Wedding at Pemberley Read online

  Wedding at Pemberley

  Florence Gold

  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.

  Author’s Note

  Out of respect for Jane Austen

  I chose to use British English in my novel.

  The only deviation is the use of double quotation marks.

  Copyright © 2019 by Florence Gold

  All rights reserved.

  Cover: glil

  Contents

  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

  Epilogue

  By Florence Gold

  A Struggle for Love

  Mr Darcy’s Legacy

  Soon to be published

  From Pemberley to Paradise

  Chapter 1

  With trepidation and a shiver of pleasant anticipation for the evening ahead of them, Elizabeth left the carriage in front of the Little Theatre.

  Although late in the afternoon, it was still warm; not a single breeze chilled the sunny June day.

  As the season ended, most of the Ton abandoned the town for the comfort and fresher air of their country houses. Therefore, Elizabeth assumed the Little Theatre would be rather empty.

  However, she was proved wrong by the crowd gathered in front of it. People dressed in the latest fashion as well as the lower classes were speaking animatedly among themselves, separated by a safe distance, each with his own circle, as though they were afraid to step over the edge of it. And no one showed any haste to enter. It was still too hot.

  Her uncle and aunt seemed unfitted to any group. They were both elegantly dressed. However, their difference from the peers could not be concealed. They greeted some acquaintances on their way to the entrance. Elizabeth noticed several gentlemen scrutinising her with what her mother would call admiration; yet, she knew it was mere curiosity towards a new, unknown face.

  She had been in Town for a whole week, waiting for her uncle to complete his business so they could begin their journey to the Lakes – as they planned.

  Mr Gardiner’s business often interfered in his vacation plans; however, as demanding as it was, it helped him make a comfortable living for his wife and their four children and to secure their future. Moreover, it gave him hope of purchasing a small estate sometime in the future.

  Mr Gardiner considered himself a fortunate man since he made the wise decision of marrying the best woman he had known. He had been blessed with everything a man could pray for: a good living, a lovely wife and beautiful children. In their fifteen years of marriage, James Gardiner’s love, respect and admiration for his wife Madeleine grew stronger and more profound as time passed.

  Even more, his wife had become very close to his family – especially to his nieces from Longbourn. His wife’s wisdom, kindness and understanding was a blessing to all of them.

  “My dear, this is very exciting,” Madeleine Gardiner said to his husband, while they walked together in the theatre’s hall, toward their seats. “I have heard so much praise about this play. I am sure the performance will be astounding.”

  “Well, it is the least I can do, since I kept you and Elizabeth a whole week over our established departure date.”

  “On my account, you have no reason to worry,” Elizabeth smiled. “Spending time with my aunt, in London or anywhere else, is a true delight.”

  A moment later, however, her smile faded and pain gripped her chest, taking her breath away as she heard her name called and observed a familiar face staring at her with utter gladness. And behind it, another one, dark, frowning, pale, eyes wide open with discernible astonishment.

  Colonel Fitzwilliam stopped near them, bowing joyfully.

  “Miss Bennet? What a delightful surprise! I am so happy to see you again! How long have you been in Town?”

  She curtseyed and forced another smile, while memories of the last time she had met the Colonel invaded her.

  “I am happy to see you too, sir. I have been in London for a week, with my uncle and aunt,” she indicated her relatives. The Colonel bowed to them and they returned the greeting.

  “What a lovely coincidence to meet here! And to think I did not even want to attend the theatre tonight. The weather is too hot to spend several hours in a crowded building,” the Colonel continued.

  By that time, Elizabeth’s eyes had already met Darcy’s, who was staring at her from behind his cousin. Near him, there was a beautiful young woman, holding his arm tightly, her blue eyes filled with curiosity.

  Elizabeth’s cheeks burned crimson, while the Colonel spoke further, taking a step aside.

  “Miss Bennet, did you see Darcy? Cousin, look who is here!”

  Elizabeth’s first impulse was to hide or run, but there was no safe place for her. Besides, the shock of seeing him had anchored her feet in place and her eyes remained imprisoned by Darcy’s.

  Even if she could not run from him, she was certain he would depart immediately; his severe countenance spoke plainly of his displeasure.

  Silent for a moment, Mr Darcy recovered himself enough to advance and greet Elizabeth, if not in perfect composure, at least with well-bred civility.

  “Miss Bennet, it is such a pleasant surprise to see you again.”

  “Mr Darcy…”

  “Are you good health, I hope?” he asked hesitantly.

  “Yes, thank you. We are all in excellent health,” she replied.

  Both seemed to forget about their companions, so the Colonel took the lead in the conversation.

  “Miss Bennet, would you do us the pleasure of introducing your uncle and aunt to us? Oh, I have been rude − this is my cousin, Miss Georgiana Darcy.”

  “I am happy and honoured to make your acquaintance, Miss Darcy. I have heard many wonderful things about you,” Elizabeth said, strangely relieved by the news that she was his sister. She wondered what Darcy thought regarding the introduction of his sister to her uncle and aunt who lived near Cheapside.

  Miss Darcy appeared somewhat reluctant; however, to Elizabeth’s astonishment, she replied warmly, despite her shyness and uneasiness.

  “And I about you, Miss Bennet. I am glad I finally have the chance to meet you.”

  “You are very kind, Miss Darcy,” Elizabeth answered with a blush, wondering what the girl could have heard about her and from what sources.

  Trying to ignore Darcy’s stare, Elizabeth continued with reasonable calmness.

  “And these are Mr and Mrs Gardiner. Mr Gardiner is my mother’s brother.”

  Elizabeth’s surprise increased while the Colonel, Miss Darcy and Mr Darcy himself responded with friendliness, then pleasantries were exchanged.

  “Miss Darcy, Mr Darcy, I am truly honoured to meet you in person. I admired your parents and your beautiful estate all my childhood, although I never expected to make your acquaintance,” Mrs Gardiner said.

  Both siblings gazed at her, dumbfounded.

  “Were you acquainted with my parents, Mrs Gardiner?” Darcy finally inquired.

  “Not really,” Mrs Gardiner explained. “I grew up in Lambton – my family owned a shop there called ‘The Green Ribbon.’ Elias Green was my father. I had the pleasure of seeing Mr and Mrs Darcy quite often. You look very mu
ch like your mother, Miss Darcy.”

  The girl blushed.

  “Thank you… I wish nothing more than to be worthy of my mother’s memory. I know I am not as beautiful, nor as good as she,” Georgiana replied with apparent emotion.

  “I am sure you are only too modest, Miss Darcy,” Mrs Gardiner concluded.

  “This is quite astonishing…that you grew up in Lambton. Mr Green was your father?” Darcy asked with evident uneasiness. “I confess I do not remember you.”

  “You were very young when we moved from Derbyshire,” Mrs Gardiner answered, quite emotional herself. “I do remember you coming to the shop with your parents. You used to ride since you were only a toddler.”

  “True. I remember that too…”

  “I received the news of your parents’ passing with great sorrow. I am sure they were greatly regretted by everyone who knew them. And until today, I have never seen a more beautiful place than Pemberley.”

  “Thank you, Mrs Gardiner. You are very kind and your words are much appreciated,” Darcy responded, while Georgiana looked at them tearfully.

  It was the Colonel who saved the moment, turning to Elizabeth again.

  “Miss Bennet, have you been in London long? Yes, you said you arrived a week ago. How long will you remain in London?”

  “Only a few more days,” Elizabeth answered, surprised and affected by the unexpected exchange between her aunt and Darcy. “We plan to travel to the Lakes, on a vacation that my uncle promised us; however, I am not certain when we will leave.”

  “It is my fault – my business delayed our plans, hopefully not for long,” Mr Gardiner explained.

  “I am sorry about your delayed plans, but I confess I am happy that it happened,” the Colonel said with the same exultation.

  They were talking in the middle of the hall, with people looking at them curiously. Soon, their conversation was interrupted by another voice and a gentleman who approached them abruptly.

  “Darcy, Richard, what on earth are you doing? We have been waiting for you – Amelia and Alicia are already bored! Amelia keeps asking about you, Darcy!”

  He then noticed the strangers and bowed to them, while Darcy’s face coloured and the Colonel grinned with amusement.

  “Brother, this is the lovely Miss Elizabeth Bennet I told you about. It was an enjoyable surprise to meet here. And these are her uncle and aunt, Mrs and Mr Gardiner. This is my brother, Viscount of Wellford – the future Lord Matlock.”

  The Viscount shared many similarities with his brother and the age difference seemed to be small. He was tall, handsome, with open manners and a friendly expression.

  “We should leave,” Darcy uttered somewhat reluctantly.

  “We will surely meet during the intermissions,” the Colonel assured them.

  “Forgive me for interrupting, my wife and my sister-in-law demanded their presence,” the Viscount said with mocking helplessness.

  “Yes, Amelia is eager to see Darcy,” the Colonel laughed. “I still need to meet a young lady who does not chase Darcy as soon as she meets him. I must force him to tell me the secret of his appeal, as I am quite lost to it,” the Colonel teased.

  Elizabeth’s cheeks, face and ears burned suddenly, while she cast an unwilling glance to Darcy; red-faced and frowning, he held her eyes only a moment, enough for Elizabeth so shiver with distress. Near him, Miss Darcy appeared embarrassed and worried, holding her brother’s arm even tighter.

  “You must forgive Colonel Fitzwilliam for his improper jokes,” Darcy apologised to the Gardiners with a severe glare at his cousin. “He is truly the perfect gentleman most of the time; nevertheless on occasions, he forgets his manners.”

  “Oh, I hope I did not offend anyone,” the Colonel apologised too, with genuine concern.

  “Not at all, do not worry,” Mrs Gardiner smiled broadly, sincerely amused. “Any perfect gentleman is allowed to misbehave from time to time. As for Mr Darcy’s secret appeal, it is quite obvious. He is truly a very handsome gentleman, just like his father was.”

  Elizabeth stared at her aunt in disbelief. What had come over her? Teasing Mr Darcy? Surely that was as improper as the Colonel’s joke – and as a proof, Darcy’s face turned from red to white.

  “Oh, did the lady know my late uncle?” the Viscount asked, in an attempt to make some conversation and repair his weak interference.

  Mrs Gardiner smiled politely, while Darcy tried to explain.

  “Mrs Gardiner grew up in Lambton. She is the daughter of Mr Green – who owned ‘The Green Ribbon’ shop. I do not think you remember it.”

  Surprise opened the Viscount’s mouth while he repeatedly blinked while trying to comprehend. Then he scrutinised the entire party and turned to Mrs Gardiner.

  “You are Maddie? Maddie Green?”

  Mrs Gardiner nodded with amusement, while the others watched dumbfounded.

  “I am Arthur! Arthur Fitzwilliam!”

  “Yes, I understood that when the Colonel made the introductions,” Mrs Gardiner admitted lightly.

  “I am so happy to see you are well! I wondered about your family many times. So glad to see everything is fine with you!”

  “Thank you for the enthusiastic greeting, and for your care. I am very touched,” Mrs Gardiner declared, half in earnest and half in jest. “The pleasure of meeting you is mutual, I assure you.”

  The Viscount seemed utterly delighted and he explained to the others – who were still lost in astonishment − with the same joyfulness as his younger brother.

  “Maddie was the first girl I ever kissed… on the cheeks. And the first one who slapped me.”

  Mrs Gardiner laughed, while her husband frowned, and the Viscount continued.

  “I was nine years old at that time. She was three years older than I was, and I was completely smitten with her. I was very disappointed when I visited Pemberley the following year and the Green family was gone.”

  “Well, the coincidences seem endless today,” Mr Gardiner interjected, slightly uneasy.

  The familiarity between the Viscount and Mrs Gardiner was puzzling and slightly awkward for the others; a short uneasy silence fell over nervous smiles, while other people were walking nearby.

  “We should go now… The play will begin shortly,” Darcy stated, and everyone nodded in agreement.

  “We will meet again soon,” the Colonel repeated, and they left with a last glance from Fitzwilliam’s brother.

  Elizabeth remained a step behind her uncle and aunt, trying to gather her composure. Only then did she realise the entire gravity of that collision in the middle of the Little Theatre hallway.

  The first encounter with Darcy after the dreadful proposal in Hunsford was nothing like she expected. He had been more polite, even friendlier than she dared to consider. Surprised by their presence, perhaps he would have avoided the meeting if it was his choice. Nevertheless, since it occurred, he behaved beyond expectations. He introduced his sister to them – in truth, the Colonel did, but he seemed to approve it – then showed much consideration to her relatives and even to her.

  Of what might happen in the future - if she should meet him again or he would be more careful to avoid her - she did not even dare to imagine.

  For the time being, he was gone – probably relieved to be away from her and eager to meet the lady who was anxious to see him, one of the many ladies who seemed to favour him – as the Colonel stated. And yet, he proposed to her – Elizabeth Bennet. She was the one who had gained – most unwillingly, as she threw it in his face − his affection, his admiration, his love. Ardent love. She was the one who rejected his offer, his hand, his heart.

  Indeed – his behaviour on their first reencounter was opposite to what she expected, certainly contrary to what she felt she deserved.

  Elizabeth and the Gardiners took their places in a small box on the second level, at some significant distance from the stage.

  In a short time, the theatre filled with people, waiting for the performance to
start. Elizabeth could not avoid glancing around, admiring the surroundings despite her struggle to keep her eyes on the stage.

  She noticed Darcy and his party in a large, elegant box, close to the stage. Two gracious ladies were in the box, beside Miss Darcy. One of them was sitting near Darcy, repeatedly whispering into his ear and placing her hand on his arm.

  Elizabeth sensed that Darcy observed her looking at him, so she quickly averted her eyes, joining the conversation between her uncle and aunt.

  Then the lights turned low and the first act began.

  ∞∞∞

  Elizabeth forced herself to pay attention to the stage, but her mind was full of questions about Darcy. She noticed he looked a little thinner and paler than the last time she saw him. And his figure was perhaps less severe. Or maybe it had always been severe and aloof due to her poor judgment. After all, he had always smiled at her – only she misinterpreted its meaning.

  So the sister of the Viscount’s wife was with him. She must be a woman with excellent connections and a situation in life even above his. And she must be charming, too. Elizabeth could not see her face well enough from such a distance, but she had no reason to assume otherwise.

  Darcy seemed embarrassed by his cousin’s jokes about him and the ladies chasing him. She was one woman who did not favour him – but she was uncertain her rejection deserved praise since it was mostly ill-founded.

  He evidently had changed his feeling for her – that was beyond doubt. But what about the lady in his box – Lady Amelia was her name?

  A moment later, Elizabeth felt her cheeks burning in mortification. What was happening to her? Had she lost her reason? Why would she even muse over Darcy so much? She should be grateful that he had been so kind and polite to her and her relatives; everything else was not her concern.