{"id":6589,"date":"2020-08-05T18:35:16","date_gmt":"2020-08-05T22:35:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/?p=6589"},"modified":"2022-05-28T21:52:51","modified_gmt":"2022-05-29T01:52:51","slug":"chapter-1-4-happy-was-the-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/wip\/chapter-1-4-happy-was-the-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 1-4 Happy Was The Day"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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I should like to tell you when this book will come out, etc. but I can’t tell you what I don’t know. I do know it’s been a difficult labor, at one time intended just to be a short, sexy novella, that then grew to a larger scope, then became a vision of writing an entire sequel series (and yes, still leaning that way, only unlike my other series, these wouldn’t end on a cliffhanger).\u00a0<\/p>

All I can say is I am posting chapters. And writing. And I’ll read the feedback here and on Fanfiction.net. I am simplifying my publishing world for the time being as plans have changed, yet again, and I am now moving at the end of September from Texas to Virginia Beach, my hometown. I am thrilled at the research opportunities the area boasts, as I grew up there, I spent many a field trip at Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg, and Francis Landhouse, etc. I am equally happy that I am reuniting with my family, including my two sisters, and will be able to raise my daughter in the same footsteps and area I was raised. Plus, being a 30 minute drive from the beach won’t be the end of the world, either! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>

So let’s go back to basics, I’ll post the chapters, you can read and comment. And when it’s all done, I’ll publish the book. Deal?<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

-Love and safety to you all-<\/p>

Elizabeth Ann West<\/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

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NEW RELEASE<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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For the Love of a Bennet<\/strong><\/p>

What if Elizabeth Bennet traveled with Lydia to Brighton<\/em>?<\/span>

A reimagining of Jane Austen’s most beloved tale,\u00a0Pride & 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’s very clear that the younger Bennet sister came with very serious plans towards Mr. Wickham. Thankfully, an old ally is also in town, with problems of his own to solve. After Mr. Darcy, himself, is summoned to Brighton to hopefully solve two dilemmas with one wealthy member of the gentry, the whole militia is thrown into an uproar by Wickham’s most dastardly deed, yet. Together, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy have to save Lydia from her own undoing, or it will mean more than just mere reputations are ruined.

For the Love of a Bennet<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>is a novel length story, currently being posted chapter by chapter on Elizabeth’s author site. This story was originally conceptualized in 2019 as a part of the All Go to Brighton challenge.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Chapter 1 - Happy Was The Day, A Pride and Prejudice Sequel Novel<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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On the first October morning after Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy came to an understanding, only her sister, Jane, knew of their betrothal. This discretion led directly to the two couples, Jane and her Mr. Bingley and Elizabeth with her Mr. Darcy, to be sent without concern by Mrs. Bennet on an hours’ long hike to spy the surrounding countryside from the highest vantage point: Oakham Mount. <\/span><\/p>

The previous night, when Jane struggled to comprehend how such a romance had occurred, Elizabeth resolved to wait on telling either of her parents. She feared her earlier protestations about the man\u2019s character would color their opinions. Her sister had reinforced such logic; she felt convinced her younger sister despised Mr. Darcy!  <\/span><\/p>

However, Elizabeth\u2019s feelings were the furthest away from hate where it came to Mr. Darcy. Neither Bennet daughter apprised their parents of Elizabeth’s engagement before leaving for their walk with their beaus. The double chaperoning suited their desires too perfectly.<\/span><\/p>

“My mother imparted advice this morning I feel honor-bound to share. In her estimation, there is no occasion for talking to you, except just now and then,” Elizabeth Bennet declared a few moments into the trek to Oakham Mount. Hearing Elizabeth’s words, Mr. Darcy slowed their pace so that Mr. Bingley and Miss Bennet could continue ahead of them. Elizabeth grew intrigued by his behavior, but as her sister didn’t seem to mind the two couples placing a separation between them not even a quarter-mile from Longbourn, she said nothing. <\/span><\/p>

The chill of the morning air occupied Elizabeth’s thoughts. Her fingertips struggled to stay warm inside of her thin gloves. She wondered with a small tinge of regret how both she and Jane might have found happiness much earlier if she had accepted Mr. Darcy’s hand in the springtime when he had first proposed in Kent instead of just the day prior. She settled her mind’s concern by remembering that all things must happen in their proper time. She possessed little knowledge six months ago to esteem the man she accepted to become her husband. She beamed up at him, trying to offer sympathy for her mother’s rudeness. To her surprise, Mr. Darcy did not appear offended in the least.<\/span><\/p>

“I believe your mother has improved considerably in my estimation with such sage advice.”<\/span><\/p>

Confused, Elizabeth gawked at the man who, in his terrible Kent proposal, had savagely critiqued her family’s manners. <\/span><\/p>

“I do not mean to impugn your honor, but surely you jest,” she replied. <\/span><\/p>

A branch crunched under her boot as Mr. Darcy suddenly tugged her towards a thick grouping of evergreen trees just off the path. She quickened her steps to follow him, her curiosity piqued. There wasn’t a moment this man failed to intrigue her.<\/span><\/p>

When he paused, he settled Elizabeth’s gloved hand against his chest and held it gently. He closed his eyes and walked towards her, forcing her to take a step back against a tree trunk. He raised their clasped hands and brushed the bottom of her chin to encourage her to tilt her gaze up at him. Then he bent down and pressed his lips against hers.<\/span><\/p>

A kiss, stolen in the bereft woodland, rendered delicious shivers from head to toe in both man and woman. Mr. Darcy kissed her more urgently, allowing his tongue to gently tempt her to open her mouth, and when she did, they experienced the first intimate tangle of their persons. Heat began to spread through Elizabeth’s body as she clasped Mr. Darcy’s hands even tighter, gasping against the urgent press of his body against hers.<\/span><\/p>

Breaking away reluctantly, Mr. Darcy leaned his head above hers, as their difference in heights allowed, keeping her embraced between himself and the protection of the trees. <\/span><\/p>

“Forgive me,” he said, breathlessly. “I have wished to kiss you for months.”<\/span><\/p>

Utterly startled by the intensity of desire she felt for a man just two days ago she would have claimed a mere acquaintance, Elizabeth smiled as she inhaled the mixture of the crisp, cool air and Mr. Darcy’s scent with hints of sandalwood. She recognized the manly musk from colognes her uncle and father used. The safety of Mr. Darcy’s arms spurred a new sensation entirely, one of comfort and security – a feeling she had not known since she was a much younger girl often raised to her father’s shoulders so she could see far ahead when they visited Meryton.<\/span><\/p>

Reluctantly, Mr. Darcy stepped back, and Elizabeth immediately tugged on the lapels of his coat, an encouragement he scarcely needed to swoop in and kiss his future bride once more. This time, it was Elizabeth’s tongue that conducted the offense, and he found a lady’s genuine attraction to his person almost more than he could bear. His mind raced at the thought of mere kisses igniting his baser instincts that as a gentleman, he took great pride in keeping under good regulation.<\/span><\/p>

After a flurry of additional kisses, Mr. Darcy did indeed step away, leaving Elizabeth fully aware of the loss of warmth their bodies in proximity had offered. He paced while Elizabeth leaned her head against the tree.<\/span><\/p>

“We must tell your father, at once,” Mr. Darcy said, suddenly flexing his hands as though to test their grip.<\/span><\/p>

“We shall. And my mother,” Elizabeth said, and Mr. Darcy froze in his tracks. <\/span><\/p>

He looked at her with a brow raised in question. <\/span><\/p>

She clarified. “I shall tell my mother.” <\/span><\/p>

He responded with a single nod in agreement.<\/span><\/p>

Inhaling deeply, Mr. Darcy slowly approached Elizabeth again and held out his hand. She pushed off of the tree trunk and accepted his assistance, minding the roots beneath her that made the ground uneven. He turned her gently to inspect the back of her cloak, then casually brushed the debris away. As his hand naturally smoothed over her backside, Elizabeth held her breath and he cleared his throat.<\/span><\/p>

“It would appear we are very compatible in a realm most marriages lack.”<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth knew she ought to pretend to be ignorant of relations that happened between a man and a woman, but she had always been a terrible liar. And Mr. Darcy would not cherish deceit, even one done so in a coquettish manner. “My sister and I vowed to marry for love, which I believe is often a natural precursor to a marriage you describe.”<\/span><\/p>

Her answer stunned him for a moment, and he grinned, then shook his head. “I should have learned long ago that any discussion I am fortunate enough to engage in with you never fails to disappoint me in joy.”<\/span><\/p>

“So happy to oblige,” she rejoined.<\/span><\/p>

“I am an obligation to you, then?”<\/span><\/p>

“Nay,” Elizabeth challenged, skipping ahead of him back towards the path. Mr. Bingley and Jane were likely half a mile or more away, and Elizabeth feared falling too far behind them to cause worry. Though, part of her did wonder if Mr. Bingley had been of the same mind as his friend and Jane’s cloak would need tending by her paramour as well? “You are a companion, my companion,” she specified and began to blush. The business of being a woman declared for by a man affected her own emotional state, and she did not see her future husband’s blush that matched her own.<\/span><\/p>

With his legs being considerably longer than hers, Mr. Darcy caught up to Elizabeth in no time at all. He gallantly offered his arm, and she accepted out of affection instead of necessity. They strolled and Elizabeth finally felt brave enough to speak a dilemma that had distracted her mind since the previous evening.<\/span><\/p>

“After we marry, must we leave Hertfordshire at once?” she asked.<\/span><\/p>

Mr. Darcy’s throat suddenly went dry as insecurities raced through his mind. “You do not wish to leave?”<\/span><\/p>

“I do, I do!” she said, reassuring him. “I only worry about my father. You see,” she took a deep breath and explained to him that when they were first acquainted, she had not kept Mr. Darcy’s slight at the assembly private. “You have my sincerest apologies that my tongue wagged as it did, but at the time, I felt insulted and I’ve always battled such melancholy with laughter.”<\/span><\/p>

“At my expense.”<\/span><\/p>

“You had made your statement at my expense, for your comfort,” she reminded him and he grimaced.<\/span><\/p>

“I believe that neither of us performed at our best in the past. There are actions neither of us can change by discussing them now,” he offered, and Elizabeth heartily nodded in agreement. “But may I ask, why are you so concerned about this? Has your\u2014, has your father expressed concern over you getting married?”<\/span><\/p>

The pit of her stomach clenched with dread. How was she to explain that just a few days ago, after Mr. Darcy’s aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh visited, her father had made fun of the very notion of her marrying Mr. Darcy? That a cautionary, but entirely misguided, letter from her cousin, Mr. Collins, arrived stating that such a marriage was beyond her family’s social reach? <\/span><\/p>

“Do you recall my cousin, Mr. Collins?” she winced as Mr. Darcy began to cough, covering up epithets that were most unbecoming, yet truthful, about her bombastic cousin that served as parson to his aunt. “Did you know he asked for my hand?”<\/span><\/p>

Darcy stopped. Elizabeth stumbled a moment, then caught her balance. Poor Mr. Darcy’s face paled with embarrassment.<\/span><\/p>

“His application was before mine.”<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth nodded.<\/span><\/p>

“And you must have rejected him. . .”<\/span><\/p>

“Immediately, without a moment’s consideration,” Elizabeth quickly answered.<\/span><\/p>

Darcy slowly nodded. “And your father is aware you spurned the offer that . . .” He paused and thought for a moment, remembering that Mr. Collins was to inherit Longbourn. “Marrying Mr. Collins would have saved your entire family in the event of your father’s untimely passing!”<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth looked down, slightly ashamed by the reminder her family’s status rested wholly on the health of her father, as she had no brother. After she counted the moments of silence for a few seconds, she took a deep breath and prepared to expose herself to absolute ridicule. <\/span><\/p>

“Yes, I was selfish, rude, and a disloyal daughter if you ask my mother. However, in refusing him, I was able to visit Kent as his cousin, not his wife, and be presently available to become your wife once we set a date. Hopefully, you shall not think less of me for lacking mercenary aims.”<\/span><\/p>

“On the contrary, I think better of you, my dear. I only regret the revelation that my proposal, my first proposal,” he corrected himself, and laughed nervously, “must have been on par with that buffoon\u2019s, for you rejected me in a similarly efficient manner.”<\/span><\/p>

“That’s not entirely\u2014” Elizabeth began, but stopped when Mr. Darcy began to laugh. She laughed, too, squeezing his upper arm in affection. <\/span><\/p>

She couldn’t truthfully state the rejection of both men had been so very different, but that the men were very different in her esteem, that she could defend. <\/span><\/p>

“Perhaps I am a creature of habit when I am proposed marriage without any expectation of the request, and to men, I do not presently esteem. But where Mr. Collins could do nothing to improve his behavior in my estimation, part of my dislike for your behavior was based on misguided assumptions.”<\/span><\/p>

Mr. Darcy laughed. “And equally based on the poor behavior I engaged in. You need not flatter my vanity, Madam,\u201d his voice dropped into a low growl, \u201cI have won the prize.” <\/span><\/p>

He turned and stepped to block her path, gazing intently into her eyes in a way she had seen before, but misjudged in the past to be him trying to find fault. Now, she recognized the fiery passion behind his expression, one of intense focus upon the object of his love.<\/span><\/p>

She smiled. Then sighed. “And I have been happily won. But even Jane could not accept my news last evening without many questions.\u201d She closed her eyes, feeling a quick nip of a kiss upon the tip of her nose. She opened her eyes in shock! \u201cI believe my family accepted me as the daughter who shall never wed, so they may not readily believe I am marrying for the right reasons.”<\/span><\/p>

He closed his eyes and considered their predicament for a moment.<\/span><\/p>

“Do you suspect your father will insist on a longer engagement?” He opened his eyes and resumed his position next to her that they might continue their progress towards Oakham Mount. <\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth’s voice cracked as such a possibility had never occurred to her. “Perhaps? I cannot say.” <\/span><\/p>

Suddenly, she held no desire to be parted from Mr. Darcy, now that she knew how much she cared for the man. The strength of her emotions shoved aside all reason and sensibility of a long engagement.<\/span><\/p>

They walked in silence another quarter of a mile, neither feeling a need to fill the air with a shallow conversation. Both merely thought of solutions, and while Elizabeth’s mind took a flight of fancy considering she was of age, and no longer needed her father’s approval, Mr. Darcy’s thoughts sought to satisfy Mr. Bennet\u2019s concerns. <\/span><\/p>

He wished to earn the blessing of Elizabeth’s father, if for no other reason than that his intended loved her father very much. Being without living parents himself, he revered her good fortune to possess two.<\/span><\/p>

The road rose in a steep grade as they neared the summit, and there was the first sign of Jane and Mr. Bingley ahead. Mr. Darcy received inspiration.<\/span><\/p>

“What if I speak to Charles and ask for us to remain at Netherfield for some time after our nuptials?” he asked.<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth latched onto her betrothed’s idea and added logical reasoning. “Yes, perhaps instead of a wedding trip, we remain together for a month or so and then to Pemberley for Christmas?” she asked, offering him a clear sign she did not wish to remain in Hertfordshire indefinitely, just time enough for her father to grow accustomed to her marriage.<\/span><\/p>

“Will your family wish to travel with us?” Mr. Darcy asked, praying the Bennets held a long tradition of staying at Longbourn for Christmastime.<\/span><\/p>

“Oh, I shouldn’t like to invite them,” Elizabeth said hastily, thinking of Lydia and Mr. Wickham trying to seek an invitation, and dealing with her mother advocating for family harmony. Then she felt a small amount of sadness at the thought of a Christmas without family, envisioning Pemberley, as large as the estate home was, to be quite lonely. “What of my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner? We do owe a great deal to them that we came to an understanding.”<\/span><\/p>

“Two of the most sensible people I have ever met,” Mr. Darcy stated, giving high praise. Elizabeth breathed easily as Jane and Mr. Bingley turned around and waved at them. “I believe, Madam, we have settled many things.”<\/span><\/p>

“Yes,” Elizabeth said with a laugh, as they hurried their pace to reach the peak. “But I believe there will be much more to negotiate!” And she wrinkled her nose, unhooked her arm from his, and began to run the rest of the way. <\/span><\/p>

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Mr. Darcy watched in appreciation, before lifting his hat and joining Elizabeth in her folly. His Elizabeth.<\/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

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Chapter 2 - Happy Was The Day, A Pride and Prejudice Sequel Novel<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The Bennet carriage drove to Meryton with Mrs. Bennet on one bench and Jane and Elizabeth upon the other. To arrive on time at the modiste, the morning walk with Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley had been conducted before the normal hours for a call by design.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The annual autumn assembly was not two weeks from when Jane accepted Mr. Bingley\u2019s offer of marriage, and Mrs. Bennet made the appointment straight away with the lone modiste in their small hamlet, Mrs. Camille Sitchwort. Mrs. Sitchwort offered misery and misanthropy in each visit, though Jane never joined Elizabeth in her harshest critique of the woman.<\/span><\/p>

“I do not see why you wished to come, you despise the modiste,” Mrs. Bennet complained, glaring at her second daughter. Before Elizabeth could defend herself, Jane explained once again how she hated all of the attention to be upon herself.<\/span><\/p>

“Please, Mama, I wanted Lizzy to come with me. She always offers such practical solutions,” Jane said, turning to her sister to bestow approval. “And I so dislike when all of the attention is on me. Maybe Lizzy can be fitted for a new gown?”<\/span><\/p>

“But Jane, sweet Jane, this is your moment to shine. Your marriage to Mr. Bingley shall be a highlight spoken for generations! There will be no match to meet it!” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed, as both of her daughters blanched.<\/span><\/p>

Mrs. Bennet continued to lecture Jane, more gently than she had ever censured Elizabeth about her boldness, about the importance of setting aside her shyness. Elizabeth ignored the hypocrisy of her mother and gazed out the carriage windowpane. The annual assembly would be held next week and she suddenly felt a stab of vanity that she would not have a new frock for the occasion. Jane meant well, but if it was up to only their mother, Elizabeth would wear her gowns right up to discarding to the rag pile.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Thankfully, Elizabeth visited her father after her stroll with Mr. Darcy, where he commented on the improved color in her cheeks. Relating how she wished to support Jane, and mentioning the gown she wore last year had already been turned, her father offered her a small amount of pin money. Now all she had to do was flatter Mrs. Sitchwort, a woman she never could humor, and her new aim to surprise Mr. Darcy with a fresh gown at the assembly would be a success.<\/span><\/p>

Twice widowed, rumors swirled that Mrs. Sitchwort’s second husband was not dead, but merely abandoned Camille after catching her amorous with another man.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Even if Mrs. Sitchwort had been the kindest dressmaker in all of England, her predecessor, Mrs. Long, had been so well-loved, the community of Meryton would have struggled to accept a pitiable widow. For a woman to claim the status twice over raised eyebrows. As it was, no one allowed their husbands to be measured alone with Mrs. Sitchwort, though the village lacked a proper tailor since the loss of the Longs. When the militia had been stationed in the town, Elizabeth noticed one or two officers were always in her shop, their uniforms ever in need of alterations.<\/span><\/p>

“I am here to support Jane and see to my own purchase,” Elizabeth announced, sensing that her mother had lost steam in her chastisement when she reached complaints about Lady Lucas and Charlotte’s wedding to their cousin, the year prior.<\/span><\/p>

“Your purchase? What’s this? I am the keeper of the accounts, and all funds must go to support Jane!” Her mother glared at her disloyal daughter, extending a hand as though Elizabeth would place the funds her father gave to her in her mother’s palm. But Elizabeth shook her head.<\/span><\/p>

“Mama, please do not trouble Lizzy over her new gown. She’s not had a single new frock since the spring,” Jane said gently, riling her mother even more.<\/span><\/p>

“And where do your gowns go, hmm? Lizzy enjoys a healthy supply of new trimmings and your aunt and uncle do spoil her,” Mrs. Bennet bristled at the accusation she had mistreated her daughter as the carriage came to a stop. She huffed in exasperation as she often did when Jane and Lizzy outnumbered her in logic and sense.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

After Mrs. Bennet stepped down from the carriage, Jane paused in her precedence over Lizzy.<\/span><\/p>

“When will you tell her and Papa? If she knew . . .” Jane whispered.<\/span><\/p>

“Tonight. After dinner, Mr. Darcy will take an audience with Father.”<\/span><\/p>

The two Bennet girls stepped into the late autumn sunshine, and a few passersby paused to see if any other Bennet sisters were to exit the carriage. Spying none, and therefore seeing no additional opportunity for sales at the sweets shop or milliner, the bustling activity of the small hamlet continued.<\/span><\/p>

“Jane,” Elizabeth called after her sister as she hurried to stand next to their mother inside the shop. Elizabeth took a deep breath and held it, attempting to prevent inhaling the odious smell that would confront her inside. A mixture of body odor, tobacco smoke, and a heavy perfume scented with orange oil made the contents of Elizabeth’s luncheon turn somersaults in her stomach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Mrs. Sitchwort sat upon a stool near bolts of fabric, smoking a carved clay pipe. The bowl her callused fingers clasped held an unmistakable red glow and had a small cherub connected where the bowl and stem met.\u00a0 She greeted Mrs. Bennet and congratulated Jane. When she spied Elizabeth, she merely nodded and blew a few smoke rings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

No one said a word as Elizabeth stood there, waiting for some kind of acknowledgment. When there was nothing further, she spoke up for herself. “I’m certain you won’t find displeasure in an additional commission. I, too, should like a new gown.”<\/span><\/p>

The only person Elizabeth disliked more than Mrs. Sitchwort was her assistant, a young woman that went by the name of Angelina. Usually, Elizabeth would never look to find fault with a shopgirl, beyond that which was necessary to make a purchase. But the young woman had a nasty habit of prickling Elizbeth with pins in each fitting, far more often than her sisters reported.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth also learned by questioning Kitty after Lydia\u2019s elopement with Mr. Wickham, that they spent an inappropriate amount of time in Mrs. Sitchwort\u2019s shop, with none other than Angelina in attendance. Jane learned the same, as the sisters gave Kitty a more thorough interrogation than either of their parents, but she did not fault the assistant. Women of lower-class could always hope for a rise in their station from that rare officer who needed not an heiress\u2019 fortune, but only a warm bed.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWho shall I fit first? The blushing bride or the sister?” Mrs. Sitchwort asked her main benefactress, Mrs. Bennet. Elizabeth coughed as the smoky air began to irritate her lungs.<\/span><\/p>

Mrs. Bennet frowned. Never one to be accused of being a great wit, she was still a woman able to manipulate circumstances to her preference. And she preferred the time alone with Jane, without Elizabeth\u2019s meddlesome ways.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

“Oh, do fit Lizzy first. Then she can run along to the bookstore or other places as it may please her,” Mrs. Bennet said dismissively, making it very clear which daughter she favored.<\/span><\/p>

A worn, three-legged stool was lifted from the back and brought directly to the center of the room, and placed in front of the three bay windows that looked out to the street front. Elizabeth avoided stepping up on the stool, a humiliation that infuriated her as Jane never had to raise herself the six inches. But as Jane and Lydia had inherited their father’s height, Elizabeth and Mary had not. Kitty enjoyed being a height between the two sets of sisters, often claiming a pretty frock from Jane or Lydia before it was hemmed higher and passed to Elizabeth or Mary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\u201cI should like that white voile with the lavender flowers,\u201d Elizabeth said, imagining herself a vision in white with lilac accents in her hair and shoe flowers. Her base gown could be lavender with the gorgeous voile used for the overdress.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cThat fabric is set aside for Jane\u2019s trousseau,\u201d Mrs. Bennet pronounced.<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth turned and gawked at her mother\u2019s further favoritism, but she received no support from Jane. Instead, her elder sister sat serenely, ever the peacekeeper. But Elizabeth was not fooled, either. If Jane did not also prefer the fabric, she would have spoken as much. Love for her sister pushed her selfish wants aside, and Elizabeth selected a different white voile, a simpler one with elegant lines of silk woven into the weft.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cI\u2019m afraid that is all sold out. The assembly is just a week away, you ladies have waited much too late for your selections. The peach is spoken for, as is this fresh lemon.” Mrs. Sitchwort explained as Elizabeth pointed to additional colors that often match her complexion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Known for her dark eyes and equally dark hair, many of the colors that flattered Jane disagreed with Elizabeth\u2019s sun-kissed complexion. All of the whites and pale colors were spoken for, and only one decent fabric remained. The color, a dull hunter green silk, was clearly all she would be offered, but Elizabeth did not dare request it. Instead, she looked Mrs. Sitchwort dead in the eye and asked her directly:<\/span><\/p>

“Pray, what fabrics are left that I may select from that my sister or others do not claim?”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The simpering assistant Angelina walked to the back at her employer\u2019s nod.<\/span><\/p>

“Surely you can understand we must reserve the higher end fabrics for your sister\u2019s trousseau. It is a moment all young women hope to only have happen once in their lifetime,” Mrs. Sitchwort stalled, inhaling a long draft off her pipe, and emphasizing her claim that she had been married twice. “When you are set to walk down the church aisle, we shall find appropriate fabrics for you as well.”<\/span><\/p>

Mrs. Bennet snorted. “Lizzy, married? No, she has spurned one offer and made it quite clear her intentions to remain a spinster.” Mrs. Bennet lobbed her criticism at her daughter.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

It was public knowledge in the village now that Elizabeth had shunned Mr. Collins before he offered for Charlotte, an intelligence Elizabeth had wished remained private for her friend Charlotte\u2019s sake. But Mrs. Bennet held a grudge over Elizabeth’s rejection of Mr. Collins, and the inheritance of Longbourn by proxy, even though Jane\u2019s match with Mr. Bingley would most assuredly protect them from falling into poverty after her father’s demise.<\/span><\/p>

“Mama,” Jane gently scolded, as she looked to Elizabeth quickly to offer her support. Only the sisters knew that Elizabeth was indeed betrothed to Mr. Darcy, a man worth ten times that of Mr. Bingley in both annual income and property holdings. “I’m certain that my sister will find happiness as I have.” Jane smiled and Elizabeth pressed her lips tightly closed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Obediently, Elizabeth stood upon the stool. Just as she had predicted, the assistant brought forward the dark hunter green fabric, and Elizabeth had an idea.<\/span><\/p>

Her happiest shopping moments had always been with her Aunt Gardiner in London. Madeleine Gardiner was ever the shrewd woman to make a deal. Both Elizabeth and Jane had observed this many times.<\/span><\/p>

“I recall this fabric being here last year,” Elizabeth said, and Mrs. Sitchwort pulled out the pipe from her mouth.<\/span><\/p>

“I believe you are mistaken, though it is a popular color.”<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth slanted her eyes. “I’ve not seen this color featured in a fashion plate in two years,” Elizabeth laughed. “On second thought, perhaps I shall not purchase a gown and go next door for supplies to retrim one of my older ones.” She stepped off the stool to the shock of her sister and mother.<\/span><\/p>

Mrs. Sitchwort began to speak quickly, as in a small hamlet like Meryton, she could not afford to lose any commission, even if the client was not to her liking. “On second thought, I do believe you are correct. But the shade would be ever so lovely against your skin and in the candlelight.” Mrs. Sitchwort unpinned a swatch of the cloth tacked to the bolt, and held it up against Elizabeth’s cheekbone.<\/span><\/p>

“I cannot be sure. Perhaps if the fabric could be discounted since it is, as you say, from last season, I shall have enough left over to accessorize it properly.” Elizabeth then waited, a skill her aunt also taught her. In every negotiation, whoever spoke first, lost.<\/span><\/p>

“Lizzy, why are you so difficult?” Mrs. Bennet argued and Mrs. Sitchwort looked to the mother, but no further support came. Not even Mrs. Bennet was above saving money. The proprietress turned back to her most troublesome client, seeing if she would budge. But Elizabeth shook her head.<\/span><\/p>

“My father gave the funds to me. I’m afraid I’m wasting my time,” Elizabeth said, and Mrs. Sitchwort emptied the contents of her pipe into the dustbin.<\/span><\/p>

“I can complete your gown for three-quarters of what I normally charge,” she began.<\/span><\/p>

“And it is still delivered before the assembly next week,” Elizabeth added, and Mrs. Sitchwort scowled.<\/span><\/p>

“Yes, now hurry back to the stool or we shall never finish all of these orders in time,” Mrs. Sitchwort said, picking up her pin cushion that gleamed in the sunlight spilling from the windows in the front of the shop.<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth sighed and submitted to her punishment. But as both women spared her not a prick, Elizabeth smiled as she felt as though she had won the day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

With the money she had saved on the fabric choice, she would indeed go next door and select gold ribbons for both her hair and belt and wear her grandmother’s golden cross. Then she would seem to glow in the candlelight as she imagined what she might wear, walking to Mr. Darcy to dance their first dance betrothed to one another.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Distracted by her thoughts, she turned her head sharply as Jane rejected one of the gown designs their mother pointed out.<\/span><\/p>

“I believe Miss Bingley has a frock of a similar cut and color, and she is to return this afternoon.”<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth snapped. “I did not know that Miss Bingley was returning, OW!!” She glared at the assistant Angelina as she caught a sensitive spot on Elizabeth\u2019s hip with the pin.<\/span><\/p>

“I beg your pardon, ma’am, but you moved,” the assistant explained, and Elizabeth took a deep breath and exhaled it to keep her temper.<\/span><\/p>

“How lovely that Mr. Bingley\u2019s sister is to return. Perhaps she will keep that drab Mr. Darcy occupied so you can be spared, Lizzy.”<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth physically bit down on her tongue as another pin caught her arm, and tears welled up inside of her eyes. She wished to scream and shout that Mr. Darcy loved her best; there would be no time to humor Miss Bingley!<\/span><\/p>

But she could not speak before he went to her father. Their courtship had been a strange one, and the interview with Mr. Bennet was one request Mr. Darcy had made that she would not ruin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth found her humor when she realized how her life resembled a great comedy of errors, where her mother could not bait her further than if she had known of Mr. Darcy\u2019s feelings. That her torture was from ignorance, and small bits of sharpened steel, Elizabeth chuckled and comforted herself with a promise of relating her experience later to him.<\/span><\/p>

Remaining fixed on thinking about her Mr. Darcy, in less than a quarter-hour, her fitting was complete. Elizabeth stepped down from the position of embarrassing attention. She hated that the shop always did such fittings in the window where perhaps the lighting was best, but so was the ability of those to walk by and see inside. The location was likely a shrewd business move as well, for one lady fitted for a gown naturally rose some level of envy that likely encouraged other appointments.<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth barely waved her sister and mother adieu before settling her bill with Mrs. Sitchwort. She left Jane and all of her superior fabric selections to browse the milliner next door, taking a swatch of the unwanted hunter green heavy cotton with her.<\/span><\/p>

To her unbridled surprise, Mary and Kitty were in the shop, perusing the ribbons for the same purpose, though they would not have new gowns made. Elizabeth suddenly felt slightly guilty that she had gone to their father and received favor where they had not, and wondered if Jane struggled the same with their mother\u2019s regard.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cKitty, if you help me find a golden ribbon to match this, I shall pay for your choices. And you, too, Mary,\u201d Elizabeth offered, feeling better to share the good fortune than to keep it all to herself.<\/span><\/p>

Mary hesitated on the offer. \u201cWhat shall I owe you if Kitty is to offer you service and I am not?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth laughed nervously, realizing that accepting Mr. Darcy meant she, too, would soon leave not just Jane and her father, but her two unmarried sisters as well. She laughed so she did not risk sadness.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cOnly allow me to walk with you home. I fear Mama and Jane shall be long at Mrs. Sitchwort\u2019s and I do not wish to go back and sit to wait.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Kitty wrinkled her nose. She also suffered a sensitivity to smoke like Lizzy. \u201cThe pipe?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Lizzy nodded.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\u201cAre we agreed we shall all walk home together?\u201d Elizabeth asked.<\/span><\/p>

But Mary shook her head in defiance. \u201cIf I do not need to pay for my ribbons, then first we must stop at Mr. Aker\u2019s across the way,\u201d she said, with a conspiratorial smile.<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth consented to the plan, as confections would lift any lady\u2019s mood. And the long walk back to Longbourn dispelled any lingering disappointments she felt from her time with Jane and their mother.<\/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

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Chapter 3 - Happy Was The Day, A Pride and Prejudice Sequel Novel<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The gentlemen residing at Netherfield Park rode their stallions over the last hill that separated Longbourn and Mr. Bingley\u2019s leased estate, racing down the embankment with no formal wager between them. The two experienced riders urged their beasts to edge out the other, an exercise both animals enjoyed as neither had been bred for merely convenient travel. Where money was no hindrance to Mr. Darcy or Mr. Bingley, their trusty steeds had been purchased solely for their traits of stamina and speed. A man’s horse was his measure.<\/span><\/p>

Mr. Bingley’s thoroughbred, a two-year-old named Chaucer, kicked into his highest speed and galloped a half-length ahead of Mr. Darcy\u2019s mount. But Fitzwilliam remained upright in his saddle, not the least unsettled by the prospect of losing. He leaned forward, gripped his thighs harder, tucked his heels in, and signaled his horse, Vesuvius, that it was time for the three-year-old companion of Derbyshire’s most eligible bachelor to stretch his legs. Vesuvius lowered his head, stretched his neck, and the race increased to a speed that if either of the gentlemen should lose their seat, a broken neck would surely be the end result.<\/span><\/p>

Two young stable boys whooped and hollered down below as the sight of the racing had become a normal fixture in serving the tenant of the property. The young red-haired boy cheered for his champion, Mr. Bingley, while the dark-featured lad, an orphan from one county over called Faron, secretly wished for Mr. Darcy to win, though he would not yell the man’s name. It would have been rude while in Mr. Bingley’s employ.<\/span><\/p>

When Bingley’s horse fell slightly behind, Mr. Darcy thought little of it, except for a cursory look behind him to ensure that Bingley had not fallen. Indeed, no calamity of that magnitude had befallen their folly, but Bingley’s horse galloped in an unnatural gait, stumbling forward as Bingley fought to keep his seat.<\/span><\/p>

By the time Mr. Darcy registered something was amiss, what appeared to be a terrible tumble finally did strike for Charles Bingley, the man betrothed to Jane Bennet.<\/span><\/p>

“Charles!” Fitzwilliam yelled as he slowed Vesuvius to a canter, then a trot. But a horse of Vesuvius’s pedigree could not come up short with a single pull of the reins. Poor Bingley was left alone, nearly a quarter-mile from the stables, before Mr. Darcy had finally stopped his horse, turned him around, and urged the beast back towards his friend. The two stable hands took off in a sprint towards their employer.<\/span><\/p>

When Darcy arrived near his friend, the poor beast, Chaucer, whinnied and neighed in great distress. Chaucer attempted to rise and stand upon four legs, his back left faltered, and he collapsed again to a heap upon his side, neighing with even more urgency. The high-pitched cry unsettled Vesuvius who began to stamp his feet in solidarity with his equine brother. Mr. Darcy struggled to calm Vesuvius but managed to dismount in a sweeping swing of his leg, jumping to the ground.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The injured horse’s cries pierced Darcy’s ears and he flinched. He pulled a pistol from his saddlebag, angrily tugging the leather flap back down and loaded the shot and powder. A stable boy grasped Vesuvius’ reins and began to walk him away from the struggling Chaucer. Darcy nodded at the boy and appreciated the lad’s foresight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

With determined resolve, he approached the pained animal from the front, inhaled deeply, then fired the definitive shot where the kill would be most humane. In an agonizing moment, the horse’s cries ceased and his legs stilled.<\/span><\/p>

“Charles!” Darcy called out as his friend lay just a few feet from the dead horse.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Darcy muttered words of gratitude that Providence had saved Bingley’s foot from tangling in the stirrups, nor had he fallen with the horse’s weight crushing him. The possibility of a thousand-pound animal further injuring Bingley in some way, had informed Mr. Darcy’s decision to address the horse first, the man second. Besides, Charles Bingley had managed to roll and rest upon his hands and knees, coughing into the autumn brown grass before Darcy reached him. Bingley held up a hand to stay his friend’s progress.<\/span><\/p>

“Nasty shock! Damn lucky break!” Mr. Bingley sputtered, in an angry tone really heard by his closest friends. For such an affable man, when at last Charles Bingley grew perturbed, the curses and anger flowed through his lips with more ease than a man who more often lost his temper. When he looked up and spied Chaucer silenced and still, he suddenly appeared to register what had happened, even though he had heard the shot.<\/span><\/p>

“You blaggard! How dare you shoot my horse!” Charles roared, standing up unsteadily, his balance off and swaying his weight between two shaky legs.<\/span><\/p>

“His leg was broken. Are you quite alright?” Mr. Darcy approached his friend, just as Bingley charged at him in a fit of rage.<\/span><\/p>

“You had no right!”<\/span><\/p>

Darcy dropped his pistol and fended off Bingley’s fisticuffs with the remaining adrenaline still coursing through his veins from both the racing and the accident.<\/span><\/p>

“It had to be done!” Darcy bellowed, parrying Bingley’s arms to the left and right making his blows glance his arms and miss the target of his midsection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Thankfully, Darcy had seen his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, behave similarly after the loss of an equine companion, particularly when it was the loss of the horse that had ridden with him into battle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

“Look at the leg, man!” Darcy shoved hard, and Bingley stumbled wide afar of his friend enough paces that Mr. Darcy was able to jog past him and head back towards the two animals, one huffing and puffing in desperate need of a walking cool down and the other, unnaturally arranged upon the ground, its life forfeit.<\/span><\/p>

Darcy called out to the lad holding Vesuvius’ reins, unsure of what to do.<\/span><\/p>

“Boy, what is your name?”<\/span><\/p>

“Faron, sir.”<\/span><\/p>

“Do you ride?”<\/span><\/p>

The boy heartily nodded. Darcy boosted him atop of Vesuvius. “Ride gently down to the stables and call the master. Have them send a wagon for Mr. Bingley and tell them I said to send for Mr. Jones.”<\/span><\/p>

Darcy patted the hindquarters of Vesuvius as the horse obeyed the orders of an unfamiliar rider, then turned to see Bingley had found his way to Chaucer’s side. He sat, crumpled next to the horse, openly weeping, as the other stable boy tried to comfort the rich man.<\/span><\/p>

The red-haired lad known as Rafferty struggled to comfort his master, as he had never seen a horse so quickly dispatched. He felt terrible enjoying the racing so much, and guilty that he had hoped Mr. Bingley’s horse would run faster and faster, but now the beautiful stallion lay dead in the field.<\/span><\/p>

“We shall saddle you a new horse, sir.”<\/span><\/p>

“No, I will not ride another horse,” Mr. Bingley sobbed.<\/span><\/p>

“Are you injured?” Darcy asked his friend, and Bingley shook his head. Without wishing to interrupt the man’s grief, Darcy stood stoically beside the stable boy and his friend as the latter mourned.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

At first, Mr. Darcy disliked the maudlin display and coughed to clear his throat a few times as Bingley began to stroke the horse’s chestnut neck and speak to the animal. It wasn’t until Bingley talked about Chaucer’s foaling up in Sheffield that suddenly Mr. Darcy recalled the connection. Chaucer was one of the last gifts Bingley’s father had bestowed to his son before his death.<\/span><\/p>

In the distance, two wagons approached from the estate, and a group of men walked steadily alongside with tools to handle the carcass. Mr. Darcy suddenly realized his friend might irreparably harm his position as an employer if he were to see the signs of what was a fact of nature, but best to remain ignorant of when an animal was so loved.<\/span><\/p>

“Charles, can you walk?” Darcy urged, and his friend ignored him. He looked to the stable boy to help him lift Bingley.<\/span><\/p>

“Unhand me,” Mr. Bingley began to struggle, angry with the helping hands that lifted him up. Rafferty complied immediately, leaving Mr. Darcy to handle his unruly friend alone. “I shall not leave.”<\/span><\/p>

“But you must! You have had a nasty fall, and think of Miss Bennet, would she like to see you in such a state this evening?”<\/span><\/p>

“Miss Bennet, sweet Jane,” Mr. Bingley crooned. “She loved Chaucer. Said he was the kindest horse in all the land.”<\/span><\/p>

“I’m certain she did,” Mr. Darcy huffed, as Bingley’s weight was still unbalanced, but when he kept Bingley talking, the man seemed to calm.<\/span><\/p>

“Tell me about what she said on your walk this morning,” Mr. Darcy said, curtly.<\/span><\/p>

“Oh, she laughed about you,” Mr. Bingley slurred, as though he were a man deep in his cups. “She was astonished that you had offered for her sister, Elizabeth. Did you know that Elizabeth once vehemently disliked you?”<\/span><\/p>

Darcy grunted as the stairs to the large estate loomed before them, still dozens of yards away. “I’m acquainted with that intelligence.”<\/span><\/p>

“You offended her!”<\/span><\/p>

“Most severely,” Mr. Darcy added, agreeing with his friend.<\/span><\/p>

“Jane did not believe you two wished to be married,” Bingley prattled on, detailing the confidences Elizabeth had given to Jane, and in turn had been shared with his friend.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Despite his mortification as Bingley prattled on about many of the faults his future wife had at some point related to her sister, Mr. Darcy managed to assist Mr. Bingley all the way to his room, meeting his valet on the top landing.<\/span><\/p>

“Sir?” the valet questioned Mr. Bingley’s speaking and manners as it was far too early in the day for carousing.<\/span><\/p>

“He fell from Chaucer, I believe he may have struck his head. Give him a dose of laudanum until the apothecary arrives.”<\/span><\/p>

“Yes, sir,” the servant took over for Mr. Darcy and he exhaled a sigh of relief as his muscles ached.<\/span><\/p>

“Mr. Darcy,” a saccharine voice made him cringe, “I just heard there was an accident, are you well?” Caroline Bingley rushed to his side as the valet struggled to negotiate a befuddled Bingley down the hall.<\/span><\/p>

“Not I,” he said, respectfully stepping a few paces away from the woman. “Your brother. Please see to him, and I shall write a note to Longbourn and alert Mr. Bennet.” He bowed and began to walk toward his suite of rooms in the house, only to be unnerved as Caroline began to follow him.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Darcy paused.<\/span><\/p>

“Madam?”<\/span><\/p>

“Oh, my brother is well, I am sure, and I wish to . . .” she trailed off as she tried to find some reason to walk back to her rooms which she had arranged to take right next to his. “Oh, I shall write to my sister, Louisa, and tell her all.”<\/span><\/p>

“Perhaps you should check on your brother’s condition before frightening your sister. Unless you wish for her to return to Netherfield as well?” he asked, almost hinting at how no one had quite asked Miss Bingley to come south from Pemberley, she was supposed to have remained with Georgiana for a few months’ time.<\/span><\/p>

“How thoughtless of me, yes, I shall do just as you suggest,” Miss Bingley said, beginning to confuse Mr. Darcy. Caroline Bingley was many things, but generally compliant was not one of them.<\/span><\/p>

Darcy bowed and turned to enter his room. For good measure, he locked the door behind him. Realizing Bingley’s injury might mean cancellation of dinner, he began to write in earnest so that the Bennet family would be able to adjust any plans.<\/span><\/p>

Dear Sir,<\/span><\/i><\/p>

It is my displeasure to send the following news, and I do not intend to alarm any in your family, especially the sensibilities of your eldest daughter. Mr. Bingley suffered a fall from his horse on our way back from this morning’s visit and while he appears to be unharmed physically, I have sent for Mr. Jones to tend to him.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>

I wish I could impart this accident was the result of a cruel coincidence, an unavoidable twist of fate beyond our foresight. But I am afraid we both were engaging in reckless behavior of the acutest kind, a race I am awash with guilt to have not only won but even dared to engage. I am praying Mr. Bingley recovers with no lasting injury and invite your visit at your earliest convenience if you are so inclined.<\/span><\/i><\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

Your Faithful Servant,\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>

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Chapter 4 - Happy Was The Day, A Pride and Prejudice Sequel Novel<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Less than twelve hours later, Mr. Darcy wished his friend had sustained slightly more serious injuries as he observed his carefree friend enjoying the company of Miss Bennet near the fire. His own interview with Mr. Bennet concluded more than a half-hour ago, and his intended still had not rejoined the party.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Darcy began to worry. How it was the man who could not be bothered to visit Netherfield Park on behalf of the eldest daughter’s suitor could hold such concern over his second daughter baffled Mr. Darcy’s senses. Judging by his rather rude response when Darcy confessed he not only loved Elizabeth but had secured her consent to marry, there lay irrefutable proof that the man had not expected a better match than Mr. Collins to save his family after his demise. Mr. Bennet, after all, possessed no son to inherit.<\/span><\/p>

“It is your turn again, sir,” Kitty Bennet said, with a small cough she did her best to muffle.<\/span><\/p>

“Forgive me, I was not attending,” Darcy said, as he played a jack and gave the count. “Twenty-two.”<\/span><\/p>

Kitty giggled. “I’ll take the two you don’t want,” she said cheekily, moving her peg ahead.<\/span><\/p>

Mr. Darcy gaped at the pile and sure enough, he had played his knave upon hers, and not moved his peg quick enough.<\/span><\/p>

“How did you come to learn this game? I suffered many a summer with my grandmother when my mother was ill and cribbage was her favorite.” Mr. Darcy made an effort with Elizabeth’s youngest sister still at home, as Mary, the next oldest, sat between both groups and raised an eyebrow.<\/span><\/p>

But Kitty felt embarrassed by such a direct question, a new consequence of her desire to avoid her sister Lydia’s haphazard path to matrimony at all costs. Kitty desired a proper courtship like Jane, and she looked over at her eldest sister conspiratorially whispering to her beau.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The young woman could not resist the opportunity to tease. “Jane? Where did you learn cribbage since you are the one who taught me?” Kitty asked loudly, interrupting the private conversation of Mr. Bingley and Miss Bennet entirely.<\/span><\/p>

Mr. Darcy took the spare moment to gaze down the empty hall towards Mr. Bennet’s library, but there was still no sign of his Elizabeth.<\/span><\/p>

“You are more nervous than a hen this evening, Mr. Darcy. I say, I know not what business you had with my husband, but if it’s Lizzy you hope to play next, I should give up. She spends many a night long into the late hours in that library with her father. They speak about books, I suppose, and are kind enough to leave the rest of us in peace.” Mrs. Bennet called out the behavior of Mr. Darcy, as she had hoped the man might hold some interest in Kitty, and revealed slight jealousy of her second eldest daughter, Elizabeth.<\/span><\/p>

“Mama,” Jane cautioned, knowing poor Mr. Darcy’s business with their father was of the matrimonial kind, and if only their mother knew of such circumstances, she would be abundantly kinder to Elizabeth’s intended. “I’m certain Lizzy and Father will return to us soon. Aunt Phillips taught me and Lizzy how to play to help us learn sums.” Jane explained.<\/span><\/p>

“How extraordinary, using a card game to educate! I should have liked that a great deal better than my stuffy governess, what say you, Darcy?” Bingley boasted, embarrassing Miss Bennet by contrasting the fact that the Bennet girls had grown up without the benefit of formalized instruction.<\/span><\/p>

“I believe cribbage may be superior to the slate and hope to one day carry the tradition to my children,” Mr. Darcy said, catching Jane’s gaze. Kitty gasped and blushed, and Mrs. Bennet pounced.<\/span><\/p>

“Will you be joining us for dinner tomorrow night, Mr. Darcy, with your friend, hmm? I shall have Cook make Kitty’s favorite, roasted rabbit as you can catch a good, fat one this time of year.”<\/span><\/p>

Before Mr. Darcy could answer, the library door opened and Elizabeth dashed out to the stairs. All Mr. Darcy caught was the swish of her skirts in the dim light, before Mr. Bennet stepped out, considered the party before him, shook his head, and went back into the library. The door closed with a click that echoed down the hall as the parlor occupants sat quietly in expectation. Such idleness towards his own family made Darcy grow angry, and he worried that Elizabeth was upset above stairs without him. His heart ached to go to her.<\/span><\/p>

“Miss Bennet,” Mr. Darcy cleared his throat, and Jane looked at him in confusion. She had missed the display entirely as Mr. Bingley had recaptured her attention.<\/span><\/p>

“Yes, Mr. Darcy?”<\/span><\/p>

Suddenly, Mr. Darcy was stuck. He had no idea what Mr. Bennet had said if he gave his permission, or what had unfolded in the library. If he asked Jane directly to check on Elizabeth, he would reveal too much to Mrs. Bennet when Elizabeth had wished to inform her mother without him present. He agreed with his future wife’s sound plan as a way to avoid the worst of Mrs. Bennet’s inevitable vulgarities concerning his wealth and status.<\/span><\/p>

“Is roast rabbit a favorite of yours as well? Your mother plans to serve it tomorrow night.” Mr. Darcy returned to his card game with Kitty, checking his crib for any points. Sadly, all he had was a pair of deuces and no three to make fifteen with the lone face card. The seven did nothing.<\/span><\/p>

“I detest rabbit!” Mr. Bingley said, shocking all until Mrs. Bennet began a nervous laugh and the rest joined in. Mr. Bingley looked confused.<\/span><\/p>

“Do not fret, Mr. Bingley, I shall have a proper five courses planned. I shall have Kitty and Jane assist me. Do tell my daughter your favorites.” Mrs. Bennet placated Mr. Bingley, and then returned to the lace mending she was pretending to do as she hung on every word between Jane and Mr. Bingley.<\/span><\/p>

Mr. Darcy sighed. His friend’s outburst had managed to distract Mrs. Bennet but did nothing to help his current predicament of learning what had made Elizabeth upset. His frustration increased as he dolefully continued to play cards, and he did not even possess the energy to inwardly chastise himself for such sentimentality that he longed for Elizabeth’s company.<\/span><\/p>

“Do not worry, Mr. Darcy,” Mary whispered without looking up from her Bible. “I shall go check on my sister.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

And true to her word, Mary Bennet quietly closed the Gospel, and stood up with such little fanfare, that only Mr. Darcy stood to give her the respect of a lady leaving the room. Mr. Bingley and Jane were laughing with Mrs. Bennet at something the man had said. Darcy resumed his seat impressed with Mary’s skills in observation, as well as the added talent of remaining invisible in a household with such a large family.<\/span><\/p>

“Why is Mary checking on Lizzy?” Kitty asked as she offered the deck for Mr. Darcy to cut after a thorough shuffle.<\/span><\/p>

She dealt them each six cards. It was her crib.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

“You shall have to ask your sister when she returns,” Mr. Darcy answered, as he lifted each card individually to add to his hand, arranging them as he placed them.<\/span><\/p>

“Yes, but Mary spoke to you,” Kitty countered.<\/span><\/p>

Mr. Darcy flashed her a brilliant smile, one he often only reserved for those who loved him best, and Kitty gasped. Before she could say anything more, he cautioned her.<\/span><\/p>

“Please, let it be for the moment. All shall be revealed in good time.”<\/span><\/p>

“That’s the business you had with Father!” Kitty squealed with delight, attracting the notice of her mother. Mrs. Bennet, like a hawk, suddenly watched Mr. Darcy and her daughter closely then realized Mary had left.<\/span><\/p>

“Where’s Mary?”<\/span><\/p>

“She went to check on Lizzy, Mama,” Kitty said, biting her lower lip to hide her grin.<\/span><\/p>

“Lizzy? Lizzy is in the library with her father.”<\/span><\/p>

“No, Mama, she went upstairs,” Kitty answered, to the relief of her card-playing partner in mischief.<\/span><\/p>

“Then I shall just go have a talk with him about tomorrow evening’s meal. We are most looking forward to your company, Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Bennet smiled at the man she had previously described as unfriendly and miserable, proving she took her motherly duties in matchmaking very seriously whenever the opportunity arose. “And you as well, Mr. Bingley.”<\/span><\/p>

“My sister is in town–” Mr. Bingley began, and Mrs. Bennet interrupted.<\/span><\/p>

“Then we must have her as well! A full table!” And the matriarch of the Bennet family bustled out of the room, leaving only the happy couple and Mr. Darcy and Kitty.<\/span><\/p>

Above stairs, Mary discovered her sister she admired most by the sound of her sobs coming from her shared bedroom with Jane. Instead of calling out, Mary gently opened the door and merely lay next to Elizabeth crying into her pillow.<\/span><\/p>

“Oh Jane, it was dreadful. I had to tell him everything Mr. Darcy has done for our family with Lydia and Wickham. He accused me of indifference and worried I would not respect him, my husband.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Mary held her breath as she was certainly not Jane, and Elizabeth had just confirmed the most outrageous suspicion that Mary held: Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy were to marry! She had thought the man paid too much attention to her sister with his eyes, though no one else in the family seemed to notice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Ever since Lydia’s escapade with Mr. Wickham had threatened to ruin them all, the unmarried Bennet sisters had each made substantial changes to their behavior. Kitty became more reserved and Mary more observant. All in the name of keeping the family’s reputation intact.<\/span><\/p>

Unable to speak and ruin the evening further by revealing her identity to be a sister other than Jane, Mary reached out her hand and gently rubbed Elizabeth’s back.<\/span><\/p>

“You warned me, and I took pains to guard my heart. But I cannot go down looking like this, my face all wretched. I shall look a fright, and then my engagement shall be ruined the very night it is secured with Papa!”<\/span><\/p>

The nonsensical nature of Elizabeth’s worries made Mary laugh despite her resolve to remain quiet. Her laughter, not matching Jane’s, reached her sister’s ears just fine and Elizabeth tensed under Mary’s calming hand. Slowly, she rolled over to face the interloper in her bed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

“He is worried about you. He saw you leave father’s library and come upstairs, and he’s been stuck playing cards with Kitty. I daresay Mama has it in her mind to marry Kitty off to him,” Mary explained, in her plain-spoken, but never meanly intended, way.<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth’s voice cracked. “He sent you?”<\/span><\/p>

Mary shook her head, disturbing the pillows so that both girls giggled as Elizabeth tried to wipe her tears with her hands. “I also spied your escape upstairs, though no one else did. I think it best if you clean your face and rejoin us to put him at ease and we can cry about Papa’s treatment after the gentlemen leave.”<\/span><\/p>

Agreeing with her younger sister, Elizabeth began with just washing her face. But as she peered into the glass over the vanity, she realized her curls had wrestled free of their pin captors. So with Mary’s aid, because neither of them wished to call Betsy and draw more attention to the situation, they let Elizabeth’s hair fall completely out. She shook out her tresses and brushed them, thinking about her Mr. Darcy and how she wished his hands could feel her undone hair. Suddenly, she realized that Mary was another to know of her betrothal and she felt anxious to hear her sister’s opinion, hoping she would differ from the first reactions of both Jane and their father.<\/span><\/p>

“Mary?”<\/span><\/p>

Her sister took the brush from Elizabeth’s hand and finished the task herself, before gathering the hair sections to do a simple plait before turning everything up into a bun.<\/span><\/p>

“When you are Mrs. Darcy, you’ll never have to do your own hair again. Nor ask for a sister’s help.”<\/span><\/p>

“Yes,” Elizabeth agreed, suddenly feeling another strange pang of regret in her chest. She would have to ask Jane if she felt any melancholy over leaving the Bennet sisterhood behind to embark on the journey of marriage with Mr. Bingley.<\/span><\/p>

“You wish to know what I think about you marrying Mr. Darcy?” Mary guessed her sister\u2019s question, to the point as ever.<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth tried to nod, but her sister held her hair tightly and the movement pulled so that she winced.<\/span><\/p>

“I think you have a tendency to dismiss good men too often, and fortunately, you received another offer after Mr. Collins.”<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth furrowed her brows as Mary placed the last two pins in place, then stepped back to admire her work. To help see the brilliance of her sister\u2019s nimble fingers, Elizabeth turned her head from side to side, trying to see as many angles as possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Her jawline stood out to her in profile, as did the sharp nose of her Bennet ancestors. Was her father correct that she would lose respect for Mr. Darcy over time as her father had for her mother? Her feelings for the man were too powerful to contradict, but perhaps a passion burning so strongly was like a great fire and burned itself out too quickly?<\/span><\/p>

\u201cI have faced many judgments I made in haste, almost to my greatest misfortune. But I cannot place Mr. Collins in the same category as Mr. Darcy,\u201d Elizabeth said, chuckling at such a comparison.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWhy not? Because Mr. Collins is not rich? He shall be, at least more than he is now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth spun around in the chair to look at her sister more curiously. \u201cMary, did you care for our cousin?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Mary nodded. \u201cYou all laughed at him when he was just a man doing his best to teach good morals and standing right with God.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cBut he is married now to Charlotte,\u201d Elizabeth cautioned.<\/span><\/p>

Mary shrugged. \u201cI know that and unlike you and Jane, I do not believe in one true love. Such a chance to happen in our small village is a fool\u2019s errand. Mr. Collins was a man I esteemed, and I am certain I shall meet another.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

The two sisters left the bedroom, one feeling quite confident and the other beginning to question if she had any ability to judge people at all. Elizabeth had rarely considered Mary when the entire debacle of her cousin\u2019s visit occurred the previous autumn. As Mr. Collins was to inherit Longbourn, all of England would expect the family to marry one of the daughters off to him. When neither Jane nor Elizabeth suited, for different reasons entirely,\u00a0 Mr. Collins understandably looked elsewhere instead of continuing down the line of daughters and risking rejection again.<\/span><\/p>

As they turned the corner from the last step, Elizabeth realized Mary and her friend Charlotte were very similar and both would make Mr. Collins a good wife. Spying the tall frame of her beloved down the hall in the well-lit parlor brought joy to Elizabeth\u2019s heart. She let Mary lead her down the hall towards Fitzwilliam and as she neared, all of her fears and trepidations from her father\u2019s interview fell aside.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cLizzy! Lizzy! Lizzy!\u201d Kitty greeted her sister with jubilation that did not match the other occupants in the room. Kitty grasped Elizabeth\u2019s hands, practically snatching her away from Mary\u2019s escort, and dragged her to where Mr. Darcy stood next to Jane and Mr. Bingley. \u201cThey just called their carriage,\u201d she informed.<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth\u2019s attention turned to Mr. Darcy immediately. \u201cYou\u2019re leaving already?\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Mr. Darcy cleared his throat and gazed upon Elizabeth with the intensity she was long becoming familiar with. \u201cMr. Bingley is unwell.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cTo hell I am! I am quite well, indeed!\u201d Mr. Bingley shouted, causing Jane and Kitty to gasp, and Mary to glare in disapproval.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cCharles, the ladies,\u201d Mr. Darcy cautioned.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cDo not Charles me, you killed my horse!\u201d Mr. Bingley began to sob and Jane hurried to comfort him as the two couples edged towards the door.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWhat has come over him?\u201d Elizabeth whispered, and Mr. Darcy leaned down to hear her better.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

\u201cThere was an accident, a foolhardy, boyish race between us this morning. His horse fell lame, there was no saving him and Bingley was thrown to the ground. I wrote to your father. Mr. Jones visited and believes he may have struck his head.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth looked past Mr. Darcy to see Jane desperately trying to calm her future husband, and she slightly wondered if the man was merely in his cups! But she had not been gone so long that Mr. Bingley would have managed to imbibe beyond reason.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cHow did your time with your father go?\u201d Mr. Darcy managed to ask, inspecting that none around them were tending to their conversation. The two youngest Bennet sisters were now assisting Jane with Mr. Bingley in keeping him distracted as they reached the vestibule.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cWell, but I\u2019m afraid we shall have to discuss that another time,\u201d she managed to tell a white lie, and Mr. Darcy\u2019s shoulders tensed into a perfect square.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cBut you retired\u2014\u201c<\/span><\/p>

\u201cAnother time, \u201c Elizabeth said, and she smiled as the coachman gently knocked on the front door. \u201cI know my parents should be fetched and fare you well, but perhaps under the circumstances . . . \u201c she trailed off.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cYes, it is not necessary,\u201d Mr. Darcy said, realizing he could not take a private farewell with Elizabeth as he had planned almost the entire day since their morning walk. \u201cCome, Mr. Bingley, let us not trouble these ladies further tonight and return tomorrow.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

\u201cSweet, sweet Jane, you are too good for a man like myself,\u201d Mr. Bingley began to self-flagellate and the Bennet sisters giggled in unison.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cMiss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth,\u201d Mr. Darcy paused for a moment to make eye contact with Elizabeth after saying her name before giving her a bow, \u201cMiss Mary and Miss Catherine,\u201d he finished. \u201cThank you for such an enjoyable evening.\u201d<\/span><\/p>

And true to his word, Mr. Darcy helped Mr. Bingley to the carriage and the four Bennet sisters stood stunned that the gentlemen had to leave so early, and that they were now standing all alone.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cI cannot believe you are to marry Mr. Darcy!\u201d Kitty exclaimed, causing all of the sisters to cheer and embrace Elizabeth, wishing her good fortune.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cBut where is Mama?\u201d Elizabeth asked, recalling that she still held one more task to complete in her promises to Mr. Darcy. Suddenly the girls heard the unmistakable high pitched laughter of their mother from the direction of their father\u2019s study. Kitty and Mary both looked down in shame, while Jane and Elizabeth shared a smile.<\/span><\/p>

\u201cCome, let us all ready for bed,\u201d Jane said, taking the lead.<\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth agreed and followed her sister\u2019s upstairs. She felt so inordinately happy that her Mr. Darcy had made so many efforts to win over her family as Kitty told her all about the card game and how he was perfectly amiable to her.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

After another half hour with her sisters and removing the day\u2019s attire, but talking incessantly to recall the many events of the day, Elizabeth eventually heard her parents creaking up the stairs. Feeling courageous in the love of Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth bade Mary and Kitty a good night and told Jane she would return. Wrapping her robe around her, Elizabeth braved the last task before her and left to see their mother in her dressing room. She held news to impart.<\/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

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Thank you for reading and for your comments below. \ud83d\ude42 -EAW<\/h2>\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
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For the Love of a Bennet<\/strong><\/p>

What if Elizabeth Bennet traveled with Lydia to Brighton<\/em>?<\/span>

A reimagining of Jane Austen’s most beloved tale,\u00a0Pride & 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’s very clear that the younger Bennet sister came with very serious plans towards Mr. Wickham. Thankfully, an old ally is also in town, with problems of his own to solve. After Mr. Darcy, himself, is summoned to Brighton to hopefully solve two dilemmas with one wealthy member of the gentry, the whole militia is thrown into an uproar by Wickham’s most dastardly deed, yet. Together, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy have to save Lydia from her own undoing, or it will mean more than just mere reputations are ruined.

For the Love of a Bennet<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>is a novel length story, currently being posted chapter by chapter on Elizabeth’s author site. This story was originally conceptualized in 2019 as a part of the All Go to Brighton challenge.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\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
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\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\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
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Continue Reading . . .<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tChapter 1-4 Happy Was The Day\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\tAugust 5, 2020\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t2 Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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I should like to tell you when this book will come out, etc. but I can’t tell you what I don’t know. I do know<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\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

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tChapters 5-8 Happy Was The Day\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\tAugust 7, 2020\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t4 Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Over 2,000 readers have devoured Chapters 1-4 between my site and fanfiction.net. I am astounded and humbled by the interest even though it’s been a<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\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

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tChapters 9-10 Happy Was The Day\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\tAugust 13, 2020\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t3 Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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What a week! These two chapters were an absolute brat in the writing process. I wrote them weeks ago, but I became stuck because in<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\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

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tChapters 11-12 Happy Was The Day\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\tOctober 26, 2020\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t7 Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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I am MOVED! And somewhat unpacked… the harder part was waiting for the novelty of returning home after 13 years away to wear off so<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\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

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tChapters 13-15 Happy Was The Day\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\tNovember 17, 2020\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t2 Comments\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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I apologize for the week+ in between the chapters, but remember when I said somewhat unpacked? I am much more unpacked now. And one reader<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\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

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tChapter 16 Happy Was The Day\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\tNovember 20, 2020\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t1 Comment\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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There was a post I shared this week on Facebook called “Wash the dishes twice.” The premise is anytime there’s something difficult mentally to process,<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\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

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