{"id":821,"date":"2025-01-24T17:45:38","date_gmt":"2025-01-24T17:45:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/?page_id=821"},"modified":"2025-01-27T17:13:52","modified_gmt":"2025-01-27T17:13:52","slug":"illustrations","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/illustrations\/","title":{"rendered":"Illustrations"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"821\" class=\"elementor elementor-821\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-eb6ce12 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"eb6ce12\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-wide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1224ef2\" data-id=\"1224ef2\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cc24826 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"cc24826\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/000-Designer135.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-285\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/000-Designer135.webp 700w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/000-Designer135-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/000-Designer135-150x150.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e4fa067\" data-id=\"e4fa067\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-20dfb61 animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"20dfb61\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInDown&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-large\">illustrations<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2269ec0\" data-id=\"2269ec0\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44e899c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"44e899c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/000000-Designer260-e1733853646717.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-286\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/000000-Designer260-e1733853646717.webp 700w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/000000-Designer260-e1733853646717-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/000000-Designer260-e1733853646717-150x150.webp 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4626b0a1 envato-kit-141-top-0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4626b0a1\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-wider\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-311cc370\" data-id=\"311cc370\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25636d9 animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"25636d9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInDown&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The main characters<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a9b4c03 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a9b4c03\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry&#8217;s standard dummy text ever since the printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-396d8d4f\" data-id=\"396d8d4f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-3292d66 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3292d66\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-9d6e59a\" data-id=\"9d6e59a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5367bff elementor-arrows-position-outside elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"5367bff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:500}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Image Carousel\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"polite\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 3\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"5367bff\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"1 Screenshot 2024-09-15 195846\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6ODU0LCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd2ViZGVtby5odXRjaGluc29uYm9va3MuY29tXC9icmFkeVwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNVwvMDFcLzEtU2NyZWVuc2hvdC0yMDI0LTA5LTE1LTE5NTg0Ni53ZWJwIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiNTM2N2JmZiJ9\" href=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/1-Screenshot-2024-09-15-195846.webp\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/1-Screenshot-2024-09-15-195846.webp\" alt=\"1 Screenshot 2024-09-15 195846\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 3\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"5367bff\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"2 Screenshot 2024-09-15 195912\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6ODc4LCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd2ViZGVtby5odXRjaGluc29uYm9va3MuY29tXC9icmFkeVwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNVwvMDFcLzItU2NyZWVuc2hvdC0yMDI0LTA5LTE1LTE5NTkxMi53ZWJwIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiNTM2N2JmZiJ9\" href=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/2-Screenshot-2024-09-15-195912.webp\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/2-Screenshot-2024-09-15-195912.webp\" alt=\"2 Screenshot 2024-09-15 195912\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 3\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"5367bff\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"3 Screenshot 2024-09-15 195941\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6ODc5LCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd2ViZGVtby5odXRjaGluc29uYm9va3MuY29tXC9icmFkeVwvd3AtY29udGVudFwvdXBsb2Fkc1wvMjAyNVwvMDFcLzMtU2NyZWVuc2hvdC0yMDI0LTA5LTE1LTE5NTk0MS1lMTczNzc0MTkwMzgyMi53ZWJwIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiNTM2N2JmZiJ9\" href=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/3-Screenshot-2024-09-15-195941-e1737741903822.webp\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/3-Screenshot-2024-09-15-195941-e1737741903822.webp\" alt=\"3 Screenshot 2024-09-15 195941\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e9d0fa9 elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-items-stretch elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e9d0fa9\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-wider\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-76ccc481\" data-id=\"76ccc481\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb72485 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"fb72485\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"578\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/4-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200002-1024x578.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-974\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/4-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200002-1024x578.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/4-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200002-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/4-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200002-768x433.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/4-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200002.webp 1251w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-17f8b7a8\" data-id=\"17f8b7a8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f84b32d elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3f84b32d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;,&quot;_animation_delay&quot;:300}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\">New Property - <\/span> Prologue<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3d1ac401 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"3d1ac401\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;,&quot;_animation_delay&quot;:400}\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2964077e elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2964077e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;,&quot;_animation_delay&quot;:600}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAs he surveyed his new property, Darcy had to shield his eyes from the intense rays of the spring sun. The land stretched endlessly, its fertile fields and promising vistas assuring him that he had made the right decision. He perched high on his faithful friend, Devil \u2013 a beautiful, high-spirited stallion, sleek and black as midnight, standing over sixteen hands[i] high. The animal had the cunning ability to read Darcy&#8217;s moods, and this time was no exception; he remained motionless, mirroring Darcy&#8217;s solemn, reflective state as he gazed across the vast land now under his care.<br><Br>\n\n[i] A horse is measured in hands, as originally the height was determined by the number of hand widths from the ground to the withers (the top of the shoulder, where the neck meets the back). A hand equals four inches (ten centimetres), roughly the width of a man&#8217;s hand. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7154e606 elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"7154e606\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2753cb41\" data-id=\"2753cb41\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7f349404 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7f349404\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-wider\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-776093de\" data-id=\"776093de\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2580c797 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2580c797\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1792\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Designer349.webp\" class=\"elementor-animation-float attachment-full size-full wp-image-1050\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Designer349.webp 1792w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Designer349-300x171.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Designer349-1024x585.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Designer349-768x439.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Designer349-1536x878.webp 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1792px) 100vw, 1792px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30f86b14 e-grid-align-mobile-left elementor-shape-rounded elementor-grid-0 e-grid-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-social-icons\" data-id=\"30f86b14\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"social-icons.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-social-icons-wrapper elementor-grid\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon elementor-social-icon elementor-social-icon-facebook elementor-repeater-item-997a76e\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Facebook<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-facebook\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon elementor-social-icon elementor-social-icon-twitter elementor-repeater-item-8105a84\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Twitter<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-twitter\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-grid-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-icon elementor-social-icon elementor-social-icon-google-plus elementor-repeater-item-10f2479\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-screen-only\">Google-plus<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fa fa-google-plus\"><\/i>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1d38f21f\" data-id=\"1d38f21f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7cb7b1ea elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7cb7b1ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;,&quot;_animation_delay&quot;:600}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"\" data-cqc-367acd7=\"c133 c134\" data-cqs-367acd7=\"c133 c134\">For three days, he said no to his valet&#8217;s every gesture to help him in any way. The poor man was beside himself. In his shirtsleeves, Darcy locked himself in his study during the day. He tried to work but gave up pretending soon enough and only stood from his chair to look out the window or pour another drink. The staff did not know what to make of him; even the housekeeper&#8217;s delicious meals from Cook remained untouched on the tray. They wanted to help him however they could, but they were lost.<\/p><p class=\"\" data-cqc-367acd7=\"c133 c134\" data-cqs-367acd7=\"c133 c134\">On Sunday, he did not go to church. He did not go to breakfast, he did not go to lunch, and he only showed up for dinner because by that time \u2013 heartache or not \u2013 he was starving. A man had to eat, and Darcy was a virile specimen; his body required sustenance.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b5c8de0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b5c8de0\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62a5eef elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"62a5eef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInDown&quot;,&quot;_animation_delay&quot;:300}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\">Chapters of  the <\/span> Novel<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65121ab elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"65121ab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9667ca5 elementor-pagination-type-bullets elementor-arrows-position-inside elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-carousel\" data-id=\"9667ca5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;carousel_items&quot;:[{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #1&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;13ed935&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #2&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;fd8b585&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #3&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;e64c245&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #4&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;e501dfa&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #5&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;72e3b79&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #6&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;91dc897&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #7&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;f25d57c&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #8&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;b698ce2&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #9&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;5e27d2f&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #10&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;013c93d&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #11&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;5edd17a&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #12&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;86b83aa&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #13&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;c24870a&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #14&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;5e370e8&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #15&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;7abb53b&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #16&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;399769f&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #17&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;675591e&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #18&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;0761576&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #19&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;3decac2&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #20&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;cb4a2bd&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #21&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;26f9e56&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #22&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;8261211&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #23&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;6a90bde&quot;},{&quot;slide_title&quot;:&quot;Slide #24&quot;,&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;0383fd5&quot;}],&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;slides_to_show_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;slides_to_show_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:500,&quot;offset_sides&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;arrows&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pagination&quot;:&quot;bullets&quot;,&quot;image_spacing_custom&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;image_spacing_custom_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;image_spacing_custom_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-carousel swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Carousel\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"1\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 24\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-43949fb e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"43949fb\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba9803f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ba9803f\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68c97bb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"68c97bb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 1<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cdc9dd2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cdc9dd2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\">BROTHERLY <\/span> TALK<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0430de elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f0430de\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRichard watched his cousin&#8217;s pain play out on his face. &#8220;Did she at least give you a reason? I mean, a connection to you would&#8217;ve meant a lot to her family.&#8221;<BR><BR>\n\n&#8220;I do not think she even gave it a thought. I had to persuade her to tell me her reasons. Well, I guess I asked for it because she lashed out! You should have seen her! No one has ever talked to me that way\u2026 She was magnificent!&#8221; He recalled her stance and the power of her eyes on him. Even in remembrance, her set down had a peculiar effect on him. Of course, he was highly offended, but another visceral feeling overtook him as she argued with him. Arousal. His body and mind reacted to her challenge, making him feel more alive than ever. He had to stop himself from taking her into his embrace and kiss the life out of her. She had no idea of the restraint he had to use to remain a gentleman. Maybe he should not have bothered. She already thought he was no gentleman, and he would now know how she tasted! \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dca17f8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"dca17f8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-198c571 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"198c571\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"548\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/5-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200025-1024x548.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1101\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/5-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200025-1024x548.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/5-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200025-300x160.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/5-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200025-768x411.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/5-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200025.webp 1208w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"2\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 24\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f24590 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6f24590\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc40538 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bc40538\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fba52c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"fba52c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 2<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f4090f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f4090f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\">REFLECTIONS AND <\/span> INTERRUPTIONS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-233b6e5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"233b6e5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFor five days, Elizabeth&#8217;s mind had been wholly occupied, rendering her unfit for all other considerations. She was still in shock, still in disbelief about what had happened, and the following letter, which was incredible in itself that Mr Darcy would breach propriety that way. She did not think of it as surprised as she was at the time, and then her curiosity took over. In the days that followed, however, she did think about it; the fact that if people had known that a letter from a gentleman was in her pocket, they would have found it most scandalous and more, her reputation would have been ruined. That flared her indignation at the gentleman.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a2c155 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7a2c155\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b953a5c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b953a5c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"541\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/6-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200049-1024x541.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1138\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/6-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200049-1024x541.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/6-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200049-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/6-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200049-768x406.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/6-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200049.webp 1212w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"3\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 24\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-da208fc e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"da208fc\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c2133f8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c2133f8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1aa9460 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1aa9460\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 3<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-363257d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"363257d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\">NEW<\/span> ENERGY<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-acdc530 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"acdc530\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAt Darcy House, the word spread like fire that the Master had come home smiling. The cook took it to put a more elaborate menu on the table, and the maids sang again as they worked.<BR><BR>\n\nWith a new purpose, Darcy took residence in his study for the next few days. He sat and wrote, he wrote and calculated, he calculated and planned. There were papers everywhere. Messengers took and brought letters all day.<bR><bR>\n\nRichard gave up on talking to him as even at dinner, he could see that Darcy&#8217;s mind was elsewhere. Darcy did not even notice when he moved out back to his camp. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1163f51 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1163f51\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0be69d6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0be69d6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"574\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/7-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200110-1024x574.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1142\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/7-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200110-1024x574.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/7-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200110-300x168.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/7-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200110-768x431.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/7-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200110.webp 1248w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"4\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 24\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c4edf24 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c4edf24\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d75edc2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d75edc2\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab0f4d7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ab0f4d7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 4<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1a1a64c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1a1a64c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\">ATTEMPTING NEW<\/span> THINGS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-edea50b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"edea50b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t&#8220;Oh, now I am welcome in your home, Darcy?&#8221; The lord&#8217;s tall figure appeared at the door of his study.\n\n&#8220;Forgive me, Phillip, but that was not the best time.&#8221; Darcy stood.\n\n&#8220;You seem to feel better.&#8221; His guest observed.\n\n&#8220;Yes, I have been very busy these last few days. I have asked you to come because\u2026&#8221;\n\n&#8220;Ah, straight to business, I see. How refreshing.&#8221; The viscount sat in the chair before Darcy&#8217;s desk without invitation.\n\n&#8220;Yes, I&#8217;m planning to start an enterprise, and I need you to raise some money for it.&#8221;\n\nHis lordship took his lorgnette off his eye. This sounded like serious business. &#8220;Is that so? I am all ears.&#8221;\n\n&#8220;There&#8217;s an estate called Netherfield\u2026&#8221; Darcy explained his plans, the circumstances, and the prospect.<BR>\n\n\n&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;<BR>\n\nWhen her mother fell asleep in the armchair, Lizzy looked at the pile of papers from London. She stood and went to the papers. One by one, she examined the society pages. After some search, she found the small article. It said that he attended Countess Matlock&#8217;s ball and was seen talking and dancing with a Miss Hainley, a &#8220;lovely&#8221; debutante.\n\n\nSo, Mr Darcy has moved on. Well, that was swiftly done. She bristled at that; then, she wondered what this young woman was like for Mr Darcy to notice her. She told herself petulantly that she must have a good dowry, although she knew she was not fair to him. After all, he did offer for her penniless self. She did not know how she was supposed to feel about this knowledge, and she became angry toward herself that she wanted to find out about him. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ebc6c23 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ebc6c23\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5543cea elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5543cea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/8-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200131-1024x575.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1146\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/8-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200131-1024x575.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/8-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200131-300x168.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/8-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200131-768x431.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/8-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200131.webp 1250w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"5\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"5 of 24\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a345115 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a345115\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-303759d e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"303759d\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d670608 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d670608\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 5<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63cd9d0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"63cd9d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\">ATTEMPTING NEW<\/span> THINGS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5c2c33d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5c2c33d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe only person, other than Mrs Nicholls, who was aware of the identity of the new landlord of Netherfield, of course, was Mr Phillips, the local attorney. They were sufficiently shocked at that development. Alas, he was obligated not to say a word due to his confidentiality agreement, although the fact almost killed him. His wife and others kept nagging him to share this vital information. It seemed people would veritably die if they did not learn the identity of their new neighbour soon. He had sent messengers to and fro, finalising the deal on the previous owner&#8217;s behalf.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8634de4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8634de4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\nSuddenly, the rider&#8217;s head turned toward her, as if sensing her gaze. Elizabeth&#8217;s breath caught in her throat, her body frozen in place. Her eyes locked onto the rider&#8217;s face, and she could scarcely believe what she saw. The recognition was immediate and shocking.\n\n&#8220;Mr Darcy!&#8221; she exclaimed in a stunned whisper. Her mind raced as she struggled to process the impossible revelation. There was no mistaking it \u2013 this was indeed Mr Darcy, and that horse was unmistakably his. The very same majestic creature she had admired so long ago. The shock of recognition was immediate and overwhelming.\n\nThis is impossible! She screamed inwardly as she gasped. The man looked straight at her for a few long seconds, then turned back to catch up to the other rider.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8a57bb6 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8a57bb6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-367563c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"367563c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"540\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/9-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200155-1024x540.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1171\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/9-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200155-1024x540.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/9-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200155-300x158.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/9-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200155-768x405.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/9-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200155.webp 1251w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-738f198 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"738f198\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"585\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Designer281-9-1024x585.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1184\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Designer281-9-1024x585.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Designer281-9-300x171.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Designer281-9-768x439.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Designer281-9-1536x878.webp 1536w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Designer281-9.webp 1792w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"6\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"6 of 24\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d09299 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4d09299\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-959bcd9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"959bcd9\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ed72826 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ed72826\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 6<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cdc2e76 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cdc2e76\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\">FIRST<\/span> MEETING<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c76032 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6c76032\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t&#8220;Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, it is an honour to meet you again. I hope you are both well.&#8221; Darcy said, his voice steady as he addressed the older sisters. He prayed that Miss Elizabeth would look at him, though he dared not hope for too much.\n\nJane, ever gracious, was the first to speak. &#8220;Mr Darcy, welcome. We are quite well. And you? What brings you back to Hertfordshire?&#8221;\n\n&#8220;My cousin and I have recently purchased Netherfield\u2026&#8221; Darcy began, his eyes flickering to Elizabeth. Her head snapped up at the mention of Netherfield, a clear sign of her surprise.\n\nDarcy looked at her and bowed his head to her. &#8220;Yes, madam. We acquired it as an investment and hope to make significant improvements there.&#8221;\n\n&#8220;Are you indeed the new owner of Netherfield, sir?&#8221; Mrs Bennet asked in wonder.\n\n&#8220;Yes, madam. We are very hopeful about the potential there and look forward to becoming part of the community.&#8221;\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11ef28f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"11ef28f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4436dea elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4436dea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"487\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/10-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200222-1024x487.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1200\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/10-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200222-1024x487.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/10-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200222-300x143.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/10-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200222-768x365.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/10-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200222.webp 1248w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"7\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"7 of 24\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b5348ac e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b5348ac\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf03b85 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bf03b85\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-86a1671 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"86a1671\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 7<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60bdfeb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"60bdfeb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\">A HEARTFELT <\/span> APOLOGY<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-237a978 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"237a978\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n&#8220;I feel I must be honest with you. I am partly to blame for your heartache.&#8221; Darcy blurted out.\n\nJane stood unblinking, her face pale as she tried to absorb the gravity of his words.\n\n&#8220;I am very sorry for being indelicate. During the ball at Netherfield, Sir William let it slip that there was a general expectation for Bingley to offer for you. I found the notion premature as we had been in the neighbourhood only for a short time, and to my knowledge, he never even called on you. I observed you to see if you had feelings for my friend, but, and please forgive me for saying this, I didn&#8217;t see any particular sentiment on your side\u2026 I am beginning to understand that maybe that&#8217;s just your disposition; you are kind to everyone.&#8221; He took his handkerchief to pat his face with it..<BR><BR>\n\n&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;<BR><BR>\n\n&#8220;And how did she take it?&#8221;\n\nDarcy&#8217;s lips twitched into a faint, wry smile. &#8220;With far more grace than I expected. She was hurt, of course. Who wouldn&#8217;t be? But she bore it with a quiet strength that was\u2026humbling.&#8221;\n\nPhillip leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. &#8220;Miss Bennet strikes me as the sort who would value honesty over pretence. Still, it could not have been easy for her to hear.&#8221;\n\n&#8220;It was not,&#8221; Darcy admitted, his voice heavy. &#8220;But she forgave me, or so she said.&#8221;\n\nPhillip studied his cousin, his expression softening. &#8220;Grace, strength, and forgiveness? She sounds like a remarkable woman.&#8221;\n\n&#8220;She is,&#8221; Darcy replied simply, his voice carrying an unusual note of reverence. &#8220;Her composure in the face of such a revelation was extraordinary. I expected anger, perhaps even disdain, but instead, she showed understanding.&#8221;\n\nPhillip leaned back, considering Darcy&#8217;s words. &#8220;I must admit, you have surprised me, Darce. I didn&#8217;t think you capable of such humility.&#8221;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a7faef e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3a7faef\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3054265 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3054265\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CHAPTER7-1024x575.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1210\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CHAPTER7-1024x575.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CHAPTER7-300x168.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CHAPTER7-768x431.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CHAPTER7.webp 1251w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"8\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"8 of 24\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e67f1db e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e67f1db\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8926ab0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8926ab0\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32086eb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"32086eb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 8<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ec9552 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2ec9552\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\">CONFRONTATIONS <\/span> <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-be47c34 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"be47c34\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t&#8220;I have thought about it, Lizzy. We have both sworn to marry for love. I am uncertain whether I hold any love for him still.&#8221; As Jane spoke, her own words surprised her. How could love so fervent fade so quickly? But when she thought of Mr. Bingley&#8217;s absence, his silence, the way he had not fought for her, a hollowness filled the space where affection once resided. She longed for a love that stood firm, even in the face of adversity.\n\n&#8220;How can you say that?&#8221; Elizabeth asked, disbelieving.\n\n&#8220;It is true. I see things differently now; it cannot be helped. I want a man who would fight for me, or at least one who does not give up on me at the first hurdle. For too long, I have placed others&#8217; expectations above my own desires. I have learnt that a love worth having must be earned, not merely given. Also, I am not welcome in that family. Caroline and Louisa made that abundantly clear.&#8221;<BR><bR>\n\n&#8220;You would not be marrying them,&#8221; Elizabeth pointed out.\n\n&#8220;I know that. Only I should have to watch their sour faces for the rest of my life. Anyway, I also thought about our oath. The reality is that we have nothing to offer other than ourselves. If we want to marry, I do not think I can hold onto that oath.&#8221;\n\n&#8220;What are you saying, Jane?&#8221; Elizabeth asked, confusion in her voice.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bcd39c5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bcd39c5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e38473 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9e38473\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"565\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-8-1024x565.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1223\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-8-1024x565.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-8-300x166.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-8-768x424.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-8.webp 1250w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"9\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"9 of 24\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9c992b1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9c992b1\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a8521b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0a8521b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f3779ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f3779ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 9<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38486d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"38486d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\">THE QUESTION OF <\/span>PERSISTENCE <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dece1c2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"dece1c2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\nI shall not be made unhappy by Mr Darcy! She thought fiercely. Only a month ago, she had never dreamt that he would have tender feelings toward her. Only a month ago, I hated him! How could he think she would change her mind so easily, as if her emotions were so fickle? He is nobody to me, she insisted to herself, trying to reaffirm her resolve.\n\nDesperate to distract herself, she picked up her embroidery and focused on the delicate stitches. But her hands were unsteady, and her thoughts were elsewhere. &#8220;Ouch!&#8221; she exclaimed as the needle pricked her finger, drawing a tiny bead of blood. She stared at the crimson dot, feeling the sting of the wound, but it was nothing compared to the turmoil in her heart. <BR><bR>\n\nDarcy maintained his composure as he left the Bennet house, his mind reeling from the uncomfortable encounter. However, once he stepped outside, he felt an overwhelming wave of fatigue and despair wash over him. He leaned heavily against the stone wall of the entrance, his breaths coming in shallow, uneven gasps. Shutting his eyes tightly, he pressed his right hand firmly against his chest, willing his heart to steady its frantic beating.\n\nThe weight of his emotions felt unbearable. He should not have come. What had possessed him? It was a foolish idea, and now he was left to grapple with the realisation of his own vulnerability. Who was he fooling? Oh, heartless creature! he thought, feeling the sting of his own folly. He felt like crying. Has it come to this? Am I going to cry over a woman?<bR><bR>\n\nPhillip on the picture, in Chapter 10\n\n&#8220;Darcy, Miss Bennet wanted me to remind you that she had said you needed to be patient. It has only been a few weeks. It took Miss Elizabeth over two weeks to share what happened between you with Miss Bennet. She thought you hated her as she hated you, no matter how misguided that was. I learnt from Miss Bennet that her sister&#8217;s cleverness has two disadvantages; for one, she thinks she is mostly right and is stubborn in her beliefs. Imagine the blow to her ego. She told you Miss Elizabeth needed time \u2013 time to acknowledge that she might be wrong, then she has to accept it, and only then can you expect her to start to change her mind about you. It is much easier to dismiss you than to realise most of her beliefs were wrong about you and that you are, in fact, an excellent man.&#8221;\n\nDarcy listened intently. &#8220;This is your conjecture?&#8221;\n\n&#8220;Indeed,&#8221; his cousin said. &#8220;Do not get discouraged because once she lets you in her loving circle, she&#8217;ll love you fiercely.&#8221;\n\n&#8220;Miss Bennet said that?&#8221; Darcy asked, raising an eyebrow. His treacherous heart beat faster hearing that.\n\nPhillip nodded. &#8220;Yes, she said that. Just remain steadfast in your purpose \u2013 to make her change her mind. Give her time. Show Miss Elizabeth your preference; show her who you are.&#8221;\n\n&#8220;That is what your mother said.&#8221;\n\n&#8220;My mother? She knows?&#8221; Phillip seemed surprised. &#8220;Of course, she knows. She made you sing like a canary, did she not? What did she think of all this?&#8221;\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ae72129 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ae72129\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-90d41dc elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"90d41dc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"444\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-9-1024x444.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1236\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-9-1024x444.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-9-300x130.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-9-768x333.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-9.webp 1461w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4e6acd8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4e6acd8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"585\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-99-1024x585.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1240\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-99-1024x585.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-99-300x171.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-99-768x439.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-99-1536x878.webp 1536w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-99.webp 1792w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a87f515 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a87f515\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"585\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH999-1024x585.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1266\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH999-1024x585.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH999-300x171.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH999-768x439.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH999-1536x878.webp 1536w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH999.webp 1792w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"10\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"10 of 24\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-80dd402 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"80dd402\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0230722 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0230722\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e07403 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9e07403\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 10<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-da4fd08 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"da4fd08\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\">LECTURE AND A <\/span>CURIOUS LETTER<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1211fea elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1211fea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPhillip raised an eyebrow, his expression a mixture of curiosity and amusement. &#8220;And you feel that men do not also wish for affection from their prospective wives? I assure you, Miss Bennet, we are quite particular about that ourselves. Darcy would not have proposed without feeling.&#8221;\n\nJane blushed, caught off guard by his response. &#8220;Of course, sir, I did not mean to suggest otherwise\u2026&#8221;\n\nPhillip held up a hand, a teasing glint in his eyes. &#8220;No need to defend yourself. I find your sentiment quite admirable, actually. Many marry without kind feelings. It&#8217;s just\u2026what a pity it would be to marry someone and feel nothing for her.&#8221;\n\nHe paused, his gaze softening as he studied her. &#8220;I cannot imagine enduring a life without affection. It would be like a fine estate with no sunlight, no warmth. Such a place could never thrive.&#8221;<BR><BR>\n\nJane&#8217;s blush deepened, but she managed a small smile. &#8220;I suppose we agree on that, then.&#8221;\n&#8220;Mr Bingley didn&#8217;t keep his word, Lizzy! He did not even bother to say goodbye; he simply stayed away. You keep saying you believe he is in love with me, but what kind of love is his? Your Mr Darcy, after being soundly rejected,&#8221; she looked at Elizabeth admonishingly, &#8220;bothered to write a letter, went to the parsonage to say goodbye. Now he is here to see if you can change your mind if you give him another chance, and he went into great trouble.\u00a0\u00a0\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-52351e2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"52351e2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c4016db elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c4016db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"383\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/14-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200430-1024x383.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1294\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/14-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200430-1024x383.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/14-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200430-300x112.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/14-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200430-768x287.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/14-Screenshot-2024-09-15-200430.webp 1263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e0740e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7e0740e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH10.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1298\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH10.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH10-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH10-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH10-768x768.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"11\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"11 of 24\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68ad077 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"68ad077\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a72413 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7a72413\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f0d049 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5f0d049\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 11<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5fccb8f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5fccb8f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\">TORTUROUS <\/span>THOUGHTS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91ff892 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"91ff892\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAfter thinking the worst about him, how was she supposed to forget it all? As she reflected on her feelings of righteousness, she felt ashamed. She never gave him the benefit of the doubt. Jane was right. She did not want to see him in an advantageous light. She was so sure she had good reasons to loath him that she did not listen to any advice. Now that she knew the truth in all her accusations, it was difficult to admit that he seemed to be an excellent marriage partner once these were removed.\n\nThe realisation that she had misunderstood him so profoundly made her heart ache with an unfamiliar pang of guilt. Could it be that her pride had prevented her from seeing the truth of his character? And if so, what did that say about her own judgment?<BR><BR>\n\nAt dinner, Darcy contemplated the possibility of going to Lucas&#8217;s. &#8220;You go, Phillip. I think I&#8217;ll skip this one. Please, make up an excuse for me.&#8221;\n\n&#8220;That will not do, cousin.&#8221;\n\n&#8220;Why not take Aunt?&#8221;\n\n&#8220;A lady doesn&#8217;t just appear at someone&#8217;s soiree, Darcy. But, by all means, invite the elder Misses Bennets with their mother for tomorrow. I would like to meet them.&#8221; Lady Matlock suggested.\n\nDarcy swallowed at the prospect.\n\n&#8220;Don&#8217;t worry. I shall not say anything, for now.&#8221; She reassured Darcy by putting her hand on his.\n\n&#8220;You see, you must come.&#8221; Phillip insisted.\n\n&#8220;I don&#8217;t think I can.&#8221;\n\n&#8220;Remember, you want to show your constancy. You need to demonstrate that you can be civil.&#8221;\n\n&#8220;Brother?&#8221;\n\n&#8220;It&#8217;s nothing, Georgie. I was not at my best last time I was here.&#8221;\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9170562 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9170562\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-036d2f0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"036d2f0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"340\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-11-1024x340.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1317\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-11-1024x340.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-11-300x100.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-11-768x255.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-11-1536x510.webp 1536w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-11.webp 1552w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dd42a48 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"dd42a48\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH111.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1321\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH111.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH111-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH111-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH111-768x768.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"12\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"12 of 24\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f784b98 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"f784b98\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-367928e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"367928e\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc695af elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bc695af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 12<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b27dc87 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b27dc87\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\">IN <\/span>COMPANY<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-97696f1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"97696f1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\nShe looked up at him with evident pain in her eyes. She nodded.\n\n&#8220;You did very well, Miss Elizabeth. Brighton is not for young ladies, especially not without parental supervision. I know the dangers.&#8221; He looked at Elizabeth with meaning. &#8220;May I ask what your father&#8217;s objections were?&#8221;\n\nElizabeth shut her eyes.\n\n&#8220;I am not trying to judge; I just want to understand.&#8221;<bR><bR>\n\n&#8220;He \u2013 he thought we, Jane and I, were jealous of the invitation, and he did not want to listen to her tantrum if he didn&#8217;t let her go. He did not think there was a real danger of her\u2026 doing\u2026&#8221;\n\n&#8220;I understand. Say no more.&#8221; He thought for a while. &#8220;Your mother, does she wield power over what happens?&#8221;<bR><BR>\n\nJane and Elizabeth looked at each other, and both nodded. &#8220;I was going to speak to her tomorrow.&#8221;\n\n&#8220;In that case, would you allow me to try to talk to her? Maybe I can impress on her how dangerous this place is.&#8221;\n\n&#8220;You wish to talk to my mother? You \u2013 you would do that?&#8221; Elizabeth asked in open wonder.\n\nDarcy bowed. &#8220;There is very little I would not do for you, Miss Elizabeth.&#8221;\n\nHer lips parted in silent surprise. Elizabeth&#8217;s chest tightened as his words sank in. She had never heard anyone speak with such quiet sincerity, much less directed at her. For a moment, she felt exposed, as though he could see past her defences to the conflicted emotions she kept buried. She struggled to compose herself under the weight of his steady gaze. She looked into his eyes and saw, for the first time, his feelings written on his face.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8eccb56 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8eccb56\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14d22c6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"14d22c6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-12-1024x577.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1346\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-12-1024x577.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-12-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-12-768x433.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-12.webp 1195w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"13\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"13 of 24\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-858f035 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"858f035\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d52b0f7 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d52b0f7\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a2e14be elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a2e14be\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 13<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6faf923 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6faf923\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\">WICKHAM <\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-20e115d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"20e115d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDarcy just smirked at him. &#8220;It&#8217;s quite astonishing that you think you could come here, and she would do your bidding after all you have put her through. Do you think I stayed silent about your misdeeds?&#8221;\n\nWickham&#8217;s face contorted with rage. &#8220;Why do you have to ruin everything?&#8221;\n\nDarcy&#8217;s laughter was sharp and bitter. &#8220;You mean, why don&#8217;t I just stand aside and let you ruin my sister?&#8221;\n\nWickham&#8217;s lip curled in frustration, his voice rising as he shouted, &#8220;You&#8217;ve always stood in my way! You take everything for granted while I scrape by!&#8221;\n\nDarcy&#8217;s eyes narrowed, his anger icy and controlled. &#8220;And whose fault is that, Wickham? You were given every opportunity and squandered them all.&#8221;\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4434541 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4434541\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4daaca5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4daaca5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"622\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-13-1024x622.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1362\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-13-1024x622.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-13-300x182.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-13-768x466.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-13.webp 1107w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"14\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"14 of 24\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-07a2a50 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"07a2a50\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-610e5b7 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"610e5b7\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c58c734 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c58c734\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 14<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-31065d2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"31065d2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\">VISITING <\/span>NETHERFIELD<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39354f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"39354f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhen they got back to the carriage, Elizabeth offered Darcy a drink. He gratefully took it from her, but not before their fingers, now without gloves, brushed together. Their eyes snapped to look at each other. Darcy lingered; he did not want to give up the unexpected gift. Elizabeth&#8217;s breath caught, her fingers tingling from the brief contact. Darcy&#8217;s intense gaze seemed to pull her in, a silent declaration of his feelings that she could no longer ignore. For a fleeting moment, the world around them faded, the clinking of glasses and soft chatter of others nothing more than a distant hum. Both were acutely aware of the sensations their touch created. Hardly breathing, Elizabeth then watched Darcy drink, the strong curve of his jaw emphasised in profile, and her own pulse quickened.<BR><BR>\n\n&#8220;Thank you.&#8221; Darcy&#8217;s voice croaked. He gave back the cup. Elizabeth stepped away to offer drinks to others, still barely breathing. When she turned away, Darcy closed his eyes and relived the moment. She did not pull away\u2026 Maybe it was a surprise, but she did not pull away.\n\nElizabeth gave the bottle to her sister to distribute. She hesitated but then straightened and called to Darcy.<BR><bR>\n\n&#8220;Mr Darcy, would you show me around?&#8221;\n\nDarcy turned around and just stared at her.\n\n&#8220;Your aunt said that she was quite impressed with the work you were doing here.&#8221;\n\n&#8220;Work?&#8221; His mind went blank.\n\n&#8220;What you are doing here.&#8221; She gestured. She wanted to know more \u2013 about the plans, about his vision, about the man behind them.\n\n&#8220;Oh, of course, by all means.&#8221; What is she doing?\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39beea6 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"39beea6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b9b8737 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b9b8737\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-14-1024x575.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1372\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-14-1024x575.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-14-300x168.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-14-768x431.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-14.webp 1197w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36a4cc5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"36a4cc5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"585\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-144-1024x585.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1382\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-144-1024x585.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-144-300x171.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-144-768x439.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-144-1536x878.webp 1536w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-144.webp 1792w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"15\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"15 of 24\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e8ac1a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3e8ac1a\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bd35002 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bd35002\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-98a84e3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"98a84e3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 15<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-28c2981 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"28c2981\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\">THE VERDICT <\/span>NETHERFIELD<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2648e19 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2648e19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 16<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6853d5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d6853d5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\">A CHANGING <\/span>VIEW<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1125934 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1125934\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t&#8220;Go to a ball just to make her what\u2026jealous?&#8221; Darcy did not like the idea of that. &#8220;I abhor deceit,&#8221; he grumbled.\n\n&#8220;Well, she could use a little bit of competition or uncertainty. After all, she was harsh with you.&#8221; Phillip said.\n\n&#8220;Knowing you are out there dancing, chatting with the best of the ton might just do the trick. Jealousy is a powerful emotion.&#8221; Lady Matlock leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. &#8220;Remember, my boy, the ton is not kind to those who hesitate. Show her what she risks losing. Sometimes, a touch of uncertainty is all it takes to solidify one&#8217;s affections.&#8221;\n\nDarcy frowned, but her knowing smile left him uneasy.<BR><bR>\n\n&#8220;I must say, cousin, I have enjoyed myself today immensely. There is nothing more satisfying than a good business deal.&#8221; The viscount said while he poured a drink for Darcy and himself after dinner.\n\n&#8220;Indeed. Our staff has done very well, too. This could really work, and this was not even part of my business plan. This will give us at least a twenty per cent increase, if not more. Mr Bennet unknowingly did us a good favour with his suggestion. Miss Elizabeth told me yesterday that her father did not really participate in managing the land more than the minimum. He still came\u2026&#8221;<BR><BR>\n\nEven if she was not fully conscious of what she wanted, Mr Darcy greatly occupied her mind. Two weeks before this day, she was pretty satisfied with her lot. She had congratulated herself that she had stood by her convictions. All right, those convictions, at least one of them, were overturned; still, she was satisfied that she had answered his attack on her and her station and refused the arrogant gentleman. Now, not yet two weeks after she saw him on his horse from where she now stood, her life, her thoughts and feelings were turned upside down.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5962576 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5962576\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2be6171 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2be6171\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-15-16-1024x400.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1395\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-15-16-1024x400.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-15-16-300x117.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-15-16-768x300.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-15-16.webp 1425w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e52f2dc elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e52f2dc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-166-177.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1411\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-166-177.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-166-177-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-166-177-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-166-177-768x768.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6247de7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6247de7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch1666-1777.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1421\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch1666-1777.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch1666-1777-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch1666-1777-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch1666-1777-768x768.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1934abd elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1934abd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"585\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-166-1777-1024x585.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1599\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-166-1777-1024x585.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-166-1777-300x171.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-166-1777-768x439.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-166-1777-1536x878.webp 1536w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-166-1777.webp 1792w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"16\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"16 of 24\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-237621b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"237621b\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38242eb e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"38242eb\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45861cb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"45861cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 17<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c6bdc2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6c6bdc2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\">LADIES ONLY AT <\/span>NETHERFIELD<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-78bed09 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"78bed09\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOn Monday, it was Elizabeth&#8217;s turn. She took the ladies out to a meadow. They all had to create a bouquet of flowers and paint or draw the creations. Now, that was fun. None of them was perfect, but they did not let themselves be intimidated by the fact, and the paintings became quite imaginative. Elizabeth never excelled at this necessary skill for ladies, so she challenged the others to give her suggestions on how to improve.\n\n&#8220;Be brave with your colours, Lizzy. You don&#8217;t have to be careful not to cross a line. It&#8217;s a watercolour. That&#8217;s almost impossible.&#8221; Jane suggested.\n\n&#8220;You may add imaginary flowers to make the design more substantial. Especially some greenery, with that you do not have to be so careful. Here, you see?&#8221; Georgiana looked at her painting knowingly.\n\nMary suggested that Elizabeth should not use the brush like a pencil but hold it loose and higher to give the brush freedom.<BR><BR>\n\nDarcy and his cousin arrived in the afternoon and immediately asked after the ladies. To their surprise, they were told the ladies were at the stables. They did not waste any time; they approached.\n\n&#8220;\u2026 Georgie, I don&#8217;t think I can do this,&#8221; Elizabeth whined.\n\n&#8220;Lizzy, I am surprised at your sentiment. You can do anything! You cannot be afraid of a horse called Daisy. Look at her; she is so gentle. Imagine if I wanted to make you sit on William&#8217;s horse. Now, Devil could be a little spirited for a beginner, but not her.&#8221; She nuzzled the horse in affection. &#8220;See?&#8221;\n\n&#8220;I don&#8217;t know. I&#8217;m already so high.&#8221; She looked around as she stood on the mounting block.\n\n&#8220;What is happening here?&#8221; Darcy spoke up.\n\nGeorgiana beamed at her brother as she turned.\n\n&#8220;William! I have been trying to get Lizzy on Daisy, but she is a mouse.&#8221;\n\nElizabeth jumped from the block as soon as she turned. She became red all over. Could they not have arrived a bit later so that her humiliation would have gone unnoticed?\n\n\n\n\n&#8220;I am not a mouse! It is just that this horse is too tall. I&#8217;m a small person.&#8221;<BR><bR>\n\n&#8220;How was the ball? Tell us all.&#8221; Georgiana asked as the laughter subsided.\n\n&#8220;It was very extravagant. They created an enchanted forest theme.&#8221; Phillip shook his head.\n\n&#8220;I agree; it was ridiculous. All that fuss for a few hours of entertainment!&#8221; Darcy commented wryly.\n\n&#8220;I can imagine the ladies&#8217; gowns,&#8221; Georgiana said dreamily.\n\nAll ladies looked at the gentlemen.\n\n&#8220;Don&#8217;t look at me. I am a man. How am I supposed to describe the gowns?&#8221; Phillip defended himself.\n\nThey looked at Darcy in the hope of some information from his quarter.\n\n&#8220;You must have taken notice of something, surely!&#8221; Georgiana implored.\n\nSeeing her hopeful expression, Darcy tried to recall at least one dress.\n\nElizabeth started to laugh at his serious concentration.\n\n&#8220;Give up, Georgie. You will have to ask your aunt. These gentlemen are hopeless. Next time I prepare for an evening, I shall be considerably less worried about my attire. It looks like it does not really matter what we wear.&#8221;\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9372fa1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9372fa1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dad1637 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"dad1637\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch-17.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1446\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch-17.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch-17-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch-17-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch-17-768x768.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0eaf05 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e0eaf05\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"585\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-18-1024x585.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1456\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-18-1024x585.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-18-300x171.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-18-768x439.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-18-1536x878.webp 1536w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-18.webp 1792w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dd20def elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"dd20def\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"585\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-188-1024x585.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1463\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-188-1024x585.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-188-300x171.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-188-768x439.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-188-1536x878.webp 1536w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-188.webp 1792w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"17\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"17 of 24\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-906afb1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"906afb1\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d714d67 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d714d67\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0658528 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0658528\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 18<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8097f8a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8097f8a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\">CLEARING THE <\/span>AIR<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32e8876 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"32e8876\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\nElizabeth&#8217;s gaze softened, and she gave a small, understanding nod. &#8220;Mr Darcy, I appreciate your consideration. That&#8217;s why I intervened. I am sorry if my previous responses caused you to hesitate. They were not\u2026encouraging,&#8221; she said, her voice carrying a hint of regret. She forced a smile, which lacked its usual warmth.<BR><BR>\n\nTaking a deep breath, Elizabeth summoned her courage. &#8220;If it matters, I wish you to know that I am not opposed to dancing\u2026with you,&#8221; she confessed, her cheeks flushing slightly as she spoke the words.<BR><bR>\n\nDarcy&#8217;s breath caught at her admission. He studied her face intently, noting the slight blush and the way she avoided his gaze after her declaration. His heart quickened with anticipation. &#8220;You would not?&#8221; he asked carefully, his eyes searching hers for confirmation.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6933ed e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c6933ed\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6db273b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6db273b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"479\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-19.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1480\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-19.jpg 479w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-19-300x197.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 479px) 100vw, 479px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"18\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"18 of 24\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba96854 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ba96854\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b38e2e2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b38e2e2\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-edc97fc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"edc97fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 19<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d750591 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d750591\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\">UNEXPECTED<\/span> GUESTS<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d44cafd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d44cafd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t&#8220;Miss Elizabeth, I must say that if you did not put much effort into your appearance, I wonder what you&#8217;ll look like when you put much exertion into it. You look lovely.&#8221; He surprised himself how easily he flirted with his lady.\n\nGeorgiana beamed at both.\n\n&#8220;Why, Mr Darcy, that sounded very much like a compliment.&#8221;\n\n&#8220;If I recall, this is not the first time.&#8221;<BR><BR>\n\nShe looked at him as if in doubt. &#8220;Maybe you could remind me of those incidents during our dance, Mr Darcy.&#8221; She laughed.\n\n&#8220;It would be my pleasure.&#8221; His eyes danced.\n\n&#8220;This colour indeed looks perfect on you, Lizzy. Is that my brother&#8217;s gift in your hair?&#8221; Georgiana boldly asked. She wanted to know for her brother.\n\n&#8220;Erm\u2026 yes. It complements my dress, does it not?&#8221; She glanced at Darcy demurely. &#8220;You \u2013 you arrived earlier than you said you would. I&#8217;m engaged for the next set.&#8221;<BR><BR>\n\nDarcy was walking on clouds\u2026 &#8220;That&#8217;s all right. I shall take my sister to dance.&#8221;\n\n&#8220;Oh, of course. You are a good brother.&#8221;\n\nHe bowed to her. &#8220;I am looking forward to our set, Miss Elizabeth\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10cd4c2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"10cd4c2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-90ece8a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"90ece8a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"488\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-199-1024x488.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1505\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-199-1024x488.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-199-300x143.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-199-768x366.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-199.webp 1447w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"19\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"19 of 24\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36736aa e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"36736aa\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6dedf00 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6dedf00\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ac8cd8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9ac8cd8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 20<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b9e8d49 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b9e8d49\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\">UNEXPECTED<\/span> DEVELOPMENT<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f7f523 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3f7f523\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPhillip first felt he had to honour another man&#8217;s pursuit. A side of him also wanted to know where she stood, what she would say, but then he asked himself if he had shown her enough that he was interested. What if she thinks that I would never marry so low as a lord? Jane! What if I lose her? Why should I step aside for that pup who doesn&#8217;t deserve her? That did it. He found himself in the hall. Which room? Then he saw Mr Bennet sitting on a bench with all the outer garments on the wall. They must be in his room. He strode to the book room, and before Mr Bennet could stop him, he reached for the handle.<BR><BR>\n\nIn the next moment, he found himself pulled forcibly into the room and collided with a body. He had to help himself to regain his balance by using the other hand on the door frame. He was pushed aside as Bingley, he recognised, hurriedly came out of the book room. He left without looking back. When he straightened, he saw Miss Bennet standing at the window. She just turned at the commotion.<bR><bR>\n\n&#8220;Are \u2013 are you all right?&#8221;<BR><bR>\n\n&#8220;I shall be. And you? What are you doing here?&#8221; Jane asked.\n\n&#8220;Yes, my lord, what were you thinking barging in on them? Did you not know what was going on in here?&#8221; Mr Bennet shook his head. He was worried about his daughter. She had to have said no because Mr Bingley did not acknowledge him on his way out. Before he called her, he begrudgingly listened to Mr Bingley. He could not deny him the chance, but he told his daughter she did not have to answer immediately.<BR><BR>\n\n\n&#8220;It&#8217;s like you are out of your mind, Bingley. This is too much even from you. Spontaneity has a place when you want to decide whether to walk or ride. You don&#8217;t just jump up on a whim with a life-changing question. Don&#8217;t you understand how society works? You didn&#8217;t even return because of her, for goodness&#8217; sake!&#8221;\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d2e9fd e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6d2e9fd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-186b809 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"186b809\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"510\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch-20-1024x510.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1524\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch-20-1024x510.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch-20-300x149.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch-20-768x383.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch-20.webp 1411w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6221993 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6221993\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-221.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1550\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-221.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-221-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-221-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-221-768x768.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d113be9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d113be9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH220.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1537\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH220.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH220-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH220-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH220-768x768.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"20\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"20 of 24\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a82e34 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0a82e34\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2189109 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2189109\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d1f609f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d1f609f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 22<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c009626 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c009626\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\">FLOWER<\/span> LANGUAGE<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9819b51 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9819b51\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tElizabeth gasped. &#8220;For me?&#8221; No matter how hard she tried, she could not suppress the grin that spread across her face. &#8220;You brought me flowers?&#8221; Elizabeth&#8217;s heart leapt with joy. Once again, Mr Darcy had surprised her. I keep underestimating him, she thought as she raised the lovely bouquet to her nose. &#8220;Pansies and forget-me-nots?&#8221;<BR><bR>\n\n&#8220;I thought they would serve my purpose,&#8221; Darcy replied, his tone warm yet earnest.\n\n&#8220;Do you know the meaning behind these flowers?&#8221; she asked, her curiosity piqued.\n\n&#8220;I do.&#8221;\n\n&#8220;How?&#8221; She tilted her head in amusement.\n\n&#8220;I purchased a book on the subject.&#8221;\n\nElizabeth&#8217;s eyes widened in delight. &#8220;You went into a bookstore to buy\u2026?&#8221;\n\n&#8220;I sent my valet,&#8221; he interrupted, his mouth twitching into the barest hint of a smile.<bR><bR>\n\nShe giggled, unable to help herself. &#8220;May I ask when you did this?&#8221;\n\n&#8220;After I resolved to try again.&#8221;<bR><bR>\n\n&#8220;And Miss Bennet?&#8221;\n\nDarcy glanced at his cousin. &#8220;She was happy for her sister.&#8221;\n\nPhillip was about to adjust his aim.\n\n&#8220;She seemed to be disappointed when she asked about you\u2026&#8221;\n\nPhillip&#8217;s stick went the wrong way.\n\n&#8220;\u2026 and I had to say you were not coming.&#8221; Darcy nodded to himself. Phillip deserved a lesson.\n\n&#8220;She \u2013 she asked about me?&#8221;\n\n&#8220;Yes, Phillip. She looked lovely.&#8221; Darcy said nonchalantly.\n\n&#8220;What do you mean?&#8221;<bR><BR>\n\n&#8220;What do you mean what do I mean? She looked, you know, even more beautiful than usual. She wore a nice dress I haven&#8217;t seen, a pink and blue one and had a lovely pink silk rose attached to it\u2026&#8221; He widely used his hands to show what he meant. Oh, Darcy enjoyed torturing his cousin.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a8b14fe e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a8b14fe\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68174ab elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"68174ab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch-22-1024x575.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1631\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch-22-1024x575.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch-22-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch-22-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch-22.webp 1267w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8682168 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8682168\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch-22.1.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1632\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch-22.1.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch-22.1-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch-22.1-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch-22.1-768x768.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-397467a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"397467a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch-22.2.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1636\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch-22.2.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch-22.2-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch-22.2-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/ch-22.2-768x768.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"21\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"21 of 24\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d64f272 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d64f272\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bda6c01 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bda6c01\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b536ca elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3b536ca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 23<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ad866a5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ad866a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\">ANOTHER HEARTFELT<\/span> APOLOGY<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c95956b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c95956b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThey walked in the garden, Jane steadfastly silent and Phillip mortified and tongue-tied. He regularly talked of business and negotiated with all kinds of men; now, he was failing in the matters of the heart. &#8220;I am very sorry for not visiting yesterday.&#8221; He finally blurted.<bR><BR>\n\n&#8220;Sorry? Why?&#8221; She did not look at him.\n\n&#8220;I should have been here.&#8221;\n\nJane examined her footsteps. &#8220;My lord, we are happy to see you whenever you decide to visit.&#8221;\n\nShe did not make it easy for him. Phillip had to address this. He stopped. &#8220;Miss Bennet. I apologise\u2026&#8221;<bR><bR>\n\n&#8220;My lord, you do not owe me an explanation. If you are worried about the rose, you should not. I shall think of it as a kind gesture from an acquaintance, nothing more. If you prefer, I shall give it back. I can go and get it.&#8221;<BR><BR>\n\n&#8220;What? No! Miss Bennet, please forgive me. I know I hurt you. The flower was a token of my admiration. When Bingley asked for an interview, I froze. I thought the gentlemanly thing was to allow you to answer for yourself, but then I became terrified that you may say yes. In the end, I was ready to tear his person from you. I wanted to rescue you from him, but being the wonderful person you are, it turned out to be unnecessary.&#8221;<bR><bR>\n\n&#8220;You feared I might accept him?&#8221;\n\n&#8220;When the possibility occurred to me, I was more than afraid. You had loved him once; I thought you might realise you still had feelings for him. In my selfishness, I could not endure it.&#8221;\n\nJane inwardly cherished every word he said. A little Elizabeth came out in her: &#8220;So, how did you want to handle it if I had been of a mind to accept him?&#8221;<bR><BR>\n\n&#8220;I should have told you that you had another option.&#8221;\n\n&#8220;And what would that have been?&#8221;\n\n&#8220;To marry\u00a0me.&#8221;\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9912d7f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9912d7f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d75e03 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4d75e03\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"508\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-23-1024x508.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1658\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-23-1024x508.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-23-300x149.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-23-768x381.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-23.webp 1335w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"22\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"22 of 24\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8554da8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8554da8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b13ae8e e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b13ae8e\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1403e04 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1403e04\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 24<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b78b2a2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b78b2a2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\"> AN IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT<\/span> AN A SUNDAY PICNIC<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-52f1bb6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"52f1bb6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 25<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3fba33b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3fba33b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\"> UNDER THE WALNUT<\/span> TREE AND FLYING<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-56e1e5e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"56e1e5e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t&#8220;You would welcome my thoughts on the subject?&#8221; Elizabeth felt a strange warmth spread through her chest. Here was a man of immense power and privilege, yet he valued her opinions. The thought humbled her, and for the first time, she saw a glimpse of what a partnership with him might truly mean.<bR><BR>\n\n&#8220;Indeed, I would. Why? Do you have more?&#8221;\n\n&#8220;I might. I shall have to think about it.&#8221;\n\nAfter some silence, Darcy reflected out loud. &#8220;As you know, I have been my own man for about five years now. Also, in the last year of my father, as soon as I returned from my Grand Tour, I had to make my own decisions about the estate and everything. I have surrounded myself with capable people to help me, but ultimately, I have borne the responsibilities alone. Having someone with whom to share my thoughts would be a great comfort. A partner.&#8221; He looked at her. &#8220;You could be that person. You are clever; you have your opinions on things, and you are interested. You have just shown initiative by contacting your relatives. We could discuss things. It would also be good if you could share some of my decision-making. It is getting to be too much to handle by myself.&#8221;<BR><bR>\n\nThe only unusual occurrence on the outing was on the way back when Elizabeth impatiently asked when she could fly with her horse like she saw Mr Darcy do when he arrived. Darcy directed his horse close to Elizabeth&#8217;s and made hers stop. He leaned over and, holding her at her waist, lifted her to sit in front of him on Devil. Elizabeth was so surprised at first that no sound left her, but she shrieked excitedly when she realised what was happening.<BR><BR>\n\nThe others in the group could not believe Mr Darcy was taking their sister.\n\n&#8220;Mr Darcy, be careful.&#8221; Jane worried.\n\n&#8220;Are you ready?&#8221; He whispered into Elizabeth&#8217;s ear.\n\nShe looked back at him with laughing eyes.\n\n&#8220;As much as I shall ever be. Do not let me fall.&#8221;\n\n&#8220;Trust me,&#8221; he said, kicking his horse into motion. They left the group behind. Darcy went into a canter, adjusted Elizabeth to ensure she was secure and urged Devil into a heart-stopping gallop[i]. It was a sight to see.\n\n&#8220;Lean forward, hug his neck, hold on to his mane.&#8221; He said, making both of them lean over to secure greater speed.\n\n&#8220;Oh, we are flying!&#8221;\n\n\n\n\n[i] The average speed of a gallop is around 50-60 km\/h.\u00a0\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dc97967 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"dc97967\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b8b6b46 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b8b6b46\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"587\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-24-25-1024x587.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1674\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-24-25-1024x587.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-24-25-300x172.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-24-25-768x440.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-24-25.webp 1198w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-93d733b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"93d733b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"514\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-24-25-.1-1024x514.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1675\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-24-25-.1-1024x514.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-24-25-.1-300x151.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-24-25-.1-768x386.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-24-25-.1.webp 1378w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"23\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"23 of 24\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-baecb4a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"baecb4a\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-408d48f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"408d48f\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c350687 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c350687\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chapter 26<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4391338 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4391338\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\"> STANDING<\/span> TOGETHER<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2fb16ac elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2fb16ac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t&#8220;Darcy, have you lost your senses? Have you forgotten your duty? Your duty to Anne?&#8221;\n\n&#8220;I have not forgotten my duty, which is to my name and estate. I have no duty toward Anne other than familial.&#8221;<bR><BR>\n\n&#8220;But you are engaged to my daughter!&#8221;\n\n&#8220;You know very well that it is not true. You must let this go. I&#8217;ll never marry Anne. She is my cousin. That is all she&#8217;ll ever be.&#8221;\n\n&#8220;Darcy, have you been taken in? She has used her art and allurements on you to forget your station. She just wants what is yours.&#8221;\n\n&#8220;How would that be any different from what you want? Your obvious choice, if there is such a thing, should have been Richard all along, as he has no estate, but it seems you want Pemberley. I never understood why; it&#8217;s not like it would become yours\u2026 unless\u2026unless you want to keep Rosings. Is that it, Aunt? You need to leave. You have disturbed the peace here long enough.&#8221;<BR><bR>\n\n&#8220;It is not the same. She has nothing; she would gain everything by marrying you; I tell you, she is mercenary.&#8221;\n\nDarcy sensed Elizabeth stiffen, so he offered a gentle caress with his hand on her waist, conveying reassurance and warmth.\n\n&#8220;If she were a fortune hunter, she could have said yes the first time I asked. Do you know when that was, Aunt?&#8221;\n\nHer ladyship&#8217;s confused face was a novelty.\n\n&#8220;I asked her back at Rosings when Miss Elizabeth didn&#8217;t join us for dinner.&#8221;\n\n&#8220;What do you mean, Darcy?&#8221;<bR><bR>\n\n&#8220;I mean that she refused me because she found me wanting. I had to come here chasing after her and earn a courtship.&#8221;\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e900bb1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"e900bb1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a36dccc elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a36dccc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-26.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1703\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-26.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-26-300x300.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-26-150x150.webp 150w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-26-768x768.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-slide=\"24\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"24 of 24\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5a2dce5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5a2dce5\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-15a1de7 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"15a1de7\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45e3781 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"45e3781\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Epilogue<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4070722 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4070722\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> <span style=\"color: #252930\"> THANK YOU FOR NOT<\/span> GIVING UP ON ME<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-304b4e6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"304b4e6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t&#8220;Dearest Elizabeth, I have two purposes for showing you this. For one, I want you to look at the rings to be inspired. I shall have an engagement ring made for you that we could design together. The other reason is that I would like you to choose the items you can imagine wearing. I sold some old pieces from the collection to secure part of the money for the Netherfield enterprise. I have an idea that has been forming in my head that may require that I sell more.&#8221;\n\n\n\n&#8220;So, you are asking me to choose the jewellery I want to keep? What about Georgiana?&#8221;<Br><br>\n\n&#8220;She has jewellery. She will also receive a few pieces when she comes out from our mother. She personally chose them for her. If she marries well, she will have the jewels of that family, too.&#8221;\n\n\n\n&#8220;I see. How about we select them together? We did very well with the food.&#8221; She laughed, though inwardly she was overwhelmed by the idea of choosing from a jewellery catalogue.<br><br>\n\n\n\nAnd so, Darcy sat beside her, and they spent quite some time in this fashion. Darcy stopped breathing when she looked at his mother&#8217;s favourite piece, a white pearl necklace with two tiers and a series of moonstones framed as miniature suns. He adored that piece. Elizabeth leaned forward to see it better.\n\n\n\n&#8220;This must be beautiful! I like this one, Fitz\u2026&#8221; She stopped speaking as she took Darcy&#8217;s expression in. &#8220;Is \u2013 is this one important?&#8221;\n\n&#8220;Do you like it?&#8221;\n\n&#8220;Yes, I like it very much.&#8221;<br><br>\n\nDarcy released his breath. &#8220;It was my mother&#8217;s favourite.&#8221;<Br><br>\n\n&#8220;Oh, then I shall wear this with pride.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8880c1f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8880c1f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;gradient&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e503f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7e503f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"521\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-FINAL-1024x521.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1728\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-FINAL-1024x521.webp 1024w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-FINAL-300x153.webp 300w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-FINAL-768x391.webp 768w, https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/CH-FINAL.webp 1370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Previous\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Next\">\n\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f21ae10 envato-kit-141-top-0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f21ae10\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-wider\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b589cfa\" data-id=\"b589cfa\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cd76ed1 animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cd76ed1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInDown&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Illustrations<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9b6e948 animated-slow elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9b6e948\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInDown&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">just for fun<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9f1409f\" data-id=\"9f1409f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-a9b47f3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a9b47f3\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-ea2335b\" data-id=\"ea2335b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a6e505 elementor-arrows-position-inside elementor-pagination-position-outside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"6a6e505\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;slides_to_show&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;both&quot;,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;effect&quot;:&quot;slide&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:500}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Image Carousel\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper\" aria-live=\"polite\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 7\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"6a6e505\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"IM 7\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MTg1OCwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3dlYmRlbW8uaHV0Y2hpbnNvbmJvb2tzLmNvbVwvYnJhZHlcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjVcLzAxXC9JTS03LndlYnAiLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiI2YTZlNTA1In0%3D\" href=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IM-7.webp\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementor\/thumbs\/IM-7-r0mo4cs3jlmnuu5e1sx3k6cw9t7avi4fs7x160wlm8.webp\" alt=\"IM 7\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 7\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"6a6e505\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"IM 1\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MTg1OSwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3dlYmRlbW8uaHV0Y2hpbnNvbmJvb2tzLmNvbVwvYnJhZHlcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjVcLzAxXC9JTS0xLndlYnAiLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiI2YTZlNTA1In0%3D\" href=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IM-1.webp\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementor\/thumbs\/IM-1-r0mo4dpxqfny6g40wbbq4o4cv72o37864ckinav7g0.webp\" alt=\"IM 1\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 7\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"6a6e505\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"IM 2\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MTg2MCwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3dlYmRlbW8uaHV0Y2hpbnNvbmJvb2tzLmNvbVwvYnJhZHlcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjVcLzAxXC9JTS0yLndlYnAiLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiI2YTZlNTA1In0%3D\" href=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IM-2.webp\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementor\/thumbs\/IM-2-r0mo4enrx9p8i22nqtqcp5vtgky1awbwgh804ktt9s.webp\" alt=\"IM 2\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 7\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"6a6e505\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"IM 3\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MTg2MSwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3dlYmRlbW8uaHV0Y2hpbnNvbmJvb2tzLmNvbVwvYnJhZHlcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjVcLzAxXC9JTS0zLndlYnAiLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiI2YTZlNTA1In0%3D\" href=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IM-3.webp\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementor\/thumbs\/IM-3-r0mo4flm43qito1alc4z9nna1yteilfmslvhlusf3k.webp\" alt=\"IM 3\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"5 of 7\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"6a6e505\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"IM 4\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MTg2MiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3dlYmRlbW8uaHV0Y2hpbnNvbmJvb2tzLmNvbVwvYnJhZHlcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjVcLzAxXC9JTS00LndlYnAiLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiI2YTZlNTA1In0%3D\" href=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IM-4.webp\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementor\/thumbs\/IM-4-r0mo4gjgaxrt59zxfujlu5eqncorqajd4qiz34r0xc.webp\" alt=\"IM 4\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"6 of 7\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"6a6e505\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"IM 5\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MTg2MywidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3dlYmRlbW8uaHV0Y2hpbnNvbmJvb2tzLmNvbVwvYnJhZHlcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjVcLzAxXC9JTS01LndlYnAiLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiI2YTZlNTA1In0%3D\" href=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IM-5.webp\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementor\/thumbs\/IM-5-r0mo4hhahrt3gvykacy8en678qk4xzn3gv6gkepmr4.webp\" alt=\"IM 5\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"7 of 7\"><a data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"6a6e505\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"IM 6\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MTg2NCwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL3dlYmRlbW8uaHV0Y2hpbnNvbmJvb2tzLmNvbVwvYnJhZHlcL3dwLWNvbnRlbnRcL3VwbG9hZHNcLzIwMjVcLzAxXC9JTS02LndlYnAiLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiI2YTZlNTA1In0%3D\" href=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IM-6.webp\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementor\/thumbs\/IM-6-r0mo4hhahrt3gvykacy8en678qk4xzn3gv6gkepmr4.webp\" alt=\"IM 6\" \/><\/figure><\/a><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>illustrations The main characters Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry&#8217;s standard dummy text ever since the printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. New Property &#8211; Prologue As he surveyed his new property, Darcy had &#8230; <a title=\"Illustrations\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/illustrations\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Illustrations\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-821","page","type-page","status-publish"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/821","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=821"}],"version-history":[{"count":964,"href":"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/821\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2280,"href":"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/821\/revisions\/2280"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/webdemo.hutchinsonbooks.com\/brady\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=821"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}