The Pemberley Chronicles Read online

  "A lovely complementary novel...

  Austen would surely give her smile of approval."

  —beverly wong, author of PRIDE & PREJUDICE PRUDENCE

  The

  Pemberley Chronicles

  A Companion Volume to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice

  a novel by

  Rebecca Ann Collins

  P

  BOOK 1

  The

  Pemberley Chronicles

  A Companion Volume to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice

  DEVISED AND COMPILED BY

  Rebecca Ann Collins By the Same Author

  The Women of Pemberley Netherfield Park Revisited

  The Ladies of Longbourn Mr Darcy’s Daughter My Cousin Caroline

  Postscript from Pemberley Recollections of Rosings A Woman of Influence

  The Legacy of Pemberley

  Copyright © 2008 by Rebecca Ann Collins

  Cover and internal design © 2008 by Sourcebooks, Inc. Cover photo © Bridgeman Art Library

  Sourcebooks and the colophon are registered trademarks of Sourcebooks, Inc.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without permission in writing from its publisher, Sourcebooks, Inc.

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Published by Sourcebooks Landmark, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. P.O. Box 4410, Naperville, Illinois 60567-4410

  (630) 961-3900

  FAX: (630) 961-2168

  www.sourcebooks.com

  Originally printed and bound in Australia by The Pink Panther. First published 1997. Reprinted 1998. Revised and reprinted May 1998. Reprinted 1999 and 2002. Revised and reprinted 2003. Reprinted 2004 and 2006 by SNAP Printing, Sydney, Australia.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Collins, Rebecca Ann.

  The Pemberley Chronicles : A Companion Volume to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice /

  Devised and Compiled by Rebecca Ann Collins

  p. cm.

  1. Bennet, Elizabeth (Fictitious character)—Fiction. 2. Darcy, Fitzwilliam (Fictitious

  character)—Fiction. 3. England—Social life and customs—19th century—Fiction. I.

  Austen, Jane, 1775–1817. Pride and Prejudice. II. Title.

  PR9619.4.C65P46 2008 823'.92--dc22

  2007049507 Printed and bound in the United States of America VP 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  To the beloved Jane Austen

  An Introduction . . .

  A LIFELONG FAN OF JANE Austen, Rebecca Ann Collins first read Pride and Prejudice at the age of twelve and fell in love with its characters. Since then, she has gathered a wealth of information about its author and her work, seeking to inform herself about the life and times of the “Pemberley families.”

  Two things set in train the current stage of her splendid obsession: the BBC’s magnificent production—which brought Jane Austen’s brilliant, witty story and characters so dramatically alive in a stunning visual context—and the appearance in bookshops of a rash of sequels. Some of these turned the lives of the characters into a soap opera in which Elizabeth and Darcy, for whom one had developed an abiding love and regard, appeared suddenly to behave like figures out of Dynasty! It was in this context that Miss Collins began work on the chronicles, placing her favourite characters in their original environment: nineteenth century England.

  She at no time presumes to imitate the literary style of the original author, nor does she distort the essential core of main players, who are so well drawn in the novel, with tortuous twists of character or bizarre behaviour that seem gratuitous and hard to believe. Rebecca Collins is concerned to observe them in the context of an era of profound economic, political, and social change, perhaps the most dynamic period of English history, certainly the most interesting.

  She observes them as they make their way through the changing landscape, with only an occasional push from the chronicler—a change of direction or emphasis rather than of character. All the main characters essentially remain recognisably Jane Austen’s, except that they age, mature, mellow, and sometimes depart the scene.

  Children are born and others—both old and young—die, as they did in all the families that Miss Austen herself knew, personally. Consequences flow from tragedy and triumph alike. It was ever thus. As the Pemberley families face the changes that confronted all the people of England, Ms Collins, not content to hang the bland “happily ever after” tag upon them, observes the impact upon their lives. How Elizabeth, to whom Pemberley represented elegance and stability as well as love, copes with personal tragedy is as important as the influence of the commercial entrepreneurship of Mr Gardiner on the landed gentry facing rural recession.

  Coincidentally, the author’s assumption of the pen name and identity of Rebecca Collins is a useful device, allowing her the freedom of an internal narrator, working from personal, anecdotal, and documentary sources within the Pemberley group, without appearing to take undue liberties with their privacy.

  The story lines are clearly drawn and the characters observed with affection and humour, as one would expect from a member of their circle. All those interested in the story of Pride and Prejudice, its historical and social setting, will enjoy this companion volume.

  If you watched spellbound as millions did as it unfolded on your television screen and, seeing the two couples drive away as the closing credits and that magic music rolled, you wondered where life would have taken them, then Emily Gardiner’s prologue, which opens the chronicles, will start you on that journey.

  It is for these readers, and not for the J.A. Specialists or the literary establishment, that Rebecca Ann Collins has compiled The Pemberley Chronicles. It is to them, as much as to the beloved Miss Austen herself, that the book is dedicated.

  November 1997.

  viii PROLOGUE TO

  The Pemberley Chronicles

  T HE WEDDINGS ARE OVER. There are rose petals everywhere. Jane and Elizabeth Bennet have been married to Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy on a shining Autumn day, and everyone is smiling with the joy of sharing in their happiness. “They looked more beautiful than princesses,” said the little maids, Caroline and Emily Gardiner, who with Kitty Bennet and Georgiana Darcy had assisted the brides.

  “Could anyone have looked happier than Lizzie?” asked her aunt. “Not unless you looked across at Jane, who seemed as if she was all lit up like a candle,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam. Both bridegrooms looked extremely well. Mr Bingley was the favourite, of course, being universally charming. But even those who had reservations about Mr Darcy, thinking him proud and reserved when he first came to Netherfield, could not deny how well he looked: tall and very handsome, his countenance suffused with delight as he and Elizabeth stepped out into the sunlight.

  Sir William Lucas said over and over that we were losing the brightest jewels in the county and Mr Darcy was a real dark horse, because no one had guessed he was in love with Lizzie, whereas everyone knew, he said, from the very first evening they met, that Mr Bingley had lost his heart to Jane. Sir William even claimed credit for the match, having been the first to call on Mr Bingley and invite him and his party to Meryton. He was boasting of his success to Mr and Mrs Gardiner, who knew a good deal more of these matters, being particular friends of both Mr Darcy and Elizabeth, but they just smiled and let him chatter on.

  Later, on the way home they would comment that, had he known
it was at the reception at Lucas Lodge that Mr Darcy had first noticed Lizzie’s beauty and found himself wanting to know her better, Sir William might have become quite impossibly conceited about his role in their marriage, too.

  Jane and Charles Bingley are gone to London, where Charles wants to show off his beautiful wife, while Lizzie and Darcy have left for Oxford en route to the estates on the borders of Cheshire and Wales that are part of Darcy’s family inheritance. Mrs Gardiner, who helped Lizzie and Jane pack for their journeys, says Lizzie is longing to see Wales, never having visited the area before. They are all to meet in London some six weeks hence to dine with the Gardiners.

  The servants gathered up the debris on the lawn, and the guests began to leave. Some of them seemed more reluctant to go than others. Mr Bennet looked as if he would like them to be gone, but Mrs Bennet would not stop talking, endlessly, to Mrs Long, Aunt Philips, Lady Lucas, and anyone else who would listen, detailing her joy at having her two most beautiful daughters so well married and settled. She was full of news too about Jane and Charles and their journey to London and bemoaned the fact that she knew so little of Elizabeth and Darcy’s plans, except the couple were to be at Pemberley for Christmas. She was still too much in awe of Mr Darcy to ask him outright.

  As we were to learn later, while the Bingleys headed for London, Darcy hoped the time and the environment of the lovely border country would give Lizzie and himself a chance to be alone together as they never could, amidst the bustle of friends and families at Longbourn.

  They broke journey and spent their first few days at a very pleasing hostelry outside the university town of Oxford. At Oxford, Darcy, a Cambridge man himself, took his wife to meet an old friend, a clergyman, who had spent some time at the Kympton living in Derbyshire prior to returning to continue his theological studies at Oxford. Dr Francis Grantley was two years Darcy’s senior, learned and witty with it, not at all sombre and pompous as some clergymen one could name! “Poor Charlotte,” Elizabeth sighed for her

  x

  friend as she recalled with a shudder the silliness of Mr Collins. Dr Grantley was quite another matter, said Elizabeth in her letter to Mrs Gardiner, written before the couple left Oxford:

  I am sure, my dear Aunt, that you would like him very much indeed. He is Mr Darcy’s dearest friend and they have known one another for many years, since Dr Grantley was assistant to the curate at Kympton, the picturesque little parish we visited in Derbyshire last Summer. We spent all day with him, visiting some of the wonderful libraries and College Chapels, including his own college, St John’s, which has a renowned Chapel choir and delightful gardens. Mr Darcy has invited Dr Grantley to return to the living at Kympton, which is now vacant, during his sabbatical and I for one would welcome it; we could do with another gentleman of education and taste at Pemberley!

  Elizabeth was interrupted at this point by her husband, who came in to dress for dinner, having given instructions for their journey to Bristol on the following day. In a touching gesture, he had brought her a rose, picked fresh from the garden, taking her by surprise, as he would do often in the future. Recounting the incident to her aunt, Elizabeth confessed she was more pleasured by these unexpected and spontaneous expressions of affection, than by the ritualised courtliness affected by many men in smart society.

  She let him read her letter while she completed her preparations. It was the first time she had let anyone other than Jane see any of her letters, and she was conscious of what it signified between them. That he was pleased with what he read, she knew from his smile as he handed it back to her and the warmth with which he embraced her before they left the room to go to dinner. There would be an openness between them that would enhance the intimacy of their marriage, and she was excited by its rich promise for their future together.

  Later that night, Elizabeth rose quietly from bed as her husband slept, and finished her letter to Mrs Gardiner:

  You will be happy to learn, dear Aunt, that my dear husband approves of my excellent judgement—not only with regard to my appreciation of Dr Grantley but more especially in my love and esteem for himself—as expressed earlier in

  xi

  my letter; both feelings, he assures me, are returned in full measure. I need not say again how very happy we are, but I almost fear that were I not to say it, you may not know how completely certain I am of the correctness of my decision to marry Mr Darcy. I know my dear father had his doubts, but you, I am sure, did not share them. Indeed, in your letter to me after Lydia’s dreadful faux pas, relating the part Mr Darcy played in resolving the problems caused by Wickham and Lydia’s stupidity, you were most generous in your praise of him, and had I not already realised that I loved him, I would certainly have been persuaded to look again at this paragon! I am so glad, however that I needed no such persuasion; having come to understand how deeply I cared for him, it was good to have your confirmation of his virtues. Since then, every occasion that we have been together, whether alone or in company, has only served to confirm my good opinion of him. Dear Aunt, he is a most generous and honourable gentleman and as I have discovered since our marriage, a truly loving husband.

  Thank you again, my dearest Aunt and Uncle, for your part in bringing us together; for persuading me to visit Pemberley on that beautiful morning. We have spoken often of those Summer days in Derbyshire, and Mr Darcy agrees with me they will forever be part of our most precious memories. He sends you his love and best regards.

  A sudden sound outside the window, and Darcy stirred in his sleep. Elizabeth, fearful of disturbing him, hurried to conclude her letter:

  Mr Darcy tells me that Dr Grantley has agreed to spend his next sabbatical at Pemberley, where he will have access to the library for his work. He is, I am told, a theologian of some repute. Even better, he will be with us at Christmas, when you will be able to meet him, a pleasure I can promise you, with confidence. Georgiana will also be there, more pleasant company to look forward to.

  We leave tomorrow for Bristol but are to stay at Clifton, so should you have time to write, we shall be at the Royal at Richmond Terrace for ten days.

  It is late, and I should close this before I go to bed, so it will be in your hands as early as possible. Do give our love to the children and say we look

  xii

  forward to seeing them. (Caroline and Emily were the sweetest of little maids and though our bridesmaids Georgiana and Kitty were very handsome, the little ones got most of the compliments!)

  I’ll say goodnight with love,

  your affectionate niece, Lizzie.

  The following morning, after breakfast, they left for Bristol. Elizabeth looked forward to the journey, which took them through Gloucestershire, with which she was not familiar. Darcy, on the other hand, had travelled these roads often en route to Cheltenham, Gloucester, and the family properties in Wales. He was, therefore, well informed and able to prepare Lizzie for the scenes and vistas to look out for as well as provide some of the information about the places they could visit along the way.

  The countryside was new and interesting to her; there were many places to study and admire. Darcy was a particularly good teacher, and Elizabeth was eager to learn. It was, for her, a most satisfying and salutary experience. She was both disarmed and charmed by her husband’s patience in answering all of her questions and pleased to discover how much she could enjoy depending upon him.

  Reaching their destination late in the afternoon, Elizabeth was tired with travelling all day, and Darcy, whose solicitude for his bride knew no bounds, insisted that she should go directly to their rooms, while he had their luggage carried upstairs. Within the next half-hour, not only did she find herself ensconced in a spacious and comfortable suite of rooms overlooking the river, well down from the bustle of Bristol, but a pleasant young woman had presented herself, offering her services as a lady’s maid. When Darcy appeared, some time later, he was accompanied by a manservant who brought in a collation of cold meats, cheese, bread, and fruit for the
travellers, as well as wine and a great pot of tea to comfort the weary.

  To complete her happiness, Darcy had in his hand a letter from Jane, which had awaited their arrival at Richmond Terrace. Elizabeth cried out and hugged him with an excess of enthusiasm that quite astonished and delighted her husband, who was singularly unaccustomed to such overt displays of affection. For Lizzie, no amount of appreciation was too much for the care and pleasure with which he had surrounded her.

  xiii

  As she later wrote to her sister Jane:

  There was not one more thing I could have wished for, except perhaps to share my pleasure with you, dearest Jane, which I am doing now.

  After they had eaten, Darcy went out for a walk around The Mall, urging his wife to take some more refreshment and rest awhile. Elizabeth was not at all averse to complying with his instructions. Comfortably tucked into a chaise lounge with a fire to warm the room, which was pleasantly invaded by an Autumn breeze, she opened up Jane’s letter. It was, just as Elizabeth had expected, full of her happiness and her husband’s kindness and love. Jane could barely get the words out to convey to her sister all the new experiences she was enjoying. Marriage, combined with the excitement of London, with its balls and parties and crowded shops, a rush of new places and people—she must have been left breathless by it all. It was almost with relief that Lizzie read that they were to spend a week away at Maidenhead, at the invitation of one of Bingley’s friends.

  Oh Lizzie, I have to confess we are both looking forward to it mainly for the peace and quiet. We have spent so little time alone for we are forever surrounded by kind friends, who will insist on our dining or going out to balls with them. They are all full of compliments and mostly very charming, but I tire of all this and long to curl up on the sofa and dream as we used to . . .

  Elizabeth laughed out loud, since this was exactly what she was doing. She knew just what Jane meant as she read on:

  Dearest Lizzie, do you recall our conversation on the night before our wedding?

  Elizabeth remembered it well. Despite the conviction that they had both made the right decision in accepting two of the most eligible, fine, handsome, young men they were ever likely to meet, there had been a moment of trepidation as the two sisters had embraced before parting that night. That they loved their chosen partners they knew only too well, for they had carried the secret in their hearts over many months. Nor were they in any doubt that they were deeply loved by two men, who had made them the envy of ladies for miles around.