Pamela Aidan, These Three Remain

These Three Remain

Pamela Aidan

Touchstone, January 2007, $14.00

ISBN: 0743291379

Fitzwilliam Darcy remains confused by his deep regard for Elizabeth Bennet. He tries to move on, but is not successful, as Elizabeth has captured his heart. However, while visiting his aunt, he clumsily proposes marriage, but to his chagrin Elizabeth says no.

Heartbroken and feeling that the world ended, he returns to London to reflect on his failure, and after a few depressing weeks, he begins to see a positive spin to her rejection, as he will prove to his beloved that he has become a good, kind gentleman. Several months later Fitzwilliam by chance meets up with Elizabeth; he sees fate assisting him as he begins his campaign to win her over by proving he has changed. However, his enemy and rival George Wickham devastates Fitzwilliam's simple plan.

The storyline is fast-paced, though it stays true while paying homage to Pride and Prejudice. Fans of Jane Austen will appreciate this strong finish, while newcomers will seek out the previous two tales (see DUTY AND DESIRE and AN ASSEMBLY SUCH AS THIS), though the middle book is pure Pamela Aidan's imagination filling in the time gaps from the nineteenth century masterpiece. Staying true to the original personalities, THESE THREE REMAIN is a fitting final tribute to the great Ms. Austen.