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Expectations
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Expectations
A Sequel Inspired by Pride And Prejudice
Samantha Adkins
Expectations
Samantha Adkins
Copyright © 2018 (as revised) Samantha Adkins
City Lights Press
An Imprint of Wolfpack Publishing
6032 Wheat Penny Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89122
This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events, places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, other than brief quotes for reviews.
ISBN: 978-1-64119-172-2
Contents
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Untitled
Untitled
Volume 1
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Volume 2
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Volume 3
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Works Cited for Expectations
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A Look at Suspiciously Reserved
About The Author
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“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a married man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a son.” So begins “Expectations” by Samantha Adkins, a sequel to the timeless romance of “Pride & Prejudice”. Many have wondered if Darcy and Elizabeth would find a way to a happily ever after with a traditional family as well. The answer here comes in an unexpected way, along a circuitous route that leaves the reader guessing… and turning pages.
—Katie O’Connor Kenig, The Newsy Neighbor, Nov. 2009
“The first chapter does a very good job of imitating the writing style of Jane Austen. . . I found this story to be a very pleasant read.”
—Linda Waldemar – Republic of Pemberley, Dec. 9’ 09
For Jen, the penultimate P&P fan. Happy 29th birthday!
Love, Sam
‘But here, by my carrying with me one ceaseless source of regret. . . I may reasonably hope to have all my expectations of pleasure realized. A scheme of which every part promises delight, can never be successful; and general disappointment is only warded off by the defence of some little peculiar vexation.’ Elizabeth Bennet, Pride and Prejudice Vol. II, Chap XIX
Volume One
Chapter 1
June 1813
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a married man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a son.
This truth is so well known, that all families related to the man consider his heir to be their rightful descendent and all of his neighbours await the new arrival.
“My dear Mr. Bennet,” said his lady to him one day. “Have you not considered that it is six months since our two eldest were married?”
“Why should I consider this?” replied Mr. Bennet, though he daily remembered the wit and sense they brought to his otherwise foolish household.
“But it is so. I have thought of little else since their nuptials. How can you not have?”
“I leave such consideration up to you, my dear. Why should I squander my time on matters which occupy all of yours?”
“Well, my dear, you must reflect upon the fact we have had no word from either girl since her wedding day.”
“Now there, I have caught you in an untruth, for I see a pile of no less than five letters from each daughter upon your writing table.”
“Mr. Bennet, pity my nerves with your tiresome responses.”
“My dear, I could hardly pity the nerves you use to trump every conversation.”
Mrs. Bennet carried on, ignoring Mr. Bennet.
“Mr. Bennet, you must know, both Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley are men of large fortunes. Why just the other day, Mrs. Long mentioned such large fortunes must be insured by the acquisition of an heir.”
Here Mrs. Bennet’s voice dropped, uncharacteristically.
“You know I never tell a falsehood, I was only trying to be delicate in the presence of our two unmarried daughters.”
“What did you say Mrs. Bennet? I can hardly hear you at so moderate a decibel.”
Mrs. Bennet made an utterance of exasperation and raised her voice to its regular volume.
“I said, Mr. Bennet, I was trying to be delicate in the presence of our two unmarried daughters. I should not wish to startle them with talk of producing an heir.”
“Now, Mrs. Bennet, do you not think you should lower your voice when speaking of such subjects?” Mr. Bennet admonished with a barely repressed twinkle. “Especially when our unmarried daughters might overhear you.”
At this, Kitty coughed and Mary flipped quickly though her latest book. Mrs. Bennet, so used to Mr. Bennet’s daily exasperations, continued on her quest.
“If you were only to visit our neighbours more frequently and inquire upon the visitations of their young men, perhaps our younger daughters would be married by now rather than being present to overhear my indelicate remarks.”
“Heaven help us, Mrs. Bennet, for then who would save me from such indelicate remarks?”
“What I propose, Mr. Bennet, is a letter from you to our eldest daughters encouraging them in the matter I earlier mentioned.”
Mr. Bennet had been pushed beyond his ability to banter and flew into a strong, though entirely brief, rage.
“My dear, surely you jest! How do you suppose such a letter would look?” Mr. Bennet’s face had taken on a hint of rouge at his lady’s impropriety.
“Of course, you would not come right out and say what I mean, only hint at the importance of subservience and attention to their husbands.”
Mr. Bennet returned once more to his sarcasm and humour.
“I fear, my dear, they would not know of which I wrote. From where did our girls ever observe such qualities in this home?” At this, Mr. Bennet turned from the room and was not to be seen for the remainder of the afternoon.
“Really Kitty, do control that cough. You are ruining my nerves.”
Mrs. Bennet breathed quickly while Kitty tried to apologize and return her mother to equilibrium. Mary, knowing her own attentions would only be ignored, turned another page in her endless book.
> Chapter 2
Pemberley was indeed very fine. Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy marveled at her good fortune and no more so than when she gazed upon her husband, whom she fondly referred to as Darcy. Georgiana proved as good a sister as any of Elizabeth’s natural sisters, excepting Jane who was now become Mrs. Bingley. Of course, Georgiana was younger and still unmarried, and could not be expected to be as close to Elizabeth as the sister she had grown up with. She missed Jane keenly and wrote to her often.
Pemberley
18th June
Dearest Jane,
My sister, can it be only six months since we saw one another last? I miss you Jane, more than I ever thought. Darcy is the world to me now and Georgiana is lovely, but no one could take your place. Being married is such a transition, would you not agree? I cannot explain myself so well to Darcy as I can to you and many things are not appropriate for so fine a young lady as Georgiana.
Darcy still will not agree to have her out. He is quite paralyzed by her former misfortune over Wickham. Oh, I hope you would not show this to Lydia. Does she continue to visit you, sister? You must refuse her constant requests. Darcy remains firm on that matter. She may stay no more than a fortnight and never with her husband. She should learn to get on herself, now that she is a married woman and so sure of herself, as you say. Do not pity her, Jane, for I know she has no pity for anyone but herself.
I have had the strangest letter from father, whom you know never writes. Have you a similar note? No more than a paragraph extolling the virtues of the subservient wife. And then he ends it with ‘Never mind, Lizzy. You know your mother.’ What is he getting at, I wonder? I thought you might know as you are nearer by.
My husband calls and to please father I will end and go be the ‘subservient wife’ for at least a moment. My affection to you and yours,
Lizzy
“Darcy I am so pleased you called,” said Elizabeth soon after.
“Really dear? I detect some irritation in your voice.”
“Forgive me, darling, I was only trying to explain something to Jane in a letter.”
“Please do not allow me to disturb you, then. I can wait.”
“Now Darcy, is that any way to manage your wife?”
“Elizabeth, I would hardly dare try such a thing with you.” A moment of quiet affection passed and a giggle or two escaped Elizabeth’s sitting room.
“In that case, I beg you to join me in the parlour. We have visitors,” said Darcy.
“I saw no carriage from my window,” Elizabeth gazed outside as she spoke.
“Come, Lizzy, you will want to see this.”
Elizabeth followed her husband, hoping to tempt the information from him, but his lifetime of reserve kept him from revelation. They were certainly a handsome couple and often sought by neighbours as good company at a ball or dinner. Only Mr. Darcy’s aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh refused to call upon them. She had written a letter which greatly insulted her nephew’s choice of spouse and called upon every means possible to entice him to uphold the marriage contract made by Lady Catherine and Darcy’s mother for their children to wed. Darcy was completely indignant and demanded they should never see her again. Elizabeth hoped, for the sake of her friendship with Mrs. Collins, that the relationship might someday be repaired. Mrs. Collins was a friend from Elizabeths girlhood who had married the vicar employed by Lady Catherine. Her husband, Mr. Collins, was most attentive to Lady Catherine and would never dare incur the wrath of his patroness by any act of disobedience.
Pemberley boasted a most agreeable front parlour and the sun shone prettily through the windows as Elizabeth entered on the arm of her husband.
“Jane!” Elizabeth ran to the side of her eldest sister and embraced her for so long the men began to clear their throats.
“The surprise was well planned then,” interrupted Darcy at last. Elizabeth tore herself from her dear sister and attempted to resume her good manners.
“Mr. Bingley, we meet again at long last. Now let us sit together and tell me everything that was done to make this surprise so well. Georgiana, come sit with us and hear the tale.” Georgiana was always mindful of her place as younger sister and sat to the corner, endeavoring not to be a nuisance. As both Mrs. Bingley and Mr. Darcy were reticent in their public speech, Mr. Bingley took up the story.
“We have Darcy to thank for the surprise, sister. He wanted to celebrate the six month date of our wedding celebrations between us all. Jane thought it might be dishonest and worried about leaving the Wickhams’ alone at Netherfield, but the Wickhams’ departed in time and Darcy insisted and made such a game of it that we could not resist.”
“If you only knew the troubles I took not to mention the event in my letters.” Jane interjected.
“My sister, you are blushing. I have only known you to blush when you first began to love Mr. Bingley,” Elizabeth noted.
“Truly, I do not.” Jane touched her cheeks and blushed further. Mr. Bingley touched her cheeks with affection and laughed softly.
“I fear we cannot hide a thing from you, sister. Perhaps you and Jane would like a moment while Darcy and I inspect the grounds. It has been awhile since I last saw Pemberley.”
The two men took their leave allowing the sisters a chance to embrace once more. Both Jane and Elizabeth thought their husbands very fine as they stood in their youth and strength to exit the room. Jane glanced quickly at Georgiana and Elizabeth noticed her hesitation.
“Georgiana, would you mind fetching the letter from my sitting room desk? Then come back so we can all get to know one another better.”
Georgiana, ever dutiful, followed the wishes of her sister-in-law, though she wondered why a maid had not been sent for.
“Now sister, we have a moment to ourselves, what is your news?”
“I think, Lizzy, you have already guessed, but I shall humour you. Bingley and I are to have a child.”
“Oh, sister! I had hoped, but dared not say it. Congratulations!” Again, the sisters embraced and their joy echoed in the room.
“The baby will be born around Christmas, I think. Oh, Lizzy, what will I do?”
“You shall be the finest mother in England, Jane. Your good temper and caring nature can only overflow to your children. Have you been very ill?”
“Only for a few weeks. I wondered if this trip was wise, but I have been well for a fortnight.”
“I am glad, Jane. I only wish I had some news for you, but never mind, here comes Georgiana.”
Georgiana presented the letter to Elizabeth and resumed her needlepoint in the corner. Lizzy and Jane found it difficult to change their conversation, but felt it imprudent to continue around an unmarried woman.
“Tell me, Georgiana, do you still find time for your pianoforte?” Jane inquired.
“I do. My brother and sister insist on my playing almost every evening.”
“I am glad, for I have never heard you myself.”
“Oh, Georgiana, do play us something now. Just for the two of us? It would be the perfect way to mark my sister’s first visit.” Georgiana, seeking to please, smiled at her dear sister-in-law’s request. This gave the sisters a while longer to discuss the upcoming changes in their lives.
Chapter 3
Due to the previous relations between Mr. George Wickham and Miss Georgiana Darcy, Mr. Darcy was most cautious of her company. She only went out with a chaperone, usually Mr. or Mrs. Darcy or a hired man. While she was very glad for the addition of Elizabeth to her life and the ability to walk or visit in her company, she could not help but wish for a sister nearer her age. Of course, this was impossible as her parents were gone, but Georgiana occasionally gave in to wistfulness. She was coming on eighteen and began to worry about her future connections. Elizabeth guessed these unspoken wishes and worked to provide Georgiana with the company she deserved. The arrival of her sister and brother-in-law produced another reason for entertainment.
“Darcy, let us host a ball,” began Elizabeth at breakfast th
e morning after the Bingley’s arrival.
“My dear, is your sister not company enough?”
“Of course, but it is a good reason for me to meet the neighbourhood and I think your sister might enjoy the entertainment. She cannot be completely satisfied with only us old married women around all day.”
“She has the Miss Lawsons,” said Mr. Darcy who still favoured a small gathering to a large one.
“Yes, but young women need more than two friends. Come Darcy, it would be such fun.”
“Will I ever be able to say no to you, my wife?”
“Let us hope not.” Elizabeth began plans immediately and was glad to try her hand at running the house.
Jane, Elizabeth and Georgiana spent the rest of the day in planning. First was the party list, for which Georgiana’s advice was most helpful. In six months, Elizabeth had begun to know her new society, but was far from meeting all the people who must be invited.