When those you love the most become your worst enemy
Fitzwilliam Darcy is on the run…with a baby!
When an emergency summons Mr. Darcy back to London during the Netherfield ball, he discovers a newborn in his study along with a note. Now, he must guard a secret that could shatter his family and put the child in danger. But that isn’t his biggest challenge. He must find a wife—a woman he can … woman he can trust with his charge and with his heart.
Elizabeth Bennet’s prospects for a marriage based on love are taken away from her when her father makes a deal with Mr. Darcy, a man she despises. When she learns the identity of the baby and the true identity of the man she married, will their marriage of convenience develop into a love for the ages?
Together they face slander, intrigue, family pressure, and prison. Will their marriage survive? Will the baby thrive? Or, will forces much larger than themselves destroy everything Darcy and Elizabeth hope for?
This Regency variation of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice by bestselling author, J Dawn King, is appropriate for all ages.
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“… It’s hard to feel like much is wrong in the world when you’re looking into the eyes of a happy baby.” –Lisa Wingate, Tending Roses
Rating: MA: Due to the mature nature of adult discussions. Bawdy behavior, descriptions, and language. Angst Level: medium-to-high, stress that puts the reader on the edge with nail-biting drama, treachery, the mismanagement of political position, scandals, deceit, family drama, and secrets that can destroy lives. La! JDK threw in the sink on this one. OMG! I was shocked and amazed at the drama that just kept coming. One disaster led to another and wave after wave of sabotage, betrayal, and deceit made me crazy. I loved it. Highly recommend this delightful story. Oh, what a wonderful cover picture. I pictured him as I read the story. LA! I wanted to nuzzle my nose under his chin and cuddle him close.
“You know what the great thing about babies is? They are like little bundles of hope. Like the future in a basket.” –Lish McBride, Hold Me Closer, Necromancer
I began reading this on the JDK homepage and then reread it again when it was posted on the fanfiction forums. I knew then that this was one I wanted to own and would reread again and again. This is the third time I have read this. I love-Love-LOVE this Darcy and Elizabeth. OMG!!
“Children are not born for the benefit of their parents, neither are they the property of their family. Children belong to the future.” –Anthon St. Maarten
Let me quickly establish what was what: Lord Matlock and Lady Catherine were cold-heartedly discussing her daughter Anne [there is a surprise about her]. She had recently died in childbirth along with the babe… a son… leaving a distraught husband, our very own Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam. LM and LC were furious that there were no Fitzwilliam heirs to inherit the earldom. Richard was leaving the country for the war right after the funeral and they reasoned that he could be killed in battle. They were further disgusted that Matlock’s eldest son, the viscount, had yet to have any children. If there were no Fitzwilliam heirs, then the earldom would naturally fall to their sister’s son Darcy according to the reminder that allowed it to go through the female line with a legitimate male heir. Lady C declared Darcy’s “progeny will be the future Lord Matlock over my dead body.” Oh, dear.
“Babies come with the power of love to create their own world in our hearts and in the universe.” –ApolloM
This is a MUST read JAFF and is so very different than what we usually see. The cadence and the language used between ODC were simply amazing. True to her intelligence and wit, Elizabeth quickly came to understand Darcy in a way we don’t normally see in her character. Usually, there is forced angst where the reader has to suffer several chapters [if not half the book] before Elizabeth suddenly realizes she was wrong and they make nice. Not so here. Our dear author led us quickly toward an understanding with rational logic that even Elizabeth could appreciate. Normally, Darcy has a habit of withholding information and brooding in a bottle… not here. He quickly saw and understood that Elizabeth would not tolerate nor respond well to such behavior. She was smart, his equal in intelligence and understanding, and would react negatively to any other approach. Darcy answered all questions with honesty even when his answers hurt. Mr. Bennet of Longbourn had secrets of which his family had no knowledge and Elizabeth was devastated to learn the truth of their situation. Darcy had acted honorably and perhaps saved her family with his actions. She would have never known otherwise. What type of man had she married?
This style of writing was amazing. It was minimalistic in nature and yet conveyed a plethora of information in its delivery and intensity. Even if the reader didn’t have a basic knowledge of P&P, they could still read this and not be lost. What background was needed was quickly provided via letters, a quick discussion, or a character in retrospection. This was amazing. The first letter set Darcy in motion and he didn’t stop the remainder of the story.
This is a [NSNG] not-so-nice Georgiana story as well. She was such a little snot with her actions toward Elizabeth. Well, guess what, little miss? Elizabeth Darcy née Bennet grew up with two younger sisters just like you. Elizabeth knows exactly what to do in order to handle you. Bet you didn’t expect her to call you on your actions… huh? And in front of your brother. Serves you right you little snit. Oh, and one more thing, “I hate you” doesn’t fly either. So, get over yourself and grow up.
As the title suggests… there is a baby involved. And Darcy and Elizabeth have to decide what to do in order to keep him and his nurse safe from the dastardly machinations of Lord Matlock and Lady Catherine. We soon learn that Richard has been captured and held prisoner in France. The French allow him to receive mail with the hopes of trinkets and or money [which they pilfer]. Richard finally received sketches of Mrs. Milford—Mansfield with Jem and a lock of his hair. I wanted to weep with him.
This was an Elizabeth we can all love. She was spunky, intelligent, and not swayed by the drama of the Fitzwilliam family. Good grief, she grew up with Mrs. Bennet, for goodness’ sake. She could handle an out-of-control Lord and his supercilious sister. OMG! I keep going back to that scene where they tried to intimidate Elizabeth and… oh, I can’t say. I will just read it again… excuse me. Please read this.
Reviewed: March 28, 2020
What an adventure! What a ride!
In the early morning hours just after the Netherfield Ball, Elizabeth Bennet is quickly married to the proud, taciturn Mr. Darcy! She had just refused Mr. Collins and was supported by her father in her refusal. Why hours later, would he demand she marry Mr. Darcy? And, before leaving Meryton, they stop at the inn for Mr. Darcy to escort a young woman and an infant into a second carriage? Is she his mistress and their child? So many questions and so few answers.
“How had everything she had thought was right with her world have gone so completely wrong?” (quote from the book)
But this is only the beginning! The intrigue, manipulations, fears and cover-ups keep coming. How could this be happening? How can Mr. and Mrs. Darcy come together as a united couple?
Dear Reader, how can one not melt at the sight of Mr. Darcy holding an infant? You are in for a treat when you read their story. Despite the surplus of villains in this story, Elizabeth Darcy is a force to be reckoned with. She is woman who rises at every attempt to intimidate her.
“Her eyes shot from her husband’s lips to his eyes. what she read there was…it was heartrending. Pain of loss melded with awe. Joy mixed with wonder. Behind it all was a love so intense it hurt Elizabeth to see it. This man would be a fierce protector, a warrior.” (quote from the book)
Be prepared for the anguish, the pain, the deviousness of those who will stop at nothing to gain their goals. Be prepared for quick wit, cleverness and ultimate joy!