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Pemberley Encounter: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

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During a visit to Derbyshire, an unexpected encounter will change everything…Elizabeth Bennet thought a walk on the footpath crossing Pemberley would be a quiet respite, a chance to marvel at its grandeur from a distance. But fate has other plans. A chance meeting with the shy Georgiana Darcy leads to an innocent invitation to dinner—an act of kindness that sets off a series of unexpected events.

When Darcy unexpectedly arrives at Pemberley, he is shocked to find a complete stranger in his house. His immediate suspicion of Elizabeth’s intentions – and his desire to prevent her taking advantage of his sister – drive him to cast her out in unfortunate haste.

This compelling tale of a fated, unexpected connection unfolds as Elizabeth’s headstrong charm grapples with Mr. Darcy’s stern reserve, setting the stage for a heartwarming romance that grows steadily long after their first encounter.

Set in the summer of 1811, before Netherfield Park is let, this is an alternative first impressions variation of Jane Austen’s timeless classic, in which Elizabeth’s first meeting with Mr. Darcy goes very badly indeed!

Pemberley Encounter is a cozy, closed door, full-length standalone Regency Jane Austen variation with mild angst and an enemies to lovers romance trope that will warm your heart.

383 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 2025

75 people are currently reading
30 people want to read

About the author

Monica Fairview

30 books226 followers
Monica Fairview writes Jane Austen variations and sequels as well as Fantasy P&P variations. After graduating from the University of Illinois, she worked as a literature professor and then as an acupuncturist in Boston before moving to London.

Monica enjoys reading Jane Austen, historical , fantasy and post-apocalyptic novels , but avoids zombies like the plague. She loves to laugh, drink lots of tea, and visit Regency houses, and she is convinced that her two cats can understand everything she says.

If you'd like to be notified of her latest release, please press the FOLLOW button on Monica Fairview's Amazon page.

If you'd like to find out more about Monica, you can find her at
http://www.darcyregencynovels.com/
http://austenvariations.com
http://monicafairview.blogspot.com

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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
881 reviews71 followers
June 29, 2025

Breaking News: Elizabeth Bennet is thrown out of Pemberley!

“She had come into his life – and Georgiana’s – and brought chaos in her wake.” (quote from the book)

Say it isn’t so! What could Elizabeth have possibly done to be thrown out of Pemberley?

Dear Reader, please do not be too distressed for we all know her courage rises with every attempt to intimidate her. This is a delightful tale with some angst, but mostly of Elizabeth’s pride, prejudice and compassion, along with Mr. Darcy’s huge pride, lack of trust, and fear for Georgiana. For the nefarious Mr. Wickham always seems to be one step ahead of Mr. Darcy.

Miss Georgiana, however, after meeting Miss Elizabeth by the river running through Pemberley, feels an immediate connection with her after unburdening herself, for she has been despondent ever since the Ramsgate debacle. She invites her to dine at Pemberley.

“She was tolerable, but not handsome enough to prevent me from questioning her presence in my house.” (quote from the book)

Mr. Darcy had brought Mr. Bingley and Miss Bingley back to Pemberley with him, hoping Miss Bingley’s company would help to alleviate her doldrums. What was he thinking?
When he arrives and is told Miss Georgiana has a guest, his first thought is Wickham. Things go downhill from there especially after Georgiana confesses what Miss Elizabeth did for her.

“To be honest, I believe that letting any person we do not know into our houses is a risk. And in the case of Miss Bennet, I have an inexplicable sense that it will bring complications.” (quote from the book)

Mr. Darcy has no idea! With the support Colonel Fitzwilliam provides them, Georgiana gets her wish to have Miss Elizabeth as her guest in her new establishment along with Mrs. Annesley. As for Mr. Wickham…”He was like a spider”.

I thoroughly enjoyed this ‘what if’ where Elizabeth Bennet is travelling with the Gardiners to Derbyshire before Netherfield Park is let and meeting Mr. Darcy. Fateful encounters and first impressions were certainly memorable! I highly recommend it!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review.
108 reviews6 followers
July 1, 2025
How one event can affect, influence, even damage your mind and therefore your behaviour
Not many absolutely horrible things happen in this story and yet I felt a tension within myself throughout the story –and therefore my constant question: could there really have been all the problems resolved? You have to read this fateful novel to know.
All the well-known characters make their appearance, and of course also my not beloved villain with a very clever concocted scheme and therefore even more ugly and despicable! Villain-lovers will not be disappointed! And lovers of Elizabeth and Darcy will enjoy the development of their relationship, I am sure!
I got a copy in advance – thank you, Mrs. Fairview, I enjoyed this book very much 😊
Profile Image for Sophia.
Author 5 books392 followers
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August 12, 2025
When a despondent young lady is preparing to take her life, a woman visiting the area has the chance to not only save said life, but form a friendship. Then our heroine gets accused of thievery and tossed out of the house by the suspicious brother. Monica Fairview has penned some engaging Pride and Prejudice Variations in the past and this one dealt the romance some tough blows that had me sitting up and taking notice.

My full review will post at Books of My Heart on 10.15.25.
Profile Image for Sam H..
1,206 reviews58 followers
July 21, 2025
From thievery to love

An interesting set up, Elizabeth meets the Darcys at Pemberley, but Darcy is of course not warm and quick to judge.

When he allows Georgiana to host the troublesome young lady in town he is in danger of losing his heart.

A sweet and fun read. Miss Bingley had too much sway over Darcy, but our dear couple learn to work things out.
Profile Image for Gill M.
352 reviews24 followers
July 11, 2025
Review also posted on my blog

https://myjaffobsession.blogspot.com/...

Elizabeth Bennet is visiting Derbyshire with her Uncle and Aunt Gardner.

On a solitary walk she meets a distraught young girl. Georgiana Darcy is in desperate need of a friend and Elizabeth provides solace.

An invitation to an informal supper with Georgiana and her companion, Mrs Annesley starts well enough.

However, their burgeoning friendship soon comes to a screeching halt!

Unfortunately, Georgiana's proud and haughty brother Fitzwilliam Darcy, arrives home with houseguests. He is shocked and somewhat suspicious to find Elizabeth there.

The informal supper metamorphoses into a formal dinner.
On her way to the dining room, she overhears Darcy and his houseguests disparaging her.
Understandably upset, she plans to ask for transport back to the Gardners.

In her haste she knocks over valuable porcelain. She saves it from breaking, but is accused of trying to steal it.

Darcy is horrible. He orders her out of the house and off Pemberley land.

Elizabeth is forced to walk several miles in her satin slippers, arriving at the Inn with battered and bloodied feet. A kind and sympathetic gentleman escorts her to her family.

Unbeknownst to her, the "gentleman" is the notorious scoundrel who caused Georgiana's distress.

While Elizabeth returns to Hertfordshire, Darcy is facing a saddened and angry Georgiana.

His solution is to ask Elizabeth to join Georgiana in London as a friend, while she sets up home in upmarket Cavendish Square.

Elizabeth is torn between her loathing for Darcy and her wish to support Georgiana.

While in London, Darcy overcomes his suspicions and Elizabeth sees a more admirable side to the gentleman.

Could anything come of their growing attraction?

You can guarantee that fate will lob some obstacles in their way.

Enjoyable story with a sweet ending. Good to see the vile Wickham get a great comeuppance

I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Allison Ripley-Duggan.
1,655 reviews13 followers
August 20, 2025
I loved it!

It was so enticing that I couldn’t put it down, this book grabbed my interest from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down, I had to know what happened next. The story is well written with a very good storyline. You will see the most beloved characters in a whole new way. This is a Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice variation. This is part of the Pride and Prejudice Variations series. This is a cozy, closed door, full-length standalone Regency Jane Austen variation with mild angst and an enemies to lovers romance trope that will warm your heart.

This compelling tale of a fated, unexpected connection unfolds as Elizabeth’s headstrong charm grapples with Mr. Darcy’s stern reserve, setting the stage for a heartwarming romance that grows steadily long after their first encounter. Set in the summer of 1811, before Netherfield Park is let, this is an alternative first impressions variation of Jane Austen’s timeless classic, in which Elizabeth’s first meeting with Mr. Darcy goes very badly indeed.

During a visit to Derbyshire, an unexpected encounter will change everything. Elizabeth Bennet thought a walk on the footpath crossing Pemberley would be a quiet respite, a chance to marvel at its grandeur from a distance, but fate has other plans. A chance meeting with the shy Georgiana Darcy leads to an innocent invitation to dinner, an act of kindness that sets off a series of unexpected events. When Darcy unexpectedly arrives at Pemberley, he is shocked to find a complete stranger in his house. His immediate suspicion of Elizabeth’s intentions, and his desire to prevent her taking advantage of his sister, drive him to cast her out in unfortunate haste. So with all that and more this story pulls you in and holds you tight. It’s a must read. I highly recommend to everyone.
74 reviews1 follower
July 9, 2025
Darcy makes a worse start than his usual.

Lizzy is in Lambton with Mr and Mrs Gardiner and Darcy is on his way to Pemberley with Mr and Miss Bingley. Lizzy is out walking when she comes across a distressed Georgiana and comforts her then is invited to dinner unaware Darcy is on his way. Miss B. is not pleased to see Lizzy and after an accident with a ming vase Miss B. accuses her of theft. Anything else would be spoilers but suffice to say Miss Bingley is put in her place more than once- by Georgiana!! Lady Catherine plays a small part, Mr Collins none at all, but Wickham gets his just desserts. An excellent read from one of my favourite authors. I was given an ARC of this book and this is my honest review. Well recommended.
Profile Image for Terri Conley.
979 reviews7 followers
August 1, 2025
A very sweet story , it did not grab as others have but I liked it nonetheless.
Profile Image for Debbie.
1,671 reviews75 followers
July 16, 2025
Poor Darcy! He doesn't know how to help his sister. She has been inconsolable after George Wickham used her so abominably and has yet to tell him all that happened in Ramsgate. Thinking perhaps she would feel more comfortable speaking with a woman, he leaves Georgiana at Pemberley to the care of Mrs. Reynolds and returns a few days later with Caroline Bingley (and her brother), only to find his sister much improved. Although Darcy's delighted with her good spirits, he's uncomfortable with the news that she invited her new friend, Miss Elizabeth Bennet--a young woman completely unknown to him--to dinner that very evening. After Georgiana's terrible mistake with Wickham, Darcy fears she might be taken advantage of again, but he cannot deny the positive results of this new friendship.

What he doesn't know is that Elizabeth has just saved Georgiana's life. Taking a long walk in the countryside by the inn at Lambton, where she is staying with her aunt and uncle, Elizabeth observes Georgiana at the edge of a turbulent river. The girl is obviously contemplating throwing herself in. Elizabeth intervenes and, with her experience as an older sister, offers solace, a willing ear, and a shoulder to cry on. Georgiana confides all, including her belief that her brother is so disgusted with her that he's left her all alone.

Caroline is useless at getting Georgiana to warm up to her and appalled that another unmarried woman will be dining with them. She stokes Darcy's suspicions regarding Miss Bennet, characterizing her as an obvious fortune hunter. When Elizabeth, alone in a hallway, stumbles into a valuable vase and grabs it before it can fall and break, Darcy and Caroline arrive to see her holding it. Caroline seizes the opportunity and accuses her of trying to steal it, and Darcy immediately orders her to leave.

As she is not offered a carriage, Elizabeth finds herself having to walk the three miles back to Lambton in slippers rather than walking boots--a walk that results in bleeding feet, ruined shoes, and a thorough disgust for Mr. Darcy. When she gets to the inn, she encounters a sympathetic man (Wickham) who reinforces her abhorrence for the master of Pemberley.

This opening salvo sets the stage for the rest of the story. Instead of Bingley being the indirect means of bringing Darcy and Elizabeth together, it's Georgiana (with an assist from Colonel Fitzwilliam). Wickham takes advantage of the situation to bring more pain to the Darcys. Misunderstandings abound, with Darcy, Elizabeth, and Georgiana each needing to eat crow at various points in the novel.

Ms. Fairview is a reliable must-read author for me, and this book is a perfect example of why. The plot is unique, the characters' personalities are consistent with Jane Austen's creations, and the excellent writing thoroughly engages the reader from the very first page. Despite Darcy and Elizabeth's rocky first encounter in Derbyshire, the author does manage to throw them together often, and the chemistry between them builds convincingly. It's not exactly high angst, but a happy ending sure seems out of reach much of the time.

Highly recommend!

Content is clean.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Sheila Majczan.
2,653 reviews198 followers
July 6, 2025
I received an ARC of this story and am voluntarily leaving a review.

There is definitely some angst in this story, and it does not originate from the same relationship, although from the same families. Also, don’t expect a variation of anything like canon.
We have Elizabeth and the Gardiners visiting Lambton when Elizabeth decides to walk towards Pemberley. She comes upon Georgiana who shows definite signs of melancholy, which cause Elizabeth to comfort her. Elizabeth worries as to what the young lady was planning to do. Georgiana then invites Elizabeth to come to her home for dinner that evening.

Now we come to the first “encounter” as Darcy arrives home with the Bingleys as his guests. He questions Elizabeth’s motive for being there. (Another young lady seeking to gain his attention?) Disaster occurs as Elizabeth knocks over a Ming Vase but saves it from crashing…and, yes, Caroline Bingley now suggests that Elizabeth was planning to steal the vase. As accusations flow, Elizabeth rushes out and walks back to the inn in Lambton in her evening dress and slippers. And if that is not bad enough Darcy finds her talking to George Wickham when he seeks to make things right the next day.

This story has various misunderstandings even though Elizabeth’s father sought a promise that Elizabeth would be treated with respect when the Darcys invite her to visit Georgiana and stay with her in London. (Of course, Darcy is a frequent visitor.) Elizabeth’s relationship with Georgiana is a main part of this story.

We have not seen the last of Wickham. Plus, Lady Catherine has her two cents to put in. I am not going to even try to hint at those threads as they are complicated. I will say that misunderstandings cause various disruptions to more than one relationship.

There is an epilogue which I always like.
Profile Image for Maria Maderi.
51 reviews1 follower
July 15, 2025
Truly enjoyable

This captivating book brilliantly deviates from traditional storytelling, offering a refreshing and unconventional narrative. For readers who appreciate bold, innovative storytelling that challenges established conventions, this novel is an absolute must-read. Its unique approach to the genre will keep you engaged and pleasantly surprised from start to finish.
97 reviews
August 9, 2025
Pemberley Encounter

What a lovely variation of P&P. I thought I had read it before and was delightfully surprised by this storyline.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

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