Most Ardently

Most Ardently is a novel in the Remixed Classics series, which reimagines canonical works of literature through new perspectives. Set in Regency-era England, the novel retells Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice with a transgender protagonist navigating a rigidly gendered society.

Oliver Bennet is a seventeen-year-old trans boy living as "Elizabeth," the supposed second-eldest Bennet daughter. His mother, Mrs. Bennet, dresses him in stays, stiff corset-like undergarments, and gowns that fill him with nausea. Only a handful of people know Oliver's true identity. His eldest sister, Jane, is his closest ally, calling him "my little brother" and covering for him when he needs to escape. Oliver keeps boy clothes in a locked trunk and stores outfits with his closest friend, Charlotte Lewis. Charlotte and her secret lover, Lu, a married woman whose husband is away with the army, both support him.

At the Meryton Ball, Mrs. Bennet buzzes with excitement over Charles Bingley, a wealthy young man who has recently let the nearby estate of Netherfield. Bingley asks Jane to dance, and the two make a handsome pair. Oliver locks eyes with Bingley's brooding companion, Fitzwilliam Darcy, but Darcy's expression shifts to disgust. Later, Oliver overhears Darcy tell Bingley that "Elizabeth" is "tolerable, but not handsome enough to interest me." Oliver is humiliated.

The next day, Oliver attends the Bartholomew Fair dressed as himself, wearing his binding cloth, fabric wrapped to flatten his chest, beneath a vest and tailcoat. He runs into Bingley, who does not recognize him. Oliver introduces himself as "Oliver Blake," and when Darcy joins them, neither connects him to "Elizabeth." Euphoric at being seen as just another young man, Oliver spends the day with them. At the Temple of Muses, a massive bookstore, he and Darcy bond over their shared love of reading. Darcy, strikingly warmer than at the ball, invites Oliver to join them at Watier's, an exclusive gentleman's club. Jane encourages Oliver to go, reassuring him that when he dresses as himself, his entire demeanor transforms.

On a walk into London, Charlotte warns Oliver that people in their financial position cannot afford idealism. Oliver responds that he would rather die than pretend to be someone's wife. Lu points out Avery's Tavern, identifying it as a Molly House, a gathering place for queer people, and encourages Oliver to visit. The group encounters George Wickham, a handsome soldier who insists on escorting them home, forcing Oliver to introduce himself as Elizabeth. Wickham warns them to avoid Darcy, claiming Darcy is "unkind to women."

At Watier's, Oliver and Darcy fall into easy, flirtatious conversation. Oliver spots Wickham glaring at Darcy from across the room, and Darcy's mood darkens. During an evening walk afterward, Darcy tells Oliver he is glad to have met him. Climbing back into the house that night, Oliver slips on the trellis outside his father's office window. Mr. Bennet catches him in menswear, smiles, and tells Oliver he looks "very handsome." Oliver reveals his identity. Mr. Bennet embraces him, says he is proud, and agrees to keep the secret until Oliver is ready.

Mrs. Bennet schemes to advance Jane's courtship by sending her to Netherfield on horseback in rain, ensuring Jane falls ill and must stay. Oliver walks three miles through mud to check on her. Over several days at Netherfield, he endures the Bingley sisters' disdain and the painful dissonance of interacting with Darcy as "Elizabeth."

Mrs. Bennet announces the visit of Mr. Collins, the Bennet cousin who stands to inherit the family home of Longbourn upon Mr. Bennet's death. At the Netherfield Ball, Collins makes offensive remarks while dancing with Oliver, and Wickham presumptuously calls Oliver "a very handsome wife." In a separate encounter, Wickham claims Darcy has been cruel to his cousin and that Darcy frequents Molly Houses. Oliver rebukes him but remains troubled.

Collins delivers a businesslike marriage proposal; Oliver refuses emphatically. Mrs. Bennet demands Oliver accept, but Mr. Bennet intervenes, declaring he will never speak to Oliver if Oliver marries Collins. Charlotte then reveals she is engaged to Collins, explaining the financial security will allow her to maintain her relationship with Lu. The conversation between the friends ends bitterly.

Late one night, Oliver visits the Molly House above Avery's Tavern and finds Darcy reading on a sofa. Darcy shows him a bookshelf of queer literature, including stories about boys mistaken for girls. When a waltz plays, Darcy asks Oliver to dance. As they move together, Darcy whispers that he wants to kiss Oliver, and they share a first kiss that Oliver describes as "everything." Immediately after, Darcy's expression closes off, and he rushes out. Emboldened, Oliver begins wearing trousers at home, with Mr. Bennet's open support.

Days later, the Bingleys and Darcy leave Netherfield without warning. Jane is heartbroken. Oliver suspects Darcy panicked after the kiss. Jane departs to visit their aunt and uncle at Gracechurch.

Oliver visits Charlotte at Hunsford and reconciles with her. Collins takes them to dine at Rosings, the estate of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Darcy's imperious aunt. Lady Catherine's relentless interrogation about what a "lady" must be triggers a panic attack in Oliver. Two days later, Darcy proposes marriage to "Elizabeth," arguing they could find "some semblance of happiness" since both face pressure to marry. Oliver refuses, accusing Darcy of cowardice and of ruining Jane's prospects by urging Bingley to leave. He also confronts Darcy with Wickham's accusations, promises not to reveal Darcy's sexuality, and walks away.

Darcy writes a letter explaining that he believed Jane did not reciprocate Bingley's feelings and acknowledging he was likely wrong. He reveals no engagement to Wickham's cousin ever existed and that Wickham once tried to trick Darcy's fifteen-year-old sister, Georgiana, into an elopement to seize her fortune. After Wickham visits Longbourn to press his own suit and Mrs. Bennet bans Oliver from wearing trousers, calling it "deviancy," Mr. Bennet sends Oliver to stay with his aunt and uncle to decompress.

At Pemberly, Darcy's estate, Darcy returns unexpectedly while Oliver is visiting with his aunt and uncle. Darcy apologizes for running after the kiss. Oliver reveals the full truth: He was assigned female at birth, raised as Elizabeth Bennet, and has been living a double life. He and "Elizabeth" are the same person. Darcy reacts with laughter and relief, saying it all makes sense. He takes Oliver's hand.

A threatening letter from Wickham reveals he has connected Oliver's two identities. At a forced meeting, Wickham discloses that Collins has paid him to push Oliver into marriage so that Oliver will live as a woman and not threaten Collins's inheritance claim. Oliver refuses. On Westminster Bridge in the pouring rain, Darcy finds Oliver and confesses he loves him "most ardently." He reveals he has brought Bingley to Longbourn to propose to Jane. Oliver says he loves Darcy too, and they kiss in the rain.

Oliver and Darcy arrive at Longbourn together, Oliver in menswear. Oliver tells Mrs. Bennet, "My name is Oliver, and I'm your son." After a stunned pause, Mrs. Bennet smiles and embraces him. Mr. Bennet reveals he has arranged for Oliver to be legally recognized as his son and will update his will so Oliver inherits Longbourn. When Collins and Wickham arrive to expose Oliver, both parents confront and expel them permanently.

In the epilogue, Oliver returns to the Molly House, where Darcy waits with a book set aside for him. Darcy kisses Oliver, and Oliver reflects that kissing a boy as a boy is everything he had ever wanted and dared not dream of.