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A Quiet Affection: An Elizabeth and Darcy Story
Elizabeth Bennet: Orphaned, blind, scarred and raised by the Darcys
When Longbourn burned down, the whole family died except for Jane and Elizabeth. Jane had been visiting her godfather, Mr. Darcy of Pemberley, and Elizabeth was horribly injured and barely survived after the fire. Mr. Bennet had named his best friend Mr. Darcy, as the guardian for his children in his will, and Mr. Darcy sent his son Fitzwilliam to retrieve Elizabeth and bring her to the Pemberley.
Elizabeth will grow up at Pemberley and Fitzwilliam Darcy's protective affection for her will gradually transform as she grows older into the deepest and most determined love.
When Longbourn burned down, the whole family died except for Jane and Elizabeth. Jane had been visiting her godfather, Mr. Darcy of Pemberley, and Elizabeth was horribly injured and barely survived after the fire. Mr. Bennet had named his best friend Mr. Darcy, as the guardian for his children in his will, and Mr. Darcy sent his son Fitzwilliam to retrieve Elizabeth and bring her to the Pemberley.
Elizabeth will grow up at Pemberley and Fitzwilliam Darcy's protective affection for her will gradually transform as she grows older into the deepest and most determined love.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 31, 2026
Difficult to endure, but entertaining
Elizabeth and Jane are the only survivors of a fire that destroys Longbourn when Elizabeth is about twelve years old. Jane is spared any damage since she's visiting her godfather Mr Darcy senior at Pemberly, but Elizabeth is blinded and scarred. As her now guardian, Mr Darcy takes her in at Pemberly, she and Jane are both educated, and Elizabeth forms a close bond to both young Darcy and Georgiana.
I like this author, and this is an interesting premise. However, Darcy senior is depicted as an extremely strict and inflexible man with decided opinions about everything. This isn't a happy or uplifting story. Not only is our beloved Elizabeth beset with heaps of troubles, both physical and personal, but the troubles seem to just keep piling up until it becomes downright depressing. The first spark of hopefulness doesn't arrive until more than halfway through the book. Although ODC eventually arrive at their HEA, it's a long and heavy road to get there.
The book is well written, albeit with dialogue that's sometimes presented in a kind of staccato manner. I recommend it if you don't mind a serious story about unusual issues.
Elizabeth and Jane are the only survivors of a fire that destroys Longbourn when Elizabeth is about twelve years old. Jane is spared any damage since she's visiting her godfather Mr Darcy senior at Pemberly, but Elizabeth is blinded and scarred. As her now guardian, Mr Darcy takes her in at Pemberly, she and Jane are both educated, and Elizabeth forms a close bond to both young Darcy and Georgiana.
I like this author, and this is an interesting premise. However, Darcy senior is depicted as an extremely strict and inflexible man with decided opinions about everything. This isn't a happy or uplifting story. Not only is our beloved Elizabeth beset with heaps of troubles, both physical and personal, but the troubles seem to just keep piling up until it becomes downright depressing. The first spark of hopefulness doesn't arrive until more than halfway through the book. Although ODC eventually arrive at their HEA, it's a long and heavy road to get there.
The book is well written, albeit with dialogue that's sometimes presented in a kind of staccato manner. I recommend it if you don't mind a serious story about unusual issues.
April 16, 2026
Original
This is a strange, but interesting variation. I found Elizabeth's experience harrowing, but liked the way she confronted it. The falling in love of our beloved couple is very sweet, and the version of Darcy in the story is admirable.
This is a strange, but interesting variation. I found Elizabeth's experience harrowing, but liked the way she confronted it. The falling in love of our beloved couple is very sweet, and the version of Darcy in the story is admirable.
March 12, 2026
Simply beautiful
A lovely story overcoming prejudice of a different sort. I love this authors work and read this one prior to it being published but I leave this review with pleasure .
A lovely story overcoming prejudice of a different sort. I love this authors work and read this one prior to it being published but I leave this review with pleasure .
March 17, 2026
A very different book with very little romance
I was disappointed by this book. There were so many negative opinions shown as a reaction to Elisabeth’s accident and not many positive. Darcy being one of the few. This made for frustrating reading on my behalf and reading it repeatedly was wearing.
I think my reaction was a huge disappointment in the elder Mr Darcy’s character and his views and opinions. These are shown in detail throughout and changes the atmosphere of the book. There is no great romance, no passion between our Darcy and Elizabeth only a caring love. It was not a satisfying read sadly although the idea was good. I think the book was far too depressing and sad with so many negative emotions and actions.
I was disappointed by this book. There were so many negative opinions shown as a reaction to Elisabeth’s accident and not many positive. Darcy being one of the few. This made for frustrating reading on my behalf and reading it repeatedly was wearing.
I think my reaction was a huge disappointment in the elder Mr Darcy’s character and his views and opinions. These are shown in detail throughout and changes the atmosphere of the book. There is no great romance, no passion between our Darcy and Elizabeth only a caring love. It was not a satisfying read sadly although the idea was good. I think the book was far too depressing and sad with so many negative emotions and actions.
March 25, 2026
I lost focus midway though the book. Struggled to pick up and finish. Different from the authors other books.
March 15, 2026
unusual
An unusual and sad beginning in this emotional variation inspired by Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by Timothy Underwood. Very gothic and gloomy in tone.
An unusual and sad beginning in this emotional variation inspired by Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by Timothy Underwood. Very gothic and gloomy in tone.
pride-prejudice-variations
April 20, 2026A story full of STORY
This story has much angst but worth the pain to enjoy the pleasure. When Elizabeth Bennet is twelve years old, she loses almost her entire family in a house fire. Jane is safely elsewhere and Elizabeth is badly burned trying to get Lydia out of the house.
As a result, Elizabeth is badly scarred and blind. She is terribly unhappy, neglected and unwanted living with relatives. Mr. George Darcy sends his 18-year-old son to rescue Elizabeth and bring her to Pemberley.
There's more. Jane Bennet is expected to marry George Wickham. The wedding takes place and Jane leads a life of misery.
That's enough. You know by now if you want to read the book.
23
This story has much angst but worth the pain to enjoy the pleasure. When Elizabeth Bennet is twelve years old, she loses almost her entire family in a house fire. Jane is safely elsewhere and Elizabeth is badly burned trying to get Lydia out of the house.
As a result, Elizabeth is badly scarred and blind. She is terribly unhappy, neglected and unwanted living with relatives. Mr. George Darcy sends his 18-year-old son to rescue Elizabeth and bring her to Pemberley.
There's more. Jane Bennet is expected to marry George Wickham. The wedding takes place and Jane leads a life of misery.
That's enough. You know by now if you want to read the book.
23
March 16, 2026
Telling a story not “experiencing” it
This was a different sort of story told mostly from a third person point of view. It was interesting having Mr. Darcy Senior still alive and interacting with all of the characters for most of the story. While I really enjoyed hearing some of the inner thoughts of so many characters, I found that I missed the dialogue and actual interactions. Overall, a very interesting variation with many unique story details but less opportunity to experience dialogue and empathy for characters through it.
This was a different sort of story told mostly from a third person point of view. It was interesting having Mr. Darcy Senior still alive and interacting with all of the characters for most of the story. While I really enjoyed hearing some of the inner thoughts of so many characters, I found that I missed the dialogue and actual interactions. Overall, a very interesting variation with many unique story details but less opportunity to experience dialogue and empathy for characters through it.
April 2, 2026
This was unique and beautiful. A wonderful choice for my 600th P&P Vagary. I can’t believe I’ve read 600. And yet, this genre has been a gift.
April 12, 2026
Another very good Timothy Underwood book with a serious medical complication to overcome. In this story Mr Darcy Sr is also alive throughout most of the book and he influences much of what happens.
Mr Darcy Sr has two godchildren that he absolutely dotes on. He was best of friends with Mr Bennet in university and their friendship continues on through the years. Jane Bennet is an adored and pampered godchild, along with George Wickham, and receives Mr Darcy’s great attention and support. His own children are not pampered and held to very high standards of behavior. Jane spends much of her time as a girl in London or at Pemberley receiving lessons and accomplishments and lots of attention. She begins to have feelings of superiority over her family because of this situation, although she does struggle with those feelings, knowing it isn’t right. But she is an impressionable, young girl so it is understandable.
One year while Jane is at Pemberley and Elizabeth is 12 years old disaster strikes at Longbourn. A fire breaks out in the night and burns down the manor house. Only Elizabeth manages to survive but she is burned on her face and neck and is blinded as a result. She first is not expected to survive but begins to recover at her Aunt and Uncle Phillip’s. They basically tell her it would have been better if she died and all the Bennet dowry money given to Jane. Elizabeth begins to believe, with the exception of her young and yet unmarried uncle Gardiner, that her entire family wishes she had died. Bennet has named Mr Darcy Sr as her guardian who sends Fitzwilliam to bring her to Pemberley once she is sufficiently recovered.
The two young people know each other well from spending time together during their fathers’ friendship, but a special bond begins during this trip. Elizabeth is strongly desirous of asserting any independence she can and Fitzwilliam seems to understand her need. Darcy Sr is not unkind and does his best to prepare for dealing with a blind ward’s education. He, however, does not have a bond of affection with her as he does with Jane and impresses on her that she will be a dependent burden on Jane for the rest of her life. This allows Elizabeth to believe that Jane also wishes she had died. Jane meanwhile feels guilt because she did prefer Mr Darcy and Pemberley over her family. The sisters become estranged. Elizabeth becomes great friends with Georgiana and corresponds with Darcy when he is at Eton and then university.
Added to the rest Mr Darcy wants to see his godchildren married to each other. He learns he is dying and it is the greatest wish of his heart to see Jane and Wickham married. Fitzwilliam tells his father of Wickham’s character and although Mr Darcy believes him, to a certain extent, is unwilling to let go of his dreams. Much to Wickham’s anger, he does take away the church living and expects him to study law instead. He is also given a small, entailed estate so he can support his new wife. As Mr Darcy gets closer to death he comes to understand more fully Wickham’s true character and the mistake he made in encouraging a wedding between his godchildren, as well as the way he raised those godchildren vs his own. Elizabeth also ‘sees’ through Wickham and considers warning Jane prior to her wedding but due to some jealous feelings and a misunderstanding does not.
As Elizabeth matures her and Fitzwilliam’s relationship does as well. Their strong friendship develops into romantic love but some obstacles remain. Wickham stirs up trouble, as well Fitwilliam understands that his father will disapprove of the match. Will they be able to find their way to a well-deserved happily ever after? Of course. Elizabeth is young and blind, but she is still our headstrong dear girl through and through. Fitzwilliam is also young and on the verge of assuming the responsibilities of Pemberley but, even though this is a much softer version of canon Darcy, he is strong and resilient. I read this book in one sitting (about 5 hours) and enjoyed it immensely.
Mr Darcy Sr has two godchildren that he absolutely dotes on. He was best of friends with Mr Bennet in university and their friendship continues on through the years. Jane Bennet is an adored and pampered godchild, along with George Wickham, and receives Mr Darcy’s great attention and support. His own children are not pampered and held to very high standards of behavior. Jane spends much of her time as a girl in London or at Pemberley receiving lessons and accomplishments and lots of attention. She begins to have feelings of superiority over her family because of this situation, although she does struggle with those feelings, knowing it isn’t right. But she is an impressionable, young girl so it is understandable.
One year while Jane is at Pemberley and Elizabeth is 12 years old disaster strikes at Longbourn. A fire breaks out in the night and burns down the manor house. Only Elizabeth manages to survive but she is burned on her face and neck and is blinded as a result. She first is not expected to survive but begins to recover at her Aunt and Uncle Phillip’s. They basically tell her it would have been better if she died and all the Bennet dowry money given to Jane. Elizabeth begins to believe, with the exception of her young and yet unmarried uncle Gardiner, that her entire family wishes she had died. Bennet has named Mr Darcy Sr as her guardian who sends Fitzwilliam to bring her to Pemberley once she is sufficiently recovered.
The two young people know each other well from spending time together during their fathers’ friendship, but a special bond begins during this trip. Elizabeth is strongly desirous of asserting any independence she can and Fitzwilliam seems to understand her need. Darcy Sr is not unkind and does his best to prepare for dealing with a blind ward’s education. He, however, does not have a bond of affection with her as he does with Jane and impresses on her that she will be a dependent burden on Jane for the rest of her life. This allows Elizabeth to believe that Jane also wishes she had died. Jane meanwhile feels guilt because she did prefer Mr Darcy and Pemberley over her family. The sisters become estranged. Elizabeth becomes great friends with Georgiana and corresponds with Darcy when he is at Eton and then university.
Added to the rest Mr Darcy wants to see his godchildren married to each other. He learns he is dying and it is the greatest wish of his heart to see Jane and Wickham married. Fitzwilliam tells his father of Wickham’s character and although Mr Darcy believes him, to a certain extent, is unwilling to let go of his dreams. Much to Wickham’s anger, he does take away the church living and expects him to study law instead. He is also given a small, entailed estate so he can support his new wife. As Mr Darcy gets closer to death he comes to understand more fully Wickham’s true character and the mistake he made in encouraging a wedding between his godchildren, as well as the way he raised those godchildren vs his own. Elizabeth also ‘sees’ through Wickham and considers warning Jane prior to her wedding but due to some jealous feelings and a misunderstanding does not.
As Elizabeth matures her and Fitzwilliam’s relationship does as well. Their strong friendship develops into romantic love but some obstacles remain. Wickham stirs up trouble, as well Fitwilliam understands that his father will disapprove of the match. Will they be able to find their way to a well-deserved happily ever after? Of course. Elizabeth is young and blind, but she is still our headstrong dear girl through and through. Fitzwilliam is also young and on the verge of assuming the responsibilities of Pemberley but, even though this is a much softer version of canon Darcy, he is strong and resilient. I read this book in one sitting (about 5 hours) and enjoyed it immensely.
March 21, 2026
This was a truly lovely book. We have a young Elizabeth badly burned in a fire when she tried to rescue Lydia. And watching her try to deal with her grief from her viewpoint is excellent, because Underwood recognizes the reader should experience it the way Elizabeth is feeling it. It is beautifully handled and I found myself weeping several times.
Old Mr Darcy is still alive and Jane is his goddaughter. She was at his estate at the time of the fire which destroyed Longbourn and everyone in it except Elizabeth. P&P does not show him at all, just the effects of his parenting. Underwood shows a very good perspective of him and his interactions with George Wickham as well as his children and his goddaughter and ward. He is a flawed parent in canon and he facilitated the character and behavior of George Wickham. Seeing it in action was nice.
Fitzwilliam Darcy is well written. He is a loving brother and friend, without being cloying. We watch his story arc as he comes into his own where his integrity is tested and his values and character are set into something others can respect.
Jane is like in canon, she just does what is expected of her, though we get to see more of her inner thoughts. She isn't bad. She just doesn't take a stand. And yet there are many ways her presence, rather than her behavior, affects the action.
But best of all is watching a young Elizabeth learn how to function with her blindness. Underwood is particularly good at writing about strong characters dealing with injuries and illnesses. He shows them being human, rather than making them into saints or termagants. You can relate to the characters. You feel like you are a part of the story rather than an observer. Not all authors are capable of that.
I highly recommend this book as well as Underwood's book Disability and Determination. I hope it will also be released in audiobook format soon!
Old Mr Darcy is still alive and Jane is his goddaughter. She was at his estate at the time of the fire which destroyed Longbourn and everyone in it except Elizabeth. P&P does not show him at all, just the effects of his parenting. Underwood shows a very good perspective of him and his interactions with George Wickham as well as his children and his goddaughter and ward. He is a flawed parent in canon and he facilitated the character and behavior of George Wickham. Seeing it in action was nice.
Fitzwilliam Darcy is well written. He is a loving brother and friend, without being cloying. We watch his story arc as he comes into his own where his integrity is tested and his values and character are set into something others can respect.
Jane is like in canon, she just does what is expected of her, though we get to see more of her inner thoughts. She isn't bad. She just doesn't take a stand. And yet there are many ways her presence, rather than her behavior, affects the action.
But best of all is watching a young Elizabeth learn how to function with her blindness. Underwood is particularly good at writing about strong characters dealing with injuries and illnesses. He shows them being human, rather than making them into saints or termagants. You can relate to the characters. You feel like you are a part of the story rather than an observer. Not all authors are capable of that.
I highly recommend this book as well as Underwood's book Disability and Determination. I hope it will also be released in audiobook format soon!
March 18, 2026
Blind but not much changed in essentials
This is a fine addition to the Underwood library. Mr Underwood’s unusual narrative style is particularly striking this time, and is probably not everyone’s cup of tea. I don’t mind it, and I think his in-depth emotional portrayals make up for any lack of beautiful, flowing prose. In this book, I thought the emotional (im)maturity of the tween and teen girls was spot on, and getting a view inside Old Mr Darcy’s head was both fascinating and horrifying. I liked seeing Darcy as a philosopher who upheld his beliefs even when they were challenged. It fit him well. The complete lack of Collinses and near-complete lack of de Bourghs was lovely, and I had to laugh at Lord Matlock. More of Col Fitzwilliam would have been nice, but, alas, he really didn’t fit into this story. If you’re already a fan of Mr Underwood, you will likely enjoy this book. If you are new to his work, I would probably recommend first reading “Mr Bennett’s Daughter”, “Col Darcy” or “The Missing Prince” and then returning to this one.
This is a fine addition to the Underwood library. Mr Underwood’s unusual narrative style is particularly striking this time, and is probably not everyone’s cup of tea. I don’t mind it, and I think his in-depth emotional portrayals make up for any lack of beautiful, flowing prose. In this book, I thought the emotional (im)maturity of the tween and teen girls was spot on, and getting a view inside Old Mr Darcy’s head was both fascinating and horrifying. I liked seeing Darcy as a philosopher who upheld his beliefs even when they were challenged. It fit him well. The complete lack of Collinses and near-complete lack of de Bourghs was lovely, and I had to laugh at Lord Matlock. More of Col Fitzwilliam would have been nice, but, alas, he really didn’t fit into this story. If you’re already a fan of Mr Underwood, you will likely enjoy this book. If you are new to his work, I would probably recommend first reading “Mr Bennett’s Daughter”, “Col Darcy” or “The Missing Prince” and then returning to this one.
March 15, 2026
Unique premise and style
As the author points out, he has deliberately employed an unusual writing style for this novel. I can understand some readers not enjoying it. I did appreciate its style. The premise is unique. I enjoyed watching an orphaned 12-year-old blinded and scarred Elizabeth grow up more or less as a ward of the Darcys, with whom her older sister Jane was already visiting when the Longbourn fire that killed the rest of the Bennets took place.
I found A Quiet Affection well researched and thought provoking, but perhaps not for everyone.
As the author points out, he has deliberately employed an unusual writing style for this novel. I can understand some readers not enjoying it. I did appreciate its style. The premise is unique. I enjoyed watching an orphaned 12-year-old blinded and scarred Elizabeth grow up more or less as a ward of the Darcys, with whom her older sister Jane was already visiting when the Longbourn fire that killed the rest of the Bennets took place.
I found A Quiet Affection well researched and thought provoking, but perhaps not for everyone.
April 17, 2026
Did not disappoint.
I can generally count on this author for an interesting and compelling story. What is most interesting is that his variations are always surprising what ifs. I don't like to say too much because spoilers are so rude, but this is well worth your time. You might want to set enough time aside to read it all the way to completion as it is quite a page turner.
I can generally count on this author for an interesting and compelling story. What is most interesting is that his variations are always surprising what ifs. I don't like to say too much because spoilers are so rude, but this is well worth your time. You might want to set enough time aside to read it all the way to completion as it is quite a page turner.
June 1, 2026
Quite a bit of angst, but not between Lizzy and Darcy
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