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Chapter Text

Miss Jemma Simmons, aged two-and-twenty, had no interest in finding a husband. Well, not among the men of her hometown of Sheffield, at least. They were gentlemanly enough, it was true. She even counted some of the married men among her closest friends. But Jemma Simmons was a woman of science. She much preferred the biology and chemistry books in her library and the plants in her extensive garden to the stuffy society of the town. If she was ever to marry, Jemma wanted a love match, and after five Seasons of dances, luncheons, and polite jabs about “Miss Simmons, you would be such a lovely young lady if only you got your head out of your books”, she was certain that there was no such match to be found in Sheffield. Not for her. 

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Jemma was sitting on the window-seat in her room, flipping through a dog-eared copy of Conversations on Chemistry. She had read the book a dozen times, but still enjoyed perusing its pages once in a while, in the lazy hours of the afternoon. Suddenly, a knock sounded on the door, and she turned, setting down her book.

A voice from the hall. “Jemma?” It was Daisy, Jemma’s older sister and closest friend. 

“Yes, Daisy? Come in!” Daisy opened the door and stepped into the room, her face practically glowing with delight. She flounced down onto Jemma's bed. Jemma couldn't help but laugh at her sister’s excitement. “Whatever is the matter?”

“Oh, Jemma, Jemma! Nothing is the matter, it is the complete opposite! Shielding House — you know, the manor down the road — has been sold, to the eldest son of the Duke of Argyll!” Daisy stressed the last three words, her eyes sparkling. “He is on his way to Sheffield right now, and I heard from Lady Mackenzie that he is planning to stay!” 

“That is wonderful news!” A smile spread across Jemma’s face. Such exciting occurrences rarely happened in Sheffield, but when they did, the very air of the town seemed charged. 

“Yes, it is, isn't it? His name is Lord Leopold Fitz, and he is apparently indescribably handsome.” At this, Daisy sat up on the bed and smirked at Jemma. “And, he is an inventor. Perhaps this Season my genius little sister shall at long last meet her match!”

The younger woman blushed, quickly changing the subject. “But why would such an important man as Lord Fitz come to Sheffield?”

“Well, Elena — Lady Mackenzie, of course — told me that her husband and Lord Fitz were great friends as children. And, as Lord Mackenzie is the Baron Sheffield, when Lord Fitz decided to buy an English manor, he simply had to choose Shielding House! But Jemma, you must not change the subject any more.”

“Hm?” Jemma feigned ignorance. “What could you possibly mean?”

Daisy turned a pointed glare towards her sister. “You know exactly what I mean. This Lord Fitz seems like he may finally be an equal to your intelligence, and he is young, just three-and-twenty! Two such eligible scientists are bound to–” she paused, a giggle escaping her lips– “develop a bit of chemistr- Ow!” The corner of Conversations on Chemistry connected with her temple, thrown by a red-faced (but smiling) Jemma. Daisy picked up the book. “This is just further proving my point,” she said, gesturing to the title. “Perhaps by the end of the Season I will not be the only Simmons engaged!”

The previous Season, the twenty-four year old Daisy had accepted the proposal of Captain Daniel Sousa, a soldier who had been visiting every summer for the past three years. Shortly after their betrothal, his battalion had been called again to fight the French. The wedding had been postponed, but was scheduled to commence when Captain Sousa returned from the war at the end of the summer. 

Jemma softened, musing over the thought. “I must admit, having a husband does not seem like it would be at all unpleasant. Bobbi and Lance are extremely happy, as are Elena and Lord Mackenzie. All I need is to find my love match, and hope that I am his as well. It may be that Lord Fitz is just the man I am looking for. It goes without saying that he shall be looking for me, as–” she smiled at Daisy– “‘It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.’”

This last phrase was an obvious reference to the anonymously-published Pride and Prejudice. Since its publication the year before in 1813, the novel had been much read and much enjoyed by many of the women in Sheffield (and quite a few of the men as well). 

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The sisters sat in Jemma’s room, talking, until they heard the sound of a coach-and-four traveling up the road. Daisy joined Jemma then on the window-seat, and they looked out from behind the curtains. Soon, they glimpsed a magnificent carriage headed in the direction of Shielding House.

Daisy turned to Jemma once the horses had passed the window. “That must be Lord Fitz’s carriage! It certainly is beautiful, is it not?”

“He is the son of a Duke, after all. I would be quite surprised if he did not have good taste. Though, he is Scottish. Does that have any influence on one’s taste? I do hope not.”

“I must admit, I do not know. The only Scotsman you and I have ever met is Lord Mackenzie, and he is perfectly tasteful, and a gentleman as well. I assume that any friend of his would be of a similar disposition. Well, we shall find out soon enough, anyways. He will be at the Hunters’ dance tomorrow evening, and Bobbi said that she would attempt to garner us an introduction to our new neighbor! Father also told me that he would call on Lord Fitz tomorrow morning, once the man is settled, of course.” She looked outside once again, seeing the first bright colors of sunset. “Oh! It is getting late, I must go and ready myself for dinner. The Hunters are coming, and it shall be wonderful! And you must prepare as well, Jemma, you were sitting in the garden this morning and the hem of your dress is covered in dirt!” 

As Daisy left, Jemma could not help but smile. Maybe I will find my match this Season.

Chapter Text

So. It’s been a while, hasn’t it? I haven’t forgotten about this fic, I’ve just been quite busy and also, admittedly, an equal amount uninspired. But, I’ve graduated high school, gotten into Uni, moved to a new continent alone, and gotten settled, so I figured it was about time to start writing again. I’m working on the next chapter of First Impressions, but I also have a few other projects in the works, and I’m not quite sure which of them will be coming out first. But, well, it’s good to be back, and I can’t wait to share more of my writing with you all!
Love, a-picture-of-space