An Abandoned Bride A Missing Man And a Dream that refuses to die…. Pride and patriotism lend fervor to greed and cruelty, and Fitzwilliam Darcy is caught at the centre of a decades-old international feud. Taken far from England, presumed dead by his family, and lost to all he holds dear, only one name remains as his beacon in the darkness: Elizabeth.Georgiana Darcy is now the heartbroken … Elizabeth.
Georgiana Darcy is now the heartbroken heiress to Pemberley, and Colonel Fitzwilliam her bewildered guardian. Vulnerable and unprepared, Georgiana desperately longs for a friend, while Fitzwilliam seeks to protect her from his own family. As the conspiracy around Darcy’s death widens and questions mount, Colonel Fitzwilliam must confront his own past. An impossible dream, long ago sacrificed for duty, may become his only hope.
Newly married Lydia Wickham returns to Longbourn- alone and under mysterious circumstances. Elizabeth Bennet watches one sister suffer and another find joy, while she lives her own days in empty regrets over what might have been. Believing Darcy lost forever, she closes her heart against both pain and happiness, but finds no escape from her dreams of him.
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A great saga that takes our beloved Darcy to Portugal as a prisoner. However Elizabeth and all his family believe him dead. A mystery of why and how unfolds as to his kidnapping—but how will he ever make it back to England? This totally out of the box reimagining takes its time developing characters we recognize from “Pride and Prejudice” as well as the many new key figures, and does not disappoint when the happily ever after does come. 4.5 stars
My Rating: 5+++++++
This is a powerful, emotional and at times chilling roller coaster of a read. It is also a strong testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love.
The book description gives a good insight into the premise of this book. However, it cannot encompass the sheer magnitude of how compelling it is. I was completely enthralled from beginning to end and hated being interrupted! All emotions were engaged from shock, anger, heartbreak and at times laughter. I was emotionally drained by the time I finished this book, but in a good way.
During the times I had to engage with the outer world, I would be thinking about all I had previously read, trying to figure out who had betrayed Darcy and where this story might possibly be heading.
Darcy’s fate was hanging in the balance due to a fervor of greed, patriotism and revenge. Elizabeth was completely shattered with the news of Darcy’s death which intensifies her regrets and guilt over him.
“With the ripple of his influence overspreading and flowing through even the farthest corner of my own life! And to be bereft of him – I can think of no more shattering loss. How is one to go on?”
Georgiana was devastated and her relatives where trying to gain control of her and her fortune. The only one protecting her was the Colonel, and he too was struggling with the loss of this dearest friend and cousin.
“Retreat is impossible, and I know this because I have tried it. There are only two choices; surrender or conquer.”
Then there is Lydia, newly married to Wickham after Darcy’s help in securing her somewhat questionable future. How all these characters deal with their losses and new found status will leave you reeling and cheering as the story unfolds. I was consumed!
But let’s not forget the villains and suspects. There were many. When you thought things might be getting better, another roadblock or encounter would thwart those trying to protect those they love.
However, on top of this gripping story, is the writing…it is emotive and beautiful. Your senses are completely engaged and your heart is breaking as you feel the pain and frustration of each of these beloved characters.
I highly recommend this epic saga that will consume you and stay with you for a very long time.
I would like to note that the cover of this book, back and front, is gorgeous thanks to Janet Taylor. I would also like to thank Janet and Rita Deodato for inspiring Ms. Clarkston in writing this epic tale!
“I think we dream so we don’t have to be apart for so long. If we’re in each other’s dream, we can be together all the time.” A. A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh
Anyone who wishes to read this story… be prepared for the long haul. This is no baby short story and it packs a punch within a few pages. There will be various triggers so gird your loins for a rating of PG-17 due to violence, sexual tensions, emotional torture of ODB [our dear boy], near sexual abuse, and battering. I hate to list them up front; however, they are well done and the author pulls back before it becomes too unbearable.
Our story opens just as Darcy has set in motion the Bennet-Wickham wedding and the scoundrel’s transfer to the regulars in the north. Darcy never made it home as he was literally snatched from the streets, beaten and thrown aboard a fast ship out of London. A severely battered body was presented to his family for our dear Colonel to identify as his cousin Fitzwilliam Darcy, heir to Pemberley, Derbyshire.
OMG! I thought I was going to die, and so did Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn when she heard the news that Mr. Darcy was dead. After Wickham wed Lydia, he suddenly disappeared leaving her abandoned and high in the belly. When Lizzy heard of Darcy’s part in planning the wedding and military commission, she knew he would only have been in that part of town if he was working on Wickham to marry Lydia. Her despair deepened as she wondered if he had done it for her.
“Deep into the darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.” Edgar Allan Poe
OMG! The angst was as high as my blood pressure. This story was relentless. There was a scene where Darcy, after being tortured, cries out in anguish for Elizabeth. His soul reaches out of the darkness for her. Many miles away… her soul cries out to him, as she laments him. Somehow, they reach out to each other in dreams and it was so touching. It reminded me of Jane Eyre, when Rochester cried out to Jane and she heard him. I nearly lost it. I wanted to weep.
Due to profound circumstances and with the help of another, Darcy escaped and headed home, a nearly broken man. The things he overheard from his captors have made him untrusting and paranoid. He doesn’t know who he can trust.
Villains: “Some people are cowards… I think by and large a third of people are villains, a third are cowards, and a third are heroes. Now, a villain and a coward can choose to be a hero, but they’ve got to make that choice.” Tom Hanks
There will be many choices to be made in this story. But… who are the villains in this story? We could round up the usual suspects: Lady Catherine, Lord Matlock, Wickham and even Caroline Bingley. Each came to this story with motives and goals they wished to accomplish. And each played a part in determining the future of Pemberley and the management of the grieving Georgiana Darcy, now an heiress and the most-wealthy woman in England. You will be hard pressed to figure out all the villains. I was stunned when they started popping up. OMG! I did not see that coming.
“There are three classes of men; lovers of wisdom, lovers of honor, and lovers of gain.” Plato
Darcy had to figure out who he could trust. “It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles.” Niccolo Machiavelli
The visiting dignitaries from Portugal and their association to the Fitzwilliam and Darcy families was amazing. The author managed to create a link to the past and that became the main thread to watch as the story progressed.
My emotions were wrecked at every turn. Clarkston used a masterful hand in creating a scene, whether it was a love scene, a fight scene, a death scene, or torture. Love and hate were all wrapped up in a steel fist covered in a velvet glove. This was exquisite torture. I wanted to cry, to scream and to yell but it was 3:00 a.m. and I needed to go to bed.
Darcy struggled with that profound question… what did the enemy want? Something happened during the time of Darcy’s grandfather. Familia honor was at stake and justice was demanded by those involved. The true story was lost within the family history and only a vague journal left by Darcy’s grandmother left any clues.
“I would prefer even to fail with honor than win by cheating.” Sophocles
It is impossible to convey the full force of this story without giving something away. I will not do that. If you enjoy angst and can handle the triggers, this is one story you will not forget. I am still reeling from the punch.
I received an ARC [Advanced Reader Copy] from the author with no expectation of anything other than my reading it. I enjoyed it so much… I purchased a copy when it was released.