Hanneli Chapter 1- Prologue

Chapter 1 of Hanneli
Title: Prologue
Date: Early July 1820

Prologue

There was a murmur in the travelling cot in on the opposite side of the carriage to where a man was sitting. He looked at his daughter and went over to pick her up.

"Hanneli Darcy will you ever sleep through a carriage journey without waking up?" He said sweetly. In front of his daughter he could truly be himself. He nuzzled his daughter and took her across to his seat and bounced her on his knee cuddling her. She quieted falling back to sleep in his arms. Apart from his sister his daughter was the only close family he had. He would never change that. He looked at his sleeping three year old daughter. She was the spitting image of her mother who had died in childbirth. He was on his way to Hertfordshire to visit his friend. This was the first time he would be seen in society since his wife Hannah had died. Three years he'd been in his self-imposed exile with his young sister and his daughter.

They were childhood sweethearts. She came from a neighbouring estate in South Yorkshire. They met when they were 10 and fell in love over their common interest in horse riding and poetry. To no one's surprise he proposed when they were both 18 and were married by the end of the season to much furore. The grand families of Washington and Darcy would be forever entwined. For Darcy it put the end to all the rumours that he would marry his cousin Anne. Everyone approved of the match even his Aunt Catherine. Hannah brought money to the estate as well as her charm and ease in which she could be a sister to Georgiana and a daughter to Darcy's father George. At the wedding George knew he was dying but didn't tell his son till he returned from his honeymoon and was ready to start his education at Cambridge University with Hannah at his side. They rented a house nearby the University where Hannah learned how to be mistress of a house, and Darcy learned how to be a master and a man. He was never influenced by his friends to go to 'Gentlemen's clubs' for that Hannah was eternally grateful. At the age of 22 Darcy finally became master and Hannah mistress. For 7 years no heir appeared then at the age of 25 Hannah announced she was pregnant. The whole of Derbyshire celebrated only to be put into deep mourning 6 months later when there was an announcement that Mrs Hannah Eleanor Darcy had died while giving birth to their daughter also named Hanna Elinor but spelt differently at the request of her father. It was quickly shortened out of respect to Hanneli. Her father was inconsolable but he couldn't dally and he didn't want to re-marry quickly. He had his daughter and wanted to keep her alive for her. Hanneli became the light of his life and the only thing he had in this dark world that he inhabited. Everything he did he did for her. He rarely allowed visitors only his Aunt and Uncle Matlock and cousins Richard, Roberta and Frederick. He allowed his old friend Charles Bingley to visit. It was Charles who got him out into society for the first time in 3 years. Darcy had one condition. He had to bring Hanneli. He couldn't bear to leave her alone. He was very protective of her and would never leave her alone with nannies at Pemberley. He could not, not see his beloved daughter everyday.

"Papa Me want ook. Hanne want ook." Hanneli said. He could never resist her.

"Very well Hanneli." He got out a book from his reticule. He always carried his favourite childhood books with him in case Hanneli ever got bored. They went on carriage rides frequently but only to the edge of the estate. He remembered reading the same books to Hannah's belly when she was pregnant. No wonder Hanneli loved them. One of his favourite things to do with his daughter was to get a blanket out and lay on the grass reading to her. No one could deny that he wasn't a loving father.

As they pulled up to Netherfield Darcy noticed a young woman no more than 18 wandering around the countryside with her hair loose and swinging her bonnet around. She was medium height with copper brown hair that had an unruly curl to it. He wondered how it all fit into her bonnet. Hannah's hair had been a golden wheat colour and was always straight no matter how tight she plaited it at night. The memory of Hannah was ever present for Darcy with his daughter Hanneli. The girl dancing while walking made him crave his courtship of Hannah again. They would often meet on the estates and be gay. They would have picnics and sit out in the sunshine just looking at each other. He would often sketch her and later he would sketch and paint Hanneli as she grew up. These portraits gave him a sense of purpose. It was something that apart from when he was with his daughter he had full control of. The girl intrigued him.

They rolled up to Netherfield. There his new life would begin.

Overview

This is my blog for posting my story Hanneli.
What is it about? This is my Pride and Prejudice fanfiction story about a young girl called Hanna Elinor Darcy (known as Hanneli). She is the daughter of Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy and his first wife Hannah. Hannah died when Hanneli was born three years before the story takes place. Mr Darcy takes his daughter to Meryton for a visit to see his old friend Mr Charles Bingley. Darcy has been in seclusion for 3 years following his wife's death. It takes Hanneli's friendship with one Elizabeth Bennet to help him out of his reverie.
Who are the ships? (In order that they appear) Mr Bingley and Jane, Mary and Mr Collins, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Kitty (Later known as Cathy) and of course Mr Darcy and Elizabeth.
Locations- All the usual Jane Austen ones and others mentioned are: Matlock, Bakewell, Lyme, Haworth, Kingston upon Hull.