Welcome back Weekend Writing Warriors and Sunday Snippet fans. We've had a couple of fun scenes with Mrs. Bennet, but this week, she puts her foot in her mouth and causes a great deal of upset for bride to be Elizabeth Bennet.
This snippet from Betrothed to Mr. Darcy, brings us to the crux of Lizzy Bennet's dilemma. You see, George Wickham once attempted to elope with Miss Darcy and if word of such a thing were to get out into polite society, her future would not look bright. Wickham then went on to seduce (and marry) Lizzy's sister, Lydia. Now, by marrying Mr. Darcy, Lizzy faces the prospect of forcing Miss Darcy to be 1. an in law of Mr. Wickham's and 2. subject to the mention of his name more than would ever happen in her world now that he has gone.
Mrs. Bennet, unaware of any of these past events, innocently sets off quite a kerfuffle.
“Oh
my, I believe you know our dear Mr. Wickham. Well, then you know what a charming and handsome man he is. My Lydia is
fortunate indeed to have a husband such as him.”
Miss
Darcy simply stared at Mrs. Bennet, her bottom lip quivering, though she
managed to prevent a reaction which was likely to be discernible to anyone
other than those who knew her best.
Mrs.
Bennet, after an entire evening of moderated conversation could hold back no
longer, particularly as the topic related to her favorite subjects, marriage
and her daughter Lydia. “What a proud day it was when Lydia and her fine
husband in his red coat arrived here at our home. But
now they have gone off for who knows how long and I shan’t see her or dear
Wickham. I had hoped they could be here for Jane and Lizzy’s weddings, but
Wickham is needed by the militia for I am sure he performs important duties and
cannot be easily spared.”
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I'm pretty sure Mrs. Bennett would have set off a kerfluffle anyway . . .
ReplyDeletePoor Miss Darcy! I never wondered about her much before but . . . We--uh, I mean, Lizzie needs to help her!
Mrs. Bennet and kerfuffle do seem to go together.
DeleteWhat an uncomfortable dilemma. :)
ReplyDeleteYes! Though it could not be unexpected since Mrs. Bennet doesn't know the back story.
DeleteMrs. Bennett has such a talent for saying the wrong thing! Ugh. I hope Miss Darcy finds better days by the end of the book, harrumph!
ReplyDeleteThat's my plan for Miss Darcy. Now I just have to write it! :)
DeleteWell, we do have to forgive Mrs. Bennett on this one, since she doesn't know the back story. You write her very well - she's as annoying as ever in your hands! Great snippet.
ReplyDeleteYou are right! She doesn't know the back story so her comment is totally innocent. This time.
DeleteThis is just amazing. You write a better Pride and Prejudice than the original! I read the book (not really my thing, but liked the family ties), saw the movie (liked it a lot), saw the mini-series (meh), but LOVE these snippets! Your Mrs. Bennet is simply priceless!
ReplyDeleteOh my. Jane Austen must be rolling in her grave. What a huge compliment, thank you.
DeleteThat''s Mrs. Bennett, all right.
ReplyDeleteShe's pretty unmistakable, isn't she?
DeleteGreat Mrs. Bennett foot-in-mouth snippet. Poor Miss Darcy. Is she going to figure largely in the book?
ReplyDeleteYes, Miss Darcy is going to have a fairly significant part in the story. I'm excited to explore her personality in more depth.
DeleteOh how uncomfortable all of this is going to be! Nice snippet.
ReplyDeleteHistory Sleuth's Milk Carton Murders
Thank you. Yes, Mrs. Bennet and uncomfortable situations seems to go hand in hand.
DeleteMrs. Bennet is hilarious :) Great snippet!
ReplyDeleteThank you! She does make herself known where ever she goes. :)
DeleteEvery time there is something not to be said, we can be sure that she is going to say it. :)
ReplyDeleteI grinned at the last line. Great snippet!
ReplyDeleteOuch.
ReplyDeleteYou capture her so well.
Perhaps Wickham could deal with the dreaded zombie epidemic, including she of the foot in mouth disease, and put Miss Darcy out of her pain...
ReplyDelete