Fitzwilliam Darcy, Master of Pemberley in Derbyshire: 29 years of age, born November 10, 1787; parents James and Lady Anne Darcy, both deceased; married Elizabeth Bennet on November 28, 1816
Elizabeth Darcy, Mistress of Pemberley: 21 years of age, born May 28, 1795; second Bennet daughter
Georgiana Darcy: 17 years of age; sister of Mr. Darcy with guardianship shared by her brother and cousin, Col. Fitzwilliam; companion is Mrs. Annesley
Col. Richard Fitzwilliam: 31 years of age; cousin and dear friend to Mr. Darcy; second son of Lord and Lady Matlock; regiment stationed in London
Lord Matlock, the Earl of Matlock: Darcy's Uncle Malcolm, brother to Lady Anne Darcy; ancestral estate is Rivallain in Matlock, Derbyshire
Lady Matlock, the Countess of Matlock: Darcy's Aunt Madeline, wife to Lord Matlock; mother of Jonathan, Annabella, and Richard
Jonathan Fitzwilliam: Heir to the Matlock earldom, eldest Fitzwilliam son; wife is Priscilla
Charles Bingley: 25 years of age; longtime friend of Mr. Darcy; currently resides at Netherfield Hall in Hertfordshire; married Jane Bennet on November 28, 1816
Jane Bingley: elder sister of Elizabeth and eldest Bennet daughter; wife of Mr. Bingley
Caroline Bingley: unmarried sister of Charles Bingley
Louisa Hurst: married sister of Charles Bingley; husband is Mr. Arbus Hurst; residence London
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet: Elizabeth's parents; reside at Longbourn in Hertfordshire with two middle daughters, Mary and Kitty
Mary Bennet: Elizabeth's sister; middle Bennet daughter
Katherine (Kitty) Bennet: Elizabeth's sister; fourth Bennet daughter
Edward and Violet Gardiner: uncle and aunt of Elizabeth; reside in Cheapside, London
Dr. George Darcy: Mr. Darcy's uncle; brother to James Darcy
Lady Catherine de Bourgh: Mr. Darcy's aunt; sister to Lady Anne Darcy; residence Rosings Park, Kent
Anne de Bourgh: daughter of Lady Catherine; Mr. Darcy's cousin
Stephen Lathrop: Cambridge friend of Mr. Darcy; resides at Stonecrest Hall in Leicestershire; wife is Amelia
Henry Vernor: family friend of the Darcys; residence is Sanburl Hall near Lambton, Derbyshire; wife is Mary, daughter is Bertha
Gerald Vernor: son of Henry Vernor; childhood friend of Mr. Darcy; wife is Harriet; resides at Sanburl Hall
Albert Hughes: childhood friend of Mr. Darcy; wife is Marilyn
Rory Sitwell: Derbyshire resident and Cambridge friend of Mr. Darcy; wife is Julia; residence Reniswahl Hall near Staveley
George and Alison Fitzherbert: Derbyshire residents
Clifton and Chloe Drury: Derbyshire residents and friends; residence Locknell Hall near Derby
Dr. Raul Penaflor Aleman de Vigo: Spanish associate of Dr. George Darcy
Joshua Daniels: son and partner of Mr. Darcy's London solicitor, Andrew Daniels
Mrs. Reynolds: Pemberley housekeeper
Mr. Taylor: Pemberley butler
Mr. Keith: Mr. Darcy's steward
Samuel Oliver: Mr. Darcy's valet
Marguerite Charbonneau: Mrs. Darcy's maid
Phillips, Watson, Tillson, Georges, Rothchilde: Pemberley footmen
Mr. Clark: Pemberley head groundskeeper
Mr. Thurber: Pemberley head groomsman
Mrs. Langton: Pemberley cook
Mr. Anders: head coachman
Mrs. Smyth: Darcy House housekeeper
Mr. Travers: Darcy House butler
Reverend Bertram: Rector of Pemberley Chapel
Madame du Loire: Modiste in Lambton
Chapter One
Hertfordshire
Elizabeth Darcy stood next to Georgiana on the massive portico before the main doors to Pemberley. They were dressed in their traveling clothes and were waiting patiently for the Master of Pemberley, who was currently speaking with his steward, Mr. Keith, while the grandest and plushest of the Darcy carriages waited in the drive.
The warmth of May in Derbyshire had set in full force, making the days radiant with bright sunshine until late into the evening. The vast gardens of Pemberley were responding to the weather as Mr. Clark and his staff diligently engineered the grounds, which were now bursting in nearly eye-piercing splendor with every color of the rainbow. Every species of tree indigenous to England, and many that were not, enhanced the landscape with diverse shades of green and leaves in a multitude of shapes and sizes. Lizzy had regained her strength and mobility by traversing the miles of pathways weaving through the varied gardens. The by-product of her wanderings was a familiarity with and a deepening love for this place that was now her home.
Lizzy dreamily mused at how tremendously she had changed in the nearly five and a half months since she ascended the steps to Pemberley as a nervous bride. Outwardly, her entire appearance was drastically altered; gowns, jewels, and furs beyond her vaguest imaginings six months ago were now typical. Her hair, even in its traveling coif, was superior to anything she had ever fashioned previously. She was largely unaware of it, but there was a serenity and grace to her bearing that had not been present before. She would forever laugh spontaneously and carry a ready quip on her lips, but her character was notably more refined and softened. The minute gestures and vocal intonations associated with the social etiquette of the upper classes had permeated her being unconsciously.
Inwardly, she recognized a happiness and contentment that anchored her soul. Although there remained an enormous amount of Pemberley's management and the Darcy business affairs that she did not understand, her role as Mistress of Pemberley was a comfortable and accepted one. Her place in the household and the community was firm, and her confidence was secure. This massive house, which had frankly frightened her to death initially, was
