{"id":3010,"date":"2021-12-17T13:27:54","date_gmt":"2021-12-17T18:27:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/?p=3010"},"modified":"2021-12-17T13:27:54","modified_gmt":"2021-12-17T18:27:54","slug":"chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapters 22-24 The Whisky Wedding"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"3010\" class=\"elementor elementor-3010 elementor-bc-flex-widget\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-tzlwpqx elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"tzlwpqx\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-hpsvypa\" data-id=\"hpsvypa\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fjyyk18 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fjyyk18\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2><span style=\"color: #800080;\">This is the book that was never planned in this series&#8230; but when I sat down to write what I wanted Book 3 of the series to be, Elizabeth Bennet had other plans . . .\u00a0<\/span><\/h2><h2><span style=\"color: #800080;\">XOXOXO Elizabeth Ann West<\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-cmvpllr elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"cmvpllr\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-jtxlnev\" data-id=\"jtxlnev\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-trjgule elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"trjgule\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 22 - The Whisky Wedding, a Pride and Prejudice Variation<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bfyjbol elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-1658 elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"bfyjbol\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">[swpm_protected not_for=\"3-4\" do_not_show_protected_msg=\"1\"]\n<center>\n<b>Advertisement<\/b>\n<\/center>\n[\/swpm_protected]<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-h8ltbwp elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-1589 elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"h8ltbwp\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">[swpm_protected not_for=\"3-4\" do_not_show_protected_msg=\"1\"]\n<center>\n\n<script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n<!-- 300 x 250 Google Ad For Chapters -->\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n     style=\"display:inline-block;width:300px;height:250px\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7008164687543724\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"5583540785\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script>\n<\/center>\n[\/swpm_protected]<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-rhiemlj elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"rhiemlj\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">COLONEL\u00a0RICHARD\u00a0FITZWILLIAM&#8217;S\u00a0horse carefully negotiated the narrow alleys of Cheapside just as the day\u2019s heat began to amplify the summer\u2019s most displeasing smells. A city full of people and all of their waste were all a visitor to London could expect to greet him as the fashionable season came to a close. Richard counted the houses, as many of the numbers were obscured or simply missing, until he arrived at a town house that appeared in better condition than those earlier on the block. The door boasted a fresh coat of blue paint just as his cousin\u2019s letter from Scotland had described. Over the door hung a slightly rusty two and three to denote the residence. A groom from the carriage house behind shuffled forward to take the reins as the colonel\u2019s boots landed in two inches of muck and he cursed under his breath.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">After giving the young groom explicit instructions for his mount, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam of His Majesty&#8217;s Finest climbed the stone stairs to the front door stomping with each step to remove as much of the street\u2019s filth as he could from his boots. When his ring was answered, Richard introduced himself and asked for Edward Gardiner, surprised to find himself admitted right away.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The house of Edward Gardiner bustled with activity as the colonel was not the only guest to disrupt the daily routine. After being shown into Mr. Gardiner&#8217;s office, the colonel felt confused as it appeared the room was empty. Shortly after the servant closed the door, a voice from the high wingback chair by the fire greeted him.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;I am impressed with your diligence.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam of the \u2014 Regiment at your service. And whom do I have the pleasure of speaking to? Mr. Gardiner?&#8221; Richard continue to stand by the door as he had not been formally invited to take a seat. The man laughed.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;My brother sees to his business. I suspect you received a letter from Mr. Darcy much as I have, though I must say I did not fully expect you the same day. I received his missive just this morning, perhaps not long after the rider left your barracks.&#8221; Mr. Bennet revealed his identity by stating he had received a letter similar to Richard\u2019s from his cousin.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;I came to call as soon as I might, I had morning exercises you see.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;Certainly, commendable, in fact, come in, come in. Might His Majesty&#8217;s Finest indulge in a drink?&#8221; Mr. Bennet offered to pour from a decanter at his side. Richard stepped forward to take the wooden chair nearest his host, noticing the open book on the man&#8217;s lap. Richard frowned, though Darcy had warned him that Elizabeth&#8217;s father may not appear to be doing very much to find his daughter. But Richard suspected even this much inactivity would draw the fire of Darcy&#8217;s breath, yet Richard kept his own.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;So another joins the fruitless brigade to find my foolish daughter. I cannot speak ill of your cousin, but I do not see his connection in all of this. You both have an acquaintance with my Lizzie?&#8221; Mr. Bennet&#8217;s hand showed a slight tremor as he handed the glass to the colonel.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;I had the pleasure of meeting Miss Elizabeth Bennet at my aunt&#8217;s estate in Kent. I believe she visited her cousin, my aunt\u2019s parson.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;That great buffoon. But Lizzie went to please Charlotte, er\u2014Mrs. Collins, and I was loathe to lose her. When the news came of Lydia\u2019s flight, she left for Scotland with her aunt where I am appraised she has reunited with your cousin and enlisted him in our aid. . .\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Richard schooled his face at Mr. Bennet\u2019s odd acceptance of his daughter Elizabeth being alone with a man not of her family. To say this Bennet man held peculiarities did not fully prepare him for such a bizarre interview. Still, the man continued talking, so Richard felt it best to listen more and speak none.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">But I tell you just as I told my brother, there is nothing to be done. My time is nearly up for the show I must perform for my wife. You see that my daughter is too penniless for a man like Wickham to seek a ransom. He may not have even had to say very many pretty words to get my daughter in the carriage.&#8221; Mr. Bennet coughed; a wet, hacking display, not a sound to be heard in the middle of summer&#8217;s warmth. Out of breath after his fit, Mr. Bennet helped himself to more of his own drink which appeared to subdue whatever irritation resided\u00a0\u00a0in his chest.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;I wonder if you might share with me any information you may hold concerning Mr. Wickham. I understand he was in your home county with the militia?&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Aye, much to my wife&#8217;s happiness for she always did love a red coat.&#8221; Mr. Bennet raised his eyebrows in the colonel&#8217;s direction with a nod to the man&#8217;s uniform. &#8220;She filled the girls with all sorts of silly notions . . . balls and proposals. When Colonel Forster and his wife invited Lydia to stay with them for the summer encampment, I assumed she would be perfectly safe under the commander\u2019s protection.&#8221; Bitterness seasoned Mr. Bennet&#8217;s last words as a brief expression of anger overtook his\u00a0face. Mr. Bennet cast his glance to the fire and visibly adjusted his shoulders, as if shaking off the demons of rage.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Richard cautiously took a sip of his drink to buy time so his next question did not sound too eager. As the coals on the fire shifted from the bottom layer turning to ash, both men studied the grate to avoid each other.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Your daughter was the particular guest of Colonel Forster and his wife? Wickham was so bold as to not only desert, but to take with him a woman under the protection of his commanding officer?&#8221; Richard asked, but Mr. Bennet had already said as much.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">A cold, steely gaze met Richard\u2019s own as Mr. Bennet pressed his lips to a thin line. The man approached fifty, but in that frail moment of a\u00a0\u00a0father&#8217;s greatest failure, a passerby might mistake him for nearing four-score in age. &#8220;I believe it is safe to say that filth Wickham holds no scruples at all. And that is why I hold no hope of my daughter\u2019s recovery.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Richard took a deep breath and set his drink down on the table, hardly half gone. He had duty later that day and did not wish to return to the barracks smelling strongly of drink for those who might press it to their advantage. Rising from his chair, Mr. Bennet offered Richard little more than a wave of his hand before turning his book over as a sign of dismissal for the soldier so wholly unconnected to him.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Still, despite his misgivings about the father, Richard did care for Miss Elizabeth, perhaps more than was proper, but not more than she deserved. He felt he needed to declare his intentions to Mr. Bennet as he was the most proper person to hear them, even if they were not a responsibility he cared to hold.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;Thank you for your time, sir. I will begin my search for your daughter and Mr. Wickham after I have requested leave from my superiors. With your permission, I should like to call again when I have secured the freedom to look into the affair.&#8221; Richard did not stand at full attention, but his intimidating presence made a slight impression upon Mr. Bennet in that he could not ignore the declaration outright.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The man looked over his spectacles and addressed Richard directly. &#8220;Suit yourself, Colonel, I am but a man with a book reported to by all sorts, it would appear, as to their plans. My eldest daughter has joined me and I expect her arrival again any moment. She, too, is searching I believe, though she comes up with a new excuse every day to go into town. Are you acquainted with her as well?&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Richard shook his head. &#8220;No, sir, I have not had the pleasure of meeting any of your daughters other than Miss Elizabeth. But I have heard very admirable recounts of Miss Bennet from her sister.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Mr. Bennet shrugged. &#8220;If you call again, and she is here, she may be able to tell you more about this sordid affair with Wickham. I still don&#8217;t see how it will be of any help to you personally to conduct such a search, but I know better than to stand between a man and his plans, especially a military man. I suspect by the end of the week I shall be returning to Hertfordshire.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;You will not await your daughter and Mr. Darcy returning from Scotland?&#8221; Richard looked at the man, utterly confused. Darcy&#8217;s letter had made it quite clear he and Miss Elizabeth were to marry, certainly that development had to have some bearing on Mr. Bennet, dedicated reader though the man may be.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;Young man, I hold a letter from your cousin with not a line written by my daughter\u2019s hand. I suspect my Lizzie will be returning with her aunt and have quite the story for me about the poor lovesick Mr. Darcy.&#8221; Richard drew a sharp breath bringing another chuckle from Mr. Bennet. The older man touched the side of his nose. &#8220;You did not think I knew my daughter refused your cousin\u2019s proposal in Kent! My daughter Jane is ever dutiful, though she did not tell me this little intrigue until we left Longbourn. I suspect it was guilt.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Richard took a turn at pressing his lips into a fine line as he had little more to say to the exasperating man that was Mr. Bennet. Instead, Richard offered the man a bow and turned to open the door and show himself out. He was not entirely sure the Bennet family was at all deserving of the fuss and attentions of the Fitzwilliams nor especially his cousin, but he did know that Miss Elizabeth was entirely worthy of whatever help he could offer. And Bennets aside, the situation developing represented a much more complicated matter than any of them might know, unless Richard found the couple and made them marry.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">As Richard showed himself out of the study, he nearly crashed into the most beautiful creature he had ever set eyes on.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Pardon me, miss?\u201d The soldier remembered his manners as soon as he realized he was staring. \u201cColonel Richard Fitzwilliam, at your service.\u201d He bowed low.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Colonel Fitzwilliam?\u201d The woman\u2019s voice surged with hope. \u201cMy sister spoke of you, I am Miss Jane Bennet.\u201d Jane looked furtively around for her father or uncle and not spying them, frowned. \u201cExcuse me, Colonel, but why are you here?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Remembering Mr. Bennet\u2019s words about not a line being in Elizabeth\u2019s hand, the colonel hesitated. If Miss Bennet did not know to expect him, but her father did, it was likely Mr. Bennet did not share the letter from Darcy with his daughter, but merely asked her about Mr. Darcy when he received the missive. Whether he agreed with the denial of information or not, Richard wisely chose to give a half-truth and preserve a small amount of respect with the father of his aim.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The military is looking into the matter. Lieutenant Wickham is a deserter and the King takes desertion very seriously.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Jane nodded. \u201cWell, thank you, on behalf of my family.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Richard grimaced and Jane understood the look all too well.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Please,\u201d she gently touched the sleeve of his coat, \u201cdo not judge him too harshly. He is devastated and it is making him ill.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">With nothing more to say, Colonel Fitzwilliam nodded and took his leave of Miss Bennet, wishing her well and promising to do his best.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">After Jane farewelled the colonel, she watched him mount his horse and ride away through the window, wondering why Lizzie had never said how handsome Mr. Darcy\u2019s cousin was.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Remembering her own mission was not over, Jane retreated to the kitchens for a mid-day nourishment, and then planned to go out once more in the afternoon. She yawned as she accepted the already made plate from the Gardiner\u2019s cook, finding that even with the carriage, the business of searching still required a great deal of walking. She smirked as she cut up the crust of bread and cheese thinking how much better suited Elizabeth would have been for this part of the search, but then she would not have met Colonel Fitzwilliam.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Jane allowed herself to daydream through her meal until it was once more time to ask if anyone had seen a younger, dark-haired version of herself in the company of a soldier. If she was honest, even she was beginning to give up hope as another week passed with no sign of either Mr. Wickham or Lydia.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-th06tu2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-1658 elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"th06tu2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">[swpm_protected not_for=\"3-4\" do_not_show_protected_msg=\"1\"]\n<center>\n<b>Advertisement<\/b>\n<\/center>\n[\/swpm_protected]<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-jnd4jmm elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-1589 elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"jnd4jmm\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">[swpm_protected not_for=\"3-4\" do_not_show_protected_msg=\"1\"]\n<center>\n\n<script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n<!-- 300 x 250 Google Ad For Chapters -->\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n     style=\"display:inline-block;width:300px;height:250px\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7008164687543724\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"5583540785\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script>\n<\/center>\n[\/swpm_protected]<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-nljoldv elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"nljoldv\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-nhayecn\" data-id=\"nhayecn\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-uvlbhdm elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"uvlbhdm\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 23 - The Whisky Wedding, a Pride and Prejudice Variation<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ncyljeg elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ncyljeg\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">SUNLIGHT\u00a0FROM\u00a0THE\u00a0high windows in the dining hall of Broadmeadow illuminated Elizabeth&#8217;s face as she enjoyed her meal with her husband. She blinked at the relentless assault on her eyes, but could not cease looking at the man dining with her. The meal mimicked previous spreads of game and pastry, but knowing Mr. Darcy was her husband brought a smile to Elizabeth&#8217;s face.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;You appear different today, madam. In good cheer.&#8221; Darcy tilted his head to one side and considered his wife\u2019s rosy complexion against the dark plum of her neckline. A deep blush began to spread along her clavicle at his compliment. He wondered if she would ask to go to Gretna Green to find her aunt or if she would remember the events of the previous day.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;I would say that I am.\u201d Elizabeth paused to make sure she did not stutter. \u201cHusband.&#8221; Elizabeth offered him a half-crooked smile as Mr. Darcy dropped his silverware with a loud clatter.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;Do you mean to say that you remember?&#8221; he asked.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Elizabeth nodded and took a deep breath through her nose and then squared her shoulders. She released the breath and remained focused on Mr. Darcy, remembering the letter had said how much her condition pained him.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;But that is astounding! Rowley predicted it might take weeks!&#8221; Darcy&#8217;s empty hands reached to grasp hers, and he leaned forward to press a kiss to her open palms. Elizabeth giggled and looked behind her at the footman standing sentry along the wall. &#8220;Do not mind them; they are very loyal.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Elizabeth thought about the assistance her maid Fiona had offered in helping to restore her memory through the letter, and she heartily agreed with Mr. Darcy&#8217;s assessment.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;All of the Broadmeadow staff are beyond compare, sir. Although I have yet to meet the staff at your other homes, I have a feeling they are likely of the same caliber.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The happy couple merely stared at one another for a moment before Darcy&#8217;s eyes lit up with a new inquiry. &#8220;And how did you like my gift?&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Elizabeth&#8217;s breath hitched in her chest.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;I enjoyed your gift very much.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Inwardly, she panicked. Her letter to herself had made no mention of any gift from Mr. Darcy! She hoped if she feigned a shy embarrassment, he would not inquire further. She wished to change the subject, but could not think of anything under such pressure and found this business of pretending to be well more ambitious than she had imagined.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;I know it might appear to be a castoff. If you\u2019d like, I am happy to commission one of your own. But I believe you will find very great use in me passing it down to you.&#8221; Mr. Darcy took a bite of his meal and considered his wife carefully.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Elizabeth listened for clues and dissected Mr. Darcy&#8217;s language.\u00a0<i>He said he had passed it down to me; perhaps it was jewels?<\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">I agree. I shall find great use.\u201d Elizabeth\u2019s stomach clenched\u00a0at the need to playact. Her plate of stewed cabbage mixed with young turnips suddenly appeared limp and unappetizing.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">It\u2019s been in my family for many years. My mother never traveled without the case.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Elizabeth\u2019s posture rose at the mention of Mr. Darcy\u2019s mother. Emboldened, she reasoned he must be speaking of a jeweled set his mother owned that he gave to her yesterday. Her second thought questioned why she did not write that down and she frowned.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">You did not truly like it.\u201d Mr. Darcy sighed.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Breathing sharply through her nose, Elizabeth froze in panic. She had charged herself with being well for Mr. Darcy\u2019s sake and she was monumentally failing! Clearing her throat, she had to trust the instructions from her yesterday self if the letter had carried her this far.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">I believe the jewels are the most spectacular settings I have ever seen.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Mr. Darcy blinked a few times with his face slackened. \u201cThe jewels?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;Are you not speaking of a gift of jewels?&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;You have no recollection of what I&#8217;m speaking about, do you?&#8221; Mr. Darcy accused, no longer interested in his meal. Barely perceptible, Elizabeth shook her head. &#8220;So you have lied to me. You do not remember a thing!&#8221; His voice raised to a level that made her flinch.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;That is not true,\u201d she countered quietly. \u201cAt least, I do not remember all.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Mr. Darcy scowled at Elizabeth as she looked down at her hands in her lap. He seized his glass of wine and helped himself to a healthy gulp. Time ticked by as the footmen looked to one another, but none dared utter a word. This movement attracted Darcy\u2019s attention, and he lowered his voice to a rasp.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">I need your complete honesty. When you awoke this morning did you remember that we are wed?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Again, Elizabeth\u2019s head very gently shook in the negative.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;Then why did you lead me to believe that you had? And who told you the particulars this morning? Was it that maid?\u201d Mr. Darcy\u2019s anger at being played the fool returned an edge to his voice.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Elizabeth looked up with tears starting to fall from the corners of her eyes. She sniffed. &#8220;It was me. I told myself.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;What the devil?&#8221; Darcy grew bombastic at the riddle, but Elizabeth held up a hand to signal him to wait for an explanation. Stunned, he followed her gesture and waited.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;I wrote myself a letter last evening with all of the details I thought I might need to remember the next day. My illness is a great burden to you and has kept you in Scotland longer than you ever planned. And there is the matter of my sister in London\u2013&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">And so you pretended to be fully recovered so that we might hurry to London.\u201d Mr. Darcy interrupted his wife.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;I did not, that is, I may have? I am not certain.&#8221; Elizabeth&#8217;s voice began to rise to match Mr. Darcy&#8217;s volume as she too became frustrated with the entire situation. How had she ever agreed to marry this man when there was so little that they seemed ever to agree upon?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;I should like to see this letter.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;Certainly.&#8221; Elizabeth tucked her hand into her gown pocket and pulled out the missive, heavily creased from use despite its young age. After she handed the letter to Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth found she still held no appetite but picked at the edge of her roasted quail with the prongs of her fork. The gentle action of flaking the meat away from the bone occupied her as silence fell over the room while her husband read silently.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Mr. Darcy sighed as he refolded the letter and handed it back to his wife. Elizabeth looked up at him with hopeful eyes.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;I apologize for the amount of pressure I have placed upon you to feel that you must recover in haste. &#8220;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;No, but I \u2013&#8221; Mr. Darcy shook his head, and Elizabeth ceased speaking.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;It is true there are very grave matters that we both must attend in London, in good time. I have sent letters to your father and my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam; do you remember him?&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Elizabeth smiled, remembering for once a memory so easily from her past. She had admired Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam a great deal when she met him in Kent. &#8220;Yes! I do remember the Colonel. My older memories are not lost. And he is in London?&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">A deep growl turned over in Darcy\u2019s stomach as he tried to ignore his wife&#8217;s pleasure at\u00a0\u00a0the mere mentioning of his cousin. &#8220;There is no other man I would trust with such a serious matter. Richard is searching for your sister and that cad as we speak. I suspect by the time we arrive in London he will not only have found your sister and Wickham, but likely recovered the situation as much as it might hoped to achieve.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Elizabeth frowned.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;What is it, dearest?&#8221; Mr. Darcy breathed more freely with the conversation settled into a calmer manner.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;I should write to my father.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Darcy nodded to encourage Elizabeth to continue.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;This is going to be very mean for me to say, but I fear his abilities may not shine to their best if he feels interference and that he has lost control. My father can be very stubborn, and I suspect he takes a great deal of responsibility for the mess upon his shoulders.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Oh?&#8221; Darcy asked as he lifted his drink to find occupation. He agreed with Elizabeth but knew better than to make that agreement eagerly and appear to slight her father.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Elizabeth nodded. &#8220;I had tried to warn him, you see, about allowing Lydia to go to Brighton.&#8221; Elizabeth watched as Mr. Darcy&#8217;s posture stiffened and his knuckles turned white holding the stemware in his hands. &#8220;Do not worry, I said nothing about your sister.&#8221; Elizabeth\u2019s assumption had been correct, and as soon as she reassured her husband that his family&#8217;s privacy was not breached, Mr. Darcy visibly relaxed.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;If you should like to write your father, I shall be happy to send it express.&#8221; Mr. Darcy did not add that they were running out of riders, and then felt further relieved as Elizabeth shrugged.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;There is no reason to send a letter at such expense; I suspect you have likely sent many an express to London already on my account.&#8221; Elizabeth watched her husband freeze his movements at the question. She arched her eyebrows.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201d<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">If I may not lie, sir, then neither shall you,&#8221; Elizabeth smirked as her husband let out a breath and a single, short nod. &#8220;Besides, if I shall write my father, I might as well write my mother.&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Mr. Darcy let out an involuntary groan, and Elizabeth broke out into a tinkling laughter. Darcy grimaced in apology but then joined her in a chuckle.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Gasping for breath as the stress of the argument had heightened her anxiety into uncontrolled laughter, Elizabeth finally managed to speak.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">My exact sentiments,\u201d she howled as the dining room that had once been so tense now filled with the happy couple\u2019s companionship. Elizabeth found herself no longer wondering why she had married this man she so very often crossed. Their marriage would be one of challenge, but also of strong character and that was an assessment she could build a life upon.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;I promise,&#8221; Mr. Darcy began in a solemn tone, &#8220;I promise as soon as you are well enough to travel, we will not hesitate to pack the coach and head to London. But if you are ever to be healthy enough to go, you must eat.&#8221; Mr. Darcy&#8217;s insistence on pointing at her plate made Elizabeth give one last chuckle before finding her countenance. She felt a bit of mischievousness was still in order.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Elizabeth picked up her fork and scooped a healthy amount of the flaked quail she had produced earlier and noisily brought it to her mouth with a gulping sound. Mr. Darcy, deadpanning at the comedy his wife provided and knowing her manners in any other situation were beyond reproach, raised the stakes. In a show of utter solidarity, the man made a similar uncouth, noisy garble of his next mouthful and Elizabeth matched in kind.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Bite after bite, the young couple enjoyed teasing each other with the most atrocious table manners the dining room at Broadmeadow had seen in a decade! But at the end, Elizabeth had eaten, and this pleased Mr. Darcy even if the speed in which they ate disrupted his digestion.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">As the meal came to a close, Mr. Darcy invited Elizabeth to write her letters in his study with him.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Do you have any objection to me also adding to the letter I wrote myself yesterday?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Mr. Darcy stopped as they left the dining room, finding tremendous joy in the right to gently touch the small of Elizabeth\u2019s back as her escort. \u201cDr. Rowley believes forcing you to recount lost memories will delay your recovery.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Elizabeth frowned, but then she spun around to face Mr. Darcy directly. \u201cI worried something of the same, but my maid told me that I did not have a headache as I did the first morning nor did my gait suffer.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">You mean you once had difficulty walking?\u201d Darcy gulped as he and Elizabeth now stood very close and he could feel her body\u2019s warmth, close as she was to him.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Did you not know?\u201d Elizabeth asked gently.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">No. I am beginning to worry about this maid . . .\u201d Darcy looked above towards the bedrooms when Elizabeth placed her hands upon his chest.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Please, no, she\u00a0\u00a0. . . I believe I may have given some orders over the last few days that I do not remember today, but she has followed them in good faith. She could easily take advantage of a woman in my condition, and she has not.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Darcy peered down at Elizabeth\u2019s small hands still pressed against his coat, a slight pressure that naturally endeared her to him. He cleared his throat as Elizabeth, too, stared at her hands and then brought her gaze up.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Fitzwilliam . . .\u201d she tested his name.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Elizabeth . . .\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Darcy bent his head down as Elizabeth stood on her tiptoes and equally tugged on the lapels of his coat. The two shared a kiss in the hall just outside the dining room, uninhibited by the staff scurrying around them working to remove the dishes.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">When the kiss ended, Elizabeth returned her height to its normal stature and pressed her cheek against his chest as his arms naturally enveloped her.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Could we . . .\u201d she started to say but realized it was not something she could ask, not in the hallway nor even the privacy of a bedroom.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Not until you are well.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">For a moment, they remained embraced before Darcy reluctantly released his wife.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Finding her nerve, Elizabeth found herself very curious about the feelings coursing through her veins from a simple kiss. Her first kiss, that she could remember. Suddenly, the idea of going to Mr. Darcy\u2019s study, alone, sounded less like an activity to give either of them peace. She did not wish to say she would write her letters alone and hurt his\u00a0\u00a0feelings, but she did have another idea.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">I have not yet had occasion to see the grounds of Broadmeadow. Perhaps you would care to show me?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Darcy inhaled through his nose and resumed his dignified manner of Master of the House. \u201cIt would be my pleasure, Mrs. Darcy. If you are feeling well enough for a stroll?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Elizabeth glared at him in a way only the minxish Elizabeth Bennet had ever dared. \u201cHusband,\u201d Elizabeth pronounced, finding she did enjoy that moniker for him with its many subtexts, \u201cdid you forget you have married a very accomplished walker?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">No, madam. I have not,\u201d he said as he took his lady\u2019s arm and they walked towards the back door of the estate, the summer weather being fine enough for a short stroll in the gardens.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-bqckbar elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bqckbar\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;,&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-zhngqtw\" data-id=\"zhngqtw\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9frbyfv elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-1594 elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9frbyfv\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">NEW RELEASE<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-vvcemc5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"vvcemc5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-zc80rua elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-1596 elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"zc80rua\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wip\/for-the-love-of-a-bennet-chapter-1\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementor\/thumbs\/for-the-love-of-a-bennet-ociwlxbbz8lig0exwxhsw59r5tzz1k63m60yqyx2fo.jpg\" title=\"for the love of a bennet\" alt=\"for the love of a bennet\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-sdicxgm\" data-id=\"sdicxgm\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-unkota7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-1598 elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"unkota7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>For the Love of a Bennet<\/strong><\/p><p><span class=\"a-text-italic\"><em>What if Elizabeth Bennet traveled with Lydia to Brighton<\/em>?<\/span><br \/><br \/>A reimagining of Jane Austen&#8217;s most beloved tale,\u00a0<span class=\"a-text-italic\">Pride &amp; Prejudice,\u00a0<\/span>join author Elizabeth Ann West as she writes the romantic adventure story she always wanted! When Lizzy and Lydia arrive in Brighton, it&#8217;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&#8217;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.<br \/><br \/><span class=\"a-text-italic\"><em>For the Love of a Bennet<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>is a novel length story, currently being posted chapter by chapter on Elizabeth&#8217;s author site. This story was originally conceptualized in 2019 as a part of the All Go to Brighton challenge.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-xgdwngk elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"xgdwngk\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-istiays\" data-id=\"istiays\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-pyrelav elementor-view-default elementor-position-block-start elementor-mobile-position-block-start elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"pyrelav\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/rrkindlebooks\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"elementor-icon\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-label=\"Shop Amazon\">\n\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-amazon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/rrkindlebooks\" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop Amazon\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-smprgnz elementor-view-default elementor-position-block-start elementor-mobile-position-block-start elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"smprgnz\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/rrgooglebook\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"elementor-icon\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-label=\"Shop Google Play\">\n\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-play\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/rrgooglebook\" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop Google Play\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cntnppi elementor-view-default elementor-position-block-start elementor-mobile-position-block-start elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"cntnppi\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/rrkobobooks\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"elementor-icon\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-label=\"Shop Kobo\">\n\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-envira\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/rrkobobooks\" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop Kobo\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-owcetmt\" data-id=\"owcetmt\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-tkswkcm elementor-view-default elementor-position-block-start elementor-mobile-position-block-start elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"tkswkcm\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/rrapplebooks\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"elementor-icon\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-label=\"Shop iTunes\">\n\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-apple\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/rrapplebooks\" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop iTunes\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-stnvumz elementor-view-default elementor-position-block-start elementor-mobile-position-block-start elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"stnvumz\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/rrnookbooks\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"elementor-icon\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-label=\"Shop Nook\">\n\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-bookmark\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/rrnookbooks\" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop Nook\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-tczjbce elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"tczjbce\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-nxywfrn\" data-id=\"nxywfrn\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-yj991il elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-1658 elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"yj991il\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">[swpm_protected not_for=\"3-4\" do_not_show_protected_msg=\"1\"]\n<center>\n<b>Advertisement<\/b>\n<\/center>\n[\/swpm_protected]<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-005swo0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-1589 elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"005swo0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">[swpm_protected not_for=\"3-4\" do_not_show_protected_msg=\"1\"]\n<center>\n\n<script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script>\n<!-- 300 x 250 Google Ad For Chapters -->\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\n     style=\"display:inline-block;width:300px;height:250px\"\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-7008164687543724\"\n     data-ad-slot=\"5583540785\"><\/ins>\n<script>\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script>\n<\/center>\n[\/swpm_protected]<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-pjnefyy elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"pjnefyy\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 24 - The Whisky Wedding, a Pride and Prejudice Variation<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-mjwddnm elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"mjwddnm\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">THE\u00a0WHITE\u00a0DOOR\u00a0to General Hill\u2019s London headquarters opened and the second cousin of the Duke of Wellington looked up from his desk to the unexpected visit of one of his favorite officers. Returning to the dispatches in his hand concerning the Americans, General Hill removed his spectacles and rubbed one eye with a knuckle. He allowed Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam to come to full attention before addressing the officer junior to him.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;Colonel, this is unusual. My secretary did not alert me we had a meeting today.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;No, sir. I did not wish for there to be any official record of the information I am about to give until you deemed it necessary.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">General Hill put the dispatches into his top drawer and locked it. He opened his bottom drawer and pulled out two glasses and a bottle of Spanish wine both he and the colonel preferred from their time on the Peninsula.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;Now you have me intrigued.&#8221; The general poured the colonel a drink and gestured to the chair beside his desk. &#8220;Perhaps you should start at the beginning.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;I will be formally requesting another leave of absence for personal reasons, but my family business it would appear juxtaposes with the interests of His Majesty&#8217;s Army. There is a Lieutenant of the \u2014shire militia that has deserted his post and in doing so eloped with the younger sister of an acquaintance of mine.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Desertion is something I think the militia ought to be able to handle, this has no effect for those of us in the Regulars. Pardon your acquaintances to the woman\u2019s relations.\u201d The general bristled at the concern shown the nonprofessional soldiers that trooped in towns and villages, raising the overall morale of their glorious island, but would never see real combat that tried the mettle of a man&#8217;s soul.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;Ordinarily, I would agree with you, sir. The command happens to be one Colonel Forster&#8217;s unit.&#8221; Richard Fitzwilliam waited for the name to sink into his superior\u2019s mind.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;Colonel William Forster?&#8221; The general clarified, not that there were many Colonel Forsters in either the Regulars or the militia.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;The very same. And I&#8217;m afraid the young woman this lieutenant absconded with was a particular guest of the Colonel and Mrs. Forster when she was taken.&#8221; Richard helped himself to a healthy draught of his wine while awaiting the general&#8217;s response.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Wait just one moment. Are you insinuating the Colonel and his wife were derelict in their duties and allowed a young lady in their care to run off with a Lieutenant in the Colonel&#8217;s own regiment?&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;That is what my sources have told me, and what I have been able to independently confirm as well.&#8221; Richard drank more wine as he remembered his interviews with both Mr. Bennet and that worthless bit of scum, Mrs. Younge. His cousin Darcy had been right, Wickham had abandoned the girl at first chance, though now he held a lead.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The general sighed and swallowed the rest of the sweet wine that was more appropriate for dessert than early morning refreshment. &#8220;I don&#8217;t know if you are aware, but William is my wife&#8217;s nephew.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Richard cleared his throat. &#8220;I could pretend to have not known such a fact if it would please you, sir, but I think we\u2019re both smart enough to understand why I did not add this meeting officially in the logs.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;And how do you wish to proceed? If I am to understand it, you are attempting to minimize the impact this wretched turn of events might bring upon the reputation of the militia and the Army.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Richard stood and returned to attention before the desk. &#8220;With your permission sir, my leave papers will say I need four weeks to attend to family business, but the real aim of my absence will be to find this Lieutenant Wickham and use whatever means necessary to inspire him to marry the girl. All reports confirm they did not leave London.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;Wickham you say? That name sounds familiar.&#8221;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Richard shifted his weight between his feet uncomfortably. It was no secret that all correspondence going to the men on the line was read by their superiors, and General Hill or one of his secretaries would have read the correspondence from Fitzwilliam Darcy to a Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam the summer Georgiana Darcy nearly ran off with the same man.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">&#8220;Mr. Wickham grew up alongside myself and my cousin, a particular favorite of my Uncle Darcy who paid for his education. I believe it was my uncle\u2019s hope that the son of a steward might rise above his stars and make a decent man of himself. But the man&#8217;s character was never of the same strength and fiber as the upper classes.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">General Hill frowned as he considered the colonel\u2019s words. The problem was that to grant Richard another lengthy period of leave could become an equally tricky politic as his nephew\u2019s poor regulation of the \u2014\u2014shire militia. But the post in Spain he struggled to fill . . . perhaps he could solve two problems at once.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">I appreciate your discretion in this matter, Colonel, but I do not discount that you appear to have a personal stake in this situation, so those being equal, if you will consent to fill a post, for I am having trouble finding a volunteer . .\u00a0\u00a0. hmm, Badajos?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Richard\u2019s eyes narrowed, but he remained in a respectful posture. \u201cI was promised the teaching command here in London by Lord Wellington himself.\u201d Richard had only returned from the Peninsula just after Christmas, the very reason for his lengthy leave period in spring to visit his aunt despite a war being on.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Yes, so consider the appreciation he will hold for his bravest colonel to return to the front, so soon, though not really the front, it\u2019s well secured, you know. And you shall have more of our favorite wine.\u201d General Hill stood from his desk, signaling negotiation was over as to the terms. Richard sighed and nodded.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201c<span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">There\u2019s the spirit, might even be a promotion for you at the end. Much more likely than as a schoolmaster here for the ragtag troops we muster up.\u201d General Hill walked around his desk and clapped Richard on the shoulder, giving further instructions about the leave papers to file with his secretary.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"font-family: Optima;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Richard Fitzwilliam walked out of General Hill\u2019s headquarters with mixed emotions. He had hated the scars of the battlefield etched on his mind and held no great joy in returning to those nightmares. But they had won the fort of Badajoz in April, and it would be a promotion to hold command of the entire fort. In addition to the task of finding Wickham and his lady, another mission of greater distaste faced him still. How was he to tell his mother he would be leaving again so soon?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-vwgeihj elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"vwgeihj\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>You&#8217;ve been reading <i>The Whisky Wedding<\/i><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-hicuziy elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"hicuziy\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;,&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-mwdsbpf\" data-id=\"mwdsbpf\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-521a243 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"521a243\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementor\/thumbs\/the-whisky-wedding-final-o04p7k8mdnmyjnt8r73u3opohm5snn9t67rdezxxuc.jpg\" title=\"the whisky wedding final\" alt=\"the whisky wedding final\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-uwugwnl\" data-id=\"uwugwnl\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-wurbwit elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"wurbwit\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>When Elizabeth Bennet of Jane Austen&#8217;s Pride &amp; Prejudice learns of her sister&#8217;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&#8217;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.\u00a0<\/p><p>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!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-tgyeejl elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"tgyeejl\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"color: #333333;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Droid Sans', sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><i>The Whisky Wedding<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #333333;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Droid Sans', sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">a Pride and Prejudice novel variation<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 1.625rem; background-color: transparent; color: #333333;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Droid Sans', sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Release Date: December 28, 2016<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"color: #333333;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Droid Sans', sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">514 pages in print.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-gmxqeua elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"gmxqeua\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;,&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-mcyifih\" data-id=\"mcyifih\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-zevyfzj elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-1635 elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"zevyfzj\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>+ 23 additional Pride &amp; Prejudice variations are available at these fine retailers . . .&nbsp;<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-bifkmbg elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bifkmbg\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;,&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-edycdog\" data-id=\"edycdog\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-hjtvxir elementor-view-default elementor-position-block-start elementor-mobile-position-block-start elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"hjtvxir\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/rrkobobooks\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"elementor-icon\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-label=\"Shop Kobo\">\n\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-envira\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/rrkobobooks\" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop Kobo\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c8cknm elementor-view-default elementor-position-block-start elementor-mobile-position-block-start elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-1618 elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"4c8cknm\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/scribdeaw\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"elementor-icon\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-label=\"Read on Scribd\">\n\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-scribd\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/scribdeaw\" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead on Scribd\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-vurxnyp\" data-id=\"vurxnyp\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ydqgvrw elementor-view-default elementor-position-block-start elementor-mobile-position-block-start elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"ydqgvrw\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/rrapplebooks\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"elementor-icon\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-label=\"Shop iTunes\">\n\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-apple\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/rrapplebooks\" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop iTunes\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-enootzh elementor-view-default elementor-position-block-start elementor-mobile-position-block-start elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"enootzh\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.audible.com\/search\/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_1_srAuth?searchAuthor=Elizabeth+Ann+West&#038;qid=1489664647&#038;sr=1-1\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"elementor-icon\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-label=\"Shop Audible\">\n\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-microphone\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/www.audible.com\/search\/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_1_srAuth?searchAuthor=Elizabeth+Ann+West&#038;qid=1489664647&#038;sr=1-1\" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop Audible\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-uvyjlbz\" data-id=\"uvyjlbz\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-asowgcj elementor-view-default elementor-position-block-start elementor-mobile-position-block-start elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"asowgcj\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/rrgooglebook\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"elementor-icon\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-label=\"Shop Google Play\">\n\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-play\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/rrgooglebook\" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop Google Play\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-pjkeusu elementor-view-default elementor-position-block-start elementor-mobile-position-block-start elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"pjkeusu\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Elizabeth%20Ann%20West\/e\/B005NPJOQI\/ref=la_B005NPJOQI_pg_1?fst=as%3Aoff&#038;rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_82%3AB005NPJOQI%2Cp_n_feature_browse-bin%3A2656022011&#038;bbn=283155&#038;sort=author-pages-popularity-rank&#038;ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1489664759\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"elementor-icon\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-label=\"Shop Paperbacks\">\n\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-book\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Elizabeth%20Ann%20West\/e\/B005NPJOQI\/ref=la_B005NPJOQI_pg_1?fst=as%3Aoff&#038;rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_82%3AB005NPJOQI%2Cp_n_feature_browse-bin%3A2656022011&#038;bbn=283155&#038;sort=author-pages-popularity-rank&#038;ie=UTF8&#038;qid=1489664759\" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop Paperbacks\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-25 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-izqkeys\" data-id=\"izqkeys\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-hcgjbpc elementor-view-default elementor-position-block-start elementor-mobile-position-block-start elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"hcgjbpc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/rrnookbooks\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"elementor-icon\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-label=\"Shop Nook\">\n\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-bookmark\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/rrnookbooks\" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop Nook\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-xzlfnvy elementor-view-default elementor-position-block-start elementor-mobile-position-block-start elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-box\" data-id=\"xzlfnvy\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-box.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-wrapper\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/rrkindlebooks\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"elementor-icon\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-label=\"Shop Amazon\">\n\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-amazon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-icon-box-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-icon-box-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/rrkindlebooks\" target=\"_blank\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tShop Amazon\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fmdtqkn elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fmdtqkn\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-zyvdqgs\" data-id=\"zyvdqgs\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-tbzndrx elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"tbzndrx\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Keep reading more by clicking below!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-abckorl elementor-grid-3 elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"abckorl\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;pagination_type&quot;:&quot;prev_next&quot;,&quot;classic_columns&quot;:&quot;3&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;classic_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;classic_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:35,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;classic_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.classic\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-classic elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-3052 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-readingroom category-the-whisky-wedding-reading-room tag-a-happy-assembly tag-death-comes-to-pemberley tag-elizabeth-bennet tag-fan-fiction tag-fanfiction tag-fanfiction-net tag-longbourn tag-mr-darcy tag-pemberley tag-pride-and-prejudice tag-pride-and-prejudice-fan-fiction\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-49-51-the-whisky-wedding\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"158\" src=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header-300x158.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-2857\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header-300x158.png 300w, https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header-768x403.png 768w, https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header-1024x538.png 1024w, https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-49-51-the-whisky-wedding\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tChapters 49-51 The Whisky Wedding\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-49-51-the-whisky-wedding\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Chapters 49-51 The Whisky Wedding\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-3056 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-readingroom category-the-whisky-wedding-reading-room tag-a-happy-assembly tag-death-comes-to-pemberley tag-elizabeth-bennet tag-fan-fiction tag-fanfiction tag-fanfiction-net tag-longbourn tag-mr-darcy tag-pemberley tag-pride-and-prejudice tag-pride-and-prejudice-fan-fiction\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-52-54-the-whisky-wedding\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"158\" src=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header-300x158.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-2857\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header-300x158.png 300w, https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header-768x403.png 768w, https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header-1024x538.png 1024w, https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-52-54-the-whisky-wedding\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tChapters 52-54 The Whisky Wedding\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-52-54-the-whisky-wedding\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Chapters 52-54 The Whisky Wedding\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-3060 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-readingroom category-the-whisky-wedding-reading-room tag-a-happy-assembly tag-death-comes-to-pemberley tag-elizabeth-bennet tag-fan-fiction tag-fanfiction tag-fanfiction-net tag-longbourn tag-mr-darcy tag-pemberley tag-pride-and-prejudice tag-pride-and-prejudice-fan-fiction\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-55-57-the-whisky-wedding\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"158\" src=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header-300x158.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-2857\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header-300x158.png 300w, https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header-768x403.png 768w, https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header-1024x538.png 1024w, https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-55-57-the-whisky-wedding\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tChapters 55-57 The Whisky Wedding\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-55-57-the-whisky-wedding\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Chapters 55-57 The Whisky Wedding\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-3064 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-readingroom category-the-whisky-wedding-reading-room tag-a-happy-assembly tag-death-comes-to-pemberley tag-elizabeth-bennet tag-fan-fiction tag-fanfiction tag-fanfiction-net tag-longbourn tag-mr-darcy tag-pemberley tag-pride-and-prejudice tag-pride-and-prejudice-fan-fiction\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-58-the-whisky-wedding\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"158\" src=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header-300x158.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-2857\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header-300x158.png 300w, https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header-768x403.png 768w, https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header-1024x538.png 1024w, https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-58-the-whisky-wedding\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tChapters 58 The Whisky Wedding\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-58-the-whisky-wedding\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Chapters 58 The Whisky Wedding\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-3040 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-readingroom category-the-whisky-wedding-reading-room tag-a-happy-assembly tag-death-comes-to-pemberley tag-elizabeth-bennet tag-fan-fiction tag-fanfiction tag-fanfiction-net tag-longbourn tag-mr-darcy tag-pemberley tag-pride-and-prejudice tag-pride-and-prejudice-fan-fiction\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-43-45-the-whisky-wedding\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"158\" src=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header-300x158.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-2857\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header-300x158.png 300w, https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header-768x403.png 768w, https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header-1024x538.png 1024w, https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-43-45-the-whisky-wedding\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tChapters 43-45 The Whisky Wedding\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-43-45-the-whisky-wedding\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Chapters 43-45 The Whisky Wedding\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-3047 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-readingroom category-the-whisky-wedding-reading-room tag-a-happy-assembly tag-death-comes-to-pemberley tag-elizabeth-bennet tag-fan-fiction tag-fanfiction tag-fanfiction-net tag-longbourn tag-mr-darcy tag-pemberley tag-pride-and-prejudice tag-pride-and-prejudice-fan-fiction\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-46-48-the-whisky-wedding\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"158\" src=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header-300x158.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-2857\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header-300x158.png 300w, https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header-768x403.png 768w, https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header-1024x538.png 1024w, https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-46-48-the-whisky-wedding\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tChapters 46-48 The Whisky Wedding\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-46-48-the-whisky-wedding\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Chapters 46-48 The Whisky Wedding\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-load-more-anchor\" data-page=\"1\" data-max-page=\"4\" data-next-page=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3010\/page\/2\/\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<nav class=\"elementor-pagination\" aria-label=\"Pagination\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"page-numbers prev\">&laquo; Previous<\/span>\n<a class=\"page-numbers next\" href=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3010\/page\/2\/\">Next &raquo;<\/a>\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ht53gow elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ht53gow\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3tgnwoc\" data-id=\"3tgnwoc\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This is the book that was never planned in this series&#8230; but when I sat down to write what I wanted Book 3 of the<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":380,"featured_media":2857,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[42,67],"tags":[48,51,26,46,45,44,50,22,49,23,47],"class_list":["post-3010","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-readingroom","category-the-whisky-wedding-reading-room","tag-a-happy-assembly","tag-death-comes-to-pemberley","tag-elizabeth-bennet","tag-fan-fiction","tag-fanfiction","tag-fanfiction-net","tag-longbourn","tag-mr-darcy","tag-pemberley","tag-pride-and-prejudice","tag-pride-and-prejudice-fan-fiction"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Chapters 22-24 The Whisky Wedding - Elizabeth Ann West<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Read Pride and Prejudice Fan Fiction, new stories of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. Lovely for fans of Jane Austen, Downton Abbey, and regency romances.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Chapters 22-24 The Whisky Wedding - Elizabeth Ann West\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Read chapters for free from Elizabeth Ann West. No files to download, works in any browser! Read Pride and Prejudice Fan Fiction, new stories of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. Lovely for fans of Jane Austen, Downton Abbey, and regency romances.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Elizabeth Ann West\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-12-17T18:27:54+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Elizabeth West\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Read chapters for free from Elizabeth Ann West. No files to download, works in any browser! Read Pride and Prejudice Fan Fiction, new stories of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. Lovely for fans of Jane Austen, Downton Abbey, and regency romances.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header.png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Elizabeth West\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"31 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/readingroom\\\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/readingroom\\\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Elizabeth West\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/307300e2e0f47a7aaf3e2361edaa426d\"},\"headline\":\"Chapters 22-24 The Whisky Wedding\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-12-17T18:27:54+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/readingroom\\\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":6298,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/readingroom\\\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/12\\\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header.png\",\"keywords\":[\"a happy assembly\",\"death comes to pemberley\",\"Elizabeth Bennet\",\"fan fiction\",\"fanfiction\",\"fanfiction.net\",\"longbourn\",\"Mr. Darcy\",\"pemberley\",\"pride and prejudice\",\"pride and prejudice fan fiction\"],\"articleSection\":[\"ReadingRoom\",\"The Whisky Wedding\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/readingroom\\\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/readingroom\\\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/readingroom\\\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\\\/\",\"name\":\"Chapters 22-24 The Whisky Wedding - Elizabeth Ann West\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/readingroom\\\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/readingroom\\\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/12\\\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-12-17T18:27:54+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/307300e2e0f47a7aaf3e2361edaa426d\"},\"description\":\"Read Pride and Prejudice Fan Fiction, new stories of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. Lovely for fans of Jane Austen, Downton Abbey, and regency romances.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/readingroom\\\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/readingroom\\\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/readingroom\\\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/12\\\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/12\\\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header.png\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":630},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/readingroom\\\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Chapters 22-24 The Whisky Wedding\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/\",\"name\":\"Elizabeth Ann West\",\"description\":\"author of Pride and Prejudice sequels, variations, and novels\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/307300e2e0f47a7aaf3e2361edaa426d\",\"name\":\"Elizabeth West\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/776cad57f1f3d2474d592dc7705e75c6ef95213b81229e07ce2e23b9c3308e32?s=96&d=mm&r=pg\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/776cad57f1f3d2474d592dc7705e75c6ef95213b81229e07ce2e23b9c3308e32?s=96&d=mm&r=pg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/776cad57f1f3d2474d592dc7705e75c6ef95213b81229e07ce2e23b9c3308e32?s=96&d=mm&r=pg\",\"caption\":\"Elizabeth West\"},\"sameAs\":[\"http:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/elizabethannwest.com\\\/author\\\/author\\\/elizabethannwest\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Chapters 22-24 The Whisky Wedding - Elizabeth Ann West","description":"Read Pride and Prejudice Fan Fiction, new stories of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. Lovely for fans of Jane Austen, Downton Abbey, and regency romances.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Chapters 22-24 The Whisky Wedding - Elizabeth Ann West","og_description":"Read chapters for free from Elizabeth Ann West. No files to download, works in any browser! Read Pride and Prejudice Fan Fiction, new stories of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. Lovely for fans of Jane Austen, Downton Abbey, and regency romances.","og_url":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\/","og_site_name":"Elizabeth Ann West","article_published_time":"2021-12-17T18:27:54+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":630,"url":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Elizabeth West","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_description":"Read chapters for free from Elizabeth Ann West. No files to download, works in any browser! Read Pride and Prejudice Fan Fiction, new stories of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. Lovely for fans of Jane Austen, Downton Abbey, and regency romances.","twitter_image":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header.png","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Elizabeth West","Est. reading time":"31 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\/"},"author":{"name":"Elizabeth West","@id":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/#\/schema\/person\/307300e2e0f47a7aaf3e2361edaa426d"},"headline":"Chapters 22-24 The Whisky Wedding","datePublished":"2021-12-17T18:27:54+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\/"},"wordCount":6298,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header.png","keywords":["a happy assembly","death comes to pemberley","Elizabeth Bennet","fan fiction","fanfiction","fanfiction.net","longbourn","Mr. Darcy","pemberley","pride and prejudice","pride and prejudice fan fiction"],"articleSection":["ReadingRoom","The Whisky Wedding"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\/","url":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\/","name":"Chapters 22-24 The Whisky Wedding - Elizabeth Ann West","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header.png","datePublished":"2021-12-17T18:27:54+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/#\/schema\/person\/307300e2e0f47a7aaf3e2361edaa426d"},"description":"Read Pride and Prejudice Fan Fiction, new stories of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. Lovely for fans of Jane Austen, Downton Abbey, and regency romances.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/whisky-wedding-chapter-header.png","width":1200,"height":630},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapters-22-24-the-whisky-wedding\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Chapters 22-24 The Whisky Wedding"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/#website","url":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/","name":"Elizabeth Ann West","description":"author of Pride and Prejudice sequels, variations, and novels","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/#\/schema\/person\/307300e2e0f47a7aaf3e2361edaa426d","name":"Elizabeth West","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/776cad57f1f3d2474d592dc7705e75c6ef95213b81229e07ce2e23b9c3308e32?s=96&d=mm&r=pg","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/776cad57f1f3d2474d592dc7705e75c6ef95213b81229e07ce2e23b9c3308e32?s=96&d=mm&r=pg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/776cad57f1f3d2474d592dc7705e75c6ef95213b81229e07ce2e23b9c3308e32?s=96&d=mm&r=pg","caption":"Elizabeth West"},"sameAs":["http:\/\/elizabethannwest.com"],"url":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/author\/elizabethannwest\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3010","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/380"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3010"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3010\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7063,"href":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3010\/revisions\/7063"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2857"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3010"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3010"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3010"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}