Soothing Cinnamon (Hansel and Gretel)
"And in short, my dear brother, I do not know what is to be done!"
Edward Gardiner considered advising his sister or, more to the point, her husband; and as he had so many times before, he thought better of it. "If it would help, we would be glad to have the girls stay with us after Christmas."
He wished she did not look so pleased at the suggestion. But as the arrangement pleased everyone else as well, Mr. Gardiner forbore mentioning that too.
Daughter (Thumbelina)
For nearly the first time in a decade, Charlotte Lucas had welcome news to relate to her parents. "Mother, I have accepted an offer of marriage. Mr. Collins came on his way from leaving Longbourn; he is speaking to Papa now."
"Is he really?" Lady Lucas at first dared not believe her good fortune, but soon made up for her doubts with quiet effusions of joy. "A home, a living, and one day, a very good inheritance!"
Charlotte suffered more regrets than a good Lucas child should at this eventual triumph over their neighbours. She was fond of the Bennets, and did not like to think of gaining by their loss.
But a Mrs. Collins must eventually benefit from Mr. Bennet's death, no matter who she might be. Charlotte did not scruple to think herself as deserving as any other potential candidate, and was united with her mother in thinking the next mistress of Longbourn would be more fitted for the role than the current one.
Forfeit (Rumpelstiltskin)
"You must feel indebted for Lady Catherine's kind notice of our nuptials," Mr. Collins comforted his betrothed as she read the letter so thoughtfully penned and entrusted to him for delivery. He was filled with pride as she nodded with all suitable reverence, although she did hazard a question:
"Is she taken to rhetorical devices? I mean, is the lady given to witticisms?"
"Oh, no: what Lady Catherine states, she means most emphatically."
"Then her injunction on the number of children we might have is a ... recommendation?"
"To put it politely, though I consider her ladyship's advice so sound as comprise the authority of a command."
Miss Lucas made no further comment, by which Mr. Collins understood that in this matter—as in all others—they were of one mind.
Sloth (Snow White)
Mr. Hurst noticed a great deal more than people gave him credit for, a state of affairs he was happy to maintain. For example, he learned Miss Bennet was in town at nearly the same time his own wife did; as she did not mention it, he forbore broaching the subject. He observed the efforts to keep their brother ignorant of this fact without much interest, though he took a vindictive satisfaction in seeing a prig like Darcy party to the intrigue. It might serve the fellow right to fall into Caroline's grasp.
For really, Mr. Hurst liked Miss Bennet, or at least did not dislike her. She was decent company at table whether sitting to veal or cards, and further knew how to keep her tongue. Bingley might do worse.
Still, didn't do to get involved. "We are not at home," he told the servant when asked, and went back to his host's port without a qualm. Someone or other would eventually marry a pretty girl like her.
Carnal Suit is by Carnations Sign'd (Rapunzel)
"Is your horse lame?" Colonel Fitzwilliam asked one afternoon over the billiard table.
"No. Why?" Three balls sunk at once into the pocket, like petals plucked and tossed with ease.
"It seems you are always out walking now; I had thought such a separation must be forced upon you." He eyed the shot his cousin was sighting. "Are you sure you can make that one?"
A quick flash of the other man's cue answered. "It is all a matter of geometry, and proximity: one need only calculate the best route to success. And I may have found better company."
"Different company, I grant, but none better than we entertained at Easter; certainly not as musically satisfying. Though as it can not suit a lady like Miss Bennet to remain locked away in that parsonage, I fear the pleasure of her company at Rosings will not be a perennial one."
The eight ball landed with a flourish, and Darcy contemplated the foregone conclusion of his victory. "Perhaps." It was impossible to say if his tone spoke agreement or no.
Ire (Frog Prince)
How many times had Caroline Bingley held her tongue, knowing Mr. Darcy's deep concern for propriety? How often had she put up with his moods and quirks, and all to forward her brother's interests?
Yet Charles did nothing while she was forced to spend an entire afternoon with Miss Eliza Bennet, nor offer support when Mr. Darcy contradicted her in favour of the chit. Throwing caution to the wind, Caroline quoted his own words back at him, daring him to admit his feelings.
She traded green for red as he pronounced her rival "the handsomest woman of my acquaintance."
Friday's Child is Loving and Giving (Little Red Riding Hood)
"What an dreadfully long face Susan has!" Lydia exclaimed one day after the girl surrendered her place on the sofa, rescued her sister's doll from being kicked out of the way, and then watched as all the tea cake was devoured. "It is to be a wedding, silly, not a funeral. La! How tiresome everyone is here."
Mama comforted her later. "I am afraid your cousin has no control of her tongue, and does not know wolves from lambs; but I am gratified to see how patiently you are bearing it all."
Susan was not sure who Lydia was marrying, but she prayed he would take her away before their family's joy was swallowed up whole.
Charity Seeketh Not Her Own (Six Swans)
Once after her aborted elopement, Georgiana Darcy dreamed she was married to Mr. Wickham. It was a variation on a theme, for she had often done so before. In her nightmare, though, all was wretchedly altered: her husband slammed the door as children cried and a wolf turned his hungry gaze on them.
She had been unable to scream even awake. Fitzwilliam's stoic resolve was more comforting than ever.
His scruples prevented their discussing Lydia Bennet until much later. Miss Bingley, possessing no similar delicacy, relished the newspaper announcement of Lieutenant Wickham's marriage. "It is Miss Eliza's sister. And yet I thought she had her cap set for him too."
Georgiana flushed but not for her own feelings: how dare Miss Bingley speak of a friend so! She considered her dear brother, and excused herself with as much fortitude as she could summon. Better to work alone than in such company.
Pied Opal (Toads and Diamonds)
The trip to Hertfordshire passed with Lady Catherine de Bourgh both talking to and ignoring her daughter, per usual. Upon their arrival Anne's invisibility faded enough for a direct command to wait in the carriage.
"I will not be long; the girl will be made to repent her affront."
If consulted, Anne would have agreed that marriage between Fitzwilliam and Miss Bennet was undesirable, her own prospects only one facet to consider. But she was unconvinced even her formidable mother could prevent it.
"She is simply not handsome enough for mere coquetry," Anne explained to Mrs. Jenkinson as they watched Lady Catherine lead rather than follow Miss Bennet into a humble garden. The prism of her character must have excited admiration; certainly it was difficult to conceive she might be overlooked for the space of one conversation, let alone a lifetime's worth.
Good Humour (Puss in Boots)
Never a firm student of languages, Charles Bingley did not understand the French deja-vu till he arrived at the Bennet home in his blue coat and saw movement in the upstairs windows. Was it possible to turn back time?
He was sure his manners, nay, his very presence must offend. He wanted every moment to declare himself, and was concentrating so hard on not doing so like a heartless wastrel, that he was sure the entire endeavour was doomed. Could the noblest heart in the world o'erlook his stupidity?
When at last Jane answered, "Yes," he almost knocked her sister over running to her father's study.
"I am a little disappointed," Mr. Bennet said, momentarily causing Bingley's heart to cease beating. "Here I had decided you meant to drag the thing out for at least another week. You may relieve my distress by keeping the engagement as short as possible."
Endings and Beginnings (Sleeping Beauty)
Exiting the church was made the easier for Elizabeth having her sister nearby; the whole town seemed to have come alive in celebration of the née Bennet girls. She and Jane laughed girlishly over the sumptuous wedding breakfast their mother had insisted upon, then cried like brides in their parting. As the Darcys rode away in their fine coach, the new husband reassured his wife that she was not parting from her family forever.
"I know it," Elizabeth answered, taking one last look at the village she had been born to, yet which no longer felt like home. "But do not think I wish to return too soon. Familiarity has bred contempt; I must admit, I have been spoiled for anything less than Pemberley since seeing it."
He quirked a small smile, one she had once thought imperious but had learned to value for the promises it portended. "So, I might have been spared the trouble of proposing at all, and merely showed you my grounds to win your hand?"
She laughed, turning completely away from the view of her past and toward the welcome visage of her future. "Oh, my dear Fitzwilliam, that would not have done for half! Come, we have not had a moment alone in nearly a week, and you should know I am still trying to sketch your character. Before we arrive in London, I must insist on learning at least five new facts about you."
They soon lost count, exchanging the subject of their discourse a dozen times ere as many miles had passed. Rather than a happy ending, it was a very auspicious start.
