Rescuing Pemberley: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By Aria Green

On a long overdue visit to Derbyshire, Elizabeth Bennet anticipates a relaxing journey punctuated with visits to the places her aunt remembers so well from her childhood. But one such place has been allowed to fall into disrepair. Elizabeth is stunned to learn that it is Pemberley—and that the master of the estate has been absent for quite some time. 

 

Determined to see such a great estate brought back to its former glory, Elizabeth promises to find Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and bring him back to Pemberley… but will the gentleman be willing to return to a house so full of memories that he is all too eager to forget?

 

Rescuing Pemberley is a sweet and clean Pride and Prejudice variation that is suitable for all lovers of Jane Austen's romantic classic. 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blue Flowers Press
• Release date: Mar 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215412169

Book preview

One

I am sorry that it has taken so long for this visit to be realized, I said as I settled myself into the carriage beside my aunt.

Mrs. Gardiner's smile was warm as she patted my hand. There is no apology needed, she replied. I know how busy Longbourn can be when there are dances and regimental balls to attend.

That is hardly an excuse--

Your Mama would not agree, Mrs. Gardiner laughed. Besides, I would not deny any of my nieces the chance of finding happiness upon the arm of a handsome young man.

There are not enough young men in Hertfordshire to guarantee such a happy ending for so many hopeful ladies.

Well, then it is a good thing that I only have a concern for five young ladies in particular, my aunt said with a conspiratorial smile. Dare I ask if any gentlemen, or officers, have caught your eye, Lizzy?

None, indeed, I said with a sigh. But I have come to the conclusion that I have set my standards far too high. I would wish for a husband who was as witty and intelligent as my father, and a devotion that I have witnessed between yourself and my uncle.

As if on cue, Mr. Gardiner stepped up into the carriage, caught his wife's hand in his own and pressed a kiss to her gloved knuckles. My aunt's cheeks flushed pink as he winked at her and settled himself into the seat across from us. We are ready to be away, my dearest, he declared. I do hope that the weather holds. He glanced at the overcast sky above us and frowned slightly. Mr. Grange was not optimistic when I asked for the open carriage.

It will be just fine, my aunt said, the weather will hold just long enough for us to take our tour, and we shall be back at the inn before the afternoon has passed.

You are more confident than I in the lay of the clouds, my uncle said. But I shall trust your instincts, for they are more often correct than mine.

My aunt beamed as the driver snapped the reins over the backs of the horses and the carriage lurched into motion.

I had truly set myself an impossible task... How was I to find a gentleman who would dote upon me as my uncle did to my aunt? If I had been content with a marriage that was more akin to what my own parents shared--well, then I should have been married long ago to a gentleman who was only passingly interested in what I had to say.

I did not doubt that my parents had once been in love, but it seemed as though such a whisper of affection had passed over the years and with the stress of the estate and the lack of an heir to inherit all that Papa had worked for...

I do hope that you will enjoy what I have planned for us today, my aunt said with some excitement in her voice.

You have told me nothing about where we are going, I replied, so I am very intrigued, indeed!

This estate is one that I have long held with great affection, she said. My cousin was the housekeeper there for many years, and I spent several summers there before I went to London and met your uncle.

She laid a hand upon her husband's knee. If I had known how much he would enjoy fishing in his later years, I would have suggested this journey much sooner!

My uncle's eyes lit up. Really?

Mrs. Gardiner nodded. Oh, yes. The estate's lake is stocked with fat silver trout, and the creek that runs past the house is full as well. A bounty of opportunity!

Mr. Gardiner looked pained. But I did not bring my pole-- or my baskets...

My aunt laughed. There will be no fishing today, my dearest, but perhaps tomorrow while Lizzy and I visit with my nephew you will be able to return without the pressure of two ladies needing to be entertained.

Quite so, he muttered thoughtfully, clearly pleased by the idea of escaping our company to cast his line into the water and forget the world for a few hours. You are too kind to me, my dear.

Mrs. Gardiner inclined her head before she turned her attention to me. But Lizzy, you will adore this estate as much as I do. It is beautifully positioned, with gentle hills, and a beautiful orchard... the gamekeeper is very proud of his stock of pheasants, but there is no hunting permitted on the estate.

Then why is there a gamekeeper? I asked in surprise. Surely, every gentleman with the space to do so would wish to hunt...

When I was last here, the gamekeeper told me that his master was more concerned with the conservation of the animals than their killing. A fine herd of deer is also running wild through the woods... And the gardens, Lizzy. Breathtaking roses and--

My aunt's voice died away as the carriage turned down a narrow road and began a gentle descent toward the estate.

What is it called? I asked.

Pemberley, my aunt breathed. Oh, I have not seen it in so many years, but you will be quite taken with its beauty, I can promise you that. She gestured excitedly as the lake came into view, and I could not stop my gasp of delight to see how the tendrils of the willow tree swept across the glass surface with the breeze.

Swans!

Black ones, my aunt agreed. A whole family of them. Oh, it has not changed a bit!

But as the carriage progressed down the hill, my aunt's exclamations of joy became a cry of surprise.

The estate was not at all what I had expected. The paths were overgrown, and the south side of the house was covered in climbing ivy. The gardens, which should have been lovingly tended, looked wild and choked with weeds, and I noticed a hole in the roof over the western wing...

I-- I do not understand. My aunt's voice was choked.

Somehow, everything looked darker here. The trees more foreboding. The house... cavernous.

Is it abandoned? I whispered.

Surely not, Mrs. Gardiner protested. I wrote to the housekeeper not very long ago to let her know of our visit...

Did you receive a reply? Mr. Gardiner's concern was evident.

Mr. Gardiner's cheeks were pale. No-- but I did not think that it would come in time.

The house was, very clearly, not as she remembered it