Review: Mr. Bingley’s Bride by Catherine Bilson

Source: Purchased

Her eyes and expression were quite calm, but that serene attitude was only a cover for a will of iron, Charles was beginning to realise.

(from Mr. Bingley’s Bride)

Catherine Bilson’s novella, Mr. Bingley’s Bride, is a Pride and Prejudice sequel that focuses on Jane Bennet on the day prior to and after her wedding to Charles Bingley. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet appear but take a back seat to Jane and Charles, and I honestly didn’t miss them a bit. It was delightful to see Jane’s character develop in such a short period of time, from an apprehensive bride-to-be after hearing her mother’s horror stories about the wedding night to the strong, take-charge mistress of Netherfield Park.

There are some steamy scenes that chronicle their wedding night and after, but what makes this story delightful is the meltdown of Caroline Bingley the morning after the Darcys’ and Bingleys’ double wedding. Her jealousy of the new Mrs. Darcy gets the best of her, and what happens next is deliciously shocking! I had to read the scene twice before moving on because I enjoyed it THAT much.

How Jane handles the situation, on her own and as a source of strength and support to her new husband, was brilliant. Jane often is portrayed as overly nice and sweet, and she is, but Bilson’s Jane is both an angel, as Charles is wont to declare, and someone who commands respect. I loved this portrayal of Jane, as well as the glimpses of the Darcys and the surprising Mr. Hurst. My only complaint is that I didn’t want the story to end!