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 a baker's dozen of females choose fabric and new gowns
Gracechurch Street
Mrs. Gardiner
On Wednesday, the usually unperturbable Mrs. Gardiner found herself to be a little nervous. She was expecting the Ladies Anne and Harriet, together with their daughters to join her and her Bennet nieces for a visit to her husband's fabric warehouse. Rumour had it that Lady Harriet was a little idiosyncratic, and Mrs. Gardiner was unsure how her ladyship would treat her.
She was surprised when three carriages arrived and the passengers climbed down to be led in and introduced by Jane and Elizabeth. Three of the visitors were unexpected: Lady Eleanor Fitzwilliam, Miss Anne de Bourgh and Lady Harriet's mother, Lady Prudence.
Within moments of the arrival of her guests, she found that her worries had been unwarranted. Lady Harriet, upon hearing Lady Anne and Mrs. Gardiner greet each other familiarly, insisted on the same. Lady Eleanor did likewise. To her great surprise, Lady Prudence instructed her to address her as 'Aunt Prudence', before adding, "Then you become another distant niece and I shall not have to remember your name." The expressions on the others' faces showed that this was a compliment not an insult.
"I should be honoured, distant aunt," she replied, curtseying.
"Harriet! Daughter! I like this one! Do ask her to call on me."
Chuckling, Mrs. Gardiner proposed a quick tour to point out which fabrics were where, then refreshments followed by a more thorough examination and selection of the silks and cottons. The visitors readily consented and spent a very enjoyable and very long morning choosing fabrics.
Lady Harriet apologised for not using the Gardiners' own dressmaker, Mme Jardinière, as she had already booked Mlle Gris for the next day. "I had not realised that your husband also owns a dressmaker's shop."
Mrs. Gardiner had not been at all offended; Mr. Gardiner owned Mlle Gris' shop, too!
Bond Street
Lady Anne
"Well, here we are! I have booked the shop for the whole day, so that we can all choose new dresses and ball gowns," announced Lady Harriet as they arrived. She and Lady Anne were not surprised to see Mrs. Gardiner greet the owner by name.
"Good morning, Mlle Gris."
"Bonjour, Mrs. Gardiner. The fabric arrived from Mr. Gardiner's warehouse earlier this morning. You 'ave chosen some lovely colours and patterns."
"We enjoyed ourselves yesterday, having first pick from the latest shipment," said Mrs. Gardiner. The other ladies in the party agreed.
"We did, indeed," said Lady Anne. "Madame, I know that you are already acquainted with my sister Lady Harriet Fitzwilliam and our daughters."
Mlle Gris nodded and curtseyed.
"The other members of the party are our niece, Miss Anne de Bourgh, and Mrs. Gardiner's nieces." She named the five Bennets. "And her daughter, Emma."
"Bien venue, Mesdames, Mademoiselles. Welcome!" cried the Mme, curtseying again. She turned away when there was a knock at the door.
"We are not expecting anyone else, are we?" asked Lady Anne. Please, no, not Caroline Bingley!
"I mentioned our outing to Eleanor," said Lady Harriet. "Perhaps she has come to join us."
It was Lady Eleanor, together with Lady Prudence; one of Mlle Gris' assistants opened the door to admit them.
After greetings and necessary introductions, Lady Harriet said, "Now, we should all like new gowns; the very youngest are having pretty new dresses, and the rest of us need gowns for my ball early in January."
"Oui, my lady."
"We shall also need some pretty new dresses, ourselves! You always have such wonderful designs!" Lady Anne added.
"Oh, merci, my lady!"
"I should particularly like to involve Miss Catherine. She has a very good eye for what colours suit each of us."
"Bien sur, my lady. It would be an honour."
The ladies were shown to dressing rooms where their measurements were taken. Then, they gathered around the sketches of designs where, much to Lady Anne's amusement, Kitty took charge, pointing out which would suit each of her companions best. Soon, Mlle Gris and Kitty were in animated conversation; the former encouraging the latter to share some of her own designs.
London
Georgiana had chosen to join her cousin and the three Bennet sisters at Matlock House for the remainder of December, as Lady Harriet had planned many amusements. Mary and Beatrice went to stay with the bishop and his family.
The days passed more quietly at Darcy House, as the remaining Darcys kept to a quiet routine — an early morning walk in Hyde Park, estate and household matters, reading in the library or music room and playing with their children.
As the Gardiners did not make their usual trip to Hertfordshire for Christmas — tactfully leaving the newly-wed Mr. and Mrs. Bennet alone — they, the Darcys and the Fitzwilliams spent much time together.
London
Miss Bingley
Delighted to receive an invitation the to the Matlocks' Twelfth Night ball, Miss Bingley demanded that Mr. Bingley pay for a new dress and new dancing slippers. "And a new cape, Charles, as I must arrive in style."
"Caroline, I have bills for three dresses which you have not yet worn," Mr. Bingley protested.
"Really, Charles. They are not suitable for a ball such as this. Darcy will be there and I mean to bewitch him."
Please don't copy! 😏