Mr & Mrs Fitzwilliam Darcy - Two Shall Become One by Sharon Lathan

I  regretfully did not read this series for a while, because after reading an excerpt very early on in my JAFF obsession I felt it was not my idea of Darcy and Elizabeth (well how could it, it was Lathans!!). Then at Christmas I read Lathan's 'A Darcy Christmas' and thought wow! I do apologise Lathan and I will repent by way of reading the whole series!

While reading Two Shall become I often found myself thinking "no, Darcy would not say that", "Lizzy would not do that", but what I soon came to understand was that this book is based on Knightly and Macfayden. In order for the book to work I realised I needed to imagine the 2005 P&P, this was my Oprah ' Ahh ha' moment!  

"Darcy took the steps two at a time and practically danced in impatience. The carriage had not completed its stop before he was at the door opening it with such force that Bingley winced, sure the hinges would shatter. Elizabeth was already rising, her face suffused with the identical expression worn by her betrothed. With nary a thought toward the appropriateness or propriety of his actions, Darcy encircled Elizabeth’s waist with his strong hands and lifted her clear of the carriage. Her toes barely brushed the ground before he crushed her in his arms and twirled her about, each of them laughing hysterically" - S.Lathan                                                                                                              
This book seems to cover everything, it is very nearly a day by day account of their lives, the small details and intimate conversations are what makes the book. Meeting the staff, the day to day tasks of managing an estate and roaming the delightful grounds. Ice skating, their first Christmas and first attendance to a ball since being married all make for a great read.  

"Mrs. Reynolds stepped forward. “The staff awaits your inspection, Mr. Darcy.” “Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds.” Lizzy felt the urge to laugh. It was all so stiff and slightly ridiculous to her. One glance at her husband’s visage, though, and she reconsidered. This was his world. Here he was the Master. In the weeks of their engagement, she had seen only her “William.” He talked about his home and his duties frequently, to the point where she understood much of what life at Pemberley must be like. During that time, the stern, commanding presence of “Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, Master of Pemberley” had faded, and she had forgotten that side of him. In all honesty, she had never actually seen that side of him."
- S.Lathan

 Scenes from 2005 are expanded on and parts that were not in the film are created, seeing 2005 would help immensely in understanding the characters and these scenes, but not essential. The detail really immerses you in their world, I feel I know the layout of Pemberely and having been to Chatsworth I can imagine them there.
Mr Darcy and his love of horses is captured so well and  much to my delight; what is it about a man on a horse that excites me so! This Darcy is so lovely although not quite my idea of Darcy, ( I suppose you can tell I am a Firth fan) but through Lathan I am warming to MacFayden as Darcy by the minute! He is loving, generous, kind, romantic, brave (best dual I have read so far) and very passionate!!!! Lets not forget accomplished too! Miss Bingley would be pleased indeed, a horseman, a champion billiards player and he can play the violin!

We follow Elizabeth to town with her father to buy her wedding trousseau, visit Darcy house and meet the Matlocks. Elizabeth's first day at Pemberley without Darcy, sees her  busy with the Christmas preparations, how lovely to cover a house of that size in Mistletoe and ivy. Christmas shopping in Matlock, how delightful to brows in unique shops for that personal gift, unlike the generic ones we buy  now. The gifts Elizabeth buys Darcy are wonderful and one of the gifts he gives her, is a letter seal with her initials entwined with the Darcy crest, oh I want one!!! 

"A mild hush fell over the room as nearly every eye in the place fell on the couple, both of them well aware of the scrutiny. Darcy paused theatrically, delighting in the attention for indubitably the only occasion in memory and probably the last. The caesura spanned mere seconds, but the desired effect was obtained. Within minutes the word raced through the manor that the Darcys had arrived." - S.Lathan

We follow the Darcys from November through to May, the story coming to a close with high drama and with an ending which requires you to purchase the next book (if you want to know more). Therefore I have the next book!!!!


***Spoiler alert ***

Okay not sure if this warrants an alert but I am going to be on the safe side. Throughout all of the P&P fan fiction I have read so far I have not come across a Mr Darcy who is a virgin! The first book in which I read about such a topic was Mr Darcy takes a wife and  I was mortified that he was not a virgin. Over time I became accustomed to it, how silly to think Darcy would not be experienced. So here lies the problem, I hated the fact that Darcy had a past, but know I find myself  thinking, a virgin, "do be serious!!!". Anyway Lathan made it work and it was soon forgotten.

Please feel free to comment I would love to hear your thoughts