More Discerning - Volume II: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Novel

I dedicate this second novel to my husband, who was made to read romance novels and had put up with my obsession with the world of Pride and Prejudice. The story has a website with pictures and information to help imagine the world of the novel. You may find it here: https://morediscerningprideandprejudicefanfiction.webnode.co.uk/ More Discerning Volume II by Kinga Brady 2023 A Pride and Prejudice variation novel Author’s Note This story starts at the famous assembly in Meryton. What would change if some of the characters, the two elder Bennet sisters especially, were better judges of character? If they were more discerning? How would that affect the chain of events, the other characters? Would the couples reach a happy ending? Would they meet any opposition?This novel looks at this very idea: What if Elizabeth were what some of us always wanted her to be? *** Some lines are verbatim from Pride and Prejudice *** The tome was edited by Dolores Church and Patricia Holmes. Thank you for your invaluable input. Contents Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Chapter 43 Chapter 44 Chapter 45 Chapter 46 Chapter 47 Chapter 48 Chapter 49 Chapter 50 Chapter 51 Chapter 52 Chapter 53 Chapter 54 Chapter 55 Chapter 56 Chapter 57 Chapter 58 Chapter 59 Chapter 60 Chapter 61 Extra Chapter The Wedding Night Dear Sir, Volume II Chapter 28 ‘Your mother made a comment about your dowries the other day. It felt like she wanted to boast about it, and you all laughed.’ Jane, Mary, and Bingley were walking in the garden on a pleasant afternoon. He had been invited to dine with the family. Both girls turned crimson following Bingley’s inquiry. Mary seeing her sister was not able to speak just then, took it upon herself to answer. ‘Now that we elder sisters are old enough to marry, our father revealed to us the situation of our dowries. He told us that he invested mama’s dowry and saved a little bit himself, so we will receive three thousand pounds each when we marry, plus a hundred per annum while Longbourn is ours. Jane and Elizabeth have an extra two thousand pounds to their name that comes from our uncle.’ Bingley stopped. He considered what this information meant to him. ‘That is… impressive.’ He grinned. ‘It is wonderful news. Good for you, all. That is… almost… twenty thousand! Now, I can’t wait to see my dear sister’s face when she learns this news.’ Jane giggled. ‘Mr. Bingley, that is… wicked.’ He grinned at Jane. ‘Would someone explain?’ Mary was perplexed. ‘Well, my sister, Caroline, I am sorry to say, thinks the whole of Meryton is not worth her attention, including your family. She very much wants to think that she is part of the ton, you see. That is high ambition. She heard you had a thousand each as dowry which was a paltry sum in her eyes… It never mattered to me.’ He looked straight into Jane’s eyes. He wanted her to understand. She smiled and nodded. ‘I see. Your sister would do well to read some sermons.’ Jane and Bingley burst out laughing, and Mary joined them although she was completely serious. *** Darcy looked around himself with new eyes. He could swear the colours of the garden had just become brighter. His breast was full not just with air, but elation. Oh, Elizabeth, wait for me! All of a sudden, he felt the distance between Elizabeth and himself. He ached to lessen it immediately. He could not wait to see her again. He wanted to kneel in front of her asking for her forgiveness for leaving her in the first place. She would understand though, he thought. She would understand that he had to be sure of his choice. With rapid steps, he went in search of his sister. He found her in the kitchen chatting with Cook. He smiled at them both shocking Mrs. Betteridge in the process. He asked her pardon and pulled his sister with him. On the way out, he stole a biscuit from Cook’s tray and winked at the elder woman. That did it; she crimsoned at her master’s gesture. Cook had to fan herself – so unexpected her master’s exuberant behaviour seemed. Although she did not know what to make of his manners, she instinctively knew that the Master was happy. She was happy for him and his sister. Darcy took Georgiana to their parents’ portraits, taking two steps at a time. When they stood in front of them, he simply said: ‘I have made my decision.’ ‘Oh?’ She looked at him in trepidation. ‘Love.’ He said, ‘I choose love, Georgie.’ In a heartbeat, she was in his arms. ‘Oh, Brother. I am so happy for you. You chose well, Will. Oh, I am so happy!’ Darcy twirled his sister around. He put her down breathing hard. He looked back at their parents’ portrait, ‘I think I had to come here, to Pemberley. I had to make my decision here. I cannot tell you how painful the time has been since I left her. It is crazy that I feel this way. I realized last night that, although I do not know everything about her, what I do know makes me want to be with her and want to know more. Does this make sense?’ She rapidly nodded. ‘I want her with me. I want her here. I do not think I could be with any other now that I know she exists in the world.’ He turned to the portraits. ‘Mother, Father. Please, be happy for me. I need Elizabeth. I think she will be a great mistress of Pemberley.’ He touched both paintings in reverence. He sighed. He turned back to his sister. ‘I feel like a great weight has fallen off my chest. I know it is the