Sixteen Days at Pemberley: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

by Susan Adriani

When Elizabeth Bennet’s journey to Derbyshire with the Gardiners results in an extended stay at Mr Darcy’s estate, new depths of understanding grow between them—but it takes longer than either had hoped.

Sixteen Days at Pemberley was previously published as a part of the An Inducement into Matrimony anthology. This short story, Pride and Prejudice Variation is a trapped-together enemies to lovers romance. Angst is low and content is closed door.

44 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2025

About the author

Susan Adriani has been a fan of Jane Austen and her beloved characters for as long as she can remember. Originally from New England, she attended a small art college close to her home, where she majored in illustration. In 2007, after contemplating the unexplored possibilities in one of Miss Austen’s most celebrated novels, Pride and Prejudice, she began to write her first novel-length story, The Truth About Mr. Darcy (previously self-published as Affinity and Affection). With encouragement from fellow Austen enthusiasts she continued, and is currently at work on her second book. She lives in Connecticut with her husband, young daughter, and a very impertinent cat.

Reviews

[Madenna U · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reads as an alternate scene when Elizabeth and the Gardiner’s visit Pemberley.

[Nicole Barton Sasser]

Status: Read June 16, 2025 via kindle edition

Edition Read:

Sixteen Days at Pemberley
by Susan Adriani
Kindle Edition, 44 pages
Published June 1, 2025 by Quills & Quartos Publishing
ASIN: B0F8VZBH8J
[ kindle unlimited ]

When Elizabeth Bennet’s journey to Derbyshire with the Gardiners results in an extended stay at Mr Darcy’s estate, new depths of understanding grow between them—but it takes longer than either had hoped.

Sixteen Days at Pemberley was previously published as a part of the An Inducement into Matrimony anthology. This short story, Pride and Prejudice Variation is a trapped-together enemies to lovers romance. Angst is low and content is closed door.

[Maria Escarda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet though not much of a variation

This well-written and well-edited retelling speaks of Elizabeth Bennet and her Gardiner relations staying at Pemberley by special invitation of Mr. Darcy while they were touring Derbyshire. The re visit much of a modification except for the Bennet family removing for e seaside vacation which averts the Lydia-Wickham scandal. Therefore, nothing else rips Elizabeth away from Pemberley, and she gets to stay and spend time with the Darcys for an extended period of time, almost two weeks. In that period of time, she discovers her heart is open to loving and giving her heart to the enigmatic Fitzwilliam Darcy, a man she once despised and called as the last man she would ever be prevailed upon to marry. The ending where they declared they live is short yet very sweet.

This is a quick fix for those P&P fans who are pressed for time. Nothing much of a variation but it’s well-worth the love scene at the end, where Elizabeth boldly asks rather than wait for the man to declare to her his unchanged feelings. A 3 1/2 stars rounded up to 4.

[Allison Ripley-Duggan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!

It was so enticing that I couldn’t put it down, this book grabbed my interest from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down, I had to know what happened next. The story is well written with a very good storyline. You will see the most beloved characters in a whole new way. This is a Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice variation. This is part of the Romantic Pride and Prejudice Variations series. This was previously published as a part of the An Inducement into Matrimony anthology. This short story, Pride and Prejudice Variation is a trapped-together enemies to lovers romance, angst is low and content is closed door. When Elizabeth Bennet’s journey to Derbyshire with the Gardiners results in an extended stay at Mr Darcy’s estate, new depths of understanding grow between them, but it takes longer than either had hoped. So with all that and more this story pulls you in and holds you tight. It’s a must read. I highly recommend to everyone.

[sharon temple · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most delightful short story about Darcy and Elizabeth. It is beautifully written and so incredibly sweet. It’s a snapshot of what might have been given just a little more time and some openness and honesty.

[Victória · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clean

[Yas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story.