What if Darcy and Elizabeth both maintained civil tempers during the Hunsford Proposal?

    Renata McMann and Summer Hanford present "Poor Mr. Darcy: A Pride & Prejudice Novella," in which they examine how that single alteration changes the way Elizabeth's and Darcy's story unfolds, a tale that hinges on Mr. Darcy's performance as a poor Mr. Darcy. This “Pride and Prejudice” variation novella is approximately 44,000 words in length.

    She cannot remember the past few months - including Mr. Darcy's disastrous proposal. Although concerned for Elizabeth's health, Darcy realizes he now has a second chance to win her heart. Darcy At Last is a Pride and Prejudice Variation Novella.

    Elizabeth Bennet is a romantic at heart—a dreamer and a writer. While in London, she begins receiving flowers anonymously. Her romantic sensibilities are heightened, leading her mind to create an image of who the giver could be. She soon returns to her home in Hertfordshire with only her memories and thoughts as her constant companions. Months go by without anything, and then, with the news of a visitor to the neighborhood, she once again receives a posy of flowers just before the neighborhood Assembly. Will her romantic dreams of the gentleman’s character tell a true tale or just leave her heart reeling for a love only possible in her fantasies?

    Little does he know that Elizabeth is already at Pemberley, walking the gravel paths of the maze in Pemberley's expansive gardens. When Darcy and Elizabeth meet in the middle of the labyrinth, the unexpected happens. This short story is a lighthearted retelling of the famous couple's reunion in Derbyshire. Length: 6,500 words

    It assumes that he does not write a letter after the proposal and that, with the collusion of Georgiana Darcy and Col. Fitzwilliam, they meet again in London not many weeks after they have departed Kent. Then tragedy occurs when there is a disastrous fire at Longbourn and the lives of the entire Bennet family are affected as well as the life of Col. Fitzwilliam, who finds love with an unexpected person.

    Bingley returned after the Netherfield Ball and asked Jane to marry him. He admitted to Jane that Mr. Darcy’s advice had nearly stopped him. Elizabeth, eager to hear anything ill about Mr. Darcy, made her sister tell the story. Jane said Mr. Darcy discouraged his friend because he sincerely believed her to be indifferent. Elizabeth knew better. Darcy was selfish and unfeeling. Elizabeth wasn’t naïve and willing to believe every story told to her. At the wedding Darcy said he approved of his friend’s marriage because Jane clearly loved Bingley. In fact, he might follow his friend’s example and marry for affection. Elizabeth wasn’t going to let this hypocritical gentleman get away with his deception. Not after he tried to hurt Jane. She loudly said what she truly thought of him. Now Elizabeth realizes she was horribly mistaken about Darcy’s character. Now she loves him. But, is it too late for her? Has she lost his esteem forever?

    Finding a gentleman in the ravine of a creek bed, she scares off snakes and raises the alarm to end up with the man situated at Longbourn for his recovery. Enamored with his dark curls and handsome face, her life appears to be following the fairy tale story line of a novel, that is until the proud, disdainful Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley wakes up.

    Bingley, and thereby involving them both in misery of the acutest kind. He knows because he was there when Elizabeth found out. Still, he offers her his hand in marriage--an offer she promptly rejects. Determined to win her good opinion and ultimately her heart, he asks for six weeks to change her mind.What could possibly tempt Elizabeth to accept the man who has been the means of ruining the happiness of a most beloved sister?Regency romance short story, Her Good Opinion, is a retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

    Bingley’s arrival in Meryton and the assembly, but she keeps encountering an unknown gentleman to whom she is irresistibly drawn. Mr. Darcy’s heart is stirred by her as well, and each time their paths cross he longs to see her again. Fate always intended them to meet. 32,000 words

    Darcy to make a more Persuasion-esque proposal?Author Note: Readers considering this work should be aware that, unlike the Constant Love series, this novella is written in third-person present tense, so if they routinely read only past-tense writing, they may wish to peruse the sample before purchasing.They should also be aware that it uses lines from Jane Austen's Persuasion as well as Pride and Prejudice. Readers who have not read Persuasion are encouraged to read that novel first, less because of spoilers than because it is absolutely wonderful.

    Darcy?

    This variation looks at what might have happened, had those events gone differently, and, as the title suggests, what the reason behind some of the changes might have been. Could Jane turn down Mr Collins? What if Wickham had proposed to Elizabeth before she knew his character? And could anyone resist Colonel Fitzwilliam, had he been in possession of a good fortune? This story follows the original, more or less, and does not contain any material of an explicit adult nature.

    This slight was the first offense leading her to declare him the last man on earth she would ever marry. But what if, following the insult, they were seen in a compromising position? With the gossips of Meryton embellishing the story, will Mr. Darcy look beyond his own prejudices toward the Bennets and perform his gentlemanly duty? And how will Elizabeth respond? This is a stand-alone novella.

    Marie Croft’s humorous novella, A Little Whimsical in His Civilities spans one moonlit, autumnal night upon the gentleman’s return to Hertfordshire in pursuit of Elizabeth Bennet. “We take the turning which places us on Meryton’s main road, and—oh, gad! There it is—the base-court building which passes for an assembly hall in this godforsaken place. For me, the venue shall be either a heaven or a hell tonight. My palms grow clammy, my gut churns, and I regret that second helping of onion-laden vegetable pie forced on me before we left.” Accompany Darcy as he, intent on reversing the disastrous first impression he made there, braves another Meryton assembly and seeks to win his heart’s desire.