In Pursuit of Happiness
Disclaimer: I don't own Pride and Prejudice. All recognisable characters, content, or locations belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Summary: Elizabeth Bennet has all of the societally appropriate attributes of a gentleman's prospective wife - connections, fortune, a (mostly) respectable family - but amidst social climbers, fortune hunters, and familial expectations, is happiness for Elizabeth and the estimable Mr Darcy obtainable? OOC AU.
Rating:
Author: tlyxor1.
Part One: Longbourn
Chapter One:
Elizabeth Bennet learns of the new tenant of Purvis Lodge from her mother, who has a great deal to say about his fortune, his eligibility, the likelihood that Elizabeth - with her status, wealth, and connections - would catch his interest. She listens with half an ear, longs for the presence of one or more of her sisters to divert their mother's attention, and gazes wistfully at the gardens outside the drawing room window.
As the eldest daughter of the Earl and Countess of Arlington in residence, there are far more interesting - and important - things around Longbourn that Elizabeth would rather be doing, but Lady Francine Bennet is determined to share the gossip she has acquired, and Elizabeth - or Lizzie, rather - hasn't the energy to endure her mother's disapprobation should she not have her way. Jane's departure to Northumberland, a month passed, has left Lizzie bereft, cast adrift as life at Longbourn continues on around her, and the uncharacteristic melancholy has taken it's toll.
"Mrs Goulding says he is to bring a party for the shooting season, and expects to remain through to the end of March. Is that not lovely?"
"I'm sure the society will be delightful," Elizabeth replies glibly. Her mother doesn't notice her tone, however, and continues on in the same vein, heedless of her audience's disinterest.
"He's to arrive after Michaelmas with a party of 20, if you would believe it. Imagine, all of those unmarried gentleman in Meryton! I ought to send for Mary."
Mary is Elizabeth's younger sister. She is 17, not yet out in society, and presently in the care of their paternal grandparents, the Duke and Duchess of Grafton. As Elizabeth had, and their eldest sister before her, she is to spend 12 months under their grandmother's watchful eye, refining her skills in household management, in etiquette and deportment, on the pianoforte and on the dance floor. The time in London is to serve as a means of preparing Mary for her first season in society, and she is rather excited for the opportunity. As such, Lizzie highly doubts Mary - or their grandmother, for that matter - would be particularly pleased by the disruption to Mary's plans, and Elizabeth indicates as much.
"In any case," she continues, "I am sure Mary will meet many noteworthy gentlemen in town. Grandmother Bennet is as determined as you to see us all comfortably wed, remember."
"And my dear Jane did find an excellent match in town," Lady Francine reluctantly concedes.
Elizabeth's mother hasn't much of a relationship with her own mother in law, and neither has she been able to forget that the match was not one of her own design. It chaffs at the Countess Arlington's pride, and to Elizabeth's chagrin, her mother has since resolved to ensuring Elizabeth's hypothetical, presently non-existent husband is a man of her own - Lady Francine's, that is - choosing.
Regarding Jane's husband, Elizabeth is uncertain of whether or not she shares her mother's opinion. On the surface, Andrew Percy, Earl of Northumberland*, is certainly an ideal match, , intelligent and upright and all things gentlemanly, but he is also distant and aloof, and taciturn in ways Elizabeth, who is generally lively and cheerful, is disconcerted by.
But then, perhaps Elizabeth is simply reluctant to accept the man who'd taken her dearest sister and friend away from Longbourn, and from Elizabeth, in particular. Such as the reality of their lives as women - Elizabeth has certainly spent her life expecting such separation - but she has struggled to adjust to the change, and it is hard to imagine she will ever do so completely.
"I received a letter from her today," Elizabeth remarks, "Mrs Hill mentioned Jane sent you one, as well. Have you read it?"
"I have. Have you not read yours?"
"I was in the stillroom when it arrived, and I've been with you since. I've not yet had the opportunity. Is she well?"
"She has settled in," Lady Francine confirms, "She longs for home, of course, but that is to be expected."
"I hope Lord Northumberland* is kind to her."
"I am sure he is."
Her mother appears determined not to consider any other possibility, and Lizzie hasn't the heart to pursue the matter further. Not only is Francine Bennet of a nervous, fretful disposition, but Elizabeth can't bear to consider her sister anything other than completely joyous in her marriage, and so instead, she continues with her needlework, and listens absently as her mother regales her with other - less consequential - gossip around Meryton. As she does so, however, Elizabeth's thoughts are not far from her gentlest sister, or from the letter from her that awaits Elizabeth upstairs. All the while, the sounds of her youngest sisters' shared music lesson filters from the next room, and Elizabeth hopes - as her mother had indicated - that all is well in Jane's new household.
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* I'm a little confused about how to address Jane's husband. His name is Andrew Percy, his title is Earl of Northumberland, and his father is the Duke of Northumberland. Would he be addressed as Lord Andrew, Lord Northumberland, or Earl Percy? Lord Percy, I believe, is reserved for his father, but please correct me if I'm wrong…
Additional Disclaimer: No historical persons were harmed in the development of this draft. The titles used exist in Britain, and the Earl/Duke of Northumberland is held by a Percy, but any similarity to someone/s alive or dead is entirely coincidental.
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Author's Note: Am stuck at this point, but I would really like to continue it. Any Pride and Prejudice fans out there, are you inclined to serve as my coach/cheerleader/sounding board?