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Duty and Deceit: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
"Some days she felt anger, most often she felt shame and guilt, and then there were those moments when the joy she remembered refused to be ignored, but this morning she felt fear. Mr Darcy was here in Hertfordshire!"
An imprudent elopement by Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, followed by his father’s harsh demands leaves the young couple, particularly the fifteen-year-old bride, to survive the dire consequences of their action by any means necessary. Five years later, their folly once again becomes something Lizzy fears will endanger her family’s reputation and security. Since being banished, she has been forced to practice deceit to protect her loved ones, while her erstwhile groom has thought of little but his duty to Pemberley, his dying father and his sister. When she sees him riding like the wind across a meadow at Netherfield, her recognition is immediate. Her first thought is why he has chosen to break their agreement? Has he come to expose her? Her determination to protect her dearest relations from his vile accusations becomes her mission. Still, the memories of their month in Scotland confuse her actions with unnecessary questions. Number one, why had the man she had believed to be the ideal gentleman, who vowed his love before God, rejected her?
An imprudent elopement by Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, followed by his father’s harsh demands leaves the young couple, particularly the fifteen-year-old bride, to survive the dire consequences of their action by any means necessary. Five years later, their folly once again becomes something Lizzy fears will endanger her family’s reputation and security. Since being banished, she has been forced to practice deceit to protect her loved ones, while her erstwhile groom has thought of little but his duty to Pemberley, his dying father and his sister. When she sees him riding like the wind across a meadow at Netherfield, her recognition is immediate. Her first thought is why he has chosen to break their agreement? Has he come to expose her? Her determination to protect her dearest relations from his vile accusations becomes her mission. Still, the memories of their month in Scotland confuse her actions with unnecessary questions. Number one, why had the man she had believed to be the ideal gentleman, who vowed his love before God, rejected her?
- GenresRomance
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2022
90 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 6, 2022
Duty, deceit and repressed memories.
In this variation, a very young and lonely Elizabeth is sent to school in Derbyshire where she and a young 23-year old gentleman Darcy, eventually meet and elope to Scotland.
This Darcy is always reminded of his shortcomings as deemed by his father, who favours George Wickham. He wants his father to teach him how to manage Pemberley but his father has other priorities. Mr. Darcy senior is atypical of the usual loving father depicted in most P&P variations. While he is a good master and a man in control of his wealth, he “cared more for how he was perceived by society than the essence of his worth.” His marriage to Lady Anne was the result of his wanting the “prestige of marrying an earl’s daughter”. He also wanted his son, Fitzwilliam, to fulfill his duty and responsibility to his family by marrying his cousin, Anne de Bourgh—“two great estates would be joined with their marriage.” Will it be Darcy’s resentment and spite for his father and Elizabeth’s loneliness that leads them to an elopement?
When Darcy and 15-year old Elizabeth return after a month-long honeymoon in Scotland, Darcy senior is not pleased. Offering money, he conspires with Wickham and others to make Darcy believe he has been chuckholed. He also determines to have the marriage annulled with the aid of his brother who is a judge. Elizabeth is banished, but not before her Uncle Gardiner is given five thousand pounds to never return.
Five years later, and with Darcy’s sudden appearance at Netherfield, Elizabeth still does not understand why Darcy never fought for her. She thought their love was true. A secret consequence of their marriage has forced her and her parents to be deceitful to many in order to hide it. As they both attempt to discover the reasons for each other’s past decisions, and in Darcy’s case, reawaken repressed memories, the deceit of others will also be made known.
While I couldn’t quite accept all of Darcy’s decisions—he did elope with a barely 15-year old girl after alI—I still couldn’t hate him. The damage his father did to his psyche growing up greatly influenced him. Yet, despite some pride, he was a very likeable, gentle and kind man worthy of redemption and forgiveness and he is determined to make Elizabeth believe it.
Elizabeth also had to overcome her own challenges and fears by protecting her reputation and learning how to trust and welcome the possibility of marriage again. It is an Elizabeth version of P&P’s infamous letter that truly begins the path to reconciliation. I especially enjoyed that variant. I appreciated the love and support of her parents. I liked the portrayals of the supporting characters too. The Bennet sisters, while ignorant of Elizabeth’s secret circumstances, were given good personalities and roles and weren’t so silly. Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam were also very supportive to Darcy. Little Edward and Alice were delightfully precocious and intelligent.
The romantic in me was grieved by the loss of years that our dear couple could have spent together, but instead were both decidedly robbed, especially of a precious gift, due to the selfish desires of a prideful man focused on duty and appearances.
A bit of a tragic and sensitive tale, I found it well-written and heartfelt. The dialogue is good and flows well among all the characters. I was cheering on my favourite literary couple throughout the book with their every advancement toward a happy ending.
I did hope for a slightly different outcome for the heir to Pemberley, but as Mick Jagger famously sang, “you can’t always get what you want”.
Some mature themes are discussed briefly at times, but there’s nothing graphic and the content is clean.
Recommend.
In this variation, a very young and lonely Elizabeth is sent to school in Derbyshire where she and a young 23-year old gentleman Darcy, eventually meet and elope to Scotland.
This Darcy is always reminded of his shortcomings as deemed by his father, who favours George Wickham. He wants his father to teach him how to manage Pemberley but his father has other priorities. Mr. Darcy senior is atypical of the usual loving father depicted in most P&P variations. While he is a good master and a man in control of his wealth, he “cared more for how he was perceived by society than the essence of his worth.” His marriage to Lady Anne was the result of his wanting the “prestige of marrying an earl’s daughter”. He also wanted his son, Fitzwilliam, to fulfill his duty and responsibility to his family by marrying his cousin, Anne de Bourgh—“two great estates would be joined with their marriage.” Will it be Darcy’s resentment and spite for his father and Elizabeth’s loneliness that leads them to an elopement?
When Darcy and 15-year old Elizabeth return after a month-long honeymoon in Scotland, Darcy senior is not pleased. Offering money, he conspires with Wickham and others to make Darcy believe he has been chuckholed. He also determines to have the marriage annulled with the aid of his brother who is a judge. Elizabeth is banished, but not before her Uncle Gardiner is given five thousand pounds to never return.
Five years later, and with Darcy’s sudden appearance at Netherfield, Elizabeth still does not understand why Darcy never fought for her. She thought their love was true. A secret consequence of their marriage has forced her and her parents to be deceitful to many in order to hide it. As they both attempt to discover the reasons for each other’s past decisions, and in Darcy’s case, reawaken repressed memories, the deceit of others will also be made known.
While I couldn’t quite accept all of Darcy’s decisions—he did elope with a barely 15-year old girl after alI—I still couldn’t hate him. The damage his father did to his psyche growing up greatly influenced him. Yet, despite some pride, he was a very likeable, gentle and kind man worthy of redemption and forgiveness and he is determined to make Elizabeth believe it.
Elizabeth also had to overcome her own challenges and fears by protecting her reputation and learning how to trust and welcome the possibility of marriage again. It is an Elizabeth version of P&P’s infamous letter that truly begins the path to reconciliation. I especially enjoyed that variant. I appreciated the love and support of her parents. I liked the portrayals of the supporting characters too. The Bennet sisters, while ignorant of Elizabeth’s secret circumstances, were given good personalities and roles and weren’t so silly. Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam were also very supportive to Darcy. Little Edward and Alice were delightfully precocious and intelligent.
The romantic in me was grieved by the loss of years that our dear couple could have spent together, but instead were both decidedly robbed, especially of a precious gift, due to the selfish desires of a prideful man focused on duty and appearances.
A bit of a tragic and sensitive tale, I found it well-written and heartfelt. The dialogue is good and flows well among all the characters. I was cheering on my favourite literary couple throughout the book with their every advancement toward a happy ending.
I did hope for a slightly different outcome for the heir to Pemberley, but as Mick Jagger famously sang, “you can’t always get what you want”.
Some mature themes are discussed briefly at times, but there’s nothing graphic and the content is clean.
Recommend.
May 24, 2022
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars.
The story description gives an outline of the premise in this story very well. What it doesn't say is that the elopement lasted a month before 23-year-old Fitzwilliam Darcy and 15-year-old Elizabeth Bennet return from Scotland where they were married in a church, not "over-the-anvil". This latter fact turns out to be very important later.
Fitzwilliam's father is still alive at this point, and he is very different from the man in canon. For one thing "marrying for love" is of no importance to him. He is all about "duty" and he uses his wealth to help him force that duty upon his son, bribing and/or paying off various actors or "witnesses" to discredit and disgrace Elizabeth. I won't say what all is done as that would be to spoil the story for others. Just know that the father did well in covering most of the bases and hiding what he did not cover.
Five years later we find Elizabeth described as the caregiver between the Gardiner and the Bennet families. Her Aunt Fanny Gardiner has had a baby and died. A brother is born into the Bennet family. Elizabeth is "there" for the latter birth and much of her life centers around caring for and teaching her cousin and her brother (who are best friends). Charlotte Lucas then marries widower, Mr. Gardiner.
Then Bingley, his sisters, Fitzwilliam Darcy and later, the Colonel come to town. Young Edward Bennet meets Darcy and we read of how Darcy becomes his model, having seen him riding like the wind across a field. That relationship soon complicates the larger relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy.
Elizabeth throws up in Darcy's face that she has kept all the vows she made on their wedding day. As Darcy now looks back to what happened five years ago, he has a problem remembering all the details. So much of the story has him piecing together fragments and moments from that time. A simple "forgive me" is not good enough. Elizabeth wants to know how and why she was sent away in disgrace when their time in Scotland had been filled with passion and tender moments.
Wickham, Mrs. Younge, Lady Catherine, Anne...all play a part at one time, past or present. I enjoyed the addition of a dog, named Compromise, in this variation.
This story does have angst but I do love that in my JAFF stories. (Some editing would be helpful.) I highly recommend this story.
The story description gives an outline of the premise in this story very well. What it doesn't say is that the elopement lasted a month before 23-year-old Fitzwilliam Darcy and 15-year-old Elizabeth Bennet return from Scotland where they were married in a church, not "over-the-anvil". This latter fact turns out to be very important later.
Fitzwilliam's father is still alive at this point, and he is very different from the man in canon. For one thing "marrying for love" is of no importance to him. He is all about "duty" and he uses his wealth to help him force that duty upon his son, bribing and/or paying off various actors or "witnesses" to discredit and disgrace Elizabeth. I won't say what all is done as that would be to spoil the story for others. Just know that the father did well in covering most of the bases and hiding what he did not cover.
Five years later we find Elizabeth described as the caregiver between the Gardiner and the Bennet families. Her Aunt Fanny Gardiner has had a baby and died. A brother is born into the Bennet family. Elizabeth is "there" for the latter birth and much of her life centers around caring for and teaching her cousin and her brother (who are best friends). Charlotte Lucas then marries widower, Mr. Gardiner.
Then Bingley, his sisters, Fitzwilliam Darcy and later, the Colonel come to town. Young Edward Bennet meets Darcy and we read of how Darcy becomes his model, having seen him riding like the wind across a field. That relationship soon complicates the larger relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy.
Elizabeth throws up in Darcy's face that she has kept all the vows she made on their wedding day. As Darcy now looks back to what happened five years ago, he has a problem remembering all the details. So much of the story has him piecing together fragments and moments from that time. A simple "forgive me" is not good enough. Elizabeth wants to know how and why she was sent away in disgrace when their time in Scotland had been filled with passion and tender moments.
Wickham, Mrs. Younge, Lady Catherine, Anne...all play a part at one time, past or present. I enjoyed the addition of a dog, named Compromise, in this variation.
This story does have angst but I do love that in my JAFF stories. (Some editing would be helpful.) I highly recommend this story.
May 19, 2022
4.5 rounded up to 5 stars
May 5, 2022
Things you know aren’t what you think.
Great story. Many alternate explanations for events in Pride and Prejudice. Very original plot. It drew me in and I read for a long time, not wanting to leave the story. The thrust of the story is how often the things we know are wrong because we don’t know enough to make a sound judgement.
Darcy’s father and his uncle, a judge try to cover up something Darcy has done and bribe people to lie to young Darcy and even alcohol and drugs are used to dim and possibly delete his memory. They want Darcy to marry Anne for Rosings. Darcy’s generation doesn’t hold the old ways of staying rich as so important because it’s obvious there are more and more ways of gathering money to oneself. English society is changing and Darcy and Lizzy are caught up in the swirling waters of change.
Really good book. One I’ll reread for sure. Big thumbs up from me.
Great story. Many alternate explanations for events in Pride and Prejudice. Very original plot. It drew me in and I read for a long time, not wanting to leave the story. The thrust of the story is how often the things we know are wrong because we don’t know enough to make a sound judgement.
Darcy’s father and his uncle, a judge try to cover up something Darcy has done and bribe people to lie to young Darcy and even alcohol and drugs are used to dim and possibly delete his memory. They want Darcy to marry Anne for Rosings. Darcy’s generation doesn’t hold the old ways of staying rich as so important because it’s obvious there are more and more ways of gathering money to oneself. English society is changing and Darcy and Lizzy are caught up in the swirling waters of change.
Really good book. One I’ll reread for sure. Big thumbs up from me.
May 4, 2022
3.25 stars
KU read
“For someone who was fifteen, she was from what I am able to piece together an amazing lover.” —Just no. I realize people got married at that age back then, but to a modern reader it smacks of child molestation. Would it have damaged the plot to have Elizabeth be at least 17?
I couldn’t get into the storyline I don’t know what was missing. Perhaps if we’d been able to get into the mind of Darcy, Sr, or if he had left a journal. Anything. Instead, we never truly know his intentions.
Darcy makes very little sense. He was no teenager; he was 23, and he left his child bride to hang in the wind and never looked back. Furthermore, how do Elizabeth and her entire family forgive that? In fact, no one in her family reams him out when he reappears in Elizabeth’s life. He gets a pass; he certainly never earned it.
Even more perplexing, why does he have amnesia about their month together? He didn’t take laudanum until after the debacle, so I don’t understand how he repressed all the memories.
Sadly, Lizzy was not dynamic, which she needs to be in a tale as convoluted as this.
There are logical flaws, as well. Lizzy sends a letter that would incriminate them both if it fell in the wrong hands. Later, Darcy learns of an imminent elopement, yet waits two days before traveling to prevent it. The book needs another proofreading, especially to fix incorrect comma usage.
Finally, what on Earth is this?
“I doubt I knew then what ardently meant. Even now, it is unclear despite reading many novels. My memory tells me you spread passion around like manure the entire month we were farming.”
I have enjoyed other works by this author, but this one didn’t work for me.
KU read
“For someone who was fifteen, she was from what I am able to piece together an amazing lover.” —Just no. I realize people got married at that age back then, but to a modern reader it smacks of child molestation. Would it have damaged the plot to have Elizabeth be at least 17?
I couldn’t get into the storyline I don’t know what was missing. Perhaps if we’d been able to get into the mind of Darcy, Sr, or if he had left a journal. Anything. Instead, we never truly know his intentions.
Darcy makes very little sense. He was no teenager; he was 23, and he left his child bride to hang in the wind and never looked back. Furthermore, how do Elizabeth and her entire family forgive that? In fact, no one in her family reams him out when he reappears in Elizabeth’s life. He gets a pass; he certainly never earned it.
Even more perplexing, why does he have amnesia about their month together? He didn’t take laudanum until after the debacle, so I don’t understand how he repressed all the memories.
Sadly, Lizzy was not dynamic, which she needs to be in a tale as convoluted as this.
There are logical flaws, as well. Lizzy sends a letter that would incriminate them both if it fell in the wrong hands. Later, Darcy learns of an imminent elopement, yet waits two days before traveling to prevent it. The book needs another proofreading, especially to fix incorrect comma usage.
Finally, what on Earth is this?
“I doubt I knew then what ardently meant. Even now, it is unclear despite reading many novels. My memory tells me you spread passion around like manure the entire month we were farming.”
I have enjoyed other works by this author, but this one didn’t work for me.
June 11, 2022
This is a very unique P&P what if that changes the date and location of Lizzy and Darcy's first meeting from Meryton to Derbyshire and their ages. It also make Darcy a bit of a creep as he seduces a 16 year old Lizzy Bennet and convinces her to elope to Scotland.
When they are discovered Mr Darcy Sr has Lizzy dishonored and banished from Debryshire and the Darcys
Fast forward five years Lizzy is back living with her family, Her mother has given birth to a heir and Aunt Gardiner has passed away Mr Gardiner is about to marry Charlotte Lucas. As the Bingleys and Mr Darcy arrive in Meryton.
Lizzy is terrified that she is somehow in violation of an agreement she made with the Darcys to stay away from Fitzwilliam
There's a lot of twists and turns and drama
When they are discovered Mr Darcy Sr has Lizzy dishonored and banished from Debryshire and the Darcys
Fast forward five years Lizzy is back living with her family, Her mother has given birth to a heir and Aunt Gardiner has passed away Mr Gardiner is about to marry Charlotte Lucas. As the Bingleys and Mr Darcy arrive in Meryton.
Lizzy is terrified that she is somehow in violation of an agreement she made with the Darcys to stay away from Fitzwilliam
There's a lot of twists and turns and drama
May 7, 2022
Superb, but with a very tough beginning for ODC. They had an early love while very young. It was shattered through abandonment and deceit, leaving pain, guilt, coldness, and grief. The rest of the book is their attempts to decipher the truth and build a loving partnership. A wonderful read, as long as you don't mind the grim opening scenario, and the fact that they leave just a little deceit in place.
July 29, 2022
Tons of expository dialogue. LOL I still don't know if Darcy had amnesia or if he was simply idiotic. How can someone forget so much about recent past?
May 16, 2022
Search for Self-analysis
An intricate story where Elizabeth deals with immature choices and the consequences while Darcy confronts his duty ... until he discovers he has been deceived by those he believes he should trust most. Much of this story is self-analysis for the characters though their interactions are charming and challenging. I enjoyed the trope and this author's examination and solutions but I did spend a great deal of the time waiting for the flood gates to open. There was quite a bit of movement, but the character's emotions remained mostly contained. Well written, though the travel time seemed frequently implausible ( personal pet peeve ).
An intricate story where Elizabeth deals with immature choices and the consequences while Darcy confronts his duty ... until he discovers he has been deceived by those he believes he should trust most. Much of this story is self-analysis for the characters though their interactions are charming and challenging. I enjoyed the trope and this author's examination and solutions but I did spend a great deal of the time waiting for the flood gates to open. There was quite a bit of movement, but the character's emotions remained mostly contained. Well written, though the travel time seemed frequently implausible ( personal pet peeve ).
May 4, 2022
Fantastic!!!
5 Stars for a wonderful story about redemption and overcoming heartbreak and cruelty. The world recreated is rich and deeply populated without a single character being a Caricature. I especially loved the new and wonderfully believable way that the original P&P's more wildly outlandish characters are depicted. Yes, I highly recommend this book to everyone who likes a good book.
5 Stars for a wonderful story about redemption and overcoming heartbreak and cruelty. The world recreated is rich and deeply populated without a single character being a Caricature. I especially loved the new and wonderfully believable way that the original P&P's more wildly outlandish characters are depicted. Yes, I highly recommend this book to everyone who likes a good book.
May 8, 2022
I was wowed by this tale
Beth Massey has written another wonderful story. This story has heartbreak, conspiracy, and forgiveness. Youthful love and mistakes lead to a separation with consequences no one considered when they manipulated the young couple. Years later they both take journeys to look inside themselves to figure out what really happened and if they really loved one another.
I did like this story but I did not like Mr Bennet in this story and Darcy’s fathers actions left me wondering why.
Beth Massey has written another wonderful story. This story has heartbreak, conspiracy, and forgiveness. Youthful love and mistakes lead to a separation with consequences no one considered when they manipulated the young couple. Years later they both take journeys to look inside themselves to figure out what really happened and if they really loved one another.
I did like this story but I did not like Mr Bennet in this story and Darcy’s fathers actions left me wondering why.
October 18, 2022
A good plot
I enjoyed this variation completely out of canon that still preserves the characters' traits and personalities. Different and entertaining dialogues and scenes.
I enjoyed this variation completely out of canon that still preserves the characters' traits and personalities. Different and entertaining dialogues and scenes.
May 6, 2022
💍 Duty and Deceit 📜
A Pride and Prejudice Variation
✒️ Beth Massey
https://www.facebook.com/BethMasseywr...
Release Date 05/02/2022
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZF7YW67/...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
Some days she felt anger, most often she felt shame and guilt, and then there were those moments when the joy she remembered refused to be ignored, but this morning she felt fear. Mr Darcy was here in Hertfordshire!"
An imprudent elopement by Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, followed by his father’s harsh demands leaves the young couple, particularly the fifteen-year-old bride, to survive the dire consequences of their action by any means necessary. Five years later, their folly once again becomes something Lizzy fears will endanger her family’s reputation and security. Since being banished, she has been forced to practice deceit to protect her loved ones, while her erstwhile groom has thought of little but his duty to Pemberley, his dying father and his sister. When she sees him riding like the wind across a meadow at Netherfield, her recognition is immediate. Her first thought is why he has chosen to break their agreement? Has he come to expose her? Her determination to protect her dearest relations from his vile accusations becomes her mission. Still, the memories of their month in Scotland confuse her actions with unnecessary questions. Number one, why had the man she had believed to be the ideal gentleman, who vowed his love before God, rejected her?
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Can their heal what has been so damaged …
I had scheduled this book for today but it seems it might have been released a bit earlier this week or I wrongly marked it.
Still as I was intrigued by the blurb, it is to be as planned my today’s read.
I loved the premise, which was why I decided to read it. What if Darcy and Elizabeth had already been in love.
I do not want to cheat readers from enjoying the intricate plot and the redeeming of Darcy.
So let say, I figured out much of what occurred after their breakup. So I was very intrigued to see how the author would reconcile what could not be altered and how they will be able to mend their damage love when trust has been broken.
Elizabeth is no more her feisty bold self, her elopement with Darcy left her heartbroken and unsure of her knowledge of others. She thought to have known Darcy, that he loved her, yet he abandoned her. So how can she put her faith in others when she so miserably failed to see the truth of Darcy years ago.
Darcy had little to none recollection of their time together, but more and more snippets of their shared month come back to him. And now he is face to her, he wonders what went wrong, if he misunderstood or what changed to tear them apart.
While it is Darcy’s journey to atone for his wrong, it is also an exploration of how they came to this impasse. Both revisit their past and delve in what was, what could have been and what could be, all the while having to compose with their present circumstances and what can not be changed.
I loved these revisited Bennet siblings, they were much more developed and interesting, each with a different persona without the silly part of the original text. Plus Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam expended involvement in the story increased my reading enjoyment.
And as there is no real living villain, outside Wickham of course, they must contend with their failing and sort out what they want now they have only themselves to satisfy. Living with their past pain and turning bitter, lonely or face it and make one’s choice knowing all the ins and outs.
I just would have liked to see a bit more explored Darcy’s loss of memory, and while I decided to put it on the trauma he experienced upon his return home, thus plus the combination of drugs. As who knows what the mind is able to trick someone from its pain and misery. It should not have been left as a mystery for them both.
Still I loved this tale with well known characters and similar events but all altered for one moment of youthful foolishness.
4.5 stars
Just to note, it would have been impossible at that time for Darcy to come back from Scotland to London in less than two days, more like a week would have been needing, even more depending of the weather.
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 kissed, talk of intercourses.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CdOkg2Qj...
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
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A Pride and Prejudice Variation
✒️ Beth Massey
https://www.facebook.com/BethMasseywr...
Release Date 05/02/2022
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZF7YW67/...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
Some days she felt anger, most often she felt shame and guilt, and then there were those moments when the joy she remembered refused to be ignored, but this morning she felt fear. Mr Darcy was here in Hertfordshire!"
An imprudent elopement by Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy, followed by his father’s harsh demands leaves the young couple, particularly the fifteen-year-old bride, to survive the dire consequences of their action by any means necessary. Five years later, their folly once again becomes something Lizzy fears will endanger her family’s reputation and security. Since being banished, she has been forced to practice deceit to protect her loved ones, while her erstwhile groom has thought of little but his duty to Pemberley, his dying father and his sister. When she sees him riding like the wind across a meadow at Netherfield, her recognition is immediate. Her first thought is why he has chosen to break their agreement? Has he come to expose her? Her determination to protect her dearest relations from his vile accusations becomes her mission. Still, the memories of their month in Scotland confuse her actions with unnecessary questions. Number one, why had the man she had believed to be the ideal gentleman, who vowed his love before God, rejected her?
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Can their heal what has been so damaged …
I had scheduled this book for today but it seems it might have been released a bit earlier this week or I wrongly marked it.
Still as I was intrigued by the blurb, it is to be as planned my today’s read.
I loved the premise, which was why I decided to read it. What if Darcy and Elizabeth had already been in love.
I do not want to cheat readers from enjoying the intricate plot and the redeeming of Darcy.
So let say, I figured out much of what occurred after their breakup. So I was very intrigued to see how the author would reconcile what could not be altered and how they will be able to mend their damage love when trust has been broken.
Elizabeth is no more her feisty bold self, her elopement with Darcy left her heartbroken and unsure of her knowledge of others. She thought to have known Darcy, that he loved her, yet he abandoned her. So how can she put her faith in others when she so miserably failed to see the truth of Darcy years ago.
Darcy had little to none recollection of their time together, but more and more snippets of their shared month come back to him. And now he is face to her, he wonders what went wrong, if he misunderstood or what changed to tear them apart.
While it is Darcy’s journey to atone for his wrong, it is also an exploration of how they came to this impasse. Both revisit their past and delve in what was, what could have been and what could be, all the while having to compose with their present circumstances and what can not be changed.
I loved these revisited Bennet siblings, they were much more developed and interesting, each with a different persona without the silly part of the original text. Plus Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam expended involvement in the story increased my reading enjoyment.
And as there is no real living villain, outside Wickham of course, they must contend with their failing and sort out what they want now they have only themselves to satisfy. Living with their past pain and turning bitter, lonely or face it and make one’s choice knowing all the ins and outs.
I just would have liked to see a bit more explored Darcy’s loss of memory, and while I decided to put it on the trauma he experienced upon his return home, thus plus the combination of drugs. As who knows what the mind is able to trick someone from its pain and misery. It should not have been left as a mystery for them both.
Still I loved this tale with well known characters and similar events but all altered for one moment of youthful foolishness.
4.5 stars
Just to note, it would have been impossible at that time for Darcy to come back from Scotland to London in less than two days, more like a week would have been needing, even more depending of the weather.
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 kissed, talk of intercourses.
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August 30, 2025
I have few good things to say about this story tbh. The Bennet sisters seem to have a closer relationship. The prose is mostly decent, at least compared to the very low standard set by self-published JAFF.
I would've been absolutely furious if I'd paid money for this tbh.
There are a few very unnecessary story choices. Aunt Gardiner is dead and Charlotte Lucas has just married Mr. Gardiner at the start of the story. This adds nothing, except for the opportunity for Elizabeth to think that Aunt Gardiner taking a week-ish long trip (to deal with the mess young Elizabeth found herself in) when she was four months pregnant killed her. This is supposed to mirror Mr. Darcy's death that Darcy blames himself for, supposedly caused by that same mess.
It's not great, but far from the worst choice the author made when developing the plot for this story.
Some of the "romance" in this story: Darcy and Elizabeth meet when she is FOURTEEN and he is 21 or 22 (as he us seven or eight years older than her). They "fall in love" because she's lonely and homesick and Darcy wants to stick it to his dad. Darcy, A GROWN MAN, convinces Elizabeth, A CHILD, to elope.
Darcy refers to barely fifteen-year-old Elizabeth as "an amazing lover" who was eager to do things other men's (adult) wives don't want to do.
This is portrayed as a romance. Darcy abandoned her for half a decade and she's still "in love" with him and is happy to "reconcile."
There is absolutely no reason for any of this. The author could just as easily have set the whole plot for a few years later. This Darcy seduced a fourteen-year-old child and convinced her to marry him (his idea!), had his fun with her in bed, and then believed the first rumor he heard about her sleeping with someone else. His feelings were oh so hurt by the whole ordeal, you see.
There is no redemption for this Darcy. The whole premise is vile, Elizabeth is now twenty years old and somehow not disgusted by the man who exploited her when she was a child desperate for connection and love, and somehow we're supposed to believe that they'll live happily ever after. The writing would have to be several orders of magnitude better than it is for that to be at all possible.
I would've been absolutely furious if I'd paid money for this tbh.
There are a few very unnecessary story choices. Aunt Gardiner is dead and Charlotte Lucas has just married Mr. Gardiner at the start of the story. This adds nothing, except for the opportunity for Elizabeth to think that Aunt Gardiner taking a week-ish long trip (to deal with the mess young Elizabeth found herself in) when she was four months pregnant killed her. This is supposed to mirror Mr. Darcy's death that Darcy blames himself for, supposedly caused by that same mess.
It's not great, but far from the worst choice the author made when developing the plot for this story.
Some of the "romance" in this story: Darcy and Elizabeth meet when she is FOURTEEN and he is 21 or 22 (as he us seven or eight years older than her). They "fall in love" because she's lonely and homesick and Darcy wants to stick it to his dad. Darcy, A GROWN MAN, convinces Elizabeth, A CHILD, to elope.
Darcy refers to barely fifteen-year-old Elizabeth as "an amazing lover" who was eager to do things other men's (adult) wives don't want to do.
This is portrayed as a romance. Darcy abandoned her for half a decade and she's still "in love" with him and is happy to "reconcile."
There is absolutely no reason for any of this. The author could just as easily have set the whole plot for a few years later. This Darcy seduced a fourteen-year-old child and convinced her to marry him (his idea!), had his fun with her in bed, and then believed the first rumor he heard about her sleeping with someone else. His feelings were oh so hurt by the whole ordeal, you see.
There is no redemption for this Darcy. The whole premise is vile, Elizabeth is now twenty years old and somehow not disgusted by the man who exploited her when she was a child desperate for connection and love, and somehow we're supposed to believe that they'll live happily ever after. The writing would have to be several orders of magnitude better than it is for that to be at all possible.
May 22, 2022
Heart wrenching and Heartwarming
Well fleshed out main characters and well paced plotline.
A 15 year old elopes. One family draws together to thrive; the other crumbles. What is it that engenders and allows resiliency to prevail for one of those families? What does it take to move forward despite pain and desolation? Can one come back and repair relationships after devastating missteps and outright bad decisions.
One star deducted because peripheral characters are brought in for occasional dialogue or action, but not fleshed out. Think a different balance could gave been stuck between developing peripheral characters on one side and maintaining plot pace focus on other
Well fleshed out main characters and well paced plotline.
A 15 year old elopes. One family draws together to thrive; the other crumbles. What is it that engenders and allows resiliency to prevail for one of those families? What does it take to move forward despite pain and desolation? Can one come back and repair relationships after devastating missteps and outright bad decisions.
One star deducted because peripheral characters are brought in for occasional dialogue or action, but not fleshed out. Think a different balance could gave been stuck between developing peripheral characters on one side and maintaining plot pace focus on other
May 26, 2022
Very good story
Elizabeth eloped with Darcy when she was quite young and attending school in Lambton. His father separated them, created a potential scandal, and told Darcy he arranged an annulment. 5 years later Darcy meets Elizabeth at Netherfield along with her brother who resembles him as a child, then learns of his fathers lies. I read most of this story on a fan fiction site but much was changed. It's an interesting story and well done. I had wondered why and how Darcy's memory of Elizabeth was so faulty until I read that he had been kept drugged for a while. I recommend this story mainly because its different from so many of the regurgitated stories that seem to just alter Miss Austen's work instead of creating a different story for our beloved characters.
Elizabeth eloped with Darcy when she was quite young and attending school in Lambton. His father separated them, created a potential scandal, and told Darcy he arranged an annulment. 5 years later Darcy meets Elizabeth at Netherfield along with her brother who resembles him as a child, then learns of his fathers lies. I read most of this story on a fan fiction site but much was changed. It's an interesting story and well done. I had wondered why and how Darcy's memory of Elizabeth was so faulty until I read that he had been kept drugged for a while. I recommend this story mainly because its different from so many of the regurgitated stories that seem to just alter Miss Austen's work instead of creating a different story for our beloved characters.
May 23, 2022
outstanding
Ms. Massey never disappoints either in the stories she creates or the level of excellence in the telling. In this variation Elizabeth and Darcy met at ages 15 and 23, respectively, fell in love and eloped. After a month in Scotland, the couple returned only to be viscously separated by Darcy’s irate and unforgiving father. The story begins five years later when the couple meet again and grapple with the consequences of their earlier choices and actions. I could not put the book down . Such a pleasure to read
Ms. Massey never disappoints either in the stories she creates or the level of excellence in the telling. In this variation Elizabeth and Darcy met at ages 15 and 23, respectively, fell in love and eloped. After a month in Scotland, the couple returned only to be viscously separated by Darcy’s irate and unforgiving father. The story begins five years later when the couple meet again and grapple with the consequences of their earlier choices and actions. I could not put the book down . Such a pleasure to read
March 29, 2023
Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy have a past together, but given their age and family situations, they were torn apart. A chance meeting puts them in the same space and forces them to deal with the past. They each have to investigate and come to terms with what happened, why it happened and the consequences. They do the work and learn to trust and communicate on their way to their happily ever after.
May 29, 2024
A Good Read
I enjoyed this story very much, except for the reason why Darcy couldn't remember... It was confusing. Suppressed memories? Deceitful father... Isolation?
I enjoyed the epilogue, except I wanted to know about ODC's second son... Did he look like his father or mother or brother? Was he named Bennet?
All in all... I would read this story again.
I enjoyed this story very much, except for the reason why Darcy couldn't remember... It was confusing. Suppressed memories? Deceitful father... Isolation?
I enjoyed the epilogue, except I wanted to know about ODC's second son... Did he look like his father or mother or brother? Was he named Bennet?
All in all... I would read this story again.
June 19, 2024
Awkward beginning..but at end enjoyed,
Very unique, somewhat crazy but interesting variation…hard to sort things out in beginning, but got into it except still can’t get over about the son and how that all worked out. Felt this one ended very quickly and missed opportunity to explore a little bit more to close everything out better.
Very unique, somewhat crazy but interesting variation…hard to sort things out in beginning, but got into it except still can’t get over about the son and how that all worked out. Felt this one ended very quickly and missed opportunity to explore a little bit more to close everything out better.
May 15, 2022
Heartbreak
Elizabeth's agony in seeing her husband after years of separation is palatable. His arrogance is beyond belief. As they struggle to understand the deceit of his father and their nemesis, Mr. Wickham, they are forced to consider their own pride and prejudices.
Elizabeth's agony in seeing her husband after years of separation is palatable. His arrogance is beyond belief. As they struggle to understand the deceit of his father and their nemesis, Mr. Wickham, they are forced to consider their own pride and prejudices.
Read
November 7, 2022Weird out of character variation. High angst. Lizzy and Darcy met at 15 and elope. He then leaves her due to his evil father. They meet again when Bingley takes Netherfield. Unsure if Darcy has amnesia or is just hella forgetful.
May 7, 2022
Good story
I really enjoyed this story. It is a different storyline than of those I have read before. The author did a wonderful job.
I really enjoyed this story. It is a different storyline than of those I have read before. The author did a wonderful job.
May 27, 2022
Well done!
This is a little different type story. Made it much more interesting than the usual variations. It is an easy read.
This is a little different type story. Made it much more interesting than the usual variations. It is an easy read.
Read
December 31, 2023DNF. Not a fan of the writing style and of how the story is told.
Update: I tried again but it sounds too American to me.
Update: I tried again but it sounds too American to me.
May 9, 2022
Loved it well written a definate great story with heartach and love and sadness and loss
September 23, 2024
This is a very original plot and really enjoyable.
Mrs Massey is a very good at her craft. I do enjoy her work.
Mrs Massey is a very good at her craft. I do enjoy her work.
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