May 3, 2002
"The Adventures of Two Country Misses: a Pride and Prejudice sequel"
Chapter one: Sisters and Stories
Warning: Contains sappiness and general gooiness
"My heart, do not grimace! Have no fear. My sisters will be on their best behaviour. If you look like an ogre, you will frighten them into timidity and they will only be mere apparitions during their entire visit!" Mr. Darcy's look of apprehension at the prospect of Elizabeth's sisters, Mary and Kitty's visit faded away into a look of fond amusement as his lovely wife attempted to fix his cravat. She was struggling with it. Tying a cravat was something that took skill and years of practice. Something only his valet did, as he could not make heads or tails of it. He took her hands into his and bent to stare into her very fine eyes. They had bewitched him at the Meryton Assembly and they bewitched him now and forever. He stole a kiss while her hands were captives.
"Sir! I did not think you so unscrupulous as to take advantage of a lady in distress." He laughed at her playful manner. If propriety did not demand that he be seen in society at least once or twice a Season, he would lock his lovely lady in his room and never let her out. He grabbed his wife and kissed her even more deeply as a carriage pulled up in the driveway and two giggling girls emerged to catch them in their indiscretion.
"My heart, it does seem as if we have an auditory." Mary and Kitty stared at their sister and brother-in-law as they reluctantly parted. Their consternation was evident. This was the serious and arrogant Mr. Darcy who had awed Mrs. Bennet sufficiently that she was actually polite? His present disheveled state was incongruous with their memories of an austere and cold mien.
Elizabeth Darcy (nee Bennet) laughed at their disconcerted stares. The footman who was bringing their bags into Pemberley was well used to such affectionate displays of affection by the Master and Mistress. Thus were the shades of Pemberley polluted not by coarseness, as was Lady Catherine's allusion, but playful romps of the more amorous type.
Their sister's warm greeting dissipated any fears. They were introduced to Georgiana who was lovely and fair and extremely shy. Not at all the proud young lady Wickham had accused her of being. The Bennet girls settled into their new home quickly. Mr. Darcy had promised his wife that her sisters and his would be brought into society together. Mary and Kitty had come to learn some manners while Georgiana was to learn some boldness.
Mary and Kitty were given voice and singing lessons to take with Georgiana. This was more for the benefit of Mary who enjoyed showing off skills she had not yet mastered. While benefiting from the superior society the Darcy's provided she was still a young lady who enjoyed reading books of quality such as Fordyce's iSermons/i and the iRise and Fall of the Roman Empire/i.
She entered the Pemberley library with slight trepidation, would she be welcome into this sanctum? She was glad for Elizabeth's offer to visit, but she knew she had always been poor company and had no pretensions that the offer was anything more than an obligatory duty. The library was prodigious and more than commodious. Elizabeth was sitting in an armchair reading. She put her book down and motioned Mary to sit by her.
"Mary." She smiled in greeting and Mary felt a pang of jealousy at her beauty. "Are you happy here?" Elizabeth was not so oblivious to not realize that Mary had never been comfortable in the Bennet home as the homeliest of the sisters and had never felt accepted by her father whose favorite was Elizabeth and her mother whose favorite was the erstwhile Lydia. Although she was pretty, she was just not as pretty as any of her sisters. Elizabeth knew that inevitably Mary had turned to books as her solace and sole pleasure.
Mary looked at her sister and nodded an assent.
"Good." Elizabeth grasped Mary's hand and refused to let her get up. "Mary. I want you to know that you are my sister and I love you. I would like us to be friends." Mary started at this strange confession and felt happier than she had ever been. From then on, Mary was more comfortable in her skin and even felt bold enough to tease Mr. Darcy, sometimes. She was happy in Pemberley where she was not constantly compared to her eldest sisters who had caught rich husbands, Lydia who had sadly caught a Wickham, or Kitty who was much prettier than she. She was free to read and play the pianoforte as often as she would like without her father complaining of the noise. And her favorite activity was to search the immense library for obscure texts in obscure languages. She was searching for such a text when she found a Novel hidden among the stacks. She was shocked and the only plausible inference to make was that it belonged to Elizabeth, Kitty, or Georgiana, being the only other females who used the library. She turned looking stern towards the ladies.
"To who does this novel belong?" Saying the novel as if it were an impolite word not to be mentioned in proper society. iThe Adventures of Belinda/i. was held in her fingertips as if it was trash. Kitty and Georgiana looked puzzled while Mr. Darcy looked extremely guilty. Elizabeth was attempting not to laugh and stuffed the hem of her sleeve into her mouth. Seeing that no one was admitting her guilt, she said in a clearly disappointed voice, "I will have to keep this novel myself and keep it hidden to prevent it from being read. If, however, someone would like to make a claim, I will be willing to hand it over with an interdict to not read it and with a stern lecture on proper reading habits." And she left the room followed by Georgiana and Kitty who wanted to see her hidey-hole.
No longer looking guilty, Mr. Darcy looked afraid. Elizabeth had once, in their tumultuous courtship, said that their reading habits would probably be widely different. He had challenged her to prove it. He introduced her to his dry, scholarly texts and she introduced him to the fantastical world of novels. After spending hours on estate business, he enjoyed unwinding by the fire with a fluffy novel. It provided him with a light pleasure. He did not know what to do. He did not want to risk raising Mary's ire at his reading habits; however, he had not finished that particular novel! He was at the bit where Belinda was about to escape from her roguish captor, Don Giovanna, a dastardly Italian who wanted to ravish the poor heroine! He would now never know how the novel would end. He sighed.
"Elizabeth, my soul, whatever should I do?" The plaintive note in his voice melted her resolve and she burst into laughter.
"Dear heart, go to Mary and explain. Perhaps she will let you off lightly."
"I do not think that likely. When my cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam, a lady- killer, attempted to flirt with Mary, Mary asked him what book he had read recently and chastised him severely for not remembering the last book he read. I shudder to think what she will say to me, a novel reader." He groaned. "Elizabeth, I am sorry to say I live in fear of your sisters." Elizabeth only laughed and seeing that he provided her with unrelenting amusement, he left in a huff.
He found Mary in the music room practicing a difficult piece.
"Miss Bennet."
"Mr. Darcy." Mary wondered why he was soliciting her attention and hoped he would go away. This piece was quite difficult and she wished to practice without interruption. He fidgeted and finally spoke.
"The book was mine, but before you say anything, I would like to say that your visit has been extremely pleasant. My sister and I extremely enjoy your company and I you would like anything, I am sure that I can provide it, whatever it may be." He said this very rapidly, and Mary was not sure, but she thought she heard a bribe.
He knew she knew he had just tried to bribe his wife's sister. His conscience pricked him for his wickedness. He wondered what Mary would do. She smiled. It was a very scary smile. Mr. Darcy quaked in fear.
"There is actually something I have been wanting to do for a while…"
"Yes. What is it?"
"I've always wanted to learn how to fence."
"What! Fencing is not a hobby that ladies are supposed to take up. I was expecting you to say a new dress or piece of music."
"Perhaps that would be something Kitty would ask for." Kitty walked in.
"Actually I would like to learn how to shoot and ride, and maybe do both at the same time." Taking advantage of Mr. Darcy in a moment of weakness, as it was obvious he would succumb to Mary's request.
"Oh dear. My sister-in-laws are bloodthirsty savages. I live in fear of my life."
To Be Continued in chapter two: Lessons and Love
Disclaimers: All characters belong to Jane Austen, this plot belongs to me. Some lines are generalized quotes from Pride and Prejudice.
"The Adventures of Two Country Misses: a Pride and Prejudice sequel"
Chapter one: Sisters and Stories
Warning: Contains sappiness and general gooiness
"My heart, do not grimace! Have no fear. My sisters will be on their best behaviour. If you look like an ogre, you will frighten them into timidity and they will only be mere apparitions during their entire visit!" Mr. Darcy's look of apprehension at the prospect of Elizabeth's sisters, Mary and Kitty's visit faded away into a look of fond amusement as his lovely wife attempted to fix his cravat. She was struggling with it. Tying a cravat was something that took skill and years of practice. Something only his valet did, as he could not make heads or tails of it. He took her hands into his and bent to stare into her very fine eyes. They had bewitched him at the Meryton Assembly and they bewitched him now and forever. He stole a kiss while her hands were captives.
"Sir! I did not think you so unscrupulous as to take advantage of a lady in distress." He laughed at her playful manner. If propriety did not demand that he be seen in society at least once or twice a Season, he would lock his lovely lady in his room and never let her out. He grabbed his wife and kissed her even more deeply as a carriage pulled up in the driveway and two giggling girls emerged to catch them in their indiscretion.
"My heart, it does seem as if we have an auditory." Mary and Kitty stared at their sister and brother-in-law as they reluctantly parted. Their consternation was evident. This was the serious and arrogant Mr. Darcy who had awed Mrs. Bennet sufficiently that she was actually polite? His present disheveled state was incongruous with their memories of an austere and cold mien.
Elizabeth Darcy (nee Bennet) laughed at their disconcerted stares. The footman who was bringing their bags into Pemberley was well used to such affectionate displays of affection by the Master and Mistress. Thus were the shades of Pemberley polluted not by coarseness, as was Lady Catherine's allusion, but playful romps of the more amorous type.
Their sister's warm greeting dissipated any fears. They were introduced to Georgiana who was lovely and fair and extremely shy. Not at all the proud young lady Wickham had accused her of being. The Bennet girls settled into their new home quickly. Mr. Darcy had promised his wife that her sisters and his would be brought into society together. Mary and Kitty had come to learn some manners while Georgiana was to learn some boldness.
Mary and Kitty were given voice and singing lessons to take with Georgiana. This was more for the benefit of Mary who enjoyed showing off skills she had not yet mastered. While benefiting from the superior society the Darcy's provided she was still a young lady who enjoyed reading books of quality such as Fordyce's iSermons/i and the iRise and Fall of the Roman Empire/i.
She entered the Pemberley library with slight trepidation, would she be welcome into this sanctum? She was glad for Elizabeth's offer to visit, but she knew she had always been poor company and had no pretensions that the offer was anything more than an obligatory duty. The library was prodigious and more than commodious. Elizabeth was sitting in an armchair reading. She put her book down and motioned Mary to sit by her.
"Mary." She smiled in greeting and Mary felt a pang of jealousy at her beauty. "Are you happy here?" Elizabeth was not so oblivious to not realize that Mary had never been comfortable in the Bennet home as the homeliest of the sisters and had never felt accepted by her father whose favorite was Elizabeth and her mother whose favorite was the erstwhile Lydia. Although she was pretty, she was just not as pretty as any of her sisters. Elizabeth knew that inevitably Mary had turned to books as her solace and sole pleasure.
Mary looked at her sister and nodded an assent.
"Good." Elizabeth grasped Mary's hand and refused to let her get up. "Mary. I want you to know that you are my sister and I love you. I would like us to be friends." Mary started at this strange confession and felt happier than she had ever been. From then on, Mary was more comfortable in her skin and even felt bold enough to tease Mr. Darcy, sometimes. She was happy in Pemberley where she was not constantly compared to her eldest sisters who had caught rich husbands, Lydia who had sadly caught a Wickham, or Kitty who was much prettier than she. She was free to read and play the pianoforte as often as she would like without her father complaining of the noise. And her favorite activity was to search the immense library for obscure texts in obscure languages. She was searching for such a text when she found a Novel hidden among the stacks. She was shocked and the only plausible inference to make was that it belonged to Elizabeth, Kitty, or Georgiana, being the only other females who used the library. She turned looking stern towards the ladies.
"To who does this novel belong?" Saying the novel as if it were an impolite word not to be mentioned in proper society. iThe Adventures of Belinda/i. was held in her fingertips as if it was trash. Kitty and Georgiana looked puzzled while Mr. Darcy looked extremely guilty. Elizabeth was attempting not to laugh and stuffed the hem of her sleeve into her mouth. Seeing that no one was admitting her guilt, she said in a clearly disappointed voice, "I will have to keep this novel myself and keep it hidden to prevent it from being read. If, however, someone would like to make a claim, I will be willing to hand it over with an interdict to not read it and with a stern lecture on proper reading habits." And she left the room followed by Georgiana and Kitty who wanted to see her hidey-hole.
No longer looking guilty, Mr. Darcy looked afraid. Elizabeth had once, in their tumultuous courtship, said that their reading habits would probably be widely different. He had challenged her to prove it. He introduced her to his dry, scholarly texts and she introduced him to the fantastical world of novels. After spending hours on estate business, he enjoyed unwinding by the fire with a fluffy novel. It provided him with a light pleasure. He did not know what to do. He did not want to risk raising Mary's ire at his reading habits; however, he had not finished that particular novel! He was at the bit where Belinda was about to escape from her roguish captor, Don Giovanna, a dastardly Italian who wanted to ravish the poor heroine! He would now never know how the novel would end. He sighed.
"Elizabeth, my soul, whatever should I do?" The plaintive note in his voice melted her resolve and she burst into laughter.
"Dear heart, go to Mary and explain. Perhaps she will let you off lightly."
"I do not think that likely. When my cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam, a lady- killer, attempted to flirt with Mary, Mary asked him what book he had read recently and chastised him severely for not remembering the last book he read. I shudder to think what she will say to me, a novel reader." He groaned. "Elizabeth, I am sorry to say I live in fear of your sisters." Elizabeth only laughed and seeing that he provided her with unrelenting amusement, he left in a huff.
He found Mary in the music room practicing a difficult piece.
"Miss Bennet."
"Mr. Darcy." Mary wondered why he was soliciting her attention and hoped he would go away. This piece was quite difficult and she wished to practice without interruption. He fidgeted and finally spoke.
"The book was mine, but before you say anything, I would like to say that your visit has been extremely pleasant. My sister and I extremely enjoy your company and I you would like anything, I am sure that I can provide it, whatever it may be." He said this very rapidly, and Mary was not sure, but she thought she heard a bribe.
He knew she knew he had just tried to bribe his wife's sister. His conscience pricked him for his wickedness. He wondered what Mary would do. She smiled. It was a very scary smile. Mr. Darcy quaked in fear.
"There is actually something I have been wanting to do for a while…"
"Yes. What is it?"
"I've always wanted to learn how to fence."
"What! Fencing is not a hobby that ladies are supposed to take up. I was expecting you to say a new dress or piece of music."
"Perhaps that would be something Kitty would ask for." Kitty walked in.
"Actually I would like to learn how to shoot and ride, and maybe do both at the same time." Taking advantage of Mr. Darcy in a moment of weakness, as it was obvious he would succumb to Mary's request.
"Oh dear. My sister-in-laws are bloodthirsty savages. I live in fear of my life."
To Be Continued in chapter two: Lessons and Love
Disclaimers: All characters belong to Jane Austen, this plot belongs to me. Some lines are generalized quotes from Pride and Prejudice.