Why must the hero of a Regency Romance be the Duke of This, or Lord That? If he is plain Mr Something it has to be made clear that he is fabulously wealthy and related to all manner of nobility. Are we to conclude that all Regency heroines are mercenary social-climbers?

About 20 years ago when I was working, briefly, at a boarding school for girls, I entered into a discussion with a very intelligent sophomore regarding just when Elizabeth Bennet falls in love with Darcy. I answered that I thought Elizabeth was speaking the literal truth when she says ‘I believe I must date it from my first seeing his beautiful grounds at Pemberley.’ ‘Oh Mrs Lester how can you!’ responded my romantic little friend, inconsolable.

My point is not that Elizabeth does not sincerely love Darcy, but that she fell in love with him when she saw him in his correct setting. When she first met him he was just a handsome but disagreeable young man. He was out-of-context. But at Pemberley she sees the whole package. He is a landowner, a man with responsibilities which he honours. He is an adored master, a loving brother, a just employer. Pemberley is what makes Darcy – Mr Darcy.

I have no doubt that if Mr Darcy lost all his money on ‘Change, Elizabeth would loyally and lovingly go to live with him in Debtors’ Prison, but I’d bet my bottom dollar that it was Pemberley that sealed the deal.