Then they all see the plume of smoke rising from the house in the distance. Darcy ride up and greet them, a stable boy from Longbourn rides up with the news that Longbourn is on fire. While they are talking, shortly after Mr. The Bennet sisters, all but Mary, walk with him into Meryton, and Collins already seems to be claiming Elizabeth for himself, which irritates her. In this variation her carelessness touches off the initial twist in the story, which changes many characters' lives quite a lot, including her own. One reason I love this Pride and Prejudice variation is that it provides a character arc for Lydia, who seems to me to just be high spirited, young, and spoiled, even a bit naive. There is an epilogue, which I always enjoy. I have perhaps given too many hints about the threads in this story but there is so much more going on that you really need to read it for yourself. That plan is almost disastrous! Not only to Lydia but to several others. And she takes steps trying to earn her way back into favor.

She also learns quickly that the family cannot afford new wardrobes to replace what was lost in the fire. First, I must say that as the family decides she was responsible for the fire she is now Mrs. Obviously, Darcy now is looked upon with much more respect by the Bennets and the entire community.īingley shows some backbone and Caroline reaps well-earned consequences. Fortunately, there is the summer kitchen which is detached from the main house, so they are able to have food prepared to sustain them. Bennet and the other three sisters stay at Longbourn trying to organize and restock the household. Darcy hears the shouts for help and becomes a hero as he not only rushes to aid but also organizes the bucket line and directs the wetting down of walls and the removal of paintings and artifacts, etc.īingley offers Netherfield's unused hunting lodge as a residence into which Mary, Kitty and Mrs. Bennet's entire library with its books is lost, also.Īs the blaze erupts one of Longbourn's men is sent into Meryton to recruit help to quench the fire. Both of the latter are saved due to Mary's heroics although she and her mother are seriously injured. This after not only having an entire wing of Longbourn burn down but also almost losing his wife and Mary in the blaze. Bennet is shocked into making an about-face in his behaviors.

I think one of my favorite events is that Mr. We are then given several chapters from Peacocks of Pemberley. This story ended at 92% on my Kindle and at 93% on my Kindle app on my computer.

Longbourn book