For this short story contest entry, Reedsy asked us to play with form. For example, the story could have been a recipe, a diary entry, or a series of phone calls. I chose the exchange of text messages between friends, not just any friends, but Pride and Prejudice characters Elizabeth Bennett and Charlotte Lucas.
Charlotte: What did you think of the dance last night? Did any potential suitor catch your eye? 😉
Lizzy: Besides the humiliation of being passed over by the arrogant Darcy, I found the evening pleasant. I am happy for Jane, though. Bingley seemed to favor her.
Charlotte: She should secure him and his 5,000 pounds a year straight away.
Lizzy: Charlotte!
Charlotte: I am not romantic, you know. One must look out for one’s future.
***
Lizzy: Bingley’s been to the house to visit Jane twice. I think they are in love ❤ but ’tis hard to tell because Jane is so reserved.
Charlotte: I am delighted for them.
***
Lizzy: Bad news! Bingley’s going back to town. I suspect his prideful friend Darcy persuaded him to return to London. Despicable man! 😤 To make matters worse, our cousin who is to inherit our estate is visiting. He is a pompous and silly man but we must humor him.
Charlotte: Good luck! 🍀
***
Lizzy: You will never guess what has happened.
Charlotte: Tell me!
Lizzy: My cousin Mr. Collins proposed to me.
Charlotte: Well? Don’t keep me waiting.
Lizzy: I turned him down, of course. But my mother has been in high dudgeon 😡 over the matter. Fortunately, father backed me up. Help!
Charlotte: Send him over to our place. We will take him off your hands.
Lizzy: You are an angel 😇 Thank you!!
***
Charlotte: I have news! I’m engaged!! 💍
Lizzy: What?! To whom?
Charlotte: Mr. Collins, of course.
[Five minutes passes.]
Lizzy are you there?
Lizzy: Sorry. Congratulations! I’m just so surprised.😮
Charlotte: Whatever for? He is a respectable man with excellent connections and prospects for the future.
(Pause)
Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that last part.
Lizzy: Just don’t say that in front of my mother who fears being thrown into the hedge rose as soon as my father passes. 🙄
Given that our home must be entailed away, I’m happy that you will be its mistress. I must go but we will talk again soon.
***
Charlotte: Thanks for visiting us in Kent these past few weeks. I hope you will come again soon. Sorry about Darcy being here. Lady Catherine must have invited him.
Lizzy: Thank you for having me! You have a lovely home. I have a confession to make…
Charlotte: Yes?
Lizzy: You must not tell a soul! 🤫 Darcy proposed to me while I was staying with you.
Charlotte: You are joking.
Lizzy: ‘Tis the honest truth. I can’t tell my family that I turned him down because his 10,000 a year would put my mother’s mind at ease.
Charlotte: Pray tell why did you turn him down? 🤔
Lizzy: Besides the fact that I don’t love him? I detest him! I learned he broke up my dear sister and Bingley. I can never forgive him for that!
Charlotte: You are prejudiced against him all right. You have my word on your secret, dear friend.
***
Charlotte: How are you enjoying the Lake Country with your aunt and uncle?
Lizzy: Such beauty! I could walk miles and enjoy getting lost. You’ll never guess who we ran into.
Charlotte: Who?
Lizzy: Darcy! My aunt and uncle wanted to visit his estate at Pemberley. The housekeeper said he was away and then I practically bumped into him. I have never been so embarrassed! 🙈
Charlotte: And?
Lizzy: To my surprise, he is an entirely different person here. Gracious. Congenial. Generous. Plus he is an ideal brother to his younger sister.
Charlotte: Hmm…sounds like you are warming to him. 💘
Lizzy: Well, his pride seems less important in the context of his vast estate.
Charlotte: Ha-ha! 🤣
Lizzy: Wait. Hang on. The post has just arrived. I have been handed letters from Jane…
(Ten minutes pass.)
Oh Charlotte! I just received devastating news!! Lydia has run away with an officer of the militia…without the benefit of marriage. We are ruined! I’ll text when I know more.
Charlotte: Good luck 🍀 recovering her!
***
Lizzy: Partial good news. Lydia has been found and is now married.
Charlotte: Thank goodness. Why are you not more pleased?
Lizzy: She married the rogue Wickham who happens to be Darcy’s nemesis.
Charlotte: Does that matter?
Lizzy: Here is the strangest part. My father and uncle could not find the scoundrel and my vulgar sister but Darcy did.
My aunt told me that Darcy paid all of Wickham’s debts 💰 and bought him a new commission.
Charlotte: Darcy? Oh Lizzy, he must have done all for you, my dear.
Lizzy: If so why I wonder. 🤔
***
Lizzy: Oh, Charlotte. I have the best news!
Charlotte: What pray?
Lizzy: Jane and Bingley are engaged! 💍
Charlotte: Finally! That must make your entire family happy.
Lizzy: My mother is happy and self-pleased. You would think that it would not have happened without her.
Charlotte: When is the wedding? I can’t wait to see you. I hope it is before…
Lizzy: Yes?
Charlotte: Before my confinement. 🐣
Lizzy: What news! I am very happy for you indeed. Congratulations! 🎉
Charlotte: And what of you and Darcy?
Lizzy: Well, he comes with Bingley sometimes but he hardly says a word. Not like he is at Pemberley. I wish my mother would not be so rude to him.
***
Lizzy: You’ll never guess who just visited us in her barouche carriage no less. Lady Catherine!
She reminded me that Darcy is engaged to her daughter. Then, she insulted me and threatened me if I marry her nephew.
Where did she get such an idea? 💡
Charlotte: How strange! Has he made you an offer again?
Lizzy: No. Now he will never do so. You should have seen his aunt’s face when I stood up to her.
She called me an unfeeling, headstrong girl!
Charlotte: Oh my goodness. I’m sure to get an earful from her myself, not to mention my husband. But I am proud of you dear friend.
Lizzy: Thank you. 🙏
***
Lizzy: Darcy came over with Bingley this morning. We four walked to Meryton but Darcy and I fell behind.
Charlotte: Did you tell him about his aunt’s visit?
Lizzy: He knew! And Lady Catherine had visited him as well.
Charlotte: To preemptively withdraw her consent I gather and to remind Darcy that he is engaged to her daughter.
Lizzy: In her mind only.
Anyway, he apologized for her behavior, which filled my heart with joy.
Then he told me that his feelings toward me were unchanged. 🥰
Charlotte: That’s wonderful!
Lizzy: Then he proposed.
Charlotte: Oh, Lizzy! Please tell me you said yes this time.
Lizzy: Of course. We are engaged! I love him dearly.❤️
Charlotte: And his grounds at Pemberley.
Lizzy: That, too. 🤭
This prompt challenged me because I had to choose which characters, fit in a lot of plot, and determine which contractions I could use. It was so fun to write! (Originally published June 2025 for a prompt on Reedsy.com)
Kristy Schnabel 
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