When a sickness burns its way through Hertfordshire, Darcy casts prudence aside to ensure Elizabeth reaches Longbourn in time to tend her ailing mother. Trapped by a quarantine and hastily made promises, the two find themselves bound by obligation and honor. With Longbourn in chaos and the Bennet family at odds, will good ever come from Mrs. Bennet’s final wish?This Pride and Prejudice variation … variation is approximately 55,000 words.
Renata McMann and Summer Hanford began writing Pride and Prejudice Variations together in 2014 and have since become immersed in the amazing world Jane Austen created. Whether you’re a fan of Darcy and Elizabeth specifically or of clean Regency Romance in general, you will enjoy both McMann’s ability to imagine variations of this classic love story and Hanford’s skill in turning these variations of Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth Bennet, and their enduring love into entertaining stories.
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This P & P variation stars a very noble Fitzwilliam Darcy, who finds himself quarantined in Longbourn when sickness burns through the surrounding area. I like stories where Darcy ends up working devotedly to care for his beloved, and this is one of them.
“Life is for the living.
Death is for the dead.
Let life be like music.
And death a note unsaid.”
Langston Hughes, The collected Poems
Our story opens at Hunsford with Elizabeth trying to get out of going to Rosings. She tried to tell Mr. Collins she didn’t feel well, but he wasn’t buying it and coerced her into going. She was still upset after hearing Colonel Fitzwilliam’s account of how Darcy aided Bingley from a most imprudent marriage and wanted no part of his company.
While they were at Rosings, an express arrived with letters for Charlotte and Elizabeth advising that an illness had hit the Meryton community and their families were requesting they return home. When Lady Catherine refused to help, Darcy offered his carriage and the Colonel traveled with them.
When they arrived, they found things far worse than they thought. The Colonel went to check on the status of Colonel Forster and the militia, while Darcy attempted to aid the Bennet sisters at Longbourn. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bennet were ill along with Lydia. Many servants had either left or were dead and Mrs. Hill was ill herself. Darcy began making arrangements for the needs of the house. Water, food, firewood and candles were basics that needed to be met. Darcy drew water from the well [for drinking, cleaning, baths, laundry], then arranged for food to be delivered to the house by his men [who were not allowed to approach or enter the house], he chopped firewood then carried it in [for fireplaces, cooking fires and heating water], and made sure each room had candles.
This was a story about survival. What do you do in the midst of a crisis? Mrs. Bennet secured a promise from both Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy before she died and they tried to live up to their vow. Being as it was Elizabeth and Darcy, we knew we could expect a rocky road at best.
I loved at how everyone came to a different outlook once they started getting better. New understanding between the individuals was interesting to watch. Darcy received a whole new perspective on the work that he normally took for granted from his servants. He now understood the hard work behind what the servants did and appreciated how everything was done with efficiency.
The list of names, that had died, continued to grow, as did the list of those who were ill. Elizabeth tried to contain her grief as she knew so many on the list. Until everyone was on the mend, Colonel Fitzwilliam could not lift the quarantine.
Then, out of the blue, a grand carriage descended on Longbourn with Lady Catherine storming the house looking for Elizabeth and Darcy. When she wanted to leave, Darcy wouldn’t let her due to the quarantine. Let’s just say, she was seriously displeased to be trapped in the Bennet house. But, that was the least of the Bennet’s problems. They also had another guest that was creating a problem of a delicate nature.
What I didn’t like: I don’t know how to explain this story. It was strange and was a strange time for our dear couple, caught up with a rampant epidemic as it ravaged the community. I did not… I could not… like this Mr. Bennet. I’m sorry… even Elizabeth struggled when she was able to think more clearly. Her own bout with the illness was hard on her and on Darcy. But, to see her father in this new light was difficult.
What I did like: I liked it when Darcy was able to have a conversation with Elizabeth and explain about Wickham, even if he didn’t mention Georgiana. This ‘failure to inform’ really bothered me when Darcy just headed off to London and left Hertfordshire’s ladies/girls and the community at the mercy of a bounder and rake. That simply did not set well with me.
Surprise ending: OMG!!! I was so surprised at the ending. I could not believe this went in the direction that it did. There were clues… subtle as they were, but I NEVER thought it would end this way. Oh-my-gosh…what a surprise.
Rating: PG-13: mild discussion of inappropriate behavior but nothing graphic. I liked this story, but I didn’t love it.