Darcy's caustic remarks about her at the assembly. Would she still have seen him as arrogant, selfish and conceited? Would he have been able to remain aloof and prideful if Elizabeth was not initially prejudiced against him? The road to true love turns in unexpected ways. Although there will be others in my What if series they are all stand alone stories.

    Darcy — a man of the world, master of his own fortune and of his own feelings and actions — is already smitten with Miss Elizabeth Bennet, the young woman he had called tolerable and refused to dance with. As the days pass, charmed by her pretty eyes and sparkling wit, he discovers that she is handsome enough to tempt him, more so than any other woman before. He is determined to keep his distance from her and he manages to do so even during her stay at Netherfield, as she cares for her sister, Jane. That is until one cold, rainy day, three days prior to the Netherfield Ball when Elizabeth and Darcy are forced to spend some time alone in a cabin in the wood.With no expectation of pleasure, Elizabeth forces herself to bear the arrogant man’s company with enough civility while he struggles with his own desires and temptations, as well as with her low opinion of him.The distance from arguments to a better understanding, from pride and prejudice to friendship, towards a “happily ever after”, can be easier and faster to travel when the two of them are trapped together. Can’t it?

    Determined to remedy the situation, Elizabeth decides to stay with her aunt in London, thereby forcing the truth of Jane’s circumstances to rise to the surface.It is in London that Elizabeth meets Fitzwilliam Darcy and his younger brother, a rake of a man who is more interested in dalliances with women than in maintaining the small estate bequeathed upon him by his father. Despite Darcy’s great efforts, his brother simply refuses to listen to reason and curb his excesses, leaving Darcy at a loss concerning how to proceed.Because both Elizabeth and Darcy are so focused on their siblings, neither expects to catch the other’s eye. But as they spend more time together, they find themselves to be willing allies and perhaps even something more. If they work together, is it possible to ensure that all parties involved will achieve happiness? Or will the sacrifice of Elizabeth’s sister proceed, causing sorrow to enshroud the future and forever banishing any hopes for marital bliss?

    Darcy has already left Netherfield. Torn by his attraction to Elizabeth Bennet, a woman he cannot marry, he retreats to Scotland, unaware of the social disaster that overtakes the Bennet family. Shunned by friends and neighbors, Mrs. Bennet succumbs and Mr. Bennet moves what is left of his family to London. As Mary and Kitty find husbands, Elizabeth and Jane are left to care for their failing father with little money and less hope for the future. After Mr. Bennet’s death, the sisters continue to live on the bare edge of gentility with fading prospects for happiness in life. But then Elizabeth accidently encounters Mr. Bingley. Both young women are drawn back into his sphere, which includes Mr. Darcy. Once again Bingley is plagued by his sister Caroline, who is as determined as ever to prevent his marriage to Jane, and whose machinations may go farther back than anyone realizes. Darcy is assisting his friend in his renewed courtship of Jane and as Elizabeth finds herself in continual contact with him a friendship grows between them, one Elizabeth tries to believe is platonic, while Darcy knows he is still inescapably in love with her. Torn between a growing attraction to Darcy and the taint of Lydia’s sin, Elizabeth struggles to find a way forward. Darcy has problems of his own. His sister Georgiana has withdrawn from her first Season, refusing to choose a suitor in spite of family pressure. Lady Catherine deBourgh believes she can force Darcy to marry her daughter Anne, and will stop at nothing to achieve her goal. And a threat from the past by Darcy’s old enemy George Wickham arises once more with the potential to ruin not only the Darcys but the Fitzwilliam family as well. Now at a Twelfth Night ball, Darcy is no longer able to deny his love and offers Elizabeth his hand. But Elizabeth, deeply damaged by her experiences, believes herself unworthy of him and rejects him with consequences no one could have predicted, forcing Darcy to face a turning point that will decide his and Elizabeth’s future in one last encounter. Finally, just when matters seem to be settled, Darcy and Elizabeth’s happiness is jeopardized once again by a ghost from the past as Wickham finally seems ready to strike.

    But what happens when a certain Derbyshire gentleman sees things in a completely different way? A childhood illness leaves Fitzwilliam Darcy with physical limitations that keep him from seeing the world as it is. When his trust is challenged again and again by those dearest to him, will he ever recover enough to discover his own path to true love? Explore an alternate reality where Elizabeth Bennet strikes up an unlikely friendship with a blind Mr. Darcy - only to find herself armed with unique perspectives that will challenge both him and her in how they view themselves, their loved ones, and the world at large.

    While his friend is now happily married, Darcy regrets not having the courage to pursue Elizabeth in the autumn. As 1812 draws to a close, Darcy rallies his spirits to spend the Christmas holiday with Lady Catherine.Elizabeth Bennet wanted to show Darcy that her feelings for him had changed, but he never returned to Hertfordshire and she fears Darcy could never tolerate being brother-in-law to Wickham. For a change of scene and with the hope of lifting her spirits, Elizabeth accepts an invitation to visit Charlotte Collins and her new baby at Christmas.Lady Catherine’s New Year’s Eve masquerade ball is the social event of the season and, amid the festivities and mistletoe, both Darcy and Elizabeth hope for a reason to make their affections known. But will her ladyship’s interference, the sudden appearance of her scheming nephew, and Elizabeth and Darcy’s insecurities prevent them from finding happiness during the holiday season?This is a 31,000 word Pride and Prejudice variation.

    Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s pleasure trip to the Lake District with her aunt and uncle is redirected when they receive an express stating Mrs. Gardiners’ sister and two nephews have fallen ill. The trio proceeds to a farm in Derbyshire to assist the ailing family, on the estate where her aunt grew up, Pemberley. During a walk, Elizabeth happens upon a young lady. A friendship is born, but secrets and heartache surround her new friend. Perhaps Elizabeth will finally meet Ana’s brother, of whom she has heard so much, at Pemberley’s Harvest Ball?Fitzwilliam Darcy is desperate to help his sister recover from the events at Ramsgate but is at a loss as to how to do so. After she begins to ride every day, she also seems to begin healing. In his state of relief, he does not push for answers as to why. When Ana comes to him excitedly requesting that he make the Harvest Ball a masque, he is so grateful for her interest in something, he agrees.

    Shaken, he has retreated into solitary pursuits such as walking and fishing. Much time has been lost lamenting past errors, but he sees at last a way forward. He will try to get Elizabeth back. Risk a confession to Bingley. Convince Lady Catherine that he will never marry her daughter. Curb his pride and disrespect for others. Seek a reunion. And hope.No sooner has this resolution been formed than Darcy receives dramatic news of the Bennets. The family has been disgraced, not by Lydia, but by Elizabeth herself. She has been convicted of a felony and is now missing, believed a fugitive. Alone and without means, she faces destitution—or transportation at best if caught.Convinced of Elizabeth’s innocence, Darcy stands by his resolution. But how can he help Elizabeth without locating her? And how can he locate her without betraying her to the authorities? The conundrum seems insoluble. Will love find a way?

    Though cautioned not to spend more time in his company than she ought, Elizabeth finds she cannot stay away from him.Fitzwilliam Darcy’s father lost half the family fortune to a pair of swindlers and the rest to gaming and investments that gave no returns. He knows he is no good for the daughter of a baronet, but he falls for the lively Elizabeth in spite of every reason he should not.When the two determine their mutual attraction cannot be denied, Darcy decides to accept the challenge of re-entering society more for the sake of Elizabeth’s reputation than his own. Because both know it won’t be easy for him to regain the good opinion of the ton, Darcy goes to his noble relations to seek their assistance and Elizabeth joins him in London to support his efforts.Of course, the expectation of whispers and snobbery is scant preparation for facing down the harshest critic of them all: one’s own family.

    He knew. From the moment she had uttered her true name, he had known that she was not free. So why was he here? Why did he still look at her in that way? Why could she see the adoration in his eyes and the torment in his features? Had he come to say goodbye? To leave her to this fate?CONFUSED AND CHASTENED following her cruel rejection of Mr Darcy’s proposal, Elizabeth Bennet returns to her aunt’s home in Gracechurch Street. Unable to find solace while pondering her terrible misjudgment of his character, she is overwhelmed with guilt for how she treated the puzzling gentleman from Derbyshire. Fitzwilliam Darcy has retreated to his London home after being spurned by the lady he loves, and after serious reflection has come to the realisation that he never deserved Elizabeth’s good opinion. A CHANCE ENCOUNTER WITH MR DARCY brings Elizabeth the opportunity to seek forgiveness, and possibly, a new start to their budding romance. But the introduction of a stranger into Elizabeth’s life threatens to reveal old family secrets that have the potential to truly unravel her world and all that she holds dear.

    But when he finds the accident was caused by Lydia Bennet, he suspects he was deliberately set up for a compromise.At that point, his fledgling love for Miss Elizabeth turns to scorn.He is determined to back out of the hasty engagement, and damn the consequences, until he learns that Miss Elizabeth hates him and does not want to marry him.Suddenly he is equally determined to change her mind and gain her love.Along the way many people are surprised at what they discover about themselves and people they thought they knew.

    What if Darcy had had doubts about separating his friend from Jane Bennet far earlier in the story than in the original? How would things play out then? Well, here is a take on how it could have been, had Darcy persuaded Bingley to return to Netherfield in December of 1811.

    She learns the hard way that a handsome face can mask cruelty and depravity.This experience forever alters her relationships with her sisters, her parents, and her friends.How will a changed Elizabeth Bennet react to Fitzwilliam Darcy's insults at the Meryton Assembly?Can Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy overcome their altered pride and prejudices to find happily ever after?A Look Behind the Mask is a full-length, clean Pride & Prejudice variation of 112,000 words.**Trigger warning: the prologue shows an experience of an adult male abusing a young female teen. It does NOT go into detail, but it may be disturbing for some. If it becomes uncomfortable for you, you can skip to chapter 1 without missing any of the story.**Praise for A Look Behind the Mask:“I enjoyed how you used the Jane Austen characters and set them in your own story. I really enjoyed all the differences and unique plot twists. Well done.”“Wow what a glorious story!”“Oh my god I SOBBED during the epilogue. What a beautiful story and a beautiful end.”“This was a wonderful story! I really enjoyed the exploration of these characters and how real they were.”“Your story is one of the top stories I've read… Please keep writing, you have a talent that should not be wasted.”“Just the idea of Elizabeth dumping a pitcher of water on Lydia's head is giving me more enjoyment than I ever expected.”“What a great story. You carried the many plot lines beautifully.”“Your story is one of the top Jane Austen Fan Fiction stories I've read.”

    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?

    Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy immediately regrets his insult to Elizabeth Bennet at the Meryton Assembly, and takes the opportunity during a chance meeting on Oakham Mount to apologize. Reticent to so easily forgive Darcy's boorish behaviour, Elizabeth announces that she will consider Darcy's request after further studying his actions. Darcy impulsively offers to complete six labours chosen by Elizabeth, in the tradition of The Twelve Labours of Hercules, to demonstrate that he can be a better man. In exchange, Darcy will not only receive Elizabeth's friendship but also a token, of his choosing, at the completion of each labour.Join the traditional P&P characters, and some new ones, as Elizabeth designs labours to test the boundaries of Darcy's social faults. The outcomes surprise both Elizabeth and Darcy as the completion of Darcy's labours and the collection of his tokens deepens their friendship. However, just as their friendship blossoms into something more their future is threatened by an act of revenge. Will Darcy's labours lead to a deep, abiding love?Author's Note: Readers should be aware that there is an event in the book of a violent physical attack which is described explicitly, both as it happens and in its re-telling. There are some descriptions of kissing that demonstrate the ardent love of our dear couple, but the situations are written in good taste. For Regency period enthusiasts, there are some liberties taken with the behaviour of a courting couple.