While her sister Jane’s budding romance with Mr Bingley gives her joy, she has had enough of the proud Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley’s catty sisters. While waiting for her father to send the carriage to fetch them home, she decides to go for a walk in the woods around Netherfield Park to escape their company. A storm strikes earlier than expected, catching her unawares. In her rush to return to Netherfield, Elizabeth twists her ankle. Soaked through and in pain, she is mortified when she is found by Mr Darcy, the man she cannot stand. With the roads flooded and Elizabeth unable to walk without aid, the Bennet girls have no choice but to spend another week at Netherfield Park Darcy has been troubled by his attraction for the lively but unsuitable Elizabeth Bennet. After a week in her presence when she has bewitched him beyond his comfort, he is relieved that she is to go home. But when the storm strikes and Elizabeth doesn’t return from her walk, he leaves at once to search for her. Now, he must spend another week under the same roof as this fascinating woman and he is uncertain whether he can continue to resist his powerful feelings for her. As Elizabeth and Darcy spend more time together, they slowly let their guards down as they discover new things to admire about one another. Elizabeth wonders if she has misjudged Darcy while he finds he cares less and less about what the world might think if he was to choose Elizabeth as his bride. But Miss Bingley is determined to have Mr Darcy for her husband. Forced to play hostess to the girl who is winning the heart of the man she desires, her jealousy gets the better of her and she is willing to do all she can to come between them. Confusion and misunderstandings increase with the arrival of another unexpected visitor and Elizabeth and Darcy must decide if their feelings for one another are strong enough to conquer their own pride as well as the interference of others.

    She rejects an unexpected offer of marriage from wealthy Mr. Darcy, only to realize that he is just the sort of man to whom she might entrust her heart. After sharing the story with her father, Elizabeth returns to London and finds herself unexpectedly in Darcy’s company once again. With A Tapestry of Lives, Jean Sims weaves a fresh story around two of Jane Austen's most beloved characters. Set along this new path, will the couple manage to reconcile their differences and plan a life together while enduring the foibles of family, friends, and British high society?

    In particular, it tells the story of what happened next between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy after she rejects his proposal of marriage.Women in the Regency-era were not given many choices for their futures, and Elizabeth Bennet has a great deal less options open to her when she considers how she and her sisters might survive now that their parents are gone and they are about to be evicted from their beloved home.But then Mr Darcy makes an unexpected offer which could save them all – though after their heated confrontation at Easter time, Elizabeth is more disgusted by his presumption and arrogance, rather than grateful for his intervention.Yet, as her uncle makes clear, with her family facing ruin and with no other options left open to her, Elizabeth is not about to be given much choice in the matter. Can she bring herself to accept such an uncertain future… a future which – despite what she feels about the matter – is set to involve the very stern and intimidating Mr Darcy?“I don’t understand why Mr Darcy concerns himself in our affairs in the first place!” she cried angrily. “What does he want in return?”“He wants you, Lizzy,” answered Mr Gardiner bluntly. “He has made an offer for your hand.”“How dare he?” exploded Elizabeth in a sudden outburst of rage – and too angry to remain still, she abruptly jumped to her feet and began to pace around the room. “I already rejected him! He knows this; I made it abundantly clear!”This story is approximately 92, 000 words long.

    Darcy, Pride and PrejudiceWhen Fitzwilliam Darcy makes an impetuous offer of marriage to Miss Elizabeth Bennet, he is convinced they have as good a chance as any for a harmonious life together. That is, until an overheard conversation changes everything, and Darcy realizes he is now joined in perpetuity to a woman who loathes the very sight of him.Elizabeth Bennet's expectations for matrimonial accord were never very high, having accepted Mr. Darcy's proposal in a fit of pique, not love. Still, she is determined to make the best of her situation, despite having tied herself to such an arrogant, disagreeable man.But life at Pemberley is not at all what she imagined, and Elizabeth soon finds herself with more questions than answers about the enigmatic gentleman she agreed to wed.Trapped in a marriage founded on misunderstandings, Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy struggle with deepening attraction while confronting self-doubt and old betrayals. But is love enough to heal the wounds of the past? What will it take for two people bound by duty to find their way home to one another?Note: This novel contains mature content dealing with intimacy and loss. While the scenes are not graphic in nature, the subject matter is most suitable for an adult reader.

    Neither is certain how the other feels, but after a few awkward moments and simple conversation, each realizes something in the other has changed. There are expressions of regret and apologies offered to one another for the things that were said and done that day one year ago. Mr. Darcy extends an invitation to Elizabeth to join him at his London townhome the following day, along with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. Both leave the store filled with a sense of renewed hope, anticipation, and excitement. But when Miss Bennet does not show up at his home at the expected hour with no note of explanation, Mr. Darcy begins to doubt all he believed about her character, as well as what actually transpired at the bookstore that day. This novella explores how Darcy and Elizabeth must both discover the truth of what happened that day and what obstacles they must overcome to finally get their happily ever after.

    One of the crucial points in Austen’s novel is Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s fiery and passionate refusal and denunciation of the equally passionate but infinitely more repressed Fitzwilliam Darcy. What might eventuate if the robustly healthy Elizabeth falls prey to illness for almost the first time in her life just when Darcy comes to call? Bemused by her illness, she hardly comprehends what Darcy is asking, and her simple nod of acknowledgment is misinterpreted as acceptance of his suit by a joyous Darcy. By the time Elizabeth regains her health, it seems that every one of her acquaintance and many outside of it accept that she has become engaged to the last man in the world she would ever have considered marrying. Can she openly demand her engagement to the amorous but prideful Darcy be broken, a course fraught with hazards in the social milieu of Regency England? In a maelstrom of confusion, choices have to be made and disclosures closely considered. Elizabeth knows that nothing in her life will ever be the same, and the consequences will likely spread further than she can imagine.

    Darcy overhears some less than flattering opinions of himself. Is fate trying to tell him something? Approximately 13,000 words.

    A spirited young lady who vows only to marry for love. What happiness can they find if they are forced to wed?Fitzwilliam Darcy distrusts the workers employed to prepare Netherfield Park for the much-awaited ball. When his suspicions prove correct, he risks himself to save Elizabeth Bennet, the lively yet unsuitable young lady his heart has struggled against for months. But what if doing the honourable thing means he not only betrays his family but also sees himself bound to a woman who can never love him?Elizabeth Bennet always wished for adventure, but she never expected it to come in the form of being abducted along with Mr Darcy, the man she dislikes more than any other and the last man in the world she would ever marry. Astonished by his courage and kindness in caring for her, Elizabeth finds her feelings changing. But how can she endure a forced marriage with a man who would never willingly choose her?When their captors grow more desperate, Elizabeth and Darcy have no choice but to trust in the goodwill of a villain if they are to survive. And as they strive to escape their perilous situation, Elizabeth and Darcy come to realise that the greatest danger of all lies in their own hearts.

    Principles and feelings must now be forgotten: Elizabeth knows what she must do in order to save her family. As unpalatable as it is, she prepares to swallow her pride and travel to Kent. There is one factor Elizabeth did not anticipate: Fitzwilliam Darcy. Is he really as hard as he seems or is a kinder nature lurking just below the surface? Elizabeth does not dare allow herself to hope. Darcy may be the only one who can save her from a life of unhappiness.

    Hoping the time away from home might begin to heal Jane’s wounded heart, Elizabeth also seeks peace and quiet to finish the novel she has been working on in secret. She does not expect to meet Mr. Darcy ever again, but should she collide with the arrogant man who had a hand in causing Jane’s sorrow, she has vowed to give him a piece of her mind. A chance encounter while visiting his favorite bookshop finds Fitzwilliam Darcy in the company of a woman he has failed to forget. When he discovers that Elizabeth is there to research a novel she is writing, Darcy offers the use of his own personal library instead, hoping she might finally understand his true character. When the two are thrown together again by fate, will Darcy and Elizabeth open their hearts enough to amend their first impressions of each other? Though not without plenty of conflict, Darcy’s Winter Ball is a sweet, lighthearted, Regency-set novella, with a happy ending for ODC.

    I do not doubt that you are precisely the kind of horrid creature that would shoot to kill in a duel, and so I have remained silent. If... if... if you will leave Miss Darcy alone and not try to interfere with her and not try to abduct her again, I will keep quiet, but if you try anything I will tell all.” Following on from Tact and Elizabeth Bennet’s marriage, the short stories in Turned Out Well cover the London debuts of the remaining Miss Bennets, the happenings at Rosings Park, and the marriage of the practical-minded Charlotte Lucas. There are seven tales in all, dealing with the adventures of five distinctly different heroines. Tactful Lydia Bennet observes her sister’s introduction to the ton. Undercurrents Miss Catherine Bennet arrived in London expecting to have a marvellous time. She is disappointed to discover that she does not have a taste for society. The Grange Catherine is curious to see the house and the inhabitants that she has heard so much of. Intact Lady Catherine de Bourgh is a resilient woman but some trials are hard to bear. Tactless Miss Lydia Bennet makes her debut and becomes all the rage. She anticipated balls and ballgowns and dancing and flirtation – she did not anticipate foiling an attempted abduction. The Countess and the Highwayman Lydia rarely behaves as she is expected to, and sees little reason to change her ways after her marriage. Not Romantic Miss Charlotte Lucas, whilst appreciating the romance of Pemberley, has too much sense to think of love.

    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.

     When Darcy’s trust is betrayed by a childhood friend, Darcy decides to take affairs into his own hands— only to find himself blackmailed by his worst enemy and manipulated by a woman who would ruin his innocent sister’s reputation to suit her own wants. Miss Elizabeth Bennet longs for excitement and a good match for her dear sister, Jane. Hope springs in Elizabeth’s heart when Mr. Bingley lets Netherfield Park and sets his sights on Jane. Victim of a poor decision, Elizabeth is forced to spend time with the disagreeable Mr. Darcy. She learns that there is more to the gentleman than meets the eye and she has the key to solve his problems… if only he would trust her. This sweet Regency romance based on Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice gives our beloved characters, Darcy and Elizabeth, new obstacles to overcome before they achieve their happy ending.

    Elizabeth has disappeared, and all signs point towards kidnapping. Determined to save the woman he loves, Darcy convinces her father to let him assist in the search. But finding Elizabeth does not guarantee that the danger has passed – and Darcy may still be the last man on earth she could ever be prevailed upon to marry. Will Elizabeth be able to reclaim her future? And if so, is there a place for Darcy by her side?

    But fate, with assistance from Darcy’s scheming cousins, contrives to keep them together.When Miss Darcy is summoned to Kent, the couple has a chance to begin anew, and their budding friendship carries them to London and Hertfordshire. Their feelings deepen but before their new understanding is made known, Elizabeth is sent to Brighton as chaperone to her youngest sister. Her stay there ends in ruin when Darcy’s past comes to call.Upon discovering the situation is worse than he feared, Darcy determines he must be the one to make things right. His departure leaves Elizabeth in doubt and their future in question. Was their love too new to withstand a scandal?A series of missed chances, misdirected letters, and miscommunications keeps the couple apart; it make require the intervention of their nearest relations to bring them back together.