An Unwavering Trust in Austen Variations

Jun 02, 2015 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing

At 452 pages for the paperback you know this is a nice long read. This author gives us a tale with some mystery and intrigue aspects besides the whole forced marriage aspect. There is more than one attempt at blackmail throughout this story: from an attempt to force marriage to an attempt to steal a dowry to an attempt to force silence from a peer who deals in human trafficking/sex trade. There are false clues planted to lead some miscreants astray and there is the whole tragedy of the carriage At 452 pages for the paperback you know this is a nice long read. This author gives us a tale with some mystery and intrigue aspects besides the whole forced marriage aspect. There is more than one attempt at blackmail throughout this story: from an attempt to force marriage to an attempt to steal a dowry to an attempt to force silence from a peer who deals in human trafficking/sex trade. There are false clues planted to lead some miscreants astray and there is the whole tragedy of the carriage accident causing the death of all the Bennets except Elizabeth.

The accident occurred 7 months prior to the onset of this story. Elizabeth has suffered major injuries and is comatose during parts of her recovery in the Lucas household. Longbourn has passed to Mr. Collins, Sr. The only relatives left are her Aunt and Uncle Philips (the latter, again, a solicitor in Meryton) and her Uncle Gardiner. Mr. Gardiner is not the gentle, wise and financially secure uncle we read of in canon. In fact, he has lost his fiancée and has tempted fate in his dealings in smuggling and in his financial relationships. The crux of Elizabeth’s and Darcy’s meeting and their relationship rests on one of the aforementioned attempts at blackmail: Darcy at the hands of his father, George Darcy, who lives at Pemberley with 13 year-old Georgiana and Elizabeth through her Uncle Gardiner’s pressures on her co-guardian, Uncle Philips.

I found the initial discussions, the questioning and answers, the background given, between Elizabeth and Darcy (and her uncle) gratifying. They truly sought to learn as much about each other in the short amount of time given in an emergency setting. Darcy and Uncle Philips seemed to pay careful attention to the paperwork and arrangements. Even in the ride to Ashcroft, the residence of the Dowager Duchess, Darcy pays attention to and communicates with Elizabeth. Is he acting in a state of shock, of numbness?…as later we again witness our silent moody Darcy staring at Elizabeth.

Other reviews have stated dissatisfaction with several things in this tale: one is the way in which the villains are dealt with or not until the very end and another is the fact of Darcy’s residency in his estate, Sagemore, in northern Oxfordshire. Yes, it was difficult to accept that Darcy did not live at Pemberley but this vagary seemed to work well in how this story was explained. I did, however, keep expecting to read more of the villains: I expected a kidnapping attempt at the least. But I was satisfied in how things played out.

Several characters have major roles here, one with whom we are somewhat acquainted, Georgiana, continues under her father’s guardianship but has a close and loving role with her brother. That relationship is used against Darcy. But Georgiana is not without her resources or her ideas. She extracts a promise from her brother to counteract her father’s demands. (“You want me to find someone and wed within a fortnight?”) Then there is Grandmamma, the Dowager Duchess of Matlock, Rebecca Fitzwilliam, step-mother to Lady Catherine. I loved the part she played in so many scenarios; from scolding Darcy for his demeanor to her part in letters sent on the sly to her relationship with Elizabeth, etc. Grandmamma is a force with which to be reckoned. Darcy’s family plays one against the other: from Uncle Henry and Aunt Elinor in cahoots with Grandmamma to his father to Lady Catherine and her daughter, Anne. Richard is present for only part of the story but there is a sister who has a role in this story. Bingley and his sisters, too, factor in.

There are many day-to-day details which some have stated to be boring. Elizabeth is still in mourning for her family so her wardrobe choices are of importance as she wants to honor their memory but also wants to be accepted into fashionable ton…wanting to fit when the whole engagement is so sudden and bordering on scandalous. Then there are complaints about decorating details. I would usually agree with those complaints. Yes, the comparison between Pemberley and Rosings has been brought to our attention before as Elizabeth viewed both. But in this tale details about the use of more light and pleasing fabrics, wall hangings and furniture reflect a choice to honor a dear soul who has not had the most pleasant of lives and who has had any decision derided by her own mother.

One thing of note to some: there are sex scenes in this book. And, personally, I appreciated the way in which this experience between two chaste individuals was gradually brought to its richest. I am not going to go into details but I believe the author was much more realistic in this area than many authors who have everyone with the best physical experience in their first time together. ...more

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Mar 07, 2017 wosedwew rated it really liked it

Shelves: book-reviews, 2024, owned-books, 2019, 2021, 2015

I gave 4 stars instead of 5 because I was disappointed at the abrupt resolution of the "bad guy" (not Wickham)

Darcy decides to let "well-enough" alone because of fears the villain will harm Elizabeth. I expected that villain to appear for his comeuppance through the rest of the book but he isn't mentioned again until the epilogue and that story is wrapped up in a couple of paragraphs.

As I neared the conclusion, I expected that villain would be dealt with in a possible Part 2 to this story -- and ...more

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Jun 05, 2015 Barb rated it really liked it

Shelves: austen-fan-fiction-read, books-i-own-audio, audio-book-listened, audible-jaff, books-i-own-e-book

I reread An Unwavering Trust this week and once again found it an enjoyable read. I continue to rate it as 4 stars simply because it is so far removed from the original P&P, though a very good read on its own.

How different is An Unwavering Trust from canon? First, Fitzwilliam Darcy is not the master of Pemberley, as his father is still alive. His father agrees with Lady Catherine that Darcy must marry his cousin Anne and obtain Rosings. Mr. Darcy senior coldly plans for Anne not to survive long I reread An Unwavering Trust this week and once again found it an enjoyable read. I continue to rate it as 4 stars simply because it is so far removed from the original P&P, though a very good read on its own.

How different is An Unwavering Trust from canon? First, Fitzwilliam Darcy is not the master of Pemberley, as his father is still alive. His father agrees with Lady Catherine that Darcy must marry his cousin Anne and obtain Rosings. Mr. Darcy senior coldly plans for Anne not to survive long in the marriage which will leave Fitzwilliam to marry whom he chooses afterward. He gives Darcy two weeks to propose to Anne or he will simply publish an engagement announcement in the papers. Darcy, and Georgiana, are not happy as they know this is not what Anne wishes. Georgiana encourages Darcy to quickly find someone else.

Secondly, Elizabeth Bennet is now the ward of her uncles Gardiner and Philips, and is living with her aunt and uncle Philips in Meryton. This is due to a very horrible accident which has killed all of the members of the Bennet family, except for Elizabeth. Mr. Collins senior, the one who had the falling out with Mr. Bennet, has inherited Longbourn, and kicked Elizabeth out with only her personal belongings. She has very little, but she does have the 5000 pounds from her mother.

The last, and most serious, difference from canon is the Uncle Gardiner character. Rather than marrying the wonderful woman we knew in the original, his betrothed died, leaving him a broken and bitter man. He is in serious debt, and wishes to sell Elizabeth and her dowry to his investor to be used in an infamous manner. Elizabeth's Uncle Philips is desperate for a way to protect her.

Darcy, on his way to London to find a wife other than Anne, overhears a conversation detailing the above despicable plan for Elizabeth. In short order, he and Elizabeth agree to an arranged marriage to get both of them out of their predicaments.

So, as you see, we have strayed very far from canon. We see the proud and disagreeable Mr. Darcy for only a very short time, as a new character, Darcy's grandmother Rebecca, the dowager of the deceased Earl of Matlock, brings him to his senses. Grandmama takes Elizabeth in hand and the two become fast friends as the wedding approaches and Elizabeth becomes Mrs. Darcy both at home and in the ton. Elizabeth is much more of a vulnerable character, obviously with the loss of her family, the new family she is thrown into, and the danger from her Uncle Gardiner. She finds herself in a situation where she has little say and no control, although she is still the bright, charming and impertinent Elizabeth.

The story is very well written and the characters very engaging, and we see some of the same angst as in other P&P variations with Wickham attempting to elope with Georgiana. But, we also have the characters of Darcy's Grandmama and Mr. Darcy senior, to add some new perspectives. Anne also plays a larger role.

A very enjoyable read. Recommended. ...more

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May 24, 2015 Erika rated it it was amazing

Shelves: jane-austen

A lovely original P&P variation!!

This story starts out with Mr Darcy (senior) still being alive and giving his son an ultimatum: marry Anne de Bourgh or never step foot on Pemberley's grounds and never see Georgiana again. He has 2 wks to propose to Anne or Mr Darcy (senior) will publish the betrothal in the newspaper. He is determined not to marry Anne (with Georgiana's blessing) and find himself a wife before the 2 wks are up.

He stops in Meryton and over hears a conversation between 2 men whic ...more

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May 24, 2015 Deborah rated it really liked it

Shelves: ja-read, 2015-austenesque-reading-challenge

I enjoyed this variation. The situation was plausible with a 'forced marriage' between Darcy and Elizabeth due to an ultimatum set by Darcy's father (still living) and a nefarious dealing of Lizzy's Uncle Gardiner (out of character from canon) that would seriously harm Elizabeth which was overheard by Darcy. There is a great deal of angst during the first half of the story with worries about Gardiner and his partner as well as worries about Darcy's father and his aunt Lady Catherine. I enjoyed t ...more

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Jul 25, 2019 Dawn rated it liked it

The first half of the book was excellent in my opinion. I love the original idea of how our couple are brought together when both find themselves in undesirable, dire circumstances. I love how they are drawn to each other and the unavoidable and realistic challenges and awkwardness that comes from being forced to put your trust in a complete stranger. It’s sweet how they start to overcome those challenges as they slowly get to know and understand and eventually love one another.
My complaint was ...more

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Aug 22, 2019 M rated it really liked it

Well written, original story. Lovely relationship between Lizzy and Darcy, but kept fairly in character (aside maybe from the original decision to marry). I liked the little references to original characters. A few Americanisms scattered here and there.

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