Searching for Pemberley (51 page)

Lady Catherine de Bourgh (Lady Sylvia Desmet)—Mr. Darcy's overbearing aristocratic aunt, who interferes in everyone's affairs. When she learns her nephew is possibly engaged to Elizabeth Bennet, she hops in her carriage and heads for Longbourn with the intention of preventing such an ill-advised proposal.

Col. Fitzwilliam (Col. Alexander Devereaux)—Mr. Darcy's cousin and the younger son of an earl. Elizabeth is mildly attracted to him, but because he must marry a woman of fortune, nothing can come of it.

Charlotte Lucas (Charlotte Ledger)—Lizzy's best friend and a sensible, plain-looking girl who knows she must marry or become a burden to her family. When Lizzy rejects Mr. Collins, he proposes to Charlotte, who recognizes that he is not the most intelligent man in England but one who will be able to provide her with a good home.

George Wickham (George Waggoner)—The son of Old Mr. Darcy's steward, he takes advantage of the old man's affections
to secure enough money to purchase a living in the military, the church, or the law, and immediately squanders it. He attempts to elope with Georgiana, Darcy's much younger sister, because of her fortune. Darcy thought he was rid of Wickham after he had paid him off, but he shows up in Meryton and has a flirtation with Lizzy. When the militia removes to Brighton, he seduces Lydia Bennet, who is visiting with his colonel's wife.

^*
These characters do not appear in Jane Austen's
Pride and Prejudice
.

I would like to thank my aunts, Patricia Lydon, Miriam Rothbauer, and Ann Snyder, as well as Dr. Joseph Lydon, the sage of Minooka, who provided numerous stories that are included in this book. I am also indebted to all of the World War II airmen of the 8th Air Force, who published their memoirs on the Internet, and to all of those who participated in Britain's World War II Oral History Project. You have done history and me a great service.

Mary Lydon Simonsen
has combined her love of history and the novels of Jane Austen in her first novel, which explores universal truths about love and conflict that cross generations and oceans. The author lives in Peoria and Flagstaff, Arizona.

“Wild, bawdy, and utterly enjoyable… Austenites who
enjoy the many continuations of her novels will find much to love
about this wild ride of a sequel.”
—Booklist

Hold on to your bonnets!

Every woman wants to be Elizabeth Bennet Darcy—beautiful, gracious, universally admired, strong, daring, and outspoken—a thoroughly modern woman in crinolines. And every women will fall madly in love with Mr. Darcy—tall, dark and handsome, a nobleman and a heartthrob whose virility is matched only by his utter devotion to his wife…

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£9.99
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“Masterfully aligns Jane Austen's characters, taking us further into their lives and intrigue. Linda Berdoll, I am in awe…The regular Jane Austen community is in an uproar over this scandalous enlightenment.”
—Pop Syndicate

What Readers Say:

“I thoroughly enjoyed this book, once my eyes stopped popping and I readjusted my lower jaw.”

“Shocking and lusty… I loved every minute of it.”

“Lizzy and Darcy like never before!”

“A romance that transcends time.”
—The Romance Studio

Darcy and Elizabeth embark on the journey of a lifetime

Six months into his marriage to Elizabeth Bennet, Darcy is still head over heels in love, and each day offers more opportunities to surprise and delight his beloved bride. Elizabeth has adapted to being the Mistress of Pemberley, charming everyone she meets and handling her duties with grace and poise. Just when it seems life can't get any better, Elizabeth gets the most wonderful news. The lovers leave the serenity of Pemberley, traveling through the sumptuous landscape of Regency England, experiencing the lavish sights, sounds, and tastes around them. With each day come new discoveries as they become further entwined, body and soul.

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What readers are saying:

“Darcy's passion for love and life with Lizzy is brought to the forefront and captured beautifully.”

“Sharon Lathan is a wonderful writer… I believe that Jane Austen herself would love this story as much as I did.”

“The historical backdrop of the book is unbelievable—I actually felt like I could see all the places where the Darcys traveled.”

“Truly captures the heart of Darcy & Elizabeth! Very well written and totally hot!”

“Highly entertaining… I felt fully immersed in the time period.
Well done!”
—Romance Reader at Heart

A fascinating portrait of a timeless, consuming love

It's Darcy and Elizabeth's wedding day, and the journey is just beginning as Jane Austen's beloved
Pride and Prejudice
characters embark on the greatest adventure of all: marriage and a life together filled with surprising passion, tender self-discovery, and the simple joys of every day.

As their love story unfolds in this most romantic of Jane Austen sequels, Darcy and Elizabeth each reveal to the other how their relationship blossomed from misunderstanding to perfect understanding and harmony, and a marriage filled with romance, sensuality and the beauty of a deep, abiding love.

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What readers are saying:

“This journey is truly amazing.”

“What a wonderful beginning to this truly beautiful marriage.”

“Could not stop reading.”

“So beautifully written…making me feel as though I was in the room with Lizzy and Darcy…and sharing in all of the touching moments between.”

“A gift to a new generation of Darcy fans
and a treat for existing fans as well.” —AUSTENBLOG

The only place Darcy could share his innermost feelings…

…was in the private pages of his diary. Torn between his sense of duty to his family name and his growing passion for Elizabeth Bennet, all he can do is struggle not to fall in love. A skillful and graceful imagining of the hero's point of view in one of the most beloved and enduring love stories of all time.