Mr. and Mrs. Darcy are beginning their married life, and could not be happier. Life, however, must progress, and with progression comes obstacles. No Happily Ever After is ever met with ease, if even such a thing exists. Told from the viewpoint of several of Jane Austen’s beloved characters is a story about the start of a marriage from wedding day, the devotion of an unconventional couple equal … couple equal in mind (and obstinacy), the maturing of a shy debutante, the evolving of a gallant soldier, the ambition of an envious upstart, and the trials of a simple clergyman’s wife. Along with the reappearance of familiar characters both adored and despised, new characters are introduced, and new problems arise—and all within the first eight months!
After inadvertently committing yet another social faux pas, Darcy must now prove to Society and his noble relations what he had managed to prove to Elizabeth: That he is a better man for knowing her, and that his wife was, indeed, “worth the earning.”
The new Mrs. Darcy, meanwhile, must ingratiate herself to the Society who should rather spurn or pre-judge her.
Georgiana Darcy must emerge from her shell to be presented in the year following the traumatic experience that nearly ruined her.
Colonel Fitzwilliam must step outside his comfort zone, rebel against his father’s wishes and proceed down a path more self-fulfilling, but less safe.
Charlotte Collins must bear daily the directness of an embittered Lady Catherine DeBourgh and the growing isolation of her “sickly” daughter, Anne—not to mention the inanity of a ridiculous husband she barely respects…
And Caroline Bingley must show herself superior to the despised Eliza Bennet Darcy by ensnaring a suitor to rival Mr. Darcy. Be careful what you wish for…
“Progression” is about family, as well as love, passion, fear, courage, integrity, single-minded resolve, and other human qualities that can either make or mar one’s future happiness.
This is the first volume of two.
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“Without contraries is no progression. Attraction and repulsion, reason and energy, love and hate, are necessary to human existence.” –William Blake
Volume 1 of 3: This story started around the time of the double wedding of the Bennet sisters… Jane to Charles Bingley and Elizabeth to Fitzwilliam Darcy. This was a low to medium angst story and for those who like a lot of action [blood, guts, tears and mayhem], sorry… it was sadly lacking. The Rating: MA: mature audience: descriptions of a sexual, sensual nature… yeah, the author took us into the bedroom.
Characterizations: honestly… a bit watered down from canon. Although, I loved the interactions between Darcy and Elizabeth. He was so in love and just so happy to finally have her that his actions of ‘them against the world’ seemed somehow out of place. There was just a note that seemed off and I couldn’t put my finger on it. Just when I would think I had it… it would flit away; however, I liked the story.
Elizabeth successfully maneuvered a tenuous beginning in her relationship with the Matlock side of Darcy’s family. Lady Catherine was adamant in her refusal to accept or acknowledge the marriage of her nephew to anyone other than her daughter Anne. The viscount [Richard’s eldest brother] was a prig and did not hesitate to demonstrate his haughty attitude in regard to Darcy stepping-down in his marriage to the country nobody… um… Elizabeth Bennet. Darcy knew that winning his family would be a hard fight. What he didn’t realize was that in his efforts to protect and shield his new wife… he made several social blunders while they were in London [after the wedding] and he now had to do damage control. Lady Matlock agreed to help Elizabeth establish an appropriate wardrobe for her new station and to introduce her to the ladies of the ton.
Christmas at Pemberley: D&E celebrated Christmas with their relations… all their relations. Yeah, that was a good idea right out of the marriage gate. That invite also included Lydia… Wickham attempted to horn in on the trip and was met in the lane to Pemberley by several burley footmen. Lydia was Lydia… girl… will you ever learn? Mrs. Bennet… this is on your watch and her behavior is your fault. Oh, let’s not forget Mr. Bennet’s part in this debacle. At one point he had a conversation with his three younger daughters. That was interesting.
“Life is a progression of becoming who we are.” –J.R. Rim
This was simply a slow meander down the river of life. We were gently riding along the surface with the currents and would occasionally hit a little rough water. I could feel the tensions building… Caroline had a beau… with a questionable reputation. What would a marquess want with a tradesman’s daughter? That seemed to be the question on everyone’s mind. Caroline just wanted to marry or step-up above the Darcy’s. She didn’t care otherwise. He had a title and that was all she cared about. Bingley and Darcy were doing a bit of investigating the marquess when the story ended.
“Becoming a father is the natural progression and the next stage after marriage. So the thought of becoming a father is itself an incredible feeling!” –Allu Arjun
Mild cliffhanger… Elizabeth isn’t feeling well. What could it be? They have arrived in London and Georgiana was presented at court. In order to catch a rake… you have to use a rake. Darcy has send a letter to an enemy [scum-bag-you-know-who] trying to coerce him into helping him find out information about Caroline’s beau. He is doing this for Bingley. Yeah, keep telling yourself that Darcy… let’s see how that works for you. On to Vol. 2.