He lost everyone he loved … except for a secret baby.Fitzwilliam Darcy will lie and break the law to keep his sister’s newborn safe. When the only way to protect her is to have an heir of his own, his search for a trustworthy wife begins… Elizabeth Bennet’s father falls gravely ill, she is willing to shoulder the responsibility of her family’s care while maintaining her freedom — until she is forced to marry Mr. Darcy.
One broken man + one bitter lady = one happy family?
Through grief and betrayal, Darcy and Elizabeth learn to trust each other and work together to honor the promises they have made — including the vows they exchanged.
But a spiteful enemy from Darcy’s past is determined to divide their family, and the law is on his side…
Fitzwilliam Darcy, Guardian is a sweet and clean romantic suspense variation of Jane Austen’s timeless classic, Pride and Prejudice. It’s the third book in the Dimensions of Darcy series of standalone novels.
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Reviewed: Nov 25, 2019
My Rating: 4.5* rounded up to 5*
“He despised lies. He detested liars. And yet, that was what he had become.” (quote from the book)
Sharpen your blade or in Elizabeth’s case her hatpin, for the road to true love is about to get very bumpy.
This variation takes place a year later than canon and Bingley has delayed letting an estate until he can convince Darcy to come with him. However, Darcy’s heart has taken a devastating blow with the death of his beloved sister, Georgiana. He feels betrayed and all defenses are up. No one is to be trusted, other than a select loyal group of servants. It is from these servants who tell him he needs a wife and an heir in order to protect his beloved niece…he heeds their advice, so off to Hertfordshire he goes with Bingley.
“Darcy had long ceased to measure a person’s status by the norms of society. Honesty and loyalty were of far greater worth than one’s name, fortune, or connections.” (quote from the book)
But things in Hertfordshire are precarious. With Mr. Bennet’s failing health, circumstances arise that force him to accept Mr. Darcy’s proposal to help. Elizabeth feels betrayed, though he did make a good impression at the assembly he attended with Bingley. Their relationship is off to a very rocky start. I loved watching Elizabeth and Darcy skirmish. Each have trust issues as each have been betrayed. But I also loved how both of them tried to make their marriage work even though Darcy was a clam and Elizabeth was pushing his buttons a bit too hard at times, for she always dreamed of marrying for love.
“I do not know how I can offer you the love you desire when, in my experience, love only leads to pain so deep one wishes he could stop his heart from beating to keep the ache from consuming him.” (quote from the book)
Ms. Joy has again captured and held my attention and engaged all of my emotions. You can feel Darcy’s pain over the loss of his sister and the absolute love he has for his niece. At the same time, I chuckled over his servants being so forward, thinking they would be the death of him!
There are some very heartbreaking moments in this story but also some lighthearted ones. The snake makes his appearance known by slithering so stealthily into Elizabeth’s presence. There were times I was talking back to my Kindle, ‘Oh, Darcy just say it!’ Then I was telling Elizabeth to get the fire poker when she couldn’t find any dueling pistols or a sword in the room! Fortunately, she didn’t hear me!
In the end, how each work together to thwart the serpent, along with assistance from the Gardiners, the dressmaker, Madame Givenchy, and the servants was fun. That is why I love reading Ms. Joy’s books. They may be suspenseful and heartbreaking, but they also are wonderfully balanced with lightness and humour.
In this book, the last of the series, Darcy is in need of a wife. He has a secret that he cannot share. He makes a deal with Elizabeth’s father and as a result, Elizabeth reluctantly marries Darcy. Great plot the the story. Loved it!