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A Pair of Fine Eyes: A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Elizabeth Bennet is enjoying an autumn in London with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner when she encounters a handsome man in Hyde Park who helps her and her young cousin out of a predicament. Elizabeth and the man, who introduces himself as Mr. Darcy, are immediately smitten with one another but as they move in different circles, both despair of finding the other again.
Determined to forget a man she has only met once, Elizabeth allows herself to be charmed by a handsome officer called George Wickham who is spending some time in London with his friend Denny before joining the militia. She is further delighted to hear Wickham's militia will spend the winter in her home village of Meryton, allowing them time to grow more acquainted once they both leave London.
But events throw Elizabeth and Darcy back in one another’s path. And when Mr. Darcy’s younger sister Georgiana finds herself in a difficult situation, it is to Elizabeth that she turns for help. Elizabeth is aghast to discover the truth about Mr Wickham and now, she and Mr Darcy must take a great risk to save Georgiana from a life of blackmail. And in doing so, they realize they just might have found what they were searching for all along.
Determined to forget a man she has only met once, Elizabeth allows herself to be charmed by a handsome officer called George Wickham who is spending some time in London with his friend Denny before joining the militia. She is further delighted to hear Wickham's militia will spend the winter in her home village of Meryton, allowing them time to grow more acquainted once they both leave London.
But events throw Elizabeth and Darcy back in one another’s path. And when Mr. Darcy’s younger sister Georgiana finds herself in a difficult situation, it is to Elizabeth that she turns for help. Elizabeth is aghast to discover the truth about Mr Wickham and now, she and Mr Darcy must take a great risk to save Georgiana from a life of blackmail. And in doing so, they realize they just might have found what they were searching for all along.
121 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 7, 2017
15 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 2, 2017
This is a short [121 pages], sweet P&P what if prequel with a little action, adventure & intrigue tossed into the mix. Set prior to Bingley's arrival at Netherfield, Lizzy is in London visiting the Gardiners when a trip to the park introduces her to Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. There is no pride and no prejudice, he rescues her cousin's ball from a tree. The next future Meryton resident she meets is Lt. Denny and his friend Lt. Wickham. Here is Wickham at his sleaziest and most theatrical; he is quick to share his tale of woe, sans names, with Miss Lizzy. Of course since she doesn't hate Mr. Darcy or know he is involved she is merely an appreciative listener. Soon she and Darcy are bumping into one another far and wide, she meets the Bingleys and Georgiana. She and Georgie become besties, much to Miss Bingley's dismay. Georgie reveals to Lizzy that Wickham is still pestering her and threatening her reputation. And Lizzy teams up with Darcy to preserve Georgiana's character. And one good situation leads to permanence.
October 4, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this short, well-written, well-constructed variation. Set in London, it shifts the timeline to follow Elizabeth, who is visiting her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner in the late summer preceding the events of canon. In other words, it's after Ramsgate but before the Meryton assembly.
Obviously, the Gardiners don't move in the same social circles as the Darcys, but they are friends of Mrs. Broad, godmother of Mr. Denny. She hosts a gathering that includes the militia regiment that will shortly be stationed in Hertfordshire and Elizabeth makes the acquaintance of Mr. Wickham, a friend of Denny's who plans to enlist soon.
The plot is helped along by other unlikely coincidences. Darcy encounters Elizabeth with her little cousin Emily, whose ball strays into Rotten Row from the adjoining Hyde Park. Each is attracted to the other, but they go their separate ways without expecting to see each other again. Meanwhile, Darcy and his sister are suffering the presence of Miss Bingley as a houseguest because her brother Charles is staying with them. Plans are being made to go to Netherfield in the fall. Elizabeth and Darcy eventually do meet again, and Elizabeth also is introduced to Georgiana and the venomous Miss Bingley.
Since Elizabeth recognizes that Mr. Darcy is way above her sphere, she resists thinking of him as a potential suitor. Instead, she focuses on Mr. Wickham, who she sees as a more realistic match for her.
Even though this is short, it doesn't feel rushed to me. The author doesn't clutter up the story with unnecessary characters or plot tangents. Yet the characters are nicely defined, and the writing flows nicely. I caught no spelling or grammar errors, so it's well-edited. There's not too much in the way of angst between Darcy and Elizabeth, but that doesn't mean the story is without an obstacle to be overcome. There's enough desire and romance between the two to satisfy me, and it's a clean read.
Interestingly, this wraps up before the scene moves to Hertfordshire. I would've enjoyed reading an epilogue to address Darcy's reaction to the rest of the Bennet family, who he has yet to meet, although perhaps that could be a subject for a sequel!
Obviously, the Gardiners don't move in the same social circles as the Darcys, but they are friends of Mrs. Broad, godmother of Mr. Denny. She hosts a gathering that includes the militia regiment that will shortly be stationed in Hertfordshire and Elizabeth makes the acquaintance of Mr. Wickham, a friend of Denny's who plans to enlist soon.
The plot is helped along by other unlikely coincidences. Darcy encounters Elizabeth with her little cousin Emily, whose ball strays into Rotten Row from the adjoining Hyde Park. Each is attracted to the other, but they go their separate ways without expecting to see each other again. Meanwhile, Darcy and his sister are suffering the presence of Miss Bingley as a houseguest because her brother Charles is staying with them. Plans are being made to go to Netherfield in the fall. Elizabeth and Darcy eventually do meet again, and Elizabeth also is introduced to Georgiana and the venomous Miss Bingley.
Since Elizabeth recognizes that Mr. Darcy is way above her sphere, she resists thinking of him as a potential suitor. Instead, she focuses on Mr. Wickham, who she sees as a more realistic match for her.
Even though this is short, it doesn't feel rushed to me. The author doesn't clutter up the story with unnecessary characters or plot tangents. Yet the characters are nicely defined, and the writing flows nicely. I caught no spelling or grammar errors, so it's well-edited. There's not too much in the way of angst between Darcy and Elizabeth, but that doesn't mean the story is without an obstacle to be overcome. There's enough desire and romance between the two to satisfy me, and it's a clean read.
Interestingly, this wraps up before the scene moves to Hertfordshire. I would've enjoyed reading an epilogue to address Darcy's reaction to the rest of the Bennet family, who he has yet to meet, although perhaps that could be a subject for a sequel!
December 1, 2017
“Love is when you look into someone’s eyes and see everything you need.” Anonymous [4.5-stars]
OK, there are times after reading something angst filled and drama driven that you simply need a break from all the grief. This is the book you need to read in order to balance out the angst. This was simply delightful. It was clean, easy to read, fun, charming, delightful and I so enjoyed the building feelings between Darcy and Elizabeth.
Our dear girl was in London staying with Aunt and Uncle Gardiner and while she was watching her niece play in the park, she meets Mr. Darcy for the first time. There is no assembly chaos, no Mrs. Bennet and the younger sisters acting out, being loud and being ridiculous, no Mr. Bennet laughing at everything and no denizens of Meryton staring at Mr. Darcy and discussing his appearance and fortune. They were face to face with nothing in the way to hinder the relationship from blossoming.
I needed this respite. It was so nice to just read it and enjoy the banter and the developing affections between our dear couple. We had Georgiana and Elizabeth becoming fast friends. We did have Caroline for a bit of disdain, ridicule and a bit of trouble making, but Elizabeth was able to hold her own against Caroline. Darcy was so amused. Poor Caroline, nothing she did could hold a candle against Elizabeth in Darcy’s eyes.
Our angst mainly came from Wickham trying to worm his way back into the Darcy coffers in order to make his fortune… em… pay his debts. That was a bit scary, but we were able to see the trust between, first Georgiana and Elizabeth and then between ODC [our dear couple]. Yeah, that was cute. Wickham never knew what hit him… oh… wait, he did know what hit him. That was sweet.
“From women’s eyes this doctrine I derive;
They sparkle still the right Promethean fire;
They are the books, the arts, the academes,
That show, contain and nourish all the world.”
William Shakespeare, Love’s Labour’s Lost
OK, there are times after reading something angst filled and drama driven that you simply need a break from all the grief. This is the book you need to read in order to balance out the angst. This was simply delightful. It was clean, easy to read, fun, charming, delightful and I so enjoyed the building feelings between Darcy and Elizabeth.
Our dear girl was in London staying with Aunt and Uncle Gardiner and while she was watching her niece play in the park, she meets Mr. Darcy for the first time. There is no assembly chaos, no Mrs. Bennet and the younger sisters acting out, being loud and being ridiculous, no Mr. Bennet laughing at everything and no denizens of Meryton staring at Mr. Darcy and discussing his appearance and fortune. They were face to face with nothing in the way to hinder the relationship from blossoming.
I needed this respite. It was so nice to just read it and enjoy the banter and the developing affections between our dear couple. We had Georgiana and Elizabeth becoming fast friends. We did have Caroline for a bit of disdain, ridicule and a bit of trouble making, but Elizabeth was able to hold her own against Caroline. Darcy was so amused. Poor Caroline, nothing she did could hold a candle against Elizabeth in Darcy’s eyes.
Our angst mainly came from Wickham trying to worm his way back into the Darcy coffers in order to make his fortune… em… pay his debts. That was a bit scary, but we were able to see the trust between, first Georgiana and Elizabeth and then between ODC [our dear couple]. Yeah, that was cute. Wickham never knew what hit him… oh… wait, he did know what hit him. That was sweet.
“From women’s eyes this doctrine I derive;
They sparkle still the right Promethean fire;
They are the books, the arts, the academes,
That show, contain and nourish all the world.”
William Shakespeare, Love’s Labour’s Lost
October 11, 2017
P&P variation
3 1/2 stars rounded up.
This story starts out nicely and doesn’t follow the original at all. Was a good diverting story but I just didn’t like how the story strayed from cannon. A lady doesn’t let herself be with an unmarried gentleman alone and in his carriage no less. Just ruined the story for me.
3 1/2 stars rounded up.
This story starts out nicely and doesn’t follow the original at all. Was a good diverting story but I just didn’t like how the story strayed from cannon. A lady doesn’t let herself be with an unmarried gentleman alone and in his carriage no less. Just ruined the story for me.
November 14, 2017
A delightful story
In this delicious variation, Elizabeth and Darcy meet in Hyde Park when Elizabeth is there with her young cousin. They meet again when Darcy is in the park with Georgiana and Elizabeth is with her Aunt Gardiner.
Elizabeth meets Wickham at a gathering and is charmed by him. She learns that the militia will be in Meryton for the winter. Then she discovers that Bingley has leased Netherfield Park and that Darcy will be joining him.
There, now you have the ingredients for a fine story with a few surprises along the way.
20
In this delicious variation, Elizabeth and Darcy meet in Hyde Park when Elizabeth is there with her young cousin. They meet again when Darcy is in the park with Georgiana and Elizabeth is with her Aunt Gardiner.
Elizabeth meets Wickham at a gathering and is charmed by him. She learns that the militia will be in Meryton for the winter. Then she discovers that Bingley has leased Netherfield Park and that Darcy will be joining him.
There, now you have the ingredients for a fine story with a few surprises along the way.
20
November 11, 2017
Great story but too short
Really liked how the story stayed in London the whole time and no Bennet drama, just ODC and their dilemma. But the ending and declaration felt out of place, too rushed. It would have been better if we had had some conversation between the two prior to this to show them bonding and knowing more of each other. We were told they spoke all evening but nothing else.
I really enjoyed the story from beginning to end but it was just a tad too short.
I recommend this read for a fresh, relatively uncomplicated, take on P&P.
Really liked how the story stayed in London the whole time and no Bennet drama, just ODC and their dilemma. But the ending and declaration felt out of place, too rushed. It would have been better if we had had some conversation between the two prior to this to show them bonding and knowing more of each other. We were told they spoke all evening but nothing else.
I really enjoyed the story from beginning to end but it was just a tad too short.
I recommend this read for a fresh, relatively uncomplicated, take on P&P.
February 1, 2018
So good
This book is cute and a great read. I love how Darcy and Elizabeth met each other. I enjoyed reading how their relationship developed. The writing is very good and the story is entertaining.
This book is cute and a great read. I love how Darcy and Elizabeth met each other. I enjoyed reading how their relationship developed. The writing is very good and the story is entertaining.
December 28, 2017
Avid Reader
Such a delightful story. Our dear couple thwarted Wickham once again, and Darcy out Caroline Bingley in her place once and for all.
Such a delightful story. Our dear couple thwarted Wickham once again, and Darcy out Caroline Bingley in her place once and for all.
February 20, 2022
lovely
A rather short but action packed variation inspired by author Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by Charlotte Elliot.
A rather short but action packed variation inspired by author Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice by Charlotte Elliot.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews