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Before She Knew Him: A Pride and Prejudice Short Story
What if Elizabeth Bennet met Mr Darcy before she knew he was Mr Darcy?
While touring Pemberley with her aunt and uncle, Elizabeth encounters a handsome gentleman working among the roses. With his coat discarded and his hands marked by honest labour, she naturally assumes he is one of the estate’s gardeners—and speaks to him with all her usual openness.
Fitzwilliam Darcy knows he ought to correct her mistake. Instead, charmed by a young woman who sees neither his fortune nor his consequence, he allows their conversation to continue.
When Elizabeth later discovers his identity, she is mortified. Yet the mistake that should have ended their acquaintance has already revealed something neither can easily dismiss. With the elder Mr Darcy quietly encouraging them, Georgiana eager for a new friend and only a se’nnight before Elizabeth must leave Derbyshire, they are given a precious few days to discover whether their unexpected connection might become something more.
Before Elizabeth knew who he was, she had already begun to know the most important parts of him.
While touring Pemberley with her aunt and uncle, Elizabeth encounters a handsome gentleman working among the roses. With his coat discarded and his hands marked by honest labour, she naturally assumes he is one of the estate’s gardeners—and speaks to him with all her usual openness.
Fitzwilliam Darcy knows he ought to correct her mistake. Instead, charmed by a young woman who sees neither his fortune nor his consequence, he allows their conversation to continue.
When Elizabeth later discovers his identity, she is mortified. Yet the mistake that should have ended their acquaintance has already revealed something neither can easily dismiss. With the elder Mr Darcy quietly encouraging them, Georgiana eager for a new friend and only a se’nnight before Elizabeth must leave Derbyshire, they are given a precious few days to discover whether their unexpected connection might become something more.
Before Elizabeth knew who he was, she had already begun to know the most important parts of him.
64 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 9, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 30, 2026
Charming
Audiobook Review
A charming and sweet quick listen with none of the usual misunderstandings except for a mistaken identity on Elizabeth's part—exactly what made this a charming story. Carol Beth Anderson's lovely performance with the narration is very satisfying too.
Audiobook Review
A charming and sweet quick listen with none of the usual misunderstandings except for a mistaken identity on Elizabeth's part—exactly what made this a charming story. Carol Beth Anderson's lovely performance with the narration is very satisfying too.
August 10, 2026
The tour group at Pemberley allows George Darcy to overhear his son addressing the questions of a young lady in the garden. Upon observing Fitzwilliam’s reactions, the rest of this sweet short story creates opportunities for our dear couple to find their happily ever after.
August 12, 2026
Short and sweet, but oh so satisfying!!
August 9, 2026
charming
Clean, suitable all ages non regency syntax. Plot: Elizabeth ‘Lizzy’ Bennet, while touring the Pemberly Estate mistakes the wealthy heir Fitzwilliam Darcy for a common gardener. Her openly inquisitive personality induces her to treat a ‘gardener’ with uncommon civility & she has questions about the gardens & grounds; her insightful responses & meditations lead to a slow burn mutual attraction with some rather simple help by Mr Darcy Sr…no bad guys nor noisy interference by any canon characters…truly, this is a charming novella with lovely sentiments sprinkled throughout as ODC fall for each other. Loved every word (would make a wonderful full novel too!). Recommend to PP fans & will read again.
Clean, suitable all ages non regency syntax. Plot: Elizabeth ‘Lizzy’ Bennet, while touring the Pemberly Estate mistakes the wealthy heir Fitzwilliam Darcy for a common gardener. Her openly inquisitive personality induces her to treat a ‘gardener’ with uncommon civility & she has questions about the gardens & grounds; her insightful responses & meditations lead to a slow burn mutual attraction with some rather simple help by Mr Darcy Sr…no bad guys nor noisy interference by any canon characters…truly, this is a charming novella with lovely sentiments sprinkled throughout as ODC fall for each other. Loved every word (would make a wonderful full novel too!). Recommend to PP fans & will read again.
August 10, 2026
too short
I completely missed that this was a short story. Not even a novella. Had this been fleshed out and we were able to see the correspondence between Darcy and Lizzy and a little more interaction, this could have been 5 stars. As it is, I can’t give it more than 3 because I’m so disappointed. This had so much more potential than what we were left with. My fault I suppose for not seeing “short story” in the title, but it is what it is.
I completely missed that this was a short story. Not even a novella. Had this been fleshed out and we were able to see the correspondence between Darcy and Lizzy and a little more interaction, this could have been 5 stars. As it is, I can’t give it more than 3 because I’m so disappointed. This had so much more potential than what we were left with. My fault I suppose for not seeing “short story” in the title, but it is what it is.
August 9, 2026
sweet novella
Lovely story. My only quibble is with overly complicated and too common phrasing: “more than *** required” “longer than was necessary “ blanker than blank was blanked”. It’s too common in JAFFs and quite jolts me off the page. It’s more phrasing than any editor should strictly allow. See what I mean?
Lovely story. My only quibble is with overly complicated and too common phrasing: “more than *** required” “longer than was necessary “ blanker than blank was blanked”. It’s too common in JAFFs and quite jolts me off the page. It’s more phrasing than any editor should strictly allow. See what I mean?
August 9, 2026
What a short and sweet story that hits the right spot for making a person go ahhhhhh.
Dear, how Elizabeth did not know that Mr. Darcy was not a gardener. Mr. George Darcy is alive and sees the exchange.
Very comforting low angst story.
Dear, how Elizabeth did not know that Mr. Darcy was not a gardener. Mr. George Darcy is alive and sees the exchange.
Very comforting low angst story.
August 15, 2026
unexpected
No angst, love at first sight, Mr. Darcy Senior alive. Nice if you’re looking for something to read in its entirety one evening. Could have had a little more depth. But I figured the author accomplished what she set out to do, write a sweet short story.
No angst, love at first sight, Mr. Darcy Senior alive. Nice if you’re looking for something to read in its entirety one evening. Could have had a little more depth. But I figured the author accomplished what she set out to do, write a sweet short story.
August 29, 2026
so sweet
Imagining Darcy Elizabeth meeting and getting to know each other in this way, gave me one fuzzy feelings. Genuine interactions without external influences allow this beloved couple to really see and get to know each other. Loved it!
Imagining Darcy Elizabeth meeting and getting to know each other in this way, gave me one fuzzy feelings. Genuine interactions without external influences allow this beloved couple to really see and get to know each other. Loved it!
September 12, 2026
Before meryton assembly
Great, sweet, read in one sitting. Always like variations where one or both Darcy parents are still alive. Few authors take advantage of this angle when writing variations. This author always makes the readers feel present with her great use of dialogue.
Great, sweet, read in one sitting. Always like variations where one or both Darcy parents are still alive. Few authors take advantage of this angle when writing variations. This author always makes the readers feel present with her great use of dialogue.
September 28, 2026
Short and Sweet
I enjoyed the premise and that Darcy’s father was alive and part of the story. I generally prefer also a limited cast of characters. This short story satisfied my ODC itch nicely.
I enjoyed the premise and that Darcy’s father was alive and part of the story. I generally prefer also a limited cast of characters. This short story satisfied my ODC itch nicely.
August 9, 2026
Short and sweet
A very low angst short story. Elizabeth and the Gardiners go to Pemberley earlier, Mr. Darcy Sr is alive. No Wickham, Bingleys, or Lady Catherine.
A very low angst short story. Elizabeth and the Gardiners go to Pemberley earlier, Mr. Darcy Sr is alive. No Wickham, Bingleys, or Lady Catherine.
August 11, 2026
short and cute
My only complaint is it should be longer! Swift, no angst story with a great meet-cute! I truly loved it.
My only complaint is it should be longer! Swift, no angst story with a great meet-cute! I truly loved it.
August 13, 2026
short and sweet
Very well written and free of angst. I really enjoyed the book and highly recommended it! I only wish it had been a little longer.
Very well written and free of angst. I really enjoyed the book and highly recommended it! I only wish it had been a little longer.
August 13, 2026
I love these Pride and Prejudice variations as I truly cannot get enough of Elizabeth and Darcy. A very lovely read!
August 14, 2026
Too short!
I loved the story but wished it to be longer!! I do recommend this if you have a time for a short read!
I loved the story but wished it to be longer!! I do recommend this if you have a time for a short read!
August 14, 2026
Spotty
A truly enjoyable read! I like shorter books, but was sad this one ended. I highly recommend this book and the author.
A truly enjoyable read! I like shorter books, but was sad this one ended. I highly recommend this book and the author.
August 20, 2026
Very nice short story! I liked the elder Darcy (still alive in this story). Elizabeth is touring Pemberley and mistakes Darcy for a gardener, and they have a conversation about the gardens. Darcy Sr invites the Gardiners and Elizabeth for tea, convinces them to stay in Derbyshire longer to give Elizabeth and Darcy Jr time to fall in love. Very sweet.
September 1, 2026
Before She Knew Him
A short read and very satisfying as it is without the angst of most variations. Every now and then, I truly enjoy a simple story.
A short read and very satisfying as it is without the angst of most variations. Every now and then, I truly enjoy a simple story.
September 4, 2026
Elizabeth meets Mr. Darcy at his home and mistakes him for the gardener. Darcy's father notices his son's interest in the guest and invites her and her aunt and uncle to dine with them.
September 4, 2026
Cute. short story
September 15, 2026
Short, sweet and charming. I liked that the story included Darcy's father who was very supportive.
October 31, 2026
Too much telling instead of showing and the romance lacked any depth. Wish we had been shown some of the letters E&D were exchanging instead of the pov from elder Mr darcy
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2026
Nicely written. But the ending was too abrupt for me.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews