Madam and Missy — A Pride and Prejudice Variation

This is dedicated to all the writers both here and on KU who've released their stories for free! As I enjoy reading them so much, I thought that I'd have a go, and here it is.

[Note that I'm a Brit, so have written with British spelling, punctuation and terminology 😏]

In which William is delighted and considers his response

Pemberley

William

A fortnight later, William found a letter from Mr. Gardiner waiting for him when he returned from his ride to inspect the north east field. He was eager to open this particular letter, so took the stairs two at time to reach his chambers in the family wing. Closing his sitting room door behind him, he sank into the chair by the window, broke the seal and opened the letter. Inside was a second letter. Taking a deep breath, he broke the second seal, unfolded the sheet of paper and read, below a drawing of an oak leaf:

'Dear M (for I do hope that you will become dear to me)'

I hope so, too.

'My Pappa says that I am to write to you to tell you about myself without revealing anything about myself. I know not how I am to do this.'

Delightful.

'I have tried to draw an oak leaf as the oak is my favourite tree. There now you know this about me but I have not revealed anything. I like lots of other trees too and flowers and birds and some animals too but not horses very much as I fell off two summers ago and broke my arm but I like oak trees the best. I do not wish you to think that I dislike horses but they are not my favourite. I quite enjoy riding in front of my Pappa as I do not believe that he will let me fall off again.'

It is a shame that she does not like riding.

'Do you like reading? Can you answer that question without revealing anything about yourself? I think that you can and I think that I can tell you that I like reading especially Pappa's books about other countries and history and animals especially the books with pictures of animals.'

Does she ever pause for breath?

'Did you know that if you rearrange the letters in 'betrothed' you can make the word 'bothered'?'

That is not quite right, there is a letter 't' left over.

'I do hope that you will not wait too long before you are 'bothered' to reply as I would very much like to know what your favourite tree is and what books you like to read.'

I am not sure that I have a favourite tree!

'I do not know how to sign this letter so will just write

'MissY'

'PS I also do not know if I should put the date on this letter so shall just call it 'letter number 1'.'

Bemused, William closed his eyes and wondered about this child, now his betrothed. He marvelled at her obvious joy. If this letter was any indication, his mother had been correct; Missy did indeed have an enthusiasm for life. He had been considering whether to send her a betrothal gift and, rereading her letter, laughed to himself as he thought of sending a package of commas for her to use in her next letter!

She clearly loved oak trees so, perhaps, what? Mmm?

Looking out of the window, hoping for inspiration, he saw several oak trees dotted around the grounds. With an idea, he picked up and shrugged on a jacket, left his rooms, slid down the banister to the ground floor, startling the maids cleaning nearby, and dashed outside. Under the nearest oak tree, he slowed his pace looking for acorns in the long grass. He was not hopeful that he would find any this early in the summer, but had a good look, pushing the grass this way and that with both feet and hands.

Had he looked back towards the manor house, he might have seen his parents watching from their sitting room window. He might also have seen them exchange puzzled glances when he suddenly jumped up with triumph having found two acorns as yet unclaimed by the local squirrels. They continued to watch as he started to return, changed his mind and started looking up into the tree. He reached up and caught a branch from which he plucked a few green leaves.

He examined his treasures and ran back towards the house. Spotting his parents above him at their first floor window, he grinned and waved at them. Back in his own sitting room, he was just about to lay his treasures on the table next to the letter, when he heard a knock at the door. Swiftly stuffing the letter and the finds into a pocket, he cried, "Enter."

His mother entered and, closing the door behind her, said, "Good morning, William."

"A very good morning to you too, Mother," he replied with a bow and, smiling, stepped closer to kiss her on the cheek. "Have you already breakfasted? Shall we go down together?"

"Not so fast, William!" Lady Anne caught him by the sleeve. "I should like to know the cause of your apparent glee!"

If anything, William's smile grew broader. "I have received a letter — a very important letter!"

"Ah, I see," said replied. And looking around, she asked meaningfully, "Does it mention wine bottles?"

"Wine bottles? Why would it mention wine bot—?" He stopped and nodded his understanding to his mother and carefully placed bottles against all of the doors.

Seeing her smile, he said, "I should not usually share my private correspondence with you but, as this is so very special, I shall do so." He pulled the letter out of his pocket, scattering acorns and leaves on the floor, and passed it to his mother. While she read it, he quickly collected up his finds.

Straightening, he guided his mother to the sofa and carefully helped her to sit while she carried on reading. Sitting next to her, he watched the corners of her lips creep up into a smile. When she finished reading the letter, she grasped one of his hands. He could see tears in her eyes, as she said to him, "Is this not perfect?"

"Apart from the lack of commas?"

"Her writing style will improve as she matures, but this is everything that I wished for for you, my darling boy!"

He leant towards her and they reread Missy's letter together.

"It is clear that she loves oaks. Ah, is that what you were doing outside under that oak tree? Were you looking for something?"

He opened his hand to reveal the two acorns and some crumpled oak leaves.

"I see! Do you intend to send those to her or will you be keeping them with her letter?"

"I was considering sending a betrothal gift, but do not think that these leaves would be acceptable in this state. I shall pick some replacements."

Before he could jump up and sprint outside once more, he again felt his mother's hand on his arm. "Wait for a moment as I should like to tell you my thoughts."

He settled back into the sofa and looked at her expectantly.

"We should bear in mind that, one day, little Missy will become Mrs. Darcy, Mistress of Pemberley."

"Yes," he nodded.

"While I am certain that she would love to receive two acorns and some crushed oak leaves from you, any gift must also reflect her future status." She glanced at the letter again, and continued, "The acorns have given me an idea."

She stood, and he stood with her. "Would you wait for me while I collect something from my chambers?"

"Of course."

She returned five minutes later carrying a small box. To his surprise, his father followed her in and closed the door.

"Good morning, son. Did you have a good ride?"

"Good morning, Father. Yes, I did, thank you. I rode up to the north east field to see if I could make any suggestions to stop the flooding there."

"Well done. We must talk about that later not now. as I see that your mother's keen to show you something." Mr. Darcy gestured to his wife, who beckoned the two men to join on the sofa and a nearby chair.

"William, I hope that you do not mind that I told your father that you have received an important letter?" Lady Anne raised her eyebrows questioningly.

"Not at all. And, though I shall not always do so, as this is the first important letter, you are welcome to read it, Father."

Mr. Darcy took the proffered letter from his wife. Mother and son watched his face gradually mirror their own as he read.

"Lovely! Utterly lovely!" he said, wiping tears of amusement from his eyes. "I do hope that darling Georgiana has this much joy for life when she reaches ten years of age."

They all smiled and nodded to each other in agreement. Lady Anne explained what William had been doing under the oak tree earlier, adding that she had had an idea for a gift.

Mr. Darcy stood abruptly, saying, "I do too. Would you wait for me?" He left the room, returning almost immediately with something concealed in his hand.

Holding the box on her lap, Lady Anne said, "The acorns brought to my mind a bracelet that my grandmother had." She opened the box and removed a fine gold chain from which was hanging small balls of gold. "These are not acorns, but we could have one made where the balls are shaped like acorns." She passed the bracelet to William.

William held the bracelet and examined it closely while running the chain through his fingers.

Mr. Darcy interrupted William's musings to congratulate his wife for her idea. He continued, "As we were just talking about Georgie, and I know that she is four or five years younger than Missy, but I think that she would be so worried about losing such a fine bracelet that she would not dare to wear it." He paused, "So I suggest that we find a slightly heavier, stronger chain, of silver perhaps, so that Missy can enjoy wearing it; if only on special occasions."

"I like that idea! Thank you, Mother. Thank you, Father.

"I think that the bracelet should have only one acorn hanging from it, and an oak leaf too." Seeing his parents' puzzled looks, he said, "And, as I find out more about Missy, I shall send her more shapes to add to it to represent the things that we share with each other."

"What a charming idea!" cried his mother. "And what a charming bracelet it will be!"

His father laughed. "And you should add a small horse to the charming bracelet, too!"

All three laughed, pleased to have found the perfect gift.

"I too have an idea. Seeing her drawings of oak leaves made me think of it," said Mr. Darcy opening his hand. There lay a stamp for making an impression in wax. "We gentlemen have our signet rings to seal our letters." Father and son looked at their rings. "But ladies must use these stamps. Perhaps Missy would like a stamp of an oak leaf."

William nodded in enthusiasm as his mother added, "And you might have one of a horse to use on your letters to her!"

"Again, I thank you both. What perfect gifts! I shall write to Gerrard's immediately to instruct them. And I ought to write to Mr. Gardiner!"

As he stood to walk to his writing desk, Mr. Darcy forestalled him by suggesting that they go down for breakfast first!

Please don't copy, but please do let me have comments/corrections 😏