Episode 3
Mrs. Bennet ejects Amanda from Longbourn for interfering with her daughters' marriage prospects. Mr. Bennet gives Amanda money and tells her to be reconciled with Jane. Mr. Collins explains to Jane he has not asked to consummate the marriage because of religious abstinence. Bingley admits to Darcy that he still loves Jane.
Wickham consents to help Amanda and prepares her for society. He buys her a dress, shows her how to use a fan to hide her true feelings, and invents fictional royalty later accepted by Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Amanda realizes Wickham wants to set her up with Darcy. Caroline Bingley, who society expects to marry Darcy, would be free for Wickham to pursue.
Amanda proposes to write a letter to Jane. Wickham encourages her to visit at once. Jane, at first reluctant, gratefully accepts Amanda's apology and offer to renew their friendship. Collins at first refuses to allow Amanda to dinner at Rosings, the home of his patroness, Lady Catherine. But Amanda claims to have a message from Wickham's fictional royalty and Collins the snob bows to mention of his betters. Even Lady Catherine goes along with the ploy, asking about the health of the imaginary couple.
But Lady Catherine is also Darcy's aunt. Darcy, Bingley and Caroline, are also dinner guests. Darcy tries to put Amanda down. But she agrees with everything he says, wields her fan, and fits in.
Lady Catherine wishes the Bennet girls to marry Collins' brothers, less "favored" than himself. Amanda realizes Caroline wants Darcy and gets angry. Although they disagree over dinner, Darcy softens when Amanda returns a gold watch when drunken Bingley wagers the heirloom at cards. Lady Catherine warns Amanda that she cannot have Mr. Darcy. Amanda insists she does not want him. Lady Catherine disagrees.
Agitated, Darcy comes to see Amanda at the parsonage. He asks why she sought him at Rosings knowing of his disdain. She denies this, and points out he came to see her. He is tormented. He cannot understand why he is drawn to her. He cannot reconcile his passion with his repulsion. He sweeps her into his arms. She asks if he is quite sure this is what he means to do. He storms out.
Jane witnesses their exchange. She states that Darcy is in love with Amanda. Amanda disagrees. She still believes Elizabeth is for Darcy, not her. Jane tries to convince Amanda otherwise. Meanwhile Mrs. Bennet argues with Mr. Bennet, and decides to see Jane, taking Lydia.
Darcy invites Amanda to Pemberley. Overhearing, Mrs. Bennet accepts as well, so he includes Lydia and Jane. Surrounded by the Bennets and Collinses, Amanda and Darcy's mutual hostility wanes.
Darcy admits his love for Amanda but Amanda still believes he is meant for Elizabeth. When he finally convinces her, Amanda asks Darcy to get in the water, wanting him to recreate the famous Colin Firth wet shirt scene from the 1995 Pride and Prejudice miniseries. She finally admits to herself that she does love him. She decides to "understudy" while Elizabeth is away. She tells a weeping Mrs. Bennet that she will marry Darcy in order to buy Longbourn for them.
Jane tearfully pleads to Bingley to fulfill his moral duty to marry and be happy for them both. Drunk and despairing, he punches Darcy in the face. Bingley then seeks out Wickham as a more congenial drinking companion.
Wickham returns the unconscious Bingley to Pemberley. At Wickham's arrival, Darcy confines his young sister Georgiana to her room. She confesses to Amanda that Wickham did not ravish her as she reported to her brother. She was angry when Wickham rejected her advances and called her a child. Wickham maintains the falsehood to spare Georgiana's honor, sure Darcy would throw her out. Amanda realizes Wickham is a good person and Austen was one-sided.
Amanda reveals to Darcy that she loves him but has already lost her virginity. Darcy, although still obviously in love, regrets he cannot marry her, because of his station in society. Her revelation has cost both of them "everything".
Amanda furiously rips pages from her Pride and Prejudice copy. Aiming out the window, the bound remains land in the fountain. While she packs to leave, Caroline makes advances, having heard the lesbian excuse from her brother. Caroline plans to marry Darcy to fulfill society expectations, but the poetry of Sappho describes her true inclination. Amanda sends her away.
Amanda finds Darcy in the garden reading the tattered novel. They argue fiercely. He believes she is the author, and the roman à clef has no respect for the actual persons. She responds that his view of everyone is wrong, that he has misjudged everyone. She proclaims her immediate departure.
Read more about this topic: Lost In Austen, Plot
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