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 the Darcys return to Meryton, and Mr. Bingley is told a little of the 'great secret'
Darcy House
Elizabeth
As she recovered, in both body and spirit, Elizabeth started to feel hemmed in. Of course, she relished the company of her family, but she missed both her long walks and the freedom to take them. If they could not walk in Hyde Park at dawn, Darcy took her to the Gardiners' to walk in one of the parks near to them. It was not the same and she missed the view from Oakham Mount.
Uncertain of her status at Darcy House, she was wary of stepping on Lady Anne's toes by interfering with her management of the household. Though Mr. and Mrs. Weaver had been told of her real identity, she had been introduced to the other servants as 'Mrs. Adam'.
Who am I? she often sighed to herself, acknowledging that she was, perhaps, being ungrateful.
She and Darcy still dealt with estate issues together, but there was not a lot to do in the wintertime. The enforced idleness was frustrating her; thus, it was a great relief when they received an invitation to stay with the new Mr. and Mrs. Bingley at Netherfield. After much discussion, he reluctantly agreed that she and the girls would return to Longbourn — where she was still Miss Elizabeth Bennet and would be free to walk, walk and walk.
Anne Bingley's letter said that the Hursts might join them in Hertfordshire. She also wrote that Miss Bingley had not been informed of their wedding and was neither invited to nor welcome at Netherfield.
Longbourn
Mr. Bennet
The house had returned to its usual boisterous noisiness with the return of three of his daughters from London — exactly as he liked it! They were expecting Elizabeth and her entourage to arrive later in the month, and he was considering how to approach the tricky issue of her separation from Darcy. When consulted, Charlotte had given her opinion: that Darcy should be permitted to stay at Longbourn too. Mr. Bennet had no objections to the idea: the man was his daughter's husband, the father of his grandchildren, and his own valued son-in-law.
Decision made, he called Charlotte, the Hills and Mrs. Annesley to his book-room. Closing the door behind them, he bid them sit as he had something of import to tell them. Seeing their apprehensive faces, he was quick to reassure them that they were not to worry for their jobs, but that he had some news.
"I know that you might have already surmised this, and, if you have, I thank you for having not revealed it." He looked at each of them and continued, "What I have to tell you must not be spoken of, and when I say 'must not', I mean must not. It is a secret that I have kept for a great many years, decreed by the very highest authority in the land."
The servants' faces showed their astonishment.
"Very well." He drew in a large breath and continued, "As a reward for some tasks that I have performed, worthy gentlemen have been found as husbands for my daughters." Seeing his housekeeper's face clear, he said, "I see that it makes sense to you, Mrs. Hill."
"Yes, sir."
"Tell me what you have determined."
"Mr. Darcy, sir," replied Mrs. Hill. "He is Miss Elizabeth's husband."
Mr. Hill and Mrs. Annesley's faces reflected their sudden understanding of that pronouncement.
"Anything else?"
"Miss Melissa and Miss Phoebe are her daughters, sir."
"They are so; my darling granddaughters."
"Who, sir, if I might ask, is Miss Mary's husband?"
"His name is James Fitzwilliam. He visited us at the end of November."
"I remember, sir."
They all sat in silence for a few moments, until Mrs. Hill said, "Might I ask something else, sir?"
Mr. Bennet indicated that she was welcome to do so.
"Is the colonel to marry Miss Jane?"
Mr. Bennet relied with a laugh, "That was not the original intention! Mr. Bingley had been considered for Jane, but, as you know, he turned his attentions elsewhere. The colonel has applied for my permission to become my son— "
The servants nodded, satisfied with this news, their affection for the colonel plain.
" —but a date has not been set for the ceremony."
A touch from Charlotte's hand on his sleeve drew him back to the purpose of their meeting.
"My wife reminds me that there is more to tell you. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy have been invited to stay at Netherfield. I am sure that it will not be too long before the marriages are permitted to be common knowledge and she and Mary will leave us to live with their husbands." He sighed. "Of course this is the natural way of things, but I shall miss them greatly."
The others nodded; they too would miss them.
"In my selfishness, I should like Lizzy, Melissa and Phoebe to stay here at Longbourn, instead. Mr. Darcy will permit it, I think, as Lizzy misses her walks."
Gentle laughter acknowledged this truth.
"Thus, Mr. Darcy must be welcome to stay here, too, as often as he wishes. My reservation is maintaining the necessary secrecy; Kitty and the other servants must not be permitted to discover his presence.
"Sir?" Mrs. Hill was obviously their spokesman.
"Yes, you have an idea?"
"Sir. It would be quite reasonable for the new mistress to make changes and, so, perhaps, under the guise of redecoration, the bedchambers might be reassigned."
"Excellent, Mrs. Hill!" cried Charlotte.
Mr. Bennet watched the looks exchanged between his wife and his housekeeper, and said, "Excellent, indeed. I shall leave it to you to organise. And, if I am to be given new chambers, I shall rely upon you to tell me which ones!"
Mr. Bennet was not moved to different chambers, but he noticed that the redecoration and reassignment had left unoccupied the three interconnecting chambers by the rarely used stairs leading to the door to the stables. Perfect!
Darcy
Having had Elizabeth and their daughters living with him for nearly three months, Darcy was not pleased that they were to be separated again, but his feathers were soon to be unruffled. On their arrival at Longbourn, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet came out to greet them with hugs, kisses and handshakes. As the women retired to the parlour, Darcy was held back by his father.
"Come with me, son," said Mr. Bennet leading him up the stairs.
Darcy looked around. That was not proper.
"We shall not be seen. Come along."
Darcy followed Mr. Bennet up to the first floor and along the corridor to the door at the very end.
Opening it, Mr. Bennet said, "These stairs lead to the stables; we never use them."
Darcy stayed silent and watched as Mr. Bennet opened the adjacent door and bid him enter.
"This is Lizzy's new room. Through that door is a nursery and beyond it is a room for either Nanny Jameson or Mrs. Stevens." His father glanced mischievously at him and continued, "Or Mr. Stevens, should you bring him to stay with you."
"'To stay with me'?" Darcy was taken aback.
"Mmm," replied Mr. Bennet. "You and he can sneak up and down the stairs to the stables and no-one would be the wiser."
"Have you changed the house around for us?" Darcy's words caught in his throat.
"Mainly for Lizzy," Mr. Bennet teased him. "She needed to come home — as this is home until she is acknowledged as Mrs. Darcy — yet would be unhappy without you. I know that both of you will also stay at Netherfield, but hope that you will be here most of the time."
"I know not what to say: I thank you very much!"
"Indeed!" Mr. Bennet replied with a wink. "Now, of the servants, only Mr. and Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Annesley are party to this part of the 'great secret'. Oh, and Nanny Jameson, of course; I assume that she has returned with you."
Darcy found it unnecessary to reply as female voices were approaching. He and Mr. Bennet turned to greet Charlotte and Elizabeth as they led Mrs. Stevens, Mrs. Jameson and Mrs. Hill along the corridor.
He watched his wife's face as she saw what her parents had done, seeing her delight. When the women started to fuss about, arranging things just so, Darcy said that he would go on to Netherfield. "Bingley and Anne will be expecting us."
"If it seems appropriate, do ask them to dine with us this evening, William," Charlotte called after him.
"I shall, Step-mamma," he responded cheekily. He heard Charlotte's retort as he descended the stairs to the stables:
"He was never like this before he met you, Lizzy!"
He laughed to himself as he made his way to the stables to find that the trunks had been unloaded from the carriages and greeted Mr. Hill and John. He mounted Ajax and called Stevens to join him. Upon hearing of the Bennets' generosity, the valet was as surprised as he had been.
Netherfield
Darcy and Stevens arrived at Netherfield to be greeted by Mr. Bingley. Stevens took the reins of their horses to lead them to the stables, while Darcy followed his host inside. In the foyer, he was greeted by his cousin, Anne. He found himself to be unsure of how to address her: was she Hannah Bingley née Prout or Anne Bingley née de Bourgh? Her words did not help:
"Hello, Darcy. Where is the rest of your party?"
Mr. Bingley's did not either. "Have you left them at Longbourn?"
"Indeed."
"Well, come on in," said Anne. "We have given you the same rooms as you had in the autumn."
"I thank you."
"Charles, would you excuse us as I remind my cousin which way to go?"
"Yes, yes, please do," Mr. Bingley replied. "I shall arrange for refreshments."
Darcy held his arm out to Anne and they climbed the stairs to the first floor. As they turned into the guest wing, he asked, "Are you happy, Anne?"
"Very much so," she replied with a wide smile.
"Good; I am glad. While we are alone, can I ask you a few questions?"
"Have I told him who I am, you mean?"
"Indeed."
"I have, but am now called 'Hannah' rather than 'Anne'. The name belongs to me and not to your mother!"
"Indeed," acknowledged Darcy. "Have you told your mother about your marriage?"
"I have written to her to tell her that I am well, as I am now that I am away from her stifling presence; but have not told her of my marriage, no." She must have seen his look of disapproval, as she continued, "I know that you will disagree, Darcy, but, for the first time, I feel as if I am living, am alive, rather than merely existing. Does that make sense?"
"I had not realised that it was quite so bad for you," he admitted, ashamed.
"It is no longer, so please allow me this deceit."
They had reached the door to his chambers.
"Very well."
"I have had to tell Charles that you are wed, yourself. I could not invite both you and Lizzy here without telling him. I cannot conceal such a secret from my husband and also allow her to stay here."
"But— "
"I have not told him of anything else, but I think that you could trust him with a little of it."
"Mmm. Perhaps."
"I should appreciate it if you would. Why not discuss it with Mr. Bennet and the general?"
"Darcy sighed. "Very well." He changed the subject. "Have the Hursts arrived yet?"
"No, we do not expect them for a few days."
"I come bearing an invitation to dine at Longbourn— "
" —which you would not have spoken of had they been here."
"Indeed. I know that Mrs. Bennet would be gracious if I were to arrive with four guests not two, but it would be impolite."
"Yes, Charlotte is lovely and so very generous! We dine together quite often. Shall I leave you to join us when you are ready?"
"I shall not be long."
It was a matter of a few minutes later that Darcy found the Bingleys in the smallest parlour. Anne, obviously relishing the role of hostess, pressed a cup of tea into his hands almost as soon as he had crossed the threshold. As they settled into seats around the fire, they chatted about inconsequentialities for a while until Darcy took a deep breath and said, "I gather that Mrs. Bingley has told you a little of your new family's dealings."
"She has!" cried Mr. Bingley. He stood and made sure that the door was firmly closed. "Do you have more to add?"
"Indeed."
Once Mr. Bingley had regained his seat, Darcy said, "If you would tell what you do know, I shall know what else to disclose."
"Ha, ha," laughed Mr. Bingley. "I know who my dear Hannah's family are and about her estate. I know too about her mother and, having met her just briefly in the autumn, I quite understand my wife's desire for an estrangement."
Anne joined in his laughter and patted his hand.
"Indeed; though you must meet her properly at some time."
"When Hannah desires it; not a moment before."
Though Darcy disagreed, he was impressed by Mr. Bingley's newfound resolve. It is not my decision, he acknowledged.
"I have also been told the astonishing news that you are wed to Miss Elizabeth — Mrs. Darcy! — and that for some reason, I know not what, it is to remain a secret."
"Indeed."
"Hannah tells me that Miss Mary is also wed, but she does not say to whom."
"Is that all?"
"'Is that all?' he asks. 'Is that all?'" Mr. Bingley cried. "There is more?"
"Indeed."
While Darcy gathered his thoughts, Anne refilled their cups.
"Very well, here is some of the more! — My parents and Mr. Bennet arranged my betrothal to Lizzy ten years ago— "
"'Ten years'!"
"Indeed. The betrothal was brought about at another's behest."
"'Another'? Who would have the authority to—? Oh! Oh!"
"Indeed; thus the secrecy."
"But why—?"
"You must excuse me; I am not at liberty to answer that."
"Very well." Mr. Bingley looked a little disappointed.
"Lizzy and I wed nearly five years ago, and we have two daughters— "
"Miss Melissa and Miss Martha. Ha, Caroline was correct!"
"No! Melissa and Phoebe are my beloved daughters. They are not some natural children." Darcy said, gruffly. "Martha is my valet's child."
"Yes, yes, of course. I did not intend offence!"
"Indeed, but Miss Bingley's snide remarks and accusations were offensive."
"I know, Darce, and can only offer my apologies."
The men sat in silence for a few minutes until Anne asked, "What else can you tell Charles?"
"You ought to be aware of who is also party to this. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, of course, Miss Bennet and Miss Lydia— "
"But not Miss Kitty?"
"No. Her father believes that she cannot keep a secret."
Anne interjected, "I heard Miss Lydia say that she is trying to help her sister to do better, to not speak without thinking."
"Let us see how well she fares!" Mr. Bingley replied.
"Some of the Bennets' household servants are aware," Darcy continued. "They have, very kindly, rearranged some chambers to allow me to stay at Longbourn without Miss Kitty becoming aware."
"Will you not be staying here with us?" Anne cried in disappointment.
"I have not discussed this with Lizzy yet, but I expect that we shall split our time between Longbourn and Netherfield; assuming that that does not inconvenience you."
"No, not in the slightest," replied Anne. "We should be pleased to have you stay here as often as you wish."
"I thank you. We shall not wish to be parted from our daughters too much, but, when I have spoken with Lizzy, I shall let you know our plans." He saw that the Bingleys were about to say that his daughters were welcome too, and said, "It is probably best for them to remain at Longbourn and you would not have to explain the presence here of children."
While his hosts nodded in agreement, Darcy stood and said, "If you will excuse me, I shall return to my family and shall inform Mrs. Bennet that you have accepted her invitation." With that, he bowed and took his leave.
Please don't copy! 😏