Review
What readers say about APK:
Okay.That was edge of your seat, action packed. And I loved it, but I still can't breathe!
I like how you write a happy scene between the action and drama and how you weave in minor characters who can be helpful or deceitful.
I have a love/hate relationship with angst, so I read stories that make me weep and cheer. Your stories are excellent for the hard work our dear couple must go through, and the tough situations they must either resolve or endure. It is a joy that you don't do a cookie-cutter story, but one full of complex characters dealing with troubles that require REAL effort to resolve. Keep it up, and I'll keep reading!!!
Sigh...Sigh...Sigh! This is another of your books which will be read again and again. Thank for you allowing me to start my day with a big Smile.
Love this story. It has so much love, intrigue and excitement that it is a keeper for sure.I will own this book to read over and over (like so many of your other books). Thanks for taking us on this journey as your put it all together. It is like we are a "silent" part of your team, watching from the sidelines.
From the Author
Before you buy the book, you need to know this. My books are written for mature audiences. I use British spelling so some words may be spelled differently than what you are accustomed to seeing. This book has 464 pages so if you like a quick read this is definitely not it. My main characters believe in God and prayer. I enjoy writing "what if" books about Pride and Prejudice. That means that all of my stories are NOT canon and will include a good many main characters that you have never heard of before.
For instance, in this book Fitzwilliam has not seen Charles Bingley or Elizabeth Bennet for five years. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are dead and Georgiana is married and lives in Ireland. If this type of variation is not what you enjoy reading, I would advise you not to buy it. For those undecided who have a kindle, download the sample. If the first five chapters don't convince you to buy the book, you have lost nothing. For those who do not have a kindle, go to "look inside" and read some of it before you decide to purchase.
Excerpt. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Caught up in his observations, William was unaware that Elizabeth had entered the room behind him. Since she was not expecting him to be at the Bingleys' residence that day, she did not see him either, and turned in the opposite direction. Even so, he was alerted to her presence when she began humming a tune he remembered from his childhood--Lavender's Blue.
The minute he spied her, his breath caught. Only once had he seen her hair in its present style--at a picnic Charles had hosted at Netherfield. The sides were pulled up and tied with long, pink satin ribbons, the ends of which were now entwined in the dark curls that cascaded down her back. As his eyes followed her lithe frame across the room, he was tortured by thoughts of how it would feel to replace the ribbons with his fingers. Thoroughly dismayed at the path his thoughts had taken, William tried to picture Millie's hair worn in the same fashion, but could not.
In Elizabeth's hands were several books, and, once she reached a small, round table, she laid them there. Then she walked down an identical wall of bookshelves until she found a library chair. Sliding this object along the floor until it was where she wished it to be, she flipped the chair over, revealing four built-in steps. Then, taking the top book from the stack, she lifted her skirts and put one dainty foot on the bottom step. Since she wore simple slippers and no stockings, William had a good view of her left ankle and leg clear to the knee. Instantly aware that he should have announced his presence before now, his heart began to race. Still, in light of the circumstances, he was incapable of speech.
Unfortunately, Jane Bingley chose that moment to rush into the room. "Mr. Darcy, I had no idea you would come today! It was only yesterday that I sent the express."
At the sound of Jane's voice, Elizabeth's head swung around. Finding William staring in her direction, she dropped her skirts and lifted her chin, giving him a stern glare.
Thoroughly embarrassed, William turned to Jane, stuttering a reply. "I . . . I was preparing to leave for Pemberley, but your letter gave me the impression that you were frightened; thus, I came here first."
By then, Elizabeth had walked towards them. Jane's eyes went wide when she realised that her sister had heard everything. Before she could speak, however, Elizabeth said impatiently, "You were frightened, Jane, yet you did not think to tell me?"
Jane's hands flew to her face, and she began to cry, and Elizabeth pulled her sister into an embrace, patting her back.
"Please do not cry, dearest. I was only wounded that you did not feel that you could confide in me. I want to know when anything is amiss. In your condition, you should not carry burdens alone."
"It is not that I felt I could not confide in you. It is just--" Jane stopped to pull a handkerchief from her pocket and dab at her eyes. Looking from her sister to William, she said, "Let us sit down, and I will tell you both what has transpired."
Minutes later, Jane had shared a letter from Kitty that had arrived a week earlier. That letter had informed her that a strange man had been seen in Meryton asking about the former occupants of Longbourn. More particularly, he had visited that property and spoken to Mr.Collins, presenting himself as an old friend of Mr. Bennet. Upon being informed of the calamity that had befallen their parents, he enquired as to whether the daughters were all well. He also wanted to know whether they had married and where each lived. Only the arrival of Charlotte Collins from a quick jaunt into Meryton cut short the rector's long-winded recitation of each sister's fate before he got to Elizabeth. Charlotte, being more wary than her husband, had informed Kitty of the man's inquisitiveness the next day. Nonetheless, by the time Kitty asked for the man's whereabouts in the village, he had slipped away.
Already planning a visit, the following day Kitty travelled to the nearby village of Compton where James Parton, Mary's husband, was the vicar. Immediately upon arrival, Kitty informed Mary of the strange man in Meryton. Consequently, Mary related a similarly odd occurrence. It seemed that a stranger had come by the parish in search of counselling only the week before, and his conversation had swiftly moved from his own concerns to assertions that he knew Mary's father years ago. When he enquired as to how the sisters had fared since their parents' untimely deaths, the vicar mentioned that Kitty had married Harvey Thomas, a law clerk, and still lived in Meryton. When he asked about Elizabeth specifically, Mr. Parton became suspicious and sent him on his way.
Once Jane had finished reading, the room was eerily silent. The look on William's face was enough to convince her that he was contemplating the situation before commenting. Elizabeth, however, had no such reluctance and attempted to make light of it all.
"Surely asking about our family is scarcely a reason to think that anyone means to do us harm? On the contrary,Papa had many good friends from university, and upon hearing of the circumstances of his death, why would they not profess an interest in our welfare?"
Jane was about to answer, when William retorted, "I am afraid that I cannot agree, Mrs. Gardiner. One incident may be logical. Two is suspect."
Apparently still angry that he had not made his presence known earlier, Elizabeth snapped, "Mr. Darcy, you may be in charge of all our finances, but you are not in charge of my life! Surely I have a right to live without fear of every person who asks after me."
"Lizzy," Jane said, "you have no right to talk to Mr. Darcy in that manner."
William held up a hand. "Please. Let her say what she wishes; that is her prerogative."
"I wanted to spare you the worst of it, Lizzy, but I see that I simply cannot," Jane said wearily. "Mayhap you will change your tone after hearing this." Reaching into her pocket, she withdrew another missive. Holding it out to William, she said, "This arrived yesterday morning and was what prompted the express."
William took the paper, his brows furrowing as he read what was written thereon. I know the secret about your sister and that child.
Seeing his expression darken, Elizabeth asked, "What does it say?"
Looking up, he locked eyes with hers."Do you not think it time I was told the truth?"
Not able to meet his gaze, Elizabeth looked away.
"He has earned the right to know, Lizzy."
From the Inside Flap
All characters are from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen or the author's imagination.
About the Author
Before my obsession with all things Jane Austen, I worked as an administrative assistant to the president of a CPA firm. No longer working in that industry, thankfully, I enjoy spending time with my family and indulging my love of storytelling.
Born on a farm in Cullman, Alabama, I proudly admit to being a country girl, and after years of living in the city, I have finally achieved my dream of moving back to the country. My husband and I now reside on a three acre mini-farm, sporting chickens and numerous rescued dogs and cats.
Always a voracious reader, I rediscovered Jane Austen books after watching the 2005 Pride and Prejudice movie. Searching for everything relating to Miss Austen, I eventually stumbled into the world of Jane Austen Fan Fiction. After reading many of other people's stories, I decided to try my hand at writing a tale that kept coming to mind and began posting that story online.
By November of 2010, I started my own forum, DarcyandLizzy.com, and many readers followed me to this site. Several of my friends insisted that I publish, and in April 2011, Fitzwilliam Darcy an Honourable Man became available on Amazon.com.
It was followed by Mr. Darcy's Forbidden Love in December 2012, Darcy and Elizabeth, A Most Unlikely Couple in November 2014, Darcy and Elizabeth, A Promise Kept in April, 2016 and Passages - A Pemberley Tale in December 2016.
Anyone is welcome to join the forum and read stories by an array of talented JAFF writers. Just register at darcyandlizzy.com/forum.
