Life After the Wedding
Life After the Wedding
A Pride and Prejudice Sequel
Denise O’Hara
In Part 2 of the Series: Love is in the Air
Caroline Bingley goes on her honeymoon, Jessamine’s story continues, and Harry Bingley’s imagination runs wild! Mary and Kitty Bennet both have suitors. The Darcy’s host a ball at Pemberley, where Anne de Bourgh searches for a husband! The ever romantic Mr. Darcy and Charles Bingley prepare to celebrate their sixth wedding anniversaries. Mr. Darcy has a special surprise planned for Elizabeth while Charles and Harry go shopping for Jane.
In Part 3 Mr. Darcy and and The Scarlet Pimpernel
Colonel Fitzwilliam has a secret, a dangerous one that will affect many lives. Before he can settle down with the woman he loves, he will need the help of a few good men to return to England safely!
Pride and Prejudice Variations by Denise O’Hara:
Disdain and Deception
Suppose everything happened exactly as in the original story…until after Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth get engaged. Between their engagement and wedding, Mr. Darcy suffers serious injuries in an accident. But Elizabeth wonders if it really was an accident after all. As Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth are forced apart, Elizabeth will go to any means to reach her beloved before it’s too late!
Yours truly, Mr. Darcy
You’ve got mail, Elizabeth Bennet! After overhearing her true feelings for Wickham and himself, Mr. Darcy must come up with a way to win Elizabeth’s heart. Enjoy this light hearted, short story retelling!
Complicated Attachments
What if Jane met Mr. Wickham first, while Lizzy was encountering Mr. Bingley? Will these couplings prevent Darcy’s happily ever after with the only woman he could ever love? And will Wickham be able to completely deceive the kind-hearted Jane?
The Timeless Series-
Darcy and Elizabeth: Timeless
Timeless Adventures: London
Timeless Adventures: TITANIC
And a Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice, LEGALLY DARCY
Life after the Wedding
A Pride and Prejudice Sequel
By Denise O’Hara
Edited by Lilah LeBouef and Betty Campbell Madden
Copyright 2015
All Rights Reserved
This book is a work of fiction.
Names, characters, places and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
deniseoharapandp@yahoo.com
To the love of my life, David,
and my dear Shane, Hayley, Caleb, and Brooke,
who each provide me with so many happy memories
Table of Contents
Preface
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Seven
Chapter Forty-Eight
Chapter Forty-Nine
Chapter Fifty
Thank You!
Coming Soon:
About the Author
Special Bonus: Mr. Darcy's Favorite Apple Cake Recipe
Preface
A Pride and Prejudice Sequel: Life after the Wedding
The Bingleys spend their honeymoon in Ireland. While there, Jane meets her new mother-in-law and other members of Charles’ family, as much of the Bingleys’ untold story is revealed.
Back at Netherfield, they are reunited with the Darcys and Bennets. Why do the Bingleys stay only twelve months at Netherfield?
The Bingleys put down permanent roots when they buy the Bethany House estate not thirty miles from Pemberley, much to the delight of both families. Jane is presented with new people in her life and new situations, some positive, some not so positive. Can Lizzy help her sister deal with her growing understanding that she cannot think well of everyone? Read the humorous escapades of the outgoing Darcy and shy Bingley cousins.
The households of both Pemberley and Bethany House are affected when a severe case of influenza hits England. Meanwhile, Miss Bingley is unsure of what to do when she meets a potential suitor. Misunderstandings arise in the chaos that ensues as the beloved Bingleys’ and Darcys’ lives after the wedding continue.
Chapter One
“My mother writes to express her joy,” said Mr. Bingley, “that we will be visiting her and my Aunt Jeanie.” Charles laughed, folding up the letter he received when their boat docked. “My aunt included a postscript saying, ‘Do not dare stop at Trevin's!’”
“Your Aunt Jeanie sounds just as you described, Charles,” smiled Jane happily. “I cannot wait to meet her and your mother.”
“Mother is especially eager to meet her new daughter-in-law. She was so disappointed she could not make the wedding. Poor dear, when her pleurisy acts up, she is quite at its mercy.”
“Then I am glad my shopping did not take very long. I did so want to do my gift shopping straight away, to make certain I had something from Ireland to bring back to my family. I do hope all goes well when they bring our packages to the ship.”
“You are a wonder, my love! On the occasions when I had to accompany my sisters to the Glass Houses, they would change their minds so often before settling on their final purchases. It was an exhausting experience to endure. I am most impressed by your expeditious shopping! And do not worry yourself; they export these items regularly and are very proficient in the packaging.”
“That does ease my mind,” Jane said as she gazed lovingly at her husband. “So tell me, who is this Trevin your aunt speaks of you not stopping to visit?”
“One summer when I came to visit my aunt and uncle, I brought a school friend along. His name is Trevin Blondin. By the time we left to go home, he had fallen in love with a local girl. He said he would come back for her, and sure enough he did. He has been here ever since, in fact. Trevin and Katie now run an inn with a pub attached. They have the best and freshest fish I have ever had. With an ice-cold pint, it cannot get any better. The inn is next to a stream, you see, and Trevin had the brilliant idea of keeping the beer in a locked box right there in the stream where he also catches the fish. The stream keeps the beer cold. Jolly place. We will not stop today naturally,” added Charles as he shook the letter in his hand, “but I will definitely take you there later this week.
It is on my ‘must-take-Jane-to’ list.”
As their journey continued, Charles directed their driver to take a detour here and there, to show his wife some of the sights along the way.
“Well, from what you have seen thus far, how are you enjoying Ireland, my love?” asked her husband of six weeks.
Riding in the open carriage with the warm sun and a light wind in her face, Jane smiled and replied, “I must confess it is more beautiful than I expected, Charles! I do not think I have ever seen anything to match this singular shade of green that I see on the hills before us. I feel as if I have been transported to a place much farther away from England.”
Very pleased to hear his wife's answer, Charles put his arm around her and drew her even closer. "I felt sure you would like this country. You know how much I love the English countryside and the energy of London. But every time I have crossed the Irish Sea, I feel a sort of serenity overtakes me with the landscape suddenly brought to the fore. It is almost like being in a life-size painting of one of the masters. It is hard to explain to anyone who has not experienced it."
Jane looked at the beautiful pear shaped sapphire surrounded by delicate diamonds on her ring finger. Charles said he had chosen it for her because the beautiful blue color reminded him of his wife’s eyes. Though not half so lovely, he had added. She smiled and laid her head on her husband's shoulder, feeling happier than she had ever been. It was moments like this when Charles was sharing thoughts previously unknown to her that she cherished more than any others. Now able to finally relax in each other's company, every day brought new revelations of the man she married. She had not thought it possible but found her already strong feelings for her husband ever increasing.
________________________________________
As they came to the crossroads leading to the hamlet where Mr. Bingley's relations lived, they heard a dog barking in the distance. What appeared to be a large, rough-haired greyhound was soon running alongside their carriage, quickly closing the gap between them. They passed a number of small, windowless, mud cabins. Several children who were playing outside noticed them and got in on the chase.
As the road curved, Jane noticed more children had begun to follow from the few small homes they were now passing. Their carriage stopped as the lane came to an end at a small but lovely cottage. The perfect rows of a vegetable garden took up the entire front yard.
Jane had insisted on staying with her husband’s mother when they were in Ireland. Charles had explained to her that their accommodations would be smaller than she was used to. Jane had replied that it would be worth any inconveniences to spend as much time as possible getting to know her new mother-in-law.
More than two dozen children with hair in various shades of reds and browns gathered around the carriage. More children and adults were coming down the lane towards them. Two women of the same height and build, neither with a slight frame any longer, but not too much larger, came out of the cottage. Both had a mix of sandy colored and gray hair and wore almost identical peasant dresses. Jane wondered how she might tell them apart until they each spoke.
“Welcome! Welcome!” said one of the women with barely any discernable accent, as she clapped her hands together joyously.
“So, you finally arrive!” said the other in a fine Irish brogue, with hands on her hips.
Charles went to his mother first, and she hugged him tightly. Upon releasing him, she gently took his face into her hands and said, “My boy has come! Look at that handsome face!” which caused the ever-increasing crowd to laugh.
To her daughter-in-law, she said, “And this must be your Jane! Oh, Jane, it is good to meet you, my dear!” she added as she warmly embraced her. “You are beautiful! Have you ever seen such golden hair, sister?”
“Aye, she is a pretty one,” replied her sister to the inquiry. "Get over here, you!” she said to her nephew. When he reached her, she wrapped her arms around his body, lifted him a few inches off of the ground, and gave the cheek facing her a big kiss, much to the delight of the crowd.
After she had set her laughing nephew down, he said, “It is good to see you, Aunt Jeanie!”
Jeanie turned to Jane and wiggled a finger at her, gesturing for her to come over. Jane walked over, a little concerned she was about to receive the same introduction her husband had received.
Jeanie took Jane by the shoulders and pulled her close to herself. She stopped right before impact and gave Jane the lightest kiss on the cheek. The crowd, familiar with Jeanie Carroll’s antics, was delighted with the joke and laughter erupted from all.
Jane, much relieved to find her feet were still on the ground, laughed as well. Then she was introduced to the neighbors. She discovered they were always alerted to arriving visitors by Argus, the hamlet's adopted Irish Wolfhound.
Charles made his way through the crowd, reaffirmed long time acquaintances, and asked each of them about their families.
Jane became separated from her husband for a while, but at times she heard his hearty laughter above the noise of the crowd. She looked over at his mother, whose blue eyes shared that same twinkle in them as Charles' eyes. She easily detected the pride his mother had as she watched her son's genuinely friendly manners. His demeanor was among the first sources of admiration for Jane, the very first being his handsome face, of course, which struck her at once. But that would not have gone far in reaching Jane's heart if the inner qualities had been lacking.
Jane instantly liked her husband’s mother. It was easy to see, felt the same as she about the kind of man Charles Bingley had become. Jane made her way over to stand next to her mother-in-law. The two women looked at each other and smiled. One of them appreciated the woman who had been influential in shaping her husband's past, and the other one was thankful for the woman who would help and support her son in his future. Both women saw a kindred spirit clearly in the other.
After the greetings had been accomplished, Charles announced he had gifts for them all in celebration of his wedding. He retrieved a large satchel that he had removed from the carriage and unpacked some of its contents. First he took out a small bag that was half full of larger coins and handed it to Jane. The next package he gave to his mother, and finally he gave a bag of smaller coins to his aunt. He asked his wife to remain next to himself, but his mother and aunt to stand on the opposite side of the carriage.
“Children, please line up to the right and adults to the left,” he instructed. Each child, in turn, came forward and was given a sweet treat from Charles' mother and a half crown coin from his aunt. The adults were each given a five guinea coin by Jane. Charles dispensed the final contents of the satchel, packages of tea.
All, from youngest to oldest, expressed their sincere appreciation and best wishes to the couple. Many had joy plainly written all over their faces, and others had tears in their eyes. After they said their goodbyes and began walking to their homes, one man started to sing a tune. It was one Jane had never before heard, and soon the others joined in. A few adults and children merrily danced until they reached their doors.
Jeanie wiped her eyes, understanding fully what this would mean for their poor community made up of her closest friends and neighbors. She went inside to get their tea started, leaving Mr. Bingley with the two Mrs. Bingleys outside. Charles put one arm around his affected wife and the other around his mother. They stood there closely together as they watched and listened until the procession rounded the corner, still heard but not seen anymore.
Chapter Two
“Please call me Helen, dear,” requested Charles' mother to Jane, as they prepared to have their tea the next afternoon. “My full name is Helen Catherine Bodine Bingley, but people just call me Helen,” she said with a playful twinkle in her eyes.
“All right, Helen,” said Jane with a smile. “Charles told me you lived here in Ireland with your sister, but he did not mention you two were twins.”
“We are not twins, dear, though everyone always thinks we are. We are eightee
n months apart in age.”
As she sat down, Aunt Jeanie added, “And she would be the older of us in case you were wondering.”
"I apologize for the misunderstanding," said Jane. “But I have never seen two sisters who are not twins that look more alike."
"There is nothing to apologize for, dear! Jeanie loves the fact that she looks like me,” said Helen, as her eyes twinkled even more.
"Well, I would not have minded the face so much but I would much prefer not to bear any resemblance to what is below the neck. You will not be saying Jeanie loves those extra pounds you have thrown my way,” said her sister.
A giggle escaped from Jane's lips before she could stop herself. She raised her hands to her mouth, her face reddening.
Charles laughed out also, but he did not try to stifle the sound. "Oh, how I have missed you, dear aunt! I did try to warn Jane about you.” To his wife, he said, “You will find people speak their minds here more than you may be accustomed to in England, my love.”
"My sister's tongue never was tamed as a girl,” added Helen. “And living here with that red headed Irishman husband of hers since she was only sixteen certainly was of no help in taming it. You would never know she was not born and raised in the neighborhood.”
Jeanie, who took this as a compliment, said, “My husband, Dennis, was one who could not stand a quiet house, and you may well believe he met his perfect match in me. I have such grand memories of raising our family with all the children and adults in our little hamlet, being in and out of each other’s houses. Working hard together and playing together just as hard. That is just the way we preferred it. We would not have had it any other way.”
Jane smiled at the happy picture being painted, thinking of the fun her husband must have had in visiting here as a child. To her mother-in-law, she said, “So how did you come to live here with,” Jane paused to look at the other woman and asked, "What shall I call you? Aunt?" she suggested.