Work Text:
Should the lady and the gentleman in question have taken it into their heads, they could have met at a different time and a different place.
Of all the opportunities for Miss Bennet to meet Mr Darcy, some could have certainly occurred without the involvement of their respective families, without friends to influence the course of events, and a complete absence of an entire neighbourhood watching their coming together. The multitude of sumptuous attractions in Bath or London or Brighton could have called to them within the same season; from beneath parasols and behind fans, tittering lashes notwithstanding.
It could be that Mr Darcy, whilst speaking to a pair of ladies he has lately been introduced to, catches the look of another lady, a Miss Bennet of no great fortune, walking in the gardens. It is not the height of the season, and she has only recently, of course, been introduced to society; though not yet to Mr Darcy. Would it be these other ladies introducing them? Could it be the Gardiners, already of Mr Darcy's acquaintance? Regardless, the Miss Bennet he soon is speaking with, in the now, would be younger than the one he would have gone on to meet had events been altogether different. Is there interest between them, during this alternate meeting? That, from the start, is evident. Whatever the circumstances, interest on both their parts has never been in question.
As far as Elizabeth is concerned, she is far more enchanted than not. He is handsome, rich and incrementally more charming each time they meet throughout the season. Without meddling familiars, intent on pulling and pushing them in every direction, they can be at ease. She has her sisters still, but there is no danger from them against his dearest friend, nor are his friend's sisters there to whisper in everyone's ears.
They meet and they speak and they begin a correspondence—perhaps. Maybe there are no letters exchanged. Maybe there are no words of more. But, more likely, there would be. There will be. Whichever way they meet, whatever the path it is that this will take, it'll always be towards the same destination.