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Sweet Tea Short Story
Four Days in April
Sweet, Austen-inspired treats, perfect with a cup of tea.
Full of hope and ripe with possibility, beginnings and new beginnings refresh the spirit with optimism and anticipation.
Four Days in April.
Two letters. Four Days. Everything changes.
After offering a most disastrous proposal of marriage and receiving a rebuke he will never forget, Fitzwilliam Darcy writes Elizabeth Bennet an equally memorable letter.
What if she answers it with one of her own?
From the award winning author of Given Good Principles, Remember the Past and Mistaking Her Character, Sweet Tea short stories offer the perfect bite to transport readers back to the Regency era for the first days of new love.
Full of hope and ripe with possibility, beginnings and new beginnings refresh the spirit with optimism and anticipation.
Four Days in April.
Two letters. Four Days. Everything changes.
After offering a most disastrous proposal of marriage and receiving a rebuke he will never forget, Fitzwilliam Darcy writes Elizabeth Bennet an equally memorable letter.
What if she answers it with one of her own?
From the award winning author of Given Good Principles, Remember the Past and Mistaking Her Character, Sweet Tea short stories offer the perfect bite to transport readers back to the Regency era for the first days of new love.
51 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 8, 2015
101 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
Maria Grace
100 books320 followersSix time BRAG Medallion Honoree, #1 Best-selling Historical Fantasy author Maria Grace has her PhD in Educational Psychology and is a 16-year veteran of the university classroom where she taught courses in human growth and development, learning, test development and counseling. None of which have anything to do with her undergraduate studies in economics/sociology/managerial studies/behavior sciences. She pretends to be a mild-mannered writer/cat-lady, but most of her vacations require helmets and waivers or historical costumes, usually not at the same time.
She stumbled into Jane Austen fan-dom in the mid '90s with Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensibility film, having somehow graduated HS without ever having read Austen. It was only a short leap then to consume all of Austen's works, in all their various media forms. In the hopes of discovering more works by Austen, she stumbled into the fan fiction forums, which naturally led to asking 'What if...' herself. Twenty nine books later, she still asks that question.
She writes gaslamp fantasy, historical romance and non-fiction to help justify her research addiction.
She stumbled into Jane Austen fan-dom in the mid '90s with Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensibility film, having somehow graduated HS without ever having read Austen. It was only a short leap then to consume all of Austen's works, in all their various media forms. In the hopes of discovering more works by Austen, she stumbled into the fan fiction forums, which naturally led to asking 'What if...' herself. Twenty nine books later, she still asks that question.
She writes gaslamp fantasy, historical romance and non-fiction to help justify her research addiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
November 13, 2018
Lovely, but too short. D:
June 28, 2024
Very sweet but it ends before any real resolution and I dearly wished it to be longer.
Reread: I am rereading this annually, it seems.
Reread: I am rereading this annually, it seems.
August 10, 2021
A sweet read, of what if Elizabeth decides to react to Darcy's letter following the Hunsford proposal.
July 28, 2016
Delightful, funny, angst, and another look at our beloved couple
This short story was simply a delight and I loved it. I fully intend to look at other work by this author. We are looking at a small window of time…at Rosings, after the disastrous proposal…just those four days.
We are in Darcy’s head as he tries to make sense of what has just happened with Elizabeth. It is hilarious to watch him work through the process of what he said, what she said and then what he should do next. He is completely aghast that she didn’t know…suspect…or realize that he had genuine affection for her. How could she not know? It was so funny to see him examine his past behavior, recount conversations, evaluate his attitudes and demeanor and come to the conclusion that he had in fact acted badly.
Then we are in Elizabeth’s head as she reads and peruses Darcy’s letter. She berates herself for accepting the letter in the first place…her reputation is on the line, after all. She is angry as she reads Darcy’s account of his involvement in separating Bingley from Jane. As she continues to read, she is horrified at Darcy’s account of Wickham’s story / half-truths / lies regarding his relationship with the Darcy family. She is humbled, and doesn’t know herself.
What does she need to do…to apologize, to express her distress over losing his friendship? No spoilers…read it…it is quick, and a fun short story of four days at Rosings in April.
This was a free offering from Kindle and an honest review.
This short story was simply a delight and I loved it. I fully intend to look at other work by this author. We are looking at a small window of time…at Rosings, after the disastrous proposal…just those four days.
We are in Darcy’s head as he tries to make sense of what has just happened with Elizabeth. It is hilarious to watch him work through the process of what he said, what she said and then what he should do next. He is completely aghast that she didn’t know…suspect…or realize that he had genuine affection for her. How could she not know? It was so funny to see him examine his past behavior, recount conversations, evaluate his attitudes and demeanor and come to the conclusion that he had in fact acted badly.
Then we are in Elizabeth’s head as she reads and peruses Darcy’s letter. She berates herself for accepting the letter in the first place…her reputation is on the line, after all. She is angry as she reads Darcy’s account of his involvement in separating Bingley from Jane. As she continues to read, she is horrified at Darcy’s account of Wickham’s story / half-truths / lies regarding his relationship with the Darcy family. She is humbled, and doesn’t know herself.
What does she need to do…to apologize, to express her distress over losing his friendship? No spoilers…read it…it is quick, and a fun short story of four days at Rosings in April.
This was a free offering from Kindle and an honest review.
September 6, 2018
Same terrible proposal...but Lizzie acts on it differently
After Darcy writes his letter, Lizzie decides she must apologize and writes a letter of her own. Two letters, both dangerous if found out by others.
The two letters, with their direct information gives both characters a small reason for hope. A morning meeting the next day engenders informed, hopeful sentiments and the story ends with a future bidden by hope.
I recommend this book.
After Darcy writes his letter, Lizzie decides she must apologize and writes a letter of her own. Two letters, both dangerous if found out by others.
The two letters, with their direct information gives both characters a small reason for hope. A morning meeting the next day engenders informed, hopeful sentiments and the story ends with a future bidden by hope.
I recommend this book.
January 2, 2016
I loved this sweet story but wanted it to continue!
I wanted to see how hard Darcy would work at improving Elizabeth's opinion of him,how he would woo her..........where it would end in that special extra fortnight they had been granted..........!
I recommend this to readers looking for a very short but sweet treat!
I wanted to see how hard Darcy would work at improving Elizabeth's opinion of him,how he would woo her..........where it would end in that special extra fortnight they had been granted..........!
I recommend this to readers looking for a very short but sweet treat!
September 18, 2015
Short, sweet tale begins after Darcy's proposal at the parsonage and creates a new bit of business with Lizzy replying to Darcy's letter.
September 13, 2015
Four Days I in April: A Pride and Prejudice Variation; A Sweet Tea Short Story
When Maria said short, she meant short! Good story of Darcy and Elizabeth at Rosings. Deals with the infamous proposal, Elizabeth's reaction to said proposal, and Darcy's letter. Upon reading his letter, Elizabeth was mortified beyond reason. Recognized her pride influenced her prejudice against Darcy so much so that she missed the man he truly was. Breaking propriety, she responds to his letter with a letter of her own. Not seeing Darcy but Colonel Fitzwilliam, when he asked for advice on how to get Georgiana to feel better about herself, she replies to what she would do. Taking the information he confronts Darcy in the library, strung out and in the worst mood ever. When they both are talking, both are discussing a different lady: he thinking it's Elizabeth and the Colonel talking about Georgiana. Communications break down between cousins so why would he expect Elizabeth to recognize his ardent feelings. Poor Darcy. Will he get another chance sooner than meeting at Pemberley? You'll need to buy the book to find out.
When Maria said short, she meant short! Good story of Darcy and Elizabeth at Rosings. Deals with the infamous proposal, Elizabeth's reaction to said proposal, and Darcy's letter. Upon reading his letter, Elizabeth was mortified beyond reason. Recognized her pride influenced her prejudice against Darcy so much so that she missed the man he truly was. Breaking propriety, she responds to his letter with a letter of her own. Not seeing Darcy but Colonel Fitzwilliam, when he asked for advice on how to get Georgiana to feel better about herself, she replies to what she would do. Taking the information he confronts Darcy in the library, strung out and in the worst mood ever. When they both are talking, both are discussing a different lady: he thinking it's Elizabeth and the Colonel talking about Georgiana. Communications break down between cousins so why would he expect Elizabeth to recognize his ardent feelings. Poor Darcy. Will he get another chance sooner than meeting at Pemberley? You'll need to buy the book to find out.
September 24, 2015
Yes, it is a very short excerpt/variation on that insulting proposal of marriage to Elizabeth and the reaction on both parts while Darcy is visiting his aunt in Kent. I read it in about an hour while lingering over my breakfast.
We all know of Darcy's long letter in which he defends himself against the charges laid at his door by Elizabeth in that totally unexpected refusal of his proposal. Propriety has already been ignored when she accepts a letter from a man to whom she is not engaged. But then Elizabeth meets Col. Fitzwilliam, and in discussing Georgiana (or is he?) when he uses a suggestion with a double meaning that a letter might serve the purpose of uplifting a certain depressed soul she takes note.
Now Elizabeth has something to consider, but if she is to act on it then how does she get a letter into his hands? He is due to leave Rosings. She doesn't find him walking the grove. But then Charlotte announces a dinner party. Read carefully as there are hidden meanings in much of the communication. Yes, we always want more but this was a sweet little sip of possible communication between our favorite two. Enjoy!
We all know of Darcy's long letter in which he defends himself against the charges laid at his door by Elizabeth in that totally unexpected refusal of his proposal. Propriety has already been ignored when she accepts a letter from a man to whom she is not engaged. But then Elizabeth meets Col. Fitzwilliam, and in discussing Georgiana (or is he?) when he uses a suggestion with a double meaning that a letter might serve the purpose of uplifting a certain depressed soul she takes note.
Now Elizabeth has something to consider, but if she is to act on it then how does she get a letter into his hands? He is due to leave Rosings. She doesn't find him walking the grove. But then Charlotte announces a dinner party. Read carefully as there are hidden meanings in much of the communication. Yes, we always want more but this was a sweet little sip of possible communication between our favorite two. Enjoy!
January 18, 2018
I really enjoyed this book! It starts as Darcy leaves the parsonage following his proposal. He gives Elizabeth his letter the following day, but rather than leaving straight away, Lady Catherine has a dinner party forcing him to stay. It offers Elizabeth a chance to tell him how she feels about his letter.
I really liked the way this book was written, particularly the mirroring of Darcy and Elizabeth's angry thoughts towards each other at the beginning.
This is one of the shortest books I've ever read, I think it took less than 25 minutes to read, but it is a lovely story and highly recommended.
I really liked the way this book was written, particularly the mirroring of Darcy and Elizabeth's angry thoughts towards each other at the beginning.
This is one of the shortest books I've ever read, I think it took less than 25 minutes to read, but it is a lovely story and highly recommended.
December 27, 2023
Rating 3,5 Stars.
Sweet quick read! Could have been a little longer, was to short. On my Kindle Paperwhite the story was finished at 84% (page 41). Ending will keep Readers wondering „Do they now spend their lives together or not?“
ODC‘s love story was rushed in my opinion? But their meetings were cute though.
- Very Quick Read
- Clean Content
- No Angst
Sweet quick read! Could have been a little longer, was to short. On my Kindle Paperwhite the story was finished at 84% (page 41). Ending will keep Readers wondering „Do they now spend their lives together or not?“
ODC‘s love story was rushed in my opinion? But their meetings were cute though.
- Very Quick Read
- Clean Content
- No Angst
September 15, 2015
A sweet little morsel....
....though leaving me with a giant desire to know more!!!! Ugh the bane of the short story!!! They can be a respite from the long, all consuming novels, bringing glimpses of stories for just a taste!!! Though I have to say Four Days in April is a delightful torture to read, it leaves me with wanting to read more of how ODC sketches each other's characters better and forms an attachment. Miss Grace is such a delight and has such a way with words in which to swirl her stories to life. I look forward to reading more of her spellbinding stories of ODC!!! I wholeheartedly recommend this short story to all JAFFers!!
....though leaving me with a giant desire to know more!!!! Ugh the bane of the short story!!! They can be a respite from the long, all consuming novels, bringing glimpses of stories for just a taste!!! Though I have to say Four Days in April is a delightful torture to read, it leaves me with wanting to read more of how ODC sketches each other's characters better and forms an attachment. Miss Grace is such a delight and has such a way with words in which to swirl her stories to life. I look forward to reading more of her spellbinding stories of ODC!!! I wholeheartedly recommend this short story to all JAFFers!!
January 7, 2017
I love it for the most part, as with most of Maria Grace's books. It's a short sweet story that could have been fleshed out into a much longer one.
My quibble is that instead of it just being about the two of them working out their differences, there were other "happy" moments of (unintentional) interference from other characters (such as Lady Catherine having a last minute dinner party). I found that in such a short work that it was too good to be true that everything worked out that way.
My quibble is that instead of it just being about the two of them working out their differences, there were other "happy" moments of (unintentional) interference from other characters (such as Lady Catherine having a last minute dinner party). I found that in such a short work that it was too good to be true that everything worked out that way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2015
What if, after his disastrous proposal, Darcy delivers his letter to Elizabeth and then hangs around a few more days? What if she writes him back? Lovely! Just lovely. And of course it leaves me wanting more.
August 1, 2016
I truly enjoy Maria Grace's writing. This is a sweet tale of Darcy and Elizabeth resolving their differences while still in Kent due to Elizabeth answering Mr. Darcy's letter with her own. Short, sweet, and very appropriate.
December 31, 2015
Short and sweet. Good bedtime read. Left me with a happy heart.
June 29, 2021
Short and sweet
This was a short and sweet read. A small change to the original Jane Austen's work but worded quite the same. Nothing very new in terms of plot development or characters.
This was a short and sweet read. A small change to the original Jane Austen's work but worded quite the same. Nothing very new in terms of plot development or characters.
January 3, 2024
This short novella hit the spot! It was sweet & fluffy. In this story , brevity worked in its favor. 3.5 rounded up.
October 25, 2025
Short and sweet.
November 15, 2015
This book opens right after Elizabeth rejects Darcy's proposal at Rosing from Darcy's PoV. It was interesting to be in Darcy's head the second after his proposal was rejected. I thought the author did Darcy and Elizabeth's voices very well and kept them true to the characters of the original novel. I thought all the characters were true to form and was very glad of that. I hate my JAFF with characters that have nothing in common with the ones I love. I loved the plot of this book and found the idea for this story both unique yet simple. Usually, short stories seem unfinished and leave you wanting more. This story doesn't do that. It doesn't feel too short or too long. The plot isn't too ambitious for a short story and really couldn't be told any other way IMO. The writing was good but not great. This story is the perfect length for a quick read while relaxing with a cup of coffee or tea. If you love JAFF true to the characters, short stories, and great what-ifs then I highly recommend this story.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Content Rating: G
Heat Rating: Clean
Rating: 4 out of 5
Content Rating: G
Heat Rating: Clean
February 7, 2017
A very sweet, short post-Hunsford story. ODC started to communicate the next day and it went from there. No angst, just D&E interactions, plus Colonel Fitzwilliam in good form. a perfect book for a rainy afternoon.
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November 3, 2017Check out my review on Diary of an Eccentric
January 26, 2020
Very sweet, short story!
September 24, 2017
What if Elizabeth wasn't content to read Darcy's letter and suffer her revolution of feeling in silence? This short story begins as Darcy storms out of the front door of Hunsford Cottage after his proposal, shocked at Elizabeth's words in refusal and angry at the injustice in them. Still angry, he pens his letter and forces it into Elizabeth's hand the next morning. She reads his letter, and is immediately sent into turmoil of her own.
This is where we break from canon. Colonel Fitzwilliam encounters Elizabeth in the woods, and a chance conversation convinces Elizabeth that he knows about the proposal, and a letter from Elizabeth will solve everything. She runs home to write it and find a way to pass it to Darcy unnoticed. Luckily, Darcy is not leaving immediately and she finds her chance.
Despite this being a short story, Darcy's and Elizabeth's angst after the proposal was well developed. Not much time is spent rehashing things we know by heart, like the contents of the letter or Elizabeth's entire thought process after reading it. But we do get to see how Darcy felt after the proposal, and what led to his letter. In the original novel, Elizabeth's change of heart takes months for her to go from denial, to acceptance, to reluctant admiration, to gratitude, and then to love. Darcy also takes some time to realize his behavior was wrong. This process is sped up in the short story but was still believable. Overall, it was a sweet short story of what could have been. I would read more from this author!
This is where we break from canon. Colonel Fitzwilliam encounters Elizabeth in the woods, and a chance conversation convinces Elizabeth that he knows about the proposal, and a letter from Elizabeth will solve everything. She runs home to write it and find a way to pass it to Darcy unnoticed. Luckily, Darcy is not leaving immediately and she finds her chance.
Despite this being a short story, Darcy's and Elizabeth's angst after the proposal was well developed. Not much time is spent rehashing things we know by heart, like the contents of the letter or Elizabeth's entire thought process after reading it. But we do get to see how Darcy felt after the proposal, and what led to his letter. In the original novel, Elizabeth's change of heart takes months for her to go from denial, to acceptance, to reluctant admiration, to gratitude, and then to love. Darcy also takes some time to realize his behavior was wrong. This process is sped up in the short story but was still believable. Overall, it was a sweet short story of what could have been. I would read more from this author!
September 8, 2017
This was a super short novella. I felt like we were just getting started and then it was over. Had it been expanded into a novel there would have been many twists before resolution but there wasn't time for those. For example, the Colonel is talking about a letter for Georgiana but Darcy misinterprets and assumes he is referencing Elizabeth. And then there is nothing more about Georgiana or the mix up. That conversation is simply the means to get Darcy to expect a response from Lizzy but goes no further.
So the story is just the four days when Darcy attempts his disastrous proposal and those few days after. Obviously the HEA comes much quicker than in P&P.
If you just want a quick taste of Darcy and Lizzy without a big time commitment then this novella is a decent way to do it.
No sex, violence or language issues.
So the story is just the four days when Darcy attempts his disastrous proposal and those few days after. Obviously the HEA comes much quicker than in P&P.
If you just want a quick taste of Darcy and Lizzy without a big time commitment then this novella is a decent way to do it.
No sex, violence or language issues.
April 10, 2024
Knowing this is a short story and it therefore has very little time to go through not only the whole plot but also the resolution, I'm still left slightly dissatisfied with the ending. Also taken into consideration: this is a Pride & Prejudice short story, so the author does save some word count/length by way of already established characters and earlier plot. But I just wanted MORE of the end there. I felt like there was still a lot I wanted to know about how things would progress going forward. As far as negatives go? Wanting more is probably one of the best, and it truly is my only complaint.
July 26, 2018
This was only a blurb of a different senario following the letter to Elizabeth from Darcy, following the proposal at Rosings. I felt it was just too short and did not give enough incite into what was going on with Lizzy after the letter. I would have enjoyed a little more of what would have taken place in the next two weeks.
January 14, 2022
Mr.Darcy has certainly made a mess of things but so has Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
The solution to untangle the problem was not totally unexpected on Mr.Darcy's part. However for Elizabeth to write him back was quite surprising. I enjoyed the story however it was very short and left me wanting more. Enjoy this one and look for more from Maris Grace, you'll be happy you did.
The solution to untangle the problem was not totally unexpected on Mr.Darcy's part. However for Elizabeth to write him back was quite surprising. I enjoyed the story however it was very short and left me wanting more. Enjoy this one and look for more from Maris Grace, you'll be happy you did.
February 8, 2018
This book is the perfect way to take a ramble into the woods of Rosings Park despite it being the domain of the not~to~be~overlooked or ignored Lady Catherine de Burgh. Beautifully crafted so as to immerse the reader into Jane Austen's world.
December 12, 2020
A very satisfying read
All's well that ends well. This brief story centers around the Hunsford proposal. Although the proposal scene is not here, we all know how it proceeded.
First Darcy, then Elizabeth take the very great risk of putting their words into letters, thereby clearing up their misunderstandings before leaving Rosings Park. They were each able to learn valuable life lessons from their exchange.
8
All's well that ends well. This brief story centers around the Hunsford proposal. Although the proposal scene is not here, we all know how it proceeded.
First Darcy, then Elizabeth take the very great risk of putting their words into letters, thereby clearing up their misunderstandings before leaving Rosings Park. They were each able to learn valuable life lessons from their exchange.
8
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews