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

[mrstater.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is lovely! A perfect drabble, as well as a perfect picture of who Marianne and Brandon are/become over the course of S&S.

How romantic a lifetime of discovery would be.

That is so very romantic, and I think it's very much the sort of thing Marianne, now better acquainted with the world, would think -- she got to know Willoughby in only a few hours, and as Elinor rightly pointed out, there was nothing left after that, and Willoughby didn't stick around. Of course this image is only strengthened by having Alan Rickman in the role being very mysterious and romantic...

Also love that you brought up the flannel waistcoat bit! That line always cracks me up, and I think in time Marianne would laugh at herself and it would be a great joke between them.

And it's so interesting that you've put the word "longing" there in the next-to-last line. It seems like marriage would be the end of longing -- but I think it's quite true that it's only the start of longing!

I suppose since my review's getting longer than your drabble, I'd better stop, lol. But this is just wonderful. And I do hope you'll try some more Marianne/Brandon sometime, because I think you've got just as astute observations about them as about R/T that would make for fabulous fics. And there's just not enough Austen fic out there!

[gilpin25.livejournal.com]

Am SO glad you enjoyed this as I think these 200 words took me twice as long as a 1000 R/T ones would have, lol.

I had to have a very hasty look at the book as it had been a while since I'd read it while, thanks to multiple viewings, the film is firmly in my head. I did remember the flannel waistcoat line, and thought it would be nice to think of Marianne, rather to her own surprise, imagining herself going so far as to tease him about it - and wondering how he'd respond in kind.

I also like to think that being sadder and wiser, she'd come to realise that there's many different kinds of romance and that realising their potential, as well as seeing her husband being so visibly joyful at marrying her, would fill her with delight and 'longing' to discover them. And build into something much stronger and longer-lasting for them both. I simply can't believe sober, studious Marianne would last very long, as neither could you in your fic, lol. It's nice to think that Brandon would restore her enthusiasm to her, and a lot more besides.

Thanks so much for such wonderful comments and encouragement to try this pairing again. I may have to build up to it... ;)