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Their Share of Vexations
A chance encounter between two strangers - and the interference of a man with little scruples - leads to a marriage that neither would have expected nor desired. But an even greater risk may face those dear to them. A forced marriage scenario (of sorts) based upon the characters created by Jane Austen in Pride & Prejudice, set in the Regency Period.
Note 1: While there is high 'angst' in the story, it does not involve the interactions of EB and FD.
Note 2: This story includes several original characters.
http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show...
Note 1: While there is high 'angst' in the story, it does not involve the interactions of EB and FD.
Note 2: This story includes several original characters.
http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show...
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First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 14, 2018
4.5 rounded up to 5
After events of the past week I am adding a warning to my review.
Warning: this is a BRUTAL story containing excessive violence against women and men. There is extreme cruelty, there is sexual perversion and revenge It is not for the sensitive.
Ah, Kirk, my old friend, do you know the Klingon proverb that tells us revenge is a dish that is best served cold? - Khan Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan
This is a story that should come with a 5 point seat belt to keep you in your chair. This is a P&P meets The Godfather (the book not the movie). This is a story about revenge and family honor. It is also unquestionably a story for adults. There is extreme violence, extreme sexual violence, and detailed martial relations described. The author offers the option to skip the violence and gives lots of warning but I wanted to acknowledge it.
The story begins in London then quickly moves to Meryton where Lizzy Bennet has just rejected an most unsuitable suitor, no not her cousin William Collins but an even more loathsome creature, Rev. Preston Barrington. The author helpfully provides links to lists of the new characters and descriptions. When she rejects him and goes for a ramble she sets in motion a chain of events so incredible that a thermonuclear reaction looks small. When Darcy encounters Lizzy he startles her, she screams and pulls away and tears her gown and this is witnessed by Barrington who creates a massive kerfuffle. In no time flat the 'good' people of Meryton are all babbling about Lizzy and the other Bennet's loose morals and light skirts. [Reader note: I know this is a plot device but has there ever been a story like this where the citizenry tell the stranger throwing shade that they don't believe their story over that of a family they have known for decades?]
Mr. Bennet is extra useless, Mrs. Bennet is extra annoying. One sister will reveal herself to be a true friend and heroine while another will reveal she is an empty as her head. This is not a book for Jane Bennet fans, she repeatedly backs the wrong horse and gets her comeuppance. Lizzy and Mary end up in London but the Bennets aren't the only victims of this slander. Barrington is connected and takes his grievance to his family who set out to ruin the Fitzwilliams and the Darcys.
Is there a plot so complicated that I cannot summarize it? Yes. But here you go ... the Don is dead and his sons must seek revenge. There are some great characters like the Countess of Matlock and Mary Bennet.
So what keeps me from awarding 5 stars? There were some sex scenes between the married Darcys that would be cute in another book but in this one where there is real violence a joking bit of light S&M is really disturbing. I am not sure if the author was intentionally juxtaposing the idea of unwanted verses wanted attentions and this was a story published serialized so it might not seem to close together in that time frame. And this is the book that never ends; I recognize that when an author is writing serialized FF the readers want more and the author delivers but as you read there are numerous points where the story could have ended and the reader would have been satisfied.
After events of the past week I am adding a warning to my review.
Warning: this is a BRUTAL story containing excessive violence against women and men. There is extreme cruelty, there is sexual perversion and revenge It is not for the sensitive.
Ah, Kirk, my old friend, do you know the Klingon proverb that tells us revenge is a dish that is best served cold? - Khan Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan
This is a story that should come with a 5 point seat belt to keep you in your chair. This is a P&P meets The Godfather (the book not the movie). This is a story about revenge and family honor. It is also unquestionably a story for adults. There is extreme violence, extreme sexual violence, and detailed martial relations described. The author offers the option to skip the violence and gives lots of warning but I wanted to acknowledge it.
The story begins in London then quickly moves to Meryton where Lizzy Bennet has just rejected an most unsuitable suitor, no not her cousin William Collins but an even more loathsome creature, Rev. Preston Barrington. The author helpfully provides links to lists of the new characters and descriptions. When she rejects him and goes for a ramble she sets in motion a chain of events so incredible that a thermonuclear reaction looks small. When Darcy encounters Lizzy he startles her, she screams and pulls away and tears her gown and this is witnessed by Barrington who creates a massive kerfuffle. In no time flat the 'good' people of Meryton are all babbling about Lizzy and the other Bennet's loose morals and light skirts. [Reader note: I know this is a plot device but has there ever been a story like this where the citizenry tell the stranger throwing shade that they don't believe their story over that of a family they have known for decades?]
Mr. Bennet is extra useless, Mrs. Bennet is extra annoying. One sister will reveal herself to be a true friend and heroine while another will reveal she is an empty as her head. This is not a book for Jane Bennet fans, she repeatedly backs the wrong horse and gets her comeuppance. Lizzy and Mary end up in London but the Bennets aren't the only victims of this slander. Barrington is connected and takes his grievance to his family who set out to ruin the Fitzwilliams and the Darcys.
Is there a plot so complicated that I cannot summarize it? Yes. But here you go ... the Don is dead and his sons must seek revenge. There are some great characters like the Countess of Matlock and Mary Bennet.
So what keeps me from awarding 5 stars? There were some sex scenes between the married Darcys that would be cute in another book but in this one where there is real violence a joking bit of light S&M is really disturbing. I am not sure if the author was intentionally juxtaposing the idea of unwanted verses wanted attentions and this was a story published serialized so it might not seem to close together in that time frame. And this is the book that never ends; I recognize that when an author is writing serialized FF the readers want more and the author delivers but as you read there are numerous points where the story could have ended and the reader would have been satisfied.
January 11, 2018
http://meryton.com/aha/index.php?show...
“A person’s true character lies somewhere until after you might have pressed the wrong button without knowing, then you’ll realize that there are dogs in human form.” Michael Bassey Johnson
This is the story that just-would-not-end. It is long, Long, LONG [70+ chapters] and as time went on… I think the author simply got tired and wanted it over. The ending felt rushed and concluded with a bizarre scene that was crazy.
I am stunned and horrified that I allowed my curiosity to get the better of me and attempted this story. Thanks goodness the author did an excellent joy with trigger warnings to the point of putting in skip links so the reader could skip over sensitive parts. Take them….
Rating: PG->18: MA: violence both physical and sexual, graphic and descriptive, sensitive, salacious, adult themes, trigger warnings provided. I cannot caution enough... do not attempt this if you have any aversions to violence. This story was full of shock and horror at the depravity of man toward woman, man toward man and ODC was caught right in the middle of a maelstrom of lies, gossip, revenge and retaliation.
There was a scene with Darcy and a Tate brother where Darcy made a statement… and my brain just simply shut down. I loudly exclaimed ‘NO’ as I could not believe it. The story lost credibility and plausibility from that point on. It was not what our Fitzwilliam Darcy would say, do, order or sanction. I’m sorry… I just could not accept the OOC characterization of our Darcy. That was a turning point in the story for me.
Parts I liked: The heroes: Darcy, Elizabeth, Mary Bennet, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Charlotte and Sir William Lucas, Aunt and Uncle Gardner [always my favorites] and several other new characters. These guys made the story. I love the sister-ship between Lizzy and Mary. This was a story of the relationship between a sister caught in the middle of the worst kind of gossip and a sister standing by her.
Villains: I must lead a sheltered life. These were villains of the worst kind and I am not going to get this story out of my head any time soon. Depraved, inhuman, sadistic, unrepentant, cold heartless, unfeeling and uncaring as to what their actions were doing to others. A life had no meaning to them. All that mattered to them were their unholy pleasures and desires. Even Wickham was out of his league as he played a minor role in the evil machinations of the sadistic depraved mind of the lead villain.
Caroline Bingley: hub central to much of the gossip. In fairness, she was not completely alone; however, she did her part in fanning the flame of gossip in Hertfordshire and then gleefully took it to London. Vicious slander of the cruelest sort spewed forth from her mouth. It was damning, destructive and the ramifications were deadly. She was haughty, unrestrained, uncaring and unrepentant to the very end. She used and abused the social circle in which she aspired to spread her poison and vicious tales. Just a few salacious words, strategically placed in the drawing rooms of the haut ton, was enough to destroy a life.
Charles Bingley was the weakest I’ve ever seen him in any JAFF. I felt a little short-changed in his conclusion. In the rush to finish the story, I think the thread for him didn’t feel complete and was left dangling. I guess my blood-lust wanted him to suffer more, but I suppose, in the end, what he was left with was sufficient.
Jane Bennet: wow… seems like I have run into several stories of late with a bad Jane. Man… this little b-witch was a royal pain and took out her dissatisfaction and discontent on her 'beloved' sister. This was heart breaking and disconcerting as we watched the relationship and sisterhood between her and Lizzy dissolve right before our eyes. It was painful but from the ashes developed another relationship that we rarely get to witness. Jane got what she thought she wanted and now has to live with it.
M/M Bennet: both were useless, and a disgrace as parents. Their blatant disregard for the well-being of their children, well two of their girls, Lizzy especially and Mary, was beyond horrible.
Mixed messages: Leslie’s review mentioned the unwanted vs wanted. That juxtaposition was played out many times throughout this story. They were: willing vs an unwilling partner(s), holy vs unholy alliances, careless disregard vs blatant neglect, sisterly bond vs jealous harpy, revenge vs retaliation, cruel vs sadistic, justice vs vigilante, and on it went.
There were so many instances of characters crossing the line of humanity. My question… when does vengeance and/or revenge justify vigilante justice? At what point does vigilante justice cross the line… thus making the holder of that justice no better than the perpetrator? We are given front row seats to vigilante justice. I’ve seen it before, but it is rarely to this degree. The cool, calm and emotionless discussions of what happened to the villains was disconcerting. The brutality was unimaginable and thankfully hidden behind skip links. What was described was beyond my ability to fathom… my brain simply refused to go there. If you choose to read this, you must be prepared to be horrified.
“A person’s true character lies somewhere until after you might have pressed the wrong button without knowing, then you’ll realize that there are dogs in human form.” Michael Bassey Johnson
This is the story that just-would-not-end. It is long, Long, LONG [70+ chapters] and as time went on… I think the author simply got tired and wanted it over. The ending felt rushed and concluded with a bizarre scene that was crazy.
I am stunned and horrified that I allowed my curiosity to get the better of me and attempted this story. Thanks goodness the author did an excellent joy with trigger warnings to the point of putting in skip links so the reader could skip over sensitive parts. Take them….
Rating: PG->18: MA: violence both physical and sexual, graphic and descriptive, sensitive, salacious, adult themes, trigger warnings provided. I cannot caution enough... do not attempt this if you have any aversions to violence. This story was full of shock and horror at the depravity of man toward woman, man toward man and ODC was caught right in the middle of a maelstrom of lies, gossip, revenge and retaliation.
There was a scene with Darcy and a Tate brother where Darcy made a statement… and my brain just simply shut down. I loudly exclaimed ‘NO’ as I could not believe it. The story lost credibility and plausibility from that point on. It was not what our Fitzwilliam Darcy would say, do, order or sanction. I’m sorry… I just could not accept the OOC characterization of our Darcy. That was a turning point in the story for me.
Parts I liked: The heroes: Darcy, Elizabeth, Mary Bennet, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Charlotte and Sir William Lucas, Aunt and Uncle Gardner [always my favorites] and several other new characters. These guys made the story. I love the sister-ship between Lizzy and Mary. This was a story of the relationship between a sister caught in the middle of the worst kind of gossip and a sister standing by her.
Villains: I must lead a sheltered life. These were villains of the worst kind and I am not going to get this story out of my head any time soon. Depraved, inhuman, sadistic, unrepentant, cold heartless, unfeeling and uncaring as to what their actions were doing to others. A life had no meaning to them. All that mattered to them were their unholy pleasures and desires. Even Wickham was out of his league as he played a minor role in the evil machinations of the sadistic depraved mind of the lead villain.
Caroline Bingley: hub central to much of the gossip. In fairness, she was not completely alone; however, she did her part in fanning the flame of gossip in Hertfordshire and then gleefully took it to London. Vicious slander of the cruelest sort spewed forth from her mouth. It was damning, destructive and the ramifications were deadly. She was haughty, unrestrained, uncaring and unrepentant to the very end. She used and abused the social circle in which she aspired to spread her poison and vicious tales. Just a few salacious words, strategically placed in the drawing rooms of the haut ton, was enough to destroy a life.
Charles Bingley was the weakest I’ve ever seen him in any JAFF. I felt a little short-changed in his conclusion. In the rush to finish the story, I think the thread for him didn’t feel complete and was left dangling. I guess my blood-lust wanted him to suffer more, but I suppose, in the end, what he was left with was sufficient.
Jane Bennet: wow… seems like I have run into several stories of late with a bad Jane. Man… this little b-witch was a royal pain and took out her dissatisfaction and discontent on her 'beloved' sister. This was heart breaking and disconcerting as we watched the relationship and sisterhood between her and Lizzy dissolve right before our eyes. It was painful but from the ashes developed another relationship that we rarely get to witness. Jane got what she thought she wanted and now has to live with it.
M/M Bennet: both were useless, and a disgrace as parents. Their blatant disregard for the well-being of their children, well two of their girls, Lizzy especially and Mary, was beyond horrible.
Mixed messages: Leslie’s review mentioned the unwanted vs wanted. That juxtaposition was played out many times throughout this story. They were: willing vs an unwilling partner(s), holy vs unholy alliances, careless disregard vs blatant neglect, sisterly bond vs jealous harpy, revenge vs retaliation, cruel vs sadistic, justice vs vigilante, and on it went.
There were so many instances of characters crossing the line of humanity. My question… when does vengeance and/or revenge justify vigilante justice? At what point does vigilante justice cross the line… thus making the holder of that justice no better than the perpetrator? We are given front row seats to vigilante justice. I’ve seen it before, but it is rarely to this degree. The cool, calm and emotionless discussions of what happened to the villains was disconcerting. The brutality was unimaginable and thankfully hidden behind skip links. What was described was beyond my ability to fathom… my brain simply refused to go there. If you choose to read this, you must be prepared to be horrified.
April 29, 2019
Holy Moses!!! This story not only has a high level of angst but also a very complicated plot in that there are not only sexual perverts preying upon innocent maidens but also interactions with families and their acquaintances...interactions which are used by a peer to commit murder-by-slander in the House of Lords. It is this slander which is the last straw forcing Darcy to use heavy persuasion in his offer of marriage to Elizabeth. What was lovely in that was the fact that both knew it had to be but then interacted with respect towards each other as they got to know the character of their betrothed better.
This is a very long story. There are several "plots" going on and some dreadfully horrid consequences for the miscreants. The author does post warnings as physical and/or sexual violence are to enter the story so those sections of the tale may be skipped. However, know this: there is more than one person working to protect or rescue where needed. Sometimes it is just a servant but other times it is a person of the peerage.
Mary and Charlotte play strong roles in this version of P&P and I was very happy to read of their improved status and participation. Jane, along with the entire rest of the Bennet family, is self centered and wholly misguided in how she views events and on whom she places the blame. Just a hint here - "What goes around, comes around". Mr. Bennet is as always - "If you ignore it, it will go away."
A comment at the end reflects a view of this tale, "Too many parsons!"...indeed.
I recommend this to readers who can deal with angst. Know that there are sex scenes: some sweet and some of the worst crime variety.
Yes, a marriage is forced and we must wait a long time to hear each tell the other that, "I love you."
This is a very long story. There are several "plots" going on and some dreadfully horrid consequences for the miscreants. The author does post warnings as physical and/or sexual violence are to enter the story so those sections of the tale may be skipped. However, know this: there is more than one person working to protect or rescue where needed. Sometimes it is just a servant but other times it is a person of the peerage.
Mary and Charlotte play strong roles in this version of P&P and I was very happy to read of their improved status and participation. Jane, along with the entire rest of the Bennet family, is self centered and wholly misguided in how she views events and on whom she places the blame. Just a hint here - "What goes around, comes around". Mr. Bennet is as always - "If you ignore it, it will go away."
A comment at the end reflects a view of this tale, "Too many parsons!"...indeed.
I recommend this to readers who can deal with angst. Know that there are sex scenes: some sweet and some of the worst crime variety.
Yes, a marriage is forced and we must wait a long time to hear each tell the other that, "I love you."
March 31, 2022
Actually 3.5 stars rounded to 4. Usually this author's villains are psychopaths, Jane not so nice, Mr. Bennet selfish, Mrs Bennet horrible, Mary interesting and this book is no exception. But unlike the others this story loses steam midway and so did my interest leaving me not so satisfied.
November 13, 2018
Unputdownable!
This story reminded me of the song, Running Up The Hill by Iron Maiden. It was like my sensibilities was under an intense attack, it grabbed my attention in an iron grip and held it from start to finish.
I absolutely loved it!
After a short prologue, the story enters with an hilarious quarrel between Lord and Lady Matlock. As a result, Lord Matlock accompanied Darcy and the Colonel to Netherfield.
A chance encounter between ODC, witnessed by a clergyman, sets off the debacle of this story. Twisting facts, adding new ones, the event was soon as unrecognizable as it was disgraceful and it became the version bandied about Meryton. The domino effect on the lives of several of the characters, proved life-altering.
Loved Mary in this story, especially her humour. Laugh out loud funny. The rest of the Bennet's was not portrayed quite so benevolently. Even Jane got scratches in her lacquer.
I adored Lady Matlock though, she had a certain frankness combined with compassion, that I admired.
Eventually, a marriage was irrevocably necessary between ODC... Loved the development of their relationship.
Outside forces threatened their newfound felicity and had me at the edge of my seat. All the villains got their comeuppance and the deserving ones had their HEA.
Heartily recommend this epic tale.
Appropriate for adult readers. Contains violence and graphic, sexual attack, there are links that able you to skip those parts though. In addition there is a light-SM encounter between ODC which I suspect that the author added with the agenda of showing the dissimilarities between rape and consented, marital relations.
This story reminded me of the song, Running Up The Hill by Iron Maiden. It was like my sensibilities was under an intense attack, it grabbed my attention in an iron grip and held it from start to finish.
I absolutely loved it!
After a short prologue, the story enters with an hilarious quarrel between Lord and Lady Matlock. As a result, Lord Matlock accompanied Darcy and the Colonel to Netherfield.
A chance encounter between ODC, witnessed by a clergyman, sets off the debacle of this story. Twisting facts, adding new ones, the event was soon as unrecognizable as it was disgraceful and it became the version bandied about Meryton. The domino effect on the lives of several of the characters, proved life-altering.
Loved Mary in this story, especially her humour. Laugh out loud funny. The rest of the Bennet's was not portrayed quite so benevolently. Even Jane got scratches in her lacquer.
I adored Lady Matlock though, she had a certain frankness combined with compassion, that I admired.
Eventually, a marriage was irrevocably necessary between ODC... Loved the development of their relationship.
Outside forces threatened their newfound felicity and had me at the edge of my seat. All the villains got their comeuppance and the deserving ones had their HEA.
Heartily recommend this epic tale.
Appropriate for adult readers. Contains violence and graphic, sexual attack, there are links that able you to skip those parts though. In addition there is a light-SM encounter between ODC which I suspect that the author added with the agenda of showing the dissimilarities between rape and consented, marital relations.
October 12, 2025
In this Pride & Prejudice variation Elizabeth runs from Longbourn after a proposal of marriage from a vicar. But this is not Collins. The result leaves Elizabeth's reputation in shreds and only one of her sisters stands by her. But it is not Jane. There is disharmony, revenge, cruelty, (definitely mature content) but also happy endings for quite a few people. Will the guilty get their just punishment. Will I be happy in the outcome for Mary Bennet?
With all of that I found it a delightful story even in the re-read, again.
With all of that I found it a delightful story even in the re-read, again.
Read
September 27, 2021Not going to rate, as I read the reviews and knew what I was getting in to. I am awed by this writers ability to create a dynamic story.
However, not so much their habit of peppering the stories with very detailed sexual escapades. They don't necessarily drive the story.
In this particular case, it was in bad taste to have the main couple enact mild SM following the horrors visited on an innocent young woman, of which they were very aware.
However, not so much their habit of peppering the stories with very detailed sexual escapades. They don't necessarily drive the story.
In this particular case, it was in bad taste to have the main couple enact mild SM following the horrors visited on an innocent young woman, of which they were very aware.
September 26, 2021
Quite shocking
I have to concur with the other reviews expressed for this book. The content depicts very depraved villains and actions, graphically written, and not for the faint of heart. It is most definitely a story of good vs. evil, but even some of the good resort to vengeful conduct. Thankfully, the good people outweighed the evil. There is also mature sexual content between ODC.
As shocking as it may be, I couldn’t put it down. The writer had me from the first to the last page, despite its length of 72 chapters.
I have to concur with the other reviews expressed for this book. The content depicts very depraved villains and actions, graphically written, and not for the faint of heart. It is most definitely a story of good vs. evil, but even some of the good resort to vengeful conduct. Thankfully, the good people outweighed the evil. There is also mature sexual content between ODC.
As shocking as it may be, I couldn’t put it down. The writer had me from the first to the last page, despite its length of 72 chapters.
June 5, 2025
What a fantastic book. I always love this Author's books. The Villains are all psychopaths though
What i loved - A strong Lizzy, Mary, Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Countess Matlock and few original characters
Charlotte and Sir William also steal the show. The footmen Sutton and Adderley are my favorites and they come in all of her stories and i absolutely love them
Jane is as usual not nice. she is dumb and keeps backing wrong people and keep getting just rewards but she never changes. Bingley is weakest. He is not evil but so so weak that u cant help but be disappointed. I would have loved to understand what happened with them later but we anyways get the gist
M and M bennets are usual, annoying and cruel.
The villains are all time baddies but they rely on brute force rather than any intelligence so once our heroes put their heads together they don't have too much difficulty dishing out justice and vengeance.
The punishment is unique.
the last chapter seems rush but we get closer atleast
some of the new OG characters worth mentioning. Original and new Lord Matlocks, countess Matlock, Lord Everson. Lady Penelope, duke of Alsworth
a definite read
What i loved - A strong Lizzy, Mary, Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Countess Matlock and few original characters
Charlotte and Sir William also steal the show. The footmen Sutton and Adderley are my favorites and they come in all of her stories and i absolutely love them
Jane is as usual not nice. she is dumb and keeps backing wrong people and keep getting just rewards but she never changes. Bingley is weakest. He is not evil but so so weak that u cant help but be disappointed. I would have loved to understand what happened with them later but we anyways get the gist
M and M bennets are usual, annoying and cruel.
The villains are all time baddies but they rely on brute force rather than any intelligence so once our heroes put their heads together they don't have too much difficulty dishing out justice and vengeance.
The punishment is unique.
the last chapter seems rush but we get closer atleast
some of the new OG characters worth mentioning. Original and new Lord Matlocks, countess Matlock, Lord Everson. Lady Penelope, duke of Alsworth
a definite read
December 4, 2025
3.5⭐️
The story started off with a bang. There was so much that happened in the first few chapters and so many characters, new and old, were introduced to us. For once this is a story where the original insult didn't take place and there wasn't a lot of antagonism between Lizzy and Darcy in this one. But as the book went on there was a lot of gratuitous violence, both physical and sexual, both explicit and implied. Even though the author put in links to skip them, I just felt that there was little too much. It was almost an 80's slasher. It took a long while for the antagonists to get their just desserts. But this still had some great moments. We got to see a great Mary and Lizzy relationship and wonderful characters like the Countess (Lady Susan Fitzwilliam) and a not so nice Jane. The last one is one trope I like seeing in these variations sometimes and while not explored as much in this book I still liked it.
The story started off with a bang. There was so much that happened in the first few chapters and so many characters, new and old, were introduced to us. For once this is a story where the original insult didn't take place and there wasn't a lot of antagonism between Lizzy and Darcy in this one. But as the book went on there was a lot of gratuitous violence, both physical and sexual, both explicit and implied. Even though the author put in links to skip them, I just felt that there was little too much. It was almost an 80's slasher. It took a long while for the antagonists to get their just desserts. But this still had some great moments. We got to see a great Mary and Lizzy relationship and wonderful characters like the Countess (Lady Susan Fitzwilliam) and a not so nice Jane. The last one is one trope I like seeing in these variations sometimes and while not explored as much in this book I still liked it.
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