"Now the mother of a son and daughter, Elizabeth Bennet Darcy struggles with communication with her husband concerning their children and their own relationship. At the same time Elizabeth must deal with all the guests at Pemberly who are there for the marriage of Darcy's cousin Col. Fitzwilliam to Lady Sophia, a rather base farm girl.
During the marriage ceremony, Elizabeth is embarrassed by attention from Mr. Gresham, the son of the estate manager who is in love with her. Mr. Darcy is suddenly called away to London as their son and heir to Pemberly, Edward, has left school at Eton and gambled away some of the family property in Wales. Meanwhile, Elizabeth's mother Mrs. Bennet has been notified of a Lady Harcourt in London who invites her to a wedding. Mrs. Bennet is horrified to discover that Lady Harcourt is the owner of a gambling house, and the wedding that takes place marries Edward Darcy and a woman with an undesirable background.
After Elizabeth has been informed by Darcy that Edward is safe and the land in Wales has been recovered, she is shocked to learn from Col. Fitzwilliam and his new wife that Edward has been disinherited by his father. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth quarrel, and Mr. Darcy insults her. Elizabeth is further appalled by Mr. Roper, future heir to Pemberly, who requests Elizabeth's blessing on his proposal to her daughter Miranda.
In all this, Elizabeth has again become estranged from her husband and bitterly disappointed in her life. When her sister Jane's husband Bingley finds her wandering in the village and escorts her back to Pemberly, Elizabeth talks with Jane about all that has happened. Darcy returns and asks for her forgiveness, informing her that Edward will not be disinherited and that Miranda, who is not going to marry Mr. Roper, will become the new estate manager of Pemberly.
"
Megan E. Davis, Resident Scholar
|
