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The Council of Cobwebs: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Revolutions, of all kinds, begin somewhere no one is watching. And cobwebs accumulate where no one looks. So, occasionally, does wisdom.
As you all know, the proposal speech Mr. Darcy had prepared was the clearest possible guide to falling down a staircase.
What if he had given it to the wrong woman first?
Or was it, indeed, the wrong woman?
Pride is not always where you expect to find it. Nor is prejudice. Neither, for that matter, is courage. And the most decisive changes are not always the ones that announce themselves aloud.
The Council of Cobwebs is a Pride and Prejudice variation set in Regency Britain, among the same people and houses Jane Austen gave us, seen from rather closer quarters, and at rather more inconvenient moments. It does not begin where you might expect, and it ends somewhere rather better than anyone deserves.Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, ten thousand a year, master of himself in nearly every respect but one, and not yet aware of the particular failing in question.Miss Elizabeth Bennet, possessed of fine eyes and a discernment that has, on at least one memorable occasion, let her down quite considerably.Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, whose charm is genuine, whose intentions are good, and whose judgement is occasionally something less than either, particularly when left to his own direction.Miss Anne de Bourgh of Rosings Park, who has a great deal more to say for herself than anyone has yet thought to ask, and who has been quietly observing, calculating, and waiting for this particular moment for years.Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who has always been perfectly certain of her authority, her consequence, and her arrangements—until the day she discovers that none of them may be so secure as she had supposed.Mr. George Wickham features also, though he exits the story with rather less than he arrived with. The details are perhaps best discovered than described.This is a story about cobwebs. About rooms left unused, conversations left unheard, and decisions made in quiet corners which alter everything that follows. About the kind of revolutions that do not announce themselves until they are already accomplished, and which, once complete, cannot easily be undone.
It is a story of councils held where no one thinks to look, of judgments formed before they are spoken, and of influence exercised without display.Of a Darcy who must be corrected before he can be accepted.An Elizabeth who must be humbled before she can see clearly.A colonel whose best intentions require some supervision.And a young woman at the edge of the story who proves, at last, to have been at its centre all along.
For readers of Jane Austen fan fiction looking for an Austen-adjacent Pride and Prejudice retelling that preserves the wit, the irony, and the social observation of the original, while exploring what might have happened if Anne de Bourgh had been given both a voice and a will of her own.
For readers who want their happily ever after earned rather than merely arrived at.A Jane Austen Fan Fiction (JAFF)Pride and Prejudice variationApprox. 45,000 wordsHappily ever after guaranteedRegency romanceLow angstWitty and humorous Afternoon or bedtime readEnjoy!
As you all know, the proposal speech Mr. Darcy had prepared was the clearest possible guide to falling down a staircase.
What if he had given it to the wrong woman first?
Or was it, indeed, the wrong woman?
Pride is not always where you expect to find it. Nor is prejudice. Neither, for that matter, is courage. And the most decisive changes are not always the ones that announce themselves aloud.
The Council of Cobwebs is a Pride and Prejudice variation set in Regency Britain, among the same people and houses Jane Austen gave us, seen from rather closer quarters, and at rather more inconvenient moments. It does not begin where you might expect, and it ends somewhere rather better than anyone deserves.Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, ten thousand a year, master of himself in nearly every respect but one, and not yet aware of the particular failing in question.Miss Elizabeth Bennet, possessed of fine eyes and a discernment that has, on at least one memorable occasion, let her down quite considerably.Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, whose charm is genuine, whose intentions are good, and whose judgement is occasionally something less than either, particularly when left to his own direction.Miss Anne de Bourgh of Rosings Park, who has a great deal more to say for herself than anyone has yet thought to ask, and who has been quietly observing, calculating, and waiting for this particular moment for years.Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who has always been perfectly certain of her authority, her consequence, and her arrangements—until the day she discovers that none of them may be so secure as she had supposed.Mr. George Wickham features also, though he exits the story with rather less than he arrived with. The details are perhaps best discovered than described.This is a story about cobwebs. About rooms left unused, conversations left unheard, and decisions made in quiet corners which alter everything that follows. About the kind of revolutions that do not announce themselves until they are already accomplished, and which, once complete, cannot easily be undone.
It is a story of councils held where no one thinks to look, of judgments formed before they are spoken, and of influence exercised without display.Of a Darcy who must be corrected before he can be accepted.An Elizabeth who must be humbled before she can see clearly.A colonel whose best intentions require some supervision.And a young woman at the edge of the story who proves, at last, to have been at its centre all along.
For readers of Jane Austen fan fiction looking for an Austen-adjacent Pride and Prejudice retelling that preserves the wit, the irony, and the social observation of the original, while exploring what might have happened if Anne de Bourgh had been given both a voice and a will of her own.
For readers who want their happily ever after earned rather than merely arrived at.A Jane Austen Fan Fiction (JAFF)Pride and Prejudice variationApprox. 45,000 wordsHappily ever after guaranteedRegency romanceLow angstWitty and humorous Afternoon or bedtime readEnjoy!
177 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 29, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 23, 2026
Wonderful
When Elizabeth visits Charlotte Collins at Hunsford Parsonage, Anne Debourgh takes special notice of Darcy's growing attraction for Elizabeth and convenes a secret meeting with Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam. She and the colonel prevent Darcy from making a disastrous proposal, and instead work up a game plan for Darcy to improve Elizabeth's opinion of him. They also plan about how to inform Lady Catherine that her longtime wishes for marrying Anne to Darcy will never happen.
My first time reading this author, and I hope to see more from her in the future. I like the humor and clever banter. The romance is lovely, and we're given a swoon worthy Darcy, and thankfully an Elizabeth who isn't too obstinate to change her mind in the face of reliable evidence. The characters are nicely forthright, and it's pleasant to see Anne Debourgh get some positive and important screen time. The book is well written and well edited. I recommend it highly.
When Elizabeth visits Charlotte Collins at Hunsford Parsonage, Anne Debourgh takes special notice of Darcy's growing attraction for Elizabeth and convenes a secret meeting with Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam. She and the colonel prevent Darcy from making a disastrous proposal, and instead work up a game plan for Darcy to improve Elizabeth's opinion of him. They also plan about how to inform Lady Catherine that her longtime wishes for marrying Anne to Darcy will never happen.
My first time reading this author, and I hope to see more from her in the future. I like the humor and clever banter. The romance is lovely, and we're given a swoon worthy Darcy, and thankfully an Elizabeth who isn't too obstinate to change her mind in the face of reliable evidence. The characters are nicely forthright, and it's pleasant to see Anne Debourgh get some positive and important screen time. The book is well written and well edited. I recommend it highly.
May 10, 2026
The story is centered around Anne, Darcy, and Col Fitzwilliam sitting around talking to each other. And talking again. And talking some more. Everyone is very open and direct in their conversations, which makes their meetings (the councils of the title) feel like therapy sessions.
It’s sweet and low angst, so if you’re looking for that type of story, you will probably like it.
2.5-stars rounded up.
It’s sweet and low angst, so if you’re looking for that type of story, you will probably like it.
2.5-stars rounded up.
March 31, 2026
Charming variation
Devoted mainly to the Hunsford stay and its aftermath, this variation revolves upon Anne and Colonel Fitzwilliam learning of Darcy’s proposal intentions and intervening (read: delaying, elucidating, and improving)--in a disused remote cobwebby corner of Rosings Park. It is indeed low angst, but charming nonetheless, and written in a most piquant style.
Devoted mainly to the Hunsford stay and its aftermath, this variation revolves upon Anne and Colonel Fitzwilliam learning of Darcy’s proposal intentions and intervening (read: delaying, elucidating, and improving)--in a disused remote cobwebby corner of Rosings Park. It is indeed low angst, but charming nonetheless, and written in a most piquant style.
April 4, 2026
Complex Conversations Among Characters
Interesting conversations among the cousins which resulted in a changed plot from Rosings on. Enjoyed the dialogue and further development of Anne’s character.
Interesting conversations among the cousins which resulted in a changed plot from Rosings on. Enjoyed the dialogue and further development of Anne’s character.
April 17, 2026
Apt title
I love this version of Anne deBourgh. She proves herself to be quietly substantial and most adept at management, both of her clueless cousin Darcy and of her mother who thinks that she has everything in hand.
I love this version of Anne deBourgh. She proves herself to be quietly substantial and most adept at management, both of her clueless cousin Darcy and of her mother who thinks that she has everything in hand.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews