When fear of a fire forces Bennet sisters Elizabeth and Jane into compromised situations, both sisters concede they must marry. The trouble is, Mr. Bingley is honor bound to offer for Elizabeth, as Mr. Darcy is to offer for Jane. Can our two favorite Pride and Prejudice couples untangle themselves? Find out in Entanglements of Honor, a Pride and Prejudice variation novella.
Entanglements of Honor is a Pride and Prejudice variation novella of approximately 38,000 words.
Now, here's a new twist: In escaping a smoke-filled Netherfield where Jane is ill and Elizabeth is there to nurse her, Darcy and Jane are compromised when he bursts into her bedroom, has to assist her from the house to an empty stable but can't leave her because she's sick and shivering and not warmly dressed. Meanwhile, Elizabeth finds herself compromised because she is closed into a room protected from the smoke alone with Bingley.
As gentleman of honor, Darcy and Bingley are both willing to do the right thing even though it partners them with the wrong women. The ladies come to an agreement between the two of them, the gentlemen do the same, and Mr. and Mrs. Bennet come to Netherfield to find both daughters engaged. Once special licenses are obtained, the weddings are set for the following Wednesday. Naturally, Caroline and her sister do their best to dissuade the gentlemen. The only thing more horrifying to Caroline than having Jane as her sister-in-law is the thought of having Eliza as her sister-in-law. Of course, she doesn't want Darcy to marry anyone but her.
This is a fresh idea and very entertaining. It leans toward lightness rather than angst despite the forced marriage scenario. The writing generally is quite good despite several instances of "complementing" instead of "complimenting" and a handful of similar errors.
Loved it! The best part is that this is the first book I have read by this author so I have more to look forward to in the future. Even my husband liked this storyline.
As Debbie B. has summarized the story so well in her review I won't belabor the point. Jane and Elizabeth are compromised by Darcy and Bingley during the event of a clogged chimney and then a smoke filled house necessitating a rescue. Both men and both women do realize how the rescue situations have forced the issue of the need for marriage but they also are intelligent and sensitive enough to work out a happy solution...at least for one couple.
Darcy may be viewed as arrogant and full of disdain beginning with his comment at the Assembly Dance about how Elizabeth is "tolerant but not handsome enough to tempt" him but in not only working to address this compromise situation but also in attempting to find as much regard for the happiness of others in such wins the readers’ hearts. He even hints during negotiations that Elizabeth’s opinion on the marriage date, etc. should be consulted. Imagine how that might sit with Elizabeth when she later learns of it. This gentleman gives her some choices, i.e., where to travel to after the wedding, what his first gift to her might consist of, etc. He won my heart just in those gestures. And then he gives her time to adjust to the situation.
There are some moments of friction. Collins has his role to play and he goes even further than in canon in putting forth how he thinks all should bow to what will please his patroness. Lady Catherine is a FORCE…almost an irresistible force, when she gets a few hints, and pays for others, as to just what the state of this marriage is. I was very pleased with Darcy’s “overhearing” Lady C. and Elizabeth speak to each other. It hastened the realization of emotions on the part of one.
Then Mary’s speaking up in regards to Mr. Collins’ purpose at Longbourn was a surprise, but not an unwelcome one. My heart went out to her as she itemized all her efforts to find a place in her family and in her community. As she, in the background, finds a role for herself I was applauding her. She is overlooked too often.
So this is a short read but one I found completely satisfying. Darcy and Elizabeth forever!
I needed something quick and easy, and this was just the thing. It was cute the second time around, too.
Original read 2/22/16
Fun story! I really enjoyed the method used to compromise Elizabeth and was amused that it included Jane, too, since that's not typical. I liked seeing Elizabeth and Darcy get to know one another, and their courtship was pleasant and believable. My only real complaint is that the story was far too short, because there was potential to do a lot more with this setup.
The book begins as Jane is recovering at Netherfield with Elizabeth staying there as well. Caroline is told a ball is to held at Netherfield and she must plan it. Caroline is still holding out hope that Darcy will notice her and offer a marriage proposal. Caroline decides to have a fire lite in the ballroom chimney in see if it will warm the ballroom since the days are still cold at Netherfield. Unfortunately the chimney is blocked at starts a fire and smoke at Netherfield. Darcy saves Jane and Elizabeth saves Bingley. The gentleman must offer marriage since they are compromised. Will Jane say yes to Darcy? Will Elizabeth say yes to Bingley? Enjoy this short story to see how Darcy and Elizabeth have their happy ever after.
This is a truly unique twist that made me wonder if the Taliban took their guidelines from Regency England. During what turns out not to be a fire at Netherfield Mr. Darcy rescues Miss Bennet and carries her to the stables and remains with her to keep her warm; while Lizzy rescues an unconscious Bingley and drags him to the closest room to save him from smoke inhalation ... and thus both Ladies are compromised...
Both sets of potential spouses agree to swap so Bingley & Jane can HEA. Lizzy is not trilled to be marrying a man who merely finds her tolerable but she has little recourse. It isn't until after the wedding that Mr. Darcy learns that she is not at all in favor of him. And the set a schedule to fulfill their marital obligations.
At Pemberley Lizzy struggles to find her way; learns about Wickham and battles Lady Catherine.
This short story starts out at Netherfield with Jane sick and Elizabeth tending her. What happens is a little hilarious and diverting! In Miss Bingley's effort to impress everyone, she orders the fireplace in the ballroom to be lit to make sure it will sufficiently warm the room. Well this causes chaos because the chimney is blocked and it sends smoke all through Netherfield. Unfortunately everyone thinks there's a fire and in a mad dash to get everyone out Darcy compromises Jane and Lizzy compromises Mr Bingley. What are they to do? Lovely diverting short story you will love. Absolutely a must read. I loved this story!
This was a light quick read that I had no great feelings about one way or another. Netherfield was thought to be on fire and Bingley and Darcy managed to get themselves compromised with Elizabeth and Jane, only the wrong way around. Elizabeth and Jane switch places, however, so Jane and Bingley get to be blissfully happy together and Elizabeth settles into an awkward marriage of convenience, up until she gets to know Darcy.
It was OK, a bit bland perhaps. I wasn't impressed with the way Darcy and Jane got compromised. He thought she had inhaled smoke and it made her cough worse, so he stayed with her in the stables although A) he could not do absolutely anything to help her, B) he could and should have gone to find a female to take care of her, and C) there was a potentially dangerous situation going on and he just sits there and lets others deal with it, not going to see if there was anything he could do to help. Netherfield might burn down, he has no idea if everyone else got out safe, and he just sits there watching Jane cough. He doesn't know if ELIZABETH got out safe, and just goes oh well never mind, I'm fine not knowing.
This story could have been a disaster if two people didn't think of this switch. After Caroline Bingley had a huge fire built up in the ballroom, no one bothered to check the stack. Billowing smoke filled the house rather quickly and Darcy headed servants and others out. He remembers Jane is too sick to make it outside on her own so he picks her up and carries ba her to the barn. Charles not knowing Jane is out of the building goes back to get her. When he sees that she was not there, backtracking he finds Elizabeth. As they're running, Bingley falls and knocks himself out. Elizabeth drags him to a small room by the steps, and finally not seeing anyone outside, yells for help. As soon as everyone is safe, the footman found there was not a fire just the jammed stack. That evening, as Elizabeth and Jane are discussing what has happened, Jane cries because she pulls Bingley not Darcy. Elizabeth States if the men agree, Jane can marry Bingley and because Elizabeth loves her so she'll marry Darcy. The men in the meantime are discussing the same problem. Bingley sighed that he loved Jane and was about to ask her to marry him. Darcy suggests the switch, he would marry Elizabeth, which he relished. With all that happened between the four, Caroline was besides herself. Everyone I'm sure you can imagine. Special licenses were applied for awhile Darcy was in London. When returns, he realizes that Elizabeth is not in love with him as much as he loves Elizabeth. Collins and Mad marry quickly also. In three days they marry, and on the way to Pemberley, he tells he she has four weeks to get used to him, because he needs an heir. The couple spends most of their time together. Darcy's friend from Cambridge, was killed in an accident and the younger writes for his help. While he is away, Lady Catherine comes to Pemberley and threatens she'll have this marriage annulled because she knows they have not consummated their marriage. When Lady Catherine wants to know where Darcy was, everyone was mute on the subject. The next day Lady Catherine again threatens Elizabeth offering her £20.000 to leave Darcy. She tells her that that would never because she loves and he loves her. As she continues to berate Elizabeth, Darcy had heard everything she has confronted Elizabeth with, and Lady Catherine's last question was answered by Darcy. Then and there, he had her packed and gone. Darcy was extremely happy since their actual wedding night was going to happen just two weeks after he made the offer for a month. The three bad musketeers failed in their efforts. Wickham was especially not happy when Lydia confronts him. Tucked his tail between his legs and ran from Meryton, but more important the military. The Colonel will just have to find him!
A fire at Netherfield leaves Jane rescued by Darcy and Bingley by Elizabeth. Honor bound both men must marry the wrong woman. Will the sisters be doomed to marry the wrong men? Will they fall in love with their husbands when they marry in haste? Loved this story to Darcy's place in Elizabeth's heart and would have loved the novel to be longer and delve into the depth of emotions, conversations and events prior to the wedding and post wedding. Great potential for a longer novel but great quick read!
One of my favorite tropes is a good compromise between D & E, forcing them to marry early. I love watching them overcome their differences and misunderstanding together knowing their only chance at happiness is to learn to love one another.
During Jane's illness at Netherfield, a fire drives everyone from the house. Darcy, being the good guy that he is, and knowing that Elizabeth would want her sister's safety assured above all things, goes to J's room to ensure she is safe. But, once out of the house and safely ensconced in the stables to block the wind from the ill young woman, he knows he can't leave her.
Elizabeth, unable to leave the house without being assured of her sister's safety, ends up marooned in an empty bedchamber with Bingley. Now both sisters are compromised--by the "wrong" man.
I love how maturely D handled learning about E's indifference (ok, avid dislike) of him. He didn't get petulant and angry as often happens in these scenarios. I loved that E didn't double down on her willfulness and refuse to marry him, but rather chose to make the best of her situation.
Well written, I heartily recommend this fairly low-angst novel.
Liked some parts, hated others. Darcy's thoughts when he rescued Jane were so unlike him. Author wanted darcy / jane to be compromised and didn't even bother to make a believable scenario. Darcy doesn't seem to care about rescuing Elizabeth or others and is just uselessly sitting with Jane even though he is not needed and he could have easily had a servent stay with her. Things after that were a bit ok. Then there is the dialogue between darcy and Elizabeth after they marry, where darcy, after realising she is unhappy with the marriage gives her 4 weeks time to reconcile herself to the marriage. If she hadn't fallen in love with him, would he have slept with her knowing she disliked him? I cannot imagine darcy doing something like this to anyone, let alone to someone he loves. Their other interactions after this were ok, although at the end, i felt it was a bit rushed. These 2 darcy actions kept bothering me throughout the book and made it unable to enjoy the book. The writing is good though, so 3 stars still
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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 a part of the A Pride and Prejudice Variation series.
When fear of a fire forces Bennet sisters Elizabeth and Jane into compromised situations, both sisters concede they must marry. The trouble is, Mr. Bingley is honor bound to offer for Elizabeth, as Mr. Darcy is to offer for Jane. Can our two favorite Pride and Prejudice couples untangle themselves? Find out in this short novella. 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.
A light and enjoyable novella that have the two eldest Bennet daughters compromised and married to Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, respectively. It presented a humorous twist on the forced-to-marry offering. Given that there is no problem with Bingley and Jane Bennet, the rest of the story dealt with Mr. Darcy winning his estranged wife Elizabeth’s affections and regard.
A pretty unbelievable plot line, but I enjoyed it just the same. It was nice to read something that doesn't have Darcy and Elizabeth at odds with each other for most of the book; I've grown tired of authors who claim ODC are so intelligent, but when it comes to understanding one another they are imbeciles.
Rescuing someone from possibly death has entangled the wrong gentlemen wong Lady.
It should be easy to marry the lady of their choice, but honor may dictate a different outcome, that is, until the parties involved separately come up with the same plan for their own happiness. Though short, this was a fast moving delightful story. Enjoy!
As the summary says there is a mixup in compromises during a presumed fire at Netherfield. But it is soon sorted out that Jane and Bingley should marry for love and the other two will marry each other. Though Darcy realises that Elizabeth does not have any tender feelings towards him, both of them act really maturely and decide to start their married life amicably which actually hastens their HEA. a very sweet story.
Nothing unusual happened but Darcy realize earlier who he loves. Clearly love develops between our favourite couple. Lady Catherine tries to get her own way again. Caroline Bingley is stumped in trying to get Darcy again. I love reading this book.
I didn't find the idea of switching men that had compromised the ladies believable. I did like the story once Elizabeth and Darcy got to Pemberley. She was very caring of the tenants. Good story.
This was a great story, and my less than perfect rating is simply because it was too short. Thoroughly enjoyed this clean, sweet romance of our favorite couple.
I would give it between a 3-3.5. This book was enjoyable, but not my favorite from this pair of authors. It was a nice short read if you want a little of D & E without a lot of time.
This is a incredible different variation. I liked how Elizabeth was a hero along with Darcy. Caroline and Louisa descriptions and actions made me laugh. Highly recommended