Expecting His Proposal

Darcy and Elizabeth Short Stories #2

by P.O. Dixon

In this diverting Pride and Prejudice short story, what if Darcy had not wounded Elizabeth's pride by insulting her at the Meryton assembly and had danced with her instead? What if Elizabeth had refused to hear a negative word formed against Darcy by his former friend, George Wickham? What if Elizabeth had been so agreeably engaged with thoughts of the master of Pemberley that by the time his visit to Kent was drawing nearer to its end, she was indeed expecting his proposal?

Genres: Audiobook, Romance, Retellings, Historical Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Regency

94 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 12, 2014

About the author

P. O. Dixon has authored several Jane Austen "Pride and Prejudice" adaptations, all written with one overriding purpose in mind—falling in love with Darcy and Elizabeth. Sometimes provocative, but always entertaining, her stories have been read, commented on, and thoroughly enjoyed by thousands of readers worldwide.

Reviews

[Nicole Barton Sasser · Rating 2 out of 5]

Status: Read October 3, 2023
via audiobook edition

Rating: ⭐⭐

Review:
Another reviewer fittingly said, "it was fine, but nothing spectacular." Hence my 2-star rating (it was ok).

My Library Notes:

Expecting His Proposal: A Darcy & Elizabeth Short Story (Darcy & Elizabeth Short Stories, #2)
by P.O. Dixon
Kindle Edition, 94 pages
Published August 12, 2014 by Regents and Cotswold Book Group
ASIN: B00MOSUDK8

"A Darcy and Elizabeth short story which fashions many of Jane Austen's own timeless words into another engaging path to happily ever after!"

In this diverting Pride and Prejudice short story, what if Darcy had not wounded Elizabeth's pride by insulting her at the Meryton assembly and had danced with her instead? What if Elizabeth had refused to hear a negative word formed against Darcy by his former friend, George Wickham? What if Elizabeth had been so agreeably engaged with thoughts of the master of Pemberley that by the time his visit to Kent was drawing nearer to its end, she was indeed expecting his proposal?


Expecting His Proposal: A Darcy & Elizabeth Short Story (Darcy & Elizabeth Short Stories, #2)
by P.O. Dixon, Pearl Hewitt (Narrator)
Published by Regents and Cotswold Book Group
Audiobook, Unabridged, 2 pages
[ b&n audiobook ]

Listening Length: 1 hours and 54 minutes


Expecting His Proposal: A Darcy & Elizabeth Short Story (Darcy & Elizabeth Short Stories, #2)
by P.O. Dixon, Pearl Hewitt (Narrator)
Published by Regents and Cotswold Book Group
Audiobook, Unabridged, 2 pages
[ apple audiobook ]

Listening Length: 1 hours and 54 minutes

[J. W. Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a free Kindle Edition offer and I have given an honest review.

This is not canon so don’t get your knickers in a wad. Know going in that it has a different bent. It is a ‘what if’…that means… if this changes… then how does that affect the rest of the story?

This is a novella or short story that starts with Elizabeth and Darcy meeting again in Kent. This is after their acquaintance at the Meryton Assembly where… Darcy actually dances with her… and at Lucas Lodge… and at the Netherfield ball. During this time, they discover they like each other.

Because Elizabeth was not prejudiced against Darcy, when the militia came to town, Wickham was not able to poison her with his stories. She was able to hear him with a clear and open mind and felt his stories did not match up with what she knew of Mr. Darcy. Plus, he kept changing parts of his story and as she questioned him, caught him in several lies.

At Kent they spend time together and Darcy finally finds the courage to propose. Elizabeth accepts and they decide to wait to announce their engagement until they can approach her father for his consent. Mr. Collins overhears them talking and rats them out to Lady Catherine. Things go downhill from there. Lady C goes off and demands Collins toss her out. Cousin Anne goes off due to destroyed hopes and threatens to write Georgiana and tell her what a horrible person Elizabeth is.

Then things really get bad when Elizabeth has that conversation with the Colonel regarding Darcy taking such care of Bingley [separating him from an imprudent marriage]. She now has second thoughts about marrying a man who has destroyed the hopes of her beloved sister and holds her family in such disdain. She now wonders if she really knows him. How can she marry him? She bolts and runs to London to the Gardiner’s home where Jane is staying.

This was a whirlwind of a story. It crashes and burns and yet is pulled out of the fire at the last minute. I held my breath the whole time. It does end quickly. I read it twice it was such a quick read. I kept thinking I missed something so I reread it again.

Several elements were darker in this version…Lady Catherine was pure evil and I was surprised with Anne’s response. In most JAFF she doesn’t want to marry Darcy. In this version…she was so brainwashed by her mother’s expectations that she really didn’t know what she wanted. I really felt for her.

I was pleased to see Charlotte stand up to Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine when Lady C demanded they toss Elizabeth out of the Parsonage.

You really have to wait for the HEA, and I felt there were several threads that were left hanging. There were minimal errors, nothing major, minor editing and word replacements. All in all, I enjoyed it.

[TC Rittenhouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's fine. I mean, it's not the first canon divergence Pride & Prejudice story that I've read, and it was fine, but nothing spectacular.

I got this as an audiobook on a stuff your ears freebie Friday, so I'm grateful that it was free because if I had paid audiobook prices for this, I would have been upset.

3 out of 5 stars, it was just okay.

[Sheila Majczan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a rather simple retelling of P&P with much of canon present although reset as to timing and with one main misunderstanding and then with the happy ending much earlier in span of time.

As the book description queries: what if Elizabeth was not insulted at the Meryton Assembly, what if Darcy asked her alone (outside of his party) to dance and what if George Wickham's slanderous complaints were not believed by her? Can you not see that they would come to an understanding much more quickly?

The twist here is that Darcy proposes BEFORE Colonel Fitzwilliam drops the bombshell about Darcy's actions with a friend. So Elizabeth subsequently fears she has made a mistake. And now she even ponders what he must be thinking about her family if he used that reason to separate her sister from his friend. Darcy must work fast to keep the engagement he thinks he has in place. And he follows her to Gracechurch Street to put into action proof he has changed, that his regard of her family will be above reproach.

This very short story does not have any surprises but is a sweet little piece for lovers of Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet and their romance. I liked it and it was another variation to attract attention to that couple's romance, if that is what one is drawn to.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun little short story audio book that I got for free. I didn't really connect with these characters, but just needed a short audio to listen to during a drive.

[Ree · Rating 4 out of 5]

At under two hours, this is good and quick listen of the audiobook, narrated by Pearl Hewitt, who I like very much.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms Dixon strikes again with a wonderful tale. The only problem in my eyes was that it was too short!!!! Just when it was getting good with Mr Bennet's letter it ends!!! I like this Elizabeth because she was more accepting, that is until provoked. This story really does emulate how vain Elizabeth really is in most P&P fanfiction. And dear Mr Darcy, still is proud but definitely appears more accepting and changeable than ever. Kudos to Ms Dixon!! You keep rolling them out and I'll keep buying!!!

[Maria Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed to listen to something for a couple hours while scraping paint and had this audiobook in my library. I figured the length would be perfect for my needs. And it was.
I enjoy P&P variations and I always think it is interesting to see what each author comes up with to make the story their own. This one starts out with Lizzy and Darcy already liking each other and ready to get engaged. There is still some conflict for them but it is such a short story that it couldn't be dwelt on too long. It was fun to see them getting along, at least until the conflict hit and I enjoyed seeing Darcy more effective in his wooing. He can be swoony when he wants to be.
I was a little surprised that there weren't more repercussions from Lady Catherine. In a longer story she might have been more of a villain. Also, with the length of the story we didn't see a lot of the characters from canon though some were mentioned by name. I did love Charlotte in this one for the brief time we saw her.
If you don't like short stories then this one probably isn't a good choice for you but if you going in knowing you are going to get just a little taste instead of a whole bite then it is quite enjoyable.

Pearl Hewitt did a great job on the narration adding to the enjoyment of the story.

No sex, language or violence

[Carole Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another P&P variation. hehe.



This one changes the events of things. What if Darcy didn't wound Elizabeth's pride by insulting her at the Meryton assembly and actually DID dance with her instead. What if Elizabeth had refused to hear a negative word from Wickham? Things are all different except that Darcy DID convince Bingley to abandon Jane since she doesn't seem to care about him.



I liked it. It was cute. It was fun watching Lizzie wait for his proposal at Kent. It was adorable seeing them be in love early on.



But not all is roses and rainbows here. Darcy STILL did convince Bingley Jane doesn't have real feelings. And of course...somehow (won't say)....Elizabeth did find out about this. So yes - there was some drama. Darcy did a good job fixing everything, but I was worried about HOW he would fix it.



The narrator was perfect! I think she did the last one? I can't remember, but I have heard her voice before.



This was short and cute. If you need some P&P variation in your life, I recommend this. There are others in this "series" but it is just a collection and not a real "series" as we know it, so you can read out of order like me. I'll give this 5 stars.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if Mr. Darcy hadn't snubbed Elizabeth at the Meryton assembly, but had danced with her instead? What if he had allowed her to see the man he was instead of the prideful facade he showed to the world? In this variation, Lizzy falls for Darcy and she longs for his proposal. But with Lady Catherine and Mr. Collins to interfere, happily ever after isn't guaranteed for our favorite couple.

This is a sweet quick read I listened to in one sitting. It takes place in Kent, so the Bennett family isn't featured much, but we get plenty of Lady Catherine. I loved Darcy in this version, he knew what he wanted and how to go after it, and he knew when to keep quiet! This Lizzy was a bit more wishy washy than in canon, and strings poor Darcy along. There isn't much angst, and it's a nice sweet story. The narration was great, Pearl Hewitt brings the characters to life and is always a pleasure to listen to.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a delightful story of Darcy and Elizabeth, with a slight twist from what we know to happen in Pride and Prejudice! (this time she was expecting his proposal!)

I loved how the author wove in lines from P&P and still kept them in the same context as what was intended.

I'm not one to read too many adaptations or retellings of my favorite novel, so to say that I was engaged with the story is saying something!

[Warfie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stuff Your Earbuds Find!
I am a sucker for anything that has to do with Lizzie and Darcy or even Pride and Prejudice in general. Indeed this was extremely short but I liked it all the same. Just filling in the small moments where there was a time skip or a time jump. As always Collins is a pain in the behind but I do love that they showed the backbone here predominantly in Lizzie best friend. Love getting a daydream back into the world I fell in love with.

[Kay Stunts · Rating 3 out of 5]

It felt like starting in the middle of the story, which it kind of did. This is a “what would have happened” kind of retelling so the characters are the same.

I listened to it on audiobook and while the narration was good, the book itself was just okay. It wasn’t bad it just wasn’t anything spectacular and I found myself getting a little bored with it at times.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clean, sweet, and interesting

Cute and interesting on how Darcy and Elizabeth came together. Loved how they stood this and faced the opposition. Loved how some truths came out, but loved even more how they worked it out. Highly recommended to read

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this alternative take on Pride and Prejudice. I liked how although Elizabeth and Darcy had a better understanding of each other at the beginning they still had some issues to work through to get their happily ever after. All in all, a good novella.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm always welcome to more Pride & Prejudice content, so I dove into this one. The shift in this short story is Darcy proposing much earlier in the story. This adds so much more drama. It was well written, but I found all the arguing droning rather than enjoyable.

[Desdemona Dreadless · Rating 2 out of 5]

Format: Audiobook
Rating: 2

I seem to remember this was OK, but it was so incredibly forgettable that I am not sure.

[Teresita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting plot, some misunderstandings and a very sweet and romantic Darcy. Lovely read!

[Julie Goodman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story!

[Maria Camacho · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute read, a different perspective on his proposal. Enjoyed the read.

[Sarina · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, basically just a shorter version of pride and prejudice but no Enemies to lovers.

[Ashley Salcedo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have always loved Pride and Prejudice. This was a great quick read to remind me why I love it so much.

[Ainsely Layden · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay, I would like it to have a different ending

[Sheena · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only thing that was really changed was that they were engaged before she found out about Darcy’s involvement in breaking up Bingley and Jane rather than after it was all resolved.

[Kayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had hoped it was going to be stories of Jane and Darcy together. Adding onto the original Pride and prejudice. But it resold a bit of the story with different events and I didn't enjoy the change.

[Jen B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was left wanting after reading this.There as nothing wrong with it per say, but just left feeling unsatisfied at the end.

[Savannah Muron · Rating 4 out of 5]

published pride and prejudice fanfiction ! lowkey kinda slapped

[Carol Perrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pleasing variation of Darcy's infamous marriage proposal to Elizabeth while in Kent visiting Charlotte. In P. O. Dixon's newest book, Darcy danced with Elizabeth at the Meryton Assembly changing Austen's slant on the relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth from the very beginning. Elizabeth is hoping for a proposal, and Darcy delivers just the first paragraph of his infamous proposal to Elizabeth leaving all the negative parts unspoken. Of course, the way to the altar is not without its difficulties as Colonel Fitzwilliam again unwittingly creates a problem that Darcy must remedy. Lizzy runs from Hunsford before Darcy can talk to her so he and Colonel Fitzwilliam are hot on her tail. A dinner is planned at Darcy House to include the Gardiners, Lord and Lady Matlock, Jane and Bingley, Lord and Lady Robert Fitzwilliam, Mrs. Louisa Hurst, and Miss Caroline Bingley. Lord Matlock pulled his nephew aside and asked why they did not announce his intentions. When Darcy replied, the Earl tells him not to worry, he sees a wedding in a matter of weeks. Caroline was passing by as she heard "wedding" and made a snide remark has Eliza's fine eyes finally pushed him to ask for her hand, and without batting an eye, Lord Matlock replies, "Nothing has been decided, but let me assure you that nothing would give me greater pleasure than the prospect of welcoming Miss Eliza and her fine eyes into the Fitzwilliam family." Unfortunately that was more than Caroline wanted to hear. Lizzy still has to see how he handles being around her mother and her sisters. She doesn't have to wait long, because when the four of them return for a walk in the park, Mrs. Bennet and all her sisters are waiting at the Gardiners. Fun story and very short. I was finished before I knew it.

[Lilmissmolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a huge Jane Austen fan, and Pride and Prejudice is the primary reason. I'm always hesitant to read "fan fiction" that attempts to rewrite what Miss Austen said so eloquently the first time. However, I just love narrator Pearl Hewitt. She has a spunk and sassiness in her readings that make listening very enjoyable. She enunciates with British sophistication with the best of them! So, when I saw that Pearl had a new narration of P.O. Dixon's Expecting His Proposal: A Darcy and Elizabeth Short Story, I thought why not give it a try? I was pleasantly surprised with the story and glad I listened.

The story is an alternative to the infamous first proposal. Thankfully, the whole Wickham misunderstanding is avoided in this story. Instead, the story starts off with Elizabeth's attraction to Darcy and how she looks forward to their meetings. P.O. Dixon does a very good job of weaving several of Austen's dialog passages into her own story- just placing them in a different context.

I highly recommend this Audible short story to anyone who enjoys Jane Austen and alternative scenarios.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I won this book through FirstReads.

Any Jane Austen-related reading is going to be worth the time for me. 'What If' works are always a tricky enterprise, however. Change the trajectory of the story too much in a certain way and the characters readers have loved for 200 years can start to slip away. Dixon keeps that problem at bay for the most part in this story. Most of the reason why is due to the length-- this is a very brief short story. Another reason why is the trap an author writing this type of story could fall into-- use of the words of the original work to fill out their own. This decision makes sense because we tend to think things will happen the way they're supposed to in classic works. Dixon does this but not so much that it is detrimentally obvious. Also, Dixon's use of words is decent but not great. Overall, this is a four star short story.