A Promise Made: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

by Cathleen Earle

In 1806, Fitzwilliam Darcy was given a heavy task: He must help the Bennet family in some way, to repair some of the injurious results of a carriage accident.

This long-term project tangles the Darcys and the Bennets in ways very different from canon. Lizzy cannot fathom why Mr Darcy has come into their lives, and she does not appreciate her father's determination to keep secrets. Jane learns at a young age to appreciate the way a true gentleman behaves, and in the meantime, the industrious Mr Darcy has replaced outmoded drainage systems, encouraged modern agricultural techniques, and worked to rid Longbourn of its entail.

This novella has approximately 30K words and some mature content.

136 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 8, 2026

About the author

Cathleen Earle is that rare thing - someone who is third generation Southern Californian. Raised in Pasadena, she went to the University of La Verne and now lives in Chino, a town known for cows and prisons. (She has nothing to do with either!)

A long-time education writer and editor, she writes science fiction books for kids and teens and Pride and Prejudice variations for adults.

Cathleen loves science fiction and Jane Austen, alternative rock music and jigsaw puzzles, streaming TV shows (think "Resident Alien" and "The Good Place") and really, really old places (think the Roman Forum and Stonehenge).

Reviews

[Peg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate the original plots this author comes up with, as well as her characterizations. Fifteen-year-old Lizzy's insatiable curiosity drove a lot of the plot, which was great fun. Very enjoyable.

[Terri Conley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely way to spend an afternoon.
Really enjoyable.