All Night with Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

by Jane Grix

A locked door can change everything. Mr. Darcy loves Elizabeth Bennet but does not want to marry her because of her inferior connections. Elizabeth Bennet would not marry Mr. Darcy if he were the last man in the world. But then circumstances force them to spend a night together and a speedy marriage is the only remedy to lessen the scandal. All Night with Darcy is a Pride and Prejudice Variation, based on Jane Austen’s most romantic couple. Read to see what happens in the morning.

Genres: Romance, Regency, Historical, Fiction, Historical Romance

172 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 30, 2017

About the author

I'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.

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you read the book description, you already know that Darcy and Elizabeth get locked alone together in a wine cellar. Ms. Grix finds a creative and yet credible way to get them both in that predicament. Naturally, this means Elizabeth is compromised and Darcy is honor-bound to marry her.

While their forced time together allows them to start communicating more openly, Elizabeth remains unconvinced about who Darcy REALLY is and whether he is sincere when he tells her he loves her. She certainly resents the necessity of marrying him without having any choice in the matter. Darcy's solution to that makes for a nice tipping point in the story.

Nice, pleasant read with a hint of mystery (Why did the guilty party take these measures? How exactly did Darcy get dropped there?), which is cleared up nicely by the end of the tale. I can't put my finger on what, but something was missing for me. I liked it but didn't love it.

[J. W. Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Your reputation is in the hands of others. That’s what the reputation is. You can’t control that. The only think you can control is your character.” Wayne W. Dyer

This was a quick, clean read and was really cute. According to the description, Darcy and Elizabeth are locked in the wine cellar at Rosings. You will be surprised to find out who locked them in and why. I was surprised at the reason.

There is an excellent review by Debbie so there is no need for me to repeat what she has written. I enjoyed the story. It was just different enough to keep my interest. I love page-time between our dear couple. It allows them time to settle their differences of opinion.

Darcy of course was willing to do the right thing by Elizabeth in order to save her reputation. She on the other hand found out about his interference in separating Jane and Bingley and refused him. So, now he begins his strategy to win her favor.

Lady Catherine was angry when it all hit the fan. She was livid to have been circumvented in her plans to unite the Pemberley and Rosings estates. Darcy never told her what he found in the cellar. That was interesting.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed All Night with Darcy, I felt little really happening between Darcy and Elizabeth while in the wine cellar. It needed more fireworks. The canon proposal at Hunsford had both Darcy and Elizabeth angry and upset. In this story Darcy seemed to just take it in stride that Elizabeth disliked him and thought badly of him. And, Elizabeth interviewing his character references was quite strange and felt contrived.

I love Jane Grix's writing and I believe turning this into a longer more heartfelt story might have served the story better. I think of Lory Lilian's Rainy Day and how Darcy and Elizabeth were forced to spend time together. However, in that instance both stormed around and got everything hashed out. We really felt their embarrassment at being alone together and all of their other emotions. Grix can write the same quality, but it wasn't there in this story.

I still can recommend it for the unusual Anne DeBourgh and the unusual storyline, but with reservations.

[Madenna U · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anne de Bourgh has a mind of her own and she does not want to marry her cousin, regardless of what her mother thinks. In order to ensure things go her way, she manages to capture Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy in the wine cellar at Rosings.

This is not a new idea, but the execution is a lot of fun. Our dear couple finds themselves having to work together and having lots to talk about. They are obviously compromised, but she still needs time to forgive and come to terms with the situation. Darcy's ingenious way of responding to Elizabeth's comment about more care going into choosing a servant than a spouse is my favorite part of the whole book.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and too short.

A enjoyable compromise story. A desperate Ann locks Darcy and Elizabeth in the secluded wine cellar at Rosings. Darcy proposes. Elizabeth says no but neither can escape so are forced to talk.

[Barbara K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this Pride and Prejudice variation, Darcy arrives at Rosings Park for Easter, to learn that Elizabeth Bennet is staying with the Collinses, and he makes a visit to the parsonage with his cousin the colonel as soon as he can. He also learns that his cousin Anne has begun taking piano lessons from an Italian man whose name is familiar to Darcy. He wonders if he's heard of him in relation to some scandal. One day, Darcy walks in on their lesson, to find the pair in an intimate posture at the piano, and Anne's chaperone not in the room. He begins to suspect the music master has designs on Anne's fortune, so he mentions his concerns to Lady Catherine, who immediately dismisses the music master. Anne, when she learns of Darcy's interference, confronts him. Anne has guessed, during the Collins' visits to Rosings that Darcy is enamored with Elizabeth Bennet, and she sets out to get her revenge.

This is an entertaining variation, and held my interest to the end. Recommended.

[James S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forced marriage

But not really. Humorous in places. Darcy and Lizzy are locked in a wine cellar overnight. Fun, eye opening banter ensues.

Pet peeves. Lizzy believes Wickham, then Darcy tells her the truth and she believes him. Why doesn’t he say, in some variation “are you always going to believe what the last person you talk to says? Ask for proof, which I happen to have.”

Bingley is worth 4000 pounds, not 5000. If he is only making twice as much as the Bennets, is he rich? If he has 80,000 in the bank, is this enough to buy a property that earns 4000? Will his bank account be empty then. How rich is he really. If I make 75,000 a year and my son makes 150,000, he certainly isn’t rich. We need to know.

I recommend this book.

[Camille Fiore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forced to Talk

When Anne de Bourgh decides to take revenge on Darcy and Elizabeth by locking them in the dungeon of a winecellar at Rosings, sparks fly in more than one way. You know he admires her, almost as much as she dislikes him. Now they have nothing to do but talk after exhausting themselves trying to escape. Will the misunderstandings be removed? Will Lizzy desire the inevitable marriage? Or will their P&P still hold them back from the HEA they deserve? A quick, fun read.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. I thought it was hilarious to ses Anne dd Bourgh as vindictive because she was always portrayed as frail. I definitely enjoyed the story. Great read!

[Kasia Burlakoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

I really enjoyed this short, FMS story. The premise of D&E resolving their differences while locked up in a wine cellar was funny. Anne ' s character was most surprising.

I didn't like that Elizabeth was more open and reasonable at first, but then she started to be petulant and stubborn. Darcy providing her with references as a prospective husband made me laugh.

4.5 stars for me. No lose ends left, and it didn't seem too rushed.

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this light reading, short novel that showed how witty cousin Anne DeBourgh could be when she goes after what she wants in life.
Naturally, Aunt Catherine was still after Darcy to announce an engagement to Anne but she had different ideas!
It is well written and it will give you a few chuckles and enjoyment. It also is an easy read. I just kept reading til I finished it because of the enjoyment I got from it.
Thank you Ms. Grix for a well written novel.

[Eliza Baum · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, quick read. My only real complaint is there was a lot of lingering on unnecessary internal monologue and repetition of story beats from the source material. Would have been better with that trimmed down, but I still enjoyed it.

4 stars.

[Katja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somebody locks Darcy and Elizabeth in a wine cellar and a marriage is inevitable. Some of the writing seemed a little choppy or flat emotionally but I liked Darcy's character references.
I own this story as part of a boxed set.

[victoria_tonks · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up to 4

[Krista · Rating 2 out of 5]

Far from the best Pride and Prejudice fan fiction I've read (and I've read a LOT)

[Sylvie Chevalley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice story, I really enjoyed it. It would be interesting to elaborate some parts more (such as the cellar scene, for instance).

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and quick read. Entertaining variation.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice easy and happy book - a quick read that just makes you smile.

[Michelle David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

An interesting variation inspired by author Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice by Jane Grix. Short but sweet and enjoyable

[Katharyn Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mind out of the gutter, it wasn't that kind of night.

[Zhora · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5

[Elin Eriksen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edgy and fresh!

Thrilling story with an edge. Refreshingly forthright characters and open dialogue separates this story from many others.
Anne is given a voice in this story and she is inventful...

I don't think I can write a summary of the events of the book without spoiling your read so I am not going to attempt it.
But the story unfolds largely in Kent and there is locked door involved...

Heartily recommend this story.