P&P200 – Lydia Bennet Has Something to Say!
For some crazy reason, I just cannot get Lydia Bennet out of my head. Literally! She’s in there talking nonsense and driving me crazy with her incessant chatter. Apparently, big things are happening to her this month, and she wants everyone to know. It’s her opinion that her sisters, Lizzy and Jane, have gotten entirely too much attention. So, you must forgive me if I fill you in on what’s happening with Lydia instead of my regular blog entry today. Otherwise, I am quite convinced she will never leave me alone to get back to my work!
Lydia’s For Brighton!
Lydia Bennet’s moods were as changeable as…well…changeable as the spring weather. In the vast experience of her fifteen years, if she had learned one thing, it was the wisdom of never dwelling too long on anything unpleasant. This time, however, she simply could not shake off the despair that came along with the latest gossip from Meryton. Two days ago, Lydia had learned the militia would be removing to Brighton in a few weeks, and she was absolutely convinced her whole world was coming to an end.
Walking along on her way to Meryton, she thought about how the winter months in Hertfordshire had been made exceedingly enjoyable by the presence of all the lively, young militia officers with their dashing red coats. Now they were ruining everything! She kicked a stone in the road to emphasize her disappointment. Who would she flirt with? Who would she tease? All the local young men were as dull as rocks, but the regiment was full of handsome, fun-loving officers like Lt. Denny, Lt. Kendall, Lt. Jameson, and of course, Lt. Wickham. The others were charming, but Wickham was…he was delicious. She grinned as she thought about him. Continue reading
P&P200: Darcy cleanses his palate
Today is my posting day, but my brain can’t get out of fiction mode enough to write an interesting post. Well, when the Muse insists, it’s best to listen, so instead I wrote an unexpected vignette for P&P200. You’d really rather hear about Darcy than me anyway, wouldn’t you? This takes place almost two weeks after the failed proposal at Hunsford, during that period of which he later says, ”I was angry perhaps at first, but my anger soon began to take a proper direction.” So, without further ado, here’s a hurt, angry, and very muddled Darcy for your reading pleasure.
Georgiana held out a leather bound volume to him. “The bookseller thought I might enjoy this one.”
Darcy took the book and turned the spine up. The Cottagers of Glen Burnie by Miss Elizabeth Hamilton. Elizabeth. He caught his breath as a stab of pain lanced through him. Could he not even put her from his mind for a few minutes while visiting a bookshop with Georgiana? Why did she have to haunt his every thought?
He knew he would forget her eventually, or at least stop remembering her a thousand times a day, but how long would it take? When his father had died, it had been months before he could go an hour without remembering his loss, but surely an acquaintance of a few months could in no way to compare to a beloved father. Except that Elizabeth is still alive and thinks ill of you, his conscience reminded him, and she humiliated you, which your father never did. How many people has she told of your proposal, laughing all the time at your foolishness? The familiar surge of sick anger was back until he remembered he was being unfair. She had humiliated him, yes, but he had never known her to mock someone when they were not present to defend themselves. How she had teased him during her stay at Netherfield, and how it had delighted him, never imagining there was bitterness behind her arch tones!
“Brother? Fitzwilliam, are you ill?”
He glanced down to see Georgiana’s delicate hand balanced on his arm. Georgiana, who had also been taken in by that devil Wickham! How delighted George Wickham would be if he knew his efforts had cost Darcy the woman he loved. Perhaps he already knew. Perhaps Elizabeth had not believed his letter and had confided in that scoundrel once more. Darcy cleared his throat. “I am quite well, dearest, merely lost in thought.” Continue reading
P&P200: Lady Catherine’s Company
“I hope,” sniffed Lady Catherine, “that those young ladies were sensible of the favour we bestowed upon them in the warmth of our farewells.”
“Why, Lady Catherine, only you in your modesty could have any doubt in the matter!” enthused Mr. Collins. “How could they be any thing but all gratitude? Your graciousness! I am sure my esteemed father-in-law would agree that there were few instances of anything like it, even at the Court.”
Lady Catherine smiled benevolently. “But there was one thing – I did wonder, Anne, if you were not a little too warm, too over cordial, at the parting. Actually giving your hand to them both!”
Mr. Collins sighed with admiration. “Miss Anne’s condescension was particularly well judging,” he said. “As is everything she does. A Miss Anne of Rosings can do no wrong when it comes to manners. She is a perfect lesson-book of them. All young ladies can learn from the manners of the great. Do you not think so, my dear?”
Charlotte looked up from her stitching. She often brought a little piece of embroidery with her on their visits to Rosings. Nothing vulgar, like socks; but Lady Catherine did not object if it was something genteel. She sometimes went so far as to praise Charlotte’s industry, though seldom without thinking of something else for her to do. A lace baby’s-cap was the appropriate thing to embroider at Rosings; not too high, not too humble. Continue reading
P&P200 Elizabeth Reads Darcy’s Letter
Elizabeth stood in the grove and watched Mr. Darcy walk away. In spite of how much she disliked him, she could not help but admire his fine figure and the way he carried himself. It was unfortunate that someone with so much to recommend him was also so decidedly unpleasant.
Looking at the letter in her hand, she was in conflict with herself. Even accepting the letter from him – from any man – was highly improper, but it had all transpired so quickly she had been unable to think of a polite way to refuse. Considering her biting words of the day before, perhaps she owed him at least the courtesy of reading whatever explanation he might wish to offer, although nothing he had to say could possibly take away the anger she felt – or the pain of receiving such an offensive marriage proposal.
Mr. Darcy’s declaration had taken her completely by surprise yesterday. If only he had stopped after the part about how ardently he admired and loved her, she would have been able to refuse him politely, but he did not. He deemed it necessary to point out to her that he was asking for her hand even though it was against his better judgment to do so! He had continued to raise her ire by 
reciting a list of the objections against their union. In other words, he asked her to marry him, and then grossly insulted her!
She had been so disturbed by his words at the time that now looking back, she could scarcely remember how she had managed an intelligible response. Through the fog of emotion, she had a vague recollection of accusing him of not behaving in a gentleman-like manner, and then there was something about his being the last man in the world she would ever consider marrying. She could not feel sorry for what she said. He deserved every barb she had shot his way. Continue reading
P&P200 – Colonel Fitzwilliam Takes His Leave of the Parsonage
By Jack Caldwell
“Are you comfortable, Colonel?” asked Mrs. Collins.
“Perfectly, madam,” he replied.
“Of course Colonel Fitzwilliam is comfortable, Mrs. Collins!” cried Mr. Collins. “Did not Lady Catherine de Bourgh herself pick out these very chairs? I assure you, my dear colonel, that your most excellent aunt arranged this room just in this manner, and we have taken pains so see that nothing is out of place, even by an inch! Surely, Lady Catherine’s condescension knows no bounds!”
“Certainly you are right, Mr. Collins.”
“Such a fine, fine lady. Always thoughtful and punctual. Unlike others— but I should hold my tongue…”
“Yes. Mr. Collins,” said his wife. “Do you see Eliza yet?”
Colonel Fitzwilliam relaxed in his chair in the parlor of the Hunsford parsonage. He was seated next to a window, and the morning sun felt good on his shoulders as he visited Mrs. Collins and Miss Lucas, all the time wondering where Miss Bennet could be. Mr. Collins apparently felt the same—he was staring out the window for the misplaced young lady, muttering apologies.
The colonel’s calm demeanor and pleasant conversation gave the lie to the excitement at Rosings over the last eighteen hours. When Fitzwilliam walked out the day before and met Miss Bennet in the park, he had just come to terms of spending another week as a guest at Rosings. But a little while later at tea, an agitated Darcy stormed in late and announced that he was to quit Kent the next morning. Continue reading
P&P200 Darcy Plans His Proposal
Fitzwilliam Darcy was a man whose entire life was about responsibility and duty. Since boyhood, he had always done what people expected of him. His parents, his relations, and his friends all knew he would eventually marry a young lady from the highest circles. In addition to her beauty, she would have impeccable manners and breeding and would have been training all her life to fulfill the role of mistress of a great house like Pemberley. They would be the perfect couple in the eyes of the ton.
The longer he waited to select a wife, the more intensely society mothers competed to gain his attention for their daughters. His friends, acquaintances, and even strangers began to enter their bets in the book at White’s as to when Fitzwilliam Darcy would finally decide to marry and who the fortunate young lady might be.
Darcy always believed he would follow the path set out for him since birth – then he met Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Last fall, she had taken him completely by surprise, upsetting his regulated, well-ordered world in ways he could never have imagined. She was unlike anyone he had ever met before. Though only the daughter of a country gentleman, she was enchanting, enticing… yes, even bewitching. Almost from the moment he met her, he began to comprehend he was in serious danger. The more time he had spent in her company, the deeper he fell under her 
spell. In order to keep his feelings under strict control, he had endeavored to limit his interactions with her, but the pull to be near her had sometimes proven more powerful than his resolve. Continue reading
P&P200 – Colonel Fitzwilliam Meets Miss Bennet in the Woods
By Jack Caldwell
Colonel Fitzwilliam was not in the best of spirits as he left the main house. He loved Darcy like a brother, but there were times when his cousin’s high-handedness drove the colonel to distraction. The reason for today’s irritation? Darcy had hinted that he might extend his visit to Rosings. Again.
Blast and damnation! cursed the colonel. I have little more than a month left to my leave, and then I must return to Spain. I had hoped to spend some of this time with my family and Georgiana. As fond as I am of Anne, I do not want to spend what little time I have in England trapped in Kent!
Fitzwilliam brooded, trying to determine Darcy’s real reasons for staying at Rosings, when he spied a likely motive. Miss Elizabeth Bennet was walking towards the house, perusing a letter in her hand. Fitzwilliam’s countenance lightened as he began to contemplate the mystery of the level of acquaintance between Darcy and the lovely young lady from Hertfordshire.
Miss Elizabeth looked surprised when she glanced up and saw him. Putting away the letter immediately and a smile gracing her face, the lady shared the usual greetings with the gentleman.
She added, “I did not know before that you ever walked this way.”
“I have been making the tour of the park,” the colonel replied, “as I generally do every year, and intend to close it with a call at the parsonage. Are you going much farther?” Continue reading
P&P200: Darcy Is Determined to Make Elizabeth Bennet His Wife
P&P 200 – Darcy Is Determined to Make Elizabeth His Wife
On the third day that Darcy met Elizabeth along her favorite path, he encountered some resistance on her part, but he had prepared himself for her reluctance. “Miss Elizabeth,” he began upon meeting her accidentally for the third time in as many days, “I have purposely sought you out.” His words registered a mild shock upon Elizabeth’s face. “After leaving you yesterday at the Parsonage, I recalled a particularly pleasant prospect I believe you would enjoy. I came today in hopes of having the pleasure of showing it to you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy,” she countered, “that shall not be necessary.”
He said apologetically, “I understand if you are too tired. I should have thought better than to intrude upon your time.” He retrieved his gloves from where they lay upon a bench. “I had only thought of how much you have enjoyed the park while we have kept each other company. The walk I had thought to share was one of my late mother’s favorites. I had forgotten about it until Lady Catherine reminded me.” He prayed that such a small prevarication would not come back to haunt him. “I simply thought you might find it a pleasant choice for a solitary walk. 
Elizabeth hesitated briefly before saying, “If it is not too far, I would take delight in seeing it, Sir. Thank you for considering my pleasure.” She rested her gloved hand on his proffered arm.
Walking along the narrow, winding path, Elizabeth often moved closer for support, as the footing was a bit bumpy with tree roots. Lost to her closeness, Darcy considered the pleasure he would know by lifting Elizabeth into his arms and carrying her along the path. To feel her clinging to his chest would be pure bliss, but he resisted any rash impropriety. Continue reading
P&P200: Darcy Hints that Elizabeth Would Find Rosings Park More Welcoming If She Returned There as His Wife
P&P 200 – Darcy Hints that Elizabeth Would Find Rosings Park More Welcoming If She Returned There as His Wife
He awoke early and left Rosings’s warmth behind to brave a chilly morning and to wait for Elizabeth’s company. Darcy had thought that he knew which path she had described to Edward, but after a half hour’s stay, he questioned the information. Reasoning that Elizabeth likely assisted Mrs. Collins with the lady’s household duties, he gave himself permission to wait another quarter hour before he would return to the manor house. To his relief, he finally spotted Miss Elizabeth as she approached the roughly hewed clearing where he awaited her. By design, wishing the appearance of an accidental meeting, Darcy stepped into the shadows.
Not expecting to encounter anyone along the pathway, Elizabeth started when Darcy appeared before her. “Mr. Darcy,” she gasped and clutched at her chest, “You surprised me, Sir.”
“Miss Elizabeth,” he feigned surprise, “as you did me.” He bowed properly, but he searched her countenance for Elizabeth’s real feelings at encountering him. “I did not realize you too preferred solitary walks. They are most pleasant, are they not?” Continue reading
P&P200 – Fitzwilliam and Darcy Visit the Hunsford Parsonage again
By Jack Caldwell
“Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam,” the servant announced.
The party ensconced at the Hunsford Parsonage stood about the small parlor. Colonel Fitzwilliam quickly took in the scene: Mr. Collins, tall and stocky, was literally bowing from the waist.
Steady man, the colonel thought. I am not my father, the earl.
Mrs. Collins, plain and pleasant, stood next to her husband, her slight curtsey all that was correct for a woman of her station and that of her guests. Closest to the fireplace was Mrs. Collins’ young and awestruck sister, Miss Lucas. By the table was her pretty friend, Miss Bennet.
“Mr. Darcy! Colonel Fitzwilliam! You honor us most acutely by your presence! That you would lower yourselves to once again enter this humble abode! Not that this house is so very humble, for what parsonage in all of England could boast of the careful attentions, generosity, and taste of Lady Catherine de Bourgh! Such approbation! Such compassion to my relations! But who could expect less from the nephews of my most generous patroness?”
In this manner, Mr. Collins continued, and Fitzwilliam was hard pressed to hide his smile completely at the man’s foolishness. He managed it by smiling as he greeted the ladies. In short order, he found himself seated at a small table with Miss Bennet, while the others attempted to attend to Darcy. Continue reading
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