A Very Merry Masquerade: A Festive Pride and Prejudice Variation, #1

By Meg Osborne

A festive Pride and Prejudice variation novella.

 

Elizabeth Bennet is furious when she discovers Mr. Darcy has removed, with Charles Bingley in tow, to London for Christmas, seeing in it a blatant attempt to undermine the relationship that had begun to flourish between Bingley and her sister. When the Gardiners invite Elizabeth and Jane to stay with them in Gracechurch Street over the festive season, she seizes on the opportunity to repair the damage Darcy has caused and reunite the lovers, little realising her own heart is in danger, and from Darcy himself.

 

Fitzwilliam Darcy acted in the best interest of his friend in preventing an unequal match – or so he thought. Reacquainted with both Jane and Elizabeth Bennet, he is forced to acknowledge his first, hasty assessment of both sisters was utterly false. Can he salvage not only his friend's hopes of future happiness, but his own, before the year is out?

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Meg Osborne
• Release date: Dec 12, 2016
• ISBN: 9781540104281

Meg Osborne

Meg Osborne is an avid reader, tea drinker and unrepentant history nerd.  She writes sweet historical romance stories and Jane Austen fanfiction, and can usually be found knitting, dreaming up new stories, or adding more books to her tbr list than she'll get through in a lifetime.

Book preview

Chapter One

T his is very unusual ! Mrs Bennet murmured to herself, reading over Mrs Gardiner’s letter again. Lizzy! she cried, weaving from one room to another, paying closer attention to the words on the paper before her than to her progress across the house. Jane! Where are you both? Come at once, I have something to discuss with you!

Lydia, who had bent to retrieve a lost ribbon, served nearly to trip her mother had she not moved at the last moment, and instead won a scathing look from her impatient mother.

LIZZY! Mrs Bennet screeched, hoping this might, at last, have the desired effect of bringing her wayward daughter to her notice.

She is out walking, Mama, Kitty observed, glancing up from her book to provide a disinterested answer.

In this weather? Mrs Gardiner’s letter momentarily forgotten, Mrs Bennet turned wide eyes to the windows, pebbled with thick raindrops. She’ll catch her death, and -

The door opened, then, and Elizabeth Bennet tumbled through the doorway, laughing breathlessly.

Goodness! That rain came on out of nowhere, she said, stomping her feet to will some warmth back into her numb toes. Still, the cold is delightful. She shook her head, sending drops of icy water splattering in all directions. Mama, you ought to take a turn once the rain clears.

I certainly shall not! Mrs Bennet cried, looking with dismay at her daughter. Elizabeth Bennet, you are covered in mud. Where do you get these wild, rambling ways, I’m sure I cannot be held responsible for such behaviour!

I am part horse, I don’t doubt, Elizabeth said, laughing again. For I do love to be outside, to walk and to run. Stepping out of her shoes, she slid, stocking-footed towards the fire and held her hands out towards it, watching the pale fingers warm to flesh colour once more. I don’t know how you can all stand to stay cooped up in here all day.

I find it quite relaxing! Lydia said, with a loud yawn.

Lydia, please! Mrs Bennet hissed. Do any of us wish to see the inside of your throat?

Sorry, Mama, the younger Miss Bennets both giggled, interrupted only when Mary sighed loudly from her seat in the corner. She did not look up from the book she was immersed in. Lizzy’s eyes sparkled. And Mary, so lovely to see you just where I left you this morning. How is dear old Fordyce?

Instructive, her sister mumbled, and pointedly turned a page.

Mama, did you call? Jane pushed the door open and joined her sisters in the sitting room. I’m sorry, I had taken a nap to try and clear my headache.

You ought to have gone walking with Lizzy, Lydia remarked. Apparently we are all dreadfully idle and lazy for staying indoors like cats and ought to instead grub about in the rain and catch colds if we are to be truly worthy humans. She stuck her tongue out at Elizabeth, who swallowed any retort she might otherwise have given, and turned her attention to the sister she most considered a friend.

Are you feeling better, dear? she asked, turning her back to the fire that she might regard her family more easily, and toast her back side to match the front.

A little, Jane said, with a faint smile.

Lizzy frowned. She knew the true cause of Jane’s headache would not be cured by half an hour’s extra sleep. No, it would not fully depart until she received a letter from Mr Bingley - or, at a stretch, his sister Miss Caroline Bingley - that might explain their sudden departure for London, and the abandonment of all Jane’s hopes of that young man’s affections. The girls shared a wordless glance which communicated all the sympathy that existed between them, interrupted only by Mrs Bennet’s recollection of her letter.

At last, you are both here and I might share this news I received, just this morning, from my dear sister-in-law.

Are they writing to tell us of their arrival for Christmas? Jane asked, crossing the room and sitting down on the narrow sofa next to Lydia, who grumpily folded her feet under her in order that her sister might sit unhindered.

Well, this is just the thing! Mrs Bennet said, lifting the letter again. Too vain to wear eyeglasses, she was forced to squint terribly in order to make out the tiny, delicate writing of Mrs Gardiner. "She says...bless me, where did I read it...aha, here it is. My husband, your brother, is sadly unwell and not fit for our usual trip to Hertfordshire in order that we might celebrate Christmas with you. Oh, you need not have any concern for his health, for he has been attended by the finest doctors who assure us of his recovery if he is sensible of care and remains at home. We are both so dreadfully disappointed to miss seeing family at Christmas, and as such have a suggestion I do hope you will agree to. Might we invite Jane and Elizabeth to stay with us for two weeks, ending in January, that they might enjoy the festivities of London at Christmas time, and offer their poor old Aunt and Uncle a little jolly society during Mr Gardiner’s recuperation?

Oh, may we? Lizzy ran forward to her mother, quite forgetting her intent to warm herself by the fire. Jane! she cried, turning to catch her sister’s eyes. London!

Jane looked up, meeting Elizabeth’s gaze and understanding all the unexpressed excitement surrounding a trip to London. London was where Mr Bingley’s party had retreated to. Here, at last, they might see him again, and discern the truth of his feelings for Jane.

I don’t know... Jane began.

How can you hesitate? Lizzy prompted. Surely -

I can well understand it, Mrs Bennet said, affecting a deep, sympathetic tone. For I, too, prefer a quiet Christmas at home, surrounded by family, to the hustle bustle of town. Indeed, it is quite unfeeling of my sister and brother to snatch you away -

They merely write to invite us, Mother, Lizzy said. "And

Reviews for A Very Merry Masquerade

[Elin Eriksen · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A pleasant fast read.

The Netherfield party had left for London when the two eldest Bennet sisters where invited to the Gardiner's.
A chance encounter with Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley made for a swift resolution to the PnP misunderstandings.