𝑀𝑦 𝐽𝐴𝐹𝐹 𝑂𝑏𝑠𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

As autumn arrives in Meryton, the Revel comes with it. A mix of carnival and fairground, it is welcomed by the tradesmen, farmers and servants.  It is deemed unseemly for daughters of the gentry, so of course, Lydia Bennet decides to sneak out to join the throng. Lydia is the youngest and silliest of the five Bennet sisters, with as little decorum as sense.   When elder sister Elizabeth hears her sneaking out after midnight, she feels duty bound to follow her and bring her back. Lydia is meeting the handsome, charming Mr Wickham. When Elizabeth finds Lydia and tries to take her home, Wickham is less than helpful. Elizabeth is mortified to be spotted by the haughty Mr Darcy, but he surprises her by his kind assistance in returning Elizabeth and Lydia, safely home. When Darcy spots Elizabeth, she is dancing alone and he has never seen anything more enchanting! The author perfectly captures the allure of the fair. The lights, music and atmosphere, produce a sensuous “other worldly” space.

After misunderstandings and tribulations, Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy are betrothed. Just when felicity is assured, Darcy is informed of madness running through the Darcy line. Elizabeth must be informed before marriage but Darcy is terrified that she will break off the engagement. Fortunately, Elizabeth is devoted to Darcy, so the wedding goes ahead. After the honeymoon, a letter arrives which casts a shadow on Georgiana Darcy’s character and even her sanity. This is an excellent romantic, suspense novel.   Little snippets of Georgiana’s odd behaviour fuel our suspicions. It feels like waves upon the shore. Suspicion rises, but then diminishes, only to rise again. Excellently written and gripping. I received a free copy of this book via Booksirens and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own. Amazon review Bookbub review Goodreads review

A wonderful novella. Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy have a unique way of missing out on the usual pride and prejudice misunderstandings. Brilliant ending too! Amazon review Goodreads review

Elizabeth Bennet overhears the haughty Fitzwilliam Darcy talking with his friend, Charles Bingley. Charles is in love with Jane Bennet, but Darcy disparages Jane, her family and lack of wealth or connections. Elizabeth is furious, but instead of taking Darcy to task, she plans to humiliate him. Her aim is for Darcy to fall in love with her, so that she can reject him. As Darcy and Elizabeth get to know each other, a bond develops. This is when I struggled with this novella. Elizabeth is attracted to Darcy and starts to fall in love. However, instead of abandoning her goal of revenge, she tells herself that she must stick to the plan. What rational creature would behave like that? Darcy's proposal is the typical Hunsford disaster, but Elizabeth is spiteful and nonsensical in her refusal. Darcy flees to London, while Elizabeth realises how much she loves him and regrets her behaviour. She goes to London, hoping to see Darcy. Eventually, in a serious breach of propriety, she writes to

Elizabeth Bennet rejects the proposal from Mr Collins, her father’s heir. Mr Bennet supports her decision. Mrs Bennet views the match as essential to keeping a roof over her family, after the death of Mr Bennet. Both Elizabeth and Mr Bennet think Mr Collins is a slimy, sanctimonious fool. Unfortunately, the following day Mr Bennet changes his mind, having discovered his heart is rapidly failing. Elizabeth is horrified at the prospect of marrying a man she could not respect and grief stricken at the imminent loss of her beloved Papa. She hopes someone will rescue her, but eventually resigns herself to her fate. Fitzwilliam Darcy is in love with Elizabeth but has a duty to his family. Only a well connected and/or rich wife will do. However, on hearing of Elizabeth’s betrothal, he decides he would rather be happy than dutiful. Arriving minutes before Elizabeth enters the church, Darcy makes a passionate proposal, to a rather stunned Elizabeth. While Elizabeth has never liked Mr Darcy, he

Elizabeth Bennet’s much anticipated trip to Kent, gets only as far as London, when one of the party becomes unwell.  Elizabeth joins her sister Jane, at the house of their Aunt and Uncle Gardner. They are thrown into the company of acquaintances, Mr Bingley, who Jane admires and Mr Darcy, who Elizabeth despises. They also meet Darcy’s sister Georgiana, who becomes a cherished friend. A bizarre treasure hunt for paste jewellery and the machinations of a blackguard, result in poor Georgiana being publicly accused of theft. Although the accusation is quickly withdrawn, gossip continues. Darcy and Elizabeth join forces to smoke out the true villain.  Along the way, Elizabeth and Darcy get to know each other better, argue frequently and fall in love. Lyndsay Constable’s latest novella, her third book, is equally delightful as her previous works. Lyndsay Constable has become an author whose works I consider essential reading. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am volunta

Elizabeth Bennet, is well known for her love of rambling over the Hertfordshire countryside. A favourite spot to watch the dawn, is Oakham Mount. One November morning, her peace is disturbed by a meeting between two men of her acquaintance. The handsome soldier, George Wickham, struggling manfully, having had his prospects blighted by the proud, disdainful Mr Darcy. While Elizabeth is shielded from view behind a tree, she listens to Mr Darcy and Wickham talking, then arguing. She discovers that Wickham is in fact a scoundrel and a liar, while Darcy is all that is good. She sees both men leave and watches Wickham ride into Meryton. Next evening at the Netherfield ball, the shocking news of George Wickham’s murder is announced. As the last person to meet with Wickham, Darcy is a suspect. Elizabeth risks her reputation by revealing her presence at Oakham Mount, in order to clear Darcy. There are of course consequences to this revelation. Darcy feels duty bound to offer for Elizabeth.

On a visit to her Uncle Gardner in London, the 16 year old Elizabeth Bennet and a friend are excited to be invited to a ball. They fib to her uncle so that they can attend. It does not strike them as odd that the invitation is from a stranger in Hyde Park! The ball is being held for mistresses to find new protectors, but Elizabeth is too naive to realise. She rapidly finds herself the target of some unwanted attention. Fitzwilliam Darcy followed his erstwhile friend, George Wickham to the ball.  He rapidly recognises what is going on and is preparing to leave when he spots Elizabeth. The only way to deflect unwanted attention is to “claim” her for himself. A dance and a thorough kiss do the job. It is at this point that an apoplectic Mr Gardner rushes in to rescue Elizabeth. Darcy is accused of compromise but refuses to marry Elizabeth. After a lot of wrangling it seems they are betrothed – sort of! Over several years, Darcy refuses to marry Elizabeth but Mr Bennet won’t release him, e

During a heatwave in Hertfordshire, Elizabeth Bennet is desperate to cool off.  A skinny dip in a secluded pond is too enticing to resist.  Unfortunately, the haughty, handsome Fitzwilliam Darcy has the same idea. Darcy hears splashing and a giggle. Despite seeing a woman’s clothes on the shore, he doesn’t leave.  His eyes move to the water and he is entranced by the sight of Elizabeth, who has haunted his fevered dreams for some time.  He knows that a gentleman would walk away, but he is transfixed, right up until he is spotted by Elizabeth, who screams.  Elizabeth is mortified to have Mr Darcy, of all people witness such a sight. However, over the next few days she is drawn back to the memory of the desire and passion in his eyes. After two days, the heat drives Elizabeth back to the pond. Darcy finds her again and declares that in witnessing her déshabillé, he has compromised her and as a gentleman he is duty bound to marry her. Darcy is distinctly put out when Elizabeth declines hi