268Chapter One
A/N: Pride and Prejudice has been my favorite Jane Austen novel for a long time. One fine day, Alina just came into my head, fearless, smart, vivacious and refused to leave. I could see her clearly, debating with Darcy, charming her father, writing letters to Richard, making friends with Elizabeth. It's like a movie playing in my head and I wanted to share her story with everyone, so here we are.
Summary: She was born on a rainy, stormy july night in the twilight of the 18th century. Perhaps, that made her the spitfire that she is. Undaunted by society's restrictions, fearless, vivacious Alina Fitzwilliam manages to charm everyone she meets. Starting from a joyous, fun-filled childhood and to an exciting and turbulent adulthood, this is Alina's story. Mainly features the Fitzwilliam and Darcy family.
It starts with Alina as a 12/13 old, so she is going to sound a bit childish and cocky but it will get better.
Disclaimer: Any resemblance to actual persons, whether living or dead is purely coincidental. This is a fictious story about a fictious family set in a real location. These characters in no way reflect any member of the Fitzwilliam family.
Milton Hall
12th September 1804
My Dear Friend Michelle
My governess Miss Price says that in order to become a lady, I must learn to write proper letters and for that I must practice most assiduously by writing mock letters. I thought that if I was to go to the trouble of writing a letter, using the best of parchment and ink, then why may I not address it to my dearest friend? So, I write this practice letter to you.
I hope my letter finds you in the best of health and spirits. Oh Michelle! I miss you so. Why did you have to go to your grandmother's cottage and that too so far from Milton just because my dear Uncle Thomas is no more? You could have continued living at Canterbury with your Uncle. There is certainly enough space to accommodate your mother and you. I will take it up with your Uncle when he visits us for dinner. We must have you at Canterbury. Otherwise, how are we to trouble my dear cousin Darcy? I cannot carry out any mischief without you. You were always the best at getting out of tight spots the few times the cook caught us stealing cakes meant for tea!
How fare thee, my friend? You must not be surprised at my use of medieval phrases, Mich, for I have been reading the Bard's works (the ones Miss Price deems suitable for me to read) most devotedly.
I am quite lonely now that Richard has gone off to London to visit his friends. I thought now that his studies have ended, we would have amusement and gaiety at Milton Hall once again when he resided with us but he stayed here but a week and then left for London to meet his friends. I do not like these friends of Richard's who take him away from his family. Mother and Father disapprove of them too, I heard them arguing with Richard last evening when I was looking for my most precious treasure, my beautiful doll Rosie. Miss Price says that ladies do not eavesdrop on private conversations and our Indian maid says that the ones who do so become lizards in their next life but I assure you I didn't eavesdrop. They were so loud that I could hear them while I was searching the corridor outside father's study for my beloved Rosie. Nonetheless, I have asked for forgiveness from God, as mother says we must if we do something wrong and I hope he will forgive me.
Oh! I must tell you what I received for my birthday! A book of fairytales! Oh, Michelle, I love them so. Every night before I go to sleep, I read stories of Princesses rescued from witches by dashing princes and girls with hair as long as a tower! I shall endeavour to send a copy to you for your birthday too. Then we can discuss the stories in our letters for you must write back to me. I will not take a negative answer to my command. Dear, I sound like Aunt Catherine. Richard will tease me mercilessly if he finds out I have been emulating Dear Aunt Catherine. I miss him very much but Mother says he will be here for Christmas along with Uncle George, Cousin Darcy and Cousin Georgiana. It will be nice to have a girl for company but that does not mean I will ever stop moaning about your deeply felt absence. My Best Regards to your grandmother and mother and love to sustain you till we see each other again.
Your Devoted Friend,
Alina
Milton Hall
15th September 1804
Lord Milton's Study
'Young Lady,' said the Earl sternly.
'Yes Papa', she replied meekly, hoping the informal appellation would inspire mercy.
'You are never to call out guests at our dinner table again,' he reprimanded. 'It's no business of yours if the new Lord Canterbury chooses to remove his sister-in-law from his residence.'
'Yes, Papa', she agreed reluctantly and chose to withhold her arguement, her father was angry enough already.
'You are banished to your room for two days. If I hear that you have disobeyed, the consequences will be severe. I will send you to your Aunt Catherine!,' he finished with a flourish
'I will be most compliant Papa!', she begged meekly, who after all wanted to live with Aunt Catherine and listen to her sermons about how insufficient one was compared to her eminence and hundred ways to improve oneself. She would not suffer that willingly. Never.
'Good, now be off with you. Leave me in peace,' he sighed.
'Good Night Papa', she said quietly before leaving the room.
'Good Night child,' he replied as she went out and quietly closed the door.
5 Minutes Later
After checking the corridor for signs of his daughter and finding none, Lord Milton collapsed into his chair and laughed heartily till tears ran down his cheeks. His lovely, cheeky, impertinent daughter who called out Lords at the dinner table.
Alcove near the Earl's Study
Alina had already celebrated her lenient punishment with a portion of the scotch reel. After hearing her father's laughter, she went off happily to sleep. He was not so angry after all.
Milton Hall
16th September 1804
Richard Fitzwilliam,
If you are wondering about the absence of an endearment, it is because you do not deserve it Mister. I had such high hopes for your return to Milton Hall from the University. I thought you would tell me stories of your time at the University, play games with me, take me for picnics in the woods, because you know Mother doesn't allow me to go alone. However, you care nothing for your poor little sister who loves you with all her heart. She is to be abandoned for the pleasures of London. I doubt your friends in London love you as much as I.
I have a good mind to write you a sad, miserable letter for I have been banished to my rooms for two days by Father. Apparently, 'I shall meet you with pistols and swords at dawn, Lord Canterbury. You may choose the weapon', is not appropriate dinner time conversation. I have learnt my lesson, next time, if I wish to call out a guest, I shall do so in the drawing room instead of at the dinner table.
I do not like Lord Canterbury, he is a despicable, mean, ugly old man who threw out his own sister-in-law. Michelle never told me this. She made it seem that they left of their own volition. My next letter from my gilded cage shall be to her. Come back soon brother, your absence is deeply felt. My regards to Uncle George and our Darcy Cousins. Do ask Cousin Darcy about his tailcoat. He will blush a most ferocious shade of crimson, I wager.
Your loving sister,
Allie
End of Chapter One
A/N: This story means a lot to me, so please read and review, you will make my day.
Trivia: In Regency Era, a girl's conventional schooling lasted approximately till she was 12/13. After this, she was imparted skills, referred to as accomplishments, like drawing, modern languages and music, some of which were merely learnt to be an attractive product in the marriage mart and were oft neglected after marriage. Also, Alina was not present at the dinner with Lord Canterbury as she's not yet out, she was merely dressed finely and taken to meet the guests for a couple of minutes so the parents could show off while they expected her to curtsy and smile prettily, she ended up calling him out after learning that he threw her beloved friend out. (Thanks to Invisible Guest for pointing out that dinner part)