Breaking the Rules for Mr. Darcy

Have I ever mentioned how much I {love} everything Jane Austen--because I do!

I'm afraid that I am your typical girly girl who turns to mush inside whenever I think of the mysterious and handsome Mr. Darcy.

I fell in love with classic literature when I picked up Pride and Prejudice for the first time in high school and I spent many of my sick pregnancy days curled up basking in P&P, the movie. 

There's just something special about this love story that makes me happy--similar to the emotions evoked from my more recent favorite, Twilight--and if you can put that special something into words for me, please do {in the comments section, of course}.

Which brings me to the story of my Mr. Darcy adventure:

Remember this lovely final scene in the movie {the scene where you had perma-grin on your face}...

..where Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy share a romantic evening on the balcony of his massive Pemberley Estate.

Well that scene, along with several others in the movie, was filmed at the Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, England--very close to where I am visiting my in-laws right now!  Naturally it was at the top of my must-see list. 

So, on a brisk English morning, my family and I took a trip to the country side to visit Mr. Darcy's home.  And here I am, at Mr. Darcy's estate, standing about 50 long yards away from that special balcony.  Notice the "private" sign and chain partition blocking my entrance {sigh}.

How could I come all this way and not touch that balcony for myself?

{plus, the hubby dared me to touch it}

So I looked right...and then I looked left...

and then I made a run for it!

*NOTE*: I had no idea the following photos were being taken by the hub. 

The whole time I was running I was imagining the look on Lil W's face as they hauled of his momma in cuffs.

As you will see, I wasn't quite brave enough to climb the steps.

And, I hauled butt back to my safety zone on the other side of the partition {note the classic expression on my face--proof that I didn't know photos were being taken}.

Climbing the last few steps to safety, a bit winded from the sprint in my cowboy boots:

All in all, totally worth it Mr. Darcy...totally worth it!