An Engagement at Pemberley Read online

  An Engagement at Pemberley

  A Pride and Prejudice Variation

  Rosemary Barton

  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

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  1

  “So, are you as delighted with Derbyshire as I thought you would be, Lizzy?” Aunt Gardiner smiled across as her niece. Elizabeth Bennet had been turned around in the barouche to admire the peaks she could see towering in the distance. She reluctantly tore her eyes from them to smile at her aunt.

  “Even more so, I believe. I have rarely seen a place more beautiful. The owner has not interfered here beyond what is necessary. Look at how wild and uncultivated those woods are. That is no tame land, controlled to the demands of a petty lord. Whoever owns them, I approve.”

  “They are owned by Mr Darcy, the same man who owns Pemberley. He owns about half of Derbyshire, I should think. Everything we have passed through this morning belongs to him.”

  “All of it.” Elizabeth gazed around at the fields and mountains in astonishment. “I cannot hardly fathom such wealth. Is he a man of family?”

  Aunt and Uncle Gardiner exchanged smiles. “He is unmarried,” said Aunt Gardiner. “I never knew him when I lived here. He and I moved in very different circles and were not of an age where we might have mixed with one another.”

  “I wonder if he shall marry,” said Uncle Gardiner. “He will want an heir but he never seems interested in finding a wife.”

  “Do you know him?” asked Elizabeth.

  Uncle Gardiner smiled. “He is in London sometimes, but we have never interacted. He is not the sort of man who makes himself agreeable to strangers. He prefers to keep to himself.”

  Elizabeth rolled her eyes. She could already imagine what sort of man this Mr Darcy was. An old — for Aunt Gardiner was quite young and she said there was an age difference between her and Mr Darcy — unpleasant man who was almost a hermit. Too stooped and old now to attract a bride on his own merit though a man of his wealth would always attract some lady willing to marry him. Did not marry in his youth because he found no woman good enough for him and now, in his dotage, he was too rigid and strange to be a good companion for anyone.

  “I am sure he does not know how fortunate he is,” she said as she turned again to admire the scenery. She swept a hand out. “If I owned all this, I should never forget how lucky I was. I hope we do not have to see him when we arrive at the house.”

  “No, I have it on good authority that he is away from home at present. We can visit Pemberley in peace. Not that we were likely to encounter him anyway even if he were home.”

  “I am starting to imagine him as a dreadful beast in a tower,” said Elizabeth with a grin. “I will not be sorry to miss the chance to see him.”

  “No, you shall not,” said Uncle Gardiner. There was a twinkle in his eye. “He is quite terrifying. He would even startle one of your spirit, Lizzy. Most dreadful to look upon. The sort of visage that sends many a young maid screaming. I would not have you so shocked for all the world.”

  Aunt Gardiner nudged him and shook her head though she tried not to smile. Elizabeth laughed and tossed her head.

  “I defy some sad old ogre to frighten me. Perhaps I should turn the tables and frighten him instead.”

  “I am sure you would, my dear. I am sure you would.”

  The next turn brought Pemberley into view. Elizabeth gasped as the light, airy house nestled at the bottom of a soft, green park appeared before her. In spite of her teasing, she had begun to imagine a haunted abbey, full of dark and gloom. But this was very different. Timid deer raised their heads to gaze after the barouche with wide, liquid eyes. A large lake sparkled before the house like a jewel. A rich blanket of trees hugged those edges of the park that were within view.

  “What do you think, my dear?” asked Aunt Gardiner. “Did I not tell you it was quite the most beautiful house in all the world?”

  “You did indeed, Aunt,” said Elizabeth. Her voice was soft. “It is quite beautiful. I cannot wait to look over it.”

  “We shall do so soon enough. First, I must meet with the housekeeper. I am sure she shall be happy to show us around but we might have to wait some time before seeing her. If you would like to wander around the park in the meantime, please do but do not wander too far.”

  “And at least try to stay within the county,” said Uncle Gardiner.

  Elizabeth laughed. “I can promise you I will remain within at least ten miles of Pemberley. There. Will that suffice?”

  “It will have to do.”

  The barouche came to a stop. Elizabeth had already climbed out before her uncle could help her. She looked up at her aunt.

  “Will you not walk with me while Uncle speaks with the housekeeper?”

  Aunt Gardiner balked at that. “Not I. I know your idea of a short walk, my dear, and it is very different to mine. I do not have your strength. No, I will stay here with your uncle. But please do not go too far. We would at least like to return to the inn before nightfall.”

  “You will not even need a search party.” Elizabeth smiled. “I shall see you soon.”

  Aunt and Uncle Gardiner gave their niece a resigned wave as she ran over the thick grass.

  Dear as Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle were to her, they had been much in one another’s company since they travelled from Hertfordshire to the small town of Lambton where Aunt Gardiner had spent her youth. Elizabeth was impatient for some time alone. And though they were far too good to say it, she knew her aunt and uncle would also appreciate some time just to themselves.

  But Elizabeth was fortunate to travel with the relations who understood her love for exploring and walking even if they did not share it themselves. They would indulge her. If she did not return in time to explore the house with them, they would be just as gratified to know how much she had enjoyed exploring the woods and park of the vast estate.

  Aunt and Uncle had mentioned wishing to return to Lambton by dinner. Elizabeth checked her watch. She would have several hours to look about her.

  A small track led from the park into the woods. A stream ran at the edge bordered with a little ha-ha. Elizabeth climbed over it. She hesitated at the top. The jump on the other side was rather steeper than she expected. She braced herself and jumped before crying out in dismay.

  Though it had not appeared as such, the mud on the other side was softer than she expected. Elizabeth’s boots squashed into it, splashing up her hems. She wrinkled her nose as she pulled her feet free and moved onto sturdier ground. Well, that settled it. She could not possibly explore the house now and drag a trail of muddy footprints about with her. She had no choice but to remain outside as long as possible.

  Th
e track led deeper into the forest. In early summer, the trees were alight with birds flying from branch to branch as they carried food to their young. It was a cool day but warm and Elizabeth soon grew even warmer by the exercise. She untied her bonnet to cool her head and then removed the shawl about her throat, leaving her neck bare. Some of her curls came loose from her pins. After trying several times to pin them back, she eventually conceded defeat. With a frustrated mutter, she pulled the rest of the pins loose and allowed her hair to fall free about her shoulders. She could tie it up again before she met her aunt and uncle but until then, it was good to have it free of pins.

  Elizabeth arched her neck back and smiled as she watched birds circle lazily on the blue overhead. A small yelp brought her back down to earth. She looked around for the source of the sound. Nothing. Perhaps she imagined it. She walked on until she heard the sound again. She looked around, standing still so she could listen. Some undergrowth nearby rustled. Elizabeth approached it cautiously and crouched down to see what was there. Her hands clenched her bonnet tightly, half-fearing a rat would scuttle out. She gently parted the undergrowth, taking a breath to steady herself.

  A pair of brown eyes stared back at her. Elizabeth gasped as a small puppy shuffled forward on his belly towards her.

  “Good morning,” she said in a soft voice. “What are you doing all the way out here by yourself?”

  She called to the little animal, gently coaxing him until he shuffled right up to her. She reached a hand towards the little black and white body. He sniffed her hand delicately then started to wriggle. Elizabeth called to him again and he moved towards her, keeping low to the ground. Elizabeth knelt fully on the track, not bothering to check her gown. She was already covered in mud from her walk anyway. A little more would not make a difference.

  “Come here,” she coaxed, patting her knees. The puppy wagged his tail and climbed into her lap. He lifted his head to nuzzle her face and Elizabeth almost lost her heart completely.

  “You are the sweetest little thing. Why are you out here all by yourself? Where is your master?” She looked the little dog over. He was too big to still be with his mother but he was clearly still little more than a baby. Underneath the mud and dust on his coat, he was evidently well cared for. This was no stray. Someone owned him and was probably looking for him.

  “I suppose you will have to come with me,” said Elizabeth as she stroked the dusty ears. She laughed as the puppy reached up to lick her chin. “Oh, you are a sweetheart. I am tempted to hope we do not find your owner because I would gladly keep you. But we must do the right thing first.”

  She rose to her feet and nestled the puppy comfortably in her arms. Though he still trembled a little, he seemed content in her arms. When Elizabeth paused in stroking his ears with her free hand, he gave a grumbly little woof until she laughingly obliged him again.

  “If you do not belong at Pemberley, perhaps someone there can know where to find your owner,” she assured him. “A sweet little thing like you must be very much missed.”

  2

  For all the puppy was small, he soon began to grow heavier in Elizabeth’s arms.

  “I am sorry little one. I need to put you down for a few minutes. Can you oblige me?” she asked. As she spoke, she heard the sound of running water. The puppy did too. His ears pricked and he turned his head in the direction, his tongue hanging out.

  “How long has it been since you ate or drank?” Elizabeth asked him. “Come, you can take me to this stream. I think you would welcome a nice drink.”

  It was easier to follow the sound with the puppy’s nose quivering in the direction. He frequently gave excited little yelps as the promise of water grew closer and closer. Soon, he was squirming in Elizabeth’s arms. She gently placed him down.

  “Do not run too far,” she called after him as he dashed into the undergrowth. She hurried to catch up with him. The thorns and branches snatched at her gown. Elizabeth winced as she heard a tearing sound and looked down in dismay to see a rip. The gown would only be good for tearing apart and remaking into something new by the time she returned to Lambton. Besides the mud and rips, her bodice was covered in mud from the puppy’s paws and she dreaded to know what the back of it would be like from kneeling on the ground. Uncle would have to beg the house for something for her to sit on in the barouche.

  The low branches pulled at Elizabeth’s hair. She tugged it free and tried to hold it behind her neck but her curls had grown unrulier from the exercise and now from being snagged and torn into every direction. She wiped a hand across her face but pushed forward, worried she might lose sight of the puppy.

  The stream finally came into view. It was a good width and seemed quite deep. The puppy stood uncertainly outside the undergrowth but his tongue lolled out and his tail thumped when he saw Elizabeth. He ran to her to snuffle around her and lick the hand she offered him, then hurried down to the stream to drink, his tail still wagging. Elizabeth knelt on the stream bank to watch him, laughing at his antics. When he had his fill, he ran back to her and curled up onto her lap.

  “You are a sweet little thing. I really wish I could keep you…”

  A shout broke through the tranquil setting, sending birds spiralling up into the trees. Elizabeth jumped in alarm as the puppy pricked his ears at once. She froze when she saw a tall man standing at the edge of the trees. He held a long rifle in his hands. He glared at Elizabeth in suspicion. Elizabeth gathered the puppy and quickly rose to her feet, not taking her eyes from the intruder.

  “What do you want?” she demanded. She was relieved her voice did not tremble. She sounded far more confident than she felt. She held the puppy tighter as he scrambled wildly.

  “What are you doing with my dog?” he demanded.

  Elizabeth looked down at the puppy. “Your dog?”

  “Yes, my dog. I have been searching for him since he disappeared from his kennel this morning. I was warned there were dog thieves about but I did not expect one to come so close. You will return my dog, madam, and then you shall accompany me to the magistrate.”

  Elizabeth stared at him in bewilderment. She looked down at the puppy again and noticed how his tail wagged wildly at the sight of the man. She stroked his head one last time, when set him on the ground and watched him scamper to the man, rolling around at his feet and barking joyfully.

  “I am no thief, sir,” she said. “I found your dog cowering in some undergrowth. I thought he had been hurt but you can see he is in good spirits. I was carrying him back to Pemberley to see if someone there might know his owner as it was clear to me he was no stray.”

  The man had stooped to pull at the puppy’s ears then stood up again as though not trusting her to disappear if he took his eyes from her.

  “On your way to Pemberley, were you? Even though you are nowhere near it.”

  Elizabeth frowned. “I know I have walked quite far, but I do not think I can be so far from the house. I stopped here because I thought he might like something to drink. I did not know when he had last eaten. He led me here. But I assure you, I was taking him back to Pemberley to find his owner. I can see by his reaction that you clearly are him so might I suggest you be more careful with him in the future? Anything might have happened to him alone in the woods and so far from anything.”

  The man stared at me with a strange expression on his face.

  “You presume to lecture me about how to care for my dog to distract me from the fact that I found you in the process of stealing him? I am happy to say I have had few encounters with thieves in my time, but I am sure there are few who are as bold as you are. Come, you shall accompany me back to town.”

  Elizabeth straightened up. It took some effort to keep a grip on her temper. She did not know whether she would scream at the man or laugh at how ridiculous he was being.

  “You cannot be serious. You, sir, lost your dog. The carelessness belongs to you alone. You will not cast your guilt on me. Now, if you will excuse me, I must return to my
family. They will be waiting for me,” she added, glancing at his rifle.

  “And just where will they be waiting for you?”

  “At Pemberley. They are visiting.”

  The man raised an eyebrow. His lips twitched and to Elizabeth’s astonishment he burst out laughing.

  “You have family and they are visiting Pemberley. I suppose you hope to take tea there and maybe play the pianoforte for the family. Clearly, you are dressed for the occasion.”

  Elizabeth glanced down at herself and blushed. She knew her gown was in poor condition but under the man’s scathing eye, it suddenly appeared far worse. She could hardly see the black of her boots. Her hem was destroyed and she was covered in muddy paw prints. Her skirt was torn and as she moved, her loose hair shifted over her shoulder. No wonder he was so suspicious of her. She looked as though she had emerged from the gutter.

  “It is not my fault if your woods are muddy, sir, or if you lost a dog who then covered me in his dirt,” she said as proudly as she could. “I wished to explore while my aunt and uncle visited the house. Which is fortunate for you or you might have never found that dear little dog. And he is a dear thing.”

  As if the puppy knew Elizabeth addressed him, his tail thumped again. He ran towards her, his overlarge paws making him clumsy. Partly because the dog was so hard to resist but also because she knew it would irritate the arrogant stranger before her, Elizabeth knelt down to caress him and speaking to him in a crooning voice.