yours, etc. (pride and prejudice au) ~17k
The pride and prejudice au I’ve been waiting for! This was a crazy, exhausting, exciting labor of love in which excessive, flowery language ensues, historical anachronisms are thrown around like confetti and joe wright continues to own my soul. If you like the fic, I’m thrilled! If you’re deeply committed to regency era accuracies, anti-kent or this simply doesn’t do it for you, thanks fine too! I’ll kindly direct you to the exits on either side of the aisles. There is plenty of other great Check Please! x pride & prejudice/regency era content out there including gutsybitsies writing and this drawing by pocari-tears
I
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a life partner.
Naturally in a world such as this, filled as it is with challenges and unforeseen twists, it is entirely unconscionable to attempt to surmount life’s adventures on one’s own. The only way to lessen inevitable burdens is to share the weight of them with a sturdy set of shoulders paired with a steady heart by one’s side.
The generous fortune that accompanies such a partner is merely an additional blessing.
It had long been the hope of Suzanne Bittle that her own children might find favor in the eyes of a generous gentleman or lady, such was the hope of any mother. But five children all out in society was a sufficient enough challenge to test anyone’s ambitions to arrange a suitable match, let alone when the children were in possession of such poor fortunes. Suzanne’s spirits had been downtrodden as of late, that was of course until Judith, ever inclined to be the first to share the most salacious news, announced that a man of a considerable fortune had taken up Samwell.
But as it seemed to be an informal responsibility of a committed wife to be long-suffering, once again she was met with her husband’s tedious indifference upon her declaration. Her children, however, even William, bless his heart, seemed intrigued by the notion which spurred her onward despite her husband’s lack of answer upon her sharing the news. “His name is Mashkov and Judith says that his as single as the day is long. And his fortune! Lord, I have been told he is the recipient of four to five thousand a year! Can you imagine such a sum? I daresay we could not ask for a more fortuitous blessing for our children.”
Richard sniffed before deciding to indulge his wife, “In reply to your question, I can not imagine such a fortune, though I am equally at a loss to imagine how this affects our children in any way whatsoever.” Suzanne’s indiganance grew at the flippant remark, “You do try me so. Of course you remain aloof to the pertinence of these circumstances. Naturally we must arrange his marrying one of them! It would secure the future of the one married, and to think of what such an association would do for the prospects of the others! You must go and make his acquaintance.”
Richard seemed to consider the idea for a moment as his children and wife waited with bated breath and anticipation, only to be quickly disappointed by his reply. “Surely it would be better for you to go yourself, Mrs. Bittle, since you have thorough designs for this prospective match.” The firmness with which Suzanne placed her hands on her hips seemed to echo the firmness with which she was attached to the idea of making Mr. Mashkov’s immediate acquaintance. “You know entirely well that I can not go and see Mr. Mashkov by myself, how impertinent that would be! It is entirely out of the question. You must go and put in a good word.”
The pause in conversation, allowed by Richard’s silent musing and Suzanne’s vexed fretting, provided opportunity for Christopher, who had been attentively observing the conflict unfold along with the rest of his siblings, to interject. “Certainly Mr. Mashkov must be lonely, coming from so far a place to his new home where he knows so few. It would be the kind thing to do, calling upon him if even for a few moments.”
“Lonely indeed.” Derek agreed, though by his mischievous expression it was likely he was suggesting Mr. Mashkov was suffering from a more salacious sort of loneliness.
“Ah, well. If Mr. Mashkov is so incredibly lonely, it would surely be of the utmost compassion to relieve him of his misery.” The remark sent Suzanne rushing to her husband’s chair, eager to receive confirmation. “Does this mean you will call upon him?” she asked. Richard offered a reserved shrug in reply.
“I simply cannot endure this teasing!” Suzanne exclaimed. “I hope that you derive immense pleasure from the manner in which you choose to torture your wife, perhaps it will bring you comfort in your old age when your children are left unmarried and penniless!” Heated from her impassioned declaration, Suzanne sat herself on the sofa next to William, who had been devoid of any particular dedicated interest in the matter. “I wish to no longer speak of this Mr. Mashkov, since he is set to play no part in our lives. We will cease this line of discussion at once.”
Richard sighed, feigning an immediate air of disappointment. “How unfortunate this is. If I had been privy to your feelings on the matter earlier I would have refrained from making myself known to Mr. Mashkov just this morning. I can not help but feel rather mortified, what with his acquaintance being so inevitable now.” Eric, who had been silent up until this moment considering he was entirely accustomed to the theatrics of his parents, spoke. “Do tell us if you are serious.” he urged, “If not mama’s sake, than for ours considering what she is wont to do if you are speaking in jest.”
A nod of confirmation on Richard’s part sparked a tumult of delight from his wife and children alike. It was not long before the room descended into lively conversations regarding what one should wear or say when meeting the mysterious Mr. Mashkov at the upcoming ball. It seemed, at least for the moment, that the family’s prospects were bright.
continue reading on ao3 and come back and reblog if you liked it!
I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge a number of people who made this possible. Thank you to: @thewritingninja for your help with names, @blackberrypieisdelicious, @onceuponatmi and @postal-inspector-groat for your excitement over the excerpt I posted, @thisladylovesmilktray (tag won’t work!) for your likes and compliments on my writing (I have your prompt and I’ll get to it!!), @shutupimgaynurse @honeyhusk @foryouandbits and especially @creative-cabbage for your feedback and character contributions, and @knightduan and @labelleizzy who TWO YEARS AGO said I should write this. This the longest, most ambitious and self-indulgent thing I have ever written, so even the smallest tags and likes kept me going.
