Pemberley Celebrations: The First Year in Austen Variations

Feb 25, 2017 Sheila Majczan rated it liked it

I had picked this up and read only about 25% when I became distracted by other book recommendations. This is a pleasant read but without angst or much in the way of romance. The reviews of each date below do contain some SPOILERS as it would be difficult to relate what this book is about without telling you such. Each special date is brief and there is little to take away from ODC's happiness throughout.

Decorating Pemberley for Christmas: We learn that Darcy’s mother died on Christmas day and th I had picked this up and read only about 25% when I became distracted by other book recommendations. This is a pleasant read but without angst or much in the way of romance. The reviews of each date below do contain some SPOILERS as it would be difficult to relate what this book is about without telling you such. Each special date is brief and there is little to take away from ODC's happiness throughout.

Decorating Pemberley for Christmas: We learn that Darcy’s mother died on Christmas day and then boxes of ornaments which she and her son made lead to a new tradition.

A Special Christmas Dinner: Elizabeth comes up with ideas to serve the upper servants themselves in addition to traditional meals provided. Darcy and Georgiana help.

A Christmas Surprise: The gift of ice skates several days before Christmas provides opportunities for Elizabeth to fall into Darcy’s arms and for her to watch the two siblings dance together on ice.
A Family Christmas: Darcy surprises Elizabeth by inviting the Gardiners, Jane and Charles and the Bennets to spend Christmas with them.

New Year’s Eve: The Darcys return to London. Edwin and Jocelyn Moffey invite them to a New Year’s Eve Ball. Her Jocelyn’s sister, Joanna Mandrake, bitterly spread gossip about Darcy about 4 years ago after he told her he had no intentions towards her. A Mrs. Stevens, famous gossip, set everyone straight – that Darcy would only marry for love. Later, her son became engaged to Joanna Mandrake. At the New Year Eve party all this came to a end for Elizabeth and Darcy as Joanna apologized and Mrs. Stevens assured E. that she only spreads the truth…so it is news/not gossip.

Valentine’s Day: Elizabeth finds a letter and a man’s portrait hidden in a false bottom of an empty jewelry box as she is going through old things. The letter is to his mother, Anne, and they then talk of first loves thinking A.H. might have been Anne’s. E. thinks Darcy has forgotten the day but when no servants are around and he comes up behind her at breakfast he informs her that he ordered all the servants away so they have the house to themselves…but Mrs. Reynolds will serve them the special dinner E. ordered when they call her. E. gives him a miniature of her while he gives her a necklace with her initial.

Easter: Visiting Rosings again: Although Lady C. first attempts to put them in separate rooms and then in one with a terribly squeaky bed, she later apologizes as to her harangues about their wedding a year ago and how she thinks Elizabeth has been good for Darcy.

May Day: When Elizabeth has an upset stomach, she at first thinks she might be pregnant and so does Darcy but they don’t share their suspicions. When she continues with a fever and dizziness and being tired a doctor is called and says it is the influenza. A day or two later she gets sick again after twirling around the Maypole with Darcy and she admits she is pregnant but also had a stomach upset.

A Midsummer’s Day: The Darcys plan to go to Stratford for the Midsummer Festival where he has a friend. Lady Catherine arrives unexpectedly and announces she plans to stay through E.’s lying in period. Eventually E. decides not to go and then her father also arrives unexpectedly and amuses Lady Catherine who returns to her own home. Mr. Bennet has also delivered a letter from Jane.
Michaelmas: Fitzwilliam comes to visit and Georgiana can’t hide her tendre for him so he pretends to have a lady love in Bath.

All Hallows’ Eve: Darcy tells the Gardiner children of a masquerade ball at Netherfield on Oct. 31st in Meryton. He speaks of going out to avoid the crowd and a young lady is seen dancing alone. He joins her dance and then walks her home and gives her his cloak to wear. She takes it inside and when he knocks on the door, Mr. Bennet answers; his reply to the inquiry for the cloak is “My Lizzy died one year ago today– on her birthday!” ...Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner left the children in Darcy's and Elizabeth’s care while they visited friends and family in Lambton. “Uncle” Darcy was making up a ghost story to entertain them. Upon inquiry he now says their "Aunt" Elizabeth is an angel not a ghost.

A Birthday Blessing: The Collinses arrive for a one night stop over on their way north. E. is not expecting her baby for 2 weeks but he was born just after midnight which is Darcy’s birthday - Thomas Fitzwilliam Darcy.

A First Anniversary: Elizabeth plans a special dinner with musicians and the gift of a painting of Pemberley. Darcy takes her to Cresselet Manor, where she learns the Bingleys have taken possession. Darcy also decorates a special music room near their bedrooms with a new pianoforte. Lydia and Wickham have left Newcastle in the dead of the night and once again, Darcy has to clean up after him and find him a new job. Jane has miscarried but is now expecting again. Lydia is also pregnant. ...more

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