Death Comes to Pemberley Recap Part II

*-This post contains spoilers about last night’s Death Comes to Pemberley and Pride and Prejudice. Read at your own risk if you have not seen it.

When we last left our characters, the evidence against Wickham was strong. Darcy was pulling away from his wife and Georgiana’s chances of marrying Henry Alveston were becoming slimmer and slimmer.

As the investigation continues and the inquest is coming closer, Wickham is still in jail. But questions are coming up about why Captain Denny was murdered so close to the Bidwell home.  Elizabeth, upon seeing Louisa Bidwell nursing the child that is supposedly her sister’s child begins  to put two and two together.  Wickham admits that he had an affair with Louisa. Her child is his son. Not surprised.

The mysterious woman that Colonel Fitzwilliam meets is Mrs. Young (Mariah Gale), the woman who was briefly employed as Georgiana’s companion at Ramsgate and encouraged the then 15 year old girl to elope with Mr. Wickham. Captain Denny, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mrs. Young were (who claims to be Wickham’s previously unknown sister) conspiring to pay Louisa for her child. But Louisa with those oh so strong motherly instincts refused.

Back at Pemberley,  Elizabeth is being comforted by Jane (Alexandra Moen), who arrived in Part I. Focused on maintaining the good name of Pemberley and the Darcy name, Fitzwilliam has reverted to his previous duty bound self. He encourages Colonel Fitzwilliam’s proposal of Georgiana, while Elizabeth reminds her husband of the growing mutual affection between her sister in law and Henry Alveston. Telling Henry that she must cut off all communication with him break’s Georgiana’s heart.

Lydia, being Lydia, has perfect timing. She returns to Pemberley just as Elizabeth received a visit from Lady Catherine DeBourgh (Penelope Keith). Lizzy enjoyed introduced her scandal ridden youngest sister to her husband’s aunt. Enter Lydia, exit Lady Catherine.

At the formal trial, Wickham is found guilty and is to be executed.

After the trial, the Colonel and Darcy are traveling back to Pemberley when the Colonel reveals that he was in with the scheme to separate Louisa from her son. He was planning to use this scheme as the reason to marry Georgiana, to put further distance between her and Wickham.  Darcy then forbids his cousin from contacting his sister, tells Georgiana to marry whomever she likes and has makeup sex with his wife. Post coital, Darcy tells Elizabeth that she has to inform her sister of her husband’s extra marital activities.

Putting two and two together again, Elizabeth figures out that it was not Wickham, but Will Bidwell, in an effort to avenge his sister’s honor, who killed Denny. Wickham is saved from noose in the nick of time.  After being released, Lydia and Wickham are to travel to America, hopefully to never darken the door of Pemberley again.

Georgiana is reunited with Henry in a very 2005 Pride and Prejudice way and accepts his marriage proposal. Lizzy tells Darcy that a new Darcy will soon enter the world.

And they all lived happily ever after.

 

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Death Comes To Pemberley Part I Recap

*-This recap contains spoilers.  If you have yet to read either of the the books or watch the miniseries, read at your own risk.

Jane Austen’s most famous and beloved novel, Pride and Prejudice ends happily ever after. The union of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, the reader hopes, is to be a long and blessed one.

Last year, author P.D. James took her readers 6 years into the future of this couple. Mingling the characters of Pride and Prejudice with murder mystery, Death Comes To Pemberley asked viewers the following question: Who murdered Captain Denny (Tom Canton)?

Elizabeth (Anna Maxwell Martin) and Fitzwilliam Darcy (Matthew Rhys) are in the midst of wedded bliss. Life at Pemberley has become normal. Their son, also named Fitzwilliam, is a hearty, healthy and energetic boy who wants for nothing. Georgiana (Eleanor Tomlinson) is of an age to marry. The entire household is in a frenzy, as the Lady Anne Ball is approaching.  The last thing they want or need is the accusation murder on Darcy land.

Enter Colonel Fitzwilliam (Tom Ward) and Henry Alveston (James Norton). The Colonel, who is Georgiana’s c0-guardian after the death of her father, has begun to look at his young cousin differently. While the Colonel may see her in a different light, Georgiana seems to have made her choice elsewhere.

Invited to the Lady Anne Ball are Elizabeth’s parent’s, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet (James Fleet and Rebecca Front). For the sake of his wife, Darcy rolls his eyes and deals with in in laws, as many men have and will do. While Mr. Bennet characteristically retreats to his son in law’s library, his wife foolishly chatters on how wonderful Mr. Wickham (Matthew Goode) is , unaware of his true nature and his attempted seduction of Georgiana.

As a the lady of the manor, one of Elizabeth’s duties is to visit those that live and work on the land. Mr. Bidwell (Philip Martin Brown) has been a loyal servant. Elizabeth has become friendly with his wife, Mrs. Bidwell (Jennifer Hennessey), his bed ridden son, Will (Lewis Rainer) and his daughter, Louisa (Nichola Burley). Louisa has just returned from visiting her sister with a child she is caring for that she has claimed is her sister’s. But there is something about the child that does not add up.

In the village near Pemberley, an argument ensues between Captain Denny and Mr. Wickham. It continues in the carriage on the ride to Pemberley. That is, until Captain Denny orders the coachman to stop and runs out in the forest. Wickham goes after him, shots are fired and Lydia’s (Jenna Coleman) screams are heard as the carriage stops in front of Pemberley. Captain Denny is found dead and Wickham is suspected of being the murderer.

Strangely, despite their strained relationship, Darcy seems to understand that Wickham is not guilty. He remembers a boy who was hanged for poaching and how they witnessed it, despite being told to stay away. Add in the mystery of a spirit haunting the woods and an unknown woman with whom Colonel Fitzwilliam was seen in conversation with about a subject that is yet to be revealed.

I read the book and saw the miniseries when it was online briefly last year. I won’t reveal anything else, but I will let you, gentle reader learn the truth on Sunday.

 

Mr. Darcy Takes A Wife Book Review

It is universally acknowledged that Jane Austen never married during her lifetime and ended her stories with the traditional happily ever after. It is therefore, in the eye and the imagination of the reader to create the post cannon life of her characters, in and out of the bedroom.

Inspired by the 1995 Pride and Prejudice, Linda Berdoll continues on with the story of Pride and Prejudice. Over the course of approximately 10 years and three books, starting with Mr. Darcy Takes A Wife , Ms. Berdoll imagines what the married life of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy would look like.

The responses to her books have been mixed. I know some of my fellow Janeites did not like her books. But for me, I enjoyed them. The writer in me has sometimes asked about the lives of the characters after the wedding vows are complete. Ms. Berdoll answers that question in a way that, for the most part, is true to the characters as we know them. I will be blunt that it is at the end of the day, a fanfiction. A published fanfiction, but a fanfiction nevertheless.

Would I recommend it and did I enjoy it? I would recommend it and I did enjoy it, but that does not mean that this book and the two sequels that follow are everyone’s cup of tea.

 

Confrontation- A Modern Pride and Prejudice Fanfiction

*-I do not own any of these characters beyond the Darcy and Bingley children.

*-Rated PG for language.

*-Please review

Confrontation

“That bitch, how dare she, in my home” Elizabeth’s rage was so great that she had to be bodily removed from the party and was not set down until she and Will were safe within the confines of their bedroom.

The comment had been partially heard by Elizabeth, but it was enough to break the mask of civility she had put up for the day. She had always disliked Caroline Bingley, but had tolerated her because she was Jane’s sister in law.  But that comment was the last straw.

Her husband remained silent.

“Dammit William, cant you see what she is doing?”.

“She is Charles’s sister, I cannot ask her to leave”.

Elizabeth did not know why, but she agreed that Caroline be invited to their home for the mutual 1^st birthday party of Anne Darcy and Fanny Bingley. She had promised herself that she would a proper hostess and not under any circumstances let Caroline get under her skin.

But she did, she would have tackled Caroline if Will had not dragged her away.

“She still believes the fantasy that you marry her, Will and somehow, Georgie will marry Charlie”.

“It’s been five years, Lizzy, I hardly think that after all of this time and two children, even Aunt Catherine has accepted us…”.

Of course, that had only come about after letting Will stand up for the both of them, Elizabeth had enough. She declared in no uncertain terms that until the day Catherine respected their marriage, their children would be off limits to her.  It was only after the death of Catherine’s only child, Anne, and the subsequent birth of their daughter Anne that Catherine began to thaw to the idea that her nephew was happy.

“Caroline has had eyes for you for years, only you have been too blind to see”.

“Did you think that I didn’t know that?”.

“Then why did you not tell her you were not interested?”.

“I don’t know why I didn’t say no back then. Please, I beg of you, hold out for a little longer, I will talk to Charlie”.

He could still see the fire in her eyes.

“For me, please Lizzy”.

“Fine, I will behave, but one more comment and she is out on her ass”.

“Thank you, can we return to the party?”.

“Yes, we can” Lizzy agreed.

“Are you ok?” Jane asked as Lizzy and Darcy returned to the party. Dear sweet Jane, who seemed to let nothing bother her, especially annoying her sister in law.

“Just peachy”.

“It’s my fault, Lizzy, I was the one who brought up the idea to invite her, she is family…”.

“No, that ok, I can deal with her, it’s only a few more hours”.

Then she turned around to see Darcy and Caroline talking. Without warning, Caroline attempted to kiss him. Any attempt or promises to control her temper disappeared.

Lizzy pulled Caroline away from Darcy and knocked her to the floor.

“Get your hands off my man, now”.

“We are just talking, weren’t we Darcy?”.

Before he could respond, Elizabeth nearly pounced on Caroline “I want you to listen to me and listen well, for I will not repeat myself. We are married; he is the man I love and the father of my children. Nothing you do or say will break up this marriage and if you attempt to do so, you will be sorry. Am I understood?”.

“Darcy, you must control her, she is like animal”.

“No Caroline, she is right. I have always tolerated you because your brother is my best friend, but I will not have you coming to my home and insulting my family. Elizabeth is my wife and will be until the day I die. I have never been attracted to you, nor will I ever be”.

“You cannot be serious, she is a….”.

“What is exactly do you think my sister is?” Caroline unexpectedly turned to face her sister in law.

“She is a…” suddenly the words disappeared.

“Whatever you accuse my sister of; I must be guilty of the same crime”.

“Charles?” Caroline turned around, looking for her brother.

He was about to respond, until a little voice broke the tension.

“Daddy, my shirt is dirty” Lizzy and Will’s four year old son, Bennet stood there, his shirt covered in chocolate ice cream.

Caroline looked at the boy, who was most certainly a Darcy, but he also has his mother’s striking eyes. Then she saw the pictures.

The pictures of their wedding, the pictures of their children. The pictures of the life together that would never be hers.

Elizabeth Bennet had won, she was Mrs. Darcy, wife, mother, lover to the man she would never be with.

“C’mon buddy, lets get you cleaned up” Taking his son by the hand, Will led him upstairs.

“If you excuse me, it appears I have worn out my welcome” she was determined to leave with her dignity in tact.

As she walked out, she took one last look. She had spent too many years hung up a man who she had finally realized had no interest in her. Maybe one day, she would find a man who would return her affection.

 

The End

Death Comes to Pemberley- A Good Sequel

There are a lot fanfiction writers out there. Very few are lucky enough to not only see their work in print, but also see it on screen.

PD James’s sequel to Pride and Prejudice, Death Comes to Pemberley aired the UK over the past few days.  I was lucky enough to see it before my American IP address prevented me from seeing it. 

The 1995 Colin Firth/Jennifer Ehle minieries is not only the best filmed adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, but the best of the filmed adaptations of any Austen novel.   Any adaptations will always bring comparisons, but this adaptations stands on its own.

Ms. James’s novel starts 6 years after the original novel ends. Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy are happily married with a young son.  On the eve of the annual Lady Anne Ball, Lydia arrives in hysterics that Captain Denny has been murdered and her husband is in the woods surrounding Pemberley.  During investigation and trial, Georgiana must  choose between duty and marry her cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam or choose her heart and marry Mr. Alveston.

I enjoyed it. Ms. James keeps the language and humor of the original novel, utilizing many of the leading characters while keeping the reader engaged in the mystery.

Taking the reins from Colin Firth, Matthew Rhys is a more mature Darcy who is deeply in love with his wife and aware of the responsibility of his station. Anna Maxwell Martin as Elizabeth is a lively and outgoing as she is in the original novel, but with the experience of marriage, motherhood, as well as sharing the responsibility of running the estate.  Lydia (Jenna Coleman) and Wickham (Matthew Goode), as Mr. and Mrs. Bennet (James Fleet and Rebecca Front) are as they are in original novel.

I enjoyed both the book and the miniseries and I look forward to seeing it when it airs on PBS next month.

 

 

 

The Wait

*-These characters belong to Miss Austen; I am simply a humble admirer. The only character that I have created is Bennet Fitzwilliam Darcy.

The Wait

The wait was becoming too much for Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Lizzy’s labor pains started just after lunch, the sun had already set and the child had yet to enter the world.

Mr. and Mrs. Bennet were the only members of the family who had arrived before the birth of the newest member of the Darcy family, the rest of the family would be coming in the next day or so. The only member of the family who declared that she would never go through Pemberley’s doors was Lady Catherine DeBourgh, Mr. Darcy’s maternal aunt. In the nearly three years since her nephew had married Elizabeth Bennet, Lady Catherine had never acknowledged Elizabeth as her niece and in turn, would never acknowledge Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam’s children as family.

“Son, if you continue to walk in that same circle, you will find yourself on the floor” his father in law warned.

Mr. Bennet understood his son in law’s trepidation, the anxiety on the younger man’s face.

“Lizzy is young and strong, I see no reason why she shouldn’t bring a healthy child into the world”.

In his mind, Fitzwilliam was not a grown, married man of one and thirty, waiting for the birth of his first child, but a boy of twelve, watching his father pace around the room with same ferociousness.

His sister, Georgiana was born healthy, but Lady Anne was never the same. She lingered for six months before her body gave out. Loosing his mother was a watershed moment in his then young life, but to loose Lizzy would surely break him.

At the moment when Fitzwilliam could not wait another moment, the creaking of the door announced that Georgiana had entered with a broad smile on her face.

“Come meet your son, Fitzwilliam”.

Bounding up the stairs with his father in law and his sister behind him, Fitzwilliam did not stop until he reached his bedroom.

In the middle of the bed, a sweaty and tired Lizzy, gently held a small bundle her arms.

“Say hello to your papa” taking his son in his arms, Fitzwilliam couldn’t help but be amazed at miracle of life.

“What shall we name him?”.

“Bennet Fitzwilliam Darcy”.

Kissing his young son’s forehead, Fitzwilliam felt a love that he had never known before. This was his son, his heir. The wait was over, but the journey into parenthood had begun.

Wooden Soldiers

*-These characters belong to Miss Austen, only the Darcy children belong to me. I am simply a humble admirer.

Wooden Soldiers

The past two days had been bewildering to Fitzwilliam Darcy.

He and Elizabeth had been quarreling for a reason that escaped both of them. Their children, Bennet and Fannie had noticed their parent’s change of mood and were uncharacteristically quiet.

Bennet snuck into the library, where his father lay with a cold cloth on his head. Reaching for a book, it was just a little too high for him to catch it before it fell. On the way to falling to the ground, the book knocked down a vase that had been purchased by his late paternal grandmother three decades before.

“Bennet William Darcy” his father’s voice thundered throughout Pemberley as the vase smashed into many pieces on the floor.

Bennet began to whimper as Elizabeth, Fannie and Mrs. Reynolds ran into the library.

“Mama” Elizabeth knelt down to her son as tears begin to spill down his cheeks.

“Fitzwilliam, he’s just a boy” Elizabeth chastised her husband as Mrs. Reynolds directed the maids to clean up the remnants of the vase.

“Mama, I’m sorry, I only wanted the book”.

“Next time, darling, if you cannot reach for what you want, you should ask for help”

“Yes mama”.

“I need you and Fannie to go with nanny for a few minutes; I need to have a private word with your father”.

Quietly, the children were led away by their nanny as Elizabeth was alone in the library with her husband.

Mrs. Reynolds heard the tone in her mistress’s voice. Mrs. Darcy was an amiable woman, but she was not above telling her husband when she disagreed with him.

“Whatever quarrel you and I have, Fitzwilliam, do not involve the children. Do you wish your son to grow up with the burden you grew up with?”.

He knew she was right. While George Darcy loved his son, Fitzwilliam knew early in his life of the responsibility that he would one day have.

“I’m sorry, Lizzy, I don’t know what came over me” He cradles his face in his hands, remembering how hard his father had been on him as a boy.

“I know, you are dearest, but you must let our children be children while they are still young”.

“I love you, Elizabeth Darcy”.

“And I love you, Fitzwilliam Darcy” the fight was forgotten, but Fitzwilliam regretted yelling at his son.

“Bennet, come here please”

“Yes, papa” Bennet walked toward his father, the fear easily read in his eyes.

“I’m sorry, son, you were not the reason I was upset. I should not have lost my temper”.

“What about Grandmama’s vase?”.

“Your grandmamma left many things, the vase can be replaced”.

“Truly, papa?” Bennet asked.

“Yes, son, in fact, I have a surprise for you” from behind his back he produced a box of wooden toy soldiers.

“These were mine when I was your age, I want you to have them”.

“Thank you papa” Bennet eagerly ran to the nursery to play with the wooden soldiers.

From that moment on, Fitzwilliam made a promise to himself that his son would have the childhood his father was denied.

Letter From Lady Anne

*-These characters (with the exception of the Darcy children) with love and respect, belong to Miss Austen. I am simply a humble admirer.

Letter From Lady Anne

The letter had been discovered by one of the maids. The youngest Darcy children, the twins, Miss Frances Darcy and Master Charles Darcy had grown to an age appropriate to leave the nursery and inhabit rooms of their own.

The rooms chosen for them had long been closed up, storing the clothes and personal effects of their late paternal grandmother, the Lady Anne Darcy. The maids were charged with preparing the rooms for the children when the letter fell out of last remaining trunks.

After briefly reading the letter’s contents, it traveled swiftly from the hands of the maid to Mrs. Reynolds straight to the master’s study.

Fitzwilliam Darcy, the master of Pemberley and the son of Lady Anne was stunned by the contents of the letter.

“My dear Fitzwilliam

I am sorry, my darling boy that I will not live to see you grow to manhood. There is still so much I wish to teach you, but it seems that fate has other plans for me. Mind your father and be the brother Georgiana will need in the coming years. I cannot write for very long, as my strength leaves me quickly.

If I am to make one last request of you, Fitzwilliam, is that when you are of an age of marry, marry only for love. Your Aunt Catherine will tell you that a lady’s fortune and rank will tell you if she is worthy of your hand, but do not her guidance sway you. Listen only with your heart, it will guide you to a lady who is worthy enough to possess it.

Your aunt has confided in me that she wishes a match between you and Anne. It is not my wish, nor is it your fathers, unless you truly love Anne and she loves you. Trust your heart, my dearest son, and I promise you will have everything you desire.

I am always, your loving mother, etc
Anne Darcy

“Find Mrs. Darcy. Tell her I must see her immediately” Darcy said to the maid walking by his study, carrying the linen.

“Yes, sir”.

“Darling, what is it?”.

“This is the proof I have been hoping for” Fitzwilliam had always known that he and Anne were not suited as husband and wife. His marriage to Elizabeth had been a happy marriage, producing three children, including the requisite male heir. And yet, his aunt was as vociferous as ever in her criticism of his wife, their children and their home.

“I must away to Kent immediately; the abuse ends today”.

“Fitzwilliam!” Elizabeth called out, but her husband had already called for the horses to be made ready.

“Mr. Darcy, to see you ma’am” he was announced at Rosings.

“Have you finally come to your senses, nephew?” his aunt demanded.

“You, madam, from this day forward, will cease and desist the abuse you have heaped upon my wife and my family. My mother only wished for me to be happy in my marriage, regardless of whom I married. It has been your wish and your wish alone that I had married Anne”.

“How dare you insult me in my home” Lady Catherine rose to her feet, her defiance as great as her nephew’s “It was mentioned me many times by my sister that she wished to see you and Anne wed”.

“Do you not recognize your own sister’s handwriting?” The letter was placed in her hands.

“She must have been mistaken; my sister was too romantic for her own good”.

“I do not believe my mother was mistaken in her wish for my future. I will say this one more time, cease and desist the abuse, otherwise I will return”.

For the first time in a long time, Lady Catherine DeBourgh was silent. For the rest of their years together, neither Elizabeth, Fitzwilliam or any of their relations heard of any previous abuse from Lady Catherine.

Happy

*-The only characters that I own are William Bennet Darcy, Frances Jane Darcy and Charles Bennet Darcy. The rest with respect and love and admiration, belong to Miss Austen.

Happy

For the last ten years, Fitzwilliam Darcy could say that he was a happy man.

His marriage to former Miss Elizabeth Bennet had proved, despite certain naysayers within his family, to be a fruitful and satisfying marriage.  His wife was still as vibrant and handsome as the day they married.

Adding to his happiness was their children. Their first born and heir, William Bennet Darcy, a bright and eager boy, was ready to take his place as master of Pemberley, despite being the tender age of seven. His sister, Frances Jane, at the age of five, was already proving to be a mirror image of her mother and the apple of her father’s eye. The youngest of their children was Charles Bennet Darcy, coming out of the womb two years ago with head of blonde curls and a charming smile that one day promised to catch the attention of many a young woman. His parents attributed their youngest child’s light hair to his aunts Jane and Georgiana, who stood in contrast to their darker haired siblings.

Tonight was no different than any other night.  After dinner was cleared away and the children were in bed, Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth retired to the library to spend some time together before going to bed. Though they both had books in their hands, his attention was not on the book, but on his wife.

Elizabeth looked up from her book, knowing that he was not focused on the book.

“Is there anything else, before I turn in?” Mrs. Reynolds stood in the doorway, forcing Fitzwilliam to divert his attention to the housekeeper.

“No thank you, Mrs. Reynolds, I don’t believe we need anything”.

“Sleep well Mrs. Reynolds” Elizabeth returned the book to the shelf.

“Thank you, ma’am, the same to you”.

As soon as the housekeeper’s footsteps disappeared, Elizabeth looked at her husband.

“I shall be retiring for the night, Fitzwilliam, would you care to join me?” she asked.

The book was forgotten as he followed his wife up the stairs. Tonight and for the rest of his days, Fitzwilliam Darcy was a happy man.

Family Dinner

*-Of course I don’t own any of any of the characters.

*-Reviews are always welcome.

 Family Dinner

 

“Must we go tonight? I can think far more pleasant activities to occupy the evening” Fitzwilliam groaned as his wife finished tying his cravat.

“We must go, my darling, otherwise mama will never let us hear the end of it” Elizabeth understood her husband’s trepidation; she knew how her mother could be, even on her best day.

A week ago, a letter has arrived at Pemberly from Longbourn, containing Mrs. Bennet’s unmistakable handwriting.

“Lizzy, you and Fitzwilliam must come to dinner a week from tomorrow, for I am anxious to see you and the children, it has been ages since your father and I have seen you”.

“At least tell me that Charles and Jane will be in attendance” Fitzwilliam adored his wife and his children and found his father in law to be quiet but extremely tolerable. The addition of Jane and Charles and their respective children would only lighten the mood.

But it was his mother in law, Mrs. Bennet and her daughters, who were not yet married, Kitty and Mary who he dreaded. Mary, engrossed in her books and her music, never really speaking except of remind them of some obscure religious tract and Kitty, still very much unrestrained and girlish in her actions.

Then there was Mrs. Bennet, who like Kitty, was often unrestrained in her actions and her words. But Elizabeth often reminded her husband that her mother’s actions were not out of malice, but love, in her own way of course.

“Charles and Jane are on the continent, they will be returning next month” Elizabeth reminded her husband.  Charles had been traveling to the continent for business and instead of leaving Jane and the children at home; he decided to make it a family vacation in addition to his business.

Fitzwilliam groaned again, the company of his friend could drone out the most trying conversation of their respective mother in law.

“I will reconcile you with one thought” Elizabeth offered.

“Not even you, my beloved, can offer any reconciliation” Fitzwilliam thought to himself, but let his wife continue.

“Lydia and Wickham are still sequestered at Newcastle, they will not be returning until Michaelmas”.

The thought of having spent a meal with George Wickham sent a chill through Darcy. His dislike and extreme distrust of the man had only intensified over the years, making any situation where he was forced to be in the room with his former childhood playmate to be utterly unbearable. The only positive action that had come out his connection to Wickham was that after nearly a year their first meeting, the forced marriage of Lydia to Wickham had brought him to his heart’s true desire.

“Pardon me, Mr. Darcy, the carriage is waiting” Mrs. Reynolds knocked on the door.

“I suppose, Lizzy that means we must go” Darcy came to the unhappy conclusion.

“Yes, it does” Lizzy agreed.

“Are the children ready?” Lizzy asked, opening the door.

“Yes, ma’am”.

“It’s only a few hours” Lizzy held out her hand to her husband’s.

“I suppose”.

“They could be coming to Pemberley” Lizzy reminded him as they climbed into the carriage.

Again, Darcy knew this wife was right. As much as Mrs. Bennet loved her daughters, she loved to brag that her elder daughters had married very well. Her non stop praise of both Netherfield and Pemberly irritated him to no end, especially when she visited. At least when they visited Longbourn, there was always the opportunity to exit if needed.

As the carriage pulled into Longbourn, Lizzy squeezed his hand as Mrs. Bennet’s overly loud voice echoed from the door. Taking a deep breath, he exited the carriage. This was to be long evening.

The End