Disclaimer: I don't own Gilmore Girls or Pride and Prejudice and Emma
Summary: What if Gilmore Girls took place in the 18th Century England? Lorelai Victoria Gilmore and Lorelai Leigh (Rory) Gilmore are not mother and daughter, but sisters. They are part of the wealthy social circle in Hartford, England (not Connecticut).
Chapter I
In times like these, it is always certain that daughters rely on their mother, and mothers tend to their daughters. Emily Gilmore is an exception. Her being married into one of the wealthiest families in all of Harford and befriending many women of the same status gives her an air of superiority to others.
"Richard, oh Richard," Mrs. Gilmore ran into the parlour where her husband, Mr. Gilmore was reading the paper.
Mr. Gilmore is a precocious man. At the age of only three and twenty, he began his own business firm after graduating from Oxford University, and then married one of the most handsome women of his time, his wife, Emily.
"Yes Emily dear?" he asked her.
"You won't believe it Richard, this is such fantastic news!" Mrs. Gilmore gushed.
"Emily, I need to hear the news to believe it," he said adjusting his reading glasses.
Mrs. Gilmore recomposed herself, "Do you remember Mr. and Mrs. Hayden?"
"I believe so," Mr. Gilmore replied.
"Their son, Christopher has just returned from Cambridge, he is near the age of four-and twenty all ready," Mrs. Gilmore gushed.
"I'm waiting; I have an appointment with that Mr. Danes in a few hours, so can you please tell me as to why you are so happy?"
"Of course, I was just thinking that since Lorelai is of two and twenty, she needs to settle down," Mrs. Gilmore said.
Lorelai Victoria Gilmore, the eldest daughter of the Gilmore's is the most handsome creature on this side of Hartford. Her piecing blue eyes, fair skin, and dark hair made her an object of admiration, yet all could see she had an untamed quality to her. She was an accomplished painter and piano player.
"Are you implying that you want Christopher Hayden to court our daughter?"
"You must let me finish, I was supposing that Lorelai go to dinner with the Hayden's within the next fortnight. They are very agreeable company."
"I am aware that they are agreeable,but what is Rory supposed to do?" Mr. Gilmore asked his wife.
"That is a dilemma, she is to pretty to stay at home," Mrs. Gilmore looked deep in thought.
Lorelai Leigh Gilmore, known as Rory, is the youngest daughter of the Gilmore's. She would have been the third child, but her elder brother, George, had passed on as an infant. Rory, at the age of seventeen had read more books than the average University student. She has blue eyes, like her sister's and hair a mid-brunette colour as her mother's, and porcelain skin made her a girl that recieved attention. The one thing about her is that she is so reserved that made others think her plain. She wrote very prettily and played the same as her sister.
"She's very reserved," said Mr. Gilmore.
"You favour Lorelai over Rory," said Mrs. Gilmore.
"I do no such thing," said Mr. Gilmore.
"She has always been your replacement for George," Mrs. Gilmore said softly.
"Rory, though handsome, is too reserved and polite," said Mr. Gilmore.
"As a young woman should be," said Mrs. Gilmore, "Girls shouldn't be gallivanting around town as Lorelai does."
"We'll discuss this later, I must get ready for my meeting with Mr. William Danes," Richard abruptly stood up, and went to call for the carriage.
Rory Gilmore could usually be found in the Hartford public library, but was instead found today attending tea with her old childhood companion, Tristan Dugray.
"I say Mr. DuGrey that you are ignorant to the world outside…this," said Rory gesturing around the Dugray's garden.
"Miss Gilmore, I realize that you are more well read than I, but I am the one on holiday this summer from Oxford," Tristan replied.
"How can you argue with one more well read than yourself?" Rory queried.
"I do not know, but when I do know, I will tell you," Tristan said draining his cup of tea.
Rory looked around, she never felt at home in the wealthy surroundings, but she was a marvelous pretender.
"Will you be to dine at the Gellar's to-morrow?" Rory asked politely.
"Unfortunately, my parents seem set on pairing me up with Miss Paris Gellar," said Tristan.
"Miss Gellar is a lovely girl, a bit intense, but lovely," said Rory.
"Ah my dear Miss Gilmore, you fail to see the bad in anyone, you always find one's good qualities."
"Mr. Dugray, all people have good and fair qualities," Rory said coyly.
"I prefer Miss Grant's beauty to be more sophisticated," Mr. Dugray said leaning toward Rory as if it was a secret.
"Give Miss Gellar a chance, she is as well read as I am," Miss Gilmore said.
"I will think on it."
The Gellar's lived in a large and beautiful mansion, just outside of Harford. Mr. Gellar was a wealthy doctor and his wife, Mrs. Gellar was an actress of intense beauty. Their daughter, Paris is smart, witty, clever, and plain. Her sharp facial features give her an always serious look, but she never cared.
"I spy with my little eye, a Hayden," Lorelai whispered to her younger sister.
"Well then, I won't be seeing you tonight, will I?" Rory teased her sister.
"Ah, Shira, there you are," Mrs. Gilmore went over to her friend, Mrs. Huntzburger, te woman of a near royal family.
"Dear Mrs. Gilmore, I hope you are well," said Mrs. Huntzburger.
"I am, how was your trip?"
"Tiring, we living all the way in Stratford, but the journey to see our friends is worth it," said Mrs. Huntzburger.
"And how is Logan doing these days?" Emily inquired about the Huntzburger's young son.
"Boys will be boys, he is here somewhere with Honor," said Mrs. Huntzburger referring to her children.
"Ah, Lorelai is probably about talking to Honor at this moment. We are luck that they are so close in age and warm with each other," said Mrs. Gilmore.
The two women carried about their pleasantries.
"Honor, darling, how are you?" Lorelai asked her friend.
"Quite well, though the trip was tiring," said Miss Huntzburger.
"It is expected, but we here are very lucky that Hartford is in the middle of Stratford and Oxford," said Lorelai.
"Yes. Do you recall that when we were children that we would one day travel to Canterbury once we move to London?" Honor asked the elder Miss Gilmore.
"Ah yes, it was right after reading the Canterbury Tales, Rory has probably read that a thousand times over by now," said Lorelai.
"How is she?"
"Quite fine, still reserved," said Lorelai.
"Ladies how are you?" asked Mr. Charles Presby walking over to them.
"We do not know how we've fared with out you in our conversation," said Lorelai jokingly.
"Always witty I see," said Presby.
"That is why I have many admirers," said Lorelai.
"Speaking of admirers, I must go speak to Mr. Hayden," Honor politely excused herself and went to speak to Christopher.
"Miss Gilmore, I think we should attend to dinner," said Mr. Presby.
The night passed agreeably. After dinner, Lorelai danced with Mr. Presby once, and twice with Mr. Christopher Hayden. Miss Rory Gilmore, being reserved danced only once with Tristan, and sat out the several songs that followed. Tristan was roped into dancing with Miss Paris Gellar, and once with Miss Louse Grant, the talk of the night as she was wearing a gown with a very low cut front that caused some to think her a harlot.
Lorelai, who took pleasure in match making decided to speak with Miss Grant of going to tea with her the next fortnight with Rory, Paris, and Miss Madeline Lynn, who was ill on the day of the festivities.
Well, what do you think? Love it, hate it? I made a few characters OOC so it would make more sense. It's a bit short now, (like Austen's chapters). It will get longer in following chapters. There will be an array of Stars Hollow citizens popping in and out of the story.
Review
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Constructive Criticism welcomed.