Avoiding Mr. Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

by Hailey Jones

What if Jane Bennet never took ill at Netherfield, and Elizabeth therefore never stayed there and spent time with the Bingley party?

Thus begins Avoiding Mr. Darcy...

Jane goes to dinner at Netherfield and returns that same evening—Mrs. Bennet was very disappointed it didn't rain, after all. Elizabeth is relieved, having been secretly worried about a downpour and her sister being trapped in it and possibly taking ill. They venture to Meryton the next day and when it rains, it pours, and they find themselves trapped in a nearby stable to wait out the storm--only to be met by Darcy and Bingley, too.

Looks like Elizabeth is avoiding Mr. Darcy no longer—

Read on to see how ODC finds their HEA in Hailey Jones's sweet Pride & Prejudice romance, Avoiding Mr. Darcy.

57 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 14, 2026

Reviews

[sandie mcmurray · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stable boy?

I would have liked to read a nice ending for the stable boy, instead he disappears. Oh well, you can't have it all.

[Judi Dionne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title is misleading.

I think a better title would have been “An Unfortunate Storm.” Overall, it is a really good story, without angst or drama. Nice quick read.