... the upper classes, who had no problem with fornication and adultery. Among the truly rich and important a woman was expected to remain a virgin until marriage, and then to remain faithful until she had given birth to an heir (all of this being to ensure that said heir had the proper father), and then could pretty much do as she chose, as long as she didn't flaunt it.
I think it was a particular circle within the upper classes that had these attitude, not the whole aristocracy. Also, I believe this mindset belonged more to the previous generation than Darcy's. By the Regency era society placed a lot more importance on propriety and it got even more puritanical during the Victorian era.
I think it was a particular circle within the upper classes that had these attitude, not the whole aristocracy. Also, I believe this mindset belonged more to the previous generation than Darcy's. By the Regency era society placed a lot more importance on propriety and it got even more puritanical during the Victorian era.