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An Offer of Prudence
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 6, 2025
There is a wisdom of the head, and ... a wisdom of the heart. ~Charles Dickens
Darcy appeals to the wisdom of the head and wisely waits for the wisdom of the heart. ODB realizes he needs a low-key approach to Elizabeth and departs Hunsford without proposing.
He travels to London for a tete-a-tete with Uncle Gardiner. When Elizabeth arrives a week later, her uncle speaks with her and then sends her to Darcy.
This is a very short non-published story – a glimpse at what might have happened if everyone kept their head.
The secret of getting ahead is getting started. -- Mark Twain
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12436654/1/
Darcy appeals to the wisdom of the head and wisely waits for the wisdom of the heart. ODB realizes he needs a low-key approach to Elizabeth and departs Hunsford without proposing.
He travels to London for a tete-a-tete with Uncle Gardiner. When Elizabeth arrives a week later, her uncle speaks with her and then sends her to Darcy.
This is a very short non-published story – a glimpse at what might have happened if everyone kept their head.
The secret of getting ahead is getting started. -- Mark Twain
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12436654/1/
January 11, 2022
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12436654/1/
“Look and see which way the wind blows before you commit yourself.” Aesop, Aesop’s Fables
Rating: PG-13: adult theme: there was a lovely sensual scene, near the end, between a married couple, but not anything you wouldn’t see on daytime TV [perhaps that’s not a good example]. It was cute and was one chapter.
The above quote sums up Fitzwilliam Darcy’s situation perfectly. He decided to not propose to Miss Elizabeth while he was in Kent during his Easter visit. She had been ill and did not attend Lady Catherine with her relatives at Rosings. He waited until she returned to London to her Gardiner relations on Gracechurch Street. This was a wise decision on his part and would change the course of his and her life.
“In some situations, if you say nothing, you are called dull; if you talk, you are thought impertinent and arrogant. It is hard to know what to do in this case. The question seems to be, whether your vanity or your prudence predominates.” William Hazlitt, Selected Essays, 1778-1830
Upon Elizabeth’s return from Kent to Gracechurch Street, Mr. Gardiner had a conversation with her in his study. She was perplexed due to the nature of his questions regarding her contact with Mr. Darcy. Soon she was escorted to the parlor where Mr. Darcy was waiting for her. Mr. Gardiner allowed their meeting and Darcy laid out all his concerns and answered all her questions.
Darcy and Elizabeth are, in some respects, complements to each other. The complement, in geometric terms, is two angles that make/complete a 90-degree angle. You can’t have one without the other… it is incomplete. Darcy quickly recognized Lizzy’s part in completing him. I liked that about him.
Darcy was presented as a man with responsibilities… financial decisions, the running of Pemberley, the care of a younger sister Georgiana, his tenants, and all the other estates under his care. He had handled these responsibilities with hard work, wisdom, and business sense. When problems would arise, he’d tackle them with logic, and sense. However, the affairs of the heart were altogether out of his wheelhouse and he had not fared well with his dealings with Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
The scene where Uncle Gardner approached his niece with logic, reason, and wisdom was brilliant. He worked effectively in setting Lizzy up for her encounter with Mr. Darcy. I could see where Gardner and Darcy would get along well in future business endeavors. They respected and understood where the other was coming from and each knew how to negotiate and maneuver around the obstacles Lizzy would present.
When Lizzy was in discussion with Mr. Darcy, I liked how he addressed each situation with logic and a thorough explanation. He treated their encounter as he would if he were in negotiations or in a boardroom; it was all he knew. He did not overpower her with his passions, because he knew she was not ready to hear it. Instead, he examined and explained each point of contention until he felt she was satisfied. He then presented her with his reasons for choosing her over those ladies of the ton. OMG! Talk about swoon-worthy. Where are my salts? Slowly, he reasoned and knocked down her prejudices with respect and points that appealed to her logic. It was brilliant.
I loved the language used as he addressed her and made his point. This was so loving and yet he did not pressure her. The decision was totally hers. Wow!
1st read: 1-13-18
2nd read: 9-25-18 [I decided to read this after seeing the title in someone’s list of books]
3rd read: 6-15-21
4th read: 1-11-22 worthy of a reread. Heavy sigh.
“Look and see which way the wind blows before you commit yourself.” Aesop, Aesop’s Fables
Rating: PG-13: adult theme: there was a lovely sensual scene, near the end, between a married couple, but not anything you wouldn’t see on daytime TV [perhaps that’s not a good example]. It was cute and was one chapter.
The above quote sums up Fitzwilliam Darcy’s situation perfectly. He decided to not propose to Miss Elizabeth while he was in Kent during his Easter visit. She had been ill and did not attend Lady Catherine with her relatives at Rosings. He waited until she returned to London to her Gardiner relations on Gracechurch Street. This was a wise decision on his part and would change the course of his and her life.
“In some situations, if you say nothing, you are called dull; if you talk, you are thought impertinent and arrogant. It is hard to know what to do in this case. The question seems to be, whether your vanity or your prudence predominates.” William Hazlitt, Selected Essays, 1778-1830
Upon Elizabeth’s return from Kent to Gracechurch Street, Mr. Gardiner had a conversation with her in his study. She was perplexed due to the nature of his questions regarding her contact with Mr. Darcy. Soon she was escorted to the parlor where Mr. Darcy was waiting for her. Mr. Gardiner allowed their meeting and Darcy laid out all his concerns and answered all her questions.
Darcy and Elizabeth are, in some respects, complements to each other. The complement, in geometric terms, is two angles that make/complete a 90-degree angle. You can’t have one without the other… it is incomplete. Darcy quickly recognized Lizzy’s part in completing him. I liked that about him.
Darcy was presented as a man with responsibilities… financial decisions, the running of Pemberley, the care of a younger sister Georgiana, his tenants, and all the other estates under his care. He had handled these responsibilities with hard work, wisdom, and business sense. When problems would arise, he’d tackle them with logic, and sense. However, the affairs of the heart were altogether out of his wheelhouse and he had not fared well with his dealings with Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
The scene where Uncle Gardner approached his niece with logic, reason, and wisdom was brilliant. He worked effectively in setting Lizzy up for her encounter with Mr. Darcy. I could see where Gardner and Darcy would get along well in future business endeavors. They respected and understood where the other was coming from and each knew how to negotiate and maneuver around the obstacles Lizzy would present.
When Lizzy was in discussion with Mr. Darcy, I liked how he addressed each situation with logic and a thorough explanation. He treated their encounter as he would if he were in negotiations or in a boardroom; it was all he knew. He did not overpower her with his passions, because he knew she was not ready to hear it. Instead, he examined and explained each point of contention until he felt she was satisfied. He then presented her with his reasons for choosing her over those ladies of the ton. OMG! Talk about swoon-worthy. Where are my salts? Slowly, he reasoned and knocked down her prejudices with respect and points that appealed to her logic. It was brilliant.
I loved the language used as he addressed her and made his point. This was so loving and yet he did not pressure her. The decision was totally hers. Wow!
1st read: 1-13-18
2nd read: 9-25-18 [I decided to read this after seeing the title in someone’s list of books]
3rd read: 6-15-21
4th read: 1-11-22 worthy of a reread. Heavy sigh.
June 6, 2017
Darcy asks for the address of Elizabeth’s relatives on Gracechurch Street in London when he and the colonel are to leave a week before Elizabeth from Kent and from Rosings.
When Elizabeth arrives in London her uncle calls her into his study and questions her as to her relationship and her opinions about Darcy. Elizabeth begins to wonder at his purpose as she believes she will never see the man again. However Uncle Gardiner takes her to the front parlor and there is Mr. Darcy, himself. Two chairs are positioned for a conversation between them and when they sit down Mr. Darcy has a sheet of paper which Elizabeth cannot read for herself.
Mr. Darcy then in a calm and rational manner, holds a discussion with and responds to Elizabeth’s objections to his behaviors: Mr. Wickham, Jane and Bingley, his disdain of her neighbors and her family. He then proposes a marriage, stating that he respects her and questions her view of him…does she respect him also? In thinking it over Elizabeth realizes and admits that she does. On what better basis could they base a marriage with they both respect each other? And besides he can offer her the opportunity to be a partner, to travel, to expand her horizons. He promises to include her family in the future and to help address their behaviors. She accepts.
An epilogue 12 years into the future tells us that from respect has grown love. I don’t think that stating that is a spoiler, as we all must have our HEA for Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.
I enjoyed the little variation with cooler heads presiding on both parts when all the pros and cons are brought up and discussed.
When Elizabeth arrives in London her uncle calls her into his study and questions her as to her relationship and her opinions about Darcy. Elizabeth begins to wonder at his purpose as she believes she will never see the man again. However Uncle Gardiner takes her to the front parlor and there is Mr. Darcy, himself. Two chairs are positioned for a conversation between them and when they sit down Mr. Darcy has a sheet of paper which Elizabeth cannot read for herself.
Mr. Darcy then in a calm and rational manner, holds a discussion with and responds to Elizabeth’s objections to his behaviors: Mr. Wickham, Jane and Bingley, his disdain of her neighbors and her family. He then proposes a marriage, stating that he respects her and questions her view of him…does she respect him also? In thinking it over Elizabeth realizes and admits that she does. On what better basis could they base a marriage with they both respect each other? And besides he can offer her the opportunity to be a partner, to travel, to expand her horizons. He promises to include her family in the future and to help address their behaviors. She accepts.
An epilogue 12 years into the future tells us that from respect has grown love. I don’t think that stating that is a spoiler, as we all must have our HEA for Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.
I enjoyed the little variation with cooler heads presiding on both parts when all the pros and cons are brought up and discussed.
April 12, 2017
This is a very short story that asks "what if Darcy didn't propose at rosings and instead followed Lizzy to london where with the assistance of the Gardiners was able to have a calm dispassionate conversation and instead laid out the benefits of marriage and his reasons for admiring her."
So what's not to like?
It is Dispassionate with a Capital D. The thrill of P&P's Darcy is that 'still waters run deep'. You don't expect him to 'ardently admire & love' anyone. This Darcy doesn't. His proposal sounds more like a merger than a romance.
You can read this here:
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12436654/1/
So what's not to like?
It is Dispassionate with a Capital D. The thrill of P&P's Darcy is that 'still waters run deep'. You don't expect him to 'ardently admire & love' anyone. This Darcy doesn't. His proposal sounds more like a merger than a romance.
You can read this here:
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12436654/1/
June 27, 2017
This online Pride & Predjudice variation features a proposal from Darcy to Elizabeth, not at Hunsford but at the Gardiner's house at Gracechurch St. Uncle Gardnier has poke plenty of holes in Elizabeth's feelings and understandings about Darcy before escorting her to the parlor for a private meeting. Darcy's proposal is well thought out as he even has note cards. With this starting point, they are able to walk through their misunderstandings and find their happily ever after.
June 6, 2017
This is a very methodical reading of a difference Darcy proposal. Very little romance. Its like someone writing why the two should get together by focusing on all the practical reasons. Also, the transitions were abrupt as there was no indication we had left a scene. But, I did enjoy the story even if it was a bit hollow.
June 20, 2023
I liked the concept and the writing style although there is a rather abrupt timejump that glosses over rather a lot.
june 2023 Reread, still sweet, still jumps.
june 2023 Reread, still sweet, still jumps.
September 26, 2017
Overall the story had a good premise. The transition from proposal to marriage was abrupt.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews