Sense and Sensibility Drabble: A Very Proper Wife

[gilpin25]

I owe so many things - like fics, reviews of fics, review replies to fics, any fic things I haven't covered but probably owe anyway, news posts and New Year greetings. The catch-up post will have to wait a little longer, but I have owed this birthday drabble to katyscarlett76 for far too long.

Title: A Very Proper Wife
Author: gilpin25
Rating: G
Format & Word Count: Drabble(ish), 200 words
Summary: It struck her then how unequal their knowledge of each other was.
Author's Notes: For the lovely katyscarlett76, who requested a Brandon/Marianne drabble, for the prompt dance. This is my first ever attempt at the world of Jane Austen and am not sure how I feel about the result, though the long sentences were at least familiar, lol. Feedback is always appreciated, if only to tell me to quit at one... ;)



A Very Proper Wife

She had determined on study, on sober reflection; of remaining for ever more at her mother’s side and leaving uncontrollable passions behind for a lifetime of calm contemplation and usefulness to all.

Instead, she danced with her newly acquired husband and found it impossible not to smile at the rustle of her silk gown, the lively Scotch air of the music and, most of all, at the joyful animation on her husband’s face. There was a lightness that existed between them, a unity of mind and thought that she relished. Now here was a man she could dare to tease regarding such things as flannel waistcoats, and wonder how he would respond in kind.

It struck her then how unequal their knowledge of each other was. How romantic a lifetime of discovery would be.

“I have no gift for love,” he’d said to her, and she’d thought that not only did he do himself a great disservice but at once resolved to prove him wrong.

She had determined to make the best of this, to do the best for him; but she realised, with the most heart-felt delight and longing, that there would be no need.

This would be the best.



Back soon, hopefully with another birthday fic if I can get it to behave.

Comments

[shimotsuki.livejournal.com]

Your Marianne makes it impossible not to smile right along with her. I love the sense of possibility and potential here, the idea that thinking about spending a lifetime with her husband and learning more about him gives her delight and longing.

And the title is brilliant, because Marianne is absolutely a proper wife for Brandon, but probably not in the way that most of her era would have meant by that phrase.

Of course, I'm also pleased that they have the good sense to be dancing to a Scotch air. ;)

[gilpin25.livejournal.com]

Very glad to hear it made you smile; I liked the idea of her realising that the possibilities in front of them both are, in their own quieter way, as romantic and exciting s anything she'd imagined before with Willoughby. And that seeing her husband so animated with joy at marrying her would reawaken her old enthusiasm and energy... for him and their marriage.

I'm very pleased you liked the title because, yes, that's exactly what I meant by it - echoes of R/T, in fact, lol.

I'm also pleased that they have the good sense to be dancing to a Scotch air.

Obviously, it's a Strathspey in 4/4 time. It would fill everyone with delight. ;)

[gilpin25.livejournal.com]

I forgot to say that I love your icon! :)