Happy Friday my loyal Austen peeps!
You haven’t had a book from me in a long while (longer than usual for me), and I apologize for that. I began writing this after publishing my last book, and it kind of turned into a whale–to write and in size. Just to give you a heads up, this one is all about gender swapping just about everyone but ODC. For Caroline and Charles Bingley, the names remain the same (a male Caroline would just be strange 😉 ) but their personalities are very obviously different.
I know a few of you like long stores, so you’re in luck with this one. It ended up at a whopping 49 chapters and then there’s a short epilogue, roughly123,700 words! I made a nod toward Austen with the date stamps. The format comes from her letters, which is something I have never done before.
I know everyone is probably very curious, but I’ll let you figure it out as you read. Release date is October 6th, the 30th anniversary of when I started dating my husband. I have most of the preview posts up here, but I will be cross-posting on my website as well with a link to this page if you get those notifications.
That said, I hope you’re ready!
Chapter 1
Monday (March 9th, 1812)
The sky was a brilliant blue, with huge puffy clouds that drifted along, seemingly unconcerned about life below, which could only serve to make one’s heart lighter. Elizabeth tilted her head upwards and inhaled a breath deep into her lungs. The air was not as crisp and clean as that at Longbourn, but for London, it was neither heavy nor was the odour as foul as she had experienced in the past. The beautiful day had done a great deal to alleviate any disquiet at leaving home and the rolling hills of the Hertfordshire fields she loved.
At least the house her family had purchased was a reasonable walk from Hyde Park. She would have a place to ramble in the mornings unless James would accompany her on a ride. He had told her tales of Rotten Row that made her chest flutter. How she would enjoy trying her hand and her gelding at the busy avenue!
From her bench just inside the Stanhope Gate, she glanced at the line of houses along Park Lane. They were enormous in comparison to the one she, her father, and her brothers would occupy for the Season. What sort of people lived in these grand places? Did they appreciate their positions or were they like those who flaunted their wealth and had little care for anyone outside of the spheres they considered so precious? She had endured more of the latter on her past trips into town. Some of the former would certainly be welcome during this stay.
“You appear quite lost in thought.”
Her attention jolted to a young gentleman standing before her. He could be no more than eighteen years of age with dark hair and eyes to match the sky above. How bold of him to speak to someone he had never met!
“I oft times allow my mind to wander, but I rarely tell others what I am thinking.”
The young man tilted his head with a slight curve of his lips. “Why is that?”
“Because those I tell would believe me to be quite impertinent.” She lifted one of her eyebrows.
The boy glanced around. “My older brother often calls me presumptuous because I do such scandalous things as approach and speak to young ladies without a proper introduction. He just does not understand that such methods gain me far more friends than doing what propriety insists.”
“Is that why you spoke to me? You wish to call me your friend?”
One of his shoulders lifted. “Why should I not? You seem a happy sort, or have I completely misunderstood your object in sitting at the edge of the park, and you are here to be maudlin?”
Elizabeth laughed. “No, I am not made for melancholy. I prefer light and laughter.”
The young man’s smile widened. “I knew I had the right of it. Allow me to introduce myself. I am George Darcy. My elder brother is the master of Pemberley in Derbyshire. He is staid and too prim for his own good. I am the entertaining brother if I do say so myself.”
“How many brothers are there, then?”
“Just the two of us. Fitzwilliam was born early into my parents’ marriage. They had me twelve years later. I have no sisters.” The last was said almost as an afterthought.
“I imagine your brother carries a great deal of responsibility. Perhaps that is the reason for his demeanour. He does not feel he can be as carefree as a much younger son is allowed to be.”
Mr. Darcy gestured at the bench. “May I?”
She scooted to the opposite edge and nodded. “Of course.” She peered over her shoulder and held up a hand at her maid and the accompanying footman who had both begun to step forward.
When she turned back to the young man, he had seated himself and crossed an ankle over his knee. “I did not see your guard there when I approached.”
“Did you have some nefarious plan afoot then when you first spoke to me?”
The young man gave an amused bark. “No, I simply saw a lovely lady who appeared entertained by her own thoughts and wanted to know what had provided the diversion.”
“I believe you are an accomplished flirt, Mr. Darcy, for one so young. However, should you not be in school?”
The gentleman put both of his hands over his heart and feigned being wounded. “I have been told by more than one lady that I appear at least twenty.”
Elizabeth crossed her arms over her chest. “I believe they were flattering you, sir. What young gentleman or lady does not wish to be told they look older than they are? ’Tis interesting to me that most who are young wish to be older while those who are older chase youth as though there are no advantages to their age.”
“Since you enquired of whether I should be in school,” he said, “my brother removed me from Eton last year. I am sixteen, so now I have a tutor as well as masters who are of aid to other endeavours while I am in town. Eventually, I shall go to Cambridge, but for now, my brother keeps abreast of my progress.”
“I see.”
“Now that you know everything of me, what of you? I have learnt naught of you thus far.”
She laughed and shook her head. “You are quite bold. Firstly, you sit and engage me in this inappropriate conversation, and now you wish me to tell you of myself. What if I refuse?”
“Those rules of propriety make life rather dull, do they not? After all, what harm can it do to speak to me when your maid and a footman are present?”
After a glance back at the servants, she relaxed her hands into her lap. He was not incorrect. “Well, there is not much to tell. My name is Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I am the second of five children, and the only daughter. My elder brother James just finished Cambridge, so he, my father, and I have come to town for the season. My younger brother Marcus is studying at Cambridge, and the youngest of us, Kenneth and Louis, like you, study with a tutor. They will be having lessons with masters while in town as well.”
“And how old are you?”
“I am twenty. I did not go to school. Much like you, I had a companion who served as a tutor, and my father paid for masters to come to Longbourn and teach me drawing and the pianoforte.”
“Are you accomplished at any of those diversions?”
“I play the pianoforte, but rather ill, I am afraid. I do not take enough time to practice as I should. I draw well, so my father has sought out a master who will teach me how to paint while we are in town. We shall see if I can become accomplished at the skill. My drawing master seemed to believe I would not excel since I am a lady.”
The young man scoffed. “He sounds like an imbecile. Has he never heard of Angelica Kauffman or Mary Moser? They were among the founding members of the Royal Academy of Arts. I have seen the works of those ladies, and they are truly amazing. You must also consider Elizabeth Vigée-LeBrun who has caused such a furore in London since she fled here during the Revolution.”
“I would love to see some of their works.”
The young man sat straighter. “I shall take you! I should need to learn when the next exhibition is, but at least one will, no doubt, be held during the season.”
“Mr.—”
“Oh, must we address each other so formally? I had hoped when I approached that you were not as stiff as my brother.”
“You know, as a lady, I cannot be so careless with my address. As it is, we hardly know each other.”
He gave a low growl and slumped back. “Very well, but I insist on taking you to whatever salon is to be held this season.”
“That will depend on my father and brother. They may not allow me.”
“I do not suppose you would sneak away, then?”
She gasped and laughed. “Your brother is correct! You are presumptuous.”
“Master George!”
The young man closed his eyes and groaned. “I had hoped for a little longer before I was found.”
An older man with spectacles approached, his expression hard. “Master George, you cannot just disappear when we are discussing the flora and fauna to be found around the Serpentine.”
Mr. Darcy turned so he was no longer angled towards her but leaned a bit closer. “I slipped away while he was droning on about some drab weed found along the bank.”
Elizabeth bit her cheek. She should not encourage the younger gentleman in his disobedience, even if she found it humorous. Her companion would have likely had a similar complaint of her at that age.
“Master George, we must return.”
The young man rose, but his demeanour had altered. He was not as carefree as a moment ago. “Miss Bennet, may I present my tutor, Mr. Ashford. Mr. Ashford, I was making the acquaintance of Miss Elizabeth Bennet when you interrupted us.”
The older man bowed. “I beg you forgive Master George. He is forever getting up to some mischief. I hope he was no bother.”
“Lizzy!” James bounded his last couple of strides. “Father has sent me to fetch you back to the house.”
“Of course,” she said to her brother. “I was about to bid Mr. Darcy farewell and return. His tutor has a lesson I believe he wishes to complete before sunset.”
“I do; I thank you for your understanding, Miss Bennet,” said the man.
Mr. Darcy lifted his brows. “Will you not introduce us before you leave?”
She shook her head with a smile. The younger gentleman was incorrigible. “Mr. James Bennet, this is Mr. George Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire and his tutor Mr. Ashford. Mr. Darcy, may I present my brother, Mr. James Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire.”
James gave a polite bow. “I am pleased to make your acquaintances. Now, if you will excuse us, my father is expecting our return.”
“Of course,” said Mr. Ashford.
“Wait! Where do you live so I might call?”
With a backhanded slap to his arm, Mr. Ashford scoffed. “You are but sixteen and too young to be calling on ladies.”
“I simply wish to be friends,” said Mr. Darcy.
Her brother offered her his arm. “We are on the corner of Chapel and Audley Streets. May I suggest you call upon our family, since you are not of an age to court a lady.” James was always polite; always so calm. His tone was not rude, but he spoke in a gentle manner to soften the words.
“Of course,” said Mr. Darcy. “I thank you.”
“Come, Master George. We must continue our lesson for today.”
The younger man’s face crinkled, and she was once again forced to bite her cheek. He obviously despised the subject at hand, although his tutor seemed to ignore the sentiment etched upon his charge’s countenance.
“I shall call, Miss Bennet. I promise.”
As soon as they turned to depart, James steered her out to Park Street, and they crossed with the servants several paces behind them. “How did you meet this young gentleman?”
She laughed and sighed. “He approached and introduced himself to me while I sat appreciating the sun and the breeze on my cheeks. For some reason, his brother removed him from school, and he is tutored, so I believe he is lonely and desired to talk to someone. I did not have the heart to deny him. Besides, he is rather entertaining. While most would look down upon his forward behaviour, his manner is rather endearing. He is no more than an eager boy who desired the company of someone closer to his age. His brother is twelve years his senior.
“I would imagine they do not understand each other as well as those who are closer in age.”
James would, of course, comprehend the issue without difficulty. He was the most compassionate gentleman she had ever known.
“Then we shall welcome him when he calls. I do, however, insist that he call upon the family. We are here to find you a husband, and it would not do for your reputation to be called into question.”
She blew out a noisy exhale. “Must I marry? I do not want to leave Longbourn just yet.”
“Most ladies seek a husband at your age. If you wait too long, no one will have you, and I know you do not want to wed Matthew Lucas.”
Why did he always mention Matthew Lucas when they had these sorts of conversations?
“No, I do not want to marry Sir William’s eldest son, but would you object so much to me living at Longbourn for the rest of my life? I can teach your children to embroider the most unattractive pillows and play the pianoforte ill indeed.”
James laughed. “Do you not want children of your own?”
“I do, but I suppose I dread all that comes with the gentlemen who may come to call. What if they are all as insufferable as Matthew Lucas?” That gentleman would not take no for an answer!
“You must have faith, Lizzy. I am certain the perfect gentleman exists for you. We are just putting you in a better position to meet him.”
She sighed. “I hope you are right. I fear most gentleman would not appreciate my forward manner.”
“You are not so forward. Your wit is what intimidates most. You are too quick, and I believe you are more intelligent than many of the gentlemen you have met thus far. ’Tis why we have brought you to town. You are more likely to make a good match here.”
She shrugged. “I suppose we shall see.”
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