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 Miss Bingley feigns friendship and poor Jane is injured
Longbourn
Elizabeth
The sisters looked up as Mrs. Hill came into the parlour with a letter. It was for Jane. Both Elizabeth and Mary watched with curiosity as their oldest sister opened it.
"'Tis from Miss Bingley," said Jane. "She invites me to take dinner with her and her sister. While she calls me her dearest friend, apparently they need company as the men of the party are dining out."
"'Tis not much of a compliment!" Elizabeth observed.
"Will you go?" enquired Mary.
"I do not know; what do you think?"
"I think that it is your decision to make," replied Mary.
"Lizzy?"
"I am in agreement with Mary," answered Elizabeth. "But, if it would help you to decide, shall we give reasons for accepting the invitation or not?"
"Please!"
"It appears that they are not inviting a friend but some entertainment or distraction," said Elizabeth.
"But, if you like Mr. Bingley, you would wish to befriend his sisters," countered Mary.
"It looks as though it will rain later."
"But Pappa would send you in the carriage."
"We could call on Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley tomorrow instead."
"But, should Mr. Bingley's sisters wish to become acquainted with you, a dinner would be more intimate."
"Oh," cried Jane, "I still cannot decide! I am inclined to go, as long as Pappa will allow me the carriage. His book-room door will be closed now, so I shall ask him at lunchtime."
Later that afternoon, in the pouring rain, Jane set off in the carriage.
Netherfield
Darcy
Disappointed to have missed seeing Elizabeth that morning as it had still been raining at sun-up, Darcy was astonished to see her approaching the house on foot as he was making his way to the stables. He walked to meet her.
"Missy! What are you about?" He reached for her hands, but she stepped away and curtseyed.
"We are being watched."
Hastily, he bowed. "I am sorry to have missed you earlier, but I was sure that even you would not have ventured out in such a downpour."
"No, not even my fondness for walking extends to such weather!"
"Though I am delighted to see you, my dearest wife, why are you here?"
"Miss Bingley invited Jane to dine last night and, this morning, we received a note from Mrs. Nicholls to say that Jane had not, as we had assumed, stayed as the weather was poor, but because she was unwell."
He could see how worried she was; she had not said her usual rejoinder. "I had no idea! Miss Bingley did not inform us when we returned." Has she no sense of her duty as a hostess? Looking down at his beloved's worried face, he offered, "Shall I take you to see her?"
"If you please," she replied, taking his arm
As they entered Netherfield, Mrs. Nicholls came to greet Elizabeth. "Good morning, Miss Elizabeth. I am so relieved to see you!" Taking Elizabeth's coat and bonnet, she continued, "Would you like to come upstairs to see Miss Bennet?"
"I should; thank you Mrs. Nicholls; you look exhausted! Thank you too, Mr. Darcy."
He watched as Mrs. Nicholls bustled up the stairs, Elizabeth in her wake. Behind him he heard spiteful tittering.
"Did you see her dress, Louisa? Six inches deep in mud!"
Mr. Hurst called, "Was that Miss Elizabeth, Darcy?"
"What has she come for?" asked Mr. Bingley.
"She has come to see her sister who, apparently," he replied, giving Miss Bingley a pointed look, "stayed here overnight."
"Caroline?"
"Oh, it is nothing, Charles. Miss Bonnet arrived in the early evening, ran from the carriage through the rain and slipped and fell in the doorway."
"Why had she come?"
"Really, Charles, I have no idea. It must be some local custom to invite oneself to supper."
"Is she hurt?"
"Really, Charles, I do not know. Mrs. Nicholson pushed me aside — in a very disrespectful manner, I must say. This must convince you that this estate is not at all suitable. Do you not agree, dear Mr. Darcy?"
No. I do not.
"No, Caroline. Stop deferring to Darcy and answer the question: is Miss Bennet hurt?" insisted Mr. Bingley.
"I have already said that I do not know, Charles. That Mrs. Nicholson and one of the lazy footmen took her upstairs."
"Have you not enquired about her health?" asked Darcy, appalled.
Miss Bingley shook her head. "It was so obviously a scheme to ensnare Charles — arriving uninvited and pretending to fall."
Mr. Bingley rushed from the room.
"There is neither elegance nor charm in not attending a guest, Caroline," sniped Mr. Hurst.
Darcy knew what would follow that statement, so bowed and swiftly followed Mr. Bingley, hearing Miss Bingley's protestations behind him.
"Really, Hurst, I attend most keenly our invited guest."
Darcy found his friend pacing the corridor outside the chambers assigned to Miss Bennet. As Mrs. Nicholls opened the door, Mr. Bingley started to question her.
"Give Mrs. Nicholls a moment, Bingley!"
"Sir, I am so relieved that Miss Elizabeth has arrived. Miss Bennet is in such distress."
"Does she need a doctor? Will you send for your man from London, Darce?"
"Let us discover how she is, first." He turned to Mrs. Nicholls. "How is Miss Bennet?"
"Miss Bennet is bruised from the fall; both her ankle and wrist are sprained. I hope that you do not mind, sir, I sent for our local apothecary, Mr. Jones, and— oh, here he is now."
After briefly greeting the men, Mr. Jones followed the housekeeper to see Miss Bennet. Some time later, they emerged with the news that ankle and wrist were indeed sprained, the former quite badly, and that the patient, though bruised and uncomfortable, was much calmer in her sister's care. There was some concern that she had also caught a chill from being left in wet clothing.
Miss Bingley did not offer dry clothing?
Mr. Bingley was still worried. "Are you quite sure? Should we send for a doctor?"
Mr. Jones assured him that all would be well and that he would return the following day. He took his leave, bidding Mrs. Nicholls to get some rest.
"Did you sit up with Miss Bennet all night, Mrs. Nicholls?" asked Darcy.
"No, sir, I dozed on the sofa in case I was needed."
"Thank you, Mrs. Nicholls. I am sure that Mr. Bingley will agree with my suggestion that you take yourself off for a rest now."
"Yes, yes. Please do," added Mr. Bingley, distracted.
"Do you think that Miss Bennet would prefer that her sister remains with her?"
"Yes, yes, Darcy. I shall send a note to Longbourn immediately."
Darcy admitted to himself that he had been manipulative — but it will be wonderful to have Missy staying here!
Darcy was pleased to find that Elizabeth was to join them for dinner, though Miss Bingley had placed her as far away from him as the small table allowed. Mr. Bingley was solicitous, asking how Miss Bennet was faring, repeatedly insisting that she inform him — without delay — should Miss Bennet need or desire anything — anything at all — for her comfort.
After eating, Elizabeth declined to stay longer saying that she preferred to check on her sister. The moment that she left the room, Miss Bingley started. "What a great fuss about a silly little fall."
Mr. Hurst laughed and said, "I do not know about you, Caroline, but I find a broken fingernail much more painful than a sprained wrist. Why, I had a fit of the vapours only yesterday, I found it so painful. Oh, no, that was not me; that was you!"
Was that what all the screaming had been about?
"Really, Hurst, you do not know of what you speak," Miss Bingley replied tartly and announced that she would play the pianoforte.
"Be careful not to sprain your fingernails, sister, dear!"
While she was leafing through the sheets of music, Darcy excused himself and slipped from the room. Arriving at Jane's chambers, he knocked softly on the door. When Elizabeth opened it, he asked, "How is your sister? Do you require anything?"
"Just you," she mouthed with a smile.
"I thought to write to your father to ask him to send Mrs. Stevens to help you with your nursing duties."
"Oh, thank you, but Mrs. Nicholls and I shall manage between us."
"Hmph; I was correct in assuming that Miss Bingley has not assigned a maid to you." He took her hand in his and kissed it. "I shall ask for Mrs. Stevens anyway, as I am sure that Stevens misses her."
"That is devious, Madam!"
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