This is the book that was never planned in this series… but when I sat down to write what I wanted Book 3 of the series to be, Elizabeth Bennet had other plans . . . 

XOXOXO Elizabeth Ann West

Chapter 55 - The Whisky Wedding, a Pride and Prejudice Variation

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TWO DAYS BEFORE Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy were to stand up for all of London to repeat their nuptials, Lady Matlock arrived at Darcy House with the same mission she had for each day since their arrival from Scotland. The butler led her ladyship to the parlor where she appeared surprised to find not just Elizabeth Darcy, but also Elizabeth’s sister Jane, her son Richard, and her nephew. Usually when she came to collect Elizabeth for the daily rounds of visits and places to be seen the men had long left to see about their business. Spying her son in a close conversation with Miss Bennet did not please Regina Fitzwilliam in any way.

“Will you change your attire before we are to leave? The color of gray is not appropriate for a fresh young bride.”

Elizabeth glanced down at her frock and smirked at her subconscious way of marking the day. “I sent a note. I am not up to social visits today.”

Lady Matlock rolled her eyes. This time, she was not going to let Mrs. Darcy off with an excuse. If the woman was well enough to hold conversation in her own parlor, she was well enough to hold the same conversation in another parlor. “You look plenty well to me.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “Truly, your ladyship, I have no desire to make idle chatter with those oblivious to the pain I feel.” Elizabeth looked away and Lady Matlock, angry at being dismissed so summarily out of hand, barked at her nephew. 

“Fitzwilliam, kindly explain to your wife how much your business and your status depends upon her performance in your  social world. I can understand, growing up in the country, she is not familiar with our customs, but with the ball two days away and so many leaving for the country, it is imperative we impress all we can to attend both the ball and the church ceremony.” Lady Matlock glared at Elizabeth who sat on the sofa leaning against the arm. Fitzwilliam ignored his aunt for a moment and poured himself and his wife a drink, carrying the glass of whisky over to her. The peculiar behavior of her nephew and his wife infuriated his aunt.

“You pour her a drink? And whisky? It is much too vulgar a drink for a lady!”

Elizabeth offered her husband a minxish smile as she accepted her glass and raised it as a toast towards Lady Matlock. “I have found whisky to be a lady’s best companion in finding a husband.” She and Darcy enjoyed a subtle laugh as Lady Matlock turned her attention to her son.

“And why are you here, son? You left the house quite early this morning saying you had to report to Headquarters. And yet I find you here.” Lady Matlock spat out the accusation of nefarious behavior without naming the offense.

Richard gave Jane a knowing look, sighing in sympathy that they would both have to play their parts to keep the plans of a double wedding from his mother, just in case. 

“Mother, I had to report to Headquarters this morning to sign the final orders for me to leave for Spain. My travel arrangements have been set and I will be on my way to the Continent by this time next week.” Richard stood up and bowed to his mother before he continued. “There was also the added displeasure of watching George Wickham hanged for his crimes at dawn.” All four of the inhabitants of the room shifted uncomfortably at the declaration of George’s fate.

“Is that why you all have the longest faces in all of London? You mourn a criminal?” Lady Matlock scoffed and tried to make eye contact with any of the other four adults, to no avail.

Elizabeth swallowed and stood from her place on the sofa to stand next to her husband. “George Wickham made choices in life that necessitated his punishment, and I believe the boy that grew up at Pemberley is who is mourned today as well as the acquaintance we thought capable of living a better life.” 

All eyes turned to Elizabeth as she so eloquently conveyed the tumultuous emotions going through so many in the room. No one wanted to confess that they felt pain at the death of a deserter. And yet Mr. Wickham’s affiliation with the Darcy family since his infancy meant that the death of a suspected half-brother to Fitzwilliam could also not go unnoticed.

“I said a prayer for him in church yesterday,” Jane confessed. Elizabeth looked at her sister in solidarity as Jane held tears in her eyes. For the Bennet girls, they had never been this close to a capital punishment. Their father never took them to the village to see justice carried out and impressed upon them it was not a spectacle for any man to lose his life.

“I did as well,” Elizabeth said.

“There. You have done your Christian duty, and now I ask of you to fulfill your duty as a wife. Go above stairs and change into that lovely blush colored frock that you ordered last week. It matches your skin tone so well, and I shall wait here for us to leave.” Lady Matlock again attempted to take command of the situation.

Elizabeth looked at her husband who set his empty glass of whisky on the mantel of the fireplace. “It is not the duty of my wife to listen to my relations who have overstepped their positions,” Darcy said icily.

“I have not overstepped! Everything, the planning, the preparations, the guest list, the expense, I have done all of this for you. Do not speak to me about my place in this family, Fitzwilliam.” Lady Matlock thought the matter settled, but she grossly underestimated her nephew.

“And I say my house will hold a day of reflection in light of the fact that a criminal apprehended within these walls has been put to death. There will be no social engagements this day. And that is my final word.” Fitzwilliam Darcy rarely raised his voice to a lady, and even now the volume raised was scarcely perceptible in the direction of his aunt. But the fierce expression in his eyes stopped his aunt in her tracks.

Lady Matlock pressed her lips into a thin line disapproval. Deciding to let Darcy have his win, she turned on her heel to challenge her son.

“Come Richard, escort me back to Matlock House. I find myself unwilling to expend any energies to help the ungrateful.” Lady Matlock took no leave of the party at Darcy House and Richard muttered a soft apology to Jane as he helped escort his mother out of the house.

Gently rubbing her husband’s arm, Elizabeth expressed her thanks to her husband for his support and nearly embraced him to see the hurt in his eyes. Only she knew the depth of despair Darcy felt of the loss of so much potential in George Wickham. True, Fitzwilliam had accepted the man George became long ago, but his death spoke of a finality from which there was not to be any redemption.

“If you will excuse me, I believe I have some work I need to see to in my study. Letters, contracts, I’m certain I can find something that should be addressed.”

Elizabeth nodded. “There is a reprieve today, but with the ball tomorrow I fear the next few days will generally not be our own,” she reasoned.

“Richard and I plan to call upon your father tomorrow and to give him our terms. You are certain, Jane, that you wish to marry in a day’s time?” Darcy played the attentive older brother that the Bennet sisters never had. Jane giggled and blushed.

“Yes, I am certain. I am frightened and anxious, but I know if I have Richard by my side I shall be safe.”

“And loved!” Elizabeth teased and the two sisters fell into a laughter that signaled to  Mr. Darcy his presence became superfluous. As he left the parlor, he passed his sister Georgiana who asked if their aunt had just been to visit.

“Yes, and so has Richard. I am afraid that Mr. Wickham is no more.”

Georgiana covered her mouth in shock and Darcy prepared to support his sister if the news was too much, but to his surprise she recovered, setting her shoulders back to hold her head up high. “It is unfortunate to be sure, but I believe deserved.”

The two siblings shared a pert nod and Darcy explained that Elizabeth and Jane were in the parlor if Georgiana wished to join them. In another sign of her growing maturity, Georgiana stated that she would, and as the parlor door slid open, Darcy watched the perfect posture of his sister as she entered the room. The man felt a small glimmer of hope that though the changes for his family would be many, there would be love and companionship to see them all through.



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Chapter 56 - The Whisky Wedding, a Pride and Prejudice Variation

THE DAY OF the Matlock Ball to honor the union of Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet met everyone with heavy responsibilities. Darcy and Richard took the former’s carriage to Cheapside as most of the Bennet daughters already arrived at Darcy House for the day’s preparations for the evening festivities. It was by design the two men left this business for the day before the wedding to permit no outside influences to their plans.

Once admitted into the Gardiner town house in Cheapside, the two men found Mr. Bennet nursing a brandy and reading a book while Mr. Gardiner sat at his desk furiously writing out letter after letter. It was the younger man who greeted Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam.

Edward Gardiner reached out a hand to shake Mr. Darcy’s and Richard’s in congratulations.

“Forgive us, we did not mean to interrupt your business.” Mr. Darcy said after thanking the man for his good tidings.

Edward Gardiner looked over his shoulder at his desk covered in parchment. He laughed. “Most of this is your fault. I don’t know what you said at your club, but suddenly my client list has doubled!”

Mr. Darcy shrugged. “I shared nothing more than the truth, you run a fine business. If I had known that the main suppliers of my household directly benefited from your warehouses earlier, I would have shared that with my friends and acquaintances long before I married Elizabeth.”

The cheerful conversation between the three men became interrupted as Mr. Bennet fell into a coughing fit and all three turned to look at the man.

“Ignore me, I have plans to finish this book and sleep in my own bed tomorrow,” Mr. Bennet dismissed the concern.

“It is you, sir, that we have come to see.” Richard put himself forward as the  primary speaker of their plans. “I have asked for your daughter’s hand in marriage and I am happy to report that she has accepted. I procured a special license from His Grace and it is our intention to marry tomorrow with Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth.”

Mr. Bennet released an exasperated sigh and closed his book. Interlacing his fingers, he set his elbows on the arms of the chair and considered the military man who turned suitor before him. 

“I’m afraid you’re going to have to be more specific. I have four unmarried daughters, your cousin claiming the fifth, exactly which one did you propose to?” Mr. Bennet asked sardonically.

Richard’s eyes widened that he had made such an oversight and that Mr. Bennet would not have guessed it was the loveliest Jane he had offered marriage. But no matter, Richard quickly fixed his mistake and blurted out Jane’s name to Mr. Bennet.

“The men in your family must never worry of being disappointed,” Mr. Bennet started. “No, no, do not seek to defend your position. I know mine, there is no use in pretending yours.”

“I believe I do not catch your meaning, sir.” Mr. Darcy began to lose this patience with the ever exasperating Mr. Bennet.

“You come here the day before the wedding to ask my blessing? Were you afraid I might decline and cause a problem for the nuptials? Perhaps I might take my daughter home, keep the claws of the Fitzwilliam family from digging into the skin of another Bennet.”

Richard and Darcy looked at one another in complete confusion. They expected Mr. Bennet to be unhappy to learn more was required of him, but not unhappy to see another daughter so well-settled. The intention of keeping the plan a secret had nothing to do with obstruction on the Bennet side. No other father in London would throw disdain on a daughter marrying the son of an earl, but Mr. Bennet fiercely possessed a uniqueness none would ever believe if they shared the story at the club.

“It was the express wish of your daughter, Jane, that she not detract from her sister Elizabeth and thus the secrecy. There was apprehension if we came sooner, your wife might learn of the intrigue and subject Miss Bennet to a fuss she neither required nor sought,” Mr. Darcy explained.

“Jane never did like the spotlight,” Mr. Gardiner offered, finding the explanation entirely valid.

“And Jane is also more than one and twenty. She does not need my blessing nor my attendance,” Mr. Bennet said pretending to return to his reading before Mr. Gardiner’s anger got the best of him. The youngest brother of Mr. Bennet’s wife stormed forward and yanked the book out of his brother-in-law’s hands.

“While you always were quick to play a misanthrope, this time you shall not. Your eldest daughters have done nothing to deserve your censure, other than imposing the inconvenience upon you of living their future lives!” Edward yelled.

Mr. Bennet leaned back and shivered in shock at his brother-in-law’s admonishment. “And what else shall I do, Edward? I’m certain you have more on your chest you wish to release.”

Edward Gardiner did not shy at Mr. Bennet’s dismissal. He did in fact have a great deal more on his chest to share and the absent father of his favorite nieces was going to hear it. That Mr. Darcy and Richard were present mattered not to Mr. Gardiner, he already knew of the plans for all involved and heartily agreed with his niece Elizabeth’s decisions.

“After the weddings, in which you will walk your daughters down the aisle, Mary and Kitty are to go to Pemberley. You will take Lydia home to Longbourn and lock her up if need be. But under no circumstances will you shower her with attention and fripperies she neither deserves nor appreciates. It is time for you to get your house in order Bennet, because the time has passed for inaction in regards to the girls. They have nothing to rely upon after your death and I know you are not so cruel as to sentence them to a life of poverty.”

“But why should they live in poverty? Mr. Darcy here is now their brother, and clearly up to the task of taking on the role of father since I am to be relieved of two of my daughters without my consent,” Mr. Bennet started, but Mr. Gardiner was not finished. 

Your wife has been apprised of the plan as we speak, I dare say none of us have room for consent or changes. If Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth are willing to take Catherine and Mary under their wing, we should be grateful. And your youngest is not in the clear as to her reputation. There still could very well be grave consequences of her lark,” Mr. Gardiner looked to Mr. Darcy to see if he had covered the majority of the plan and Darcy nodded.

“I know where he will live with Lizzie, but what about you? After you marry my Jane, where shall you support your wife? I was not aware of any houses in your name.” Mr. Bennet asked in the interest of his daughter’s welfare more than for the embarrassment of the colonel.

Richard inhaled deeply and set his shoulders in a perfect square, a habit of standing so often at attention. “I have accepted a post, a command in fact, in Spain. We shall be provided lodgings in the town and God willing, maintain the position until peace is reached.”

And when the war concludes? For surely it must, what will a man of your skills do to support a family?”

Richard swallowed and bowed to his elder. “My grandfather has left me a small inheritance aside from the estate of Matlock and I shall sell my commission. Jane will not suffer a want that is in my power to grant.”

Mr. Bennet sniffed as he could not find any other argument, not that he expected anything he might say would matter much. “I hear you possess a very well stocked library, Mr. Darcy. Do you have a copy of The Rosicrucian?”

Two. One at Pemberley and one here in London.”

Mr. Bennet took a sip of his brandy. “Ah, I have wished to read that. I believe when I travel with my daughters to drop them off at Pemberley and retrieve them later I might stay a month or more.”

Richard laughed at his cousin’s bad luck but Darcy only bowed. “Our home is always open to Elizabeth’s family.” 

Inwardly, Darcy decided they would install a private library in the family wing for him and his bride to enjoy without the meddling of family. And he would send the letter today for his staff to begin refreshing both the suites for Georgiana and Elizabeth’s sisters and to begin the conversion of his old room for the library. Plato had been correct that necessity was the mother of all invention.



NEW RELEASE

For the Love of a Bennet

What if Elizabeth Bennet traveled with Lydia to Brighton?

A reimagining of Jane Austen’s most beloved tale, Pride & Prejudice, join author Elizabeth Ann West as she writes the romantic adventure story she always wanted! When Lizzy and Lydia arrive in Brighton, it’s very clear that the younger Bennet sister came with very serious plans towards Mr. Wickham. Thankfully, an old ally is also in town, with problems of his own to solve. After Mr. Darcy, himself, is summoned to Brighton to hopefully solve two dilemmas with one wealthy member of the gentry, the whole militia is thrown into an uproar by Wickham’s most dastardly deed, yet. Together, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy have to save Lydia from her own undoing, or it will mean more than just mere reputations are ruined.

For the Love of a Bennet is a novel length story, currently being posted chapter by chapter on Elizabeth’s author site. This story was originally conceptualized in 2019 as a part of the All Go to Brighton challenge.

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Chapter 57 - The Whisky Wedding, a Pride and Prejudice Variation

DESPITE THE LATE period of the season, carriages lined the block for admission to the Matlock Ball to honor the marriage of Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. Practically stripped of all furniture, the town house admitted the top of the social elite along with the Gardiners and the Bingleys in one of the most diverse gatherings Regina Fitzwilliam, Countess of Matlock, ever had occasion to host.

As the musicians began their warm up, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth stood together in the set with her sister Jane and his cousin Richard. To the attendees, the first set represented a preview of the ceremony tomorrow when Jane and Richard would stand up with Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet in church. But the arrangement brought displeasure to Lady Matlock and she complained such to her husband and eldest son.

“Why is Richard standing up with her sister? He is giving her too much consideration in public.”

“Ginny, it is expected. Leave the boy alone.” Garland Fitzwilliam, the ninth Earl of Matlock, calmed his wife out of the side of his mouth as he offered nods and smiles to his acquaintances and those deserving of his notice.

James, why have you not taken your place for the set?” Lady Matlock began to fret as more of the line began to fill.

“She looks rather pretty.” James Fitzwilliam, Viscount of Rutherford, made eye contact with a lady ethereally dressed. Kitty Bennet blushed and looked down at the notice. Lady Matlock snorted through her nose and pulled her son’s arm to twist him in a different direction.

“That is enough Bennets for now, find another. We will not be a laughingstock, there, see, Lady Susan is waiting.” Lady Matlock practically shoved her son in the direction of the fifth daughter of a duke and then broke out her fan to fervently move the air around her person.

The set began, an enthusiastic Scottish country dance with many turns and quick steps. The suggestion of opening the ball with a song from Scotland was a design of Fitzwilliam Darcy to give a nod to the more romantic beginnings of his marriage. As the dance moves called for the foursome to swap partners and return again, Jane, Richard, Elizabeth, and Fitzwilliam smiled and laughed at their private party within the larger ball. Lady Matlock’s careful observation became interrupted when Thomas Bennet, looking quite debonair dressed formally for the ball, approached her ladyship and bowed low.

“It is my understanding it is customary for members of the family to unite with a set on the dance floor. Could I trouble you for the next set?” Lady Matlock’s eyes flicked quickly to find her husband making a similar request of Mrs. Bennet, much to the lady’s eternal delight that she shared enthusiastically with anyone in her vicinity. The die was cast, the wedding in the morning, and Regina Fitzwilliam had no choice but to play her part increasingly feeling as though she were the one being punished for the scandal. 

She accepted Mr. Bennet’s offer and then found an acquaintance to pass the time with before her obligation. When they lined up in the set, Lady Matlock frowned to see that her nephew and her son had merely swapped partners, therefore again preserving their party of four in the lines.

The candles burned to nearly the halfway mark and all in attendance reveled and danced at the smartest ball of the year. Without members of the royal family in attendance, the patrons were free to seek relief in their dance and alcohol in their cups. Thankfully, the crowd had turned a bit rowdy when disaster walked through the door bearing the name of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Her brother, Garland Fitzwilliam intercepted his sister, speaking forcefully as she was escorted into the ball by her young niece, Lady Olivia.

“Catherine,” he greeted his sister and pecked her cheek. “We had no idea you were visiting London.”

“Visiting? I should say not. I came as quickly as a report of this disastrous union reached my ears. Where is Fitzwilliam? Where is that boy?” Lady Catherine tried to look over her brother’s shoulder, but standing a neat six inches shorter than him, the squat old lady managed little more than leaning over to look around him, but Garland kept blocking her path.

“Lower your voice, Catty. They are already married. Weeks ago over the anvil. This is merely the stamp of approval we are all bestowing in the name of our family’s future.” Though he was the junior, Garland Fitzwilliam sounded exactly like their father, and for a moment Lady Catherine felt transported back thirty plus years ago to a similar ball where her father was not happy his daughter Anne had selected an untitled man despite his wealth. Catherine shook her head to cast off the memories of the past.

“Unacceptable. You do not bestow sweets on a misbehaving child. I refuse to participate in the charade. Where is Regina? She will join me in this.” Catherine raised her voice as her brother looped his arm in hers and began walking her back toward the door. Over his shoulder, he instructed his daughter that he would deal with her after, and Lady Olivia slunk away to disappear in the din.

“I’m afraid my wife is indisposed at the moment, she is dancing with Mrs. Darcy’s uncle. She planned the entire affair, I don’t believe you’ll find an ally there. Go home Catherine, or as it is late, go above stairs and take a rest. You know this is your home as well.”

Lady Catherine began to scoff more, but a glare from her brother silenced her on the subject. Declaring she took no leave of him, she accepted his offer to go up upstairs and find rest. But she declared she would not be attending the ceremony in the morning.

Although Garland Fitzwilliam did not say such, in his mind he thanked Providence his older sister and her cantankerous mood would not attend the wedding. And she would not stay at the ball and needle him for an alliance between her sickly daughter and James, either.

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth missed the entire display of Lady Catherine de Bourgh as they sat out the set before supper on the balcony overlooking the courtyard. Elizabeth stood so close to her husband, just another half an inch and she would be leaning up against him. But they were under strict instructions not to draw attention to the fact that they were indeed newlyweds, for a semblance of tradition.

“Did you love me before your carriage accident?” Fitzwilliam Darcy closed his eyes as his wife looked up at the stars. When Elizabeth’s silence felt it had passed for too long, he opened his eyes to find his wife had turned around to look directly at him. The torches lit on each corner of the balcony danced in the reflection of her eyes and she gave him a sympathetic smile.

“I believe the reason I had a carriage accident is because I loved you, sir.”

Elizabeth’s answer confused Darcy and he asked her to explain. She shrugged and cast the rules aside as she nestled her cheek against his chest.

“From the minute I left Longbourn, I feared if we never found my sister I would never make things right with you. I agonized most days over our conversations and can recite to you the contents of each with great accuracy.” 

Fitzwilliam gulped at the stirring passions his wife’s proximity began to awaken.

“Yet you cannot recall our time in Scotland at the blacksmith.” Fitzwilliam attempted to keep the conversation level. But Elizabeth shook her head against his person, which felt closer to a nuzzle than a negative response.

“No, but I shall remember tomorrow for all of my life.” Elizabeth Darcy tilted her head back just as her husband leaned forward and the husband and wife that had gone about things all wrong in the eyes of Society, kissed with all of their love for one another.

The affection was short-lived however, when Lady Matlock burst onto the balcony and separated the two with her sharp exclamation.

“Fitzwilliam! I need you. Your cousin is dancing for a third time with her sister. He is raising expectations!” Lady Matlock fervently waved her hands and her nephew nodded but held up his hand to signal he needed a moment. Lady Matlock scowled but turned around and went back inside as she could not be away from the ballroom for too long.

When Darcy’s aunt could no longer be seen, both Mr. and Mrs. Darcy burst out laughing. They kissed once more, no longer caring about the acceptance or stamp of approval any of the evening would see fit to bestow, and Darcy grasped his wife’s hands to pull them close to his chest.

“Will you miss this life? All of the gilt and jewels of London? I know what we spoke of it when we left Scotland, but now that you have seen it, I would understand if you would be more comfortable splitting our year between Town and the country.”

Elizabeth leaned her head to the side to see through the windows the blurry figures laughing and dancing and joking. She also knew despite appearances an undercurrent of jealousy, wrath, and greed coursed through every conversation and interaction.

“I’m afraid I will have to disappoint you, husband. I loved country dances and assemblies, but that is felicity shared between neighbors. What London has to offer is something I confess I never desired. If we should return to Town but once a year, I feel I will be more than satisfied.”

Her husband agreed as they slowly began to walk back toward the door to reenter the fray.

“One more set, my lady?” Fitzwilliam Darcy offered his wife the charm of the gentleman he mostly kept concealed for the very reason his aunt now complained about his cousin. Elizabeth Darcy giggled, but rewarded her husband’s request with a peck upon the tip of his nose before she quickly pulled away.

“And then we can go home?”

“You have the uncanny ability to express my sentiments exactly, madam.”



You’ve been reading The Whisky Wedding

the whisky wedding final

When Elizabeth Bennet of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice learns of her sister’s elopement before leaving for the Peaks District, she and her aunt are off to Scotland to chase the wayward couple. Inn after inn, there is no sign of Lydia or Mr. Wickham, but Elizabeth won’t give up. A foolhardy decision to continue to search on her own lands Elizabeth right into the arms of a familiar face . . . Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. 

Join author Elizabeth Ann West in a tale of carriage accidents, amnesia, and a forced marriage, but happy endings for all. Well, maybe not Mr. Wickham!

The Whisky Wedding

a Pride and Prejudice novel variation

Release Date: December 28, 2016

514 pages in print.

+ 23 additional Pride & Prejudice variations are available at these fine retailers . . . 

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Elizabeth Ann West