A Moment of Darkness

A Moment of Darkness

June 16, 1806

Eighteen-year-old Elizabeth Bennet was shopping in Bond Street with her Aunt Madeline Gardiner. Just as they stepped out of Hatchard’s bookstore, they noticed an unnatural darkness descending and looked toward the sun, seeing it fade as another round body appeared to cover it up. Over the next several moments, they watched as day turned to twilight. Everything around them seemed to stop.

“Oh, Aunt, I read about this phenomenon in Father’s newspaper just before I left for town. It is an eclipse; the moon will cover the sun for a few moments before it reappears. How exciting!”

A gentleman who had exited the store just behind them glanced over at the speaker. “You read about this event? You read the pamphlet authored by Astronomer Royal Maskelyne?”

The young lady eyed him warily; her brow arched in an intriguing manner. “Are you surprised that I can read, sir, or that I have read a scientific text?”

The tall gentleman responded, quirking his lips upward in a slight smile. “In my experience, few young women admit to reading anything more than La Belle Assemblee. Perhaps it is the company I keep, but, yes, I am surprised to hear that any young lady has read such a text.”

“Then perhaps you should expand your acquaintance, sir. Where do you find these insipid women?”

The lady behind her reprimanded her. “Elizabeth!”

“Forgive me, aunt, sir. Perhaps you do not believe these women are insipid, and I have inadvertently insulted you,” she replied, curtseying slightly to the bemused gentleman. Though he could not see the action well in the ensuing darkness, he heard it and found the action and her manner enchanting.

“Not at all, miss, madam. Truly, I find you remarkably perceptive. Unfortunately, many of the women of the ton are not only insipid but also avaricious,” the gentleman replied. “Might I inquire to whom I am speaking? With the unexpected darkness, few carriages will be moving for a few minutes, so I must wait for my conveyance. I would enjoy discussing with you ladies what you know of the eclipse.”

“I am Madeline Gardiner, and this is my niece, Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire,” Mrs. Gardiner offered. “And unless I am mistaken, you are Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire.”

The gentleman stiffened, anticipating what was to follow. “I am. Have we met before, madam?”

She was not offended by his manner since she could only imagine how sought after he must be. “Many years ago, sir. I grew up near Lambton; my father owned a small estate called Larkspur Grange. You and your father purchased a horse or two from my father, but it was many years ago. I left Lambton more than a decade ago.”

“I recall the estate but little else. If I recall correctly, your surname would have been Harrison, correct?” he replied, brightening a little and losing some of the hauteur that had nearly come upon him. “You would have been still a child and probably far more interested in the horses than the resident. If I remember correctly, your mother was still alive then but died not long after your visit.”

Despite the darkening sun, the expression that crossed his face was still evident. “I am sorry for your loss, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth offered. 

“Thank you, Miss Bennet,” he replied, turning again to watch the sky. He sheltered his eyes. 

“The pamphlet said not to look directly at it, regardless of our desire to do so. I wish we could have travelled to Greenwich, but we would not have been granted entry to Flamsteed House,” Elizabeth sighed. 

Again, Darcy’s lips quirked slightly. “They would not have permitted me entry, and I attended the Trinity College at Cambridge. Forgive me, but there is no possibility they would have admitted a woman, especially today.” It was odd, he thought, to have a conversation with someone he had just met while standing in the middle of the street, which had been plunged into darkness in the middle of the afternoon. No more odd, he continued, than to have spoken to and then introduced himself to a stranger, only because she mentioned knowing of the eclipse and reading about it with her father.

Elizabeth let out a deep sigh. “Because he had no sons, Papa educated me as if I were one, allowing me to delve into all manner of texts. He imparted all his knowledge to me, and I now possess a far greater understanding of mathematics and sciences than what society deems suitable for a woman, making me quite unmarriageable, at least in my mother's eyes.”

Darcy looked at her for a moment. “Mathematics and the sciences are not normally taught to females, but I will admit, I have encouraged my sister, who is more than a decade my junior and in my care, to delve into those subjects that interest her. We read Mr. Maskelyne’s pamphlet together and discussed it, and she has been most excited to see this event today. We had planned to view it together, but business called me from home and took me longer than I intended.”

“I am pleased to know that I am not the only bluestocking in London, sir, and I applaud your efforts to encourage your sister. But if she is under your care, does that mean your father is no longer living as well?”

Darcy stiffened once again. “He is not. He took ill just before I finished at Cambridge and died not long after my return. Fortunately, I had worked with my Father on the management of the estate whenever I was home before that event, and he lived for several months longer after I returned, so I was well prepared to take over.”

“I help my father with our small estate. I know how much is upon the master of any estate, and I am certain the responsibilities must have felt overwhelming at the time.”

His face softened. The young lady spoke of responsibility toward an estate, not of the benefit of being master as many of his circle would have done. It was rather refreshing, the more he thought about it. He knew several gentlemen who wished for their father’s deaths so they could reap the financial benefits of their estates and thought little of what was required to maintain them. Few of the women of his acquaintance would consider it in any other way. Most notable was his friend’s sister, Miss Caroline Bingley, who desired Pemberley and the Darcy name as a way to raise her in society. She did not care about the master, just the benefits to her.

“You help your father manage his estate?” he asked.

She blushed slightly, which was not noticeable in the darkness, but the way she ducked her head indicated her embarrassment. “I do. I help some with the ledgers, and we discuss how to make improvements. As I said, he taught me as he would a son, and I think he prefers to have someone to talk things over with at times.”

“Georgiana is too young to do the same—she is just twelve years old—but I use my steward in a similar way. I hope that someday I will do the same with a wife.”

Her head came up quickly. “You would want to discuss such matters with a wife?”

He nodded. “I would. I know there are men who prefer their wives not to worry about anything related to the estate, but when I marry, I hope my wife will partner with me to care for my estate and its people. Pemberley is a large estate, and I oversee a vast number of servants and tenants. I would want my wife to be a part of it all.”

“My mother claims that all men want pretty wives.”

Darcy shook his head. “You are indeed beautiful,” he replied, “but you also possess intelligence and, I would venture to say, an inquisitive mind. I wish more women embodied such a combination or were at least willing to own to their intelligence.”

Once more, Elizabeth lowered her head, and Darcy found himself yearning for a clearer view of her. Her beauty was undeniable, yet he acknowledged an increasing fascination with her the longer they spoke. It was not solely her physical allure that captivated him; she also engaged his intellect. He found that fact far more attractive. 

Nearly as soon as he thought it, the sky began to lighten. Slowly, the moon continued its course, and the sun shone again. People around them began to move, and carriages that had been stopped started back along their course. 

Darcy and Elizabeth turned to the other, and neither spoke for a moment, each staring at the other. “Miss Bennet, I would like to introduce my sister to you, that is, if you think that would be appropriate Mrs. Gardiner. I think she and Miss Bennet would find they have much in common. Might you both come to tea one day this week?”

Mrs. Gardiner stepped closer to him. “Mr. Darcy, although you knew me a little when you were a child, and I am a gentleman’s daughter, my husband is in trade. Elizabeth is a gentleman’s daughter, but I tell you this in case it affects your invitation in any way.”

Darcy waved off her protest. “Not at all, Mrs. Gardiner. My good friend Bingley descends from trade. I have a number of investments, and now that you mention it, I believe I met with a Mr. Gardiner not long ago. Does he import goods?” At the lady’s nod, he continued. “Yes, I believe I am an investor with him. My uncle introduced me to him.”

Letting out a sigh, Mrs. Gardiner gratefully accepted the invitation and offered her own in return: “Mr. Darcy, since you know my husband, would you and your sister like to come to dinner one evening soon? It would be just a small family dinner, so it would be appropriate for your sister to attend. Our oldest is nine, and we occasionally allow her to join us for such meals.”

“I would be delighted, Mrs. Gardiner.”

Just then, Darcy heard a male voice calling his name. “Darcy, well met,” came the cry. 

Darcy struggled not to roll his eyes, but Elizabeth noted his frustration. “Smithers, how are you?”

“I am well, Darcy. May I introduce my sister to you? She has just come out this season, but I do not believe the two of you have had the chance to meet.” 

“We have been introduced,” Darcy replied, his voice cool and aloof. Elizabeth wondered at this but then remembered that he was the master of his own estate and, apparently, unmarried. She wondered if that made him the target of every matchmaking mother, father, and brother in town. Knowing how frustrating it was when her mother attempted to force her into the notice of every unmarried man she encountered, she thought it must be equally difficult for the gentleman.

“If you will excuse me, I was just offering to escort these ladies into the tea shop over there. I will see you later, Smithers, Miss Smithers.” With that, Darcy offered his arm to both ladies, who accepted, each with a bemused look.

“Forgive me for the slight falsehood, ladies. I know I had not yet made the invitation, and I hope I am not keeping you from anything pressing.”

“Not at all, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth replied, unsuccessful at completely concealing her mirth. “I find I am in much need of refreshment.”

Darcy looked down at her and rolled his eyes before speaking quietly for her alone. “Remember our discussion from earlier about how few women combined intelligence and beauty. Miss Smithers, unfortunately, possesses little beauty and not one whit of intelligence. I hate to speak ill of anyone, but she is much like her brother in that regard. We were all astounded he managed to read for his exams at Cambridge with any success.”

He raised his voice and continued, “Now, if you allow me, I would like to treat you to tea and pastries so we might continue our conversation. I believe we were planning for you to come to Darcy House for tea and another for dinner at your house, Mrs. Gardiner. Did you have a particular day in mind?”

Soon, their order was placed, and the three merrily discussed these plans. After a half-hour in company, Darcy had learned enough about Miss Bennet to know he wanted to know her better. After years of searching within the ton, he had never found a person who combined beauty, intelligence, and wit like this young woman. 

Just a few days later, he introduced his sister to Miss Bennet, and the two got along just as he had anticipated. A month of calls, dinners, and nights at the theatre led to a request for a courtship. The short visit to her home in Hertfordshire was a bit of a trial, but Darcy reminded himself that Derbyshire was far away and the youngest sisters could improve with a bit of attention. Therefore, by the end of August, the two were engaged. 

The night before the wedding at the end of October, Darcy contemplated the profound changes that had unfolded in his life over the past few months. Reflecting on the irony, he marvelled at how a moment of darkness had brought such significant brightness into his life. It struck him as peculiar how a chance encounter with a young woman, whom he would have never noticed had it not been for an eclipse, had altered the course of his life so dramatically.

This story is based on a natural phenomenon that never occurred, at least not at the time and date that I have attributed it to. Obviously, history records any number of total eclipses seen around the world at various times, and while one did occur in June of 1806, it is unlikely that it was noticed in or around London or anywhere in England at the time. It would have been witnessed easily in the northeastern part of the United States, following a similar path to the Great American Eclipse scheduled to occur on April 8, 2024. 

Since this is a fictional story, I have taken liberties with an astronomical event to make it the basis for my story. I have likewise taken liberties with the characters from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, adjusting the accepted timeline and ages for our main characters.