Jane Austen Bedtime Stories

Elizabeth is still reeling from finding out that Mr. Darcy interfered in Bingley and Jane's relationship, when the man himself shows up Hunsford. He's calling on her with a request that takes her totally by surprise: Mr. Darcy wants to marry Elizabeth! Unfortunately, his proposal is more insulting than affectionate, as he focuses as much on the inferiority of Elizabeth's connections as...

Anne has arrived in Bath and is settling into her family's new lodgings in Camden Place. She came in expecting the worst, but is pleasantly surprised to find her father and sister receiving her with kindness, even if it is only because they want to show her the furniture. More intriguing is the fact that Mr. Elliot has also taken up residence in Bath, and is eager to reconnect with his cousins...

Elizabeth has been enjoying her walks around Rosings park, run-ins with Mr. Darcy notwithstanding. Today, she's run into a more pleasant companion, Colonel Fitzwilliam. After seemingly letting her down easy about his own marriage prospects, their conversation turns back to Mr. Darcy, and Elizabeth soon learns a shocking truth. It was none other than Mr. Darcy who stepped in to stop the potenti...

After leaving Uppercross, Anne's time at Kellynch Cottage with Lady Russell is brief. They receive a visit from Mary and Charles, back from Lyme with updates on Louisa and Captain Benwick. The captain certainly sounds smitten with Anne, but he's too shy to travel to Kellynch to call on her, much to Anne and Lady Russell's disappointment. They spend a cozy and chaotic Christmas with the...

Things in Kent just got a little more interesting: Mr. Darcy and his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam have just arrived at Rosings. After a dinner together where Elizabeth gets to play and sing for the party, the gentlemen spend their time calling at Hunsford to visit the ladies - Mr. Darcy even calls on Elizabeth by herself. Yet, Elizabeth is puzzled by Mr. Darcy's frequent visits, since he rarely...

Anne's back at Uppercross, but not for long, as Lady Russell has returned, and that means it's time for Anne to make her way to Kellynch Cottage, and then to Bath. Yet, she can't help but reflect on how precious the time at Uppercross has been, for helping her rekindle a treasured friendship - and how much she prefers the company and concerns of the Musgroves and her new friends from L...

The Hunsford party is on their way to dinner at Rosings, much to Mr. Collins's delight. And that means it's time to meet another favorite character, the imperious Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Her grandeur is enough to completely overwhelm Maria Lucas, and even Sir William isn't totally calm - Elizabeth seems to be the only one able to keep her wits when she speaks with Lady Catherine. The...

The second day of the party's visit to Lyme is going swimmingly: early morning walks by the sea, and even a chance encounter between Anne and a well-bred gentleman, who seems to be her cousin and heir to Kellynch Hall, Mr. Elliot. But it all comes to a shattering halt as Louisa Musgrove's jump from the Cobb steps ends in a critical injury. Anne steps up to lead the group's response, an...

After an uneventful winter, Elizabeth and the Lucases are finally off on their journey to meet Charlotte and Mr. Collins at Hunsford. There's a quick stop in London to see the Gardiners and Jane, and then, at last, the Collins's humble abode. It's almost pleasant, as long as you forget about Mr. Collins, which Elizabeth suspects Charlotte does rather often. The visitors even get a glim...

Anne is ready to end her time at Uppercross and return to Lady Russell, when a scheme arises that she simply can't refuse - a trip to Lyme. Yes, Captain Wentworth, Henrietta, Louisa, Charles, Mary, and Anne are all on their way to the seaside to make their acquaintance with Captain Wentworth's old friends from the Navy. The party gets to know Captain and Mrs. Harville, as well as Captain B...

It's Christmas at Longbourn, and that means the arrival of the Bennet girls' favorite uncle and aunt: Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. They're always a warm and wise addition to the family, and now is no different. Mrs. Gardiner's offers to let Jane return with them to London, to help ease the pain of the Bingleys quitting Netherfield (seemingly for good), and her advice for Elizabeth on how to handle Mr. W...

The Musgrove sisters and Captain Wentworth are getting closer, but Anne isn't convinced anyone is in love yet, on either side. When all of them - the Musgrove sisters, Captain Wentworth, Mary and Charles, and Anne - embark on a long walk together, it's the perfect opportunity for Anne to observe how they interact. Soon, they're at Winthrop, and Charles Hayter is back in the mix with He...

Mr. Collins came to Longbourn set on finding a wife, and he's not going to let the small matter of Elizabeth's refusal stop him from achieving his goal. Fortunately for him, Elizabeth's friend Charlotte Lucas has been an eager companion, and when the opportunity arises for her to become more than a friend, she seizes it. Yes, Mr. Collins's second offer of marriage in three days has...

Captain Wentworth soon becomes a fixture at Uppercross, and a favorite with Henrietta and Louisa Musgrove. It's delightful for everyone, except Anne, who would rather not be asked to referee conversations between Charles and Mary about which Musgrove sister Captain Wentworth likes best. But unbeknownst to Captain Wentworth, there's a rival for Henrietta's affection - her cousin Charles Hayter, a c...

Mr. Collins's time at Longbourn is running out, and that means it's time for him to act on the true purpose of his visit: matrimony. He's resolved to seek the hand of one of his fair cousins, and since Jane is taken, Elizabeth has been the apple of his eye. Yet, despite the many clear advantages of the match (Lady Catherine will visit his bride!), Elizabeth is most unwilling to accept....

Now that Captain Wentworth is residing in the neighborhood, his presence is unavoidable, and he and Anne are repeatedly in the same circle. There's a civil cordiality between the two, but nothing more. But his lively manners and stories of life on the high seas are quickly making him a favorite, especially with the two young Miss Musgroves, Henrietta and Louisa. Anne is happy to remain in the back...

The night that all of Hertfordshire has been waiting for is finally here: Mr. Bingley's ball at Netherfield. Elizabeth, looking lovelier than usual, is disappointed to find that Mr. Wickham isn't there, and even more disappointed at her choice of dance partners. After dancing the first two with Mr. Collins, she finds herself dancing with Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth's not one for negativity, s...

It's official: Captain Wentworth is at Kellynch. Conveniently for Anne, her nephew's sprained collar bone offers the perfect excuse for her to stay back when Captain Wentworth calls at Uppercross. But she can't avoid him forever, and a surprise morning visit to Uppercross Cottage brings them back together after nearly eight years apart. Captain Wentworth is in the country with a mind f...

There's a handsome new soldier in Meryton, and he's caught the eye of everyone from the Bennets to Mr. Darcy. That's right, it's none other than Mr. Wickham, and after seeing Mr. Darcy's reaction to him in Meryton, Elizabeth's curiosity is insatiable. Luckily, Mr. Wickham is more than willing to share the story of his many misfortunes. Elizabeth knew Mr. Darcy was proud, bu...

Anne is getting comfortable at Uppercross, which means lots of time with the Musgroves, and they're all very grateful to have Anne as a go-between and sounding board for their various complaints about each other - especially Mary and Mrs. Musgrove. Meanwhile, the Crofts have arrived at Kellynch. Upon meeting them, Anne learns that Captain Wentworth is on his way to Kellynch too. It's very...

The Bennets are expecting an addition their party tonight, and sadly for Mrs. Bennet, it's not Mr. Bingley - it's their cousin Mr. Collins, who is next in line to inherit Longbourn. Can he be a sensible man? Mr. Bennet thinks not, and one evening together proves him absolutely correct. In this week's Friday Favorites, revisit the introduction of one of everyone's favorite comic clergyman, as Mr. C...

Sir Walter's meeting with Admiral Croft is satisfactory, and their agreement is finalized, which means that the Elliots are off to Bath. Or rather, Sir Walter and Elizabeth are headed to Bath, but they will be joined by Mrs. Clay instead of Anne. It's quite an affront, but one that is softened somewhat by an invitation from Anne's other sister, Mary, to stay with her at her home in Upp...

The two eldest Bennet sisters are still at Netherfield as Jane recovers from her cold, and that means Elizabeth and Darcy are stuck in each other's orbits for a little longer. The evenings together are bringing Elizabeth a little too close for Mr. Darcy's comfort, especially after Elizabeth teases him about his faults. Mr. Darcy's good opinion once lost may be lost forever, but luckily...

Anne can't get it out of her mind that he may soon be returning to Kellynch, and he is none other than Captain Frederick Wentworth. Seven years ago, the two were engaged, but Anne was persuaded by her dear Lady Russell to end the engagement. Now, Captain Wentworth has made his fortune in the Navy, and may soon be back in Anne's orbit, and Anne needs a great many strolls to calm her nerves....

Jane's been invited to dine with the ladies of Netherfield, and it looks like rain, so of course she must go on horseback. But Mrs. Bennet's plan works a little too well, and now Jane is stuck at Netherfield with a cold. Elizabeth soon joins her, and with everyone in such close quarters, sparks are bound to fly. In this week's Friday Favorites, revisit the Bennets' visits to Netherfield (Mrs. Benn...