Note: Readers of Sophie Turner’s more chaste Constant Love series should be aware that this novel contains decidedly adult content at certain parts of the story.One night, to decide his entire life’s happiness.Chastened by Charles Bingley following Mr. Bennet’s untimely death, Fitzwilliam Darcy determines he will offer marriage to Elizabeth Bennet, but she marries another. Years later, a widowed …
Years later, a widowed Elizabeth is mistress of Longbourn, and has vowed she will never marry again. A house party at Netherfield brings them back together, but Darcy will have to win more than her heart if he is to have any chance at making her mistress of Pemberley.
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Reviewed: April 22, 2017:
This exquisitely poignant tale reunites Mrs. Elizabeth Collins (nee Bennet) and Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy at Netherfield where Jane and Charles Bingley are planning on hosting a small house party. One can hardly imagine Elizabeth Bennet married to someone other than Mr. Darcy. But to imagine her married to Mr. Collins immediately after the Netherfield Ball and upon the sudden death of her father, is nothing short of horrific! In this variation of Pride & Prejudice, we have just that. However, we are not subjected to Elizabeth’s life with Mr. Collins for he has been dead for almost year now. But the ramifications to Elizabeth, are still impacting her life. The flashbacks she has are enough to set your teeth on edge and your heart to break.
“She shuddered, and turned so she was facing the empty half of the bed. This was how she preferred to sleep, so that if she dreamt of her married life – and she did, often – she would wake and recall that it was over, reassured by the emptiness of her bed.”
We all know how much Mr. Darcy was affected by Elizabeth Bennet while he was sojourning with his friend, Charles Bingley at Netherfield. We also know how Miss Bingley and Mr. Darcy separated Charles from Jane Bennet. What was quite wonderful in this tale, was how Mr. Darcy let slip that he contrived with Miss Bingley to remove Charles from his angel. Mr. Bingley’s reaction was brilliant! The peel he rung over Mr. Darcy’s head was the catalyst for Mr. Darcy to re-think his life but at the loss of his dearest friend. Unfortunately, he was too late to win the one who held his heart in her hands.
“No, Elizabeth, it was to return to you – to finally have my second chance after those painful years of heartache, he thought, but did not say.”
I highly recommend this mature tale of love lost and second chances. How Mr. Darcy gently woos Elizabeth with infinite patience and ardent love that will leave you breathless and your heart aching for him. It will also have you cheering for Elizabeth as she works to overcome her emotional scars of a marriage that has left her wanting no part of it ever again. The best part is that Miss Bingley will never know the part she played in reuniting them.
Mistress was another new-to-me take on Pride and Prejudice. I loved the story, but my heart went out to poor Elizabeth for having to bear such a horrible first marriage.
I enjoyed the slow build of the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy, as well as the “naughty bits” further on. There are several great quotes within the book, including one referencing Queen Elizabeth I that I particularly enjoyed.
Perhaps my favorite part of Mistress is that there’s no great conflict. I knew when I started reading it that there would be a happy ending, and not once did anything occur to make me question that. I found it very satisfying to read such a straightforward story.
Although there are some odd spellings that make me wonder where the author is from — and if said spellings are normal for her — I thoroughly enjoyed the entire book.