is this serendipity?
Fandom: Pride and Prejudice
Characters: Mr. Darcy & Elizabeth Bennet
Prompts: 32. the hand of fate
Word Count: 1170
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I do not own Pride and Prejudice.
Warning: Rewrite of a scene from the 2005 movie.
Notes: Written for 500themes.
-
Walking into Pemberley’s grand marble foyer, Elizabeth could only stare in awestruck amazement at its grandeur and beauty. It made Netherfield look shabbier than her own home, and that was probably an understatement as well.
Elizabeth could hardly call it remorse. She would have liked to call it that, but she would feel like an awful hypocrite. Those who were at fault never had good reason to be regretful of the outcome, especially if the outcome turned out especially unfavourable. And she had always prided herself on being one of the few females able and willing to look past wealth and status. What was this mansion doing to her? Lizzie sighed. She surrendered to the fact that it was only human to have such a fancy establishment tug one’s heartstrings.
When Lizzie snapped out of her trance, she was surprised to find herself utterly alone. “Uncle?” she called out, but the only reply to her inquiry was her own echo. For two minutes, she wandered around the area looking for her family, but the housekeeper had long since led them down the winding halls, lost to Lizzie for now. Without a guide, Lizzie suddenly felt like an intruder in Mr. Darcy’s home. Not for the first time since arriving at Pemberley, Lizzie felt immense relief knowing that he wasn’t due to return for another day.
Within a few minutes, Lizzie found herself lost in the maze of hallways that comprised Pemberley, and with some apprehension she pushed open the door before her. The room that opened up before her was stately, as everything in the great house was. But this one had a large window that opened up to the grounds below, and once more Elizabeth found herself awestruck at the sight before her. The perfect grass, trees and fountain all seemed from a dream, the perfect manifestation of a fairytale. Elizabeth smiled to herself as she looked wistfully at the faraway dream. There was even music to accompany her reverie…
Elizabeth blinked. Music?
She soon realized that the music was in fact not part of the dream, and was coming from a slightly ajar door on the opposite side of the room. The song sounded difficult, and was masterfully played, with all the notes smooth and lovely. Lady Catherine’s condescending comments of Mr. Darcy’s sister returned to her then, and Lizzie realized that it must be her. They hadn’t exaggerated then - Georgiana’s piano playing was every bit as lovely as they had touted. Lizzie’s curiosity had been thoroughly peaked. Just one peak, she thought as she inched herself towards the door.
Slender fingers, flowing blonde hair. Elizabeth smiled to herself. Georgiana seemed so innocent and dainty that it momentarily made Elizabeth forget her resolve, but a moment was all that it took. In the one moment that Elizabeth was distracted by Georgiana, another dark clad figure entered into the scene, sweeping Georgiana off her feet and into a twirling hug. Before her mind could even process what had just occurred, Darcy happened to catch her eye mid-turn, his one glance turning her blood cold.
Without another thought, Lizzie turned and ran.
The halls seemed more numerous than before, but Elizabeth managed to see the light of day again as she darted out a side exit. She was dismayed to see the number of stairs she had to descend to reach her freedom, but fleeing was of the utmost importance at the moment, so she had no choice but to fly down the steps. She could almost taste the freedom in her mouth when his voice stopped her dead in her tracks.
“Miss Elizabeth!”
Was that urgency she heard in his voice? Kindness? Anger? Condescension? She no longer knew what to think of him. Before, she would have had no problem pegging the latter two on him. But things were different now. He was different. Or rather, she was coming to realize, only her perception of him was different - he had been this sort of a generous man all along.
Finally, she gathered enough courage to turn and face him, a forced smile on her face. “I thought you were in London.”
“No,” he replied, equally as awkward. “No, I’m not.”
“No…” Elizabeth echoed. Mr. Darcy should have known the only outcome of a meeting between the two of them in these circumstances would result in nothing but awkwardness. Oh why, oh why, then, did he have to give chase?
“We would not-”
“I came home early-”
They started at the same time, both equally as eager to say something to clear the air. Well, Lizzie thought, suppressing the urge to sigh. That sure went leagues towards clearing the awkwardness… Elizabeth Bennett was never one to give up, though.
“I’m in Derbyshire with my aunt and uncle,” she tried again.
Mr. Darcy nodded. From his expression, Lizzie didn’t know what to think. She would say he looked utterly bored, but that put her heart at utter unease. “And um, are you having a pleasant trip?”
“Very pleasant.”
“Are you staying at Lambton?”
The question was sudden and caught Elizabeth off guard. She could only muster out a small “Yes.”
Mr. Darcy nodded yet again, the same expression on his face. Elizabeth ignored the urge to fidget with her fingers. She would maintain at least that much dignity.
Her boring answer seemed to kill what little conversation they had finally ignited between them, and for a few awkward moments, they simply stood there, looking at each other. He really handsome, Elizabeth lamented. A handsome man with a handsome heart for a handsome house. She would probably never have fit into the atmosphere, anyways.
Suddenly, he started again. “May I see you back to the village?”
“No!”
The answer slipped from Lizzie’s mouth more forcefully than she would have liked, and she nearly winced at her own tone. The urge to wince only deepened upon seeing the look of hurt pass Mr. Darcy’s face, though it was gone in an instant. “I’m very fond of walking,” she added.
“Yes, yes I know.”
Another awkward comment. He seemed to be chalk full of them. Every fibre of Elizabeth’s being was tugging her away from the scene, and even as she cried out a “Goodbye Mr. Darcy!” she was already turning away, with only a hurried bow before exiting.
As Elizabeth hurried down the stairs, she dared not turn back to take a glimpse of his face. She was curious as she had never been curious before of what his expression might hold. Happiness? Longing? Relief? Boredom?
For once, Elizabeth refused her own curiosity. Though she internally blamed it on the recent bad outcomes of satiating her curiosity, she couldn’t rationalize away the nagging voice in her head that hinted at certain heartache if it had been anything but the former two.
As much as she liked to deny her own mind, the blush that was now spreading like wildfire across her cheeks also seemed inclined to agree with her treacherous mind.
Characters: Mr. Darcy & Elizabeth Bennet
Prompts: 32. the hand of fate
Word Count: 1170
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I do not own Pride and Prejudice.
Warning: Rewrite of a scene from the 2005 movie.
Notes: Written for 500themes.
-
Walking into Pemberley’s grand marble foyer, Elizabeth could only stare in awestruck amazement at its grandeur and beauty. It made Netherfield look shabbier than her own home, and that was probably an understatement as well.
Elizabeth could hardly call it remorse. She would have liked to call it that, but she would feel like an awful hypocrite. Those who were at fault never had good reason to be regretful of the outcome, especially if the outcome turned out especially unfavourable. And she had always prided herself on being one of the few females able and willing to look past wealth and status. What was this mansion doing to her? Lizzie sighed. She surrendered to the fact that it was only human to have such a fancy establishment tug one’s heartstrings.
When Lizzie snapped out of her trance, she was surprised to find herself utterly alone. “Uncle?” she called out, but the only reply to her inquiry was her own echo. For two minutes, she wandered around the area looking for her family, but the housekeeper had long since led them down the winding halls, lost to Lizzie for now. Without a guide, Lizzie suddenly felt like an intruder in Mr. Darcy’s home. Not for the first time since arriving at Pemberley, Lizzie felt immense relief knowing that he wasn’t due to return for another day.
Within a few minutes, Lizzie found herself lost in the maze of hallways that comprised Pemberley, and with some apprehension she pushed open the door before her. The room that opened up before her was stately, as everything in the great house was. But this one had a large window that opened up to the grounds below, and once more Elizabeth found herself awestruck at the sight before her. The perfect grass, trees and fountain all seemed from a dream, the perfect manifestation of a fairytale. Elizabeth smiled to herself as she looked wistfully at the faraway dream. There was even music to accompany her reverie…
Elizabeth blinked. Music?
She soon realized that the music was in fact not part of the dream, and was coming from a slightly ajar door on the opposite side of the room. The song sounded difficult, and was masterfully played, with all the notes smooth and lovely. Lady Catherine’s condescending comments of Mr. Darcy’s sister returned to her then, and Lizzie realized that it must be her. They hadn’t exaggerated then - Georgiana’s piano playing was every bit as lovely as they had touted. Lizzie’s curiosity had been thoroughly peaked. Just one peak, she thought as she inched herself towards the door.
Slender fingers, flowing blonde hair. Elizabeth smiled to herself. Georgiana seemed so innocent and dainty that it momentarily made Elizabeth forget her resolve, but a moment was all that it took. In the one moment that Elizabeth was distracted by Georgiana, another dark clad figure entered into the scene, sweeping Georgiana off her feet and into a twirling hug. Before her mind could even process what had just occurred, Darcy happened to catch her eye mid-turn, his one glance turning her blood cold.
Without another thought, Lizzie turned and ran.
The halls seemed more numerous than before, but Elizabeth managed to see the light of day again as she darted out a side exit. She was dismayed to see the number of stairs she had to descend to reach her freedom, but fleeing was of the utmost importance at the moment, so she had no choice but to fly down the steps. She could almost taste the freedom in her mouth when his voice stopped her dead in her tracks.
“Miss Elizabeth!”
Was that urgency she heard in his voice? Kindness? Anger? Condescension? She no longer knew what to think of him. Before, she would have had no problem pegging the latter two on him. But things were different now. He was different. Or rather, she was coming to realize, only her perception of him was different - he had been this sort of a generous man all along.
Finally, she gathered enough courage to turn and face him, a forced smile on her face. “I thought you were in London.”
“No,” he replied, equally as awkward. “No, I’m not.”
“No…” Elizabeth echoed. Mr. Darcy should have known the only outcome of a meeting between the two of them in these circumstances would result in nothing but awkwardness. Oh why, oh why, then, did he have to give chase?
“We would not-”
“I came home early-”
They started at the same time, both equally as eager to say something to clear the air. Well, Lizzie thought, suppressing the urge to sigh. That sure went leagues towards clearing the awkwardness… Elizabeth Bennett was never one to give up, though.
“I’m in Derbyshire with my aunt and uncle,” she tried again.
Mr. Darcy nodded. From his expression, Lizzie didn’t know what to think. She would say he looked utterly bored, but that put her heart at utter unease. “And um, are you having a pleasant trip?”
“Very pleasant.”
“Are you staying at Lambton?”
The question was sudden and caught Elizabeth off guard. She could only muster out a small “Yes.”
Mr. Darcy nodded yet again, the same expression on his face. Elizabeth ignored the urge to fidget with her fingers. She would maintain at least that much dignity.
Her boring answer seemed to kill what little conversation they had finally ignited between them, and for a few awkward moments, they simply stood there, looking at each other. He really handsome, Elizabeth lamented. A handsome man with a handsome heart for a handsome house. She would probably never have fit into the atmosphere, anyways.
Suddenly, he started again. “May I see you back to the village?”
“No!”
The answer slipped from Lizzie’s mouth more forcefully than she would have liked, and she nearly winced at her own tone. The urge to wince only deepened upon seeing the look of hurt pass Mr. Darcy’s face, though it was gone in an instant. “I’m very fond of walking,” she added.
“Yes, yes I know.”
Another awkward comment. He seemed to be chalk full of them. Every fibre of Elizabeth’s being was tugging her away from the scene, and even as she cried out a “Goodbye Mr. Darcy!” she was already turning away, with only a hurried bow before exiting.
As Elizabeth hurried down the stairs, she dared not turn back to take a glimpse of his face. She was curious as she had never been curious before of what his expression might hold. Happiness? Longing? Relief? Boredom?
For once, Elizabeth refused her own curiosity. Though she internally blamed it on the recent bad outcomes of satiating her curiosity, she couldn’t rationalize away the nagging voice in her head that hinted at certain heartache if it had been anything but the former two.
As much as she liked to deny her own mind, the blush that was now spreading like wildfire across her cheeks also seemed inclined to agree with her treacherous mind.