467A/N - Welcome to An Accidental Friendship, a PP variation that explores what would have happened if Elizabeth met Georgiana when she was summering in Ramsgate. It's mostly period-accurate and in-character, with a few deviations for the romance of it all. This story is now complete, with a ~spicy~ epilogue uploaded as a separate story. Thanks for all of your kind words and reviews.
Take care
Jelach x
Chapter 1
Georgiana Darcy was a remarkably accomplished young woman, even when considering the good fortune that had been at her disposal. She was generally acknowledged to be a responsible sort of person, in possession of a good discernment for character and a sensible disposition. It was for these reasons that her older brother judged her capable of taking the airs at Ramsgate in his absence, provided she remained accompanied by her companion, without causing too much mischief. In any case, the exposure would befit her well. Too much further time elapsed in the sole company of her sombre brother would yield a much too morose young lady on the occasion of her coming out a year hence.
It was with such blessing from her doting older brother that Georgiana arrived in Ramsgate on the summer of her fifteenth year, excited to be beginning a great adventure. She was very much looking forward to taking a trip to the bathhouse, enjoying the salty air during her strolls along the beach, and taking her studies with a view unlike any other. In fact, she had been given a brand new set of watercolour paints by her brother as a going-away gift, which she planned to put to good use during her stay, perhaps even returning her brothers generosity with an illustrated letter detailing her travels.
Ramsgate was a medium-sized resort, much less overwhelming than her neighbour, Margate - although it did sound frightfully exciting to think on the sheer volume of new fashions that would be aired by the ladies, and to think of so many dashing young men in their bathing suits. She was rather grateful to be ensconced somewhere for which nature had done a great deal, and where there was still plenty diversion to be had.
Miss Elizabeth Bennet, of Longbourn House in Hertfordshire, had arrived in the neighbouring fishing village of Cliffsend, not half a mile's good road away, only two days prior. A great lover of the outdoors and believing herself to be a great protagonist in her life's adventure, she sought the diversion that a week at the seaside could offer, following an uncomfortable recent chapter with a gentleman named Mr Collins. Her paternal cousin had, after revealing his character to be all that is ridiculous, offered to take her as his bride. This was in spite of a lack of great or tender feeling for the lady, or any true compatibility of their character, rather to secure consistency for his parishioners and at the request of his noble patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourg. It caused both parties no short amount of discomfort when she had refused him rather soundly. Elizabeth prided herself on her kindness and straight-forwardness - indeed she prided herself on a great number of character traits. However, in this instance, the whole ordeal was rather rash and unpleasant, and she was very much hoping that the fresh salty air would help to clear her malaise at the unfortunate series of events which had recently befallen her. Her trip with her Aunt and Uncle would provide some diversion and remove her from the confines of her home, and her loving but overbearing mother.
It was on Georgiana's second day in Ramsgate that the pair became acquainted, rather coincidentally, and yet irrevocably were their stories intertwined.
~:~
Miss Darcy had been working on a watercolour composition to present to her brother when he rejoined her at her temporary residence in their seaside property, Anne Cottage, a week hence. It was a very accomplished piece, evocative of the tumultuous seascape from her window. But in her haste to come away on her exciting trip, she had forgotten to bring her writing implements so that she could write her brother a letter to detail what her paintings showed. Having put the final touches to the small painting, she and her companion, Mrs Younge, travelled the short walk to the broad street to purchase a replacement pen and inkwell that would make do in their absence. Mrs Younge left her charge in the small shop to go in search of a particular book she wanted Georgiana to read, with instructions to meet an hour hence outside the post office to give the young girl time to explore the row of shops in full.
In no time, she had found such a pen that fit perfectly in her small hands, and bade the shopkeeper to wrap it. She had taken with her some small amount of loose money to pay for such purchases, and gave the tender what she believed to be the correct amount.
"Excuse me, miss," came the rejoinder. "This is insufficient to cover such a lovely fine pen."
Hearing the disruption to the quiet stillness of the shop, a pair of curious green eyes peered through a display of scarves and pins to follow the exchange.
"I am sorry, I must have confused myself, could you remind me what the price is?" came the reply. The owner of the curious green eyes, a Miss Elizabeth Bennet, noted the girl's curious accent. It was a mix of the few first circles voices that Elizabeth had previously heard, but with an inflection that she deduced meant this young woman was not from Ramsgate, nor was it from London or the surrounding counties. Sensing the girl's discomfort, she quickly made her way to the back of the shop where she had been looking at pens, and took note of the general pricing.
"For a fine article such as this, the cost is —" he returned gruffly. The price was nearly double the money that Georgiana had placed on the counter top, and much more expensive than the other pens on display.
"Then you must excuse me, sir, for the fault appears to be mine," she answered - and began to reach into her purse for more coins.
Not usually one to interfere in the affairs of others, Elizabeth felt her pulse racing as she picked up another pen and the hand-written price tag for this and the missing pen that the young woman had taken and walked to the counter.
"I'm sorry sir," she began, "but my friend here and I had been debating between the merits of these two pens. Perhaps if the pricing was not what we had read, the lady may prefer another option." She made her little speech with a certain arch to her brow and squaring to her shoulders, which effectively conveyed to the shopkeeper that she was not to be mistaken, or taken advantage of. Placing the other pen and both price tags on the counter, the beautiful blonde stranger read both of the price tags and said shyly,
"I do believe I shall be taking my pen and ink now, given I have indeed paid you the correct amount." She turned to the curious green-eyed stranger who had prevented the swindler and mouthed "thank you" with a soft smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
The two left together, Elizabeth's souvenir purchasing mission temporarily forgotten.
~:~
Once their feet hit the uneven cobblestone of the street outside, Georgiana turned to the stranger with a sheepish but grateful smile. It was her new friend who spoke first.
"You must excuse me for eavesdropping, and for our not being properly introduced," she began. Georgiana was struck by the richness of her tone of voice, almost as if she were singing rather than speaking. "Whilst I cannot alter the former, allow me to correct the latter."
Georgiana giggled at her wit, and interrupted uncharacteristically, "I am Miss Georgiana Darcy, of Pemberley in Derbyshire. I must thank you for your assistance, Miss…" she trailed off and smiled at the stranger.
Now able to place her accent, Elizabeth registered Derbyshire as the county where her aunt had grown up, and noted Pemberley to question Aunt Gardiner on her return to Cliffsend later that day.
"My name is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and you are very much welcome. I hope that my breach of propriety in my disguise of our 'friendship' did not make you uncomfortable. I find men such as he, who take advantage of us women, insupportable, and simply could not leave it lie."
"On the contrary," Georgiana replied, "I rather enjoyed the subterfuge. And I think we made excellent 'pretend' friends." She took a deep breath to settle her nerves at meeting a new person, before continuing; "perhaps we could see if we could make a good job of being real friends as well?" Here, Elizabeth was silent out of surprise, and Georgiana's voice began to trail off. "Forgive the assumption, but you seem older, and much more confident, and interesting, and so I understand—"
Elizabeth cut the poor girl off before her words ran away with her. "I would very much like to spend some of our time in these parts together, Miss Georgiana. I will have to approve any plans with my Aunt and Uncle, and of course they would be happy to meet with your guardian to affirm my good character."
"Oh, that is fabulous news." Georgiana was uncommonly at ease in this woman's presence. Perhaps because she seemed honest, trustworthy and not at all mercenary. And the air around her seemed to burn with energy, so vital was her person. "Could your Aunt and Uncle spare you for the next hour? We could purchase some ice cream perhaps? I would love to hear about your travels so far."
This was quickly agreed to, and the pair whiled away a pleasant hour in the sunshine becoming acquainted. Elizabeth's interest was piqued by this curious young girl, five years her junior, who was alone in the world apart from an elder brother, some aunts, uncles and cousins, and a galley of servants. Likewise, Georgiana's eyes sparkled at the idea of four sisters and plenty of friends and cousins in the Lucases and Phillipses. They discovered a mutual love of the outdoors, reading, and music. Georgiana was surprised at how freely Elizabeth gave her opinions, even if they were contrary to her own, or to society's expectations. It was a quality that Georgiana did not share, but was very admiring of in her new friend.
They made plans for Georgiana to call upon the Gardiners the following afternoon, to facilitate a meeting between Georgiana's companion and Elizabeth's family. Georgiana was thrilled to learn that the Gardiners had children, and that the house - although small - would be full to the brim with life.
Georgiana returned home with Mrs Younge shortly after meeting her new friend, and had barely taken her overcoat off before she began penning a missive to her brother to share the tale of her exciting morning. She folded her watercolour into the letter and asked the housekeeper to send it to her brother. Satisfied, she took up her stitching and allowed herself to think on her new acquaintance.