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 Darcy and Elizabeth return home alone but are reunited later

Shropshire

Darcy

All too soon, it was the end of July and the end of their honeymoon. He had had to return to Pemberley three or four times, but, otherwise, they had spent every minute together. As he rode sadly away, Darcy reflected on the previous two months. They had married as strangers and had become dear friends. He had had no choice but to learn to speak with people as his wife had become acquainted with everyone — everyone, it seemed — in the local small town: the butcher, the baker, the innkeeper, everyone. She even remembered details of their families — I do not know how she does it!

Then, when she had discovered the market held each Thursday, she had got to know the stall-holders too!

Patting his horse's neck fondly, he remembered her first ride with him on Ajax. And how, over the days and weeks, she had gradually relaxed. 'Buttercup' indeed! With determination, he pushed aside the memories of teaching her to swim in the chilly waters of a small lake that they had found while exploring the hills. Wait, man! Wait!

I shall miss her a great deal.

Sarah

Answering a knock at the lodge door, Sarah greeted a gentleman who she had met a few months earlier.

Elizabeth called from behind her, "Sarah, is that my father?" The visitor nodded, so Sarah showed him into the parlour.

"Shall I bring tea, Missy?"

"Ah, yes please; when in doubt bring t— "

"Pappa! Please do not make sport of Sarah. She is very dear to me." Sarah heard Elizabeth reply as she went to the kitchen. She had helped Missy to pack and they had been awaiting Missy's father's carriage. After delivering a tray of tea things, she carried on tidying and preparing to leave. Finally, she accompanied her tearful mistress outside where, she was not surprised to be pulled into a hug.

"I cannot thank you enough for your kindness, Sarah. I shall not be nearly as nervous next time I come here if I am to see you."

"Thank you, Missy."

She waved as the carriage departed, checked that they had not forgotten anything and climbed into the servants' carriage to return to Pemberley.

Mr. Bennet

Finding that Tenston in Salop had been mentioned several times in his investigations into the 'Fitzwilliam Family Feuds', Mr. Bennet had shrugged off his reluctance to travel and had told Mr. Gardiner that he would collect Elizabeth. It is good to see the lie of the land and notice stopping places and hiding places.

He tried to distract his sorrowful daughter by asking questions about the estate and the town, the local gentlefolk and the local shopkeepers. He was pleased that she had become acquainted with almost everyone. I wonder what Mr. Darcy thought of her gregariousness.

Elizabeth filled their journey home with tales of her and William's time together. Mr. Bennet was relieved that the young couple had got along well together, feeling that this boded well for their future. As they travelled, he reminded his daughter to remove her wedding ring. "Would you like to attach it to your bracelet or would you prefer that I look after it?"

Unfortunately, this prompted another bout of crying before Elizabeth said that, as the bracelet was silver and the ring gold, he ought to look after it.

Before they reached Longbourn, her father said, "I have told your sisters a lie, Lizzy."

"What have you told them?"

"I have told them that you have been to stay with one of my relatives, that my distant aunt asked for some company. This should explain both your recent absence and future absences."

"Thank you, but I am increasingly unhappy with all of these secrets."

"I know, my dear, I know." He sighed. "When you are a little older, I shall share yet another secret with you — the reason for these secrets."

"Hmph, I should rather remain in the dark. I am afraid that I shall say but a single word that will reveal all."

London

Elizabeth

Over the next few months, their letters continued, Elizabeth often including messages for Sarah and occasionally for Mrs. Reynolds and Stevens. At Christmas, the Gardiners brought their children with them to celebrate at Longbourn. On their return to London, they asked Elizabeth if she would like to join them for a few weeks.

"Jane and Mary have been to stay with us recently, so it is your turn," said Mrs. Gardiner.

Elizabeth demurred saying that perhaps Kitty or Lydia would like to go in her stead. Mr. Bennet disagreed; the youngest girls could go at Easter, and so off she went to London.

Early in the afternoon following their arrival at Gracechurch Street, a visitor was announced. Darcy stepped into the parlour and had barely time to greet his hostess before Elizabeth flung herself into his arms. Mrs. Gardiner slipped quietly from the room, closing the door behind her.

"This is why my father insisted that I come to London!" cried Elizabeth.

"Indeed! Did you not wish to come?"

"Not knowing that you and he had arranged this, I thought that one of my younger sisters might wish to come instead."

He drew her to a sofa and sat, pulling her onto his lap.

Mrs. Gardiner returned an hour later to find them thus, chattering away. As she entered, they stood allowing Darcy to greet her formally with a bow. After exchanging peasantries, she invited them to sit again and asked whether he would like to join the family for supper. Before he could answer, the Gardiner children burst into the room wanting to meet the visitor. Mrs. Gardiner exchanged looks with Darcy, and performed the introductions.

"William, may I introduce my son, Edward, and my oldest daughter, Emma? Children, this is Cousin William."

The children made childlike bows, four-year-old Emma copying her older brother, both giggling with delight when Darcy bowed over their hands in return.

During Elizabeth's all too short month in London, she and Darcy met every other day when he came to Gracechurch Street. As they dared not leave the house for fear of being seen, they spent their mornings in Mr. Gardiner's office dealing with estate work. In the afternoons, they were often in the music room where Darcy discovered that, as well as the fine singing voice that he had heard in church, his wife could play the piano. He suggested that he find one for the lodge for her to play for him there.

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