Convinced he is over his foolish infatuation with Elizabeth Bennet, he returns from a year of travelling with a plan, both to protect the estate of which he is guardian and to ensure his sister's happiness: he intends to do his duty and secure a wife at the earliest opportunity. Duty; a path from which Darcy knows he should never have been diverted. Duty was safe and nothing would persuade him from it a second time. Soon restored to his home in Derbyshire, Darcy puts his quest in motion, preparing to welcome guests from Town, one of whom is the suitably eligible young lady he has earmarked as his future wife. But what of the Bennets of Longbourn? What befell them in Darcy’s absence from England? And what of the new tenants on his estate named Bennet? Is his path fated to cross with Elizabeth's once more? With the addition of his friend, Bingley's, mischievous twin younger sisters, letters from a stranger and a shadowy figure lurking in the grounds of Pemberley, Darcy's life is about to be turned upside down. Can he remain steady to his purpose, or will his carefully laid plans soon be in tatters as the rigid protection he has placed around his heart begins to falter?

    “Mr. Darcy, who are you to dictate? My sister is twenty-one years old: therefore an adult. I will guarantee nothing on her behalf! Of course, you may treat Mr. Bingley as a child if you choose. It would be quite in keeping with the rest of your arrogant behavior. And now, I bid you a very good day, sir.” Angry tears pricked behind her eyelids and she turned to walk away. But Darcy reached out and placed a heavy hand on her arm. “Not so fast, Miss Elizabeth…” he began to say, when a shrill voice called out behind them. __________________________________________________________________________________ A QUEST FOR A LIFE OF MEANING. Elizabeth Bennet, a young woman possessed of a keen intellect and sharp wit has spent most of her young life in forced seclusion in the small rural village of Meryton. But with the arrival of two wealthy young gentlemen, things look set to change for the Bennet family, especially when Elizabeth encounters and clashes with the arrogant and controlling Fitzwilliam Darcy, never dreaming that he will come to admire her or that the social barriers between them can ever be surmounted. Darcy, despite being born to power and privilege, has always been discontented with his lot – not least because family obligations make marriage to his sickly cousin, Anne, unavoidable. Until he visits the small town of Meryton his attitude is characteristically contemptuous and bitter and it is only when he has to contend with Elizabeth Bennet and her disturbing ability to pinpoint his faults while mocking him at every turn that he is compelled to examine his own behaviour more closely. Slowly, Darcy travels the path to self-knowledge and in the process over comes his cynicism and begins to yearn for a life of purpose, passion and real fulfilment. BUT CAN DARCY HONOUR HIS OBLIGATIONS TO HIS FAMILY AND RESIST HIS DESIRE FOR ELIZABETH AND THE PROMISE SHE HOLDS FOR ENDING HIS LIFE OF LONELINESS? AND CAN ELIZABETH OVERCOME A FAMILY SCANDAL AND HER ABSORPTION IN THE WORLD OF IDEAS, TO SEE PAST DARCY’S ARROGANT EXTERIOR TO THE MAN WHO IS ON A QUEST FOR THE MOST PROFOUND FORM OF LOVE?

    Bennet got rid of her two most deserving daughters. If you are looking for a renewal of the angst and suspense caused by poor first impressions and romantic misunderstanding, this may not be the book for you. But if you’ve ever wanted to know what happiness is found by Elizabeth Bennet as Mrs. Darcy or yearned for a reunion with the beloved cast of Pride and Prejudice that succeeds the original storyline, this book satisfies those cravings!While many of her acquaintance may have concluded that Elizabeth Bennet was leading a charmed life, her choice to adhere to her principles by rejecting the certain security of two marriage proposals in order to marry for affection and esteem should not be ignored. As a happily married woman of means Elizabeth Darcy now lives a more worldly, knowledgeable, fashionable, and public life. She also has many new household, estate, and family responsibilities she must learn to meet. But she still has the choice to be guided by her principles in her thoughts and deeds. Can she help her shy new sister Georgiana Darcy prepare to be introduced into London society? With Longbourn as entailed away as ever, what will happen to Mary and Kitty Bennet? Have they any hope of making good matches in the limited society of Meryton with an indifferent father and an insensible mother? Has Elizabeth’s view of Charlotte’s decision to marry Mr. Collins changed? Can Mrs. Collins remain content or perhaps even find happiness living in Kent? Who shall return from the war on the continent possibly needing assistance? After learning the conniving Miss Bingley is being banished from her brother’s new estate, can Elizabeth help her beloved Jane by seeing Miss Bingley properly settled? Amidst the familiar faces, continued follies, new absurdities, and sometimes harsh realities of all their acquaintance, the Darcys, with the considerable resources at their disposal, must decide when and if to intervene on behalf of those they love. Can Elizabeth help those she left behind? Should she?By Charm or By Choice? is the first of two books that comprise the Pride and Prejudice Continues series. It is a sweet and clean Regency romance and a full length novel of 108,000 words.