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The Shades of Pemberley
He was not meant to inherit Pemberley. And yet, everything changed with a single letter.
Fitzwilliam Darcy, the reserved master of Netherfield Park, lives a quiet, respectable life with his mother in Hertfordshire—and is preparing to marry Elizabeth Bennet, the woman who has captured his heart. But only weeks before the wedding, a tragic accident takes the life of his cousin, the master of Pemberley. The entail is the estate now belongs to him.
Drawn north into a world of new responsibilities, noble relations, and long-kept secrets, Darcy is thrust into a society he was never raised to navigate. Amid the imposing halls of Pemberley, he reunites with Colonel Fitzwilliam and Georgiana, contends with the schemes of the ever-persistent Mr. Wickham, and fends off Lady Catherine’s unwanted ambitions for his future.
When Elizabeth visits Pemberley with his mother, sparks fly—not only of affection, but of scandal. With meddling relatives, malicious plots, and old debts casting shadows over their happiness, Darcy must balance his new duties with the love he refuses to lose.
But something darker stirs beneath the polished surface of Pemberley’s legacy—something that threatens far more than titles and inheritances.
In the face of scheming relatives and secrets long buried, one truth
Darcy will not lose the woman he loves.
A richly woven Pride and Prejudice variation filled with romance, wit, and suspense, The Shades of Pemberley explores what happens when love meets legacy, and how the deepest loyalties are tested when the past refuses to stay buried.
Fitzwilliam Darcy, the reserved master of Netherfield Park, lives a quiet, respectable life with his mother in Hertfordshire—and is preparing to marry Elizabeth Bennet, the woman who has captured his heart. But only weeks before the wedding, a tragic accident takes the life of his cousin, the master of Pemberley. The entail is the estate now belongs to him.
Drawn north into a world of new responsibilities, noble relations, and long-kept secrets, Darcy is thrust into a society he was never raised to navigate. Amid the imposing halls of Pemberley, he reunites with Colonel Fitzwilliam and Georgiana, contends with the schemes of the ever-persistent Mr. Wickham, and fends off Lady Catherine’s unwanted ambitions for his future.
When Elizabeth visits Pemberley with his mother, sparks fly—not only of affection, but of scandal. With meddling relatives, malicious plots, and old debts casting shadows over their happiness, Darcy must balance his new duties with the love he refuses to lose.
But something darker stirs beneath the polished surface of Pemberley’s legacy—something that threatens far more than titles and inheritances.
In the face of scheming relatives and secrets long buried, one truth
Darcy will not lose the woman he loves.
A richly woven Pride and Prejudice variation filled with romance, wit, and suspense, The Shades of Pemberley explores what happens when love meets legacy, and how the deepest loyalties are tested when the past refuses to stay buried.
- GenresFictionHistorical
464 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 20, 2025
138 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Jann Rowland
87 books192 followersJann Rowland is a Canadian, born and bred. Other than a two-year span in which he lived in Japan, he has been a resident of the Great White North his entire life, though he professes to still hate the winters.
Though Jann did not start writing until his mid-twenties, writing has grown from a hobby to an all-consuming passion. His interests as a child were almost exclusively centered on the exotic fantasy worlds of Tolkien and Eddings, among a host of others. As an adult, his interests have grown to include historical fiction and romance, with a particular focus on the works of Jane Austen.
When Jann is not writing, he enjoys rooting for his favorite sports teams. He is also a master musician (in his own mind) who enjoys playing piano and singing as well as moonlighting as the choir director in his church’s congregation.
Jann lives in Alberta with his wife of more than twenty years, two grown sons, and one young daughter. He is convinced that whatever hair he has left will be entirely gone by the time his little girl hits her teenage years. Sadly, though he has told his daughter repeatedly that she is not allowed to grow up, she continues to ignore him.
Website: http://onegoodsonnet.com/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/OneGoodSonnetPub...
Twitter: @OneGoodSonnet
Mailing List: http://eepurl.com/bol2p9
Though Jann did not start writing until his mid-twenties, writing has grown from a hobby to an all-consuming passion. His interests as a child were almost exclusively centered on the exotic fantasy worlds of Tolkien and Eddings, among a host of others. As an adult, his interests have grown to include historical fiction and romance, with a particular focus on the works of Jane Austen.
When Jann is not writing, he enjoys rooting for his favorite sports teams. He is also a master musician (in his own mind) who enjoys playing piano and singing as well as moonlighting as the choir director in his church’s congregation.
Jann lives in Alberta with his wife of more than twenty years, two grown sons, and one young daughter. He is convinced that whatever hair he has left will be entirely gone by the time his little girl hits her teenage years. Sadly, though he has told his daughter repeatedly that she is not allowed to grow up, she continues to ignore him.
Website: http://onegoodsonnet.com/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/OneGoodSonnetPub...
Twitter: @OneGoodSonnet
Mailing List: http://eepurl.com/bol2p9
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 9, 2025
This "Darcy" is descended from the "cadet line" of the family. (I had to look that up.) His family owns Netherfield and, thus, he has watched Elizabeth grow up and determined at a young age that she is "wife material". They have been engaged for several years but as their wedding date approaches, he learns that as Jameson Darcy, the master of Pemberley, has died he now is the heir. So the wedding is put off as he travels to that estate to establish himself as the new master.
Ironically, Lady Catherine, shows up, uninvited, and now insists that as he is taking the place of the Darcy who was to marry her daughter, Anne, he must now substitute as her groom. This thread does not play out quickly as Lady Catherine finds a way (if successful) to destroy any chance of Elizabeth being Fitzwilliam Darcy's bride.
We also have Wickham playing a part here with Mrs. Younge and Georgiana having their roles. Although Georgiana was sister to Jameson, she quickly forms a bond with Elizabeth and several of the Bennet sisters. Colonel Fitzwilliam also has his part. Protecting these ladies becomes a challenge for Darcy and it is a near thing that Elizabeth...(Well, I won't spoil that for you.)
So this variation does not have the misunderstandings in canon. Darcy's mother, Victoria Darcy, is still alive, at Netherfield, and becomes mentor for several of the young ladies as well as helping to guide Mrs. Bennet.
I enjoyed this story, although it is rather long. I do recommend it.
Ironically, Lady Catherine, shows up, uninvited, and now insists that as he is taking the place of the Darcy who was to marry her daughter, Anne, he must now substitute as her groom. This thread does not play out quickly as Lady Catherine finds a way (if successful) to destroy any chance of Elizabeth being Fitzwilliam Darcy's bride.
We also have Wickham playing a part here with Mrs. Younge and Georgiana having their roles. Although Georgiana was sister to Jameson, she quickly forms a bond with Elizabeth and several of the Bennet sisters. Colonel Fitzwilliam also has his part. Protecting these ladies becomes a challenge for Darcy and it is a near thing that Elizabeth...(Well, I won't spoil that for you.)
So this variation does not have the misunderstandings in canon. Darcy's mother, Victoria Darcy, is still alive, at Netherfield, and becomes mentor for several of the young ladies as well as helping to guide Mrs. Bennet.
I enjoyed this story, although it is rather long. I do recommend it.
August 25, 2025
Darcy, but from a different branch
Loved this couple. We meet them when they're already engaged. All the drama happens after.
This could have been very exciting, but it plodded.
The fresh dynamics of meeting and getting to know new connections was interesting, but I found repeats and reexplanations slowed down the pace. With tightening up, this would be 5 stars for me.
Loved this couple. We meet them when they're already engaged. All the drama happens after.
This could have been very exciting, but it plodded.
The fresh dynamics of meeting and getting to know new connections was interesting, but I found repeats and reexplanations slowed down the pace. With tightening up, this would be 5 stars for me.
November 19, 2025
Another winner
Fitzwilliam Darcy grows up in Hertfordshire, living at Netherfield, and knows he'll marry Elizabeth from a young age. Suddenly his distant cousin dies, and Darcy is the heir to Pemberly, upsetting not only his impending wedding plans, but also his whole life plan, which never included the first circles of society. Being a man of action and duty, Darcy accepts the challenges of his new destiny, but there are many obstacles to his happiness that he inherits from his dead cousin.
I like this author, and he always delivers a fine story. This one really shakes up the family dynamics of both the Darcys and the Bennetts. I like these versions in which the Bennett family isn't so cartoonishly dysfunctional. This is an exciting tale, with plenty of bad villains and dastardly plots. The book is very well written and well edited. I recommend it highly.
Fitzwilliam Darcy grows up in Hertfordshire, living at Netherfield, and knows he'll marry Elizabeth from a young age. Suddenly his distant cousin dies, and Darcy is the heir to Pemberly, upsetting not only his impending wedding plans, but also his whole life plan, which never included the first circles of society. Being a man of action and duty, Darcy accepts the challenges of his new destiny, but there are many obstacles to his happiness that he inherits from his dead cousin.
I like this author, and he always delivers a fine story. This one really shakes up the family dynamics of both the Darcys and the Bennetts. I like these versions in which the Bennett family isn't so cartoonishly dysfunctional. This is an exciting tale, with plenty of bad villains and dastardly plots. The book is very well written and well edited. I recommend it highly.
September 7, 2025
Such a nice change of story
I really liked the premise and how this book was done. A great read throughout. Darcy not being “the” Darcy really changed things up in interesting ways.
I really liked the premise and how this book was done. A great read throughout. Darcy not being “the” Darcy really changed things up in interesting ways.
September 1, 2025
Truly enjoyable!
I am of the opinion that Jann Rowland is incapable of presenting us with a book that is not genuinely captivating. I truly enjoyed the way our dear author took the trope of Darcy not being a Darcy and turned it on its ear.
This story from its first word to its last was filled with love, laughter, intrigue, and high adventure.
I especially loved the fact that there were several people who took Lydia, Kitty, and Mrs Bennet under their wings preventing them from ever becoming true problems.
I am of the opinion that Jann Rowland is incapable of presenting us with a book that is not genuinely captivating. I truly enjoyed the way our dear author took the trope of Darcy not being a Darcy and turned it on its ear.
This story from its first word to its last was filled with love, laughter, intrigue, and high adventure.
I especially loved the fact that there were several people who took Lydia, Kitty, and Mrs Bennet under their wings preventing them from ever becoming true problems.
September 1, 2025
A very original story
This is the best story of the author in the last few years. The tempo is good, the emotions ring true, and the characters have their own voices. I recommend the story to anyone who enjoys JAFF books,
This is the best story of the author in the last few years. The tempo is good, the emotions ring true, and the characters have their own voices. I recommend the story to anyone who enjoys JAFF books,
October 5, 2025
No pride or prejudice - Fitzwilliam Darcy inherits Pemberley and all its drama upon the death of his distant cousin. He and his wife Elizabeth and their families must come to terms with their new reality and figure out who is threatening them.
The story is unnecessarily long.
The story is unnecessarily long.
September 28, 2025
I loved it!
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. A richly woven variation filled with romance, wit, and suspense, that explores what happens when love meets legacy, and how the deepest loyalties are tested when the past refuses to stay buried. He was not meant to inherit Pemberley. And yet, everything changed with a single letter.
Fitzwilliam Darcy, the reserved master of Netherfield Park, lives a quiet, respectable life with his mother in Hertfordshire, and is preparing to marry Elizabeth Bennet, the woman who has captured his heart, but only weeks before the wedding, a tragic accident takes the life of his cousin, the master of Pemberley, and the entail is clear, the estate now belongs to him. Drawn north into a world of new responsibilities, noble relations, and long-kept secrets, Darcy is thrust into a society he was never raised to navigate. Amid the imposing halls of Pemberley, he reunites with Colonel Fitzwilliam and Georgiana, contends with the schemes of the ever-persistent Mr. Wickham, and fends off Lady Catherine’s unwanted ambitions for his future.
When Elizabeth visits Pemberley with his mother, sparks fly, not only of affection, but of scandal. With meddling relatives, malicious plots, and old debts casting shadows over their happiness, Darcy must balance his new duties with the love he refuses to lose; but something darker stirs beneath the polished surface of Pemberley’s legacy, something that threatens far more than titles and inheritances. In the face of scheming relatives and secrets long buried, one truth remains, Darcy will not lose the woman he loves. 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.
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. A richly woven variation filled with romance, wit, and suspense, that explores what happens when love meets legacy, and how the deepest loyalties are tested when the past refuses to stay buried. He was not meant to inherit Pemberley. And yet, everything changed with a single letter.
Fitzwilliam Darcy, the reserved master of Netherfield Park, lives a quiet, respectable life with his mother in Hertfordshire, and is preparing to marry Elizabeth Bennet, the woman who has captured his heart, but only weeks before the wedding, a tragic accident takes the life of his cousin, the master of Pemberley, and the entail is clear, the estate now belongs to him. Drawn north into a world of new responsibilities, noble relations, and long-kept secrets, Darcy is thrust into a society he was never raised to navigate. Amid the imposing halls of Pemberley, he reunites with Colonel Fitzwilliam and Georgiana, contends with the schemes of the ever-persistent Mr. Wickham, and fends off Lady Catherine’s unwanted ambitions for his future.
When Elizabeth visits Pemberley with his mother, sparks fly, not only of affection, but of scandal. With meddling relatives, malicious plots, and old debts casting shadows over their happiness, Darcy must balance his new duties with the love he refuses to lose; but something darker stirs beneath the polished surface of Pemberley’s legacy, something that threatens far more than titles and inheritances. In the face of scheming relatives and secrets long buried, one truth remains, Darcy will not lose the woman he loves. 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.
September 24, 2025
It’s hard to go wrong with Jann Rowland.
This story was quite unique. Instead of an “Elizabeth is not a Bennet” story, Rowland totally turned this trope on its head and we have a “Darcy is not a Darcy” story. Well…Darcy is a Darcy, just not one of the Darcys of Pemberley. Instead he is from a different, or cadet, branch of the Darcy family. He is related to “The Darcys of Pemberley” in a similar way that Collins is related to Bennet, a distant cousin. He also happens to be the heir to an entailed Pemberley and when the current master, Jameson Darcy (brother to Georgiana Darcy), dies after falling from his horse, Fitzwilliam Darcy finds that he has inherited a huge estate and a lot of money.
Darcy owns Netherfield Park as the legacy from his branch of the Darcy family. He has grown up knowing Elizabeth and determined at a young age that he wished to marry her. In fact they have been engaged for a year and on the cusp of marrying within weeks when Darcy learns of his new status.
Even though he is not related to the Fitzwilliam family, they have many opinions about who he should marry now that he has inherited and become attached to a noble family. Lady Catherine also quickly exchanges her expectations of her nephew Jameson Darcy to the newly appointed owner of Pemberley, Fitzwilliam Darcy. What will Darcy do? Honor his current betrothal, or bow to his new connections? (Pretty easy to guess).
There are the usual villians, one of whom is reformed, one who loses a career, and one who is an uber villain. There are plenty of clues early on in the story about who that uber villain is, but even if not surprised by the identity readers will be well entertained with the mystery and drama of the story.
This story was quite unique. Instead of an “Elizabeth is not a Bennet” story, Rowland totally turned this trope on its head and we have a “Darcy is not a Darcy” story. Well…Darcy is a Darcy, just not one of the Darcys of Pemberley. Instead he is from a different, or cadet, branch of the Darcy family. He is related to “The Darcys of Pemberley” in a similar way that Collins is related to Bennet, a distant cousin. He also happens to be the heir to an entailed Pemberley and when the current master, Jameson Darcy (brother to Georgiana Darcy), dies after falling from his horse, Fitzwilliam Darcy finds that he has inherited a huge estate and a lot of money.
Darcy owns Netherfield Park as the legacy from his branch of the Darcy family. He has grown up knowing Elizabeth and determined at a young age that he wished to marry her. In fact they have been engaged for a year and on the cusp of marrying within weeks when Darcy learns of his new status.
Even though he is not related to the Fitzwilliam family, they have many opinions about who he should marry now that he has inherited and become attached to a noble family. Lady Catherine also quickly exchanges her expectations of her nephew Jameson Darcy to the newly appointed owner of Pemberley, Fitzwilliam Darcy. What will Darcy do? Honor his current betrothal, or bow to his new connections? (Pretty easy to guess).
There are the usual villians, one of whom is reformed, one who loses a career, and one who is an uber villain. There are plenty of clues early on in the story about who that uber villain is, but even if not surprised by the identity readers will be well entertained with the mystery and drama of the story.
October 10, 2025
This was an interesting idea, but the story was so long that several times I lost interest and, although I did finish it, I nearly gave up as I kept waiting for something interesting to happen. The pacing was glacial.
I should have counted how many times Darcy threatened to evict Lady Catherine from Pemberley. Over and over, he would tell her that he was giving her “one more chance” or “next time you insult Elizabeth, I’ll throw you out.” After the fourth or fifth time, Darcy just looked weak and ridiculous. I think it was on the sixth time that he actually made her leave. I mention this because it’s indicative of one of the things that bothered me about the story. It was unnecessarily drawn out with lots of repetition.
There were too many proofreading problems. I found myself stopping mid-sentence and backing up to decipher a sentence, only to realize that it was the wrong pronoun or another similar mistake. There’s no excuse for that from an experienced author. Hire a proofreader.
Lastly,
I should have counted how many times Darcy threatened to evict Lady Catherine from Pemberley. Over and over, he would tell her that he was giving her “one more chance” or “next time you insult Elizabeth, I’ll throw you out.” After the fourth or fifth time, Darcy just looked weak and ridiculous. I think it was on the sixth time that he actually made her leave. I mention this because it’s indicative of one of the things that bothered me about the story. It was unnecessarily drawn out with lots of repetition.
There were too many proofreading problems. I found myself stopping mid-sentence and backing up to decipher a sentence, only to realize that it was the wrong pronoun or another similar mistake. There’s no excuse for that from an experienced author. Hire a proofreader.
Lastly,
November 26, 2025
The Shades of Pemberley
Diamond has written another winner. This is quite a different take of our dear story. First Darcy us not the owner of Member let but of Netherfield. Second he has known Elizabeth for a very long time and been engaged for over a year.
Can't miss with this story. Lady C is still obnoxious, Collins following her decreed to the letter, and we still have the villains as original story, just a different way.
Diamond has written another winner. This is quite a different take of our dear story. First Darcy us not the owner of Member let but of Netherfield. Second he has known Elizabeth for a very long time and been engaged for over a year.
Can't miss with this story. Lady C is still obnoxious, Collins following her decreed to the letter, and we still have the villains as original story, just a different way.
October 18, 2025
sweet Darcy
Such a good book where our Darcy is not from the main line of Darcy’s. He is the owner of Netherfield, but still loving his Elizabeth. After the death of the main line Darcy, he then inherits. It is such a sweet, sweet story.
Such a good book where our Darcy is not from the main line of Darcy’s. He is the owner of Netherfield, but still loving his Elizabeth. After the death of the main line Darcy, he then inherits. It is such a sweet, sweet story.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews