P&P The Untold Stories: Miss Darcy meets Miss Elizabeth Bennet at the inn in Lambton

Their first meeting, from Mr Darcy’s point of view August 5, 1812 The curricle advanced at a steady pace along the tree-lined road, the sleek coats of the bays gleaming in the dappled sunlight. Much as he was tempted to flick the reins and urge the well-matched pair into a canter, Darcy thought better of …

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P&P The Untold Stories: Midnight Express

What did that alarming letter from Colonel Forster say? August 2, 1812 The Bennet household had just settled down for the night after a day of industrious occupation. Mrs. Bennet had been to Meryton and argued not only with the butcher about her bill, but also with various ones of her neighbors who seemed to …

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P&P The Untold Stories: Denny Learns of Lydia’s Elopement

Denny Learns of Lydia’s Elopement August 2, 1812 (Based upon Archibald Denny, from my novel, The Three Colonels.) LIEUTENANT DENNY HAD JUST FINISHED HIS BREAKFAST when Lieutenant Chamberlayne walked in. “I say, have you seen Wickham? He seems to be missing.” Denny sat up. “Missing? Are you certain? Sometimes he sleeps in town.” At that …

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P&P The Untold Stories: Jane Learns of Lydia’s Elopement

The Bennet household is in an uproar when a midnight visitor brings a letter. August 2, 1812 Loud voices and repeated pounding awakened Jane from a deep sleep. It took her a few moments to realize that someone was knocking on the front door. She could distinguish someone speaking from outside as well as her …

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P&P The Untold Stories: Lydia Elopes by Diana Birchall

Wickham is not the young man to refuse a companion… August 1, 1812 “Look here, Lydia,” said Wickham, getting out of bed and standing by the window, watching red coated troops march by on their way to the Downs. “I have got to leave town.” Lydia sat up, clutching a bed-sheet to her bare shoulders. …

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P&P The Untold Stories: Wickham Tells Lydia He is Leaving

Wickham’s offer to Lydia seems too good to be true! July 30, 1812 “George!” Lydia waved her hand excitedly. “Over here!” She placed both hands over her heart when she saw him look up and smile at her as he hurried to her side. “Lydia! What brings you to the Steine? Is it the shops …

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P&P The Untold Stories: Wickham’s Scheme of Elopement by Diana Birchall

Mr. Wickham makes the town too hot to hold him… July 29, 1812 About a month after Lydia’s removal to Brighton, Mr. Wickham sauntered into a handsome suite attached to the Prince Regent’s palatial quarters in Marine Parade. It was not where a young officer of a common militia regiment might expect to be admitted, …

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Unmasked: The Darcys in Venice. Mocenigo Mayhem.

“Papa! Papa!” shrieked Allegra. The pretty little three year old girl, her father’s dimple in her chin and with sparkling eyes, propelled herself into Lord Byron’s arms. “Gently, gently, mia cara. What? You are pleased to see Papa again? But you know I said you should.” “Will you stay with me this time, Papa?” “We …

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P&P The Untold Stories: Lydia at Brighton Shortly Before the Elopement

How Can a Girl of 16 Survive When Not Admired? July 18, 1812 It had been a month since Lydia Bennet’s sixteenth birthday, and she had been nothing but disappointed—no offers of marriage, no late night rendezvous with handsome officers, and only two kisses from anyone of worth. And even then, Denny’s breath had tasted …

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Why I No Longer Mourn Jane Austen’s Untimely Death

Tomorrow is a dark date on the calendar. It’s the 207th anniversary of Jane Austen’s premature death – tragic, really, when you consider how young she was, all the years of promise she didn’t get a chance to live out, and the stories she never had time to write. So sad! But I have good …

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