Authors Note: This is my first installment in my Rumbelle Pride and Predjudice AU. I am a big fan of Jane Austen's orginal work and the Matthew McFayden movie. So I figured, why not do a version of my favorite move with my favorite pairing. Please Enjoy. Rating is K now, but may slowly escalate.
Belle leaned back in her arm chair, the soft crackling of the fire keeping her warm from the chilly air blowing through the cracks in the shutters. Her younger sisters giggling could be heard upstairs, and her elder sister sat next to her, a bit of embroidery on her lap. "Something wrong, Belle?" Red asked, putting down the needle to give Belle a view of the foxglove pattern she had crafted so delicately.
"No, it's just this book, I have already read it a few times." She shut the dog eared copy of famous poetry her father had bought for her a year ago.
"Well, perhaps we can go into town and pick up some new literature." Red smiled fondly at her younger sister of a year. Belle had such a voracious appetite for books, and she secretly wished she was as knowledgeable as the young woman.
The two sisters retired to bed a half hour later, and Belle dreamt of libraries filled with dull poetry.
The town gossip circulated rather quickly, much to Belle's dismay. Her mother couldn't be kept still as she circulated the shops, leaning in to chat noisily to whoever would listen. Rich and handsome Mr. Jefferson and his friend had come to stay for a spell in their cozy town. Of course, his fortune was great enough to have all the suitable ladies in town interested. As she perused the new literature in her favorite book store, Belle smiled contentedly. Today was turning out to be quite full of surprises, as her hands rested on a book by one of her favorite authors. It was obviously an older book of his, but Belle had never seen it. Rumford Gold had a way with words that Belle could never find an equal to. His soul seemed to be poured into the words he wrote and she held the book close as she made her way home with her sisters and mother.
"You must visit them." Her mother demanded in an irritated tone. "You know he must marry one of them."
"There is no need," her father replied in a manner as equally aggravated. "I paid Mr. Jefferson a visit this morning."
"Oh how you tease." His wife admonished him with a soft slap on his knee. "And what is the news?"
"Mr. Jefferson is very excited to attend the ball tomorrow night." He pursed his lips, showing disinterest in continuing discussion.
"Oh, oh, thank heavens. Red, RED!" She called out and her eldest daughter came in from the garden.
"Yes mother?" She asked, her long brown locks tied back in a messy bun. Her eyes went to her younger sister sitting on the settee, looking for answers. Belle simply rolled her eyes and Red bit back a giggle.
"Mr. Jefferson is in town, yes, you know this. Well, you are to meet him tomorrow night at the ball. He makes 10,000 pounds, can you believe it? And of course he will fall in love with you." She stated, as if it was set in stone.
"I will try to make an impression on him." Red replied shyly.
"And what of his friend?" Belle spoke up, addressing her father directly.
"He's much too old for you girls. Nearing his late forties I believe, and still unmarried."
"And his fortune?" His wife prompted.
"At least twice what Jefferson makes." He replied.
"Well then age is of no consequence. If either of them notice one of my girls I can die in peace." She nodded and went off to check on dinner. Red left after sharing a smile with Belle, who lifted her book back to her face. Mr. Gold had never written a book such as the one she held in her hand. It was his most beautiful work yet. Despite his somewhat boring topics he was able to hold her attention captive. His work was plainly nonfiction, and it illustrated forests far away, until she found this book. It told the story of a young man, and at first she thought it a biography. The main character was born in a rich family with exponentially high expectations, yet all he wished to do was write. Belle finished the book late into the night, her eye lids drooping and the book almost falling from her grip. She woke up the next morning with a warm blanket tucked around her and the book safely laid on the table. Today was the ball, at which Red was to find true love apparently. Red had always been the most adventurous of all the sisters, yet kind and sagacious. A man would be a fool not to fall head over heels in love with her. Belle sighed inwardly, she may enjoy books over company, but she still longed for love. Perhaps the ball tonight would bring her luck.
