Sharon Lathan
My Dearest Mr. Darcy:
An Amazing Journey into Love Everlasting
Cast of Characters
Fitzwilliam Darcy, Master of Pemberley in Derbyshire: 29 years of age, born November 10, 1787; parents James and Lady Anne Darcy, both deceased; married Elizabeth Bennet on November 28, 1816
Elizabeth Darcy, Mistress of Pemberley: 22 years of age, born May 28, 1795; second Bennet daughter
Georgiana Darcy: 18 years of age; sister of Mr. Darcy with guardianship shared by her brother and cousin, Col. Fitzwilliam; companion is Mrs. Annesley
Col. Richard Fitzwilliam: 32 years of age; cousin and dear friend to Mr. Darcy; second son of Lord and Lady Matlock; regiment stationed in London
Lord Matlock, the Earl of Matlock: Darcy's Uncle Malcolm, brother to Lady Anne Darcy; ancestral estate is Rivallain in Matlock, Derbyshire
Lady Matlock, the Countess of Matlock: Darcy's Aunt Madeline, wife to Lord Matlock; mother of Jonathan, Annabella, and Richard
Jonathan Fitzwilliam: Heir to the Matlock earldom, eldest Fitzwilliam son; wife is Priscilla
Charles Bingley: Longtime friend of Mr. Darcy; currently resides at Netherfield Hall in Hertfordshire; married Jane Bennet on November 28, 1816
Jane Bingley: elder sister of Elizabeth and eldest Bennet daughter; wife of Mr. Bingley
Caroline Bingley: unmarried sister of Charles Bingley
Louisa Hurst: married sister of Charles Bingley; husband is Mr. Arbus Hurst; residence London
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet: Elizabeth's parents; reside at Longbourn in Hertfordshire with two middle daughters, Mary and Kitty
Mary Bennet: Elizabeth's sister; middle Bennet daughter
Katherine (Kitty) Bennet: Elizabeth's sister; fourth Bennet daughter
Lydia Wickham: Elizabeth's sister; youngest Bennet daughter; married to Lieutenant George Wickham, stationed in Newcastle
Edward and Violet Gardiner: uncle and aunt of Elizabeth; reside in Cheapside, London
Dr. George Darcy: Mr. Darcy's uncle; brother to James Darcy
Lady Catherine de Bourgh: Mr. Darcy's aunt; sister to Lady Anne Darcy; residence Rosings Park, Kent
Anne de Bourgh: daughter of Lady Catherine; Mr. Darcy's cousin
Stephen Lathrop: Cambridge friend of Mr. Darcy; residence is Stonecrest Hall in Leicestershire; wife is Amelia
Henry Vernor: family friend of the Darcys; residence is Sanburl Hall near Lambton, Derbyshire; wife is Mary, daughter is Bertha
Gerald Vernor: son of Henry Vernor; childhood friend of Mr. Darcy; wife is Harriet; residence is Sanburl Hall
Albert Hughes: childhood friend of Mr. Darcy; wife is Marilyn; residence is Rymas Park near Baslow
Rory Sitwell: Derbyshire resident and Cambridge friend of Mr. Darcy; wife is Julia; residence is Reniswahl Hall near Staveley
George and Alison Fitzherbert: Derbyshire residents and friends; residence is Brashinharm near Barlow
Clifton and Chloe Drury: Derbyshire residents and friends; residence is Locknell Hall near Derby
Dr. Raul Penaflor Aleman de Vigo: Spanish associate of Dr. George Darcy, who refers to him as “Raja”
Joshua Daniels: son and partner of Mr. Darcy's London solicitor, Andrew Daniels
Charlotte Collins: Longtime friend of Elizabeth's; married to Rev. William Collins; resides at Hunsford, rectory of Rosings Park in Kent
Mrs. Reynolds: Pemberley housekeeper
Mr. Taylor: Pemberley butler
Mr. Keith: Mr. Darcy's steward
Samuel Oliver: Mr. Darcy's valet
Marguerite Charbonneau: Mrs. Darcy's maid
Phillips, Watson, Tillson, Georges, Rothchilde: Pemberley footmen
Mr. Clark: Pemberley head groundskeeper
Mr. Thurber: Pemberley head groomsman
Mrs. Langton: Pemberley cook
Mr. Anders: Pemberley head coachman
Mr. Burr: Pemberley gamekeeper
Mr. Holmes: falconer
Mrs. Smyth: Darcy House housekeeper
Mr. Travers: Darcy House butler
Hobbes: Darcy House footman
Reverend Bertram: Rector of Pemberley Chapel
Mrs. Hanford: Nanny to Darcy firstborn
Mrs. Henderson: Midwife
Madame du Loire: Modiste in Lambton
Prologue:
Snippets of a Physician's Memoirs
June 23, 1817
Darcy House, London
Imagine my surprise to realize it has been over a month since last jotting my musings in this fine book. Of course, writing while at sea is inconceivable. Egad, I abhor being at sea! Luckily the remedies for seasickness liberally doused down my gullet by the ever faithful Dr. Raul Penaflor staved off the worst of the hideous symptoms. I even managed to walk about a bit on deck. Bracing sea air, my derriere! Nonetheless, I was abed for the bulk of the trip, wallowing too far in my personal hellish misery to complain about the narrow confines of our cabin and odiferous mattress. East India trading ships cater to the needs of cargo far above passengers. We disembarked at Ramsgate. I was quite happy to embrace the rigors of overland travel rather than proceeding up the Thames, but several days of subsequent immobility were required to restore my equilibrium ere we moved beyond that lovely seacoast town. Raul, bless his Spanish heart, rather delighted in my incapacitation as it allotted him the opportunity to ramble through the streets and relish the sights. Poor man has never seen England. How does one live? I ask arrogantly.
Eventually we set off. I did manage to post a letter warning William of my arrival. I hoped it would arrive well enough in advance, although that did not prove to be true. Apparently the mail service of my great country has not improved. Not all can be perfect. Oh well, that is the way of family! I flattered myself that his astounding joy would be profound enough to overwhelm any irritation at my besieging of the newlyweds. This did prove to be true as well as fortuitous, as William had hurt himself, again, and I am sure it was only my timely arrival that saved him from a life of handicap! Ha! However, I am getting ahead of myself, as you know, dear Jharna, I am wont to do.
This trip home has been so anticipated, sea travel notwithstanding. Naturally I was thrilled that Raul wished to accompany me, but even without his companionship I would have had to come. How many hours did I bore you with memories of my homeland, Jharna? Always wishing and praying that you would agree to travel with me. Perhaps I should have prayed to your gods rather than my own. Ah well, here I now am, and never has the green English countryside and crowded London streets filled me with such joy. It is almost impossible to recollect how anxious I was to leave all those decades ago. Perhaps I am getting old, as you would tease.