Caught Swimming by Mr. Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by Jane Adell ★★★★☆
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 his offer.
The couple continue to meet at social functions, with both feeling a magnetic connection.
The author captures perfectly, their simmering fire of mutual desire.
The story progresses as those with the appearance of goodness, are revealed to be villains and the haughty, proud Darcy shows himself to be the best of men.
An enjoyable debut novella. There are a few failures of editing but they are not too jarring.
Worth reading.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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