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An Unexpected Legacy
This is a variation on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice that take places after Darcy’s ill-fated marriage proposal to Elizabeth Bennett in Kent.
Can Darcy gain Elizabeth’s good opinion after that disastrous marriage proposal? With the help and encouragement of his cousin, Col. Fitzwilliam, a discouraged Darcy decides that his life will be miserable without Elizabeth, so he once again sets out to gain her good opinion. Meanwhile Elizabeth has met the very kind Baron and Baroness Monttard, who have become very intrigued with Elizabeth, her accomplishments, and her past. Through her relationship with Lady Monttard, who has decided to take Elizabeth under her wing, Elizabeth learns of an unexpected legacy that causes a major upheaval in her life.
Darcy, who manages to reconnect with Elizabeth again, must deal with this change in Elizabeth’s life and convince her that he should be a part of her life. And together, they must deal with Wickham and his scheme to get revenge on Darcy by embarrassing the family of the woman he loves.
Can Darcy gain Elizabeth’s good opinion after that disastrous marriage proposal? With the help and encouragement of his cousin, Col. Fitzwilliam, a discouraged Darcy decides that his life will be miserable without Elizabeth, so he once again sets out to gain her good opinion. Meanwhile Elizabeth has met the very kind Baron and Baroness Monttard, who have become very intrigued with Elizabeth, her accomplishments, and her past. Through her relationship with Lady Monttard, who has decided to take Elizabeth under her wing, Elizabeth learns of an unexpected legacy that causes a major upheaval in her life.
Darcy, who manages to reconnect with Elizabeth again, must deal with this change in Elizabeth’s life and convince her that he should be a part of her life. And together, they must deal with Wickham and his scheme to get revenge on Darcy by embarrassing the family of the woman he loves.
349 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2013
72 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Don H. Miller
27 books21 followersDon H. Miller was born and grew up in Iowa, went to the University of North Carolina where he received a degree in Mathematics, spent three years as a U.S. Navy officer, got a Ph.D. in Mathematical Statistics from the University of Chicago, spent three years as a college professor, and then spent the rest of his working career as a research scientist working in various fields including naval operations research, environmental impact analysis, and command, control and communications technology. He is now retired, enjoys golfing, pickleball, and writing, and is the art director of the monthly newsletter of the community in which he now lives. He has written twenty-five novels in the genre of Jane Austen fan fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 12, 2022
Lizzy Bennet -> Lady Elizabeth, Cinderella in Regency England
Ok, the best way to enjoy this tale is to consider it a modern fairy tale. Of all Don Miller’s works, this is my pick to be picked up by the BBC and made into a six part Masterpiece Theater television show. Or maybe by HBO so we could see enhanced marriage night scenes.
The book was a very fun read after I let go of worrying about it not being realistic. I hope you enjoy it like I did.
Ok, the best way to enjoy this tale is to consider it a modern fairy tale. Of all Don Miller’s works, this is my pick to be picked up by the BBC and made into a six part Masterpiece Theater television show. Or maybe by HBO so we could see enhanced marriage night scenes.
The book was a very fun read after I let go of worrying about it not being realistic. I hope you enjoy it like I did.
July 2, 2021
Couldn't finish
Post Hunsford proposal story in need of an editor. Redundant wording was too annoying for me to overlook. I stopped reading after struggling through 20 percent of the story.and decided to move on to something else.
Post Hunsford proposal story in need of an editor. Redundant wording was too annoying for me to overlook. I stopped reading after struggling through 20 percent of the story.and decided to move on to something else.
June 26, 2017
In this Pride and Prejudice variation, the timing follows the proposal in Hunsford. While helping her Aunt and Uncle at their shops in London, Elizabeth meets the Baron and Baroness of Monttard. This meeting sends her life in a tailspin where she finds herself in a new world much "higher" than Darcy. His connections become nothing compared to hers.
In the meantime, Darcy has decided that he can't live without Elizabeth and has dedicated himself to making her "his". Elizabeth eventually welcomes his attentions but must balance his wishes with the details of her new found life. They do manage to find their path together after only to have more family drama come their way. Their happily ever after is well fought for through logical planning rather than angst.
This book flowed very nicely although there was a lot of description of dresses, lace, etc. Mr. Bennet beware!
In the meantime, Darcy has decided that he can't live without Elizabeth and has dedicated himself to making her "his". Elizabeth eventually welcomes his attentions but must balance his wishes with the details of her new found life. They do manage to find their path together after only to have more family drama come their way. Their happily ever after is well fought for through logical planning rather than angst.
This book flowed very nicely although there was a lot of description of dresses, lace, etc. Mr. Bennet beware!
August 29, 2025
Enjoyable
After the disastrous proposal at Hunsford Parsonage, Elizabeth is back in London with the Gardiners, where she is a valuable asset to them helping at their bookshop and helping her uncle with his accounting for the import/export business. Elizabeth is seen in the bookshop by Lord and Lady Montarrd, who are struck by her resemblance to their own daughter. It eventually comes to light that Elizabeth is the granddaughter of the Baron and his wife, but also the granddaughter to the Earl and Countess of Denby. Much to Elizabeth's amazement, she's not a Bennett, and is heiress to a vast fortune, and has a new family of the aristocracy.
Meanwhile, Darcy is discovering that he can't live without Elizabeth, and with the encouragement of Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam, he decides to pursue her in spite of the drawbacks, not knowing that Elizabeth's social standing now is higher than his own. Elizabeth has read the letter Darcy gave her at Rosings, and regrets her harsh refusal of him, but her life now is so much upended and the future is uncertain.
I like this author, but I agree with other reviews that the book needs proofreading. Punctuation errors, sentence fragments, not capitalizing at the beginning of sentences, these are all errors repeated frequently throughout the story. Some errors are expected, but when their frequency interrupts the flow of the story, it's a problem. I have a feeling that it would have helped to have read a previous book by this author, but I'm not sure. I recommend the book with these reservations.
After the disastrous proposal at Hunsford Parsonage, Elizabeth is back in London with the Gardiners, where she is a valuable asset to them helping at their bookshop and helping her uncle with his accounting for the import/export business. Elizabeth is seen in the bookshop by Lord and Lady Montarrd, who are struck by her resemblance to their own daughter. It eventually comes to light that Elizabeth is the granddaughter of the Baron and his wife, but also the granddaughter to the Earl and Countess of Denby. Much to Elizabeth's amazement, she's not a Bennett, and is heiress to a vast fortune, and has a new family of the aristocracy.
Meanwhile, Darcy is discovering that he can't live without Elizabeth, and with the encouragement of Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam, he decides to pursue her in spite of the drawbacks, not knowing that Elizabeth's social standing now is higher than his own. Elizabeth has read the letter Darcy gave her at Rosings, and regrets her harsh refusal of him, but her life now is so much upended and the future is uncertain.
I like this author, but I agree with other reviews that the book needs proofreading. Punctuation errors, sentence fragments, not capitalizing at the beginning of sentences, these are all errors repeated frequently throughout the story. Some errors are expected, but when their frequency interrupts the flow of the story, it's a problem. I have a feeling that it would have helped to have read a previous book by this author, but I'm not sure. I recommend the book with these reservations.
March 19, 2017
I'm a big fan of Don Miller's work, so don't be surprised with my rating. I love all the characters he adds in each of his book and I'm happy to meet them again and again, it's a bit like they are family.
Maybe Elizabeth is a bit of a superwoman but sometimes it's good to dream!
Maybe Elizabeth is a bit of a superwoman but sometimes it's good to dream!
April 21, 2014
Great storyline but really needed better editing. Way too many typos and grammatical errors. Narrative seemed flat and rushed.
December 3, 2024
An Unexpected Legacy
Wow, this story has it all. Little Lizzy Bennet to Lady Elizabeth all in the matter of months. Turns out Elizabeth is not a Bennet, but the daughter of Antoinette Dumont, who gives her daughter to the Bennets to raise. Heiress to the Dumont shipping lines through her Grandfather, Henri, Elizabeth becomes a force to be reckoned with as Lady Catherine finds out on her tirade against her upcoming marriage to her nephew, Darcy. What I really missed though is her not being able to put Caroline Bingley in her place, but the confrontation between them never happened. Elizabeth’s accomplishments would make Caroline turn green with envy. Loved the gradual change in her relationship with Darcy and her sudden realization that she loved him and didn’t want to lose him to another because of her foolishness. Loved the relationship between Colonel Fitzwilliam and her cousin, Margaret. The real surprise is that her foolish little sister, Lydia, runs away with Wickham, but a carriage accident leaves her without any memory of her past life and she finds real love while recovering from her injuries. Excellent story and her continued relationship with the Gardiners is heartfelt too even though they are technically not family when she is recognized by her two sets of grandparents. Well done Mr. Miller.
Wow, this story has it all. Little Lizzy Bennet to Lady Elizabeth all in the matter of months. Turns out Elizabeth is not a Bennet, but the daughter of Antoinette Dumont, who gives her daughter to the Bennets to raise. Heiress to the Dumont shipping lines through her Grandfather, Henri, Elizabeth becomes a force to be reckoned with as Lady Catherine finds out on her tirade against her upcoming marriage to her nephew, Darcy. What I really missed though is her not being able to put Caroline Bingley in her place, but the confrontation between them never happened. Elizabeth’s accomplishments would make Caroline turn green with envy. Loved the gradual change in her relationship with Darcy and her sudden realization that she loved him and didn’t want to lose him to another because of her foolishness. Loved the relationship between Colonel Fitzwilliam and her cousin, Margaret. The real surprise is that her foolish little sister, Lydia, runs away with Wickham, but a carriage accident leaves her without any memory of her past life and she finds real love while recovering from her injuries. Excellent story and her continued relationship with the Gardiners is heartfelt too even though they are technically not family when she is recognized by her two sets of grandparents. Well done Mr. Miller.
September 24, 2021
Interesting, clean, emotional
What a very interesting and impress look I to a different Darcy and Elizabeth love story. Elizabeth is extremely stronger and a lot wealthier. Darcy still stumbles through his love life, but once he realized his mistakes he is more determined to receive the love from Elizabeth. Loved the "new" Lydia at the end of the book. Very clean, emotional, and well read for anyone to enjoy reading.
What a very interesting and impress look I to a different Darcy and Elizabeth love story. Elizabeth is extremely stronger and a lot wealthier. Darcy still stumbles through his love life, but once he realized his mistakes he is more determined to receive the love from Elizabeth. Loved the "new" Lydia at the end of the book. Very clean, emotional, and well read for anyone to enjoy reading.
October 18, 2024
Last half not good.
For me, it was good until 50% ish. It took 2 attempts 1 year apart to read this book thru to the end. The book just got repetitive. Literally, the same story told 3 different times in full. This happened numerous times. Then Everything was suddenly ok and everyone miraculously turned into good people with really No journey. No thank you.
For me, it was good until 50% ish. It took 2 attempts 1 year apart to read this book thru to the end. The book just got repetitive. Literally, the same story told 3 different times in full. This happened numerous times. Then Everything was suddenly ok and everyone miraculously turned into good people with really No journey. No thank you.
June 18, 2021
Really, really good!
I very much enjoyed this book.
In fact, I've enjoyed all of Mr.Miller's books. The only criticism I have, and this is intended constructively, is the editing. There are enough grammatical errors and omitted articles as to be quite distracting.
I very much enjoyed this book.
In fact, I've enjoyed all of Mr.Miller's books. The only criticism I have, and this is intended constructively, is the editing. There are enough grammatical errors and omitted articles as to be quite distracting.
March 30, 2019
Lovely
A rather interesting variation of author Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice. Veers very wildly from usual storyline but I enjoyed it
A rather interesting variation of author Jane Austen’s classic Pride and Prejudice. Veers very wildly from usual storyline but I enjoyed it
July 9, 2025
Excellent!!
I truly loved this book! I can only hope you have written Mary and Kitty's stories as well! you did good sir!
I truly loved this book! I can only hope you have written Mary and Kitty's stories as well! you did good sir!
October 22, 2025
easy,sweet story
Everyone got a good end
Everyone got a good end
August 31, 2024
An easy low angst read - pure escapism
This is not the best in the field by any means but it has a charm in its own way. The Lydia story is very different and, whilst being somewhat over dramatic, is quite pleasing nonetheless.
This is not the best in the field by any means but it has a charm in its own way. The Lydia story is very different and, whilst being somewhat over dramatic, is quite pleasing nonetheless.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews