Mr Darcy's Proposal: A Pride & Prejudice Variation

by Martine Jane Roberts

Mr Darcy's Proposal, is a retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. Included are all the main characters, but their journey is slightly different to one Miss Austen created. This story has a dash more excitement, and a touch more love.Fitzwilliam Darcy, realising he can no longer ignore or suppress his feelings for Elizabeth Bennet, returns to Hertfordshire only one week after leaving. But even the best-laid plans can go awry, and his first encounter with Elizabeth is disastrous, leaving her with the same opinion of him as before.When Elizabeth's father visit’s Mr Darcy and insists on him joining the family for dinner, Darcy reluctantly accepts. While the men are alone, enjoying a brandy, Mr Darcy confides in Mr Bennet the true depth of his love and admiration for Elizabeth, while assuring him that his intentions are strictly honourable. Reluctantly, Mr Bennet agrees when Darcy asks permission to court Elizabeth, confident that his favourite daughter will refuse the austere and unapproachable, Mr Darcy.However, Mr Bennet insists on one stipulation. Darcy has only one month, until Christmastide, to win Elizabeth's heart, by which time Elizabeth MUST declare her love for him. If she fails to do this, then Darcy must leave Meryton and forget her forever. Darcy agrees, confident of his success.Tentatively, he begins to woo his beloved. Then, just as things seem to be progressing nicely, Caroline Bingley, George Wickham and Elizabeth’s own sister, Lydia, throw everything into jeopardy. Caroline’s reckless actions force Mr Darcy and Elizabeth, together with Mr Bennet, Mr Bingley and Georgiana, to set off for London, where Darcy is determined to deal with his nemesis once and for all. Mr Darcy’s Proposal uses English grammar, spelling and historical terms and phrases throughout.

220 pages, Paperback

Published July 27, 2017

About the author

I was born in a small rural town in Hertfordshire, England. My ancestry has been traced back to the 3rd century AD in Nottingham, England. Prior to this we were Danish Vikings.
Until the early 20th century, we were landowners and farmers in Kent & Essex. With the modernisation of farming techniques, we sold up and moved nearer to the capital, finally settling in Tring.

My paternal grandparents, who inspired my love of the past, were both teachers, specialising in English and History.
My paternal grandmother was also a descendant of the Scottish clan of Galbraith. We have our own clan tartan in the colours of black, green, blue and white squares.
My mother is descended from the single family of Standingford, (often spelt the Anglo-Saxon way of Stanton). There is only one family with this name and all, no matter how distantly, are related. We have our own heraldic shield and family motto. Dum Spiro, While I Breathe.
I am the middle of 5 children, with an older sister, a twin brother and a younger sister and brother.
My hobbies include reading, writing, listening to classical music, walking the dog and jet skiing.
I read a variety of authors, including Oscar Wilde, Shakespeare, Noel Coward, and Jane Austen, while my favourite composer is Bach.
I am a full-time writer, but I also contribute articles to various magazines, charities, and private publications.
Before I decided to become a full-time writer, I worked for the British Government.
My husband and I have been married for 49 years, and we have two daughters and four grandchildren.

Reviews

[wosedwew]

Love is a game that two can play and both win. ~Eva Gabor

This is an early engagement/prudent motive story. I very often like those and this is not an exception -- by far my favorite from this author.

As usual, Darcy leaves Meryton after the Ball. As usual, he agonizes over leaving Miss Elizabeth. Unusually, he decides to return to Hertfordshire and marry the girl! Bingley allows him to reside at Netherfield but does not journey with him.

Darcy has a talk with Mr. Bennet who agrees to consent to the marriage if Elizabeth accepts a proposal within a month.

Love is much like a wild rose, beautiful and calm, but willing to draw blood in its defense. ~Mark Overby

First things first! Darcy must lift the fog Wickham had created in Elizabeth’s mind. Then a courtship can begin.

The love story makes good progress until Darcy sends for Georgiana. The Bingley spinster insists she and her brother will travel with Georgiana. When the spinster learns of Darcy’s engagement, she seeks revenge.

I liked Mrs. Bennet in this story: she actually corrects several instances of Lydia’s inappropriate behaviour. Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop more inappropriate behaviour.

Great Epilogue! All the villains get their rewards. Loved it.

True love stories never have endings. ~Richard Bach

[Les]

This is an okay book that is lessened by some Regency errors and absurdly modern language "media circus"(media is plural Medium is singular in 1812 there was a single Medium Print) [and there were no paparazzo following Darcy around sketching pics of him with Lizzy]

In the story Darcy only last a few weeks in London before hieing back to Meryton to pursue Lizzy Bennet for the cause of matrimony. This part of the book is overall well done. He approaches Mr. Bennet who says (paraphrased)"Son I'll give you til Xmas to woo Lizzy otherwise beat feet." And he does and Lizzy is clever enough to figure out that Bachelors with 10K£ / annum aren't popping out of the hedgerows all over Hertfordshire says "Sure"
And they all live happily ever ... oh wait Wickham and Caroline have to act up and create chaos and drag the book out a bit. This is Wickham at his most dastardly, and Caro at her most psycho. And really it was all rather pointless and unnecessary. By the end I really had lost interest.
I'm in a weird place right now when I am not reading P&P I wish I was and when I am I wish I was reading something else.

[James S]

Wickham the viper

Tough story to enjoy. Wickham is such a viper in it. There is a HEA, a good one in fact. But wading through the vileness of Wickham makes it hard to get to.

Second reading. Epilogue has both Wickham and Caroline planning on escaping the predicaments they find themselves in. The Darcy is not safe in the long run.

[Teresita]

Loved it!

A really entertaining story, I enjoyed the way it was developed and by changing some things it narrates a lovely tale respecting the characters ' traits

[Katja]

This one starts out a little oddly. Darcy and Bingley left after the ball, as per canon, but Darcy very quickly realises that he loves Elizabeth ardently, so he goes back. He sees her talking to Wickham, goes on a frantic ride to relieve his frustration, and falls from his horse. He is angry and embarrassed to find out that Elizabeth witnesses this, and this is how he responds to her attempts to aid him: "So far I have been tolerant of your interference, Madam, but no more. You will kindly desist in your attempts to nursemaid me and remove yourself from this property," and he goes on to tell her that trespassing is a serious offence.

Huh, what a way to endear yourself to a lady that you love!

Mr. Bennet invites Darcy to dine with the Bennets. Lydia wants to dance and Darcy declines, implying that there is something wrong with the available partners. Then he requests Elizabeth's company for a morning walk and tells her that he's well able to discuss fashion, as if that was the only topic that Elizabeth could possibly understand. He asks for Mr. Bennet's permission to court her, before asking whether she's agreeable. This Darcy may be worse at flirting than the canon Darcy.

He explains about Wickham and then she's like, I don't have anything against him except his slight at the assembly. But Darcy's recent temper tantrum is not addressed at all.

[Carol Perrin]

Mr. Darcy's Proposal: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

A very enjoyable variation that brings ODC together much sooner than Jane Austen's original Pride and Prejudice without the disastrous Hunsford proposal scene. This author dealt with clinging Caroline Bingley and wicked Wickham's evil intentions to thwart Darcy and Elizabeth's road to happiness, but each of their perfidy was handled in an unique manner. Convincing Bingley to leave Netherfield happens, but Darcy has lost his heart to Elizabeth and returns to Netherfield on his own. He immediately meets with Mr. Bennet and confesses his love and desire to marry Elizabeth. Mr. Bennet gives him a month to win Elizabeth's love. Setting forth to woo Elizabeth, Darcy explains why he has fallen in love with her. Amazed by the depth of his feelings, Elizabeth begins to see a different man than his image projected when he first came to Meryton. When Darcy invites Georgiana to Netherfield, unbeknownst to him, Caroline and Charles Bingley accompany her back. At this p o into in the story, Darcy is betrothed to Elizabeth and all Bingley needs is a chance to be alone with Jane. How Darcy manages this is comical given Darcy's dour and staid personality.

[Lauren]

I did not like this Pride & Prejudice variation/AU. I kept reading, hoping it would get better, but it did not. I don’t think this author suits my taste and the way I read the original novel. The opening had some promise, but that was soon dashed by poor grammar and off putting scenes.

If you wish that the original story was more salacious, quicker paced, and had more outrageous characters, this might be more interesting to you. If you can get through the bad grammar, the multiple commas in random places, and the misplaced chunks of text that really could have used an editor, you might enjoy it more, but alas I could not.

I don’t think the actions and words of the characters matched the original characters enough, and I was too irritated with Elizabeth and Darcy to find any of it romantic. If you want to read an AU book, this is not the book to read.

[Kimbelle Pease]

The use of Caroline to get Lydia and Wickham eloped was genius, that is true. The rest of this book has some rehashing of many books in a way that is not that original, with the exception of Lydia not being wholly foolish, and what was found when Darcy went to see Mrs. Younge. It was well considered in some ways, it was a barrage of evil things and lackadaisical attitudes with the exception of Darcy and Elizabeth, and there was a happy ending after Darcy and Elizabeth reassured one another a time or dozen, but the author wrote the good Colonel Fitzwilliam well, and for that small piece of the story, the fourth star was rewarded and without hesitation.

[RTD]

A good read

I have always wanted to read a story where Darcy immediately returns to Meryton to woo or professes his love for Elizabeth (without Mr. Collins' proposal being the reason for the return).

- Elizabeth accepts Darcy's proposal. Each of them has conditions they agree to.
- Elizabeth learns of Darcy's goodness and Wickham's debauchery.
- Caroline is a piece of work. However, her ending(?) was original.

As much as I am tired of reading Lydia and Wickham's storyline, at least Wickham doesn't walk away with Darcy's money, thanks to Richard. And Lydia finally understands her foolishness.

[Marsha]

Interesting and sweet

I enjoyed reading this engaging variation. There is little bits of original book here and there, but truly uniquely written. Great storyline and I loved what Colonel Fitzwilliam did with Wickham. Highly recommended to read.

[Natalie]

I've read and loved many P&P variations, this was not one of them. I love Elizabeth and Darcy so much I will basically ready anything they are in so even with my expectations being so low I still hated reading it. Very disappointed

[Angela Clayton]

This one was pretty good, although not my favorite JAFF ever.

[Kristin]

Enjoyable book. A bit more telling than showing you what the characters are like, but an enjoyable variation read.

[Michelle David]

Lovely

A rather lovely little variation inspired by Jane Austen's classic novel Pride and Prejudice by Martine Jay Roberts. Enjoyable story.

[Jen]

Okay

Fairly good story, marred by poor writing. Unnecessary and weirdly placed commas ruined the story flow, as did the misuse of words. Get a good editor, please.

[Anita]

Pretty good for ff... I read it on fanfic.net and there were a few spelling and grammatical errors. Nevertheless, I really liked the story. It’s similar to another adaption I recently read, but I think this one does a better job on the wickham/ Lydia storyline.