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Accepting Mr. Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Due to exigent circumstances, Elizabeth Bennet believes the best way to help her family is to marry a man of means. When Fitzwilliam Darcy proposes at Hunsford, she sets aside her dislike of him and accepts, although she fears that getting married will be much easier than being married. Accepting Mr. Darcy is a variation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, a long novella.
188 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 25, 2016
32 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
Jane Grix
43 books31 followersI've been half in love with Mr. Darcy since I was twelve, although I'll admit, the first time I read Pride and Prejudice, I was totally taken in by Wickham. I was stunned when Mr. Darcy proposed (I guess I was reading too quickly to catch all the hints), and even more stunned when Wickham turned out to be a jerk. But by the end of the book I was completely smitten by Darcy. I am still smitten.
The best part about writing Jane Austen Variations is that I can relive those moments of discovery and watch Elizabeth fall in love with Darcy one more time.
All my books and short stories are standalone stories, each with a slightly different Darcy and Elizabeth.
The best part about writing Jane Austen Variations is that I can relive those moments of discovery and watch Elizabeth fall in love with Darcy one more time.
All my books and short stories are standalone stories, each with a slightly different Darcy and Elizabeth.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 20, 2016
While this basic premise has been used by other authors, there is enough of a tweak in the plot to make it interesting. I did find some story elements would benefit from more development, however.
Mr. Bennet is dying of cancer. Elizabeth learns this shortly before leaving to visit Charlotte Collins at Hunsford. Her father insists that she go, knowing that such social calls will be prohibited during the obligatory six months of mourning. Bingley has long since abandoned Jane and, with Elizabeth's refusal to marry Mr. Collins when she had the opportunity, the future of the Bennet family once the patriarch dies is bleak.
Mr. Darcy's unexpected marriage proposal in Kent offers Elizabeth the means to save her family, and she accepts him. Although Darcy knows her father is gravely ill, he mistakenly believes that she cares for him as much as he loves her. He learns the true reason she accepted him the day of their marriage. The consequences of this knowledge cast a pall over the newlyweds, as he retreats from her, first emotionally and then physically.
One of the more unusual plot points is Darcy's belief, learned from his father, that only a whore enjoys bedroom activities but that a proper gentlewoman would never behave wantonly. A gentleman just "does his duty" in the marriage bed and gets sexual gratification by setting up a mistress. Yet Darcy also believes his parents had a loving relationship, which he wants for himself. Facts that Elizabeth learns from Pemberley's housekeeper would seem to dispel that idea, but Darcy never seems to recognize that, even to the book's end. It's a somewhat unusual idea, and I wish it had been explored further.
Aside from the passage of time and Darcy's inability to stop loving Elizabeth, even from afar, the novella could use some precipitating event to motivate him to decide to start over with her. He returns to her and is apologetic for his excessive pride, but it's never clear what made him recognize his faults in their relationship.
The writing itself is actually quite good. This is an okay story, but it could have been better.
Mr. Bennet is dying of cancer. Elizabeth learns this shortly before leaving to visit Charlotte Collins at Hunsford. Her father insists that she go, knowing that such social calls will be prohibited during the obligatory six months of mourning. Bingley has long since abandoned Jane and, with Elizabeth's refusal to marry Mr. Collins when she had the opportunity, the future of the Bennet family once the patriarch dies is bleak.
Mr. Darcy's unexpected marriage proposal in Kent offers Elizabeth the means to save her family, and she accepts him. Although Darcy knows her father is gravely ill, he mistakenly believes that she cares for him as much as he loves her. He learns the true reason she accepted him the day of their marriage. The consequences of this knowledge cast a pall over the newlyweds, as he retreats from her, first emotionally and then physically.
One of the more unusual plot points is Darcy's belief, learned from his father, that only a whore enjoys bedroom activities but that a proper gentlewoman would never behave wantonly. A gentleman just "does his duty" in the marriage bed and gets sexual gratification by setting up a mistress. Yet Darcy also believes his parents had a loving relationship, which he wants for himself. Facts that Elizabeth learns from Pemberley's housekeeper would seem to dispel that idea, but Darcy never seems to recognize that, even to the book's end. It's a somewhat unusual idea, and I wish it had been explored further.
Aside from the passage of time and Darcy's inability to stop loving Elizabeth, even from afar, the novella could use some precipitating event to motivate him to decide to start over with her. He returns to her and is apologetic for his excessive pride, but it's never clear what made him recognize his faults in their relationship.
The writing itself is actually quite good. This is an okay story, but it could have been better.
September 29, 2016
I liked this book but I had the weirdest sense of deja vu while I read it.
Before Lizzy Bennet leaves for Rosings she learns that her father in dying of cancer. She quickly realizes that the only way to rescue her family is for one of them to marry well. One of my favorite bits is when she reflects that her ideal man would have Wickham's charm, Darcy's money and the physique of a farmer's son (greek god like) but realizes she would probably marry someone with Wickham's money, Darcy's charm and Sir William's body.
She also notices that the Gardiner's seems to be having money problems. Mrs. Gardiner even makes a snarky comment about not living on love. When she arrives at Rosings she is a little desperate. So when Mr. Darcy proposes she accepts with the demand that they marry quickly, as her father is dying.
The rest of the book is full of misunderstandings, miscommunications, idiotic beliefs and moronic sisters. Can two people who married for the wrong reasons really fall in love?
Before Lizzy Bennet leaves for Rosings she learns that her father in dying of cancer. She quickly realizes that the only way to rescue her family is for one of them to marry well. One of my favorite bits is when she reflects that her ideal man would have Wickham's charm, Darcy's money and the physique of a farmer's son (greek god like) but realizes she would probably marry someone with Wickham's money, Darcy's charm and Sir William's body.
She also notices that the Gardiner's seems to be having money problems. Mrs. Gardiner even makes a snarky comment about not living on love. When she arrives at Rosings she is a little desperate. So when Mr. Darcy proposes she accepts with the demand that they marry quickly, as her father is dying.
The rest of the book is full of misunderstandings, miscommunications, idiotic beliefs and moronic sisters. Can two people who married for the wrong reasons really fall in love?
February 28, 2016
Accepting Mr. Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Sometimes I wonder if Elizabeth should have worn glasses, too. While in Hunsford, Darcy proposes and after minimal reflection, Elizabeth accepts. Anyone with two eyes can see that he loves her beyond measure. She accepts him for his money knowing that when her father dies her family would be taken care of. She was the only family member that knew that he was terminal with not long to live. The day of the wedding, Darcy overhears Lydia's big mouth about Elizabeth marrying him for money. The man is crushed, sad, and somewhat humiliated. After their first night together, he leaves Elizabeth at Pemberley with Georgiana. After several weeks he still hasn't returned, but the letter from Longbourn announces her father's death. She makes the decision to return to Netherfield, because her mother and sisters are living at Netherfield, because Collins has already taken over Longbourn. Elizabeth's letter finally catches up with Darcy, a month has passed since the letter was written. Both Elizabeth and Darcy have had time to think about their relationship. Elizabeth realizes that she loves him. Both want to start over with their marriage. While they were still at Netherfield, Darcy receives a letter from Georgiana. She has eloped with Wickham. Both Elizabeth and Darcy rush to London to stop the two. After arguing about this supposed love, a plan is made. If Wickham can live within his means and Georgiana has a season to possibly find someone else to marry, and if not her and Wickham can marry. Luckily, Georgiana finds that she like the painter that just painted Elizabeth and their son, Bennet, as well as the d Georgiana's likeness. Darcy receives the letter telling him that the two have eloped. This time he lets her go, because he realizes that she is messed up and will continue in this manner if he tries to stop her. To the Darcys, he is better than Wickham. Elizabeth tells him that if they are half as in love as them, they should be happy. Thank goodness, he got over his anger and Elizabeth fell in love with her husband.
Sometimes I wonder if Elizabeth should have worn glasses, too. While in Hunsford, Darcy proposes and after minimal reflection, Elizabeth accepts. Anyone with two eyes can see that he loves her beyond measure. She accepts him for his money knowing that when her father dies her family would be taken care of. She was the only family member that knew that he was terminal with not long to live. The day of the wedding, Darcy overhears Lydia's big mouth about Elizabeth marrying him for money. The man is crushed, sad, and somewhat humiliated. After their first night together, he leaves Elizabeth at Pemberley with Georgiana. After several weeks he still hasn't returned, but the letter from Longbourn announces her father's death. She makes the decision to return to Netherfield, because her mother and sisters are living at Netherfield, because Collins has already taken over Longbourn. Elizabeth's letter finally catches up with Darcy, a month has passed since the letter was written. Both Elizabeth and Darcy have had time to think about their relationship. Elizabeth realizes that she loves him. Both want to start over with their marriage. While they were still at Netherfield, Darcy receives a letter from Georgiana. She has eloped with Wickham. Both Elizabeth and Darcy rush to London to stop the two. After arguing about this supposed love, a plan is made. If Wickham can live within his means and Georgiana has a season to possibly find someone else to marry, and if not her and Wickham can marry. Luckily, Georgiana finds that she like the painter that just painted Elizabeth and their son, Bennet, as well as the d Georgiana's likeness. Darcy receives the letter telling him that the two have eloped. This time he lets her go, because he realizes that she is messed up and will continue in this manner if he tries to stop her. To the Darcys, he is better than Wickham. Elizabeth tells him that if they are half as in love as them, they should be happy. Thank goodness, he got over his anger and Elizabeth fell in love with her husband.
February 29, 2016
So this storyline has been done before and it's been done better. Elizabeth discovers that her father is dying and when Mr. Darcy proposes during Hunsford she accepts him to save her family. There is no confrontation by Lady Catherine until the wedding and even then it doesn't last long as Anne denies an engagement between them. And that's the last we hear of them in this book. When Darcy finds out that she married him for his money he still consummates the marriage but afterward he avoids her bed until he can come to her without arousing passion. His very backward father told him that ladies don't enjoy the marriage bed and even harlots fake it.
It's amazing how a little communication between them could have fixed their problems. But no Darcy clams up and even runs away to London and his other estates to avoid Lizzy. And while Lydia is saved from eloping with Wickham, Georgiana didn't learn her lesson at Ramsgate and elopes with Wickham again. Actually she elopes with two different men by the end of the book. Who knew she had it in her?
This novella felt very rushed to me could have done with some more polishing. I would have loved for it to be longer and more fleshed out. I believe that you should save your money and just wait for it to come to KINDLE unlimited.
It's amazing how a little communication between them could have fixed their problems. But no Darcy clams up and even runs away to London and his other estates to avoid Lizzy. And while Lydia is saved from eloping with Wickham, Georgiana didn't learn her lesson at Ramsgate and elopes with Wickham again. Actually she elopes with two different men by the end of the book. Who knew she had it in her?
This novella felt very rushed to me could have done with some more polishing. I would have loved for it to be longer and more fleshed out. I believe that you should save your money and just wait for it to come to KINDLE unlimited.
October 7, 2017
BookObsessed EME 2017
August 14, 2023
This book is okay, it's not my favorite Pride and Prejudice Variation but it is not a bad book. It just does not aline with what I want from a P&P Variation. The beginning of the book shows are female lead learning some distressing news that in turn make her make some un Lizzie like decisions in my opinion. This book made our Lizzie a bit into a hypocrite to me and I did not enjoy that. However, it did make her more true to the reality of a woman in her life and time who do have to do in order to survive. I also felt the book rushed a bit towards the end. I did enjoy the Darcy reactions throughout the book as I could see Darcy reacting as he did even in some parts more harsher. It was an okay read, not my cup of tea but not dull.
July 24, 2017
Ah, there are just so many variations on how Pride and Prejudice postscripts. This is a nice, short read and the characters have remained true to Jane Austen's descriptions. They just do slightly different things.
January 30, 2020
I thought this was a sweet story where Elizabeth accepts Mr. Darcy's proposal at Hunsford after learning of her father's serious illness. There is plenty of angst and a twist or two. It was most enjoyable.
February 7, 2025
It was good 👍👍
This was a good novella! I enjoyed it, but it could have been longer and the "fade to black" was a letdown for this girl that likes a little steam/spice. I would read another book from this author.
This was a good novella! I enjoyed it, but it could have been longer and the "fade to black" was a letdown for this girl that likes a little steam/spice. I would read another book from this author.
May 19, 2025
The early acceptance gave E a chance to improve her opinion of D as she saw him more but D was rather immature running away from her and the whole sexual aspect of this book was uncomfortable. That being said, I really enjoyed the start of the book
May 10, 2017
I wanted to like this more but Georgiana was so wildly out of character that it spoiled what was a good story for me.
September 14, 2023
Elizabeth reluctantly agrees to marry Darcy and eventually is persuaded that he is a good guy.
This was OK, felt a bit rushed perhaps.
This was OK, felt a bit rushed perhaps.
October 11, 2016
This is not the first and surely not the last Pride and Prejudice twist I've read.
It was a wonderful way to spend a grey afternoon. Similar yet different from other variations, I still find it fascinating discovering how other Austenites imagine new directions for all these well loved characters.
It was a wonderful way to spend a grey afternoon. Similar yet different from other variations, I still find it fascinating discovering how other Austenites imagine new directions for all these well loved characters.
June 17, 2016
Rating would actually be 3 1/2 stars.
Accepting Mr. Darcy was a short variation on P&P. The concept has been done before - Elizabeth learns her father is ill and dying. Therefore, when Darcy proposes at Hunsford she immediately accepts him and they become engaged. What made this one different for me, both good and bad, was the lack of external emotion attached to this change.
Darcy is very happy about the proposal and wants to take Elizabeth in his arms and kiss her passionately, but he doesn't. Elizabeth still dislikes Darcy and is simply marrying him for his money. However, her lack of enthusiasm is not obvious, as both of them are being very proper and are maintaining their composure.
What I like about this is how it in many ways matches the original. Elizabeth held back her negative opinion of Darcy such that he assumed she liked him and was anticipating his proposal. Darcy held back his passion for Elizabeth hoping to prevent any expectations of an offer. Unfortunately, he succeeded so well that she had no idea it was even a possibility. So, for the two of them to very sedately arrange to marry in this version actually makes complete sense given just the one change in circumstances: Mr. Bennet's imminent death.
We know in the original that once Darcy and Elizabeth start communicating, they quickly fall in love and resolve all of their miscommunication. Unfortunately for our couple, in this version Darcy overhears Lydia comment on Elizabeth's dislike of Darcy. He confronts Elizabeth with what he heard and she, although gently, basically confirms for him that she accepted him for his fortune. Instead of resolving their miscommunication, this now creates it, as Elizabeth is interested in developing a good relationship with her husband once this issue has been uncovered, while Darcy is hurt and backs away.
The resolution of this problem occurs as Darcy and Elizabeth find they need each other and begin to comfort each other during difficult times. This is a bit rushed, but feels natural enough. However, here is the part of liking it and not liking it for the same reason. It just feels like the couple reason everything out. I guess I was wanting a little bit more romance. I feel like the length of this version is what prevented the author from providing opportunities for our couple to fall in love.
But, to be fair to the author, I really loved her characterizations of Elizabeth and Darcy. Darcy has a very dry sense of humor and you can see why Elizabeth finds him attractive. Elizabeth very quickly determines she is not going to cry and fret over the misunderstanding she has with her husband. Yes, she married him for his fortune, but he loved her. She is going to be the woman he fell in love with and work to create a close and happy marriage. She pushes to make sure they are the "mutual help and support" mentioned in the wedding ceremony. I also enjoyed Bingley reminding Darcy about the "with my body I thee worship" aspect, too!
I would love to see what others think of this story to see if I am the only one torn between loving and disliking the same aspect. Overall, I would recommend Accepting Mr. Darcy, as it is at least an intriguing story. I just wish it had been longer.
Accepting Mr. Darcy was a short variation on P&P. The concept has been done before - Elizabeth learns her father is ill and dying. Therefore, when Darcy proposes at Hunsford she immediately accepts him and they become engaged. What made this one different for me, both good and bad, was the lack of external emotion attached to this change.
Darcy is very happy about the proposal and wants to take Elizabeth in his arms and kiss her passionately, but he doesn't. Elizabeth still dislikes Darcy and is simply marrying him for his money. However, her lack of enthusiasm is not obvious, as both of them are being very proper and are maintaining their composure.
What I like about this is how it in many ways matches the original. Elizabeth held back her negative opinion of Darcy such that he assumed she liked him and was anticipating his proposal. Darcy held back his passion for Elizabeth hoping to prevent any expectations of an offer. Unfortunately, he succeeded so well that she had no idea it was even a possibility. So, for the two of them to very sedately arrange to marry in this version actually makes complete sense given just the one change in circumstances: Mr. Bennet's imminent death.
We know in the original that once Darcy and Elizabeth start communicating, they quickly fall in love and resolve all of their miscommunication. Unfortunately for our couple, in this version Darcy overhears Lydia comment on Elizabeth's dislike of Darcy. He confronts Elizabeth with what he heard and she, although gently, basically confirms for him that she accepted him for his fortune. Instead of resolving their miscommunication, this now creates it, as Elizabeth is interested in developing a good relationship with her husband once this issue has been uncovered, while Darcy is hurt and backs away.
The resolution of this problem occurs as Darcy and Elizabeth find they need each other and begin to comfort each other during difficult times. This is a bit rushed, but feels natural enough. However, here is the part of liking it and not liking it for the same reason. It just feels like the couple reason everything out. I guess I was wanting a little bit more romance. I feel like the length of this version is what prevented the author from providing opportunities for our couple to fall in love.
But, to be fair to the author, I really loved her characterizations of Elizabeth and Darcy. Darcy has a very dry sense of humor and you can see why Elizabeth finds him attractive. Elizabeth very quickly determines she is not going to cry and fret over the misunderstanding she has with her husband. Yes, she married him for his fortune, but he loved her. She is going to be the woman he fell in love with and work to create a close and happy marriage. She pushes to make sure they are the "mutual help and support" mentioned in the wedding ceremony. I also enjoyed Bingley reminding Darcy about the "with my body I thee worship" aspect, too!
I would love to see what others think of this story to see if I am the only one torn between loving and disliking the same aspect. Overall, I would recommend Accepting Mr. Darcy, as it is at least an intriguing story. I just wish it had been longer.
February 10, 2017
Just before Elizabeth Bennet travels to Hunsford she discovers that her father is dying, so when Darcy proposes she accepts. But what could go wrong. As it's Lizzy and Darcy, anything.
A short delightful tale.
A short delightful tale.
September 30, 2016
Good but quick
Although the beginning of the story was well paced, I found the last chapter and epilogue far too rushed. Neither did the author bring new story points to the book, merely variations of the original. Overall, it was enjoyable but if I had spent more than a pound I would have been disappointed
Although the beginning of the story was well paced, I found the last chapter and epilogue far too rushed. Neither did the author bring new story points to the book, merely variations of the original. Overall, it was enjoyable but if I had spent more than a pound I would have been disappointed
April 18, 2016
I definitely felt the story was rushed -- sort of a move along, nothing to see here feeling just as you were getting into the moment. Practically everyone was uncomfortably out of character. Even the ending felt forced.
April 17, 2025
3.5* - re-read. The less than 4 *'s only because I did not like this Elizabeth. My goodness she feels entitled.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews