Pemberley's Renaissance

Chapter 01

P E M B E R L E Y ' S   R E N A I S S A N C E

Written by Lise Antunes Simoes

Translated from French by Catherine Trollope

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Available on Amazon, Kobo, Apple Books and Google Books on

June 16th, 2020

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« There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate me. »

Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice (Chapter XXXI)

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"Good grief," grumbled Mrs. Bennet, trying to tie the ribbon on her hat for the third time. "How maladroit I am this morning!" she exclaimed, addressing her reflection in the mirror.

Elizabeth was walking down the passage just then and stopped to help her.

"Lizzy, dear, where are your sisters?" asked her mother.

"Everyone is waiting out by the carriage. We can leave as soon as you are ready."

"Very well, very well... I must speak to Hill and his wife first."

Elizabeth finished tying the knot and smiled affectionately.

"There, how fine you look, mamma."

"Nonsense!" the woman chuckled, raising her eyebrows. "My dear, I am too old for that. It is now your turn to receive such courtesies."

Then, gathering her thoughts, her eyes suddenly widened.

"Mr. Hill!" she cried, hurrying to the kitchen. "Mr. Hill! Brandy in the sauce, do you hear me? Don't forget to add brandy to the sauce!"

Amused, Elizabeth left and joined Jane, Mary and Kitty, who were all waiting outside with their father.

"Well? Where is mamma?" enquired Jane at Elizabeth's approach. "I thought she was tying her hat and then joining us?"

"Indeed, but she has apparently gone to the kitchen to discuss something urgent with Mr. Hill."

"Again? Why is she so flustered? It is not the first time that Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy are invited here for a meal, after all! The Hills are entirely capable of handling the kitchen, are they not?"

"I suppose that mamma will only cease attempts to impress our visitors when they are finally part of the family. And even then there is no guarantee. We should climb into the carriage. It will save some time."

The young ladies settled inside while Mr. Bennet took the coachman's seat. With a sigh more inflected with resignation than patience, he reached into his pocket for his pipe. His wife had been racing throughout the house since dawn, sternly reminding servants, daughters, and husband, to be ready on time. Everyone had made an effort and yet she was the one waited upon. If she did not make an appearance soon, they would only just make it in time for the church service, as was usually the case.

At the first puff of his pipe, his wife emerged from the house at last, half running, holding her hat in one hand and her shawl in the other.

"My dear, what are you waiting for? Come, let us go!" she cried out breathlessly, climbing into the carriage and taking a seat amidst her daughters.