Chapter 1

Posted on 2010-04-13

Helen Westbrook, handsome, prudent, and rich, with a comfortable home and content disposition, seemed to unite some the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-four years in the world with very little to truly distress or vex her except for the marriage of her parents.

She was the eldest of five daughters of a most distant, disapproving father and a controlling shrew of a mother. Lady Caroline Ashcroft considered herself above being anything maternal, so in her place, a governess was supplied. Mrs. Sarah Jenkins was well recommended by Helen's aunt, Mrs. Hurst, and it wasn't long before Helen and Mrs. Jenkins were more like sisters.

The real evils of Helen's situation were that Helen had to protect her sisters from their own mother, now that her father has passed away. In consequence of her father's passing three years prior, she had chosen to take care of her sisters and Ashcroft Manor instead of searching for a husband. If Helen were to marry, she knew she would never marry an Earl or a Viscount just because her mother asked her to. And Helen always searched for an opportunity to get out of Ashcroft Manor so that she could find some peace.

Therefore, when Helen received an invitation from her cousin, Andrew Bingley, to accompany his sister, Helen decided to accept.

"I see you have received a letter from your cousin Andrew," Lady Ashcroft said as she walked into the sitting room.

"Yes, Mother," Helen said. "It seems that Hartfield had been on the market for a while. Andrew wants me to accompany Edwina while he and Bennet take care of the estate. Bennet insists on helping Andrew settle in."

"In that case, if you will accept his invitation, Andrew won't mind having Carrie May coming with you."

"But Mother--"

"You know how Carrie longs to be in Bennet's company."

In vain did Helen attempt to reason with her mother. She told her mother about how long Bennet has been out and how Carrie was not even of age, the little stimulation Carrie would have in a county completely foreign to her, and the probability that Bennet would be too busy helping Andrew manage the estate to ever pay attention to Carrie.

Lady Ashcroft heard her daughter attentively, and then said, "Carrie will never be easy 'til she sees Bennet again. You know of her constant comparing of Bennet to her romantic heroes. Besides that, Highbury is home to some well-connected people who come to town for the winter. Carrie will likely know some of the residents and once Bennet sees how Carrie is within a country society, he will see that she is perfectly suited to be the next mistress of Pemberley. I won't let you accept the invitation if you don't bring her."

Helen sighed. "I'll tell her about the invitation, then," she said.

Helen walked to the library, where Carrie and Florence were indulging in their favorite pastime: reading. Florence was reading Fordyce's Sermons as usual while Carrie was reading The Romance of the Forest.

"Carrie, I recently received an invitation from Andrew."

Carrie put her book down and smiled at her sister. "Did he finally get that estate in Surrey?"

"Yes. He has asked me to accompany Edwina while he takes care of the estate. Bennet will be accompanying him. Mother…Mother insisted that you come with me."

The rapture of Carrie on this occasion, her infatuation of Bennet Darcy, the delight of Lady Ashcroft, and the mortification of Helen, are scarcely to be described. Wholly inattentive to her sisters' feelings, Carrie ran to her mother, calling for her congratulations, and laughed and talked with her mother with great merriment. In Carrie's mind, Bennet was her Valancourt, her Theodore, her Romeo. And Helen knew all too well how Lady Ashcroft loved to indulge her favorite daughter's daydreams.

To Hartfield, therefore, they were to go.

Chapter 2

Posted on 2010-08-05

The village of Highbury was quite pleasing to Helen's eyes in the spring. The apple trees were in bloom and daisies blanketed the fields. It wasn't as colorful as Kent, but charming in its own way. And unlike her home in Ashcroft Manor, it had a quieter, statelier feel. Hartfield itself was quite elegant. It sat on a valley with apple trees growing on the hills. The land was kept well, but more to a natural taste rather than the artificial beauty of her own home.

The first news that Helen and her party received upon arriving at Hartfield was that there was to be a Lady Day Assembly held in a sennight. Lady Caroline already informed her daughters that if such a dance was to occur, that Carrie would be allowed to dance, but only if she was already acquainted with her partner and that Helen would have to be in the same sets with Carrie as a chaperone. Edwina, on the other hand, was already out and was allowed to dance with anyone her brother would introduce her to.

Before the ladies could prepare for the assembly, they visited the nearby estates of Donwell Abbey and Leighton Park. The estate itself was quite lovely. The park was moderately large, with lush evergreens in the background of the estate. Helen could see, however, that the mistress had already made her mark by planting plenty of rosebushes. Mr. George Knightley was quite amiable. Helen knew of the Knightleys and have seen them at Almack's from time to time. Mr. Knightley, however, preferred being in the country and seldom went into town. His children and wife were currently with their mother visiting the Martins, so he would introduce them to Andrew and his party at the Assembly.

Leighton Park was a little different from Donwell Abbey. It had a sense of order about it, but no artifice in any sense. It was a modest estate, smaller than Ashcroft Manor, but larger than the Collins's estate in Hertfordshire. Mr. John Knightley's children were in town, their second son taking care of his father's law firm, and everyone else enjoying holiday with Mrs. John Knightley. Carrie sniffed at the idea of the Knightleys having an attorney in the family, but Helen reminded her of their mother's origin and that was enough to silence the brat.

Before anyone knew it, the day of Lady Day Assembly had arrived. The first person Helen noticed was the lovely Mrs. George Knightley, who acted like she hosted the Assembly, but did so with grace and charm. Andrew introduced Helen and Carrie to Mr. George Knightley's family first. Miss Eliza Knightley was sweet and gentle, more like her father in features, but her air and carriage were quite similar to her mother's. Mr. Johnathan Knightley had more of his mother's liveliness, his only flaw so far was asking Carrie to dance. Miss Amelia Knightley, however, was very much her mother's daughter, with wavy blonde hair and a clever smile.

Helen admired Mr. George Knightley's family, but found herself intrigued by Mr. John Knightley's family. Mr. Henry Knightley, in particular, was quiet, but held the conversation well. The junior Mr. John Knightley was more talkative. Miss Belle Knightley was as beautiful as her mother, but as quiet as her father. Miss Anne and Miss Emmaline, however, were more like their cousin, lively and charming.

Helen danced with her cousins for the first two sets and then danced with Henry Knightley in the third set. Carrie sat out, since she turned Mr. Johnathan Knightley down. Instead, Johnathan danced with Edwina after getting her brother's permission. The two seemed to get along well, but Helen was sure that Edwina was in no hurry to marry. Andrew danced with Miss Amelia Knightley. Bennet, however, sat out this set.

"So how do you find Hartfield so far?" Henry Knightley asked her.

"I am enjoying my time," Helen said, "but I'm unsure of how long I'm really going to stay here. How often are you in town?"

"As often as John wants me to come. I'm there for the season, of course, but I rather dislike the large crowds at Almack's and St. James's Court."

"I can tolerate crowds, so long as I'm not the center of attention. What do you do when you're not in town?"

"I help my father manage the estate and look over all of my tenants."

The rest of the conversation carried on in a similar manner. Helen found herself having many things in common with Mr. Henry Knightley. They both preferred to be in the countryside than in town and liked traveling during the summer. Helen acquainted herself with other families within the neighborhood and so far found the two Knightley families to be the most amiable. Meanwhile, Carrie ended up sitting out and begged her sister that they could leave early whenever she had the chance. She spent most of the Assembly feeling quite disagreeable.

Andrew, however, wanted the night to last longer. He asked Miss Bella Knightley to be his partner for the supper dance. He even goaded Bennet into asking Miss Amelia for the same. Helen found herself being asked by Henry for the supper dance as well.

Helen arrived back at Hartfield feeling quite content. Carrie, on the other hand, complained loudly about the entire night. She claimed that the society was quite pretentious with little taste in fashion, except for the Elton family, and that there were a shortage of male dancing partners worthy of her time.

"And Mr. Bingley danced two sets with that upstart, Amelia Knightley!"

"Carrie, may I please remind you that the Knightleys are well-regarded in Town and their fortune is the same as ours?"

"The only bright side to all this is that Mr. Bennet Darcy rather disliked the Assembly. He only danced with Edwina, you, and me. I think I even overheard him call Miss Bella Knightley quite plain."

Miss Edwina, on the other hand, enjoyed being at the Assembly. She told everyone how she spent the supper dance with Mr. Johnathan Knightley and how Miss Eliza Knightley has been courted by a well-known baronet in town and that they are to be married in a year or so. Carrie huffed.

"You yourself could've been engaged to an earl if you hadn't refused Lord Turnbull's proposal two years ago!"

"Caroline May Westbrook, you should know by now that there is more to a marriage than a man's title or fortune. And Lord Turnbull was not like any of your novel's heroes. Nor is Mr. Darcy, for that matter."

Carrie was silenced and left for her chamber. Mr. Andrew Bingley and Mr. Bennet Darcy came in after having their own chat. It seems that Bingley was quite intrigued by Miss Amelia Knightley. Darcy, on the other hand, found more enjoyment in the company of his elders. Helen retired to her chamber to make sure Carrie wasn't throwing a fit over only having dancing once with Darcy. Darcy himself retired to his own chamber, resolved to spend as little time in the younger generation's company as possible.