Courtship in the Regency
By the end of the 18th century, marriage by prior arrangement between parents, or strictly with a business mentality, was fast became obsolete. This is not to say wise elders had no voice, or that sensible factors played no part. A wise marriage between equal social statuses with stable finances and security was sought after, especially for those in the uppermost tiers of the aristocracy.
Those of the gentry class, however, and certainly the lower classes, were granted more latitude. Issues of compatibility between the couple based on acquaintance gained popularity. The two persons most directly involved in the marriage were allowed to mutually decide on the union.
As the century turned, the idea of marrying for love gradually became a standard. How the man and woman met, how well they came to know each other, and how they made their intentions obvious varied considerably. Often times the young man boldly declared his preference for a certain young lady directly to her. Sometimes he approached her father first to gain permission to pay suit to the daughter. Either option was perfectly valid.
More often than not the man said nothing up front, instead relying on group activities or casual encounters to grow more familiar with the woman who had captured his eye. In this way, he hoped they would fall in love, and hoped to interpret the woman's sentiments toward him. The latter was especially difficult as this period of the early, quasi-courtship stage was strictly controlled. Unmarried people were never allowed to be alone. That isn't to say it never happened, but the risk was great if the rules of proper behaviour were broken.
In any scenario, this early stage was not the official courtship during the Regency and later Georgian Eras. Rules shifted and changed over the decades, of course, and the term "courtship" varied in meaning and attached details. That said, at the time period encompassing all of Jane Austen's novels, a betrothed couple entered the courtship phase after the gentleman's proposal was accepted.
He might first ask a father's permission to marry, but even if the father's permission is granted, he was required to ask the lady herself. And, she may well say no! Presuming she said yes, it was then that courtship commenced.
Engagement was seen as a contract with, literally, legal documents drawn to establish the marriage settlement. In fact, the many legalities were largely what the courtship was all about and dictated the length of time until the wedding ceremony. Romance may have entered the realm of marriage, but it was still a business transaction in many respects.
On the personal level, courtship permitted the couple freer rein to express their interest and affection. They would never intentionally be left unchaperoned for long intervals — not that clever lovers haven't always found a way to secret time alone — but they were able to converse privately, sit together, touch in small ways, exchange tokens and gifts and that sort of thing.
Courtship was a period of getting to know each other in a deeper way, while still being regulated and watched. It is this concept I embraced in writing the two novels that comprise the Darcy Saga Prequel Duo. Journeying with Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet from the moment of their proposal — when they were first discovering their love for each other — to the point where their deep love and bonded relationship culminated in the exchange of vows.
Excerpt
Tonight, their third night in Town and after more than twenty-four hours of nothing beyond one kiss to her hand, Darcy determined to arrange matters to suit his desires. Besides, he did have a legitimate reason to sequester his fiancée, one that did not directly have to do with his ardency.
With this foremost in his mind, Mr. Darcy and Miss Darcy greeted their guests as they arrived with the standard pomp and circumstance. Retiring to the parlour while the servants finished preparations for dinner, Darcy drew Mr. Bennet to the side as soon as the opportunity arose without attracting undue attention.
"Mr. Bennet, sir. If I may request it of you, I would appreciate a private audience with Miss Elizabeth at some point this evening. After dinner, of course. I have a gift for her, something quite special that belonged to my mother, which I am anxious for her to have but prefer not to reveal in public. We would only be in the foyer area, so not too far away from oversight."
"I can find no fault in the request, Mr. Darcy. Even if I did, Lizzy would scold me most vehemently for impeding the giving of a present. A scolding by Lizzy is a rather fearsome thing, as I suspect you know. A rousing challenge, most of the time, but I'm not up to it tonight."
Indeed, Darcy knew of Elizabeth's temper all too well! And, like her father, he wasn't in the mood to fight tonight either. Far from it. Emboldened by Mr. Bennet's approval, he decided on the spot to seek helpful illumination on a nagging anxiety.
"May I ask a question, Mr. Bennet?" At the older gentleman's nod, Darcy forged ahead. "Miss Elizabeth has expressed her reluctance in receiving gifts from me. We have discussed the topic, and to a degree, I understand her rationale in preferring to wait until after we are married. However, what I am uncertain of is if her very nature is such that she is disinterested in gifts overall. Or is it that she would only want books or similar items, which I am delighted to bestow, as reading is a passion we share. Would jewellery, perfume and... other feminine wares offend her in some way?"
Mr. Bennet chuckled. "Don't let her fool you, Mr. Darcy. Lizzy may not be as outwardly effusive about gifts or enamoured of pretty trinkets as some, but she isn't blasé either. I am completely confident that anything you choose to give her, tonight and in the years to come, will be abundantly appreciated and cherished. Lizzy is surprisingly maudlin underneath her prickly exterior."
He clapped Darcy on the shoulder and started to turn away. Then he paused, adding almost as if an afterthought, "The foyer is fine, if you wish, but you might consider the terrace. Lizzy has a fondness for starry skies and fresh air. You may have learned that already."
Mr. Bennet winked, and then, with a grin in place, he moved to join the others, leaving Darcy practically gaping. All throughout dinner he felt as if Mr. Bennet was secretly laughing at him. About the time he concluded it was his overworked imagination, he'd catch Elizabeth staring at her father speculatively.
Did the older gentleman know of the liberties he'd taken with his daughter?
The question lingered in Darcy's mind, but he relinquished dwelling upon it. His impatience to be alone with Elizabeth overrode everything. After interminable hours at the dining table, then the gentlemen in the library, the re-gathering of the genders in the parlour for socialising and then the ascension to the first-floor game room for entertainment, Darcy reached the end of his endurance.
Casually strolling to where Elizabeth sat beside Georgiana, he ignored the manners he'd had ingrained in him which taught never to interrupt two women sharing a hushed conversation. Standing behind them, he leaned down and touched Elizabeth lightly on the shoulder. She startled but smiled when she gazed upward to meet his eyes.
"Eavesdropping, Mr. Darcy?"
"Not this time," he responded blandly, smiling when she chuckled. "I wondered if I could steal you away from the riveting conversation with my sister."
Elizabeth's eyes widened and dropped to his mouth. It was a mere flash, followed by a rosy flush tinting her cheeks. "As you wish, sir."
Book Blurb
The initial month of their Season of Courtship has passed. Together, the lovers strengthened their bond through honest communication, as they dealt with adversity, jealousy and distrust. Ever growing in mutual love and understanding, a dramatic confrontation broke through the final barriers.
Now their Hope of the Future "happily ever after" is assured!
As long as Lady Catherine can be stopped in her scheme to interfere, that is. Or, will Mrs. Bennet's bad advice ruin future marital felicity? Might increasing liberation lead to overwhelming passions that cannot be controlled, with catastrophe a result?
Continue the journey begun in Darcy & Elizabeth: A Season of Courtship. Delight in their flourishing romance, ride along on their escapades in London and be a witness at the wedding of the century.
The miraculous design of how Two Shall Become One begins before the sacred vows.
Darcy & Elizabeth: Hope of the Future is Volume 2 of the "prequel duo" for Sharon Lathan's Darcy Saga sequel series to Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
Author Bio
Darcy & Elizabeth: A Season of Courtship and Darcy & Elizabeth: Hope of the Future complete the "prequel to the sequel" duo recounting the betrothal months before the Darcy Saga began.
Sharon is a native Californian relocated in 2013 to the green hills of Kentucky, where she resides with her husband of over thirty years. Retired from a thirty-year profession as a registered nurse in Neonatal Intensive Care, Sharon is pursuing her dream as a full-time writer.
Sharon is a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, JASNA Louisville, the Romance Writers of America (RWA), the Beau Monde chapter of the RWA and serves as the website manager and on the board of the Louisville Romance Writers chapter of the RWA.
Sharon is the co-creator of Austen Authors, a group blog for authors of Austenesque literary fiction. Visit at: AustenAuthors.net
Oh! What a lovely snapshot into the Darcys' courtship. Just when we were going to be privy to their chat on the terrace,we are left cast adrift,wondering what gift he had to bestow!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so looking forward to reading thus book! It sounds delightful! I already love this version of Mr B and his colluding with Darcy do that the couple might enjoy some modicum of privacy!! Cheers for such an tempting excerpt!
Left it on a cliffhanger for a reason: BUY the book! LOL! Mr. Bennet is a bit cheeky. I can't help but visualize Donald Sutherland's portrayal from the 2005 movie. A fun man! Thanks for stopping by, Mary. :-)
DeleteThanks so much for hosting my, Sylvia! I am away from home visiting with my daughter, but will be popping in as often as I can. I look forward to chatting with your readers. So exciting!!
ReplyDeleteIt's my pleasure to welcome you to my blog and share about your new book, Sharon. Thank you so much for dropping by. I wish you all the best with this blog tour and your writing endeavours.
DeleteThank you SO much, Luthien. An author can never receive enough best wishes, trust me. :-)
DeleteLovely excerpt, Sharon. Mr Bennet conniving with Darcy to give the couple some time alone, eh? Looking forward to seeing what happens next!
ReplyDeleteTime alone within reason, of course. Not that two people madly in love won't find ways to push the established limits. *wink, wink
DeleteCan't wait to see how their engagement season wraps up so they can start their married life! I'm so excited to read it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Dung!
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