Unfortunately, that man is Mr Bennet of Longbourn: a world-weary gentleman who prefers his books to ballrooms.What follows is a heartwarming tale full of wry humour and wisdom, set against the backdrop of the first half of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.Join Mr Bennet as he and his friends in the Meryton Natural History Society attempt to help John, a task that forces our father of five daughters to confront his own romantic past."Life must be mastered with pragmatism and sense, which explains why so few people succeed at it."Cake and Courtship is a standalone story, but also the first part of Mr Bennet's Memoirs.

    . . NOTE: You will find that this Darcy is much lighter of heart than Jane Austen's. Why? Because he has fallen for the lady of his dreams and is in full, happy pursuit of her. His life has been sad since losing his parents and then nearly losing Georgiana to Wickham at Ramsgate. Elizabeth has given him the ability to smile and be happy again in spite of Caroline Bingley's machinations. Come and laugh and love with our dear couple in 'Darcy vs Bingley.'What if Fitzwilliam Darcy didn’t shun Elizabeth Bennet at the Meryton Assembly? And what if he found that he was dealing with coup de foudre, love at first sight, of this delightful young woman?However, Caroline Bingley is determined to wed Darcy even if she has to compromise him. Will she succeed? And what kind of havoc will George Wickham create when he appears on the scene?Join our dear couple in a whirlwind Regency romance that will make you both laugh and sigh as they reach for their ‘happily ever after.’"A love-at-first-sight story for Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth brings new drama and comedy to our favorite Austen story!" ~ Elizabeth Ann West, author of To Capture Mr. Darcy...Excerpt:Because the ground was still soft and a little muddy in spots, the men refrained from indulging in their usual race and concentrated on looking for damage to the one dam on the property and to ensure none of the ponds had overflowed their banks.All was well except for the dam, which had sustained a small amount of damage needing repair that would be reported to Bingley’s temporary steward. Up until now, the man had seemed very competent, and if Bingley decided to buy Netherfield, he would retain the man permanently. Bingley appreciated Darcy’s acumen in regard to estate management and his willingness to train his friend too. He would do well if he could become as knowledgeable also.“It’s been a good morning, and the property seems in fine shape. Let’s return and prepare for our visit to Longbourn.”“Darce, shall we race back?” Without waiting for an answer, Bingley urged Baron into a gallop that showered Darcy in mud. The gauntlet had been thrown.Achilles loved a good run and quickly caught up with Baron. Then Darcy returned the favor.After leaving the horses at the stable and apologizing to the groom for the condition of the horses and equipment, both men cleaned their boots before entering the house through the kitchen. The cook, the kitchen maid, and the scullery maid all stood speechless as Bingley and Darcy tried to sneak up to their bedchambers. The three had never seen gentlemen covered in mud to the extent that Bingley was picking it out of his teeth. The ground had proven muddier than expected.Hurrying toward the staircase, they were dismayed at the shriek behind them. “Charles…Mr. Darcy!” Caroline Bingley was appalled at their appearance.Louisa just said, “Oh, my!”Hurst doubled over in laughter at the sight of the mud-spattered men: from head to toe. “I’m going to dub you two Mud Hens,” he said. And he howled with laughter.Nobody could tell that both men were blushing fiery red.And the footman was coughing up a storm. ...

    “You never will be able to make both of them good…Take your choice, but you must be satisfied with only one. There is but such a quantity of merit between them; just enough to make one good sort of man…” -Pride and Prejudice  From her youngest days, Elizabeth Bennet’s ability to accurately judge the character of others has been recognized and noted by those around her in such a consistent manner as to lead her to believe it herself. The misfortune of meeting Mr. Darcy, a wealthy landowner from the north, only solidifies this belief. The memory of his disapproval of her family, proves his character is lacking and sadly unlike his childhood friend’s, the charming and affable Mr. Wickham, who is esteemed by all he meets. Although her opinion once lost is not lost forever, the effort to regain her favor is great. With Elizabeth’s youngest sister fortunate to be in company with Mr. Wickham in Brighton since the spring, and her own travels to Kent cancelled, she must await the pleasures of a summer holiday to the North with her aunt and uncle Gardiner. However, it is there that she is once again thrust into Mr. Darcy’s presence and must determine if he is truly the architect of the many wrongs she has laid at his door. Fitzwilliam Darcy cannot exorcise Elizabeth Bennet from his thoughts. A chance meeting at the estate of his friend reignites all the flames he has attempted to suppress since their last meeting. Believing in her partiality, he is stunned to overhear her true estimation of him and is determined to change her opinion. Battling with memories and secrets from his past, Darcy must fight against his natural reserve to win the heart of the woman he loves. Will the unexpected appearance of a stranger encourage Elizabeth’s change of heart? Might an episode from Mr. Darcy's past force Elizabeth to see the man within? Can one man have all the goodness and the other only the appearance of it?  Join us for another sweet "Pride and Prejudice" reimagining, suitable for ages teen and up.

    This story is as much about Elizabeth and Darcy's torturous road to love, as it is about Colonel Fitzwilliam's parallel, purgative journey. It is a tale about falling in love, falling out of love, and just falling. Intended for ages 17 to 117, due to some implicit but more mature themes.

    Darcy’s proposal and allowing him to assume a love she does not yet feel pains Miss Elizabeth Bennet but she is certain she can love him…in time. After all of the miseries he endured to salvage her youngest sister’s reputation, how could she not come to love such a man? Unfortunately, Lady Catherine arrives, bringing even thornier complications. With the many objections Darcy’s family will have regarding his marriage to the daughter of an unremarkable country squire, what more trouble can Lady Catherine stir up should she learn Elizabeth’s secret? In this Pride and Prejudice variation, what will Mr. Darcy do when he learns his beloved has accepted him although her heart is not engaged? New through Kindle Unlimited, Recognizing Love is a Jane Austen adaptation of about 73,000 words. If you are a fan of Pride and Prejudice variations, vagaries, fanfiction, and sequels, check out Recognizing Love today.

    Fortunately for him, Darcy learns of a position at the estate of Thomas Bennet. As the young gentleman attempts to find a way to be free of the charges, he must also hide his developing feelings he has for his employer's second daughter. Will he be able to prove his innocence and return to his life, and could he leave his heart behind if he was to regain his position in society?

    When Mrs. Bennet discovers all her worse nightmares are about to come true, she does not react the way her family expects. Instead the normally silly woman takes matters into her own hands and gives marching orders to her daughters. Will they follow them to the letter? Will any of them find their happy ending? Just remember, the secret to a long and lasting relationship is compromise.

    Charles Bingley, is instantly drawn to Elizabeth Bennet’s sister Lydia. More than twice, he asks the youngest Bennet daughter to stand up with him, and soon all the neighborhood is speculating on when Mr. Bingley will make an offer to their dearest girl. Elizabeth cannot understand the attraction. In her heart, she believes a match between Mr. Bingley and Lydia would end in tears all round, while Jane and Charles seemed made for each other. While Mrs. Bennet is giddy over Mr. Bingley’s attentions to Lydia, Elizabeth devises ways to divert them to Jane, but her every stratagem is thwarted by his friend—the arrogant Mr. Darcy. The man is maddening—truly! Excerpt: "Oh, Jane!" Elizabeth cried before she could stop herself. "How... how dramatic." "You're adorable, both of you." Aunt Gardiner was dressed as Queen Cleopatra of Egypt. She beamed at her nieces, apparently of the opinion that their costumes were a great success.Jane was dressed as the goddess of love and beauty, every bit as shocking as Elizabeth's Eve. Mrs. Swan had crafted a costume so provocative, so inviting to the male eye, that Elizabeth feared her sister would be too mortified enter Beaufellmont, let alone the dance floor. The pale pink chiton-style gown was cinched around the waist by a pale blue girdle of Hephaestus, embroidered with tiny silver and gold seashells. The girdle alone emphasized Jane's figure, and two large satin seashells covered her breasts. Her arms were bare from the shoulders, in the Greek fashion, and she wore short pink lace gloves that stopped at her wrists. Her hair was hidden under a pale pink satin turban, which had a golden apple affixed at the top. "You make a wonderful Aphrodite, Miss Bennet," Sally said. "So beautiful. It's a shame you'll be wearing a mask." Jane self-consciously touched the turban's ornament, the golden apple given to Aphrodite according to the judgment of Paris. Her face was red as a berry. No, Elizabeth thought. It is a very good thing we will be wearing masks. "The finer the lady, the more risqué the costume," Mrs. Swan said with full authority on the matter. "I certainly come up to the mark on that account." Elizabeth frowned at the serpent's head at rest on her breast. "Or should I say down to it?" "It is fancy dress, my dears." Aunt Gardiner laughed. "Do not spoil the fun by being unnecessarily overmodest. Lord Beaufellsey's affairs are notorious for their notoriety." "I like that," Elizabeth said drolly. "Let your imaginations take flight. For one night, we shall be outrageous! The three most dangerous females in history: Aphrodite, Cleopatra, and Eve." Elizabeth sat down at her dressing table to allow the second assistant to sweep her hair up and hide it under a turban of pale green satin. "I suppose I won't mind a little outrageousness. Especially as we shall be safely incognito behind our masks." She had always enjoyed her aunt's youthful vigor, but never so much as at this moment. Why not be daring? Especially when so little risk was involved. Even if their masks were to slip, it would not signify.

    Beginning where Jane Austen’s classic left off, this collection of six humorous and heart-warming stories takes readers from Lizzy and Darcy’s first argument as a married couple, to their youngest daughter’s first season. Follow our favorite couple as they overcome the trials and tribulations of wedded life, learning and laughing through it all. Stories included: For Better, For Worse A Moment Alone Lizzy’s News The Missing Bonnet A Letter to Mother The Last Miss Darcy Approximately 15,000 words total.

     Under the guidance of Lady Matlock, both Georgiana and Elizabeth are to be formally introduced to Society's elite, including a special invitation to meet the illustrious Lady Patronesses of Almack's, who preside over the most exclusive balls of the Season. Elizabeth inadvertently becomes the subject of Town gossip at the same time her marriage to William has brought forth new and wonderful circumstances, and finds it difficult to overcome Society's scrutiny on her own. Will Darcy come to her rescue, or stubbornly ignore what he helped to create? With Elizabeth's influence, Georgiana's once deflated confidence grows stronger by the day, and with it new and troubling doubts about the brother she'd always seen as no less than perfect. Meanwhile, as a favor to Charles Bingley, Darcy formulates a plan to expose Caroline Bingley's suitor, the enigmatic Marquess Thornhaugh, as the mercenary he is suspected to be. In order to do so, however, Darcy must enlist the help of not only a reviled relation, but also the hated George Wickham, who claims to know all about the nobleman and is willing to be of service. For a price, of course. Caroline Bingley is certain that all are against her as she is determined to claim her worthy position as a marchioness. How far will she go to secure her coveted title? Richard Fitzwilliam forgoes the Season in favor of fighting for King and Country in the war against Napoleon to the bereavement of his family, especially Lord Matlock, who'd always had other plans for this middle son. Charlotte Collins also ventures to London as companion to Anne DeBourgh, who is determined to break free from her mother's "protection" and live her own life. Charlotte is optimistic, but is so much independence so switfly asserted really in the innocent young woman's best interest? Despite a deep love and strong bond, fear and uncertainty still plague Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, and a certain marquess cannot seem to help playing to those insecurities as he both antagonizes and challenges Mr. Darcy to a problematic extent. His family's future at stake, Darcy realizes that proving his love to Elizabeth was only half the battle. Now he must prove it to the World. This is the second volume of two.

    She is on her way to America to retrieve her sister, Lydia, who had eloped to America with George Wickham, but their marriage went sour, he abandoned her, and thus, pregnant and penniless, she wants to return to England. Unknown to Elizabeth, she is sailing on a ship which Darcy had built in honor of his mother, and he, his sister Georgiana, and his cousin Col. Fitzwilliam, are also sailing on the ship. The three of them are on the ship both because they wanted to be on its maiden voyage and because they wanted to visit America for the first time. Part 1 of the story is about the forty-five day voyage to America and the romantic struggles of Darcy and Elizabeth, as well as an unexpected attraction between Col. Fitzwilliam and a woman he meets on board. Part 2 tells of their reception back in England by their respective families and friends and the subsequent romantic adventures of Georgiana and Catherine Bennet, Elizabeth’s next-to-youngest sister.

    Darcy. When, through no fault of her own, she ends up in a compromising situation with him, she does everything she can to keep their scandal secret and avoid matrimony. Unfortunately, not everyone is willing to go along with that plan. Darcy doesn’t want to wed an aggravating country miss with no connections, but honor dictates he offer. When, shockingly, she refuses, he’s relieved. Upon reflection, that relief turns to indignation, for no other woman would think of turning him down. Indignation soon grows into preoccupation… or could he be in the grip of some other, even stronger emotion? Love, Letters and Lies is a Pride and Prejudice Variation of approximately 92,000 words. Renata McMann and Summer Hanford began writing Pride and Prejudice Variations together in 2014 and have since become immersed in the amazing world Jane Austen created. Whether you’re a fan of Darcy and Elizabeth specifically or of clean Regency Romance in general, you will enjoy both McMann’s ability to imagine variations of this classic love story and Hanford’s skill in turning these variations of Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth Bennet, and their enduring love into entertaining stories.

    Due to his “arrogance, conceit, and selfish disdain of the feelings of others”, Elizabeth Bennet refused his offer of marriage. What if Darcy refused to accept Elizabeth’s refusal? What if he learned nothing from her bitter admonishments and continued with that same self-centered, imperious behavior? What if he did the unthinkable and abducted Elizabeth from Rosings with the intent of making her his bride? What if his own family opposed him and forced him to question his behavior? We explore these questions in Against Her Will.

    As she recovers, Darcy finds himself attracted to his guest, but her low social status silences his desires. Soon Darcy discovers the wreck was no accident, but the work of his old nemesis George Wickham, drawing him into the official investigation. While Darcy gathers evidence of the crime, his friend Charles Bingley falls in love with Elizabeth’s sister Jane. Bingley leases an estate near her home in Hertfordshire, bringing Darcy once more into contact with Elizabeth. After Wickham is captured by an intrepid Bow Street investigator, the monstrous motive for his crime is revealed, and he is arrested for murder. Meanwhile, Bingley secures Jane’s hand, forcing his friend to confront his reservations about Elizabeth. Feeling he is free of Wickham’s shadow, Darcy follows his heart and proposes to Elizabeth, and the double wedding of the two sisters goes forward. But then, unforeseen problems arise. A vitriolic attack by Bingley’s sister Caroline, long obsessed with Darcy, shocks Elizabeth. Georgiana has a distressing secret she is afraid to share with her brother. And Darcy’s aunt, Lady Catherine deBourgh, exhibits bizarre symptoms that force her brother, Lord Matlock, to intervene before a major scandal damages the entire family, threatening Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s future. Now, as the newlyweds settle at Pemberley, Wickham goes on trial, and Darcy must testify against his one-time friend, sealing Wickham’s fate. With Wickham sentenced to die, honor, treachery and one last act of evil force a crisis no one could have imagined, and bring Darcy face to face with death..

    When Darcy arrives at Netherfield with his friend Bingley, he is in a bad mood for an entirely different reason: his mistress of seven years, with whom he has fallen hopelessly in love, has abandoned him to marry a duke. If Darcy thought he was having a wretched Tuesday after visiting Diana, things suddenly become worse when he arrives at his uncle's townhouse only to discover the earl, who generally leads a very dissipated life, has suddenly become concerned for the future. Darcy's uncle reminds him that he needs to marry and provide an heir for the Pemberley Estate. His cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, who had no plans to marry, finds himself in a similar boat, but without a paddle. His elder brother, the Viscount Stanley, has produced only daughters, so it may be up to Richard to sire the next earl. He now has the unenviable task of convincing a lady to marry a second son with no expectations. Temporarily escaping the debacle, the cousins accompany Darcy's friend Bingley to his newly leased estate in Hertfordshire so that Darcy can help his friend pursue his father's dream that his son become a member of the landed gentry. Fitzwilliam, who is more at home with business decisions, must navigate his way through the most important social decision of his life, with nearly disastrous consequences. A Pride and Prejudice variation that includes a prequel and forks at the Netherfield Ball. Suitable for mature readers. What a wonderful story, truly one of my favorites. Elizabeth as mistress of Pemberley really won me over. Finn's ending however made me the happiest. I about wept. Last of all, I'm in love with Colonel F. The sword's engraving says it all, perfect. —Fanfiction reader beckyzoso