Being Mrs Darcy in Austen Variations

Mar 20, 2020 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing

I first read this novel online @ A Happy Assembly http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show... and read it completely once and then about half all over again. I have now received a copy with no strings attached.

This story is another FMS caused by a compromise BUT it is actually neither Darcy nor Elizabeth who are the guilty parties. However, as Darcy and others realize what his honor requires and when Mr. Bennet is forced into a corner against his will to accept Darcy’s offer you will, with dismay a I first read this novel online @ A Happy Assembly http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show... and read it completely once and then about half all over again. I have now received a copy with no strings attached.

This story is another FMS caused by a compromise BUT it is actually neither Darcy nor Elizabeth who are the guilty parties. However, as Darcy and others realize what his honor requires and when Mr. Bennet is forced into a corner against his will to accept Darcy’s offer you will, with dismay all too like that of Elizabeth, realize that she has no choice but to accept the marriage…for her and her family’s honor as well as to save Georgiana’s reputation.

Your heart will go out to Elizabeth as you see her facing all those predicted trials in her marriage: his and his family’s perception about the lack of connections, the lack of family, and the lack of experience at that level of society. But how does she react? Does she complain? Does she rebel? Is she full of snide comments? And when sadly, all her efforts receive no recognition, when her position is called into question, you will ache with outrage at the main perpetrator, at the betrayal set upon her.

One of my favorite parts is the reaction of Darcy when out-of-the-blue (to his mind but not to the reader’s) Elizabeth throws in his face just what her true feelings are and how she views the treatment she has received. Where he travels to and how he thinks through that conversation and to what the conversation relates step-by-step is so rewarding because as a reader I so wanted him to open his eyes, to see the other side of the coin and to put himself in her shoes for once. And that is just the first step in this dear couple coming to any kind of understanding. The word “love” is still a long way out of reach for this pair.

Darcy and Richard have some “detective” work to do within the family and in their roles as guardians to Georgiana and in considering Elizabeth’s role, past, present and future in the family also. And we additionally read of Mr. Bennet’s harsh thoughts and stance about what has happened and whose fault it all is. At times, you may want to strangle more than one person and you will surely want to shake someone severely.

Yes, this was a long and angst filled story. But personally, I loved it. There are mentions of bedroom scenes and one in particular is very necessary to the story. When life is on the line and then, suddenly that stress disappears, how do people in love react?…with passion. For me the story would not be complete without that scene. These scenes are not described graphically in the published version.

I highly recommend this story.

I did find a change in one relationship in this published version. The two sisters by marriage come to a better understanding than in the unpublished variation. ...more

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Apr 04, 2020 Laura rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance, historical, austen, kindle-unlimited, jaff-trope-forced-marriage, jaff-trope-marriage-before-love, jaff-trope-compromise, jaff-trope-ramsgate, regency

This novel was amazing. Long, intense and fully character-focused. I loved this version of Elizabeth - positive and kind, even in the most difficult of circumstances and dignified in the face of horrible, self-satisfied members of the Darcy/Fitzwilliam family. And once he is made aware of Elizabeth's feelings, I loved Darcy too and his efforts to be worthy of her.

Would definitely recommend and would read again. ...more

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Mar 15, 2020 Katie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-romance

In Regency-era novels, which are popular for their promotion of proper behavior and swoon-worthy romantic declarations, forced-marriage tropes spice up the angst and the inevitable, slow-burn romances that result. It is satisfying to read of gentlemen doing the right thing, marrying not for love but as their duty to protect a lady’s reputation, and it is equally satisfying to observe the couple’s meandering journey to an ultimate love match. As a Pride and Prejudice enthusiast, my curiosity was In Regency-era novels, which are popular for their promotion of proper behavior and swoon-worthy romantic declarations, forced-marriage tropes spice up the angst and the inevitable, slow-burn romances that result. It is satisfying to read of gentlemen doing the right thing, marrying not for love but as their duty to protect a lady’s reputation, and it is equally satisfying to observe the couple’s meandering journey to an ultimate love match. As a Pride and Prejudice enthusiast, my curiosity was piqued when I discovered this forced-marriage situation between two beloved characters, in a location only referred to in hindsight in the original story. Pride and Prejudice variations are like choose-your-own-adventure stories that take readers through various what-if scenarios, making them ponder how a single decision might entirely change the destiny of their characters. Debut author Lucy Marin reveals an unusually bleak beginning for Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy in her Pride and Prejudice variation, Being Mrs Darcy.

This variation’s prologue opens on the August morning of Elizabeth’s forced marriage to Darcy, as they are traveling from Hertfordshire to London with his sister, Georgiana, and cousin, Sterling. Darcy is brooding, and “Elizabeth’s sense of dread grew with each successive mile they travelled.” (Kindle location 25) The situation worsens when they arrive at Darcy House. “Only the housekeeper and butler greeted them, and Elizabeth tried not to feel the slight; the entire household should be there to meet their new mistress.” (Kindle location 37) Darcy himself merely goes through the motions of his duties, dining with her and spending a short time in her company afterward, although almost entirely in silence. Elizabeth knew “he was unhappy about the marriage and despised her, as he had shown repeatedly in the six weeks of their acquaintance.” (Kindle location 58) She ends her wedding day in hopeless tears, haunted by her single fateful decision on a July night in Ramsgate that marked the point of no return.

Elizabeth was visiting the seaside town with her father and her older sister, Jane when she became the involuntary witness to a confrontation between an increasingly distraught young girl and a desperate and threatening man. Without thought, Elizabeth springs to action, rushing out into the darkened street to boldly protect the girl, who has quickly realized that her clandestine meeting and lovers’ quarrel are actually hiding a sinister plot. The girl’s brother, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, arrives shortly thereafter, just as the villain, Mr. George Wickham, flees. Miss Georgiana Darcy weeps, and Elizabeth is left to explain the unusual encounter. All the while, the curiosity of passersby ensures that the event will not be forgotten. At first, it seemed unlikely that a seemingly innocent encounter could possibly be vilified, but this situation that hinted at possible impropriety involving members of the otherwise invincible upper class was destined to set tongues wagging. And wag they did, until it became apparent that the only way to protect them all from further scandal was for Miss Elizabeth Bennet to become Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

“‘What are you suggesting, Mr Darcy?’ Mr Bennet asked. ‘I believe it is best for the reputations of both the Darcy and Bennet families if Miss Elizabeth and I…marry.’ His revulsion made it difficult to say the last word. The Bennets could not understand how disgusting the prospect was to him.” (Kindle location 173)

As the couple settles into their unhappy life together, briefly in London, and soon after that at Pemberley in Derbyshire, Elizabeth faces the extreme displeasure and prejudice of Darcy’s aristocratic family. The story is narrated from multiple points of view, providing glimpses into Elizabeth’s struggle with increasing self-doubt and despair and Georgiana’s self-righteous unwillingness to accept Elizabeth or acknowledge the sacrifice that was made as a result of her own foolish behavior. Excessively proud as always, Darcy is convinced that his wife is incapable of rising to her newly acquired station and that she is the only one to benefit from their union. “He would give her a distinguished name, exemplary connexions, and wealth far beyond what she had ever known. While she gained, he lost. Elizabeth Bennet was in every way lacking.” (Kindle location 201) He allows that conviction to comfort him as he avoids assisting her, seeing her floundering as evidence of her many inadequacies and justifying her mistreatment at the hands of his family.

Their miserable marriage seems to be without resolution. Many months pass as Elizabeth determinedly strives to prove her worth as a proper wife and mistress of Pemberley. By December, the tense situation erupts in a vicious verbal brawl. “Do you think so little of my understanding? Do you think I could not see how you and your family, even your friends, all of you look upon me with scorn? That none of you believe I deserve to be your wife? Perhaps then it would surprise you to know that I do not want to be Mrs Darcy, I have never wanted to be Mrs Darcy, and I hate every day that I am Mrs Darcy.” (Kindle location 2051) Just as Elizabeth finally gives up all hope of ever earning the respect of her husband or his family, Darcy is stunned into eyes-wide-open awareness of the impressive woman he married.

Lucy Marin’s writing was immersive, and I appreciated the multiple points of view that allowed the reader to gain the perspective of not only Elizabeth but Darcy and Georgiana as well. Without that periodic shift, I would have been determined to dislike Darcy and hate Georgiana. But, as is often the case, nothing is ever quite what it seems, and it was crucial to see the motivations for their behavior through their eyes. Observing Darcy’s gradual awakening to love and self-awareness was, at times, frustrating but also satisfying. Elizabeth’s strength and perseverance in the face of adversity were admirable. After all she endures, there are some entertaining confrontations that made me wickedly gleeful over the well-deserved comeuppance of several villainous characters. This variation also reveals a more spiteful Mr. Bennet, far different from the vaguely amused and mostly apathetic father from canon. “You will now be thrown into their society, your care entrusted to a man who does not want you, who will never respect you. How could you have been so stupid, Elizabeth?” (Kindle location 193) His derision of his daughter, and his utter disgust of the ton, is a disappointing character deviation that sadly ensures his estrangement from her.

Although it was a much longer story than necessary, Being Mrs Darcy was most definitely a page-turning, in-depth, and realistic portrayal of human interaction and prejudice.

5 out of 5 Regency Stars

https://austenprose.com/2020/05/13/be... ...more

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Mar 16, 2020 Michelle David rated it it was amazing

Gut wrenchingly glorious

A truly emotional journey of a story inspired by Jane Austen's classic Pride and Prejudice by Lucy Marin. I finished this book in one straight shot as I was so emotionally bound up in their story I had to know what happens next. I wept but I loved it. I pray she writes many more stories. ...more

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Dec 29, 2024 Nina rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: jaff

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars

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Apr 28, 2021 Liliya rated it it was amazing

This is a reimagination of Darcy and Lizzy’s story. It starts by Lizzy saving Georgiana from Whickam in Ramsgate. Darcy finds them in the street in the middle of the night, but so do other people. Rumours spread like wildfire and Darcy has to marry Lizzy to save all their reputations. And then real life happens.... will they ever be happy?

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Oct 24, 2020 Adele rated it it was amazing

Shelves: p-p-angsty, p-p-fms-moc, ja-ff, awesome-favorites, p-p-jane-not-w-bingley

Worth the read

It’s rare that I enjoy a book enough that I am willing to read it again. This pride and prejudice variation is full of angst and tenderness and worth reading twice

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Mar 15, 2022 Fiona Rowe rated it it was amazing

Shelves: my-favourites, historical-fiction, audio-books, austen-variations

Best Jane Austen variation ever very much worth the endorsements from the blogs
Characterised well, pacing throughout and entwines old and new characters perfectly

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