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Letters from Derbyshire
This is a normally narrated story, not a series of letters. It is a story in the Elizabeth is not a Bennet JAFF category. While Elizabeth was aware of this fact since she was a child, it is during her visit to Hunsford that a series of events cause her to learn more of her history. She soon joins forces with Mr. Darcy in an attempt to understand where she came from, how she came to live with the Bennets and the nature of her birthright. (Note that unlike some stories in this category, including one of my own, Elizabeth is not related to Darcy by blood to any degree in this story.)
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Published August 6, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 17, 2019
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“I’m eternally grateful to {our birth mother}, but wish I had never needed her. It’s a loaded friendship, a complex connection.” Jana Wolff, Secret Thought of an Adoptive Mother
I have read several stories by this author and noticed the reuse of character names such as many of the servants. Since I fell in love with those servants, it was a pleasure to run into them again and see that their use and purpose was again pivotal to the story. I loved those footmen/guards. Thanks to the author for not allowing Lizzy to be obstinate and refuse to have a footman nearby. It was dangerous enough for her and I hate reading when she ignores that danger.
Rating: MA: PG-21: mature audience, adult themes, graphic, descriptive [soft porn] sex scenes, violence, high body count. When will authors lean? A virgin does not suddenly have the sexual prowess or appetite of an experienced prostitute. Sorry to be so frank but it grates on my last nerve when authors portray an innocent, who has never been kissed, has never even been touched by a man before, can suddenly participate and enjoy sexual ventures that many married women have never experienced or didn’t experience until well into their marriage. I mean seriously?
This is another ‘Elizabeth is not a Bennet’ trope and we spend the majority of the story in the dark regarding her birth parents.
There are many similarities in this story to another that I read recently by this author. We have the bad Bennet parents with a new twist that we have not seen before regarding Mrs. Bennet. That was wild and very creative. We have a jealous, conniving Jane, several good servants that move the story and provide comedic relief, a sniveling, spineless, Bingley, his b-witch of a sister, an excellent caring Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, M/M Collins and Lady Catherine, a most excellent Colonel cousin/brother to Darcy, a great D&E love story, and a sister that rises out of the Bennet household to shine brightly.
In many ways, this was a fast moving, suspenseful, mystery that had so many twists and turns that it was almost hard to follow. As we travel in the higher circles of the haut ton, we discover that not all is glitz and glamour. The matrons fill their days with gossip and social climbing; their nights attending balls and soirées, while matchmaking and back-biting. In the meantime, the gentlemen are making financial transactions and nurturing political connections and aspirations in an attempt to further their standing within the politically charged government.
Elizabeth Bennet’s world crashed around her when she turned one and twenty and learned the identity of her birth mother. Lizzy had known that she was adopted due to the cruel manner in which Mrs. Bennet revealed it to her. This was a Mrs. Bennet that we have not seen before… wow, I did not see that coming. What a reveal about her. Man… what a scary plot bunny. Mr. Bennet was way beyond indolent and withdrawn. He was… I don’t even have the words. He was awful.
Poor Lizzy made the best of the situation and once she realized the kindness of Mr. Darcy… was able to move beyond the botched proposal. I loved this Darcy as they made sense of the many clues left by the young girl who was Lizzy’s mother. They quickly discovered that she was as clever as Lizzy and her portraits revealed Lizzy’s beauty was similar to her mother’s.
Secrets long hidden began to come to light. As the tapestry of deceit started to unravel, it exposed an underbelly of murder, vengeance, flawed character, illicit behavior, and madness. Nothing was as it seemed and everything changed with each discovery.
There were heroes and zeroes. The heroes rose to new heights and I enjoyed watching them shine. In the meantime, the zeroes, many who were a surprise, had their day and their fall was massive.
There were several threads left dangling. I have several questions that simply ask… what the heck happened with this or that…? We were given no epilogue. I have no idea what became of … her… them? What about… that? Also, I don’t think the title fits the story. It feels like just what it was… a working title. I think that was a miss on the part of the author as there were only a few letters passed from Derbyshire. Too many threads… sorry.
1st read 1-11-18 1-12-18
2nd read 2-28-18 ~ 3-1-18
3rd read 3-15-19 ~ 3-16-19
“I’m eternally grateful to {our birth mother}, but wish I had never needed her. It’s a loaded friendship, a complex connection.” Jana Wolff, Secret Thought of an Adoptive Mother
I have read several stories by this author and noticed the reuse of character names such as many of the servants. Since I fell in love with those servants, it was a pleasure to run into them again and see that their use and purpose was again pivotal to the story. I loved those footmen/guards. Thanks to the author for not allowing Lizzy to be obstinate and refuse to have a footman nearby. It was dangerous enough for her and I hate reading when she ignores that danger.
Rating: MA: PG-21: mature audience, adult themes, graphic, descriptive [soft porn] sex scenes, violence, high body count. When will authors lean? A virgin does not suddenly have the sexual prowess or appetite of an experienced prostitute. Sorry to be so frank but it grates on my last nerve when authors portray an innocent, who has never been kissed, has never even been touched by a man before, can suddenly participate and enjoy sexual ventures that many married women have never experienced or didn’t experience until well into their marriage. I mean seriously?
This is another ‘Elizabeth is not a Bennet’ trope and we spend the majority of the story in the dark regarding her birth parents.
There are many similarities in this story to another that I read recently by this author. We have the bad Bennet parents with a new twist that we have not seen before regarding Mrs. Bennet. That was wild and very creative. We have a jealous, conniving Jane, several good servants that move the story and provide comedic relief, a sniveling, spineless, Bingley, his b-witch of a sister, an excellent caring Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, M/M Collins and Lady Catherine, a most excellent Colonel cousin/brother to Darcy, a great D&E love story, and a sister that rises out of the Bennet household to shine brightly.
In many ways, this was a fast moving, suspenseful, mystery that had so many twists and turns that it was almost hard to follow. As we travel in the higher circles of the haut ton, we discover that not all is glitz and glamour. The matrons fill their days with gossip and social climbing; their nights attending balls and soirées, while matchmaking and back-biting. In the meantime, the gentlemen are making financial transactions and nurturing political connections and aspirations in an attempt to further their standing within the politically charged government.
Elizabeth Bennet’s world crashed around her when she turned one and twenty and learned the identity of her birth mother. Lizzy had known that she was adopted due to the cruel manner in which Mrs. Bennet revealed it to her. This was a Mrs. Bennet that we have not seen before… wow, I did not see that coming. What a reveal about her. Man… what a scary plot bunny. Mr. Bennet was way beyond indolent and withdrawn. He was… I don’t even have the words. He was awful.
Poor Lizzy made the best of the situation and once she realized the kindness of Mr. Darcy… was able to move beyond the botched proposal. I loved this Darcy as they made sense of the many clues left by the young girl who was Lizzy’s mother. They quickly discovered that she was as clever as Lizzy and her portraits revealed Lizzy’s beauty was similar to her mother’s.
Secrets long hidden began to come to light. As the tapestry of deceit started to unravel, it exposed an underbelly of murder, vengeance, flawed character, illicit behavior, and madness. Nothing was as it seemed and everything changed with each discovery.
There were heroes and zeroes. The heroes rose to new heights and I enjoyed watching them shine. In the meantime, the zeroes, many who were a surprise, had their day and their fall was massive.
There were several threads left dangling. I have several questions that simply ask… what the heck happened with this or that…? We were given no epilogue. I have no idea what became of … her… them? What about… that? Also, I don’t think the title fits the story. It feels like just what it was… a working title. I think that was a miss on the part of the author as there were only a few letters passed from Derbyshire. Too many threads… sorry.
1st read 1-11-18 1-12-18
2nd read 2-28-18 ~ 3-1-18
3rd read 3-15-19 ~ 3-16-19
November 29, 2016
This is really a fascinating book. While it is a P&P 'what if' the plot could be repurposed having Lizzy and Darcy just makes it more fascinating.
Beginning with Lizzy visiting Hunsford and meeting up with Darcy & the Colonel Lizzy receives a thick letter from her father shortly before her 21st birthday. It is revealed that Lizzy isn't a Bennet by birth and the letter contains a message from her birth mother. Upon reading it Lizzy realizes that there is more to the story and luckily her mother included a hidden note written in tea inside the envelope which sh reveals but heating. She had already learned that there was a connection between her mother's family and the Darcy's so when Darcy arrives for the failed proposal she has a list of grievances.
After she returns to London Darcy & Uncle Gardiner work together to help her unravel the mystery while she finds herself realizing that she is in love with Darcy. This is story loaded with twists and turns and nuances. The conspiracy to keep her from learning the truth of a parentage as well as the conspirators is fascinating. Luckily Darcy has two awesome investigators to help them out. Lizzy has a huge trust fund she can access when she is 21 but the Bennets have been paid to care for her. And have stolen some of her money to bribe Bingley into marrying Jane. Jane is acting like a real cooze - constantly reminding Lizzy that she didn't like Darcy so why does she like him now.
The story really isn't a love story as much as it is a hidden treasure adventure but it is chock full of steamy romance. Before they marry the scenes take the form of dreams and fantasies; after they document reality.
Beginning with Lizzy visiting Hunsford and meeting up with Darcy & the Colonel Lizzy receives a thick letter from her father shortly before her 21st birthday. It is revealed that Lizzy isn't a Bennet by birth and the letter contains a message from her birth mother. Upon reading it Lizzy realizes that there is more to the story and luckily her mother included a hidden note written in tea inside the envelope which sh reveals but heating. She had already learned that there was a connection between her mother's family and the Darcy's so when Darcy arrives for the failed proposal she has a list of grievances.
After she returns to London Darcy & Uncle Gardiner work together to help her unravel the mystery while she finds herself realizing that she is in love with Darcy. This is story loaded with twists and turns and nuances. The conspiracy to keep her from learning the truth of a parentage as well as the conspirators is fascinating. Luckily Darcy has two awesome investigators to help them out. Lizzy has a huge trust fund she can access when she is 21 but the Bennets have been paid to care for her. And have stolen some of her money to bribe Bingley into marrying Jane. Jane is acting like a real cooze - constantly reminding Lizzy that she didn't like Darcy so why does she like him now.
The story really isn't a love story as much as it is a hidden treasure adventure but it is chock full of steamy romance. Before they marry the scenes take the form of dreams and fantasies; after they document reality.
December 9, 2017
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars: "This is a normally narrated story, not a series of letters. It is a story in the Elizabeth is not a Bennet JAFF category. While Elizabeth was aware of this fact since she was a child, it is during her visit to Hunsford that a series of events cause her to learn more of her history. She soon joins forces with Mr. Darcy in an attempt to understand where she came from, how she came to live with the Bennets and the nature of her birthright. (Note that unlike some stories in this category, including one of my own, Elizabeth is not related to Darcy by blood to any degree in this story.)"
We basically begin this story at Hunsford and we do have the proposal. But we learn that Darcy has a property during a discussion with Lady Catherine and it comes out that it was from a family whom Elizabeth has just learned she is related to by birth. She only learned of her adoption at age 14 and now as she approaches age 21 has been given a letter by Mr. Bennet which is from her biological mother.
Darcy's manner of proposal has Elizabeth throwing in his face that she has connections which negate his claim that her family is below hers on the social scale.
This tale is convoluted in its history of family, relationships, trusts, elopements, etc. It did keep my attention. And it does have a HEA early in the story for ODC but then turns more to uncovering the mystery of her birth and her mother's situation.
This story is unpublished and is over 250 pages long. I did enjoy it. But...be warned: the Bennet family, including Jane, are not very nice people. And Darcy has a few relatives of his own who lack morals.
We basically begin this story at Hunsford and we do have the proposal. But we learn that Darcy has a property during a discussion with Lady Catherine and it comes out that it was from a family whom Elizabeth has just learned she is related to by birth. She only learned of her adoption at age 14 and now as she approaches age 21 has been given a letter by Mr. Bennet which is from her biological mother.
Darcy's manner of proposal has Elizabeth throwing in his face that she has connections which negate his claim that her family is below hers on the social scale.
This tale is convoluted in its history of family, relationships, trusts, elopements, etc. It did keep my attention. And it does have a HEA early in the story for ODC but then turns more to uncovering the mystery of her birth and her mother's situation.
This story is unpublished and is over 250 pages long. I did enjoy it. But...be warned: the Bennet family, including Jane, are not very nice people. And Darcy has a few relatives of his own who lack morals.
April 9, 2018
4.5* rounded up to 5.
Thrilling read, filled with an intriguing mystery and lots of passionate romance. Kind of FMS but the participants were not unwilling. Elizabeth was of elevated rank.
I loved it.
Entered at the DHP with a twist, since Elizabeth has just read her first letter from her birth mother.
Being adopted by the Bennet's as an infant, we follow her search for the truth. A winding road it was, to find her heritage. Both murder and deceit was uncovered while ODC join forces to reveal the past of several exalted persons, not to forget, close relations...
The Bennet's contributed with a story of their own... I am not overly impressed with mr Bingley to begin with so I rather enjoyed his mercenary traits in this story. Jane rivaled Caroline in unpalatableness. The only likeable Bennet was Mary which had a backbone in this story. Adored her...
Heartily recommend!
Thrilling read, filled with an intriguing mystery and lots of passionate romance. Kind of FMS but the participants were not unwilling. Elizabeth was of elevated rank.
I loved it.
Entered at the DHP with a twist, since Elizabeth has just read her first letter from her birth mother.
Being adopted by the Bennet's as an infant, we follow her search for the truth. A winding road it was, to find her heritage. Both murder and deceit was uncovered while ODC join forces to reveal the past of several exalted persons, not to forget, close relations...
The Bennet's contributed with a story of their own... I am not overly impressed with mr Bingley to begin with so I rather enjoyed his mercenary traits in this story. Jane rivaled Caroline in unpalatableness. The only likeable Bennet was Mary which had a backbone in this story. Adored her...
Heartily recommend!
September 1, 2022
This author's ideas are seriously ingenious and I enjoy reading them so much.
As for this particular story, I had to skip past so much of it due to the descriptive sex scenes and the "dreams" of ODC. I know that some readers do like when it's added, but I don't see how it contributes to the story. Especially when there is such an emphasis on oral.
As for this particular story, I had to skip past so much of it due to the descriptive sex scenes and the "dreams" of ODC. I know that some readers do like when it's added, but I don't see how it contributes to the story. Especially when there is such an emphasis on oral.
May 20, 2018
3.5 stars.
I loved the idea of this book. The story, with Lizzy being adopted and searching for her origins - with the help of our "Inveterate" Knight in Shining Armor, aka Fitwilliam Darcy - was very knew and refreshing to me. How the story developed with Mr Bennet's negligence of his family, his callous treatment of his favorite daughter and even Jane's spitefulness made me cringe and curse and just beg Mr Darcy to take Lizzy away from this horrible people!
Also, I always appreciate it when Mary gets her say! She is just so Mary in this book, with her proper behavior mixed with some sweet and caring tendencies. When she defends Lizzy's name is all that I can do not to make a little "victory dance" of sorts.
The end was astonishing. I really, really was not expecting that.
That being sad.... (I always cringe internally when reviewers say that - just saying).
Well.
I have to admit that Mr Darcy acted a little too much OOC sometimes for my like. I love it when authors soften his manners and he smiles with stars in his eyes. Still. Lust-driven Mr Darcy is not my definition of "charming". It was weird and uncomfortable at times.
Other things felt a bit unbelievable to me as well,
Well, all in all, I enjoyed reading this book and trying to discover the mystery behind Lizzy's birth mothers death. I think this was my favorite part - how the pieces came together slowly and new sides to old characters were brought to light!
"She refused you?" Mrs. Reynolds looked horrified.
"Believe me, it was all my doing. I would have refused myself that day"
I loved the idea of this book. The story, with Lizzy being adopted and searching for her origins - with the help of our "Inveterate" Knight in Shining Armor, aka Fitwilliam Darcy - was very knew and refreshing to me. How the story developed with Mr Bennet's negligence of his family, his callous treatment of his favorite daughter and even Jane's spitefulness made me cringe and curse and just beg Mr Darcy to take Lizzy away from this horrible people!
Also, I always appreciate it when Mary gets her say! She is just so Mary in this book, with her proper behavior mixed with some sweet and caring tendencies. When she defends Lizzy's name is all that I can do not to make a little "victory dance" of sorts.
The end was astonishing. I really, really was not expecting that.
That being sad.... (I always cringe internally when reviewers say that - just saying).
Well.
I have to admit that Mr Darcy acted a little too much OOC sometimes for my like. I love it when authors soften his manners and he smiles with stars in his eyes. Still. Lust-driven Mr Darcy is not my definition of "charming". It was weird and uncomfortable at times.
Other things felt a bit unbelievable to me as well,
Well, all in all, I enjoyed reading this book and trying to discover the mystery behind Lizzy's birth mothers death. I think this was my favorite part - how the pieces came together slowly and new sides to old characters were brought to light!
July 1, 2023
Great story. i enjoyed the intregue. more of a mystery than a love story. Would have liked more at the end to see how things evolved after the reveal that took up much of the story. also, lots of family names made it a tad hard to follow.
March 23, 2023
This author definitely writes outside the box, which I like. I won’t offer up a review, except to encourage the reading of the reviews of others who did so before me. My understanding is that Lucrezia has been absent from adding to her work, with a still unfinished book awaiting completion. I hope she is well.
I do recommend this, and plan to read her entire portfolio.
I do recommend this, and plan to read her entire portfolio.
December 6, 2019
Just an excellent story. I didn’t think it needs an epilogue or sequel. The plot threads left dangling were very unimportant and a sequel couldn’t match the intensity of this story.
Lizzy is not a Bennet. An interesting trope but this version is pretty different. She doesn’t turn out to be royalty or the daughter of a hugely rich person. The story revolves Lizzy and Darcy trying their best to find who Lizzy really is.
When the dust clears MANY people’s lives will change.
A great story. By all mean everyone can enjoy the story unless you are again some erotic scenes. I recommend it highly. My only regret for the story is there were few places where an an intense sadness should have brought some characters to tears and perhaps the reader might have been misty eyed but it seemed the author went for ‘stiff upper lip’.
I particularly liked what the Duke did at the end to protect Lizzy and Darcy’s family.
Lizzy is not a Bennet. An interesting trope but this version is pretty different. She doesn’t turn out to be royalty or the daughter of a hugely rich person. The story revolves Lizzy and Darcy trying their best to find who Lizzy really is.
When the dust clears MANY people’s lives will change.
A great story. By all mean everyone can enjoy the story unless you are again some erotic scenes. I recommend it highly. My only regret for the story is there were few places where an an intense sadness should have brought some characters to tears and perhaps the reader might have been misty eyed but it seemed the author went for ‘stiff upper lip’.
I particularly liked what the Duke did at the end to protect Lizzy and Darcy’s family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2025
reread. I forgot many of the details and how annoying it is when the characters discover the identity of a villain, but it is withheld from the reader in an attempt to build suspense (or maybe my memory recall unit was broken as I read on - could be), Anyway: Bad Jane, bad Bingley, bad Mr & Mrs Bennet - and they are awful, but in comparison to others in the story, they were amateurs. Really - they could have tried harder at being bad. It was an embarrassing effort by comparison ;)
Does that clue you into to the fact that there is Drama here? yes Drama with a capital D. with some Narcissism and psychopathy thrown in (actually rather a lot of both). ODC are great though - even though there was a DHP - that particular drama (litte d drama) was short lived. You know - because of the aforementioned big D Drama.
Does that clue you into to the fact that there is Drama here? yes Drama with a capital D. with some Narcissism and psychopathy thrown in (actually rather a lot of both). ODC are great though - even though there was a DHP - that particular drama (litte d drama) was short lived. You know - because of the aforementioned big D Drama.
August 22, 2020
This P&P variation begins when Elizabeth Bennet is visiting the Hunsford Parsonage where she refuses Darcy. But her adopted father Bennet, has given her some letters concerning her past. Will she be able to find out who her parents are, how will this affect her relationships with the Bennet family.
An enjoyable variation though containing mature content which I skipped. This content could easily have been replaced with more about the Bennet family
An enjoyable variation though containing mature content which I skipped. This content could easily have been replaced with more about the Bennet family
December 5, 2025
3.75⭐️
I liked this story. This had an element of mystery solving that I absolutely love. Especially one that is decades old. The way the details of the mystery was revealed was fun to read. But I felt the ending was a bit dissatisfying for me and I wanted more of a confrontation between the Bennet parents and the Darcys. But this was a most enjoyable read.
I liked this story. This had an element of mystery solving that I absolutely love. Especially one that is decades old. The way the details of the mystery was revealed was fun to read. But I felt the ending was a bit dissatisfying for me and I wanted more of a confrontation between the Bennet parents and the Darcys. But this was a most enjoyable read.
April 21, 2023
2.5/5
November 1, 2023
A gritty, well thought out variation
Lucrezia is the queen of gritty P&P variations and this one is no exception. The plot is thought through extremely well and there are some very good "reveals" along the way.
This is a "not a Bennet" story and we see Darcy and Elizabeth working together to resolve the mystery surrounding Elizabeths birth.
There is considerable mature content but this could be scrolled through without losing the thread of the story. As an unpublished story there are typos etc. but not many for such a long story and they do not detract.
Lucrezia is the queen of gritty P&P variations and this one is no exception. The plot is thought through extremely well and there are some very good "reveals" along the way.
This is a "not a Bennet" story and we see Darcy and Elizabeth working together to resolve the mystery surrounding Elizabeths birth.
There is considerable mature content but this could be scrolled through without losing the thread of the story. As an unpublished story there are typos etc. but not many for such a long story and they do not detract.
May 23, 2016
Some pluses and minuses but overall very interesting story line.
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