Desire and Duty: A Sequel to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

by Ted Bader

  A Sequel to Jane Austen’s

  Pride and Prejudice

  Ted and Marilyn Bader

  Desire

  and

  Duty

  © Copyright 1997 by Revive Publishing

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  Lakewood, CO USA 80215

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  Authors: Ted and Marilyn Bader

  Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 96-92575

  ISBN: 0-9654299-0-3

  No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or

  means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,

  microfilming, recording or otherwise, without written

  permission from the publisher.

  This book is dedicated to our parents:

  Dean and Geraldine Bader

  and

  Edgar and Muriel Taylor

  who first taught us about love and loyalty.

  FOREWORD

  In 1850, Catherine Hubback, a niece of Jane Austen, published a continuation of her aunt’s unfinished novel, The Watsons, thus launching the enterprise to which another niece, Anna Lefroy, a great grandniece, Edith Brown, and a great-great-great niece, Joan Austen-Leigh, at varying intervals gave further impetus with pastiches of Sandition, Mansfield Park, Emma, and yet again, The Watsons. As early as 1890, however, without benefit of kinship, Andrew Lang made a brief foray into this family demesne. Predictably his audacity emboldened others to venture incursions of their own. Most audacious, at the outset, was Sybil Brinton who, in 1913, thrust into print a novel of near epic scale (as such productions went), in which she found roles for every character of major consequence met with in the six major Austen novels.

  In 1975 the bicentennial of Jane Austen’s birth was celebrated throughout the civilized world. Even the hidebound British postal service, accustomed to reserving its homage for monarchs, put tradition aside to issue a set of Austen stamps, a gesture which gratified philatelists recognized as long-overdue, appropriate response to a query first propounded in 1909, by William H. Helm: “We call one unwedded queen ‘Elizabeth’! Why should we not call another ‘Jane’?”

  The Austen bicentennial ushered in, as well, an upsurge of Austen scholarship that has seen, newly published, in the ensuing score of years, more than 2,500 books and articles on Jane Austen and her works. Prominent among these publications are more than two dozen continuations of the novels. In themselves these attest to the soundness of E. M. Forster’s shrewd assessment of Jane Austen’s work: “Her novels are microcosms of humanity because they are ready for an ‘extended life.’” In 1975 itself Marie Dobbs (modestly identifying herself merely as “Another Lady”), set the standard with her best-selling continuation of Sandition, the novel that Jane Austen was writing when, at forty-one, illness told her that the time had come for her to cease her earthly labors.

  It is in the context of this legion of continuations of the novels of “the divine Jane” (to use William Dean Howells inspired phrase), especially of those that have undertaken to carry on Pride and Prejudice, E. Barrington, Bonnavia-Hunt, T. E. White, Emma Tennant, and Julia Barrett, that we come to consider Desire and Duty. To extend Pride and Prejudice is, of itself, an audacious undertaking. The labor of many years, Austen spared no effort to bring it to a state of perfection. She left The Watsons, and Sandition unfinished. At the end she held back Persuasion and Northanger Abbey. They, too, she thought, fell short of completion. Here then, there was ample reason for continuators to come forward. Fortunately, Jane Austen opened the way for others to extend her other novels, too, if they chose to do so. Her closures never were hermetically sealed. Even after a manuscript passed into print her characters continued to live in her mind. Sometimes, to those around her, she spoke of the subsequent history of Kitty and Mary Bennet, Mr. Woodhouse, Jane Fairfax. Here the aspiring continuator finds authorization to pick up the thread of the narrative. To do that, of course calls not only for audacity but for a sure grasp of Jane Austen’s mind and art.

  “A full appreciation of the genius of Jane Austen,” Montagu Summer tells us, “is the nicest touchstone of literary taste.” Many think they have arrived at such a state, some, perhaps, because, as Katherine Mansfield observed, Jane Austen has a way of making every reader feel she is a personal friend. But consider another point Summer makes: “Jane Austen, Jane Austen and life, which of you two copies the other?” Here, indeed, are keenness of intellect, wit, and judgement needed copiously to hold one’s place in Jane Austen’s company.

  To take intimacy with the mind of Jane Austen for granted approaches hubris. To presume intimacy with the full workings of the minds of Elizabeth and Darcy is scarcely less formidable. No reasonable continuator would consider doing it save for brief exchanges. But it is not intrusive to dwell on the welfare of those who hitherto have been an essential part of Darcy’s entourage and, in the natural order of things, would continue to be so. Most especially is it desirable that the fabric of that world be consistent with the moral tone of what has gone before, manners not excepted.

  The Baders, Ted and Marilyn, bring to Desire and Duty an intimate knowledge of the society that made Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, Wickham and his Lydia, and even Lady Catherine and her Mr. Collins, possible. No rent sunders that fabric as the Baders’ extended narrative brings us again into the presence of Jane Austen’s glorious troupe of Georgian performers. Unlike Dickens they do not make their villain too steep, their heroine irresponsible, their hero moonstruck. Social awareness gives fiber to their narrative as it did Jane Austen’s, but, like Austen, as Archbishop Whately wrote, with commendation, they do not preach but let reason and conscience prevail.

  Here is Georgiana Darcy’s subsequent history laid before us with such skill that we move into the narrative, out of Longbourn into Pemberley, without a ripple of adjustment. The Baders’ sequel to Pride and Prejudice not only extends Jane Austen’s narrative with a grace that promises to endure, for fastidious readers of today, and tomorrow, it will be welcomed as a worthy companion volume to its predecessor--in effect extending the Austen canon itself! by ordinary mortal reckoning, a fair bid to immortality!

  Professor John McAleer, Ph.D.

  Professor of English

  Boston College

  Permanent Fellow, Durham University (England)

  25 December 1996

  (Publishers’ Note: Professor McAleer is probably the world’s foremost authority on Jane Austen. He has been commissioned to prepare a definitive biography of Jane Austen which will be titled Chawton Benefaction. A product of 900 typewritten pages and twelve years of work, this monumental effort should be available in the near future. His last biography on Ralph Waldo Emerson was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.)

  Authors’ Foreword

  The ending of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice begs for another episode. We hope you will enjoy this story as much as we did while writing it. The book is made to stand alone; however, readers will derive more benefit by understanding its predecessor.

  While Pemberley and Westbrook Halls are mythical places, Staley Hall actually exists on the border of Derbyshire. One of the authors, TFB, is a great-grandson of Leah Belle Staley, a descendent of Staley Hall.

  Jane Austen writes from a third person, single viewpoint with occasional omniscient glimpses
for the reader. What this means is that the story is written from the heroine’s perspective, but in the tone of a third person. Occasionally, the reader is told things that the heroine may not know. The basic story line in each of her six novels is that of a young heroine who experiences difficulties and growth in maturity while searching for a husband.

  Many customs of the early nineteenth century are explained in the context of the story. If not, an extensive section of historical notes, subdivided by chapter, exist at the end of the book.

  Ted and Marilyn Bader

  Section One

  December, 1805

  Derbyshire England

  Chapter One

  “Be off with you and finish polishing the brass,” Mrs. Reynolds said firmly to one of the maids. “Master Darcy is finally returning to Pemberley with his bride and I want everything in the household to be perfect for them!” Mrs. Reynolds, the respectable-looking, elderly housekeeper, had known Mr. Darcy from the age of four to his current age of eight and twenty. She and Mr. Reynolds, an equally respectable-looking husband, were in charge of the Pemberley household.

  “Mrs. Reynolds, do you think my brother will be happy with Elizabeth?” asked Miss Darcy.

  “Undoubtably, Ma’am. From the first time I saw Elizabeth here last summer, I thought she was most unusual. Then, with her return a few days later, I saw how much Mr. Darcy regarded her. Since his visits to Longbourn during the courtship, I have seen him smile and heard him humming--actions which are new to him and do him good. I have no doubt she is the perfect woman to make Mr. Darcy happy and to fill Pemberley Hall with laughter.”

  Miss Darcy, age sixteen, waited for her brother and new sister-in-law to arrive by pacing back and forth in front of the large window in the parlor room next to the entrance hall. She was perceived as a tall young woman since she stood five feet and nine inches. Her black hair, put up in ringlets to frame the face, contrasted with the white muslin dress covering her well formed figure.

  “Should they not be here by now?” Miss Darcy queried as she stopped to peer into the early winter twilight for the coach.

  Mrs. Reynolds reassured her, “The carriage must come soon. Mr. Darcy would have sent a messenger if their plans changed.”

  Even though it was only a few weeks to Christmas, and frost was on the ground, a large group of tenants and staff were gathering in the front of the hall in anticipation of the wedded couple’s return. The fragrance of the evergreen boughs festooning the mantels and the warmth of the blazing fires in the entrance hall spilled into the large parlor room creating a cheery atmosphere.

  Shouts and muffled sounds of an approaching carriage were heard. Miss Darcy walked to the front hall, beyond the point where the two large doors were to be opened, so she could be at the head of the welcoming line. Mrs. Reynolds was standing next to Georgiana (Miss Darcy’s given name) and the more important household help lined up in order next to Mrs. Reynolds.

  Mrs. Darcy was first to enter the hall. Miss Darcy saw the red glow on Elizabeth’s face and admired her healthy, beautiful appearance. Slightly shorter than Georgiana, she came to Miss Darcy and hugged her. “I am finally here, Georgiana. How is my dear sister?”

  “I am filled with happiness to see you come to be mistress of Pemberley,” replied Georgiana.

  “I hope you will not be jealous at my assumption of that title,” Elizabeth cautiously ventured.

  “Not at all. I am too young to be mistress of anything. I am quite relieved with your coming,” Georgiana earnestly replied. “Since my mother died, Pemberley has wanted a lively feminine touch. I hope you will bring a special presence to our house.”

  “Thank you. I shall do my best.”

  “The double wedding with your sister Jane and Mr. Bingley was simply lovely. I am sorry to have had so little time with you beforehand.”

  “Yes, and I wanted more time with you, also,” Elizabeth replied. “I have enjoyed your numerous letters, filled with sisterly love.”

  “Your letters have given me much laughter.” Georgiana smiled as she turned part way towards Mrs. Reynolds and said, “Mrs. Darcy, you will remember Mrs. Reynolds.”

  “Indeed I do. I will be forever grateful to you, Mrs. Reynolds, for enlightening me on the true nature of my husband’s character. Your statements of ‘never hearing a cross word from him’, ‘sweetest-tempered, good natured’ and the ‘best landlord and best master’ were instrumental in correcting my prejudicial ideas about him. Certainly, I have found your descriptions of his amiability perfectly correct.”

  “I am glad to be of help to you Ma’am. I will be at your service to begin running the household the way you should want.”

  “Mrs. Reynolds, I shall need your help. I never dreamed of being the mistress of such a large estate and I shall rely heavily on your advice. Pardon me, if I do not respond to the title ‘Mrs. Darcy’ as it is still not familiar to my ears.”

  The line looked towards the door as Mr. Darcy entered. Tall, strongly built, he came through the doorway with a smile on his face. He walked up to Georgiana and embraced her. Somehow Georgiana felt her brother was more complete being married. He certainly was happier. A tear escaped from her eye and landed on his cheek.

  “Sister, what is the tear I feel? Surely you are not unhappy?”

  “Quite the contrary. I am so happy for you and Elizabeth.”

  “I am glad you feel so. I shall not only be a better brother to you, but I have brought home the sister for whom you have always longed.”

  Mr. and Mrs. Darcy proceeded down the line of household help with introductions and acknowledgments.

  Chapter Two

  The next morning the sunshine poured into the dining parlor of Pemberley where Elizabeth and Georgiana were standing and waiting for Mr. Darcy. He entered the room with riding coat on and hat in hand, only to have Elizabeth exclaim, “Mr. Darcy, you must have breakfast with us.”

  “The steward has something down at the trout ponds he would have me look at,” he replied.

  “No. No. No, my dear Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth importuned as she came up to him and adjusted his lapel. “Your business must wait. You shall come and have breakfast with us.”

  “I have been gone too long, though I must say for the loveliest reason standing in front of me, and many things must be attended to. I seldom took breakfast before we were married.”

  “Then you must change your old stodgy bachelor ways and begin to pay attention to your family.” Elizabeth said continuing with a smile, “It will help you to start your day with less seriousness.”

  He paused, to look at her attractive eyes and her fresh look of one and twenty years, and replied, “I yield to my lady. I forgot that you need to teach me liveliness and a less serious approach to life.”

  “Yes, and do not forget I need you to teach me about the business of the world and of this large estate,” Elizabeth replied playfully, “and I shall never learn if you cannot stop to teach me.”

  Mr. Darcy motioned to the servant to take his hat and remove his coat. He then moved to seat Mrs. Darcy across from Georgiana with himself in between. Georgiana observed the glow on their faces and was quite satisfied with the atmosphere at the breakfast table.

  “Elizabeth,” Mr. Darcy addressed his wife, “the breakfast china is a Wedgewood pattern my grandmother brought to the estate. Feel free to order a different pattern for this or any other service. Remember, you are the lady of Pemberley, not our ancestors.”

  “I do not wish to make any immediate change. I want to feel the presence of the great house for many months before adding my touch.” Her finger glided over the coffee cup and she continued, “the green and gold pattern on this service is quite beautiful and seems most appropriate for this morning.”

  Georgiana ventured to converse by inquiring why her aunt, Lady Catherine de
Bourgh, did not attend the wedding. The atmosphere at the table suddenly became frosted, like the December ground outside; then, her brother and Elizabeth laughed simultaneously.

  Mr. Darcy replied, “I see we have been too circumspect with you by avoiding the real story in relation to our aunt. Before we start the tale, please bear in mind that she, in her own perverse sort of way, helped us get together much sooner than we might otherwise have had courage to do.”

  Elizabeth began the story of the fateful day of Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s visit to Longbourn, by reciting her demands, “Tell me once and for all, are you engaged to him? . . .And will you promise me, never to enter into such an engagement?”

  Georgiana’s face turned crimson when Elizabeth told the part of Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s second shocking demand that Elizabeth should promise never to become engaged to Mr. Darcy. “I am so ashamed of my aunt,” Miss Darcy replied.

  “Do not let it vex you, sister,” assured Mr. Darcy, “for it was Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s report of Elizabeth’s refusal to comply with such a promise that gave me great hope for the future. It was not long after the argument with my aunt that I asked Elizabeth to be my wife and had the joy of her acceptance. What our aunt intended as evil turned out for good.”

  Georgiana looked at both Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy incredulously, but found only warm reassurance in their eyes and began to believe their statements about her aunt. Miss Darcy had always been terrified of her aunt and found it hard to believe that her brother and sister-in-law could stand up so well to the presence of Lady Catherine. Obviously, some of that strong personality of her mother’s family had been transmitted to her brother. She wondered if she herself would ever have that kind of courage.