A number of broken-hearted characters from Jane Austen’s best novels are thrown together by the vagaries of fate, and all manner of unwise decisions are taken at this vulnerable time. But then their past creeps up upon them – and what is there to do but face it, and hope that their convoluted paths will finally lead them to their proper place?“Elizabeth… Elizabeth… Elizabeth…” he murmured against … murmured against her lips, her skin, her hair, and then her lips again. “I cannot forsake you! I cannot! I cannot lose you! I cannot bear to think of a life without you – ‘tis not worth living, ‘tis but a slow death! I cannot lose you! I beg you, do not send me away again! I love you! Elizabeth, I love you!”
Friends, rivals, foes, wrong choices and a duel – Fitzwilliam Darcy’s life is never dull! ‘The Subsequent Proposal’ – a story that is primarily about him – follows Mr. Darcy in his struggles to decipher the troubling enigma of Elizabeth Bennet’s feelings – and to correct the worst misjudgement of his life…
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A number of broken-hearted characters from Jane Austen’s best novels are thrown together by the vagaries of fate, and all manner of unwise decisions are taken at this vulnerable time. But then their past creeps up upon them – and what is there to do but face it, and hope that their convoluted paths will finally lead them to their proper place? “”Elizabeth… Elizabeth… Elizabeth…” he murmured against her lips, her skin, her hair, and then her lips again. “I cannot forsake you! I cannot! I cannot lose you! I cannot bear to think of a life without you – ’tis not worth living, ’tis but a slow death! I cannot lose you! I beg you, do not send me away again! I love you! Elizabeth, I love you!””
Friends, rivals, foes, wrong choices and a duel – Fitzwilliam Darcy’s life is never dull! “‘The Subsequent Proposal'” – a story that is primarily about him – follows Mr. Darcy in his struggles to decipher the troubling enigma of Elizabeth Bennet’s feelings – and to correct the worst misjudgement of his life…
Exquisite curiosity enveloped me when I saw this was a blend of Jane Austen’s novels, Pride & Prejudice and Persuasion. The author’s writing has drawn me in with previous books for her wonderful tone of romance, gentility, and dash of humor for the situations in which she places her characters.
The Subsequent Proposal assumes the reader has a grasp of the events of both novels from which this variation blend is founded. It picks up after Darcy’s fateful proposal at Hunsford and near the beginning of the events at the beginning of Persuasion when the Elliots must leave Kellynch.
My curiosity for how the blend would work and whether I would be distracted or appreciate what came was assuaged quickly. The author cleverly did her homework and struck an interesting balance that actually had me doing what Colonel Fitzwilliam did later in the book, analyzing which pairing truly did make more sense on paper. I could see with little need to stretch my imagination just how these two stories could converge like this. And, I could really see that of all rivals for Darcy, Anne Elliot was a worthy one as Miss Bingley could never be. Anne has birth, character, intelligence and proper feeling on her side. Just as Wentworth was a brilliant rival for Elizabeth’s affections as he matched her in birth status, liveliness, and strong opinion. They are a real danger because everyone was more suitable all around if the vagaries of love isn’t the only factor.
I enjoyed the shocking variation element of this story that Darcy and Anne are engaged and Captain Wentworth returns to from sea duty to be enchanted by Elizabeth Bennet. I felt the author did justice to the rendering of all the main players including secondary characters like Bingley, Georgiana, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Miss Bingley, and Lady Russell along with her own original creations in Fitzwilliam’s parents. The story is mostly set in the P&P world, but scenes with Sir Walter and Elizabeth Elliot and Lady Russell, the Crofts and the off scene roll Kellynch Hall plays were perfect blending choices. Those looking for lots of Persuasion in this one must be content with a lesser role.
Most of the book, which is perhaps more long novella-length so reads rather quickly, Darcy is the narrator. The reader enjoys his thoughts, inner turmoil, and his activities. This is indeed Darcy’s story most of all. It is first his decision to move on from Elizabeth that brings Anne into the picture and then his decision to change and become a man worthy of Elizabeth that alters his path yet again when he sets Bingley right about Jane Bennet and goes into action when Wickham attempts some villainy.
Oh yes, there is some exquisite angst as Darcy is confounded by his choices and his feelings. I thought it was great having Colonel Fitzwilliam play the role of Job’s comforter and Bingley that of matchmaker while Darcy wonders how he can ever set things straight so all involved are happy.
So, this is a gently-paced, rather low drama piece (considering) that was heartwarming and engaging giving a reader the best of two worlds when there is Darcy’s pride effaced and Wentworth’s swoonworthy words for Anne to enjoy. This one is for the Austen fan, particularly one who is curious about how a crossover of stories would play out.