Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One (Mr & Mrs Fitzwilliam Darcy)

288 Pages·2009·1.57 MB·English

by  Sharon Lathan

Two Shall Become One ~

Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy

A Novel by

Sharon Lathan

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Copyright © 2006 Sharon Lathan Cover and internal design (c)
2007 by Dixiepress Back cover photo of Chatsworth House © 2006
Vera Stojcevski Sourcebooks and the colophon are registered
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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, Inc. P.O. Box 4410, Naperville,
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www.sourcebooks.com www.austenfans.com

ISBN-13: 978-1-4022-2033-3
ISBN-10: 1-4022-2033-2
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A Message from the Author

Over Thanksgiving weekend of 2005 I entered a movie theater with my
best girlfriend and teenage daughter to watch “Pride & Prejudice” starring Kiera
Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. My only expectation was to enjoy a sappy
chick flick with two of my dearest women friends. I had never read the classic
novel by Jane Austen, nor had I seen any of the previous adaptations. To my
stunned amazement I walked out of that theater not only sporting a heart
swelling with romantic sentiment and warm fuzzy feelings running amok, but I
would soon embark on a pathway that would change my life. Within two
months I had joined the rank of fan fiction writers from all over the world who
have adored this timeless tale of true love. I have since read the novel and seen
a few of the previous adaptations, but my heart remains squarely enamored with
the recent movie and the incredible actors and actresses who brought these
delightful characters to life.
My personal quest was to delve realistically into the Regency world of
early 1800’s England while exploring the aftermath and future of the Darcys. It
began as a lark, but in true Mr. Darcy form I was well into the middle of it
before I recognized what I had begun. Quite before I turned around I had my
own website and was reaching the one year anniversary of their wedding with
fifty plus chapters under my belt! Yes, it is an obsession!
What I have striven to recount is a marriage in its purest embodiment.
A union based on commitment, equality, passion, friendship, honesty, love, and
all the rest. I wanted to answer the timeless questions regarding happily ever
after and how two individual people meld into one soul. Along the way there is
humor, drama, friends, family, and life events to experience with the lovers.
This first novel deals with the initial days into weeks, ending with five
months of wedded bliss as the family prepares for the season in London. God
willing I will soon publish the following portions of the saga.
There are literally hundreds of people I could thank for making this
adventure a reality. Naturally Miss Austen for creating these characters, and
Deborah Moggach for her fabulous screenplay adaptation and Joe Wright for
directing so brilliantly. Personally I thank my own Mr. Darcy for supporting me
in this little hobby and my two fantastic kids for being so patient when mom
was lost at the laptop! Last, but definitely not least, I thank the plethora of
readers from my website who have endured, inspired, and encouraged me every
step of the way. You have made me believe in myself and I absolutely do not
have the words to convey the depth of my appreciation. I love you all!
Thank you for taking this journey with me. The Darcys thank you as
well! Now, find a comfortable chair, brew a cup of Earl Grey, nibble on some
chocolate, and enjoy the romance!
Welcome to Pemberley.
Sincerely, Sharon Lathan

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“Pride & Prejudice” Synopsis

Set in the pastoral landscape of Hertfordshire, England, in the
small village of Meryton, two wealthy gentlemen arrive to upset the
environment and unwittingly change the lives of two young ladies
forever. It is autumn and Mr. Charles Bingley, with his sister Caroline,
lets Netherfield Park. Accompanying him is his dear friend Mr.
Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire. Word rapidly spreads
throughout the quiet community reaching the eager ears of Mrs. Bennet.
She is the mother of five marriage aged daughters so the prospect of
matrimony to a wealthy man is highly exalted.
Paths cross initially at an Assembly dance. Sparks of a positive
nature fly between the eldest Bennet, Jane, and Mr. Bingley. Sparks of a
negative bent fly between the stoic, haughty Mr. Darcy and the vivacious
second Bennet daughter, Lizzy. Further encounters occur, including an
extended stay at Netherfield when Jane falls ill while visiting and Lizzy
arrives to nurse her. Mr. Darcy and Lizzy misunderstand each other
profoundly, their conversations frequently bordering on arguments as she
challenges his ideals and he is mesmerized by her intelligence and wit.
Mr. Darcy is rapidly falling in love with the unsuitable country lass who is
absolutely perfect for him, while Lizzy increases her dislike of the shyly
reserved man with poor social skills that she totally misinterprets as
arrogant disdain. As the title suggests, mutual pride and prejudices flair
and neither are able to overcome their natures and societal proprieties.
Entering the mix is Mr. Wickham, a charming soldier who has a
mysterious history with Mr. Darcy, the two clearly despising each other.
Lizzy foolishly believes Mr. Wickham’s version of events, adding his
malicious commentary of Mr. Darcy to her reasons for disliking him.
Attraction is felt by both during the ball at Netherfield, but
tempers emerge when Lizzy challenges Mr. Darcy’s presumed rudeness
and flawed character. Mr. Darcy is merely puzzled and frightened of his
feelings.
Through well meaning but erroneous input by Mr. Darcy, Mr.
Bingley departs Netherfield, both men abandoning the women they love.
Jane is heartbroken and departs to London for a visit with her Aunt and
Uncle Gardiner to cheer her spirits and hopefully reestablish
communication with Mr. Bingley, who lives there.
Lizzy’s dear friend Charlotte marries Mr. Collins, a distant cousin
of the Bennets and also the heir to the Longbourn estate. Previously
refused by Lizzy, the Reverend Collins chooses Charlotte instead, to Mrs.
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Bennet’s severe dismay! Come Spring a bored Lizzy travels to Kent
where Charlotte now resides. Unbeknownst to her, Rev. Collins’s
patroness is Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who is aunt to Mr. Darcy!
Mr. Darcy’s presence, with his cousin Col. Fitzwilliam, is a
planned event on his part. Months away have only clarified his love for
Lizzy and upon hearing that she was visiting, innocently informed by his
Aunt, Mr. Darcy hastens to Rosings Park.
Lizzy is less then pleased to see Mr. Darcy. When he nervously
attempts to express his awkwardness around strangers, she flippantly tells
him to ‘practice.’ When he tries to do just that, by bursting in on Lizzy
one afternoon, he fumbles and makes a fool of himself, exiting as
abruptly as he entered.
Col. Fitzwilliam naively tells Lizzy of Darcy’s interference with
Mr. Bingley and Jane, having no clue that the woman in question is her
sister. Her hatred of Mr. Darcy escalates.
He, however, is unaware of the nature of her sentiments,
arrogantly believing that any young lady would be thrilled at an offer of
marriage to such a wealthy and prestigious man. When his proposal is
extended, haltingly and offensively, he is stunned when she refuses. He is
additionally shocked and wounded when she accuses him of maliciously
thwarting her sister’s relationship with Mr. Bingley and egregiously
causing the suffering of Mr. Wickham. They argue heatedly, rain pouring
without as torrential emotions flash.
Mr. Darcy writes a letter explaining everything. Mr. Wickham is a
scoundrel long known to his family, who betrayed the memory of Mr.
Darcy’s father and seduced his fifteen year old sister. Only a timely
intervention by Mr. Darcy saved her from a disastrous elopement with
Mr. Wickham, who only wanted her inheritance and to harm Darcy. As
for Mr. Bingley and Jane, he confesses that his motives were purely to
protect a dear friend from pursuing a relationship with Jane, whose
natural reserve translated as lack of interest. With a broken heart, he
leaves Kent and Lizzy.
Lizzy returns to Longbourn quite depressed and rethinking many
of her previous perceptions. Jane eventually returns from London with
her Aunt and Uncle while the youngest Bennet daughter, Lydia, prepares
to journey to Brighton with friends of the family. Jane never did see Mr.
Bingley and although she pretends indifference, it is clear to Lizzy that
she still is in love with him.
To cheer a gloomy Lizzy, the Gardiners ask her to join them on a
trip to the Peak District of Derbyshire. It is late summer when they enter
Lambton, the village nearest to Pemberley! Assured that Mr. Darcy is
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away, Lizzy nonetheless is nervous to enter his home, but her Aunt and
Uncle wish to tour the famous Manor house. After months of musing on
all their previous conversations, his declarations of ardent love, and the
truths in his letter, Lizzy’s feelings are no longer negative. Touring his
grand estate and listening to the stellar accolades about the Master of
Pemberley by his devoted Housekeeper Mrs. Reynolds, leave Lizzy’s
emotions in a whirl.
Lizzy is no less staggered then Mr. Darcy when he returns from
London early to discover the woman he still desperately loves in his
home. Although he has no reason to hope her feelings have changed, he
determines to accept the encounter as fated so invites the Gardiners and
Lizzy to dine with him and his sister Georgiana the following day.
Hesitant affection and friendship grows as Lizzy observes Mr.
Darcy in the familiar comfort of his home. She is treated to a side of him
not witnessed previously. Sadly, any advancing of their courtship is
shattered upon receiving a letter from Jane. Flighty Lydia has
scandalously run off with Mr. Wickham!
Mr. Darcy is stricken and Lizzy is devastated. Obviously mutually
distressed, they part. Yet again their relationship seems doomed. Lizzy
rushes home to Longbourn to comfort her distraught mother while Mr.
Bennet and Mr. Gardiner search for Lydia. Everyone is relieved when
Lydia is safely found and Mr. Wickham agrees to marry her, for a modest
dowry, saving all the girls from a ruined reputation. When the newly
married couple visit Longbourn Lydia accidentally lets it slip that it was in
fact Mr. Darcy who hunted them down in London and paid for the
wedding, Wickham’s commission, and ensured the scandal was
minimized. Lizzy is astounded.
Almost a year since the first appearance of Mr. Bingley to
Netherfield, rumor circulates that he has returned. Jane feigns unconcern,
but Lizzy knows better. One day he shows up at the door, surprising
everyone, with Mr. Darcy in tow! It is an awkward moment, neither Lizzy
nor Mr. Darcy able to talk privately and each unsure of what the other’s
thoughts or feelings are. So much has occurred between them and
although plainly deeply in love, they are afraid to leap to conclusions.
Besides, the focus is on Jane, who is finally proposed to by Mr. Bingley.
Naturally she says yes!
Lizzy is thrilled for her sister, but saddened by what appears to be
am impossible situation with the man she now fully admits she is in love
with. Darcy again departs from the woman he loves, filled with despair.
The evening’s celebratory atmosphere is interrupted by a sudden
visit from Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who demands to speak to Lizzy.
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Via the Collins grapevine, rumor has reached her that Mr. Darcy
proposed to Lizzy. She claims that Mr. Darcy is engaged to her daughter,
a claim Lizzy does not believe for a second as she now knows him to be
an honorable man who would never propose to her if promised to
another. A harsh scene ensues with Lady Catherine insisting that Lizzy
promise she will never become engaged to Mr. Darcy. Lizzy
refuses to make such a promise.
Emotions in turmoil, Lizzy is unable to sleep and rises at dawn to
walk across the misty moor. Gasping in amazement she sees Mr. Darcy
striding toward her, he too unable to sleep, and his feet draw him toward
where his heart lies. His Aunt’s conversation with Lizzy, angrily related to
him, restores his hope. Lizzy’s bold refusal to submit to his overbearing
Aunt is an optimistic glimmer that perhaps her feelings toward him have
changed. With complete humility he reasserts his love for her, claiming
that she has, “bewitched me body and soul,” and states that he never
wants to be parted from her from that day on. As the sun rises Lizzy
accepts his proposal. Consent is granted by Mr. Bennet and the last scene
is of the newlyweds together on a Pemberley balcony.
Now read on to learn what happens after the two previously star-
crossed lovers vow to love, honor, and cherish until death do them part.

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Cast of Characters

Fitzwilliam Darcy, Master of Pemberley in Derbyshire: 29 years of age;
born November 10, 1787; parents- James and Lady Anne Darcy, both
deceased; married Elizabeth Bennet on November 28, 1816

Elizabeth Darcy, Mistress of Pemberley: 21 years of age; born May 28,
1795; second Bennet daughter

Georgiana Darcy: 17 years of age; guardianship shared by her brother and
cousin, Col. Fitzwilliam; companion is Mrs. Annesley

Col. Richard Fitzwilliam: 31 years of age; cousin and dear friend to Mr.
Darcy; second son of Lord and Lady Matlock; regiment stationed in
London

Lord Malcolm Fitzwilliam, Earl of Matlock: brother to Lady Anne Darcy;
ancestral estate is Rivallain in Matlock, Derbyshire

Madeline Fitzwilliam, Lady Matlock: wife to Lord Matlock; mother of
Jonathan, Annabella, and Richard

Charles Bingley: 25 years of age; longtime friend of Mr. Darcy; currently
resides at Netherfield Hall in Hertfordshire

Jane Bingley: elder sister of Elizabeth; wife of Mr. Bingley; oldest Bennet
daughter

Mr. and Mrs. Bennet: Elizabeth’s parents; reside at Longbourn in
Hertfordshire with two middle daughters, Mary and Kitty

Edward and Violet Gardiner: uncle and aunt of Elizabeth; reside in
Cheapside, London

Stephen Lathrop: Cambridge friend of Mr. Darcy; resides at Stonecrest Hall
in Leicestershire; wife is Amelia

Henry Vernor: family friend of the Darcys; residence is Sanburl Hall near
Lambton, Derbyshire; wife is Mary, daughter is Bertha

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