant unloaded their trunks, Aunt Gardiners old school friend, Mrs Waters, flew down the steps to greet them, her face wreathed with smiles. Aunt Gardiner and Mrs Waters embraced, their faces alive with delight at being reunited.

I am so happy to see you, Marianne. You should not have left it so long to visit. It is very wrong of you.

Well, Abigail, I am here now, am I not? But I am delighted to see you too, my dear friend.

They embraced again and spoke at high speed, their words tumbling over one another in their excitement.