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 dances and Miss Bingley sniffs
Meryton
Elizabeth
"You appear to be quite excited about this evening's assembly," said Jane to Elizabeth as they were dressing.
"We both heard from Pappa that Netherfield's new residents will be present." I cannot stop grinning!
Jane sighed, "I suppose that you wish to study them as you do all newcomers."
"I do, Jane, I do. Pappa is told us tantalisingly little of them, so I am looking forward to my study." And to seeing William again!
They checked each other's appearance and joined Mary in her chamber.
"You look lovely, Mary," cried Jane.
"Very lovely," echoed Elizabeth.
"As do you, sisters," replied Mary. "Did I hear the Lucases' carriage arriving for us?"
"Oh, yes. We had better hurry downstairs." Jane led the way, while Elizabeth and Mary lingered for a moment and shared significant, excited looks.
"They are very kind to collect us, especially as it is quite a squash with all of us," called Jane as she hurried downstairs.
"We could not hope for kinder neighbours," agreed Mary.
Donning their coats and bonnets, the three Bennet sisters joined Lady Lucas, Charlotte and Maria in the carriage. Sir William and his son climbed on top.
"We thank you, again, Lady Lucas, for your kindness in ferrying us to these events," said Jane.
"That is enough, dear. Your mother was a dear friend and I am glad to do this small thing for her daughters," exclaimed Lady Lucas.
"We shall not accept your generosity should it rain, though, as we should not wish the gentlemen to get wet," said Elizabeth.
"Do not worry! If it rains, we shall make two trips or shall bring the smaller carriage too."
The Bennet sisters protested that this would not be necessary. They filled the rest of the short journey speculating about who would be there that evening and what the new residents of Netherfield might be like.
The Bennets and Lucases were amongst the first to arrive. Sir William liked to be early as he seemed to see himself as the host and "because he enjoys greeting everyone," said Lady Lucas. The musicians were settling themselves, getting ready to play. The ladies and gentlemen dispersed around the room to greet their various friends and acquaintances.
Elizabeth drew Charlotte aside. "I must tell you something amusing that I heard this morning, although I shall not tell you of my informant."
Charlotte faced her, all ears.
"Apparently, the younger sister of our new neighbour was derisive of your home. She dismissed Lucas Lodge as a hut at the gate to an estate!"
"Is that so?" laughed Charlotte. "I believe that my father intends to invite the Netherfield party to our hut soon for supper. We shall have to sweep out the mud."
As more and more people arrived, chatter and laughter filled the room. When it seemed as though enough people had arrived, Sir William indicated to the musicians to start.
Elizabeth had looked around hoping that the Netherfield party had arrived by then. Though she had not expected to dance with Darcy, she had hoped to see him. She had a long-standing arrangement to dance the first dance at these assemblies with Charlotte's brother, John, so accepted his hand willingly. Next to them were Jane and their cousin, Mrs. Phillip's son, Paul. Mary had no partner, but Elizabeth knew that John Lucas or Paul Phillips would solicit her hand for the second.
She regarded John as an older brother, so enjoyed their amiable conversation, disjointed as it was as they parted and joined throughout the dance. It was coming to an end when the room fell silent. All eyes turned to the Netherfield party framed in the open doorway. Oh, there he is! Though she managed not to grin, she had to look down momentarily to conceal her delighted blush.
Sir William weaved his way through the onlookers and bowed to Mr. Bingley welcoming him and his companions to their little assembly. As the room was still hushed, everyone heard Mr. Bingley's equally jovial reply, "Thank you, Sir William, we are delighted to be here."
That was enough to break the spell and voices rose with comments about and observations of the newcomers.
Elizabeth heard whispers of "five thousand" and "ten thousand" flow around the room, and noticed Darcy stiffen and his expression become reserved. Is that the 'Master of Pemberley' expression? Heavens, I am glad that he does not look at me in such a manner!
She saw immediately when he spotted her: he relaxed little and touched his heart with his thumb. Unfortunately, this left sufficient room between his arm and body for the young woman next to him to push her hand through to hang onto him. His manner became reserved again. That must be Miss Bingley. If I were unsure of him, I might feel jealous.
As her husband began to introduce the Bingleys to their new neighbours, Lady Lucas was trying to attract the attention of her own daughters and the Bennet sisters. "Come on, girls. You do not want to miss this chance!" Their aunt, Mrs. Phillips, joined them to be first to meet the newcomers.
Sir William brought the party to his own family next and performed the introductions. Though I saw him but this morning, I cannot breathe! Concentrate on the others!
Miss Bingley, for it was she clutching at Darcy's arm, barely acknowledged them, though Darcy's bow forced her to release her grip. He quickly stepped away. Elizabeth made herself greet Mr. and Mrs. Hurst rather than share a smile with her husband. Mr. Bingley immediately petitioned the eldest Bennet sister for a dance, and Miss Bingley sneered as Mrs. Phillips remarked to all that Jane could not be so beautiful for nothing.
As the music restarted, Lady Lucas and Maria excused themselves, Mr. Lucas came to claim Mary, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst followed them to join the line of dancers, leaving Darcy and Miss Bingley with Elizabeth and Charlotte. Elizabeth wondered what the former would do next and was surprised and pleased when Darcy asked Charlotte if she would care to dance. Surprised and, evidently, not at all pleased was Miss Bingley; abandoned by her companions, she huffed, and looked down her nose and sniffed at Elizabeth.
"How do you do, Miss Bingley? How are you finding Hertfordshire?" asked Elizabeth.
"As well as can be expected at an assembly such as this, Miss Bonnet." Her eyes drifted away to follow Darcy.
"What sort of assemblies do you usually attend, Miss Bingley?"
"Balls, Miss Bonnet, balls. We attend only the most exclusive balls."
"That must be enjoyable."
"One does not attend them for enjoyment but to be seen, to be admired and to meet the very best people." Miss Bingley's nose rose higher, but she still managed to look up and down at Elizabeth's gown.
"Oh," said Elizabeth. "That is sad."
"'Sad'? Miss Bonnet, 'sad'? It is not sad at all. It is the only way of meeting the most refined ladies and gentlemen."
"But, surely, it must be pleasant to spend evenings with friends."
"'With friends?'" Miss Bingley scoffed. "Of course not! One meets them to improve one's connections, to rise higher in society." She relinquished all pretence of civility and turned to watch Darcy and her brother.
I know not what to say to that. What a sad life without friendship.
Elizabeth, too, turned to watch the dancers, where she noticed Jane blushing as she and Mr. Bingley happily talked with each other, and Mr. and Mrs. Hurst passing each other in silence. Watching more closely, she realised that Mr. Hurst had noticed that Miss Bingley was staring at Darcy. A smirk appeared on Mr. Hurst's face for but a moment. Ah, William told me that Mr. Hurst has an unusual sense of humour. I should like to know what he is thinking.
Then she looked at Darcy dancing with Charlotte. I am pleased to see him dancing with my dear friend and trying to talk with her.
The dance was coming to an end and Elizabeth turned her head to see Miss Bingley preening. Intending to dance with William, perhaps? Looking back to the dancers, she found Mr. Hurst watching her. He flicked his gaze to Miss Bingley with raised eyebrows. Elizabeth turned her head to hide an impolite smile.
The music stopped, the dancers bowed and curtseyed to their partners and the spectators clapped politely. Still looking between Miss Bingley and Darcy, Elizabeth was taken unawares by a request from Mr. Hurst for her next free dance. She could but acquiesce with grace. To her delight, and to Miss Bingley's annoyance, Darcy asked for Mary's next dance. Mr. Bingley asked Charlotte, and John Lucas came to claim Jane.
Miss Bingley
"This is insufferable, Louisa! Why is Darcy dancing with these— " She made a disgusted motion with her hands, " —provincial nobodies?"
"I do not know, Caroline, but do not allow him to see you looking so displeased," advised her sister.
"Did you see how those trollops thrust themselves on him," Miss Bingley hmphed. "And look, that one has thrown herself at Hurst." She leaned closer. "She was very impertinent; she asked peculiar questions about the balls we attend in London. Unsurprisingly, she has no idea just how backward this place is — do you know, she asked if I enjoyed the balls."
Mrs. Hurst tittered and hid a sneer behind her fan. "They can have no idea of the higher echelons of society. Look at her dancing with Hurst — she is laughing! Has she no sense of propriety?"
"At least he is caught; poor Darcy — and Charles, of course — seen as prey by these nobodies. Oh, Louisa, the sooner that I catch him, the better."
"We have weeks at Netherfield; you will get your chance," said Mrs. Hurst soothingly. "Meanwhile, did you notice the gown that the gatekeeper's daughter is wearing? So many years out of fashion!"
"And, Louisa, did you see the bracelet worn by the impertinent one?"
Mrs. Hurst peered at the dancers. "Are you talking about the silver bracelet?"
"It is tin, not silver and it has mismatched lumps attached to it — very tawdry."
"I though it charming," Mrs. Hurst owned.
"Really, Louisa. How can you say such a thing!"
"It looks like she has collected mementoes to attach to it." Mrs. Hurst absently fingered her own bracelets. "Or, perhaps someone has collected them for her," she added under her breath, rather wistfully.
Miss Bingley ignored her remarks and continued to snigger and make derogatory comments behind her fan to her sister, while watching the dancers. As the dance ended, the men returned their partners to their friends and families. John Lucas immediately asked Miss Bingley to dance. She hesitated, trying to share a look of disdain with Darcy, then accepted with little grace as he had asked the blonde Bonnet sister, while her brother extended his hand to the youngest Bonnet. Just how many Bonnets are there? At least the small, impertinent one is sitting this one out!
She glided to the dance floor as regally as she could but faltered when she spotted that the impertinent miss had been claimed. A mere tradesman.
Darcy
By dancing with Elizabeth's friend, Darcy had hoped that he would be able to find out more of his wife's life in Hertfordshire. His plan was slightly foiled as he found Miss Lucas to be both pleasant and able to hold an interesting conversation. No wonder Missy thinks so highly of her.
He found dancing with Mary to be a little strange; they knew each other well, but had to act as if newly introduced. During his dance with Jane, he found the oldest sister to be kind and gentle, just as Elizabeth had told him.
After his third dance, during a short break for the musicians, groups mixed and mingled as friends and neighbours greeted each other. He had managed to contain slight jealousy when he met John Lucas and Paul Phillips, especially as Elizabeth put her thumb to her heart every time she caught his eyes. He turned a laugh into a cough when she fluttered her fan and looked away with an innocent expression.
"Watch that pretty little one, Darcy. She is flirting with you." Mr. Hurst had crept up behind him.
He smiled. Indeed she is! "Her? She is tolerable, I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me." He was delighted to hear Elizabeth burst into laughter. Two can play at this game, Missy!
"Ha, I can see that you find her quite handsome enough; just take care not to let my sister see your admiration!" Mr. Hurst teased him.
"Really, Hurst!"
The men shared resigned glances as Miss Bingley approached them.
"Really, Caroline?" asked Mr. Hurst, feigning wide-eyed innocence. "Do you not think Miss Elizabeth to be tolerably attractive?"
Miss Bingley sniffed in derision and made no effort to conceal her examination of Elizabeth. "I confess that I cannot see any beauty in her. Her face is too thin; her complexion has no brilliancy; and her features are quite plain. Her nose wants character — there is nothing marked in its lines. Her teeth are acceptable, but not out of the common way; and as for her eyes, they have a sharp, shrewish look, which I do not like at all." She sniffed again and continued, "Dancing with her sisters is quite enough civility to that family."
"I believe that I said to you, Miss Bingley, that we ought to show civility to your brother's new neighbours. If he is to remain here, it will stand him in good stead to— "
"But we shall not remain here!" she protested.
"Shall we not?"
"No, no; it is not to be borne. There is no elegance here, no refinement; they have no wealth, no useful connections — to remain would be abhorrent!"
Seeing her about to take his arm, he pulled away from her and replied, "I have committed to Charles to stay for a couple of months while he begins to learn how to manage an estate."
"But, Dar— Mr. Darcy, it does not have to be this pitiful excuse for an estate. There must be somewhere more suitable, perhaps in Derbyshire."
"Netherfield is very suitable; it is well-run and is in good repair." I know that because it belongs to me!
"But the smell, dear Mr. Darcy, the smell of the animals, and the noise of the workers."
He was speechless. It is surrounded by the tenant farms that support it.
"And we have nothing in common with these people."
"Miss Bingley," he said, regaining his voice, "many of these people are landowners and farmers just like me. Others are the local tradesmen who buy the farms' produce and supply them, keeping Meryton alive."
"You are not a farmer!" She tittered as if they were sharing a private joke.
With a sigh, he changed the subject. "Shall I fetch you some punch before the dancing restarts?"
Please don't copy, but please do let me have comments/corrections 😏