I have a surprise for you!! I’m working on my final edits for a new Regency Pride and Prejudice variation and I think you’re going to love it! It won’t be long now, and I can’t wait to share the news! Keep a lookout for it. It’s coming very soon!
Meanwhile, I wanted to share a little excerpt to give you an idea of what’s in store.
Let me know what you think!
Lambton, 1811
Having been informed by the coachman that Miss Bennet and her relatives were staying at the Inn in Lambton, Darcy set out for the village immediately. Since Miss Bennet was so important to his sister, he was willing to suspend judgement, at least until he could assess the situation more clearly. His suspicions had not evaporated. There were too many unanswered questions on his mind, such as the coincidence that had brought Miss Bennet to Georgiana’s side at that particular moment. For Georgiana’s sake, however, he was willing to give Miss Bennet the benefit of the doubt, at least for now.
He was a gentleman, after all, and if he had wronged someone, it was his duty to make amends. From what his sister had told him, it seemed he may have been too quick to reach the wrong conclusions. If so, it was unforgivable, and he owed Miss Bennet an apology.
As he arrived at the inn, he paused in the doorway to look around. He spotted Miss Bennet sitting in a private area of the taproom, engaged in earnest conversation with two older people. Presumably these were her aunt and uncle. He was favorably impressed by their general air of fashion and refinement.
Just as he prepared to take off his hat to step inside, his gaze landed on a face he hoped never to see again. Standing leaning against the wall, with a tankard of ale in his hand, was Georgiana’s nightmare: George Wickham.
Wickham’s face had that contemplative expression, an expression that never boded well. It meant he was plotting something. Darcy had never liked the expression. It inevitably meant trouble.
Whatever he had to say to Miss Bennet could wait. He had to make it clear to Wickham that he was not welcome in Lambton or anywhere in the vicinity.
“You!” said Mr. Darcy, striding up to him. “What are you doing here?”
“I am perfectly at liberty to visit my old haunts, am I not, Darcy? As it so happens, I am helping a young lady, a Miss Bennet,” said Wickham, with a smirk, looking in the direction where Miss Bennet was seated.
Darcy had been hoping there was no connection between Wickham and Miss Bennet, but there was no denying it now.
“You know Miss Bennet?”
Wickham gave him a shrewd glance. “We are – as you say – acquainted.”
So Darcy’s suspicions were right! He had come to find Miss Bennet, only to discover that, once again, Georgiana had been tricked by Wickham. Was there no end to this?
He could not let Wickham get away with this.
“I need you to step outside, Wickham.”
“What, do you plan to start a brawl? To play at fisticuffs?” said Wickham, in a mocking voice. “Your sister is safe from me. I did not come after her. My business lies elsewhere.”
His eyes turned towards Miss Bennet. Darcy could only imagine what kind of business he might have with her. His ire was rising by the moment, and he held back with an effort.
Wickham was right about one thing at least. He could not start a brawl, not here in Lambton, where he was respected by the villagers.
“One day, Wickham,” he said, “I will not hold back. But today I will stop at a warning. If you approach my sister again, I will call you out.”
“Lucky for me you are holding back, then,” said Wickham, with a sneer.
“I have nothing more to say to you,” replied Darcy.
“If you did not come for me,” said Wickham, “what brings you here, then?”
He glanced over to where Miss Bennet was sitting. She gave no indication that she was aware of his presence. He was not even sure there was any point in talking to her. If she knew Wickham, she was guilty, and that was the end of it.
Wickham followed the direction of Darcy’s glance. “I see. You are here to speak to Miss Bennet.” He peered into his tankard. “Wouldn’t care to buy me a drink, would you by any chance?”
Darcy turned away.
“I thought not. Well let me give you an important piece of advice. For free, mind you. You might wish to speak to Miss Bennet, Darcy, but I doubt very much that Miss Bennet wishes to speak to you. Not after you behaved as you did.”
I hope you enjoyed reading it. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
24 comments
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Sounds exciting!
But, oh dear, poor Elizabeth!!
Can’t wait to read it.
Author
I do feel for Elizabeth, definitely! Thank you for your kind words!
Wonderful! Can’t wait for the rest of it.
Author
Not long now, Diana. Glad you enjoyed it!
No, Darcy! You can’t believe him!!! I’m on tenterhooks now!
Author
Right? You would think Darcy would know by now that Wickham can’t be trusted!! On so many levels! thanks for stopping by, Carole!
I’m curious about what has happened before this point, and what FD and EB’s relationship has been.
Author
Ginna, you’re right to be curious. Let’s just say the situation is a bit unfortunate at this point!
Good luck with this release. Looking forward to reading it.
Author
Thank you so much, Sheila!!!
Oh heavens,what is Wickham playing at now? Also how is Elizabeth concerned? Why on earth can’t Darcy ask her instead of just assuming the worst? 🤔😳
Elizabeth would be referred to as Miss Elizabeth until Jane marries. Once Jane takes her husband’s name, Elizabeth would ascend to the title of Miss Bennett. The eldest sister is called by her patronym, the others by their first name.
Author
Hello, Ann, yes, that is absolutely correct as a general rule.
Practically speaking, though, I have noticed that it applies more when everyone is together, particularly if Jane is present. So while it is rule, it also seems to depend on context. It seems when a young lady is alone, she is generally referred to by her last name, especially if people are being formal. I find it interesting to see the many ways Elizabeth is addressed in the novel. I have seen Charlotte refer to her as both Lizzy and Eliza, and Miss Bingley calls her Miss Eliza Bennet. But then Lady Catherine addresses her as Miss Bennet, and in some of Darcy’s thoughts, he thinks of her as Miss Bennet, and he does address her as Miss Bennet. He also
calls her Madam, which is another odd one, and he mentions her to Miss Bingley as Miss Elizabeth Bennet as well.
Some examples in Pride and Prejudice:
“I see your design, Bingley,” said his friend. “You dislike an argument, and want to silence this.”
“Perhaps I do. Arguments are too much like disputes. If you and Miss Bennet will defer yours till I am out of the room I shall be very thankful; and then you may say whatever you like of me.”
“What you ask,” said Elizabeth, “is no sacrifice on my side; and Mr. Darcy had much better finish his letter.”
***
Then, a few minutes later:
After playing some Italian songs, Miss Bingley varied the charm by a lively Scotch air; and soon afterwards Mr. Darcy, drawing near Elizabeth, said to her —
“Do not you feel a great inclination, Miss Bennet, to seize such an opportunity of dancing a reel?”
***
“I can readily believe,” answered he gravely, “that report may vary greatly with respect to me; and I could wish, Miss Bennet, that you were not to sketch my character at the present moment, as there is reason to fear that the performance would reflect no credit on either.”
***
“But if I do not take your likeness now, I may never have another opportunity.”
Lady Catherine: “Do you play and sing, Miss Bennet?”
***
Lady Catherine: “I hope you are well, Miss Bennet. That lady, I suppose, is your mother.”
***
“What is that you are saying, Fitzwilliam? What is it you are talking of? What are you telling Miss Bennet? Let me hear what it is.”
***
Mr. Darcy related the mistake which had occasioned his intruding on Miss Bennet.
***
“Miss Bennet,” replied her ladyship, in an angry tone, “you ought to know, that I am not to be trifled with. “
Author
Wickham does love playing games, doesn’t he!! As for asking Elizabeth, that was part of the reason he came to the inn at Lambton. He might be a bit discouraged at this point, Glynis, but who knows? 😉
On the edge of my seat! Would think Wickham would have too many enemies in his home shire to return??? Seems Elizabeth is guilty by association.
Author
It’s a good question regarding Wickham, Jan. All I have is this sentence, which comes after Mrs. Gardiner has made some enquiries about both Wickham and Darcy. ‘With respect to Wickham, the travellers soon found that he was not held there in much estimation; for though the chief of his concerns with the son of his patron were imperfectly understood, it was yet a well known fact that on his quitting Derbyshire he had left many debts behind him, which Mr. Darcy afterwards discharged.’ Would he be worried about showing up, or would he be swaggering, knowing Darcy would pay his debts? I guess it could go either way. It would be fun to have him chased out of town, though! I’m envisioning pitchforks. Sooo tempting!
As for Elizabeth, Darcy has his reasons… 😉
True. I like the pitchfork idea. I never have much patience for Wickham’s shanigans.
Very intriguing! Another twist in the lives of EB and FD!!!
The plot thickens and I’m anxious to read more!!
Author
Very happy to hear you were intrigued, Elizabeth 🙂
Well, Just enough intro to tease – and set the imagination speculating. And Darcy, tut tut, racing to conclusions again. 1 + Wickham always = guilty w/out a hearing.
How could Wickham possibly ‘help’ Elizabeth, especially with her family there to meet her needs? And – If Wickham is ‘helping’ Elizabeth, what’s in it for him?
And, what haughty, arrogant, offensive thing did Darcy say/do to make such an impression?
Author
All very good questions, Deb! We know Wickham + ‘helpful’ can’t exist in the same sentence 🙂
And, of course, we know Darcy has a tendency to cause offence. He’s just being who he is…
I dare say Elizabeth does not even know Wickham and he’s all bluster to get Darcy riled. He, Wickham, may know Elizabeth by name but not really know her. He made a guess that Darcy was there to see her as he knew, or had a good idea, that Darcy wasn’t there to see him. ….just a guess. If not, Daddy is once again making rash judgements where Wickham is concerned.
Author
I love the way you’re thinking, Linda! 🙂 As for Darcy, we know “my good opinion once lost is lost forever” 🙁
This sounds good!!!