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Mr Darcy's Child Bride
Fifteen-year-old Lizzy Bennet is newly out in society when an unfortunate accident lands her in a marriage with a man who is even older than her father. This story is about how she adapts to her life as mistress of a large estate and explores how people who seem to have nothing in common can learn to adapt and appreciate one another. (FD and EB HEA don't ask how, just trust me).
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Published February 15, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 23, 2016
This is a phenomenal unpublished story. This is better than many (most) of the published P&P books I have read.
Disclaimers:
The Plot is utterly unique and will cause purists who flip out over anything that appears to separate ODC to flip out so if you are a purist Don't read it.
Also there is reference to women being mistreated and some people may find it upsetting - this isn't a book for the kiddies.
Beginning when Lizzy is a mere girl of 15 she is accidentally knocked unconscious by Mr. George Darcy's horse in Hyde Park. As she has wandered away from the Gardiners she seems to be unaccompanied and Mr. Darcy (Sr) takes her back to Darcy house to recover inadvertently compromising her. Thus 3 months later she is the 'child bride' of a man some 30+ years her senior and step-mother to Fitzwilliam and Georgiana
Because Mr. Darcy is a man of honor he chooses not to have marital relations with hos young bride until she older and essentially become like father and daughter. There is plenty of drama and angst, secrets are revealed. The story is Darcy / Fitzwilliam heavy with the Bennets / Gardiners playing supporting roles.
The book isn't perfect; nor should it be it is an unpublished manuscript. But the story is utterly delightful and compelling.
Disclaimers:
The Plot is utterly unique and will cause purists who flip out over anything that appears to separate ODC to flip out so if you are a purist Don't read it.
Also there is reference to women being mistreated and some people may find it upsetting - this isn't a book for the kiddies.
Beginning when Lizzy is a mere girl of 15 she is accidentally knocked unconscious by Mr. George Darcy's horse in Hyde Park. As she has wandered away from the Gardiners she seems to be unaccompanied and Mr. Darcy (Sr) takes her back to Darcy house to recover inadvertently compromising her. Thus 3 months later she is the 'child bride' of a man some 30+ years her senior and step-mother to Fitzwilliam and Georgiana
Because Mr. Darcy is a man of honor he chooses not to have marital relations with hos young bride until she older and essentially become like father and daughter. There is plenty of drama and angst, secrets are revealed. The story is Darcy / Fitzwilliam heavy with the Bennets / Gardiners playing supporting roles.
The book isn't perfect; nor should it be it is an unpublished manuscript. But the story is utterly delightful and compelling.
Read
February 5, 2017I am intentionally NOT submitting an official Goodreads rating of this unpublished work because the author makes it clear that she plans to publish it in the future and it will continue to undergo quite a bit of revision before then.
The writing in this story is absolutely exquisite. I can't think of another author who has copied Regency writing style more convincingly. The characters are all three-dimensional. The author's notes and the story itself demonstrates tremendous attention to detail in presenting a reasonably accurate picture of Regency culture.
While the premise is startling, to put it mildly, the author sells it convincingly. Elizabeth Bennet, at age 15, really does become the child bride of the senior Mr. Darcy. He is a paragon of virtue and decency. When an accident injures Elizabeth and he can't locate any family members nearby, he is forced to bring her to his London townhouse because of her injuries despite having no female hostess in residence there. Her mode of dress indicates that she is "out" in society (at Mrs. Bennet's insistence), and he knows she and her family would be ruined if he does not marry her. Being the honorable man he is, Mr. Darcy does so despite the fact that she is little more than a child. He resolves that he will not impose his marital rights on her in the bedroom until she matures into a fully-formed woman. By that time, her respect for him has grown beyond that of her own father and, in fact, they relate to each other as "Papa" and daughter rather than husband and wife.
At heart, this is a character study of how Elizabeth goes from being a bright, witty girl to the accomplished, sophisticated Mistress of Pemberley over a number of years. It also establishes her relationship to Fitzwilliam as that of stepmother and stepson (though they relate to each other much more like siblings). In the first part of the book, Fitzwilliam is still a Cambridge student. As in canon, the senior Mr. Darcy dies, with his son having to take the mantle of responsibility for Pemberley and the other Darcy holdings much too young. Again, we have his character maturing and changing throughout the story, and especially once he becomes the Master of Pemberley. You can just imagine how this affects his relationship with Mrs. Darcy, the frustration and angst of both recognizing how "improper" their feelings for each other are, and where the story goes from there.
As excellent as the core story is, there are quite a few subplots that aren't relevant and the book is very, Very, VERY long. The author wisely recognizes this and plans significant edits before publication, even asking readers for their input. There are also segments with many misspelled homonyms (know/no, hear/here, etc.) that need to be cleaned up. Again, I assume these will be fixed before it's offered for sale.
If I were to rate this in its current form, I would give it 3 stars. However, I see the potential here for an excellent 5-star book that I would dearly love to read!
The writing in this story is absolutely exquisite. I can't think of another author who has copied Regency writing style more convincingly. The characters are all three-dimensional. The author's notes and the story itself demonstrates tremendous attention to detail in presenting a reasonably accurate picture of Regency culture.
While the premise is startling, to put it mildly, the author sells it convincingly. Elizabeth Bennet, at age 15, really does become the child bride of the senior Mr. Darcy. He is a paragon of virtue and decency. When an accident injures Elizabeth and he can't locate any family members nearby, he is forced to bring her to his London townhouse because of her injuries despite having no female hostess in residence there. Her mode of dress indicates that she is "out" in society (at Mrs. Bennet's insistence), and he knows she and her family would be ruined if he does not marry her. Being the honorable man he is, Mr. Darcy does so despite the fact that she is little more than a child. He resolves that he will not impose his marital rights on her in the bedroom until she matures into a fully-formed woman. By that time, her respect for him has grown beyond that of her own father and, in fact, they relate to each other as "Papa" and daughter rather than husband and wife.
At heart, this is a character study of how Elizabeth goes from being a bright, witty girl to the accomplished, sophisticated Mistress of Pemberley over a number of years. It also establishes her relationship to Fitzwilliam as that of stepmother and stepson (though they relate to each other much more like siblings). In the first part of the book, Fitzwilliam is still a Cambridge student. As in canon, the senior Mr. Darcy dies, with his son having to take the mantle of responsibility for Pemberley and the other Darcy holdings much too young. Again, we have his character maturing and changing throughout the story, and especially once he becomes the Master of Pemberley. You can just imagine how this affects his relationship with Mrs. Darcy, the frustration and angst of both recognizing how "improper" their feelings for each other are, and where the story goes from there.
As excellent as the core story is, there are quite a few subplots that aren't relevant and the book is very, Very, VERY long. The author wisely recognizes this and plans significant edits before publication, even asking readers for their input. There are also segments with many misspelled homonyms (know/no, hear/here, etc.) that need to be cleaned up. Again, I assume these will be fixed before it's offered for sale.
If I were to rate this in its current form, I would give it 3 stars. However, I see the potential here for an excellent 5-star book that I would dearly love to read!
February 24, 2022
4.5 stars
This story has not yet been published but in the 78 chapters online the author asks for recommendation in cutting back on the length and even posts some possibilities as she does plan to publish.
Murphy's Law seems to be the rule through much of this story. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet have argued about introducing Elizabeth into society. Jane is out and there is a man living at Netherfield towards whom Mrs. Bennet is pushing Jane. So 15 year old Elizabeth is sent to the Gardiners where she must dress like a lady...and doesn't she hate those corsets. The Gardiners and their one-year-old son, Henry, and Elizabeth go for a walk in the park and as Henry takes up their attention they do not notice that their niece has ventured out of sight.
Elizabeth romps ahead and pauses to collect wildflowers while Mr. George Darcy, lost in thought about his dear Anne who has been deceased for these four years, doesn't notice the stooping girl until his horse has trampled upon her. He rushes over, but she is unconscious. He calls out for help but there is no one in sight. A rain storm is threatening so he gathers her in his arms and takes her to his town house and calls for a doctor to tend her wounds. She had several broken ribs and a blow to the head. She doesn't awaken until the next day so the household can't notify any relatives. There is only the household staff and Mr. George Darcy present in the household.
Meanwhile Mr. Gardiner has sent a letter to Mr. Bennet fearing the child has been kidnapped and also has asked for help from all his neighbors to search for her. Now if Elizabeth were not "out", taking a girl-child home would be considered a kind act BUT she is out and when George Darcy learns from her father this fact he MUST in all honor offer for her. The two men are not happy with this turn of events. Mr. Darcy blames the father for allowing such a young child to be out; while Mr. Bennet is very unhappy that his favorite child will now be taken from him. He does gain a promise that the marriage will not be consummated until Elizabeth's body matures into that of a woman. He washes his hands of the situation and refuses to visit or communicate with Elizabeth due to his anger at her husband.
So what kind of relationship will develop? Servants notice that the Master is not visiting his wife's bed chamber. How do the servants look on this new mistress, who is younger than the heir, Fitzwilliam, and close in age to his sister, Georgiana? Several disasters hit Derbyshire and Pemberley is not immune.
So many events occur in this long book. There are new relatives and acquaintances. Other compromised ladies are not as fortunate as Elizabeth. And we learn of George Darcy's father who was a rake and left just a few illegitimate offspring behind. Lady Catherine comes to call and subsequently Anne has a different relationship with Elizabeth. Lord Matlock is charmed by this young lady as she takes up the reins in managing the household. Meanwhile Fitzwilliam is still attending university where Wickham attempts to cast a shadow on the former man's reputation.
I have not even hinted at half of the main premise or the parallel story lines. Fires, pregnancies, broken legs, deaths and births affecting several families are just a small part of this enthralling story. Angst, did I mention angst? The author, as she introduces chapters, does reassure us that there is a HEA for Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam and many a reader kept questioning that promise as years go by. It takes the intervention…well now, have I teased you enough? Do read this very interesting and even romantic variation. It is not Pride and Prejudice but the characters basically remain true to canon. Although Elizabeth is much stronger and matures much earlier in this version.
This story has not yet been published but in the 78 chapters online the author asks for recommendation in cutting back on the length and even posts some possibilities as she does plan to publish.
Murphy's Law seems to be the rule through much of this story. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet have argued about introducing Elizabeth into society. Jane is out and there is a man living at Netherfield towards whom Mrs. Bennet is pushing Jane. So 15 year old Elizabeth is sent to the Gardiners where she must dress like a lady...and doesn't she hate those corsets. The Gardiners and their one-year-old son, Henry, and Elizabeth go for a walk in the park and as Henry takes up their attention they do not notice that their niece has ventured out of sight.
Elizabeth romps ahead and pauses to collect wildflowers while Mr. George Darcy, lost in thought about his dear Anne who has been deceased for these four years, doesn't notice the stooping girl until his horse has trampled upon her. He rushes over, but she is unconscious. He calls out for help but there is no one in sight. A rain storm is threatening so he gathers her in his arms and takes her to his town house and calls for a doctor to tend her wounds. She had several broken ribs and a blow to the head. She doesn't awaken until the next day so the household can't notify any relatives. There is only the household staff and Mr. George Darcy present in the household.
Meanwhile Mr. Gardiner has sent a letter to Mr. Bennet fearing the child has been kidnapped and also has asked for help from all his neighbors to search for her. Now if Elizabeth were not "out", taking a girl-child home would be considered a kind act BUT she is out and when George Darcy learns from her father this fact he MUST in all honor offer for her. The two men are not happy with this turn of events. Mr. Darcy blames the father for allowing such a young child to be out; while Mr. Bennet is very unhappy that his favorite child will now be taken from him. He does gain a promise that the marriage will not be consummated until Elizabeth's body matures into that of a woman. He washes his hands of the situation and refuses to visit or communicate with Elizabeth due to his anger at her husband.
So what kind of relationship will develop? Servants notice that the Master is not visiting his wife's bed chamber. How do the servants look on this new mistress, who is younger than the heir, Fitzwilliam, and close in age to his sister, Georgiana? Several disasters hit Derbyshire and Pemberley is not immune.
So many events occur in this long book. There are new relatives and acquaintances. Other compromised ladies are not as fortunate as Elizabeth. And we learn of George Darcy's father who was a rake and left just a few illegitimate offspring behind. Lady Catherine comes to call and subsequently Anne has a different relationship with Elizabeth. Lord Matlock is charmed by this young lady as she takes up the reins in managing the household. Meanwhile Fitzwilliam is still attending university where Wickham attempts to cast a shadow on the former man's reputation.
I have not even hinted at half of the main premise or the parallel story lines. Fires, pregnancies, broken legs, deaths and births affecting several families are just a small part of this enthralling story. Angst, did I mention angst? The author, as she introduces chapters, does reassure us that there is a HEA for Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam and many a reader kept questioning that promise as years go by. It takes the intervention…well now, have I teased you enough? Do read this very interesting and even romantic variation. It is not Pride and Prejudice but the characters basically remain true to canon. Although Elizabeth is much stronger and matures much earlier in this version.
November 16, 2017
The plot is unique and interesting, but the story was so long and with so many side-plots (some really useless), that was hard to concentrate. When the story focused on D&E again I just wanted to finish the story. Anyway, with a good edit, this story could be amazing.
May 17, 2017
The premise of the book was quite unique. Elizabeth is compromised and must marry Mr. George Darcy while practically a child. She evolves into a well respected and loved mistress of the Darcy estates and by the entire Darcy extended family. Her evolution as a character is the best part of the story. Her interaction and love of the Darcy men is the premise of the plot.
That being said, this work is a very long story which at times barely kept my interest. I found myself skimming parts. There are story lines and characters that start & stop or just fall off. It also needs quite a bit of corrections. As it is unpublished, the author actually comments on the needed edits.
That being said, this work is a very long story which at times barely kept my interest. I found myself skimming parts. There are story lines and characters that start & stop or just fall off. It also needs quite a bit of corrections. As it is unpublished, the author actually comments on the needed edits.
Want to read
June 27, 2019Where can I find a copy to read?
Read
October 15, 2023I don’t remember when I read this but I remember the premise and know I did at some point.
I wonder if Darcy and Elizabeth would have been able to marry in the Church of England in Regency times. Perhaps there was an annulment at some point even though those were not easy to obtain.
I wonder if Darcy and Elizabeth would have been able to marry in the Church of England in Regency times. Perhaps there was an annulment at some point even though those were not easy to obtain.
September 6, 2023
Great book
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews