Reputation, An Easy Thing to Lose by E.M. Storm-Smith ★★★★☆
Elizabeth Bennet. Unfortunately, due to pride and misunderstandings, Elizabeth rejects his proposal in a most vehement manner.
She comes to realise that he is the best of men and she loves him. When they meet again at his estate, Pemberley, their future felicity seems in reach.
Devastating news rips them apart.
Youngest sister Lydia Bennet has eloped with George Wickham.
Mr Bennet searches for them in the slums of London.
When he finds them, Wickham refuses to marry Lydia without a large dowry. Money that Bennet does not have. Mr Bennet challenges Wickham to a duel.
Wickham is killed, but he shot Mr Bennet who later dies of infection.
The Bennet family are evicted from their entailed estate and face possible ruin. This becomes almost certain when Lydia is found to be with child.
Elizabeth moves to London to live with her aunt and uncle. Darcy comes to her and proposes again.
Elizabeth is heartbroken to have to refuse again. She won’t expose Darcy’s sister, Georgiana to the scandal.
Elizabeth and Darcy develop a plan. Marry in secret and not reveal it until Georgiana is married. Elizabeth is to pose as chaperone and companion to Georgiana.
As one can imagine this leads to some tricky situations. Darcy gets furious when members of society treat Elizabeth as a servant.
The couples ease and closeness lead to accusations that she is his mistress.
Both suffer the matchmaking efforts of well meaning relatives.
Things seem to be coming right, with all of the sisters having suitors.
The last obstacle is a house party at Pemberley.
However, this is fraught with ladies of the ton jockeying for position as Mrs Darcy. How far will they go, to achieve this goal?
The denouement is very satisfying.
Really enjoyable story.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own.
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