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 both Mrs. Gardiner and Major Fitzwilliam receive shocks
Shropshire
Mrs. Gardiner
The major, Mrs. and Miss Reynolds and Stevens had gone ahead of them, leaving Lady Anne, Bishop Fitzwilliam, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner to follow more slowly. Her husband had offered Lady Anne his arm, and the Bishop had offered her his own.
"Your niece is a delightful young woman, Mrs. Gardiner. She comported herself very well even though she must have been very nervous," he said.
"She is and she was, Your Excellency," she replied. "Even though she had guessed what the morning would bring, it was only when she saw Miss Reynolds awaiting us that she calmed." Thank goodness.
"I gather that they had met before."
"Yes, several times, I believe. Lady Anne stayed at an estate near to my brother's and they met there."
"I infer that my sister, um, chose Elizabeth after meeting with her and her sister."
"Yes." I wonder how much he knows.
"Do you know why Anne chose this sister?"
"I was not party to that decision, Your Excellency."
They walked for a few moments without speaking before he broke the silence. "I do not wish to alarm you, madam," he paused, and added quietly, "but must tell you that I have been charged with a similar task."
Mrs. Gardiner hoped that her husband and Lady Anne were far enough away to miss her gasp of astonishment. She looked up at him, unable to speak. Oh, my.
"Yes," he continued, "for my younger son, James."
Oh, my.
"I see that I have shocked you."
Oh, my.
"Shall we talk later, or would you rather that I discussed this with Mr. Gardiner?"
Finally managing to answer, she said, "Perhaps all four of us should meet after we leave the newlywed couple later on. I expect that Lady Anne would wish to be included."
"Excellent idea. Would you like to join Anne and me at the manor house later on?"
"I thank you, Your Excellency, yes we should." Oh, my.
Lady Anne
Lady Anne found that she enjoyed her short walk with Mr. Gardiner. An intelligent man, but his company makes me miss George.
She directed him to the lodge where her son and his new bride would be staying. "This might seem a small house, but we thought that your niece would be more comfortable here than in the larger manor house as it has fewer people to manage."
"Though courageous, she is but sixteen, so I must thank you for your consideration, my lady."
"The manor house itself is a mile or so further on, and, as you and your wife are staying at The Anchor not far from the church, we are all close by should we be needed."
"We shall remain but a week as we do not wish to outstay our welcome."
"My nephew will leave soon too, but my brother and I intend to stay a little longer, but then, we too, shall leave them alone."
They entered the lodge to find that Mrs. Reynolds had laid out a small wedding breakfast in the dining room.
"Thank you again, Mrs. Reynolds, for your quiet efficiency. Please extend my gratitude to Sarah and Stevens as I am certain that they assisted you."
"Yes, my lady. Thank you," replied Mrs. Reynolds with a curtsey before returning to the kitchen.
The sound of voices was followed by her brother and Mrs. Gardiner entering the house. Ah, she looks a little pale — Richard must have told her of his task. She caught the other woman's eye and nodded sympathetically.
Mr. Gardiner approached his wife. "You look pale, my dear; are you well?"
"Yes, I am quite well, but have something of import to discuss with you later," Mrs. Gardiner replied with a significant look at the Fitzwilliam siblings.
Lady Anne was impressed; after studying each of their faces in turn, Mr. Gardiner's raised eyebrows showed that he guessed what that something of import might be. An intelligent man, indeed; no wonder he has such a successful business.
Sarah brought in a tray of tea things and offered to pour for them. While they were drinking, chatting quietly, they heard laughter outside. Exchanging smiles of relief, they turned to welcome the bride and groom, and greeted them with hugs, kisses and handshakes.
I am so pleased!
Mrs. Gardiner
Mrs. Gardiner was also pleased. Lizzy and her new husband are laughing together.
Darcy drew his bride away from their families and said, "My wife and I," and paused as the others laughed good-humouredly. He started again, "My wife and I thank you for celebrating our wedding with us, and— " More cheerful good wishes interrupted him. "And would like you to know our names while we are married but not yet, er, while our marriage is not yet public knowledge."
He looked down at Elizabeth who nodded in return, and said, "May I introduce myself? I am Mr. William Adam and this is my wife, Missy." He bowed and Elizabeth curtseyed.
'Adam'? There will be a joke there if Lizzy suggested it.
Richard led another round of hugs, kisses and handshakes to acknowledge the new names.
"I am so happy to welcome you to our family, Mrs. Adam. I am certain that you will do my favourite cousin the world of good," he said, bowing over Elizabeth's hand.
"I thank you, Major," Elizabeth replied.
"Would you do me the honour of calling me 'Richard'?"
Mrs. Gardiner was amused to see her niece defer to Darcy before answering in the affirmative and suggesting that the major called her 'Missy'.
Before they had to leave, Mrs. Gardiner knew that she could not put it off any longer and pulled Elizabeth aside. "I did not have the opportunity to speak with you last night. I must talk with you about tonight and what will happen."
"Aunt— "
She went on to describe the marital act, saying that there would be a little pain and some blood, and that she was to trust her husband.
"Aunt— "
"Do not be embarrassed, Lizzy; all will be well," finished Mrs. Gardiner giving the young bride a hug and a kiss on her cheek. Seeing that her husband, Lady Anne and the bishop were preparing to take their leave, she kissed Elizabeth again. "All will be well." I wish that I had had longer to tell her of this.
Leaving the lodge, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner followed Bishop Fitzwilliam and Lady Anne along the drive to the manor house. The major brought up the rear. The manor house was slightly larger than Longbourn, but rather neglected.
"Do not worry," said Lady Anne, "the public rooms are clean and tidy."
"But it is a marvellous house, my lady. Do I understand that it belongs to one of your nephews?"
"Yes, it is to go to young Richard here, when he resigns from the Cavaliers."
"A good thing for him to look forward to."
"And hard work to restore to glory," added Mr. Gardiner, appraising the building with interest.
They all turned to regard Richard as he stood to look at the building. Then, leaving him there, they were led into a small parlour and invited to sit. A maid brought in a tray of tea things.
After serving Mrs. Gardiner, Lady Anne asked, "Would you prefer brandy, Mr. Gardiner?"
"On such an important day, I think that I should, thank you."
"As I was about to pour a glass for myself, I shall pour a second for you," said the bishop.
"And for me, please, Uncle!" said Richard entering the room.
His uncle passed him a glass and said to him, "Nephew, if you are to remain with us, then we must rely on your secrecy. What is discussed here is not to be spoken of."
"Yes, sir," agreed Richard, as they sat with the others.
After a few minutes of happy conversation about the wedding, Bishop Fitzwilliam said, "Mr. Gardiner, I infer from the looks that you and your wife shared earlier, that you have determined our purpose."
"I might have it wrong, Your Excellency, so should prefer that you tell me directly."
"I doubt that you are wrong — I have heard what a shrewd businessman you are!"
Mr. Gardiner nodded his thanks.
"Are there more family plots afoot?" asked Richard, keenly.
"Yes," replied his aunt. "And remember, if you are to remain while we discuss them, it is with the understanding that you keep them to yourself."
"Yes, Aunt. No words on the matter will pass my lips."
"Less frivolity, young man!" admonished his uncle.
"Yes, sir," replied Richard, startled into slight contrition.
The bishop turned to face the Gardiners.
"Well, just as my sister and her husband were, I have been charged with finding a wife for my youngest son, James, from amongst your nieces. And I see by your lack of surprise that you had determined our purpose."
Mr. Gardiner nodded again, while Richard gasped.
"My sister tells me that she met the two oldest girls some years ago and thought that Elizabeth would make the best wife for William. It seems unmannerly to say that Anne chose Elizabeth, though that is the truth of the matter. Similarly, I must choose for my son. I do not wish to offend their father — the very act of choosing means that others are not chosen and I can see that that might be offensive to him and his remaining daughters."
"We appreciate your concern, Your Excellency, but our brother is pragmatic; he knows that everyone looks for different qualities in his or her spouse. The gentlewoman who suits your son might not suit another gentleman," Mrs. Gardiner said.
"I thank you for your reassurance, Mrs. Gardiner. Would you tell me of Elizabeth's sisters?"
Mrs. Gardiner noticed the younger Richard listening keenly as she described Jane's beauty and kindness; and Mary's love of reading and the pianoforte. "In this, she is most like Lizzy." Then she spoke of Kitty's artistic flair and Lydia's liveliness. "I should stress that they have a governess and masters, so they are all accomplished. Their father has encouraged them to read, learn and discuss. He also devises puzzles and riddles for them to solve; he says that they should learn to think!"
"Excellent! And is he successful?"
"Yes, he is, with Mary and Lydia particularly." She turned to her husband and asked, "Would you not agree?"
"I would. Jane is gentle and very caring, seeing only the best in people. She tends to not see the less good, which makes her a little gullible. And, to Kitty, all that matters is art, particularly drawing and painting, and she is starting to draw dresses for her sisters," Mr. Gardiner replied.
"Though I am sure that James would wish for a beautiful wife, from your description I am unsure whether Miss Jane would be right for him. She might also find him too unyielding."
"He can be stubborn," added Richard.
"What is his occupation?" asked Mr. Gardiner.
"As the second son, like me, he is destined for the church."
"Mary!" exclaimed both Gardiners.
"Miss Mary?" asked the bishop.
"Yes. She is the most devout of the sisters. She is also both compassionate and firm. She would be supportive of her husband but not afraid to question him if necessary."
"You would not take offence, I hope, if I asked to meet her before agreeing."
"Not at all, Your Excellency."
"Good!" Addressing his sister, he said, "Anne, would you write to Elizabeth's father, please? I could take a detour to Hertfordshire on my way back to London. Perhaps you would join me though it is a longer journey for you."
"I should like to meet Miss Mary, so shall join you."
Richard cleared his throat. "Would you mind if I asked a question?"
His uncle nodded his assent.
"Who has charged you with choosing one of William's new sisters as a bride for Cousin James?"
"I shall answer that with another question: who do you serve, Major?"
"Why? God and the king!"
"Do you have more questions, nephew?" asked the bishop, wryly.
"But you did not answer," Richard protested. He then gave a short laugh and said, "This is unbelievable! I now understand the need for secrecy, and, yes, I do have another question. Is my father to be given a similar order to choose one of Mr. Gardiner's nieces as a wife for my brother or myself?"
Mrs. Gardiner caught her husband's eye and shrugged slightly. More husbands from the Fitzwilliam family?
"I know not, young man; he has not told me. Has he mentioned it to you, Anne?"
"No." Lady Anne shook her head. "Would you like some more tea, Mrs. Gardiner?"
"Aunt!"
"Nephew?" Lady Anne turned her head to face Richard, and raised her eyebrows.
"Aunt! Tell me! What do you know?" he demanded.
Mrs. Gardiner was also curious. What do you know?
Lady Anne leaned towards her nephew and beckoned him closer. Richard obeyed, looking both expectant and worried. The Gardiners leaned a little closer too. Mrs. Gardiner noticed that the bishop was concealing a grin from his nephew, so nudged her husband and they leaned back again.
"Closer," she bid him in a whisper. "This must not be said too loudly."
Richard came to kneel before her and she shuffled forward to whisper in his ear.
"What you need to know is that," she paused and continued in a normal voice, "you are too easy to tease!"
"Aunt!" protested Richard as he stumbled trying to stand up and rolled backwards instead.
The others laughed, and Richard joined them with good grace. As Richard resumed his seat, Lady Anne offered Mrs. Gardiner more tea, then passed the remaining cakes around the small party.
Then, the bishop turned to Mr. Gardiner. "As we are now related — let me see, you are my nephew's wife's uncle — would you call me 'Fitzwilliam'?"
"I should be honoured, sir. Please call me 'Gardiner'."
The bishop then faced Mrs. Gardiner. "I am sure that there is some etiquette for my nephew's wife's uncle's wife, but would you call me 'Richard', Mrs. Gardiner? 'Your Excellency' is awfully formal amongst family!"
"My lord! Thank you!" Mrs. Gardiner spluttered.
"Do not offer your Christian name to me; we shall wait until my son and one of your nieces are matched."
Not often overcome, Mrs. Gardiner was glad that her husband thanked the bishop — Richard — on her behalf.
Lady Anne rescued her by inviting her to the study to supply the Bennets' direction. "Do not worry, Mrs. Gardiner, my brother does not care for the airs and graces of his position. He has decided that he likes you and that is sufficient."
"I am trying not to be overcome with the honour, my lady. I am but the wife of a tradesman— "
"You are our friend; you are my friend and it is about time that you called me 'Anne', Madeline."
With shaking knees, Mrs. Gardiner had to sit down.
Please don't copy, but please do let me have comments/corrections 😏
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The secrecy and separation are the linchpins of the story. The keeping/revealing of the secrets and how ODC deal with their separations/reunions are the whole point of it. (In the spirit of many variations, I wanted an alliterative title and nearly chose "Secrets and Separations", but then their nicknames provided a happier sounding alternative.)
This is speculative fiction not an historical record; a 'what if?' not an eye-witness account. As I said before, I've all but finished the writing and have just the 'dealing with the baddies' before the final HEA to do, so please suspend your disbelief, and read on …