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 is grateful for Mrs. Gardiner's common sense

Darcy House

Darcy

Darcy House had come alive with the arrival of toddlers and babies. Darcy was pleased that, when his mother had written to Mrs. Weaver to tell her to prepare rooms, she had also bid the housekeeper to secure fragile ornaments. Still, the little girls found their way into everything.

He was not surprised to see that Georgiana was delighted by the unexpected company of two of her sisters. She doted on the younger girls, entertaining them by playing games and singing and reading to them.

Darcy hoped that the quiet time together would be just what Elizabeth needed to continue to recover. The scratches and bruises would heal in time, but, he realised, the shock and distress would take longer. He found that she was easily startled and sometimes short of breath as she panicked. Darcy held her tightly when she woke with nightmares. He tried to sooth her and to reassure her when she blamed herself for the attack. He found her self-recrimination difficult to assuage, and repeatedly tried to convince her that it was not her teasing that had provoked Mr. Collins.

Darcy had told Mr. Weaver to remove the door-knocker and that they were not at home to visitors excepting the Matlocks, the Fitzwilliams and the Gardiners — and the Bennets, of course. He reiterated that Miss Bingley, in particular, was not to be admitted.

Three days after their arrival, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were announced. After the footman had taken their coats and hats, Darcy invited them into his study. "I thought that we should talk before you see Lizzy."

"How is she, William?" asked Mrs. Gardiner, taking his hands.

"Still very distressed," replied Darcy.

"Oh, the poor love."

"Is she starting to recover?" asked Mr. Gardiner.

"A little; but I advise you to prepare yourselves for the shock of her appearance."

The Gardiners nodded sombrely.

"I have been unable to persuade her to leave our chambers, so I hope that you do not mind that I shall take you upstairs to our sitting room."

"Not at all," said Mr. Gardiner.

"At Netherfield, we took walks at dawn two or three times, but she will not leave the house now that we are in London," said Darcy.

"Is it because this is unfamiliar?" asked Mr. Gardiner.

"Probably."

He offered Mrs. Gardiner his arm and escorted the couple up the stairs to the first floor. They turned into the family wing and, before they reached the master's sitting room, he reminded them about Elizabeth's appearance. He knocked on the door and invited them in. Not for the first time, he recognised the Gardiners' sense and sensibility. They greeted their niece almost as if it were a normal visit; embracing and kissing her and enquiring about her own and Melissa and Pheobe's health. They greeted Mary in the same manner and Mrs. Gardiner took the opportunity to hold and exclaim over the babes.

Mr. Gardiner engaged Darcy in a discussion on his latest shipments from the far-flung corners of the world. Darcy attempted to pay attention, but his eyes kept straying to Elizabeth.

Mrs. Weaver ushered in a maid carrying a tray of tea things. Lady Anne followed them in and greeted the newcomers.

After they had been served tea, Mrs. Gardiner addressed her nieces. "I come bearing an invitation."

Darcy noticed Elizabeth start to shake her head.

Mrs. Gardiner ignored her and continued, "On Saturday, it is Emma's ninth birthday so you must bring the girls to join us for a celebration. You are welcome, of course, Anne; Georgiana too, if she wishes. Emma is most keen to see you again, Mary, as she has a new piece to play to you on the pianoforte. She is also desirous of seeing you, Lizzy, as she has written a story to share with you."

"Your aunt has told our children of their newest cousins and they are all anticipation to play with them," added Mr. Gardiner.

"I am sure that Georgie would love to join me in accepting your kind invitation," said Lady Anne. "What time will you expect us?"

"Any time in the afternoon, then I hope that you will stay for a family dinner," replied Mrs. Gardiner.

"I— I— I do not think that I can come, aunt," Elizabeth began.

"Oh, do you have a previous commitment?" asked Mrs. Gardiner.

"N-no, but I cannot. The children cannot see me like this."

Darcy was determined to not interrupt, so made himself wait to hear what Mrs. Gardiner would say in response.

"Mmm," she said, taking Elizabeth's jaw in her hand and turning her head from side to side. "Like all children, your cousins are used to having bumps and bruises. They will ask about yours, just as they show you their own from falling in the park or from stumbling into the furniture. You can tell them that you, too, took a tumble and that will be the end of it."

"But— "

"Lizzy, I shall not try to make you feel guilty if you insist that you will not come, but I do think that it would serve you well to join a celebration with the people who love you the most. We care very much that you were hurt, but do not care in the slightest how you look."

"I— I do not know— " Elizabeth began.

Darcy could see her distress and ached to hold her safely in his arms, but Mrs. Gardiner continued, matter-of-factly,

"I shall leave the decision with you and William, but would be delighted if you would come. I shall say no more, as — oh, look at that yawn! I can see that my youngest nieces, great-nieces? — my! that makes me feel old! — my great-nieces are ready for their naps."

Mary cradled her sleepy daughter, while Darcy gathered up his own to take them to the nursery. Mrs. Gardiner must have given her husband a cue, as he stood up to accompany them.

Mrs. Gardiner

"Now that William has left us, I must ask you how you really are," said Mrs. Gardiner, taking Elizabeth's hands. "Indelicately, did the monster do more than hit you and tear your clothing?"

Elizabeth did not meet her aunt's eyes, but put her hands to her chest. "He puts his hands here and tried to kiss me."

"He did not succeed in his attempts to force himself upon you?"

"N-no." Elizabeth shuddered.

"Good. Were you with child after seeing William in the summer?"

"No."

"I was afraid that he might have caused a miscarriage," said Mrs. Gardiner, gently.

"No, I was not with child, though— " Elizabeth glanced quickly at Lady Anne.

"Though?" prompted her aunt.

"William will not want me now that I have been ruined," she sobbed.

Mrs. Gardiner silenced Lady Anne's nascent protestations with a sharp look.

"What makes you think thus?"

"He has not — since then." Elizabeth looked down at her lap.

"And you think that that is because he no longer desires you?"

"How can he, when another man has done all of this?"

Mrs. Gardiner was not sure what to say or do, so thought for a moment then decided to ask Elizabeth, "I wonder if everyone, in trying to calm and protect you, has stopped you from describing what Mr. Collins did. If we go into your chamber and lock the doors, would you show me what he did to you?"

"I have been guilty of that," added Lady Anne, regretfully. "I thought that the best thing to do was to avoid any discussion of that day."

Mrs. Gardiner took Elizabeth's hand and drew her to her feet. She turned to face Lady Anne and said, "Do you know, Anne, I should like to see the return of Lizzy Bennet whose courage always rises which every attempt to intimidate her."

It was many hours later that an exhausted Mrs. Gardiner was escorted home by her husband. Later that night, she sobbed in his arms just as Elizabeth had done in her own earlier, as she had recounted the events of the morning after the ball.

Darcy

Darcy had not been pleased to have been excluded from Mrs. Gardiner's long session locked away with his wife. He had also not been pleased to hear the whole of the monster's assault on Elizabeth, but acknowledged that, though he found it uncomfortable to listen to, it had happened to her and she appeared to find it a relief to speak of it. He did not understand why she had to describe it over and over again, but followed Mrs. Gardiner's admonishments to allow Elizabeth to do so.

Thus, he was relieved and delighted that Elizabeth suggested that they walked in Hyde Park very early the following morning. They did not walk arm-in-arm, but held hands, she pushing their linked hands into his coat pocket for warmth and comfort.

Please don't copy! 😏