Wednesday, November 21, 2007

These Three Remain

The final of the trilogy by Pamela Aidan, this book traces Darcy between the time he sees Elizabeth at Hunsford to the final engagement.
He sees Elizabeth at his aunt's house at Rosings and is attracted again, much against his reason and mind. However, unknown to him, fans of Pride and Prejudice know that Elizabeth is gaining more and more reasons to hate him. Her civility seems to mistaken as affection by Darcy, until the first time he proposes. She is shocked, but he is even more shocked, dejected and angered. Until he finishes the letter and hands it in to her, he finds no peace.
After this Darcy leaves for Pemberly. Terribly disturbed by Elizabeth's refusal, he does odd things, such as accepting and going to Lady Sylvania's party, where he is held responsible for her mother's death. But his friend, Brougham rescues him. Although Darcy had thought Brougham to be a silly man, he ends being a government spy and also a man, who sees much in Georgiana. At the nearby tavern, he confesses everything that happened to him. And the next day, with a hangover, he realises his arrogant behaviour and vows to change himself the way Elizabeth would have liked, even though she is lost to him.
He confesses the happenings to Georgiana. While he thinks his relationship is over, he is much surprised to see her again, while riding back from London, ahead of Bingley and company. He tries his best to be warm towards her and finds the same reciprocated. He also likes her uncle and aunt Gardiner, who seem to much sensible. He introduces his sister to them and the ladies take instant liking towards each other.
Just as the relationship is building, Elizabeth receives news about Lydia's elopement with Wickham. This was probably the best description and fill-in of how Darcy could have accomplished what he did to find where Wickham and Lydia were. Then with the promise to keep his indulgence in the affair a secret, the two are married.
Shortly, Bingley decides to return to Netherfield and after he and Jane are engaged, he seeks Bingley's pardon in interfering in his affairs, but is forgiven. Meanwhile, Lady Catherine hears of rumours about Darcy and Elizabeth's marriage and arrives at Longbourne to clear the way. But Elizabeth's stubbornness is disapproved of by her and she hastes to let her nephew know of what had happened. Along with annoyance, Darcy is ecstatic to find the ray of hope and hastens to propose to Elizabeth, only to be accepted heartily.
This was probably the best version of the two fan fictions I had read about Darcy's point of view. Although the wait was long and the second book, a complete deviation from Pride and Prejudice, the gap was sufficiently built to provide enjoyment. Definitely worth a read.