When Elizabeth Bennet is sent to London to stay with her relatives, Fitzwilliam Darcy is the last person she expects or wants to see. On advice from her aunt, she agrees to give the gentleman a second chance at making a first impression.Fitzwilliam Darcy never expected to find Elizabeth Bennet in town, and when he does, he is equally surprised to discover she heard his slighting remark at the … at the assembly.
Just when Darcy and Elizabeth’s relationship begins to blossom, danger threatens. Action, intended to separate them, instead provokes declarations of love. Now on the path to matrimony, a new adversary creates a seemingly impossible choice, testing the strength of their bonds.
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“There’s nothing more contagious that the laughter of young children; it doesn’t even have to matter what they’re laughing about.” Criss Jami, Killosophy
This was a delightful read, clean, quirky and with minimal angst. Although I enjoyed it, it did not have that staunch Regency feel that we are so accustomed to in our JAFF. As one reviewer stated, it sounded too modern. If you didn’t already know the time period, I think you would have trouble establishing the actual period by simply listening to the language and the interactions between the characters.
The Gardiner children stole the show and were the stars of the story. Anyone with a heart for children will simply adore these little people. Little Andrew and Michael Gardiner soon had Darcy [and the reader] wrapped around their little, chubby fingers. Michael loved boats and Andrew was striving to be a young gentleman. His language was so sweet and cute as he attempted to pronounce a phrase, he had heard the grown-us use, with his own literal interpretation. He and Elizabeth were caught in a scuffle with Wickham [that rat-bastard] and they were both injured. Master Andrew then came up with a new name for Wickham. Adorable. Darcy’s heart simply melted at the feet of the young Gardner girls. Oh, my, he will make a most excellent father. This part will simply melt you heart.
The camaraderie between the characters was really amusing. Everyone worked together to thwart Wickham, Caroline and Lady Catherine. They were all welcomed as friends, accepting of each other regardless of station or position in life, helped each other, shared back stories, plotted and planned together, laughed and joked, teased, and tormented each other as they would a brother or sister. It was like one big happy family. Only we know that is not real life.
Lord and Lady Matlock have not always been seen as the coolest parents on the block. They have been portrayed in every way possible in JAFF variations. In this story, all they wanted was for their two sons to be happy. Lord Matlock had to occasionally flex his ‘head of the family’ muscles where Lady Catherine was concerned, but he still was a most excellent father. He respected Mr. Gardiner, his work, his financial prowess and his wisdom in all things business. He understood that he would receive flak from his peers because Mr. Gardiner was in trade, even though, those same peers, benefited from Mr. Gardiner’s wisdom and financial advice.
Elizabeth, as it turns out, had been a tom-boy growing up. According to the stories, that everyone in Hertfordshire was familiar with, she played with the boys and was as good as, or better than most, at any game in which they played. Elizabeth was not alone in her playing as she had Jane and Charlotte as her side-kicks, or seconds, when there were challenges that had to be met. This rough house ability came in handy when a certain person, whose name-we-will-not-speak, decided to play rough. That was hilarious.
All in all, I really enjoyed the touching moments. I liked the familiarity between the characters. If you have a heart for little kids, this will charm your socks off. These little guys were awesomely cute and adorable, and so brave. There is nothing that will grip your heart more than a child attempting to be brave and protective. Whew! That got me.