P&P The Untold Stories: Caroline’s Wedding Reflections

Double wedding or double disaster?

November 18th, 1812

“How thrilling!” a woman in the pew behind said in hushed excitement. “A double wedding!”

Caroline Bingley rolled her eyes heavenward and leant closer to her sister. “Double disaster, more like,” she whispered. Although she had no choice but to attend this farce, she did not have to make believe she liked it.

Pin by Silvia De Vecchi on You Are the Top ! | PinterestHer brother’s choice of bride was truly a disaster. He might have married a girl from one of the best families, someone who would have enhanced the prestige of the Bingley name… and perhaps added to the family’s fortune as well. What had they all been working for, after all, if not to raise themselves to where nobody would ever remember their humble origins again? Louisa had done her part, at great person sacrifice. But Charles! He was this minute throwing his one chance away on a nobody, and there was nothing she could do about it.

Caroline could not bear to watch her brother disgracing himself, but she did hazard a glance in Mr. Darcy’s direction… and a sigh. Were there any justice in the world, she would have been the one standing up beside him now, the one he was regarding so tenderly, the one to whom he plighted his highly covetable troth. It was unaccountable – and patently unfair – that after all her efforts, all her attentiveness, he should also prefer a Miss Bennet! It was not to be borne!

Had Darcy determined to marry Miss de Bourgh over herself, she might have understood, for then she would have been beaten by the undeniable claims of a noble bloodline and a superior fortune. But what did Miss Eliza Bennet have to boast of… except for those notorious “fine eyes”?

It was indeed a harsh blow, and one that was not to be recovered from anytime soon.

Catch up with all the Untold Stories HERE

Shannon Winslow

Shannon Winslow claims she was minding her own business – raising two sons and pursuing a very sensible career – when an ordinary trip to Costco about fifteen years ago changed her life. That was the day a copy of the ’95 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice fairly leapt off the shelf and into her oversized shopping cart. After watching the mini-series, Shannon was hopelessly hooked on the story, Colin Firth’s Darcy, and all things Jane Austen. One may guess what followed – compulsive reading, late-night trips to the library and video store, secret rendezvous with Mr. Darcy and Mr. Knightley. Finally, only one thing remained. Her dedication (or obsession, as it could more rightly be described) ultimately inspired her to begin writing her own stories a la Austen.

Here's what Shannon says about her unique approach to writing JAFF: "Since I’m just sappy enough to believe there’s only one true story for the characters I’ve grown to love (and Jane Austen wrote it), I amuse myself with adding onto rather than varying from canon - expanding on what Jane Austen gave us and filling in the blanks in the record with prequel, sequel, and supplemental views. What was Mr. Darcy doing all the time he’s absent from the page? What happened to Colonel Brandon in India? And how did our favorite couples fare after the wedding? Inquiring minds want to know, and I’m happy to deliver the answers!"

6 comments

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    • Almira on November 18, 2024 at 1:20 am
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    Is there ever a universe where Caroline Bingley grows some self-awareness? She’s really going to be a fly in the ointment on that wedding day at the rate she’s going.

    1. Anything is possible, and I’m sure somebody has written a self-aware Caroline! Haha!
      I think she is smart enough, though, to keep her cool through the wedding and beyond, at least in public. She doesn’t want to humiliate herself or lose visiting privileges at Pemberley!

    • Glynis on November 18, 2024 at 5:20 am
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    I too am amazed! How on earth could Darcy prefer a beautiful, intelligent, kind hearted gentlewoman (with fine eyes) over a selfish, self centred, haughty, shrewish tradesman’s daughter? It’s totally baffling! 😱😉😂🤣

    1. Haha! There’s no accounting for taste, I suppose.

    • Char on November 18, 2024 at 11:39 am
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    I agree with Glynis, Jealousy though name is Caroline Bingley!!!

    1. Yes! But I think she’s more sorry to lose the position (as Mrs. Darcy and mistress of Pemberley) than the man himself. Just my opinion. 🙂

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