Jump to new as of June 5, 2002
Jump to new as of June 14, 2002
Helen Jackson loved British classics. She was a sweet girl, with beautiful green eyes and dark black hair. Her twin sister Jessica was very different with her golden hair and blue eyes, but she shared her sister's love of British classics like Persuasion, Emma, and of course, Pride and Prejudice. One day the sister's realized that this love would give them the adventure of their lives. . .
"Helen, come on, let's go watch Pride and Prejudice on video." Jessica plopped in the well-watched video in the VCR and sat back with her twin to watch. 5 hours later, the sisters realized that it was time to go to bed.
Helen yawned and woke up after a good night's sleep. "Man, what a dream. Oh well, time for another grueling day of . . . huh!" Helen stopped mid-stretch to view her surroundings. Gone was her bookshelf of classics, her stuffed animals and her high school diploma on the wall. Instead she was lying in a huge 4-poster bed and in one corner of the room was a strange vanity. Suddenly, Jessica came bursting in the room dressed in a weird like tent.
"Helen! WE'VE BEEN KIDNAPPED!"
Helen was just as scared, but she managed to calm her sister down. "Come on Jess, we're going to go downstairs and check."
Queitly the two walked across the hall, when a piercing scream erupted behind them. When they swirled around, they saw none other then. . .
Lydia Bennet.
"Oh, lord! You scared me so! Whatever are you doing up at this hour, cousins?" Lydia Bennet laughed and leaned back against the wall. Helen and Jessica looked at each other in amazement. Had this supposedly Lydia Bennet called them cousins? Impossible!
"Lydia, whatever is the matter?" Helen took one look and groaned. Kitty Bennet!
"Nothing, just that Helen and Jessica here gave me quite a scare!" Lydia laughed again and Kitty turned towards them with a frown. "Not that it's any of my concern, but why are you out here dressed in your night-clothes?"
Helen looked down at her apparel and blushed.
Jessica seemed to be getting cranky. "All right, nice joke, did our brother Jack set you up to this?"
"You don't have a brother." Kitty replied.
Helen pressed a hand up against Jessica's mouth and dragged her into their room.
"Jessica, it seems to me we have appeared in Pride and Prejudice."
"I don't believe this! It's too impossible. Oh, Helen, what are we to do?" Jessica showed a quick display of tears but Helen thought of something.
"Why don't we get dressed and then go downstairs to see if they are any Elizabeths and Janes."
But the Jackson sisters found that dressing was quite a painful challenge. Countless times they were poked by corsets and needles. Helen was out of breath when they were done and Jessica couldn't move in the 'horrible contraption thingy'.
Living in the 18th century was not going to be easy.
Jessica was still trying to sum up what was happening. She and her sister had been transported to Pride and Prejudice and were now walking through a hallway when. . .
"Good morning Helen and Jessica. How are you this pleasant day?" The twins whirled around to see a dead ringer for Jennifer Ehle, or more specifically, Elizabeth Bennet.
"Why, we are, uh, quite well. And you?" Jessica stammered, still in shock of meeting her favorite heroine. They were actually in front of the Elizabeth Bennet.
Suddenly a screech sounded farther away in the house.
"Mr. Bennet have you heard? Netherfield Park is let at last!"
As Mrs. Bennet continued her tirade of Netherfield Park, the poor twins suffered.
"Man, couldn't they have given us earplugs when they zapped us here?"
"I know. Look, I think I spot a vulture over there."
"Poor thing can't take the screeching either. It's careening down."
"Mrs. Bennet's like the Energizer Bunny. How could Elizabeth and Jane live this long with her?"
"Fate lends a kind hand, Helen, Fate lends a kind hand."
Suddenly, Mrs. Bennet came bustling in.
"Oh, my dear Helen and Jessica! What is to become of us! Your uncle simply refuses to care for his daughters and nieces!"
Jessica snorted. Helen nudged and spoke up, "Really, dear Aunt. I am sure he is teasing you."
Mrs. Bennet sniffed. "Well, if he doesn't act, you may all die old maids. Oh, what is to become of us?"
Later that evening
"Mamma, have you heard? Sir Lucas has called on Mr. Bingley."
Lydia and Kitty Bennet spoke up while the Bennets and Helen and Jessica sat in the sitting room.
"Really."
"He is to attend the Meryton Assembly."
"What is it to us if he does? I do not care to hear about Mr. Bingley."
Mr. Bennet smiled and got up. "Really my dear? If I had known, I should never have called upon him."
Helen and Jessica grinned at each other as Mrs. Bennet screeched with her two favorite girls.
Jane walked over to the twins. "Dear cousins, as you have just arrived from America, perhaps you would like to learn some of our dances?"
Helen and Jessica reminded themselves silently to thank Jane later.
Jessica grinned as she spotted a tall, dark, and handsome gentleman walk up to her.
"Good day, Madam. May I request the next two dances?"
Jessica almost swooned as he kissed her hand.
"And let's not forget the other male population. Rowr!"
Helen grinned at her sister's luck. "Speak for yourself! My hand's been kissed, no, slobbered over by so many men that it's dripping wet!"
"Ewww! Stop it, Helen Katrina Jackson!"
Suddenly, a hush fell over the crowd. The Netherfield party had arrived.
Helen watched Jessica dance with 'Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome'. Suddenly she realized that Mr. Darcy was about to make the 'tolerable, but not handsome' remark. "Gotta get Elizabeth out of hearing range." Helen jumped up and ran to her *ahem* cousin .
"Elizabeth, come quick!" She stage whispered and practically dragged her to the other side of the room.
"What is it, Helen?" Lizzy asked.
"Uh, well. . . who is that gentleman Jessica is dancing with?" Helen felt herself growing red as Lizzy looked at her strangely. "No need to worry. That is merely Mr. Ashby. He is visiting his sister here in Meryton."
"Oh." Helen than realized that Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy had now gone there separate ways. Now Elizabeth had not heard the remark that changed her whole perspective of the hero.
Jessica smiled at the unknown gentleman who had asked her to dance. But is he ever hot!
"You do realize sir, that we have not been introduced?" Not that it matters
"We shall do so now. I am Mr. Alexander Ashby." He smiled his devilish smile and Jessica practically fainted.
"I am Miss Jessica Jackson." Jessica smiled and took his arm as the dance ended.
"I hope to further our acquaintance later, Miss Jessica. Good evening." With a bow, Mr. Ashby left. Suddenly Helen rushed over.
"Where were you? I just saved Lizzy from hearing Mr. Darcy's rude remark."
"You did? Good. But you know, we've got to do something about Wickham. We have to start planning early."
Helen grinned evilly. "Leave it to me."