Searching for Pemberley

Charlotte Lucas (Charlotte Ledger)— Lizzy’s best friend and a sensible, plain-looking girl who knows she must marry or become a burden to her family. When Lizzy rejects Mr. Collins, he proposes to Charlotte, who recognizes that he is not the most intelligent man in England but one who will be able to provide her with a good home.

George Wickham (George Waggoner)— The son of Old Mr. Darcy’s steward, he takes advantage of the old man’s affections to secure enough money to purchase a living in the military, the church, or the law, and immediately squanders it. He attempts to elope with Georgiana, Darcy’s much younger sister, because of her fortune. Darcy thought he was rid of Wickham after he had paid him off, but he shows up in Meryton and has a flirtation with Lizzy. When the militia removes to Brighton, he seduces Lydia Bennet, who is visiting with his colonel’s wife.

I would like to thank my aunts, Patricia Lydon, Miriam Rothbauer, and Ann Snyder, as well as Dr. Joseph Lydon, the sage of Minooka, who provided numerous stories that are included in this book. I am also indebted to all of the World War II airmen of the 8 thAir Force, who published their memoirs on the Internet, and to all of those who participated in Britain’s World War II Oral History Project. You have done history and me a great service.

Mary Lydon Simonsenhas combined her love of history and the novels of Jane Austen in her first novel, which explores universal truths about love and conflict that cross generations and oceans.

The author lives in Peoria and Flagstaff, Arizona.

These characters do not appear in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

These characters do not appear in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice .