Appendix: 'The Bennet Brother'

Appendix: ‘The Bennet Brother’ Summary of installments The following summaries are not exhaustive. They are based on the versions of the installments posted on the website after the next scene has been posted and voting completed. Abigail Reynolds, The Bennet Brother: P&P Readers Choice #1, 30 January 2013 The Bennet family prepares for son and brother Edward’s return from London, and anticipates a further meeting with their new neighbour, Mr Bingley. Elizabeth and Jane discuss the family’s financial situation, with Elizabeth expressing reservations about their father’s management. Edward, meanwhile, is enjoying a (frugal) bachelor’s existence in London, and considering his romantic (and sartorial) prospects, looking forward to re-acquaintance with Miss Perry at the Meryton Assembly. Darcy attends the same assembly and is overheard by Edward criticising Elizabeth. He confronts Darcy, which provokes that gen- tleman into reluctantly offering the next set of dancing to Elizabeth. Jack Caldwell, The Bennet Brother: P&P Readers Choice #2, 13 February 2013 Elizabeth, irked at both Darcy’s imperiousness and Edward’s impetuousness, to Jane’s chagrin, refuses to DOI: 10.1057/9781137401335.0009 Appendix dance and replies with an arch statement. Darcy then engages Elizabeth in mutually witty repartee, and they dance. After Darcy has proved his skills on the dance floor, Edward questions him about Pemberley. Meanwhile, the Bingley sisters are discussing Edward and his family situation and matrimonial prospects, and Mrs Hurst detects some interest on Miss Bingley’s part. Darcy had been reflecting on his distaste for balls and the country when he is approached by Sir William Lucas with Miss Perry as a prospective dance partner – he evades by claiming to be engaged to dance with Mrs Hurst, having suggested to himself that Miss Perry’s interest is in ‘Pemberley and my pocketbook’, and she later wit- nesses his embarrassing encounter with Elizabeth. He then dances with Miss Bingley to avoid dancing with Charlotte Lucas. Later, at home, Jane and Elizabeth discuss the ball and the gentlemen, and, upon the arrival of Edward, discuss their father’s plans to break the entail on Longbourn, and Edward’s aspirations to modernise the estate. He then acquaints them with Wickham’s claims about Mr Darcy. Elizabeth reveals her wide reading, mentioning reading about agricul- tural practices in ‘one of Papa’s subscriptions’. In Netherfield Library, Bingley and Darcy discuss the ball, with Bingley, looking after Darcy’s interests, suggesting he apologise to the Bennets. The next morning, Elizabeth is walking the grounds of Longbourn, near Netherfield, when Darcy makes the apology to her and her family, ‘But was he sincere?’ Diana Birchall, The Bennet Brother: P&P Readers Choice #3, 27 February 2013 [Now in weekly rather than bi-weekly installments] Elizabeth is taken aback by, but graciously accepts, Darcy’s apology. They plan to take a walk together when they are interrupted by Edward who begrudgingly acknowledges the proffered olive branch, but cannot help charging Darcy with Wickham’s accusations. Prompted by Elizabeth, Edward accepts Darcy’s explanation and she encourages him to con- sult Darcy on his plans for the improvement of the Longbourn estate. Elizabeth returns to the house, informing her panicking mother of the reconciliation, who then launches into plans for Elizabeth to marry Darcy. The women share views of Miss Perry, debating whether or not she possesses wealth. The Lucases arrive and their discussion of the ball is interrupted by Edward and Darcy returning to the house, bearing DOI: 10.1057/9781137401335.0009 Appendix news that Mr Darcy has invited him to visit Pemberley. After some discussion, including with Mr Bennet, of travel and carriage arrangements and expenses, Darcy offers his barouche, mentions his sister’s isolation, and specifically requests Elizabeth’s company. C. Allyn Pierson, The Bennet Brother: P&P Readers Choice #4, 6 March 2013 Edward is called into his father’s library on his return from a horse ride and is told that, despite constant lobbying from his mother and youngest sisters, only Elizabeth and Jane will accompany him to Pemberley. He tells the sisters, to their great pleasure, and settles to make plans with Darcy for their departure. At Netherfield, Darcy is anxious about the prospect of all the Bennets visiting Pemberley. They visit Longbourn to make final arrangements, and the party is relieved that only the three eldest Bennets will come. On the road to Pemberley, however, the carriage set upon by highwaymen, and Caroline Bingley slaps one of them. As the men of the party arrive on horseback one of the robbers aims his gun at them, and Elizabeth throws a rock in order to misdirect his shot. The robbers ride off and Darcy reveals that he has been shot, and Caroline Bingley blames Elizabeth’s ‘hoydenish’ and ‘stupid behavior’ for the injury. Bingley admonishes her and the party must decide how to proceed. Sharon Lathan, The Bennet Brother: P&P Readers Choice #5, 13 March 2013 The travellers attempt to tend to Darcy’s wound, but Elizabeth retrieves some objects, including something shiny, and takes charge by treating him with puffball mushrooms and yarrow leaves – a remedy which she had read about in her father’s books. Darcy confirms that her well-aimed rock had saved his life. On Darcy’s insistence, they proceed to Pemberley; on Elizabeth’s, he rides in the carriage. On arrival, Elizabeth prepares for her bath and remembers the pocket watch that she retrieved from the crime scene. After her bath, she meets Georgiana Darcy, who repeats her brother’s praise of Elizabeth, and shares the news of her brother’s likely recovery. Elizabeth notes Bingley’s continued attentions to Jane, and Edward’s clear admiration of Georgiana, and then consults her brother about the pocket watch, which is confirmed as belonging to George Wickham. They agree to appraise Darcy of all the facts of the case, and, DOI: 10.1057/9781137401335.0009 Appendix as he has requested an audience with Elizabeth, the task falls to her. As he invites her to dine privately in his rooms with him, she determines to tell him about the provenance of the pocket-watch. Marilyn Brant, The Bennet Brother: P&P Readers Choice #6, 20 March 2013 Elizabeth enjoys a sumptuous meal with Darcy, prepared by his French chef, and nervously reveals the pocket-watch with its damning engrav- ing. Darcy confirms that the watch was a gift from his father to George Wickham, and speculates that he may have sold it in his fecklessness. He refutes Elizabeth’s suggestion that George may have been a member of the band of robbers. Elizabeth enjoys the trifle dessert and then leaves Darcy to determine how to proceed, feeling sure of his calmness and composure. Once alone, Darcy seizes his sharpest fencing foil and swears revenge on Wickham. Darcy overhears the servants arguing and is informed that George Wickham had been found lurking in grounds, and is detained in the stables. Edward Bennet, who had been thinking of the recent events and the attractions of Miss Darcy, overhears the exchange, sees the chance to redeem himself for his earlier cowardly behaviour, and vows to confront Wickham. Meanwhile, Darcy is frustratingly detained by Miss Bingley’s lengthy performances on the pianoforte. He slips the watch into his pocket and approaches the front door of Pemberley, only to be con- fronted by a surprise when he opens it. Diana Birchall, The Bennet Brother: P&P Readers Choice #7, 27 March 2013 The scene opens with Darcy having suffered a set back in his recovery, due to Edward’s attempts to make amends for having divulged their plans to visit Pemberley by confronting Wickham. He had found the villain, unshackled, and tried to fight him. Wickham escaped on Darcy’s horse, Charlemagne. Injured, Edward returned to the house, and startles Darcy in the corridor. The surgeon visits the two injured young men and leaves Darcy under Elizabeth’s watch, much to Caroline Bingley’s disapproval. When she insults Elizabeth, her brother sends her to her room. She attempts to enter Darcy’s room, but is deterred by Georgiana. Elizabeth joins the party to report on Darcy’s progress and DOI: 10.1057/9781137401335.0009 Appendix enquires after Edward’s health. When the surgeon relays that Edward and Darcy will recover, he mentions that Edward’s injuries were caused by a horse’s kick, and informs them that Wickham had escaped on Darcy’s horse. The peace of the following day at Pemberley is shattered by the arrival of Lady Catherine de Bourgh, demanding to know what has transpired there. She insists on seeing Darcy, and finding Elizabeth with him and Georgiana, questions her about her family and background. She informs Elizabeth, who has not heard of Mr Collins, of their connection, and that she advised him to marry one of the Bennet sisters. Edward enters and the conversation turns to tropical fruit, before they begin to discuss the events surrounding Wickham and his escape. The women leave and Edward and Darcy discuss Wickham. Jane Odiwe, The Bennet Brother: P&P Readers Choice #8, 3 April 2013 Darcy and Edward discuss Wickham’s possible plans, and Darcy surmises that he is headed to London and will sell Charlemagne en route. He suggests that Wickham may take a less-trackable route, perhaps through Birmingham, where he could both dispose of the horse and re-arm himself. Georgiana, in riding habit, hears the search party prepare to leave and is forced into painful recollection of her earlier dealings with Wickham. She ponders her brother’s emotional connection to Charlemagne, son of their father’s horse, Agincourt.

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