Compromise and Obligation: A Darcy and Elizabeth Pride and Prejudice Regency Variation

A Pemberley Romance #3

by Harriet Knowles

Mr. Bennet looked at her over the top of his spectacles. “It is your duty, Lizzy. It is your duty to accept Mr. Collins to ensure the security of the family and to provide for them in a way I cannot do. I must insist that you accept Mr. Collins’ proposal.” What if Mr. Bennet and Mrs. Bennet both insist that Elizabeth accepts Mr. Collins’ offer of marriage? Elizabeth is not going to accept. She is certain of that. Dressed in stolen clothes from a farmhand’s washing line, she sets off to escape the fate she thinks must be worse than death. But even dressed as a man, the roads are dangerous for a penniless lady alone. Can a besotted Mr. Darcy find Elizabeth in time to save her — both from outside dangers and her own independent pride? A sweet and clean full-length Regency novel

Genres: Romance

358 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 4, 2017

Reviews

[wosedwew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author has opened her books up on KU, so I have picked up several.

In most cases (this is certainly one) I felt the premise was very good but never quite completed. Questions left hanging at the end.

This seems par for the course. I am putting this author's books on the back burner.

[Sheila Majczan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars

This story ended very abruptly. Plus (once again) the author's writing does not flow smoothly for me. I would recommend a good editor. True, some of the words are the British version (as vs. the American English version) but at times I wanted to re-write entire sentences in notes.

The story description gives us a good idea of what the main premise is. So the story winds on and on as Darcy has a premonition about what is going to happen with Elizabeth as she expects a proposal from Collins. Sadly in this story Mr. Bennet does not support her in her refusal of Collins. Bennet is not feeling well and the reality of how he will leave his family if he dies has him putting that onus on Elizabeth. That never changes in the story. In fact he and Collins go to extreme lengths to try go physically force Elizabeth to return to Longbourn and to marry Collins. They even have both the Gardiners and Lady Catherine making their opinions known to Elizabeth...opinions formed due to their Bennet's and Collins' lies.

Meanwhile Darcy is ever so careful with what he offers Elizabeth and even what he recommends. He knows she values her independence and that she will not appreciate it if he also tries to force her hand due to the obligation of honor now that she has been compromised by him. SPOILER: That compromise is more the fact that she has traveled with him alone and lived with him and Georgiana in his London house. End of SPOILER. Jane is the only Bennet to remain true in her affections for Elizabeth.

Elizabeth does come to have some affection for Darcy but has not identified it as love...yet. She counsels herself in saying that the relationship with Jane was established before they grew to love each other. She was a sister before she became a dear friend. And so it can be in marriage...become a wife and grow to love.

Elizabeth is not yet one-and-twenty so she needs her father's permission. They do find a way to circumvent that. (I am sure you can guess how.)

This was an interesting story and it did keep my attention. But I did have those complaints I mentioned.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story and was intrigued. This is Darcy as the quintessential knight in shining armor saving the damsel in distress. My criticism is that I felt the ending was very abrupt and many ends left loose. I wanted to have a confrontation scene between Caroline and Lady Catherine. Also I wanted to see E and her family after the match. I was just left hanging. I seriously thought there must be a sequels I was so shocked by the abrupt ending. But I still enjoyed reading about this very sweet and caring Darcy.

So, if you are ok with abrupt endings and seeing Darcy rescue Elizabeth then read this book!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful Mr Darcy Helps Fleeing Elizabeth

This is a wonderful story that should be 5 star with revisions. The grammar leaves much to be desired, but the story itself apart from editing is wonderful though incomplete. A desperate Lizzy fled Longbourn on foot with cut hair in a farmer boy's clothing. She was determined to get to Aunt and Uncle Gardiner to get help in finding work and independence as a companion or governess. She had to flee a fire in a stable where she was sleeping and was sick from smoke when Darcy and Bingley found her looking like a ragamuffin. She was desperate to flee Mr. Collins and her parents who insisted on her betrothal to the very stupid and obnoxious man, which was a fate worse than death to het.

In London there was no assistance from the Gardiners as Mr. Collins and Mr. Bennet beat her to the Gardiners and she came close to abduction by a pimp fleeing from being seen by Mr. Collins and her father when Mr. Darcy rescues her and their feelings grow without misunderstandings in other books. They had no choice but to flee to Scotland to marry if they can make it ahead of those who sought to prevent them. This book is minus Mr. Wickham and Caroline except in references, which is quite welcome. There's a stronger Bingley who operates without influence from his sisters and a Mr. Darcy who recognizes his love earlier than canon. Can Lizzy convince members of her family who matter thst Mr. Collins and her father were lying about her character.

The marriages of the Darcys and Bingleys are resolved as is the situation with the Gardiners, but we never know about the greater outcome with Lizzy's family, Mr. Collins, or Lady Catherine. An epilogue is badly needed. In this book, the bogeymen snd bogeywomen are Mr. Collins, Mr. And Mrs. Bennet, and Lady Catherine, and a would be abductor and constable. It leaves me wanting to know more. With editing and expansion this would be a 5 star book. It surely is interesting and impossible to put down. Do not overlook this one.

[J. W. Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

“If you truly want to be respected by people you love, you must prove to them that you can survive without them.” –Michael Bassey Johnson, The Infinity Sign

SPOILER ALERT: This review may contain *** SPOILERS ***

>>Rating: MA: adult themes discussed, trigger warning for a kidnapping attempt/assault
>>Angst Level: medium-to-high, family lies, family demands, threats, and deceit
>>Source: Borrowed KU 5-17-22 with no expectations of a review. The views and opinions are my own.
>>Trope: Independent Lizzy >>Timeline: Netherfield Ball

“How did I escape? With difficulty. How did I plan this moment? With pleasure.” –Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Cristo

Elizabeth Bennet had a plan… an escape plan. From whom and from what would be determined by her father’s reaction. She had it all planned out and knew what she would do. Time was not on her side. As the Longbourn party arrived at the Netherfield Ball, Mr. Darcy noticed Mr. Bennet didn’t look well. During the ball, he became more and more aware of the constant attentions of Mr. Collins toward his cousin Miss Elizabeth. It was rather proprietary. The next morning during her walk, Elizabeth saw the Netherfield party leaving in two carriages. He was gone.

When Darcy reached London, he had a bad feeling that Miss Elizabeth was in trouble. He resisted the feeling until he could no longer bear it and he and Bingley returned to Longbourn to a house in chaos. Miss Elizabeth was gone, Bennet was outraged, and Collins was declaring that she was engaged to him. Mrs. Bennet had taken to her bed. Jane Bennet had but a moment to speak to Bingley and Mr. Darcy. She told them Elizabeth had written to her father, Mr. Collins, and to her explaining her motives and actions. Jane gave the letter to them for safekeeping as it was probably the only copy. She hinted the others may have been destroyed.

As Darcy and Bingley headed back to London, they encountered a barn on fire and offered aid. As they left the scene, they saw a disheveled boy, covered in soot, struggling down the road. Bingley was horrified when Darcy stopped the coach and ran toward the boy calling Miss Elizabeth’s name. Yep, that’s our girl. Independent to the core. She resisted his assistance until she could no longer put a foot in front of the other. She did not want him obliged to her in any way.
This dragged on way too long. The independent Lizzy trope played out fine to a point but, good grief. She was quickly becoming obstinate to the point of being stupid. Nope, I don’t care for that. She nearly got herself into a hot situation that would have been the end of her. That put the kybosh in her plans.

What I didn’t like: Everyone was operating under false information and it just seemed strange. What was behind her father and Collins? I couldn’t believe her aunt and uncle Gardiner behaved the way they did. That was a hard truth. It seemed like half of the story was our characters traveling in a carriage. That was tedious. The ending felt abrupt. I have no idea what happened to certain situations. It just ended.

“Desperation is the raw material of drastic change. Only those who can leave behind everything they have ever believed in can hope to escape.” –William S. Burroughs

A Pemberley Romance Series: [Each book is a standalone and can be read in any order]
Book 1: A Life Apart
Book 2: Love Changes Everything
Book 3: Compromise and Obligation
Book 4: The Darcy Plot
Book 5: The Darcy Bennet Arrangement

[Carol Perrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compromise and Obligation: A Darcy and Elizabeth Pride and Prejudice Regency Variation

Given Regency time period and the dependence of young ladies on their family and later their husbands, this is a heart-wrenching story. Stuck with the possibility of having to marry the odious Mr. Collins, Elizabeth dresses as a young man and runs away to London walking the distance with very little in the way of possessions or money. Meanwhile, Darcy feels that she is in need of help, so one day after he and Bingley returned from Netherfield, they are back on the road to Longbourn. Arriving to the upheaval that would be Longbourn on any given day considering Mrs. Bennet, they obtain the letter left Jane, and head back to London slowly looking to see if they spot Elizabeth. Caught in a fire that morning, Elizabeth is meandering along the road very unwell. Darcy finally convinces her to get into the carriage. Arriving at Gracechurch Street, Elizabeth runs when she spots her father and Collins and is almost lost to Darcy at this point. He recovers her just in time and takes her to Darcy House. Bingley quickly returns to Longbourn to secure Jane's hand in marriage. Too many people try to infringe on Darcy and Elizabeth so he proposes. When she accepts, Bennet's actions convince Darcy and Elizabeth that Scotland is their best decision for marrying. Taking Georgiana with them, Darcy rides the entire distance on horseback as to quiet any rumors about her being compromised. Finally married, they return to Pemberley to begin their married life. While she is happy with her marriage, she is unhappy about being separated from her family especially her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. While Elizabeth awaits the arrival of Charles and Jane Bingley, Darcy travels to London to untangle the lies Collins and Mr. Bennet told the Gardiners that turned them from their support of Elizabeth. Story doesn't say, but for Elizabeth's sake I hope this part of her family can make their amends. Good story, but I'm sure glad times have changed in relationship to what young woman can achieve on their own.

[colleen churm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compromise and Obligation.

Really lovely story, a lot packed into it too. Luckily, when a problem arises, Ms. Knowles has a quick solution, which is better then some Stories to on and on, mired in one problem! Lizzie, certainly had her share of problems in this story! Her parents tried to make her agree to marry Mr. Collins, and she wasn't having it, so off she bravely, or recklessly, whichever way you want to view it, went, in the middle of the night to make her way to Aunt and Uncle Gardiner in London! Somehow, Mr. Darcy felt something was wrong and set out to find her. That was just the start! I feel like there should be another book, explaining why Mr. Bennet and Collins lied about Lizzie's supposed compromise to the Gardiners, their behavior seems so extreme, especially after Bingley made it clear he was going to marry Jane so the family wouldn't be completely destitute. It was especially lovely to see the way izabeth and Darcy and Georgina took to each other. Nice to not have Wickham around! There is another reason for a second book! Would Darcy even help her family now?

[James S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Standard story of Lizzy leaving Longbourn so she won’t be forced to marry Collins. Not as much angst as one would expect from the start of the story. Loose story threads left me with me feeling like story wasn’t fully told.

A constable visits Darcy House to take Lizzy back to her father and Darcy acts high and mighty and pretty much says leave, which he does. Not sure why that short scene was there and why Darcy wasn’t held responsible of keeping an under age Lizzy away from her father.

Also Darcy and Lizzy seemed unconcerned about eloping to Scotland and how that would go over with the ‘haute ton’.

I liked the story bit is was missing substance.

[Suzanne Brighte · Rating 2 out of 5]

Elizabeth does not want to marry Mr. Collins. Mr. Collins wants to marry her. As does Mrs. Bennet... AND Mr. Bennet!! This is the major change in the story that sets it go on a different course than in canon. However, it could have been done better :( while we get the feeling that perhaps Mr. Bennet is not feeling too well and, feeling his own mortality, takes the “lazy” way out by pressuring his Lizzy to marry Mr. Collins rather than the more honorable route of trying to manage his estate to bring in more income and economize. While this part is believable, the rest just didn’t seem to be. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth have a completely different type of interaction at Netherfield ball but without a reason or an explanation of what prompted them to behave differently. Mr. Darcy definitely felt out of character. Elizabeth, dressed as a man, never truly seemed embarrassed to be seen that way by those who know her? Nor did there seem to be much concern about her being around servants when she is no longer hiding the fact she is a woman (yet still dressed as a man). Are the servants discreet enough? We never are reassured that they are.
Many plot twists happen without any resolutions or at least follow-up by end of the book. For example, whatever happened with Mr. Collins and with Mr. Bennet, or anyone else from the Bennet family with exception of Jane?
The romance between Elizabeth and Darcy could have been better developed. I wish we could have had better insight of both of their feelings and how it changed overtime to friendship, like, falling in love, and then finally being in love. No real chemistry between the two that gets the reader excited.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was initially enjoying the book but the entire second half fell flat for me. In trying to make Elizabeth strong, she just came across as obnoxious. I did not see why Darcy kept loving her and loved her even more. I did not see Elizabeth actually falling in love with Darcy. She was overly formal with him and too grateful. She capitulated to him constantly. I found her weak. And then of course, the rather abrupt ending with too many unresolved plot lines. I am not interested in reading any more of her books if they are going to be so unromantic in the end!

[Michelle David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different

A rather interesting premise for this variation inspired by author Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by Harriet Knowles. I enjoyed it but it ended rather abruptly and I wish there had been an epilogue.

[Wendy DeWachter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story until the end

I could not get enough of this book, relishing each page, then poof it ended. Just like that. I would have given 4 or 5 stars but for the abrupt ending.
I do not like to add spoilers to my reviews, however I would not have invested my time, and emotions, had I been warned about the end and there being no epilogue.
Storylines are not necessarily left hanging, most arent, but there is no closure either.

[Kasia Burlakoff · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story premise was interesting, and I loved Darcy the hero, and Bingley with the backbone. But there were too many inconsistences in the plot and in some characters behavior for me to be able to give it a higher rating. Some threads were not followed and the ending is quite sudden.
It was quite enjoyable read with some unexpected twists.

[Gail Frisby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

Loved it, this was a good plot and the usual villains were not all over the book. Would have liked an epilouge

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing, inspirational, emotional

What an inspirational, interesting, intriguing, and emotionally pulling story. Inspirational? Darcy goes against all odds for love. Interesting? Haven't read one with this plot twist. Intriguing? Cause its off the charts and has me interested. Emotionally pulling? The Mr Bennet and Mr Collins stink in this one.
You will find an adventuresome storyline that Elizabeth is heroic in she stands with her beliefs. Darcy is a hero, he goes above and beyond. Mrs Gardner kills me at first, but redeems herself.
Absolutely recommended for all to read

[Judi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice, but seems disjointed.

I am wondering if this was edited down from a larger story. It leaves a lot of little details and mentions hanging. The whole part with the Gardiners is not expanded enough, nor is there a resolution to what happens to Bennet and the rest of the family.
I am disappointed. I have read quite a few of Ms. Knowles’ stories, and this is the most lacksidasical.

[Carrie M Alston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't imagine Elizabeth's father believing so far-fetched a story from Mr. Collins. For someone he supposedly knew so well, he must have been desperate to have her cover up his disregard of his children's welfare. I find that

Elizabeth take the heat off of him. Not believable!!.

Can anyone else see it my way? Are my feelings wrong? Or does anyone else think like me?

[Auggy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two and a half, rounded down because I am really perturbed over the massively abrupt ending that left so many questions unanswered. If there had just been a page and a half epilogue, the book would have been three stars, maybe three and a half depending on how gooey it made me feel at the end. As it stands now, I just feel frustrated.

[Leslye B Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bad ending!

Really, really enjoyed this book. Would have given it 5 stars but for the ending! Did somebody tear off the last few pages? No mention of Elizabeth's reaction to the lies Mr. Collins & her father told about her or what happened when their lies were discovered, let alone the Bennett family's reaction to the marriage. A very poor ending!

[Valeria · Rating 3 out of 5]

No Epilogue

This author does a great job of creating unlikeable characters in the form of Mr and Mrs Bennet as well as Mr Collins. Fortunately, no Lydia and only references to the younger sisters. Only rarely am I a fan of a version that ends with Jane married to Bingley but my one ratings killer is the absence of an epilogue.

[Mariska · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!

This story is a true wild ride in every sense of the phrase. I always hate it when Mr Bennet turns against Elizabeth because of how heartbreaking it always is. Mr Darcy being wonderful to her from start to finish is something I always love in a story. In this case the two combined make a fantastic book imo.

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely

Really enjoyed the story. Just hopped there would be a longer epilogue. To know how her family reacts to the knowledge of her marriage as well as to why her father would lie about her to so cruelly.

[Elizabeth S · Rating 2 out of 5]

A surprisingly poor offering from Harriet Knowles. Usually her books are much better. This one is lightweight, doesn't make sense, and has no romantic intensity.

There is one really good page, where Darcy handles Aunt Catherine in the best way possible.

[winnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing.

I usually round up my reviews but this book is already overrated. It was so rushed. So many questions left unanswered. It’s as if the author has the ingredients to make a delicious meal but she decided to eat the ingredients raw. 2.5 stars

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

it ended so abruptly…..

But I still very much enjoyed it.

Mr. Bennet was unlikable but I suppose that was necessary in this particular variation.

I only wished it had a little more at the end.

[Rosanne M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can not stop reading this series

It is new and inventive. With not to many villains. The storyline is just Elizabeth and Darcy! Love it
I highly recommend this and the series to read!

[gwen christensen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unreadable

I've read two other books by this author and they were enjoyable but this one reminded me of a couple of stories one of my daughters wrote in fifth grade. I'm really sorry I seldom ever give bad reviews but I hope she Will rewrite this one

[Linda K Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compromise and Obligation

Compromise and Obligation is a heart breaking tale for Elizabeth. I am very unhappy with Mr. Bennet. Oh the lies, unfeeling cruelty.
Darcy, the hero, always!

[Mary957 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5

Quite an interesting variation of the famous novel. In spite of many grammar mistakes and incomplete ending, the story is lovely.

[sandie mcmurray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rushed.

Rushed ending. What happened to mr and Mrs Bennett and collins? could have had an epilogue! glad it was a freebee.