March Madness – Darcy and Wentworth Meet

Have you ever wanted to read how a conversation would go between Darcy and Captain Wentworth? Have you ever wished Caroline Bingley might make the acquaintance of Sir Walter Elliot? Have you ever thought Mrs. Norris and Lady Catherine could be best buds? Then you’ll love March Madness where we combine characters from Jane Austen’s books in way you may not have imagined or in ways you may have hoped. Find a comfy chair, grab a cuppa and a few biscuits, and join us for the fun!

 


Darcy and Wentworth Meet

Darcy entered the inn, darkened save for the candlelight flickering on the tables and against the walls. He shuddered as he took in the assaulting smells and heard the vulgar language bellowed by the men seated at the tables. He blinked his eyes several times to aid his vision and then let out a groan when he could not find a vacant table.

Normally he visited the finer men’s clubs when in London, but tonight he wished to be alone. He wanted no conversation and hoped he could be left in solitude with his drink and his thoughts. While not gregarious, he could readily converse with anyone on most subjects, but he was in no mood now.

His mouth went dry when he thought about the two months since Elizabeth Bennet had refused his offer of marriage. Much to his chagrin, he had not been able to expunge her from his heart and his mind.

He looked about as he meandered through the maze of men and tables and was about to leave when he noticed a lone table against the far wall. He made his way quickly towards it, squeezing sideways past some men engaged in a card game and apologizing when he bumped into one of the occupied chairs. No one from the table seemed to notice or acknowledge him, and he turned back to reach for a chair at the empty table.

At that moment, however, another gentleman reached for the opposite chair. As the chairs scraped across the floor, both men looked up, startled.

“Pray, excuse me,” Darcy said.

This time he was acknowledged by a gentleman wearing the uniform of a captain in the navy, “I see we had the same thought.”

The two men eyed each other with resignation. Darcy then turned to glance about the room. “I do not see another open table.”

The captain nodded of his head. “I believe we may both wish for solitude, and if you do not mind us both sitting at the same table, I think we can offer each other that.”

Darcy pressed his lips together and extended his hand for the captain to sit. The two men sat silently for some time. Darcy occasionally shifted restlessly in his chair, and the captain occasionally let out a sigh.

Both men ordered brandy and they waited in a comfortable silence until the drinks were brought to the table.

At length, Darcy looked at his table partner. “Pardon me, but did you see much fighting?”

The captain lifted his eyes and nodded. “I did.” He extended his hand. “Captain Frederick Wentworth.”

Darcy smiled. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Captain. I am Fitzwilliam Darcy.”

Wentworth started. “Darcy… of Pemberley?”

Darcy gave a resigned nod. “I leave on the morrow and am eager to get home. It has been many months.” Darcy took a sip of the brandy and leaned back. “And you?”

Darcy noticed Wentworth grimace and tightly grip his glass. At length, the captain said, “I am here for a few more days and then will set out for Somerset.”

“It must be difficult to come back with all that fighting behind you.”

Wentworth slowly shook his head. “Not so much the fighting.” He paused and drew in a breath. “One would think that being captain of a ship in time of war, fighting off the enemy, and managing a young and undisciplined crew, one would…” He rubbed his jaw and leaned his head back. “Eight years,” he said softly.

Wentworth

“Pardon me?” Darcy asked. “Eight years?”

The captain took a sip of his drink. “It has been eight years, and I have not been able to forget… her.

Darcy’s eyes widened. “A lady? You have not been able to forget a lady in eight years?”

Wentworth looked up slowly. “Pathetic, is it not?”

Darcy cradled his drink in his hands and a low groan escaped. He did not pry for more information, but it appeared the captain suddenly was in the mood to talk.

“We were engaged. We were very much in love.” He looked down and swirled his drink. “But then she suddenly and quite unexpectedly broke off the engagement.”

“What prompted her to do that?”

The captain slowly shook his head. “Another woman, one who was almost like a mother to her, persuaded her that I had not the fortune or connections worthy of her… of Anne.”

“And you have not forgotten her after all these years?” Darcy’s mouth went dry.

“No,” Wentworth replied tersely, tightening his jaw. “I feel as though she is as much in my heart now as she ever was.”

Darcy looked at him incredulously and then began to shake his head. “But at least she accepted your offer of marriage,” he said softly.

“Pardon me?” the captain asked.

Darcy began tapping his fingers on the table and did not immediately answerDarcy. Finally, he said slowly, “My offer was refused most vehemently.”

The captain stared into his drink. “And may l assume you were not expecting that?” he asked softly.

“I went to her fully confident she would accept me. I had no idea the depth of her dislike.”

Now it was the captain’s turn to look incredulous. Looking up, he said, “I am rather surprised. You are a gentleman of wealth and good breeding, and from what I hear, Pemberley is a magnificent estate. What woman would not be delighted to marry someone like you?”

“What woman indeed!” Darcy said.

There was silence at the table again as the captain waited.

Darcy drew in a deep breath. “She was a young lady who I felt was perfect for me in every respect, but who had her reasons and was more than willing to let me know what they were.”

“Do you feel they were valid?”

Darcy bit his lip and drew in a breath through his teeth. “Some were. In others, she had been misinformed.”

“She turned you down…” Wentworth said softly.

“Eight years…” Darcy murmured.

Wentworth braced his elbows on the table and clasped his hands. “It is not, however, just the memory of her that is tormenting me this evening, however.”

Darcy lifted a brow. “Oh?”

“Her family had financial difficulties and had to let their country home. They settled into a smaller house in Bath. In a cruel twist of fate, my sister and her husband are their new tenants, and that is my destination in a few days hence.”

“But you said her family moved to Bath. Do you anticipate seeing her again?”

“She may be with them; I am uncertain. It matters not, for whether she is there or not, I shall feel her presence and all that we shared eight years ago as we walked together through the grounds and in her home. I do not know if I will be able to remain strong when I feel as though I am being torn apart inside by just the memory of her.”

Darcy’s hand went up to his mouth and he rubbed his jaw. At length, he asked, “What do you think you will do if you see her again?”

Wentworth leaned his head back against the chair and lifted his gaze to the ceiling. “Oh, I have pondered this a great deal. I confess there is a tiny part of me – the part that is still angry at her for breaking our engagement – that would like to make her regret her decision by showing her what I have made of myself. Perhaps even make her jealous.” He clenched his jaw, but then let out a sigh. “For the most part, however, because I still love her deeply, I would hope to discover if she might still love me.” He was silent for a moment. “That is, if she has not already married.”

Darcy closed his eyes for a moment. He did not know how composed he would be if he encountered Elizabeth again. There had been several times in London he had seen a lady at a distance or from the back and thought it was her. His heart always leapt at the hope that it was her. He would hope that if he encountered her again, he might remain composed enough to exhibit gentlemanlike behavior and possibly change her opinion of him. He shook his head. In truth, however, he doubted he would ever come upon her, and it was unlikely she would give him a second chance.

As he considered this, silence descended upon the two men once again. Darcy finished his drink, his eyes remaining fixed on the glass as he set it down. Would he continue to find himself lost in the love of Elizabeth for another eight years? Would she continue to haunt his thoughts and dreams? As he considered the depth of emotion he felt for her now, even after her stinging rebuke, he doubted that he would ever be able to forget her. It was a painful thought to consider.

The quiet between the two men was abruptly interrupted when a younger man pulled out the chair between them and sat down. Darcy and Wentworth looked at him with surprise and then at each other.

The three sat silently for a few moments until the young man let out a groan and hung his head. “I do not know what I am going to do!” he said to no one in particular.

Wentworth leaned towards the young man. “Are you in financial distress?”

“Did you commit a crime?” asked Darcy

To both of these, the young man vehemently shook his head and then looked up. “I… fell in love with the most wonderful lady. A lady beyond all measure, one with whom I wish to spend the rest of my life!”

Darcy and Wentworth looked at each other and then back to the young man.

“I would have thought you would be delighted at having found such a woman,” Wentworth said softly.

“Does she love you?” Darcy asked.

The young man nodded. “I believe she does.”

“Then what has you so distraught?” Wentworth asked. “Why are you in such distress?”

The young man looked up and then closed his eyes. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I am… I am already engaged to another.”

The two men’s jaws dropped.

“What is your name, young man?” Wentworth asked.

“Ferrars. Edward Ferrars.”

“Well, Mr. Ferrars,” Darcy said. “We are good listeners. Why do you not tell us all about it?”

Ferrars

 


58 comments

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  1. Oh that was delightful especially throwing in Edward. Classic. It would be nice if these men were to meet up again in 6 months to speak with one another again. That would be a completely different conversation.

      • Kara Louise on March 7, 2016 at 7:43 am
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      You know – I could possibly do that! 🙂 Thanks, Patty.

      1. Please do! That would be delightful.

      • Stephanie L on March 7, 2016 at 9:16 am
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      Oh that would be fabulous!

      • Ann Garland on March 11, 2016 at 3:48 am
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      That was interesting that you threw in Edward Ferrars at the end.

    • Cynthia on March 7, 2016 at 1:11 am
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    It was fantastic!! Thank you for such a great story!! (Hope to hear more about Captain Wentworth)

      • Kara Louise on March 7, 2016 at 8:34 am
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      Thanks, Cynthia! I’m not sure what the others are writing, but Darcy and Wentworth are my 2 favorites! 🙂

        • Cynthia on March 8, 2016 at 3:06 am
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        😀😄

    • Florence Solowianiuk on March 7, 2016 at 1:58 am
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    My two favorite Austen heros — this was an interesting and quite believable conversation. The addition of Edward Ferrars at the end was a nice touch.

    Who is the actor in the Darcy picture? He doesn’t look like Colin Firth.

    I’m looking forward to Caroline Bingley/Walter Elliot. I can just imagine Sir Walter turning up his nose at this one-generation-removed-from-trade woman who most likely is determined to ingratiate herself with him.

      • Kara Louise on March 7, 2016 at 7:44 am
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      Thanks, Florence. It is Colin Firth. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it.

    • Glynis on March 7, 2016 at 3:02 am
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    Yes I too would like to hear their conversation after they got their hearts desire. It would be interesting to read the conversation between Elizabeth and Anne.

      • Kara Louise on March 7, 2016 at 7:45 am
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      We’ll see if that can be done – maybe not this month, but at some point. Thanks, Glynis!

    • Anji on March 7, 2016 at 3:14 am
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    I love it! Like Florence, my two favourite Austen heroes in conversation together. Ticks all the boxes for me. Sneaking Edward Ferrars in at the end was a master stroke.

    Kara, I love that you chose a photo of Ciaran Hinds for CFW. He’s the best in that role for me so far. Would have preferred one of Dan Stevens for Edward though.

    Florence, that IS Colin Firth as Darcy. I just think it’s taken from an unusual angle.

    Lovely tale to read over my breakfast this morning. Thank you.

      • Kara Louise on March 7, 2016 at 7:47 am
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      Thanks, Anji! CH and CF were definite choices for me; I debated about HG and DS – I just needed the right picture and I found this one first. Glad you liked it.

    • Debra Perrin on March 7, 2016 at 3:30 am
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    Lovely piece and what a hoot to add in Edward Ferrars at the end!

      • Kara Louise on March 7, 2016 at 7:48 am
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      Thanks, Debra! Edward Ferrars just happened to show up – could not force him to leave. 🙂

    • Julie Buck on March 7, 2016 at 3:54 am
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    Oho! Love Edward Farrars showing up at the end! And I especially liked that Darcy might see that he’d not get Elizabeth out of his mind even in 8 years’ of trying. And Darcy can show Wentworth how awful it might have been if Anne had never returned his feelings. Now Edward can show them both how horrible it would be if they’d made the mistake of attaching themselves to someone else instead of waiting for “the one”.

      • Kara Louise on March 7, 2016 at 7:50 am
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      Thanks, Julie! I think each of these men probably learned something after this encounter.

    • Maureen C on March 7, 2016 at 6:19 am
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    Loved this interaction! I agree…we need a follow up with these three after the tides have turned. 🙂

      • Kara Louise on March 7, 2016 at 7:51 am
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      Thanks, Maureen – I’ll get right on it – although it might be awhile before I post it.

    • Deborah on March 7, 2016 at 6:38 am
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    I absolutely loved this encounter. Two poor tortured souls, and then, as has been said, throwing in Edward to add comic relief. I would love to revisit this scene after Darcy and Wentworth have their ‘girls A wonderful syart to my morning. Thank you, Kara.

      • Kara Louise on March 7, 2016 at 7:53 am
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      You’re welcome, Deborah. As soon as we knew we were doing characters from different novels, these two popped into my head. I’m so glad it got your morning off to a good start!

    • Kristine Shore on March 7, 2016 at 7:28 am
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    Very enjoyable, a table full of love and regret populated by some of our favorite men.

      • Kara Louise on March 7, 2016 at 7:53 am
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      Thanks, Kristine. And I loved writing it. 🙂

    • Maria Grace on March 7, 2016 at 8:45 am
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    Loved this Kara!

      • Kara Louise on March 7, 2016 at 9:23 am
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      Thanks, Maria! 🙂

    • Stephanie L on March 7, 2016 at 9:18 am
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    Oh yeah, I see this conversation happening easily. LOL Poor Darcy…oh no, 8 years? I may NOT be able to get her out of my system at all? ohhh noooo….LOL Wonderfully done!

      • Kara Louise on March 7, 2016 at 9:24 am
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      Thanks so much, Stephanie! I just love these two men! 🙂

    • Cindy on March 7, 2016 at 9:32 am
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    Loved Edward at the end there! Currently reading a fanfic in which Edward does not get his girl because she finds him wishy-washy and untrustworthy. I am fascinated by it. 🙂 Darcy, Wentworth and Brandon are my three favorite fictitious men. Seeing two of my favorites here makes my day! Thank you!

      • Kara Louise on March 7, 2016 at 9:49 am
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      Happy to oblige you, Cindy. I suppose I could have had Brandon show up instead of Ferrars, but didn’t even think of it. Ferrars seems to me to be more desperate. 🙂

    • Martha Claycomb on March 7, 2016 at 9:40 am
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    Excellent! Thanks.

      • Kara Louise on March 7, 2016 at 9:49 am
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      So delighted you enjoyed it, Martha. Thank you!

    • Carole in Canada on March 7, 2016 at 12:26 pm
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    Ahh…misery loves company. That was so much fun and I had to smile when Edward showed up! I’d love to see them back together when each has their HEA!

      • Kara Louise on March 7, 2016 at 12:43 pm
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      Thanks, Carole! I’m seriously thinking of writing that.

    • Ruth on March 7, 2016 at 1:49 pm
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    Hmmm…..like the concept, Darcy especially, but not sure Wentworth would go on to treat Anne badly after this scene.
    Enjoyed it!

      • Kara Louise on March 7, 2016 at 2:35 pm
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      We do know Wentworth flirted far too much with the Musgrove sisters,, and I think he did it to make Anne jealous. He didn’t treat her badly per se, but could have treated her much better. Of course if he had only confessed his love to.her, it would have made things so much easier. But then the story would have ended too soon! Glad you enjoyed it, Ruth!

    • Clytie Koehler on March 7, 2016 at 2:28 pm
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    Thank you! Thank you, Kara Louise! I enjoyed your delightful imagining very much! And then… it got me thinking about Lizzy and Anne Elliot – perhaps introduced by Emma? Altogether fun and beautifully done! I second all of the positive responses above.

      • Kara Louise on March 7, 2016 at 2:37 pm
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      Thanks,, Clytie! It will be interesting to see the different characters the other authors will be pairing together this month!

    • Clytie Koehler on March 7, 2016 at 2:30 pm
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    Oh! And the photos are priceless. Perfectly mood-matched to your vignette!

      • Kara Louise on March 7, 2016 at 2:38 pm
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      Thanks! It took me a while to find just the right ones!

    • Jennifer Redlarczyk on March 7, 2016 at 3:41 pm
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    Now that was just perfect! I loved how you had these three men meet and commiserate over their loses. Fantastic! Jen Red

      • Kara Louise on March 7, 2016 at 4:36 pm
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      Thanks, Jen! So glad you enjoyed it!

    • Sheila L. M. on March 7, 2016 at 6:08 pm
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    As so many have said – This was perfectly charming: my favorite two Jane Austen characters and my two favorite actors who played those roles! And so laughably ironic that Edward Ferrars/Hugh Grant shows up. (I loved his version of S&S as he interacts with Margaret over the atlas.) Thank you Kara for a wonderful end of the day read after I was babysitting grandchildren in NJ all day and drove back during rush hour.

      • Kara Louise on March 7, 2016 at 7:28 pm
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      So glad you enjoyed it, Sheila! And I know all about babysitting grandchildren – nothing better! 🙂

  2. Oh, this is so good! Thank you so much for the lovely little story. I wish it was longer! 🙂

    • Carol on March 7, 2016 at 9:36 pm
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    This was delightful. Thanks your, Kara, for the wonderful March Madness tale of disappointment. And two of my favorite actors in your piece are definitely the cream of the crop. In my opinion, the only Darcy out there is Colin Firth.

      • Kara Louise on March 7, 2016 at 9:42 pm
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      Thanks, Carol! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      • Ann Garland on March 11, 2016 at 3:56 am
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      While Colin Firth is my favorite Darcy, the Darcy in the PBS Masterpiece Theatre production was suitable, too.

  3. Like the others, I would deeply, deeply, deeply appreciate reading a follow-up after a few months have passed. However, what would really be a hoot would be to have the same type of meeting between Lizzy, Anne, and Elinor paralleling the gentlemen’s conversation by having a meet and greet of their own. Wouldn’t that make for a fun mash-up.

    Exquisitely done, Kara.

      • Kara Louise on March 7, 2016 at 9:45 pm
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      Thanks, Joy! You’re all giving me food for thought I appreciate your thoughts!

      • Ann Garland on March 11, 2016 at 3:59 am
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      I think that Lizzy, Anne and Elinor would be a good meeting. After they had been acquainted, they could give Caroline Bingley a word or two to make her straighten up.

  4. This encounter was delicious…only because we know the happy outcomes awaiting both gentlemen…and actually, all three gentlemen. 😉

    Such amazing men…with amazing women, too. 😉

    Loved this!!

    Warmly,
    Susanne 🙂

  5. I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Susanne! Yes, it is nice knowing what we know that these gentlemen do not! 🙂

  6. Darcy and Wentworth are my two favorites too- I loved this! Especially how you threw Ferrars in at the end. What a great meeting.

      • Kara Louise on March 8, 2016 at 6:36 pm
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      Thanks, Melanie! It was fun to write about my two favorites sharing their woes! 🙂

    • Ann on March 11, 2016 at 1:03 pm
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    I think Mr Knightley should join the three men at the table. I quite thought he would so Mr Ferrars came as a nice surprise.
    He Mr Knightley is of course sad, he is lamenting that his lady may possibly love another. Mr Knightley himself has come to London to see his brother but is daily reminded of his lost love because his sister in law Isabella was so like her sister, his love, but differed only in those striking inferiorities which brought his love to his mind in all her brilliance.
    Thank you Kara Louise for your writing – I did enjoy it

      • Kara Louise on March 11, 2016 at 1:31 pm
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      Thanks, Ann! If I had been more inspired, I might have included Henry Tilney as well. 🙂 It was fun to write with the 2 men (and then the third).

  7. Oh, this is lovely. Thank you so much! Cannot wait to read the next.

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