Chapter 1: Acquaintance

Since arriving in Derbyshire two weeks ago, Elizabeth had become very fond of the spectacular scenery and fresh air that was offered in the rolling peaks and meadows. She had taken a walk near every morning to appreciate this beauty. It was thus occupied that she was met by her worried aunt on the third morning of their stay in Lambton. Her face was flushed with the light exertion and her hair was matted wildly about her head.

"Where have you been all morning?" Mrs Gardiner asked her niece. "I was starting to fear that we had lost you forever."

"I am sorry for causing you worry, my dear aunt. I was in need of some fresh air to clear my head. You see, ever since we happened upon Mr Darcy on our tour of the Pemberley grounds a few days ago, my mind has been frightfully occupied." She let out a wistful sigh and took her aunt's arm. Mrs Gardiner tactfully remained silent on the subject of Mr Darcy, for there was clearly more to their attachment than her niece had revealed. Lizzy began, "I suppose we ought to make our way back to Uncle Gardiner, for we must make for Pemberley with all haste. He would not be best pleased if we caused him to be late for his trout fishing with Mr Darcy."

Her aunt laughed and Elizabeth's thoughts quickly returned to Pemberley, where they were to spend the afternoon in the company of Miss Darcy and her brother. She idly thought what a fine thing it would be to be Mistress of such an estate.

...

Soon after, they were eagerly waiting for the carriage to be prepared outside the inn in Lambton. Mr and Mrs Gardiner were engaged in a private conversation, speaking in hushed tones to one another, and Elizabeth was tapping her foot impatiently.

"Careful Lizzy," her Uncle broke from his conversation to tease his niece. "You wouldn't want to arrive at Pemberley dust covering your hem now, would you?" Elizabeth chuckled to herself and relented, allowing her impatience to show only in the gentle thrum of her fingers upon her forearm. Fortunately, the carriage was soon ready and the three set off for Mr Darcy's estate.

As they reached the grounds, all three looked out of the open carriage windows at the lush greenery that surrounded them. They had grown rather fond of the Pemberley grounds in the few days they had stayed in its environs. There was a harmony between the nature and the grandeur of both the great house and the many structures and statues which seemed to have grown from the very grounds themselves.

The gravel made a delightful crunching sound underneath them and listening closely, they were able to hear a songbird or two in the trees which smartly lined either side of the grand drive. Elizabeth was content to watch the nature passing the windows, with the pleasant warmth of the sun on her face. Her Uncle was remarking upon their good fortune in making the acquaintance of Mr Darcy during their trip to the North of England. He had been so accommodating and generous, and Mr Gardiner really was very fond of the place. Talk turned to the great fishing opportunities which Pemberley offered, and Elizabeth quipped her desire to someday learn. She found the limitations placed upon women by society most unfair.

"Will you ever not surprise me, dear Lizzy?" Mr Gardiner exclaimed. The three chuckled and the carriage came to a halt outside the front steps.

Mr Darcy was at the carriage almost before it stopped moving, brushing the footmen aside and handing the ladies down with alacrity. The Gardiners exchanged raised eyebrows at his enthusiasm.

"Thank you, sir," Elizabeth said, forcing herself to look upon his soft countenance. She returned his smile and the party of four traversed the front steps to meet with Miss Darcy and the Bingleys.

"What a pleasure it is to see you again, Miss Darcy," Elizabeth smiled. Georgiana's expression altered almost immediately from one of nervous anticipation into one of pleasure and ease. She was beginning to admire Miss Elizabeth Bennet very much, a fact that was clear in both her demeanour and expression. It was a fact that her elder brother took great satisfaction in. Ever since the disaster of Ramsgate, Georgiana had found it very difficult to make new acquaintance and seldom made new friends as a result. She was shy almost to a fault and Darcy was very pleased that Elizabeth was having such an effect upon his reserved sister. It was almost as if Miss Bennet were bringing her out of her shell, and all concerned were pleased at the prospect of a close friendship developing between the two ladies. It was certainly respite for Georgiana from the pointed verbal attacks of the Bingley sisters.

"The same to you, Miss Elizabeth," she returned, "do come and take tea with myself, Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst."

"That would be a pleasure, I'm sure," Lizzy replied. Miss Darcy called for Mrs Reynolds, who sent a young girl to fetch the tea things.

And thus, they left the gentlemen to have a brief refreshment before setting out on a walk around the grounds of Pemberley. Georgiana, having spent a large majority of her childhood out of doors in Derbyshire suggested a walk to one of the woods, where there was a large population of woodpeckers. Satisfied with the prospect of fresh air and a glimpse of the charming wildlife that Pemberley had to offer, Elizabeth concurred that such a walk would be delightful. The Bingley sisters professed a desire to remain in the parlour to continue with some needlework and Georgiana exchanged a relieved smile with Miss Elizabeth before calling for a servant to fetch their outdoor clothes and bonnets.

...

Miss Darcy, Miss Bennet and Mrs Gardiner set off into the grounds and exchanged polite and enthusiastic conversation. They talked about their shared love of music, of the beautiful scenery around them, of Georgiana's childhood memories of the areas they were walking through. The shy, introverted girl was slowly losing her inhibitions and becoming much less reserved. Elizabeth took delight in the pleasure this would bring to Mr Darcy, for he had long expressed his concern over her shyness. Lizzy supposed that she had never had anyone to bring her out of her shell, as her brother - and guardian - was equally as reserved as herself.

Georgiana was an excellent host, commenting on every landmark which crossed their path; from the beautiful fountains near the main house, to a small summer house in which she had passed many a happy afternoon drawing before her parents had died, to the curious shrubbery on their way to the woods.

Somewhere along the walk, the scenery underwent a subtle change. It was as if Nature itself were claiming the woodland as its own. The impeccable lawns and exquisite flora bowed to the charming wildness of the woods. The path was well kept, but beyond what was necessary, it seemed to Lizzy that this area had been left as it had always been. She heard the chiselling of the woodpeckers against the bark and raised her eyes, hoping to catch a glimpse of their black and white plumage. She was thoroughly enchanted, and conveyed these sentiments to Miss Darcy.

"I'm so glad you approve, Miss Bennett," she effused. With a blush, she added, "I should like very much for you to call me Georgiana, seeing as we have become quite well acquainted these few days, Miss Elizabeth." Her endearing smile was returned by a characteristically lively one from Lizzy.

"Very well, Georgiana" she said, chuckling. "But I must insist upon your calling me Elizabeth, or Lizzy. It would not do for this honour to be one-sided and I believe we are to become close friends." Georgiana positively glowed with this confession. Mrs Gardiner had taken a few steps from the path, claiming that she wanted to gain a better view of the woodpeckers, in order to give the girls a little privacy. She had gained at least ten yards on the two younger girls, who had been walking very slowly indeed.

The hollow tapping sound filled the air as the two girls continued their conversation. After Lizzy's aunt joined them, they moved on to converse about topics which she would find agreeable. They were talking about art, and the beautiful statues of Pemberley that they had seen three days prior on their tour of the house, when they came to the end of the woodland.

"Such a charming prospect I have never seen anywhere else," Elizabeth commented, referring to the rather spectacular view of the main house from this vantage point. The panorama provided a lovely view of the gardens and cascading across the greenery, as if it were alive, was the river Derby.

"Why thank you Miss…" there was a brief pause as Georgiana remembered her earlier promise, "thank you Elizabeth," she beamed.

Mrs Gardiner echoed her niece's sentiments, then added, "Look Lizzy, can you see your uncle there? Just along from the bridge; by that great oak tree." Both girls looked in the direction that she was pointing and a brief look of satisfaction passed over Lizzy's countenance before she replied.

"Indeed, they look to be having a splendid time," I wonder if we could return to the house via the bridge to better see how they're doing, Georgiana?" she requested her host's permission.

"Of course, Elizabeth." And with that, they set off.

...