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 😏]
If you've not read the updated chapter 61, do so now.
In which Miss Bingley offends Lady Anne In which Mr. Bennet is joined in misleading Mr. Wickham
Longbourn
Mr. Bennet
"Save us from whispering couples!" Mr. Bennet muttered to Charlotte.
"Do you mean that, now that you have secured my agreement, you have no patience for romance? I am not sure that that bodes well for our marriage!" chided Charlotte in reply, as they sat with Jane and Richard, and Anne and Mr. Bingley for the second time in as many days.
"Would you prefer that I look at you with such devotion, dear?"
"Yes, perhaps. If you would do so twice a day, I should be sure of your affections! Yes, twice a day ought to do it — you may start now!" said Charlotte with a teasingly expectant expression.
Mr. Bennet dutifully obliged, then quite spoiled the effect by asking if she had learnt such teasing from his second daughter.
"I know how much you miss her, and can only try to lessen your feelings of loss."
He took her hand and kissed it, bestowing a more forthright look of devotion.
"Very well, Mr. Bennet. Very well." Charlotte returned a soft smile; a smile that he was coming to find rather appealing.
They watched Jane attended by the colonel. His eldest daughter had not yet regained her equanimity following the visit to Netherfield; Mr. Bennet was pleased that this was so. She ought to feel some blame, he thought, but not be overpowered by the impression. The colonel will help it to pass away soon enough.
He knew that Charlotte was in agreement; though Jane's jealousy of Elizabeth's being chosen rather than herself and her envy of her sister's marriage were quite understandable, her spiteful words had not been so.
Charlotte diverted his attention to the other whispering couple in the parlour. He was not sure whether Anne had come of age and assumed that Matlock was her guardian, and reluctantly acknowledged that he ought to write to the earl about his niece's admirer. Mr. Bennet bore Mr. Bingley no ill-will for shifting his attentions and admiration from his own daughter; the lad was demonstrating the very fickleness for which he was known.
Mrs. Hill came into the parlour to announce the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Hurst.
Mr. Bennet had discovered that he liked Mr. Hurst and his wry observations on the people around them. Mrs. Hurst appeared to have changed since their first acquaintance; perhaps it was her husband's new resolve and the absence of her sister. After the introduction to 'Miss Prout', Mrs. Hurst and Charlotte made polite conversation as the men observed the whispering couples.
A little later, Mrs. Hill came into the parlour again. She asked if they were at home to some members of the militia: Captain Carter and Lieutenants Wickham and Denny. Mr. Hurst stiffened. Mr. Bennet noticed that Colonel Fitzwilliam did too.
"Would you ask them to wait for a few minutes, Mrs. Hill?"
Mrs. Hill bobbed a quick curtsey and closed the door behind her.
Immediately, Richard joined Mr. Bennet. "He ought not see me here," he muttered.
"Mmm," agreed Mr. Bennet. "Jane, take Miss Prout, Bingley and the colonel to the small parlour." Seeing Jane start towards the door to the hallway, he added, "No, go via the garden."
"It is raining, Pappa!"
"A few drops will not harm you! Off you go!"
Richard offered Jane his arm, gathered up an excited Anne and an oblivious Mr. Bingley and herded them out into the garden. Charlotte closed the French window after them, and the remaining four resumed their seats by the fire.
"Do you think that you could manage a peal of laughter, ladies?" asked Mr. Hurst. "We are all sitting here looking so grim."
"Indeed," Charlotte said, mimicking Darcy's low voice.
That was enough for them to smile.
"Can you say it any lower, Mrs. Hurst?"
"Indeed," Mrs. Hurst struggled. "But do, please, call me 'Louisa'."
"Then you must call me 'Charlotte'," Charlotte replied with her chin on her chest.
"Indeed," said Mr. Bennet, falsetto.
Mr. Hurst repeated the word in such a high pitch that it sounded like a squeal.
They were all laughing as Mrs. Hill showed the officers in, and stood to welcome them.
"You find Miss Lucas and me alone but for our chaperones, Captain, Lieutenants," said Mr. Bennet.
"'Chaperones', sir?" asked Captain Carter.
"Indeed," replied Mr. Bennet, to the laughter of Charlotte and the Hursts. "Miss Lucas has done me the greatest honour of agreeing to become my wife." He patted her hand, fondly.
"Oh, congratulations, Miss Lucas!" said the captain, bowing to Charlotte. Messrs. Denny and Wickham echoed his good wishes.
Mr. Wickham
"I do hope that we are not intruding, sir," said Mr. Wickham as he looked around the room. "We have called with the intention of enjoying the company of your daughters." There is little reason to remain if they are not here.
"Ah, in that you must be disappointed," said Mr. Bennet. "Some are with their governess, some are engaged elsewhere and some are out visiting relatives."
Wickham tried to determine which daughter was where. The two youngest are probably with the governess, but which of the others are out visiting? Frowning, he reviewed his host's words. 'Some' with governess, 'some' elsewhere, 'some' out visiting. 'Some' is more than one, so that makes at least six. Are there more than five daughters? Determined to not reveal his intentions, yet keen to continue his trifling with the second daughter, he asked, "Are the eldest not here?"
"I am afraid that you are set for disappointment, lad," replied Mr. Bennet with a cheery smile.
"So they are visiting relatives?" Mr. Wickham pressed them for an answer.
"Some are," said Miss Lucas. "And, even though I am not yet mistress, I find that I am missing my prospective step-daughters."
"Does it not feel strange to have your closest friends as your new daughters?" Mrs. Hurst asked.
Mr. Wickham concealed his frustration, as Miss Lucas answered,
"Indeed." She looked down into her lap, smoothed her skirts and continued, "But I have only recently met Mr. Bennet's," blushing, she paused and lowered her voice slightly, "own step-daughters."
Mr. Wickham narrowed his eyes and watched as Mrs. Hurst took Miss Lucas' hand in sympathy. What step-daughters? His expression cleared. His by-blows? Bloody hell! His by-blows!
Mrs. Hurst was speaking, "You are very good, Miss Lucas." She withdrew a lace-edged handkerchief from her reticule and passed it to the other woman who used it to dab at her eyes.
Mr. Bennet had turned away from the group a little, his gaze a little unfocussed.
Bloody hell! It runs in the family! Like father, like daughter! Mr. Wickham had to smother his laughter.
Mr. Hurst cleared his throat. "You mentioned some hunting, sir. Shall we meet on the morrow?"
Mr. Bennet grasped the change of subject with eagerness. "Aye, that would do. Would you invite your brother and his guest?" He turned to the officers and added, "I assume that your duties will prevent you from joining us."
Captain Carter nodded. "Perhaps we might join you another day."
"I shall ask Bingley, but cannot ask Darcy as he has removed himself from Netherfield," Mr. Hurst said.
Though relieved at hearing this intelligence, Mr. Wickham was irritated that he had not already known. Her ladyship has not told me of this. Where has he gone?
Captain Carter started to rise. "If we cannot see your daughters, sir, we shall disturb you no longer and shall take our leave."
Mr. Wickham concealed a sigh; he wanted to know which girls were absent.
Captain Carter continued, "Might we call on Miss Bennet and her sisters in a few days hence?"
Mr. Bennet had also stood. "If you wish." He looked at his pocket watch. "They ought to be back soon."
Ah, good, thought Mr. Wickham. Miss Eliza is here.
On his return to his barracks, he encrypted an urgent message to Lady Catherine. Unfortunately, her ladyship was distracted by other concerns.
Mr. Bennet
Calling the colonel and Jane back from the small parlour, Mr. Bennet told them what had been said, exclaiming, "I had no idea that my betrothed was such an actress!" Taking Charlotte's hand and kissing it, he added, "You were marvellous, my dear! Marvellous!"
"Three looks of devotion in one day? You are spoiling me, sir!"
"It sounds as though you had fun," said Richard with a chuckle.
"Aye," agreed Mr. Bennet. "I enjoyed not quite answering his questions!"
"I see that I shall have to keep an eye on you!" Charlotte said.
"Indeed!"
At their laughter, Jane asked, "Why does that word cause so much humour?"
Please don't copy! 😏