A short Pride and Prejudice variationWithout the beauty and wit of the older Bennet sisters or the liveliness of the younger, Mary is the Bennet sister most often overlooked. She has resigned herself to a life of loneliness, alleviated only by music and the occasional book of military history. Colonel Fitzwilliam finds himself envying his friends who are marrying wonderful women while he only … women while he only attracts empty-headed flirts. He longs for a caring, well-informed woman who will see the man beneath the uniform.
During the wedding breakfast for Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, a chance meeting in Longbourn’s garden kindles an attraction between Mary and the Colonel. However, the Colonel cannot marry for love since he must wed an heiress. He returns to war, although Mary finds she cannot easily forget him.
Is happily ever after possible after Mary meets the Colonel?
This edition includes an excerpt from Victoria Kincaid’s Mr. Darcy to the Rescue
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This book was really fun and I enjoyed seeing this portrayal of Mary Bennet and seeing how a relationship between her and Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam could potentially unfold and work out. The story was entertaining and the characters were all well written. I look forward to reading more by this author in the future.
Misunderstood becomes understood:
This is a short novella that can be read in one sitting, or two if you have to eat or sleep. It is the story of how Mary, the middle misunderstood Bennet daughter, has an interesting and delightful encounter with Colonel Fitzwilliam at the wedding of her two sisters.
Mary has a unique placement in her family of five daughters. Her two older sisters are in possession of beauty and wit and her two younger sisters are known for their vivacious and lively personalities. Elizabeth is her father’s favorite while Lydia is her mother’s. Lydia has already left the family and moved to the north after her scandalous marriage.
On this joyous day two more daughters have left the name of Bennet behind them. Jane married Charles Bingley, and Elizabeth, stunning surprise of all, married Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley. Mrs. Bennet was beside herself. Mary was hiding in the garden, having escaped the chaos caused by her younger sister Kitty’s exuberance. Her solitude was broken by the unexpected approach of Colonel Fitzwilliam. It seemed Mr. Darcy’s cousin was escaping the attentions of the younger girls chasing red coats.
I enjoyed this story; it was quick and gave us a rare insight into the mind of this misunderstood young woman. I think the author wanted to distance us from the picture most JAFF authors portray of Mary hiding behind a book of sermons. This Mary was intelligent, knowledgeable regarding current events and had a strong and strategic mind, and I liked her interactions with our dear Colonel. Their connection was plausible and they seemed to enjoy their lively conversations while hiding in the back garden.
Neither held any expectations and they parted as friends. The Colonel returned to the campaign on the Peninsula and Mary continued her daily life at Longbourn, until the day she learned of his injuries. The author did a good job describing the Colonel’s battlefield experience as she pulled historical facts from the time regarding British military actions and strategies of the conflict. When our dear Colonel was injured, you could feel his resolve as he thought he was going to die. It was heartbreaking to feel his despair as the last thing he saw before things went black was a pair of dark eyes.
I am not going to list all the details of his recovery, that will spoil the reveal. However, I think the author missed an opportunity here to advance or reward our dear Colonel due to his heroic actions in the line of duty. He helped, at the near cost of his life, prevent a French troop advancement by closing the British defensive line.
Also, I felt there was a shift in the story at this point and then the story sort of went downhill. It felt rushed as we jumped from one place to another. And we had a continuity problem…a movie term where they try to make the details of each scene flow smoothly. Ex. Mary untied the sling holding the Colonel’s broken leg in place, she didn’t retie it when she left. A maid, footmen, or his relatives would notice that someone had to have been in his room. Speaking of propriety, yeah, it was out the window on so many levels.
Then we have the introduction of another suitor for Mary. How could Mrs. Bennet allow three of her daughters to marry without having tried to secure him in her matchmaking schemes. I think the author chose too high in society [a peer] for this new guy. Mr. Bennet had always been known in JAFF as the landed gentleman in Hertfordshire. Sir William Lucas was the mayor and had been knighted, and then the wealthy Mr. Bingley leased Netherfield. This new guy conflicts with Meryton/Hertfordshire society.
I know the author wanted to give the Colonel competition and to show him and his family that she was valued by another peer. However, it just didn’t feel right IMO [in my opinion].
Our HEA happened so quickly that we didn’t even get to enjoy it. Suddenly all obstacles were done away with and the road was clear for our dear couple’s happiness. It felt rushed and lacking somehow. Other than that, I enjoyed this look into the mind and feelings of Mary Bennet. I’ve always liked the Colonel.
***SPOILER*** Perhaps the author could have rewarded our dear Colonel with the estate near Pemberley for his bravery in defense of his country and services to the crown. Just saying.