His Father's Last Gift: A Darcy and Elizabeth Variation by Leenie Brown. ★★★☆☆

This Pride and Prejudice variation begins when Jane Bennet becomes unwell on a visit to Netherfield Park. 

Her sister Elizabeth, is called to nurse her back to health. 

The residents of Netherfield have varying responses to this.

Mr Bingley is delighted as he adores Jane.

 

Mr Darcy is secretly happy, as he is falling in love with Elizabeth. 

Bingley’s sisters are horrified as they think Jane is not rich or connected enough for their brother. 

They hate Elizabeth as they view her as competition, for the wealthy Darcy.

In the original story, Jane is in love with Bingley but too shy to let him know. She also believes his sister’s are good friends, not the duplicitous harpies, they are.

Elizabeth hates Darcy, having overhead an unkind remark when they met.

This story sidesteps the misunderstandings. So Jane has a confident, tough side and calls the harpies on their lies, in public, then let’s Bingley know she loves him.

Elizabeth and Darcy talk to each other and rapidly resolve their differences.

There is then a well executed plan to protect the Bennet and Darcy sisters from the reprehensible George Wickham.

Good appearances from Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mary Bennet and Mr Collins.

This is a clean, sweet story that is quite enjoyable. 

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Amazon review