HOPE BLOOMS ANEW IN FITZWILLIAM DARCY’S HEART as he asks Elizabeth Bennet for her hand in marriage for the second time. This time, he dares to believe he has her heart; this time her fine eyes show affection, even love for him and he dares to believe she will at last be his. But before her answer can escape her lips, an interruption arrives. Darcy’s family—led by a cold and commanding Lady Catherine—has descended upon Hertfordshire to deliver a brutal abandon Elizabeth Bennet and fulfill the ancient family duty he was born to uphold. Honour, fortune, and reputation hang in the balance, along with an obligation to marry his cousin, Anne de Bourgh.
UNDER PRESSURE FROM HER OWN FATHER, Elizabeth steels herself and sends Mr Darcy away. But though she refuses him with her words, her eyes—and her heart—betray her true that he will fight for them, that he will defy his family’s expectations and most of all that he will come back.
FUELLED BY LOVE AND A FIERCE DETERMINATION, Darcy vows to shatter the chains of duty and win the future they both deserve. For Elizabeth’s sake—and the chance to see joy once more light her beautiful eyes—he will risk everything. But can love overcome the weight of obligation and family expectations?
Their Moment of Happiness is a Pride and Prejudice variation. A tale of loyalty, longing, and the unrelenting pursuit of true love, this story is of moderate angst and clean content.
Lucy Marin developed a love for reading at a young age and whiled away many hours imagining how stories might continue or what would happen if there was a change in the circumstances faced by the protagonists. After reading her first Austen novel, a life-long ardent admiration was borne. Lucy was introduced to the world of Austen variations after stumbling across one at a used bookstore while on holiday in London. This led to the discovery of the online world of Jane Austen Fan Fiction and, soon after, she picked up her pen and began to transfer the stories in her head to paper.
Lucy lives in Toronto, Canada surrounded by hundreds of books and a loving family. She teaches environmental studies, loves animals and trees and exploring the world around her.
Batten down the hatches! The formidable Lady Catherine (in her mind) is on a mission to have her nephew, Mr. Darcy, marry her daughter, Anne, once and for all. Nothing will stand in her way. She will lie and scheme to make it happen. So when she descends on her brother, Lord Romsley and the Countess, to gain their support, she overwhelms them with demands and half-truths.
“Instead, Lady Catherine, the odious woman, had come to wreak havoc.”(quote from the book)
In Hertfordshire, Mr. Darcy is just attempting to propose to Elizabeth for the second time, when a footman interrupts and says his family have arrived unannounced at Netherfield Park. Fearing something has happened to Georgiana, he and Elizabeth rush to off to see them.
“But as long as I have her love, I can confront any challenge, no matter how dreadful.” (quote from the book)
Oh, what a scene and what words are exchanged. Nothing had prepared either of them for the showdown. However, Darcy is not the only one who has family problems. Mr. Bennet is refusing consent for them to marry. So what are they to do?
As this book is of novella size, I will say no more. This was a quick read with some high drama. I definitely recommend it!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review.
This variation focuses on Darcy's family objections to his marrying a lady without connections or money. Lady Catherine leads the attack over and over and over again claiming, as in canon, that Darcy's mother and father agreed and planned for this union. In response, Darcy not only denies such an agreement existed and searches his father paperwork as well as consulting an attorney.
We have to background from canon of Darcy's first proposal and this begins with Darcy again proposing...but Elizabeth doesn't have a chance to respond. Sadly, if she had they could have faced down his relatives with the news they were now engaged.
We do, of course, have a happy ending and we see some of those opposed, which includes Mr. Bennet. making some changes in their opinions.
Third time’s a charm. In this novella, Lucy Marin shows how love can be both steadfast and uncertain when tested by duty. Just as Darcy and Elizabeth seem on the brink of happiness, family expectations close in—from Lady Catherine’s demands that he marry Anne to Mr Bennet’s own insistence that Elizabeth think first of her family’s welfare and how she might be treated by Darcy’s relations.
On reading Darcy’s private reflection that, if his father had truly wished it, he might have married Anne, I had an angsty moment of unease—how deep will his sense of obligation run? Elizabeth faces a similar pull, trying to please her father while knowing her happiness lies elsewhere. Is she giving up? I couldn’t believe after all that had passed between them, they’d both give it all up just as their moment had come at last. Say it ain’t so!
The writing is thoughtful and moving at times, especially when Elizabeth meets Darcy to share her father’s demands; I needed a tissue there. Very good read, and I’m happy to recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book an am voluntarily leaving a review. I also purchased the published version for my Kindle library.
After the Lydia debacle, which Darcy clears up as in canon, he's proposing a second time to Elizabeth when he's cruelly interrupted by his Fitzwilliam relations, descending on Netherfield in force to make him give up Elizabeth. Lady Catherine leads the charge, and insists that she has documentation stating that Darcy's dad wanted him to marry Anne Debourgh. Darcy leaves Hertfordshire, and begins an exhaustive search for evidence that he's under no obligation to Anne, and drums up support for Elizabeth's acceptance into the family.
I like this author. She's a talented writer and storyteller. IMHO, this isn't one of her better creations. I actually got the impression that Darcy would have given up Elizabeth if there was some evidence that his mother and father had really wanted his marriage to Anne. I prefer to feel that his love for Elizabeth can't be overcome, not that he's wishy-washy about it. The story also ends rather abruptly. However, the book is entertaining, and I recommend it with reservations.
The story is well written, but the plot isn’t that engaging. The story needed to focus more on Elizabeth and Darcy, as opposed to Darcy and his relations. I kept drifting out of this book. I doubt I will remember tho story six months from now. I am sorry to write such a discouraging review, but I must speak as I find.
A short summation of the tropes of Darcy being told he must marry Anne and not Lizzy. Some angst but nothing compelling. Contains Lydia’s mistake, Mr. Bennet finally acting like a proper father and Lizzy having to put up with Darcys relatives.
Darcy is confronted at Netherfield by his family, who descended upon him to convince him to marry Anne de Bourgh. Darcy was weak and confused, while Lady Catherine and the earl and countess repeated over and over and over their objections to Elizabeth and their insistence upon his marrying Anne. It was most unpleasant. It improved when Darcy set out to prove Lady Catherine wrong.
Cover: What's with the anachronistic hair and dress?
What an interesting variation! I always knew that Lady Catherine could be the most aggravating family member willing to stir up trouble to meet her own needs. It is interesting how social pressures and expectations can wield power when making decisions. I think the part I enjoyed the most was how Darcy and Elizabeth despite the limitations in their ability to speak, interact and independently make decisions that they always remain levelheaded and true to themselves. Loved it!
Cannon characters act true to form in this interrupted second proposal tale. Emotional choices surrounding Darcy and Elizabeth’s love story beautifully told by the author.
Darcy is on the verge of proposing a second time to Elizabeth Bennet when he is called back to Netherfield because his family just arrived. Lady Catherine has dragged his relations to Meryton to end his union with Elizabeth and finally tie him to Anne. She claims that there is an old family duty that binds him to this union. If he is not willing she vows to destroy Elizabeth and her family. Elizabeth finds herself under pressure, too. Her own father demands from her to send Mr Darcy away. She rejects him therefore - but only with words, not with her eyes. Will Darcy fulfill her dearest wish to fight for their union? Will he find a way to prove that he is not obliged to marry Anne? Or will a life lived together in happiness mean to break with their families?
The story was very well written by the author Lucy Marin. I always enjoy her stories very much. Lucy Marin established some side characters in her stories that are always the same (Viscount Bramwell as Colonel Fitzwilliam’s elder brother and Rebecca Darcy, a cousin of Darcy’s). Therefore when Viscount Bramwell is there you can be sure that his love interest Rebecca Darcy is also there. I like it very much to encounter these familiar figures beside Austen’s characters and I like to follow them through the story.
The first part of the story was, in my opinion, dominated by the feeling of heartbreak and hopelessness. There seems to be no possibility that ODC will be able to be together and establish their family as a wedded couple. The second part, when Darcy is finally able to act, has for me more the feeling of hope, of finally looking forward.
Due to Lady Catherine’s schemes Darcy is not able to propose to Elizabeth and the couple is separated. Fortunately, due to the length of the book the separation is not for an extensive time and therefore bearable. ODC are, in addition, never at odds, it's the interference and schemes of others that left them without much choice in that moment other than to comply, temporarily, with their wishes. I like that they, even in times, when they are pressed down by the scheming of others, never fully forsake the other. They do it for the appearance but they are not in it with their hearts - and the other is aware of that.
I love Darcy’s determination to end Lady Catherine’s schemes. He is determined to leave no stone unturned to prove that he is not obliged to marry his cousin Anne. With this determination he also gives hope to Elizabeth who is confronted with not only her own heartbreak but also with the disapproval of her father and the possibility that Lady Catherine, to obtain her wishes, ruins her reputation and that of her family.
I really like Colonel Fitzwilliam and his elder brother, Viscount Bramwell, in this story. They are loyal to Darcy and like the brothers he needs for support. They try to help Darcy in defying Lady Cathrine’s scheme against his union with Elizabeth. And they are, in the beginning, the only ones in Darcy’s family who act rationally.
I do not like Mr Bennet very much in this story. I had hoped for his support, even his indifference would have been better. But he is determined to avoid trouble for his own life and therefore forces Elizabeth to reject Mr Darcy’s advances - even when he knows that this will break Elizabeth’s heart even more. I understand that he has his other family members to consider, too, but to sacrifice Elizabeth for a life in peace seems a bit selfish.
There is one big villain in the story as you may have guessed from the premise. And yes, Lady Catherine is really a villain. She tries everything to make Darcy do as she wishes and that is that he marries Anne. She is determined to do everything, even construct lies and persuade Darcy’s family of them. And she is really insulting to Elizabeth. I was glad that, in the end, she is not successful in her plans and that Darcy breaks with her. But while reading I was often in accord with Darcy, I wanted to knock her head against a wall … ;-)
If you like to know if Lady Catherine is successful in separating Darcy and Elizabeth you should read this excellent book.
I highly recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The story reads somewhat like a missing scene - what if before Elizabeth agreed to marry him, his entire Fitzwilliam family converged to stop / observe him? He must prove his position before he can propose yet again and allow our dear couple their moment of happiness.
Warning: Meant for mature audiences. Contains scenes that would scandalize the ton. Readers of a delicate constitution are advised to keep their fans and vinaigrettes close at hand.
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 a tale of loyalty, longing, and the unrelenting pursuit of true love, this story is of moderate angst and clean content.
Hope Blooms anew in Fitzwilliam Darcy’s heart as he asks Elizabeth Bennet for her hand in marriage for the second time. This time, he dares to believe he has her heart; this time her fine eyes show affection, even love for him and he dares to believe she will at last be his, but before her answer can escape her lips, an interruption arrives. Darcy’s family, led by a cold and commanding Lady Catherine, has descended upon Hertfordshire to deliver a brutal ultimatum, abandon Elizabeth Bennet and fulfill the ancient family duty he was born to uphold; honour, fortune, and reputation hang in the balance, along with an obligation to marry his cousin, Anne de Bourgh.
Under pressure from her own father, Elizabeth steels herself and sends Mr Darcy away, but though she refuses him with her words, her eyes, and her heart, betray her true wish, that he will fight for them, that he will defy his family’s expectations and most of all that he will come back. Fuelled by and a fierce determination, Darcy vows to shatter the chains of duty and win the future they both deserve. For Elizabeth’s sake, and the chance to see joy once more light her beautiful eyes, he will risk everything, but can love overcome the weight of obligation and family expectations? 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.
Their Moment of Happiness was a page-turner. From the moment Darcy's second proposal is interfered by his Fitzwilliam relations and Lady Catherine, he is on a race to find a solution so he and Elizabeth would be together. There are several very emotional moments. The conversation Darcy and Elizabeth share a day or two after the interrupted second proposal was heart-breaking. I wanted to cry with ODC. I loved Darcy in the story. He is determined to have Elizabeth and he refuses to be bullied by the controlling and insufferable Lady Catherine. She is a real dragon, as Colonel Fitzwilliam calls her. Elizabeth is strong and sweet. She gives Darcy hope despite her fears for their future. I also liked Colonel Fitzwilliam and his brother, the viscount. They added some lightness to the story with their humor. I enjoyed this variation very much. I was really anxious for things to be resolved for Darcy and Elizabeth. I hope others enjoy it as much as I have.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
How many times would Darcy required to make his proposal?
The premise is that Mr Darcy was too strict a person that he had to prove that his late father had no intention for him to marry Anne that his conscience would allowed him to feel free to offer for Elizabeth. I cannot find fault with him regarding that, yet it generated some conflict in my mind when the issue was not so very critical to me as it seemed to be to Darcy. Guess I am not that forthright as Darcy, eh?
However, under the circumstances, the ‘efforts’ Darcy struggled to accomplished seemed to me not so very difficult or challenging, making the plot less intriguing to me. And my favorite Elizabeth had actually nothing to do except waiting for Darcy to return to her, which I felt quite helpless and idleness did not suit Elizabeth to me.
In this variation, Fitzwilliam Darcy's second proposal is interrupted, seconds before Elizabeth Bennet can answer.
Darcy receives an urgent summons from his family, who have all arrived at Netherfield.
Dreading a death or other disaster, Darcy is blindsided by an ultimatum from Lady Catherine de Bourg. She has roused her brother, the Earl of Matlock and his countess to back her demands.
Her simple request? Darcy must marry his cousin Anne, or Lady Catherine will ruin Darcy, Elizabeth and the whole Bennet family.
An epic battle of wills ensues. Can Darcy prevail? Is Elizabeth prepared to face the consequences of loving Fitzwilliam Darcy?
Really good novella.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Oh! To have all of Darcy’s family opposed to Darcy and Elizabeth getting married. Lady Catherine at her worst, convinced her brother that she has proof of Darcy and Anne’s marriage contract. This story has a bit more angst than I would prefer, but Darcy works hard to discover the truth and disprove Lady Catherine.
What a romp that was. My goodness what a meddlesome family - in an extortionist and narcissistic (for some) way. I do wish that we had seen more of Bramwell and Fitzwilliam here - they are always fun (but she has done that variation of the story if memory serves).
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Not everyone objects to a union between them, but it does end up proving to Elizabeth Darcy's first proposal was right. If his family rejects her as a match, perhaps her dreams shouldn't come true.
But there is one who has his own agenda for standing by Darcy's side. Hoping his fight will benefit from Darcy's struggles.
To make matters worse, Bennet declares he wouldn't give his blessing anyway. Our dear girl is left, alone and emotionally distraught while Darcy goes to seek answers.
The author has this couple in a state of anxiety up until the very end.
A quick read and very well written. To me this had teeny-tiny shades reminiscent of His Family Objects, though the dynamics are very different.
I received an advance review copy for free, and voluntarily leave my review.