How Mr Darcy is going to win Elizabeth's heart? *** This is an edited version of the story "Five Questions" published online several years ago. ***

    Whilst there she is surprised to meet Mr Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr Wickham.Elizabeth is about to be astounded time and again by the events that play out in Liverpool. Events which see her undertake a night time adventure with two men she had no idea were in fact cousins!While staying at Gracechurch Street in London she had been invited by Lady Matlock to a soiree at Matlock Gardens. It was there that she was left in no doubt, by her Ladyship, that she was not a suitable wife for her son Colonel Fitzwilliam, who Elizabeth had only recently met. Too poor, was the insinuation and certainly not born high enough.After being duped by Wickham and astonished by what she overheard Mr Darcy say to his cousin, Elizabeth was delighted when within less than a week, her life changed immeasurably. A change which would find her living, albeit temporarily, only five miles from Pemberley.This is a gentle, lightly amusing tale of the developing love between Darcy and Elizabeth, with all its ups and downs.

    Bingley finds out that he is to host the annual harvest dance. It seems like a daunting task, but fortunately he has the assistance of Mrs. Bennet and her daughters, the eldest of whom enchants him. The planning of the august event and the course of true love both run smoothly, but pandemonium breaks loose once the full moon rises. Many more people turn up than were first expected, among them Mr. Darcy, who finds more than he bargained for under the harvest moon.

    In London, every member of the ton knows that Mr. Darcy keeps a scandalous secret, but no one dares to claim they know the whole truth about the woman living under his protection. A young lady of little fortune... Elizabeth Bennet is well aware that her prospects of making an advantageous marriage are low. Her family’s lack of fortune and connections are against her but even more so, her witty, obstinate mind seems to keep potential suitors at a distance. On the other hand Meredith Whitney, Sir Edward Whitney’s daughter and Elizabeth’s dearest friend, promises to be much more fortunate, as the Hertfordshire neighbourhood waits with bated breath for the announcement of her engagement to Mr. Bingley. When Mr. Bingley’s party comes to stay at Hudson Park at Sir Edward Whitney’s invitation, fate brings Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth together, although their first encounter is equally awkward and mortifying for both. Still, it is enough to spark interest. It seems that she has finally found her match. A gentleman with a secret... Elizabeth begins to learn that there is much more to Mr. Darcy than her first impression of an arrogant and taciturn gentleman inclined to annoy her, and she realises he has somehow found the key to her mind and heart. Much to her surprise, in just a few encounters, Mr. Darcy manages to enter Elizabeth’s thoughts as no one has ever done before. The strangely warm sentiment appears to be mutual, until Elizabeth accidentally learns about the person who lies at the core of Mr. Darcy’s secret life. In search of justice Meet Mrs. Flora Guillen, a Jamaican woman of colour—beautiful, amiable, intelligent, but above all with a sadness in her eyes that cannot be easily understood. In befriending her, Elizabeth unwittingly starts to unveil the truth behind the secret, a story of heartbreak and survival that affects not only Darcy’s reputation, but also the lives of so many others.

    All seems well, but when Mr. Darcy unexpectedly arrives from Pemberley, he reveals that things in Brighton were not quite as they had seemed. Drawn to Mr. Darcy in their mutual quest to restore balance and safety to both their families, Elizabeth finds herself struggling to recognize the man who had insulted her in Hertfordshire and Kent. So much has changed—yet can she rely upon the change? And will he still love her and wish to marry her when he sees her family and its folly fully unleashed in Brighton?

    Something buried in his past is always trying to emerge. Unable to overcome his pain, he hides from the world. Until a letter reaches him. Bingley, one of his best friends, is inviting him to spend some time at the coast, in the neighbouring area of Penzance, Cornwall, where he is not just dealing with his business, but also enjoying the first months of his new life as a married man. His bride is an angel-like gentlewoman called Jane, whom he met during a visit to Hertfordshire, last Summer. In case Darcy accepts, Bingley has only one request to make: that he may bring with him one of his new sisters, a Miss Elizabeth, as a favour to his dearest wife. After such a painful summer, and considering he had already missed his friend’s wedding, against all the odds, Darcy decides to accept. What he does not know is that this single decision will change his life forever. First, because he will meet the only woman not just handsome enough to tempt him, but also the one who breaks the walls of his prison, opening for him a door to a happiness he never thought possible. And, second, because he will never be the same ever again after this, which will also be the most terrifying experience of his life. “The Curse of Land’s End” is a story about secrets, intrigue and mysteries which challenges rationality and faith, and demands a courage strong enough to transcend every instinct of self-preservation in the name of honour and love. “You will do nothing in this world without courage, for it is the greatest quality of the mind next to honour.” (Aristotle) Rated Mild+ (Contains up to 10 mild swear words; contains kisses, and mild, non-seductive description of intimacy — 'My Book Rating'). FROM THE AUTHOR Suddenly, I felt compelled to write a story which would take me (and JAFF) far from my comfort zone, and try something new. It was watching ‘Crimson Peak’, a biting-nail horror story, that the inspiration finally came to me. How would it be to write a story about ghosts, combining romance and mystery, but with no ghosts? "The Curse" is set in 1815, a year when Romanticism — a movement marked by the exaltation of feelings of loss and guilt related both to nature and men — was the fashion and drama, an essential component of the works of this time. "Songs of Experience", by William Blake (1794), "The Corsair", by Lord Byron (1814), and "Frankenstein", by Mary Shelley (1818), are all good examples of how committed the authors were in exploring human's woes; sometimes the sombre tone and dramatic plots are almost too depressing to endure. I can understand the bad reviews related to this point. But I cannot regret my choice. As another reviewer said, “we are all entitled to our own opinions”; the good reviews show it. I grant — my choice in writing a story using Romantic features was bold, but, for me, the result was very pleasing, especially considering the happy ending — what is not the norm for the Romantics. I should not be saying this, but it doesn't matter how much Literature I study, I always love a good happy ending. Another important choice was the deep POV of ODC. In P&P, we live the story through the eyes of Elizabeth and do not learn about Darcy’s struggles until very close to the end. I intended to show the huge abyss between his aloof appearance and his troubled mind — but here, he another reason for it.

    After the disastrous proposal in Kent, Elizabeth travels to London and is reunited with her sister Jane before returning to Longbourn. Still distressed by the revelation of Mr. Darcy’s true feelings, she is overwhelmed with guilt for completely misjudging him and for trusting Wickham so readily. A walk with her sister and aunt in Hyde Park provides an opportunity for fate to intervene and to cross her path with Darcy’s again in a most unexpected way. The presence of Mr. Bingley and the proof that Darcy has quickly admitted his error and tried to remedy it, makes Elizabeth’s self-reproach increase and her feelings for him soften. However, Mr. Darcy is a proud man, whose good opinion once lost is lost forever. Will he even consider any further connection with a woman who rejected him so rudely, especially when other worthy young ladies are vying for his affection? Mr. Wickham is also part of this story, stirring the waters with his usual viciousness; his role is somehow the same, yet different and original compared to the canon and to most P&P variations. The readers would be surprised to find out who is the recipient of his dishonourable interest this time. With the generous intervention of several sweet and loving individuals - including Miss Georgiana Darcy, a young lady who is very much like her brother in spirit and character - our dear couple will eventually find their well deserved Happily Ever After.

    It assumes Jane Bennet has received the note from Caroline Bingley telling her that Bingley is unlikely to return and implying he may court Georgiana Darcy. Mr. Bennet decides something must be done to secure his family’s future and informs Elizabeth that she must marry Mr. Collins, which he can do because she is not yet of age. Elizabeth thwarts Mr. Bennet's plans by disappearing from Hertfordshire, perhaps forever. The story follows Elizabeth’s escape from what she considers a fate worse than death and her adventures after her escape. It also tells of Darcy's attempts to find her, once he discovers she is gone and is willing to admit to himself that he loves her. However, her father’s betrayal of the trust she had in his love for her makes Elizabeth question whether she will ever be willing to trust a man's love again. If the father she worshiped, whom she thought doted on her, was willing to submit her to a marital life of misery just to satisfy his own desires, how could she ever trust another man’s love. The book also tells how Mr. Bennet's decision, which causes Elizabeth to leave, directly or indirectly impacts the lives of all his daughters.

    She promised him that even in the afterlife if there was a way, she would help guide him to find the perfect woman to marry. "I want you to know, my son, that I will always be with you, watching over you. If it is in my power, even in the afterlife, I will guide you toward the happiness you deserve." Years later, after tiring of the search for a woman of substance among the vapid and mercenary women of society, Darcy began experiencing mysterious events, ultimately taking him on an unexpected journey to an unlikely country estate outside of London. There, he is strangely drawn to a woman far beneath society's expectations for him. Though from totally different worlds, they are attracted to each other, but due to misunderstandings and interference from those who would stand in their way, their path to happily ever after is thwarted at every turn. Will Darcy and Elizabeth find what they both desire on their own, or will they need a little help from the afterlife?

     That a couple in love truly know one another makes not for a Happily Ever After, but rather prepares them better for the rough road ahead. Such is gradually discovered as Mr. and Mrs. Darcy begin their marriage in sensual bliss, each looking forward to a lifetime of felicity, and neither of them cognizant of the great challenges therein. A Marriage of True Affection is a collection of vignettes chronicling the first eleven years in the union of the most beloved couple in English literature. Beginning on their wedding night, the work highlights significant moments that sometimes test, but moreover strengthen the Darcys' relationship as they struggle to overcome the very faults that so nearly separated them forever. For despite the lessons learned and the love they share, our supremely stubborn couple remains, in essentials, very much what they ever were. Chapters include: A Midnight Embrace - Awakened on their wedding night, Darcy and Elizabeth express physically what they cannot in mere words Disturbing Recollections - As they remain haunted by past transgressions, the couple wonder if forgiveness can ever truly be attained The Storm - The onset of a violent storm en route to Derbyshire leads to their first heated quarrel as a married couple The Dinner Party - Soon after the birth of their first child, Mr. Darcy battles sexual frustration and jealousy as his charming wife enchants the neighbors Welcoming Janie Darcy - Elizabeth falls into labor at a time most inconvenient, while Darcy works diligently to save their land from a natural disaster For Better or Worse - A terrifying encounter befalls the traveling couple, leaving them to work through the ensuing grief and a shared desire for revenge (warning: some disturbing scenes) Christmas in Spring - When a poacher is caught in Pemberley Wood, the Darcys are not in accord with regards to his punishment A Jarring Revelation - In Pemberley's library, Elizabeth makes a remarkable, yet potentially devastating discovery. Dare she share it with her husband? And many more! With the return of some of our old favorites come new characters, as well, each of whom either helping or hindering our dear couple in good times and bad. And as they learn and grow from each new experience, by their eleventh anniversary, can we really expect the idyllic love Jane Austen so expertly built to have endured? This work is meant for mature readers.

    It is a sweet and clean regency romance with only non-graphic references to intimacy between married couples.Excerpt:"Darcy, what are you doing in London? Why are not still with Bingley in Hertfordshire pursuing the enchanting Miss Elizabeth Bennet?" Darcy looked up in surprise at his cousin Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam?Without waiting for a response, the colonel spoke, "Oh, don't try to convince me you aren't enamored with the lady. You may have fooled Bingley, but I know you too well. I saw the way your eyes followed her whenever you were in her company, how you listened to all of her conversations. Not that I blame you, of course. She is truly a fascinating woman. Intelligent and witty with beautiful eyes, not to mention her very fine figure." Richard grinned and waggled his eyebrows at his cousin.Fitzwilliam Darcy was shocked to discover that his attention to Elizabeth Bennet had been noted by anyone. "Really, Richard, I know not of what you speak. Miss Elizabeth Bennet is tolerable in appearance, but her manner is impertinent, not even taking into account her appallingly inappropriate family. Surely you jest to think that she would attract my attention.""Well, despite your protest of disinterest, I can see that you have given the alliance a good deal of thought. I am amazed that you don't recognize that Miss Elizabeth is a 'pearl of great price'. You are severely underestimating the young lady. And I cannot believe that you would abandon her to a forced marriage with her obnoxious cousin Collins!""If you think so much of the lady, Richard, then you go rescue her!" Darcy huffed.Colonel Fitzwilliam continued to gaze at his cousin and dearest friend in disbelief before standing and pronouncing, "Very well, I will, if she will have me"

    This may be especially so when the man in question not only possesses the rightful inheritance of said ladies, but is also of a most odious disposition and less than agreeable in appearance. Such was the lot of five young women near the town of Meryton. Not only had they no fortune, their own father, an absentee parent at best, had not the foresight to put aside a single pound should they not have the opportunity marry. For this sole reason, their overbearing mother deemed it necessary for one of her daughters to marry this impossible man. However, a mother’s best laid plans cannot come to pass if the gentleman in question is not only repulsive, but also very, very dead. Desperate times often call for desperate measures. There is a myriad of ways to dispose of an unwanted suitor, all of which may be deemed accidental, for who would ever accuse a young lady of good family? The answer is simple… no one. However, some persons are as extremely difficult to be rid as they are to tolerate in life. The Reverend Mr. Collins, despite his obvious deficiencies when it came to appearance and personality, has an uncanny knack for staying alive but, where there is a will, there is always a way…

    Disgrace falls upon the Bennet family and further tragedy strikes.After time compromises must be made, and life must go on. The stories of all the Bennet sisters go forward in different ways. Elizabeth settles for motherhood and mundane respectability. Darcy's life at Pemberley also goes forward but hearts still call to one another out there in the world.The 'year of no summer' throws up challenges for both families. Loss and heartache, dread reality, longing and resignation, it seems, must prevail. Can our beloved couple find their way back together?This version explores fully and explicitly, the adult, sometimes oppressive nature of the various relationships of our characters, and the behind-the-scenes realities of life in the early nineteenth century.A happy ending is, at last, of course, guaranteed!

    They are deeply in love and about to consummate their marriage vows – only they are abruptly interrupted by news of the most terrible kind.Georgiana has been kidnapped under the cover of darkness from Darcy’s carriage – and no one knows where she might be now, nor what harm might have befallen her. But who could be behind her kidnapping and what do they want?And how can Darcy and Elizabeth’s fledgling marriage survive through such terrible strain?‘Having no time to lose and feeling desperate to be off, Darcy quickly turned to Elizabeth then and briefly took her hand within his own to press a swift kiss on her knuckles. “Goodbye, Elizabeth,” he murmured quietly; “I’m so sorry to have to leave you like this. I’ll send word if I can.” And with these words, he abruptly departed, swiftly remounting his stallion before riding off into the night as if he were being pursued by the devil himself.’This story is a long read, at approximately 100,000 words long, and it contains scenes of a sexual nature and references to violence.

    But after the sisters finally are reunited with Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley during their night out in the Vauxhall Gardens, Jane suddenly goes missing.It doesn’t take long for Mr. Darcy to reveal that Jane and Mr. Bingley are currently on their way to Scotland to get married.Their elopement forces Lizzy and Darcy to put aside their clash of wits as they travel together in a desperate bid to bring her sister back.Unified in their quest, Lizzy and Darcy somehow manage to work past mutual prejudices as they grow closer to each other.Until an unexpected scandal compromises the fragile peace between them, forcing them to marry.Furious at this development, Elizabeth knows that she will need to learn how to tolerate her new husband if she ever wants a happy marriage.But can their budding relationship ever survive the marriage of convenience that now holds them captive?And what happens when someone with an old grudge secretly tries to unravel their chance at love?*** Please Note: the book starts off-canon as Elizabeth joins her sister, Jane, in London. without her passing through Rosings beforehand.***Mr Darcy's Reluctant Bride is a sweet and clean romance featuring Our Dear Couple in this Pride & Prejudice Variation, and it's 53000 words long.