What if Darcy and Elizabeth had come to understanding in very different circumstances and a bit later than in the novel? --------------------------------- Elizabeth walked back to the desk. Mr Darcy was writing busily, a frown of concentration gracing his forehead. “Yes, Miss Bennet?” he asked, interrupting his work to look up at her. “Have you changed your mind about keeping my company?” “The door is closed.” “Closed,” he repeated. She nodded. “Yes. I cannot open it.” “It must have gotten stuck.” “Well, I have no strength to push it open.” Darcy stood up, walked around the desk and straight to the door. After a moment it turned out that he was as unsuccessful at opening the solid oak door as she was. “What is the meaning of this?” Elizabeth asked. “It appears that someone must have locked the door from the outside.” Her eyes widened. “Locked it?” “Yes, I cannot explain it otherwise.” “Why would someone do such a thing?” “Yes, why would someone do such a thing…why indeed?” Darcy asked, his expression both bewildered and dazed. “What shall we do now?” she wanted to know, expecting him to find a solution to their dilemma. “We should wait,” he answered quickly. “Wait?” “If someone locked it by accident, this person must open it in due time,” Darcy stated. Elizabeth was not convinced with his reasoning. “Perhaps,” she said, the tone of her voice doubtful. She stepped to the door and pulled at the handle. She did not know why she did it. The door was closed, after all. “Should we not cry for help?” she suggested. “Or look for the key? Mr Bingley might keep a spare key in one of the drawers of the desk.” “Are you in any danger, Miss Bennet?” he asked. “Do you not trust me?” “No, of course not. I mean, I do trust you, sir. Nevertheless, it is all rather strange, will you not agree with me?” “I am confident that it is nothing more than a simple misunderstanding. As for the key, I have never seen one.” “Could it be a servant? The person who locked the door?” “Quite possibly.” Elizabeth felt that her confusion was growing. “I do not understand,” she whispered.

    Collins has taken possession of the Longbourn estate. Although Collins and his wife Charlotte have allowed the Bennet sisters and their mother to continue living at Longbourn, the situation is difficult. Viewing Elizabeth and her sisters as little more than unpaid servants, Collins also mistreats the tenants, spends the estate’s money with abandon, and rejects any suggestions about improving or modernizing Longbourn. After one particularly egregious incident, Elizabeth decides she must organize a covert resistance among her sisters and the tenants, secretly using more modern agricultural methods to help the estate thrive. Her scheme is just getting underway when Mr. Darcy appears in Meryton. Upon returning from a long international voyage, Darcy is forced to admit he cannot forget his love for Elizabeth. When he learns of the Bennet family’s plight, he hurries to Hertfordshire, hoping he can provide assistance. Sinking into poverty, Elizabeth is further out of Darcy’s reach than ever; still, he cannot help falling even more deeply in love. But what will he do when he discovers her covert rebellion against Longbourn’s rightful owner? Falling in love with Mr. Darcy was not part of Elizabeth’s plan, but it cannot be denied. Darcy struggles to separate his love for her from his abhorrence for deception. Will their feelings for each other help or hinder the Rebellion at Longbourn?

    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.

    Bennet is dead. Her second eldest daughter, Elizabeth, has no time for suitors. She must placate a melancholy father and help raise her younger sisters. Fitzwilliam Darcy is of like mind. He struggles to keep his family's legacy alive and support a younger sister beset with problems of her own.The two meet at a country assembly. While she teases out his quiet charm, he delights in her fiery intelligence. As soon as he lets his feelings be known, duty pulls him away.Will Elizabeth conquer her prejudice against the first circles to see a man worthy of respect? Will Darcy deliver justice for the sins committed against his sister, or forever drown in the silence of his inherit pride? Will he capture the only woman to bewitch him body and soul?

    Darcy still find their happily ever after?Young William Collins spent his childhood under the oppression of an abusive father and an ill mother. When he becomes an orphan after a scarring tragedy, Collins is sent to live with his estranged cousins, the Bennet family, at Longbourn.At the same time, Fitzwilliam Darcy passes through his own crisis. The unique relationship between the Darcy and Wickham families is revealed late one night when Fitzwilliam discovers his father’s unsettling secret—one that affects George Wickham to the core.Elizabeth grows up loving Collins as a brother, but when he befriends Darcy and Wickham, Elizabeth wonders about her cousin’s choice in friends, and Darcy’s overbearing pride. What she doesn’t know are the heartaches of Darcy’s past that shape his intentions now.As the beloved characters of Pride & Prejudice grapple with their disturbing childhoods, how will the choices of their parents be carried on to the next generation? Can they find happiness, or are they doomed to a lifetime of misery because of the sins of their fathers?"The Sins of Their Fathers: A Pride & Prejudice Variation" by Tiffany Thomas is a full-length historical romance novel of 85,000 words.

     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.

    If Darcy discovers it, will it spell the end of their fledgling romance?When Mrs. Bennet falls ill after the Netherfield Ball, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley postpone their trip to London to offer their assistance. But things are never what they seem. Before long, Darcy is entangled in a chaotic situation at Longbourn, and Elizabeth is faced with a thorny dilemma that could drive Darcy away from her forever.Will Elizabeth and Darcy muddle their way through the mayhem, or is everything just too tangled for them to find love?If you are looking for a sweet, frolicsome Jane Austen short read, this romantic comedy is just what you need.

    For three years, it has hung like a dead weight about his neck, yet his first priority has been and must continue to be his young daughter. He married once for duty, he will only marry again for love. Is there a lady out there who will love him for the man he is underneath his vast wealth and lofty connections and, more importantly, who will love his precious daughter as dearly as he does? Will those with their own agenda to push allow him to follow his heart?A rocky first encounter with the handsome friend of her new neighbour leaves Elizabeth reeling. Meeting his adorable daughter will change her life forever. Loving the sweet little girl is easy, but what about the tall, brooding man she calls Papa? What will Elizabeth do when faced with those who deem her unworthy of the master of Pemberley?Mr. Darcy's Daughter is a sweet full length novel of +82,000 words. This is Melissa's debut novel.

    But when Fitzwilliam Darcy stays on at Netherfield Park thru the New Year, she is convinced he will ruin her holiday with his rude comments and prideful ways. Yet when she learns a painful secret about his past, she resolves to spread a little Christmas cheer his way. Can Elizabeth melt Mr. Darcy’s frozen heart or will jealous forces ruin their budding romance? A Very Meryton Christmas is a lighthearted novella; in the spirit of the time frame, it is a genteel romance where only the tea is steamy.

    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.

    They are touring the towns in Kent beginning with Canterbury’s famous Cathedral before making their way to Ramsgate. In this coastal town, Elizabeth meets Georgiana Darcy and an interesting couple from the nobility. Summoned by the Duke of Portland to Ramsgate after his wife dismisses Mrs. Young as being totally unsuited to be a young gentlewoman’s companion, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy arrives and immediately clashes with the opiniated Miss Elizabeth Bennet.Now a larger party, the troupe journeys along the coast to Dover to escape from Mr. George Wickham who haunts Ramsgate for unknown reasons. Then the party travels to Folkstone, another coastal town in Kent and near Rosings Park. However, just as the party is to set out for a picnic outside the town, someone fires cannons into the town. Near the docks, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth see that a French battleship is firing on the small English town! Fearing General Bonaparte is leading the French armies to invade England, the party flees to Rosings Park, only two hours away.The next morning, the Gouldings depart with Miss Darcy for London while Mr. Darcy returns to Folkstone to investigate the size of the invasion force. Despite Mr. Goulding’s protests, Elizabeth remains at the manor house to help care for the Duchess of Portland who collapsed during the bombardment. The duchess dies after another day, leaving Elizabeth and the servants to help the duke deal with his grief and prepare to send the body of the duchess to London.Mr. Darcy returns with news that the attack at Folkstone was a feint to create fear among the common people of invasion, and to kidnap the Duke of Portland, a former Prime Minister. Unwilling to await the arrival of the regular army, Mr. Darcy seeks the assistance of the militia in Ashland to restore order to Folkstone. In his absence, Mr. Wickham appears at Rosings Park with French soldiers and Marshal Joachim Murat, seeking to take the Duke of Portland prisoner.Despite threats from Wickham and the Frenchmen, Elizabeth and the servants help Lord William, Duke of Portland to slip away from the potential kidnappers. That same day, Mr. Darcy returns with the militia, and they drive the invaders away from Rosings Park. In the final minutes, as the French retreat toward Folkstone, Mr. Darcy duels a French captain who is trying to get Marshal Murat away. During the duel, Elizabeth subdues the Marshal just before Darcy is wounded as he dispatches his opponent.When he awakens, Mr. Darcy believes an angel has come to Kent to save him. When his vision clears, he realizes his angel is none other than Miss Elizabeth Bennet and for some unknown reason, she is applying honey to his head wound. Mr. Darcy’s cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, arrives with the regular units of the British Army and they capture the last of the French invaders at Folkstone.Elizabeth returns to London where she remains at Gracechurch Street until George Wickham and Marshal Murat are tried by the Royal Courts. Safe with her aunt and uncle, Elizabeth cannot dismiss her reaction to her experiences at Rosings Park but letters from her family and friends help. When she returns to Longbourn, regular day-to-day tasks are welcome but also confining.That autumn, at the Assembly Ball, the gentleman who has become the Netherfield tenant brings his sisters and a friend to the gathering. Mrs. Bennet is hopeful that a suitable gentleman has appeared in Meryton and immediately believes Jane can capture his attention. But many ladies and gentlemen are disturbed when they see his friend – how can their daughters display themselves before Mr. Bingley with that fierce looking friend around him? But then Elizabeth catches sight of the man and she is excessively pleased to discover that Mr. Bingley’s friend is Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

    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.

    With a title between them, how can Mr. Darcy marry her now?What readers are saying about this Pride & Prejudice retelling:"If you are looking for suspense, intrigue and romance, you've come to the right place.""...both thrilling and captivating""...an entertaining, well-written story"

    Elizabeth Bennet counts herself as one among them, the neighborhood has been dull of late. According to Meryton’s most reliable source of gossip, the house will soon contain a certain Miss Caroline Bingley, her particular friend Mayria Hoppenstack, their companion Mrs. Younge, Mr. Charles Bingley, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Mr. Darcy’s distant relation from Scotland, Mr. Hamish Mackay. At Mr. Bingley’s urging, he and his friends appear at the Meryton assembly and the party are welcomed by all. All, excepting Elizabeth Bennet, who has managed to insult Mr. Darcy before he has even fully got himself inside the doors. She would have worked to appear more contrite over the mishap if Mr. Darcy had not seemed to glory in repeatedly pointing it out to her. As it was, the man made it impossible to accept defeat gracefully. After this ill-omened start, how on earth could anything promising begin? Amidst Elizabeth’s mortification, Mr. Mackay is found to be a source of strange tales from Scotland, Miss Hoppenstack is not all she claims to be, Mr. Collins discovers his esteemed father was mistaken about a few things, Mary proves herself to be more than a musician and reciter of facts, Charlotte finds success without having to say a word, Lydia has a revelation, Wickham ensnares himself in a web of lies, Lady Catherine is subdued by one clever Bennet while she seeks to subdue another, and most importantly, Mr. Darcy has a plan. #11 in The Sweet Regency Romance Series

    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?