TIMELESS ROMANCE FOR THE BUSY READERTRIGGER WARNING: Chapter One has a FAILED sexual assault with no description of the attack itself. However, the emotional impacts are felt throughout the story.Can love grow from adversity? An attempted assault leaves Miss Elizabeth Bennet seeking tender comfort from the man she had, at one time, abhorred. Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy’s gentle compassion fosters a … gentle compassion fosters a budding affection as the couple grows to acknowledge each other’s weaknesses and failings while recognizing their own.
From Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, we know Mr. Darcy as a man willing to make phenomenal changes for the woman he loves. Once proud and arrogant, he transforms into the gentleman women have admired for centuries. Through Elizabeth’s eyes, we come to know him and see beyond the surface to the inner man—a man willing to give all he has for the woman he admires.
As our heroine struggles with the aftermath of that life-changing event, we discover a strength of character we can admire and emulate. Not even the vile Mr. Wickham can keep Elizabeth Bennet from her happily-ever-after with the man of her dreams—Mr. Darcy.
For Pemberley can be read in just over an hour.
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By not coming forward, you make yourself a victim forever. — Kelly McGillis
The quote above shows modern thinking about sexual assault. But what if you lived in a time when the woman was ALWAYS considered responsible for her situation?
Elizabeth is assaulted. The crime happens pre-story and the tale begins with Elizabeth having successfully fought off her assailant and believing she had killed him.
As in her first JAFF story, Ms. Capps relies on olfactory repetitions to elicit emotions. This time: “Sandalwood and citrus. A fragrance from the past filled her senses as memories flooded her mind. Hours spent on her paternal grandfather’s lap while he read her favorite story over and over and over again. Safety.”
Sandalwood and citrus means: Sanctuary. Shelter. Refuge. Affection. Respect. Tenderness. Trust. Warmth. Security. Relief. Care.
Rape is the only crime in which the victim becomes the accused. — Freda Adler
In order not to become the accused, Elizabeth must leave Longbourn before the gossip builds about the events.
In today’s legal system, a counselor works with the victim. So, too, in our story Elizabeth finds a mentor in an older woman with a past.
Mrs. Carr helps her to see the difference between being responsible for the rape attempt and protecting herself in the future. “If you choose not to walk the countryside alone and if you choose not to trust a man you have recently met who has not had time to reveal his true character, YOU CHOOSE TO PROTECT YOURSELF.”
Darcy’s words: “My secret has always been Pemberley.” Elizabeth felt the power of this place. Sturdy. Substantial. Strong.
So many of these JAFF plots center around Darcy and Elizabeth’s failure to communicate. Not so here. You will love this articulate Darcy who speaks of fears, feelings and hopes.
Rape is the most humiliating thing that can be done to you; it’s the most vulnerable that you can be. But once I realized that, I became a stronger person and faced all my fears. — Fiona Apple
“Anyone can hide. Facing up to things, working through them, that’s what makes you strong.” Sarah Dessen
This is Elizabeth’s story of survival, recovery, finding the strength to overcome a traumatic event in her life and the effort of putting one foot in front of the other as she makes it through another day.
“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’” Eleanor Roosevelt
This was so well written. It was handled in as gentle a way as possible. For some, there will be triggers. Not everyone’s reaction will be the same. Many will relate to what Elizabeth experienced and her behavior… because of… or in spite of… the traumatic event. I can’t say more without it being a spoiler.
It was a clean story; however, there were references to a near event, but not excessively graphic. The wording could still result in a trigger. I read the acknowledgements at the very beginning of the novella, prior to chapter one and found it very helpful. Do not fail to read that.
I just want to say that I… love… this… Mr. Darcy. OMG!!! I read this straight through. I could not put it down. It was a fast read. I loved it. I am still moved by this story. Oh-My-Goodness!!!