Particular Intentions

After the midnight download, I read until 2:00 a.m.

Know going in that the story is not a blow-by-blow account of P&P. The author has us jump right into scenes and touches only on the main points. We might then travel forward in time to the next scene and touch on the important points the author wanted to deal with there. This did not bother me as I already knew the P&P story. I wonder if someone reading this who did not know Austen’s P&P story would have trouble keeping up?

I did not want a thorough rehash of the P&P story line. That would have been redundant and too time consuming. In fact…it kept the author from having to deal with copious sections of P&P which readers mostly skip over or speed read through because they know it by heart. Why take up the space and our time doing that when you can go straight to a scene and deal with the important points of this new story?

This writing style was more creative and intrigued me as I was not bored and was constantly on guard to see where we would go next and what would happen. Our author was so creative as she took familiar scenes and dialogue that we know and love and twisted them into something completely different and something that we have not seen before. Or it was a scene that was parallel to canon and yet, different.

Characters:
I loved Bingley as he dealt with his sister and her behavior. He actually spoke against her and tried to take her in hand. The author really pulled a BIG reveal on him. I’ve never seen it before. OMG!!! I was so shocked.

Caroline…She was the worst. Her character was outrageous. She was all over Darcy and ignored his set-downs and continued with her unwanted attentions. Bingley nor Darcy were best pleased with her behavior. She pulled something on ODC and Elizabeth was able to circumvent her machinations and overthrow her plans. It was so cute when Elizabeth walked by her and gave her a cheeky smile having just undone her scheme. Excellent! Mrs. Hurst was not much better and enabled Caroline in her behavior.

Wickham arrived with Mr. Denny and like canon, joined the militia. This Wickham was a pig and even more sinister than usual. When Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley encountered Wickham talking to the Bennet ladies in Meryton, he got off his horse and escorted them home. He requested an audience with Mr. Bennet and told him about his history with Wickham. Mr. Bennet believed Darcy and made changes within his household regarding the militia…officers were forbidden at Longbourn. Oh the wailing and gnashing of teeth. After observing his wife and daughters at the assembly and balls, Mr. Bennet finally decided to take his family in hand. OMG!!! The fur flew then.

Mrs. Bennet: there seemed to be confusion on her name…Francine and several other versions. Perhaps they were the diminutive forms of the name like Elizabeth is called Lizzy. I encountered at least three versions of her name. Her cruelty and lack of concern for Elizabeth knew no bounds. That woman—

Georgiana was a wonderful character. We the reader are given a glimpse into her emotions and feelings and she is so much deeper than we are accustomed to encountering. I felt for her as she recovered from Ramsgate and it was so touching as she struggled to be normal again. Elizabeth was a big help to her. I really enjoyed seeing the relationship grow between the soon to be sisters.

Loved Uncle and Aunt Gardiner; they were such wonderful people. As our story progressed, we delved deeper into the business dealings with Uncle Gardiner and learned of his true wealth. Didn’t see that coming. Big Surprise!!! They were such a big support for ODG as she worked toward her HEA.

Lord and Lady Fitzwilliam and their two sons were a great family support for Darcy when he needed it most. They were the voice of reason during times of hardship, scandal and gossip regarding ODC. I loved Lady Fitzwilliam, she was one sharp lady and knew how to handle the ton. Our dear Colonel was especially helpful with the capture of Darcy’s assailant.

Lady Catherine and Anne de Bourgh were minor characters. We saw little of them. Lady C made her sentiments known regarding Darcy and Anne marrying. Anne had been telling her for years her affections were elsewhere. She simply would not listen.

Mr. Collins was on hand to cause trouble and act the toady cleric for his patroness. He simply could not understand why he could not have Elizabeth. He kept insinuating himself into the picture and looking for ways for her to marry him. I enjoyed Darcy’s interactions with him.

I LOVED this version of ODC. They weren’t so dark and not so prejudice. We spent a lot of time in their heads as they figured out their emotions, feelings and considerations for each other. It was a good journey as we watched them work for their HEA. There was the problem with propriety. They needed a chaperone…big time.

Elizabeth was a little more reserved and self-conscious due to her mother’s taunts and treatment of her. For years her mother’s favorites were Jane for her beauty, and Lydia for her liveliness. She felt that Elizabeth was not worthy of her attention and was only good enough to make the connection with Mr. Collins. It was not for Elizabeth’s benefit, it was, in fact, in order to secure her future comfort, if and when Mr. Bennet died. Elizabeth did have a temper and stubborn streak that Darcy witnessed firsthand and will not forget any time soon. Her reluctance to hear him explain a situation that she completely misunderstood, nearly cost her their understanding. It was a hard, hard lesson for her to learn. I wasn’t sure she was going to get over it.

But, oh I loved how Darcy helped pull her through and into a new understanding. He let her see how she looked in his eyes and what he thought about her and not what her mother thought. I simply loved him for giving her a new paradigm in self-awareness. That was so awesome. When her stubborn pride blasted him full force, he held on and waited her out as he felt she was worth it. I loved how Mr. Bennet advised Darcy in how to deal with his favorite daughter. That was so cute.

The angst was just enough to keep the action moving especially when Darcy found out someone was following them and lurking nearby and watching the house. The drama took a deadly turn when someone made an attempt on Darcy’s life. The perpetrator was a surprise and I like how it was handled. Do not mess with the Fitzwilliam men. Not a good move. It was shocking to see how it played out.