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The Duchess of Devonshire
The lonely Duke of Devonshire finds a battered beauty on a country lane. When this overlooked 'country nobody' turns out to be anything but, the ton is in for a surprise!
Words: 98,932
Words: 98,932
- GenresAbuseFan Fiction
338 pages, ebook
Published December 22, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 14, 2023
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12276851...
“Better a serpent than a stepmother!” Euripides
Blurb: “The lonely Duke of Devonshire finds a battered beauty on a country lane. When this overlooked ‘country nobody’ turns out to be anything but, the ton is in for a surprise!”
>>Rating: M: Mature: due to violence and descriptions of injuries due to that violence: there are author notes to warn of possible triggers, a bit suggestive at times: mild language
>>Angst: Help us all, high octane as His Grace discovers the true nature of the atrocities against a gentlewoman.
>>Source: Unpublished FF >>Status: Complete: 31 chapters with an excerpt for another story.
>>Trope: [1] Darcy is high, very high, actually, extremely high in society. [2] the current Mrs. Bennet is not Elizabeth’s and Mary’s mother. She is the second wife. [3] Bennet has a living son that Mrs. Bennet #2 does not know about. [4] FMS: forced-marriage-scenario: the widow Mrs. Lewis compromised and forced Mr. Bennet to marry her. [5] NSNJ [not-so-nice-Jane]: This was a psycho b-witch of magnitude proportions. Man, she was a mess. She saw the duke and wanted him. And, she would have him at any cost. [6] AU: Alternate Universe.
This review may contain… OK… it does contain **spoilers** I liked the premise even though I questioned a lot… a lot of things. For one, a lonely Duke… but since this was our very own Mr. Darcy and his reticence for the society of the ton was well known… I could see that. Then, when you magnify his manifold attractions [handsome, wealthy, Pemberley, and several other estates] with no less than five titles, along with a royal connection, I could see why Mr. Darcy… um… his Grace was a lonely Duke. Then you have the instant attraction between our H/h. This hits the reader like a two-by-four across the face.
Our author, right from the first, reminded us that this was their first fanfiction and this story was to be considered fantasy or fairy-tale-like. It showed in many ways, especially the attention to, or lack thereof, Regency etiquette, comportment, propriety, discourse, and grammar. The author also admitted to some modern language… no kidding. As this was an unpublished work… the editing, or lack thereof, was also blatant. Having said that, if the reader could disregard all the above… it was a delightful story of love at first sight, overcoming adverse situations, and familial loyalty. I gave high stars in spite of the egregious errors. It was just fun to read. There were several characters that I loved and adored that kept me reading. The author’s note indicated they were working on the editing [back in 2016]. Just saying.
Talk about you wicked stepmother and step-sisters… man. It reminded me of Cinderella. We learn of Mrs. Lewis, the widow of a local solicitor, and her three evil daughters [Jane, Kitty & Lydia]. When the lady wife of a local estate gentleman died… Mrs. Lewis arranged a compromise [FMS: forced marriage scenario] of the devastated widower… Mr. Bennet. He was in deep mourning for his beloved wife who had died in childbirth. When he vehemently refused Mrs. Lewis’ attempt at a compromise, she threatened to destroy his reputation as well as that of his two beloved daughters Elizabeth and Mary … thus, he reluctantly married her. However, he kept a very important secret from the widow Lewis and the community that only he and his daughters knew.
** Spoiler ** ** End Spoiler **
The Lewis women: OMG! This Jane was beyond the pale. She had the morals of an alley cat and the tact of a Sherman Tank. Mrs. Bennet, née Lewis, was simply diabolical, and mean understanding doesn’t even come close. Kitty and Lydia were just silly as well as stupid and followed their mother’s lead. I couldn’t believe the conclusion of their story. The consequences of their actions were unreal. Man… that was brutal. You don’t mess with a Duke. I thought everyone knew that.
The Bennet Ladies: Elizabeth was like the fairy-tale beauty, kind and beloved by the servants, tenants, and the neighborhood. Because of that… she was disliked by the stepmother and the step-sisters, plus the fact she was her father’s favorite. I loved her younger sister Mary and their relationship. She was so good and smart.
I can’t help it; I liked this Mr. Darcy… um… rather his Grace. The page time between our dear couple was so delicious. Georgiana was strong and supportive along with our dear Colonel. I loved this story.
The main reason I even read this unpublished work was that another reviewer said it contained the best Caroline Bingley set-down EVER. I had to experience that. Oh, how delicious… it was most excellent!! And… the silly chit came back for more and received yet another that was even better. La!!! I loved this version of Elizabeth. She and Darcy worked so well together. Toward the end, there was SUCH a surprise… I did not see that coming. Don’t think I’ve read anything like it before. Loved it. So much of this was farfetched, OOC behavior, and so not likely to have happened… EVER; however, I still enjoyed it.
Although it was clean… it was a bit suggestive and crude in places. The rating was mostly due to graphic violence. The author did well in giving trigger warnings and was careful in giving readers a heads-up when scenes approached what might be considered painful to read. Take the hint, they were painful to read. We did not actually have page time with the abuse Elizbeth experienced from her family. However, we did see the aftermath when the physician described her injuries and what possibly caused them. His Grace was enraged by the reports. Elizabeth was eventually able to describe her attack and what happened to her at the hands of her step-relatives. OMG!!! I’ve never disliked anyone as I do those people.
As Elizabeth healed, so grew her relationship with his Grace. The story just kept going. With each denouement, there would then be another set of rising actions, a climax, and then another conclusion. Just as you thought what could possibly happen next… it would start all over again.
1st read: 9-16-17
2nd read: 2-14-18 ~ 2-15-18
3rd read: 3-8-18 ~ 3-9-18
4th read: 5-21-18 ~ 5-21-18
5th read: 9-26-18 ~ 9-27-18
6th read: 12-3-18 ~ 12-4-18
7th read: 2-7-19 ~ 2-8-19
8th read: 6-29-19 ~ 6-30-19: It’s time to read this again. I need my Duke fix.
9th read: 9-11-19 ~ 9-12-19
10th read: 2-4-20 ~ 2-5-20
11th read: 5-25-20 Flip through
12th read: 10-26-20 ~ 10-27-20
13th read: 4-2-21 ~ speed read
14th read: 11-13-21
15th read: 4-13-22 ~ It’s been too long.
16th read: 9-10-22 Nobody cares…
17th read: 1-26-23 I can feel you judging me
18th read: 6-14-23 Sometimes I just need to read witty banter
“Better a serpent than a stepmother!” Euripides
Blurb: “The lonely Duke of Devonshire finds a battered beauty on a country lane. When this overlooked ‘country nobody’ turns out to be anything but, the ton is in for a surprise!”
>>Rating: M: Mature: due to violence and descriptions of injuries due to that violence: there are author notes to warn of possible triggers, a bit suggestive at times: mild language
>>Angst: Help us all, high octane as His Grace discovers the true nature of the atrocities against a gentlewoman.
>>Source: Unpublished FF >>Status: Complete: 31 chapters with an excerpt for another story.
>>Trope: [1] Darcy is high, very high, actually, extremely high in society. [2] the current Mrs. Bennet is not Elizabeth’s and Mary’s mother. She is the second wife. [3] Bennet has a living son that Mrs. Bennet #2 does not know about. [4] FMS: forced-marriage-scenario: the widow Mrs. Lewis compromised and forced Mr. Bennet to marry her. [5] NSNJ [not-so-nice-Jane]: This was a psycho b-witch of magnitude proportions. Man, she was a mess. She saw the duke and wanted him. And, she would have him at any cost. [6] AU: Alternate Universe.
This review may contain… OK… it does contain **spoilers** I liked the premise even though I questioned a lot… a lot of things. For one, a lonely Duke… but since this was our very own Mr. Darcy and his reticence for the society of the ton was well known… I could see that. Then, when you magnify his manifold attractions [handsome, wealthy, Pemberley, and several other estates] with no less than five titles, along with a royal connection, I could see why Mr. Darcy… um… his Grace was a lonely Duke. Then you have the instant attraction between our H/h. This hits the reader like a two-by-four across the face.
Our author, right from the first, reminded us that this was their first fanfiction and this story was to be considered fantasy or fairy-tale-like. It showed in many ways, especially the attention to, or lack thereof, Regency etiquette, comportment, propriety, discourse, and grammar. The author also admitted to some modern language… no kidding. As this was an unpublished work… the editing, or lack thereof, was also blatant. Having said that, if the reader could disregard all the above… it was a delightful story of love at first sight, overcoming adverse situations, and familial loyalty. I gave high stars in spite of the egregious errors. It was just fun to read. There were several characters that I loved and adored that kept me reading. The author’s note indicated they were working on the editing [back in 2016]. Just saying.
Talk about you wicked stepmother and step-sisters… man. It reminded me of Cinderella. We learn of Mrs. Lewis, the widow of a local solicitor, and her three evil daughters [Jane, Kitty & Lydia]. When the lady wife of a local estate gentleman died… Mrs. Lewis arranged a compromise [FMS: forced marriage scenario] of the devastated widower… Mr. Bennet. He was in deep mourning for his beloved wife who had died in childbirth. When he vehemently refused Mrs. Lewis’ attempt at a compromise, she threatened to destroy his reputation as well as that of his two beloved daughters Elizabeth and Mary … thus, he reluctantly married her. However, he kept a very important secret from the widow Lewis and the community that only he and his daughters knew.
** Spoiler ** ** End Spoiler **
The Lewis women: OMG! This Jane was beyond the pale. She had the morals of an alley cat and the tact of a Sherman Tank. Mrs. Bennet, née Lewis, was simply diabolical, and mean understanding doesn’t even come close. Kitty and Lydia were just silly as well as stupid and followed their mother’s lead. I couldn’t believe the conclusion of their story. The consequences of their actions were unreal. Man… that was brutal. You don’t mess with a Duke. I thought everyone knew that.
The Bennet Ladies: Elizabeth was like the fairy-tale beauty, kind and beloved by the servants, tenants, and the neighborhood. Because of that… she was disliked by the stepmother and the step-sisters, plus the fact she was her father’s favorite. I loved her younger sister Mary and their relationship. She was so good and smart.
I can’t help it; I liked this Mr. Darcy… um… rather his Grace. The page time between our dear couple was so delicious. Georgiana was strong and supportive along with our dear Colonel. I loved this story.
The main reason I even read this unpublished work was that another reviewer said it contained the best Caroline Bingley set-down EVER. I had to experience that. Oh, how delicious… it was most excellent!! And… the silly chit came back for more and received yet another that was even better. La!!! I loved this version of Elizabeth. She and Darcy worked so well together. Toward the end, there was SUCH a surprise… I did not see that coming. Don’t think I’ve read anything like it before. Loved it. So much of this was farfetched, OOC behavior, and so not likely to have happened… EVER; however, I still enjoyed it.
Although it was clean… it was a bit suggestive and crude in places. The rating was mostly due to graphic violence. The author did well in giving trigger warnings and was careful in giving readers a heads-up when scenes approached what might be considered painful to read. Take the hint, they were painful to read. We did not actually have page time with the abuse Elizbeth experienced from her family. However, we did see the aftermath when the physician described her injuries and what possibly caused them. His Grace was enraged by the reports. Elizabeth was eventually able to describe her attack and what happened to her at the hands of her step-relatives. OMG!!! I’ve never disliked anyone as I do those people.
As Elizabeth healed, so grew her relationship with his Grace. The story just kept going. With each denouement, there would then be another set of rising actions, a climax, and then another conclusion. Just as you thought what could possibly happen next… it would start all over again.
1st read: 9-16-17
2nd read: 2-14-18 ~ 2-15-18
3rd read: 3-8-18 ~ 3-9-18
4th read: 5-21-18 ~ 5-21-18
5th read: 9-26-18 ~ 9-27-18
6th read: 12-3-18 ~ 12-4-18
7th read: 2-7-19 ~ 2-8-19
8th read: 6-29-19 ~ 6-30-19: It’s time to read this again. I need my Duke fix.
9th read: 9-11-19 ~ 9-12-19
10th read: 2-4-20 ~ 2-5-20
11th read: 5-25-20 Flip through
12th read: 10-26-20 ~ 10-27-20
13th read: 4-2-21 ~ speed read
14th read: 11-13-21
15th read: 4-13-22 ~ It’s been too long.
16th read: 9-10-22 Nobody cares…
17th read: 1-26-23 I can feel you judging me
18th read: 6-14-23 Sometimes I just need to read witty banter
January 7, 2023
A fantastic idea, but the execution was sorely lacking.
This was like Cinderella, but on steroids!
There were some good scenes and the premise itself keeps you invested. And knowing it is fanfic helps with the less enjoyable writing at times.
Elizabeth really does get to have her say, quite clearly, no punches held. Usually Elizabeth is too charming and disguises her more harsh remarks in a tease.
This was like Cinderella, but on steroids!
There were some good scenes and the premise itself keeps you invested. And knowing it is fanfic helps with the less enjoyable writing at times.
Elizabeth really does get to have her say, quite clearly, no punches held. Usually Elizabeth is too charming and disguises her more harsh remarks in a tease.
June 4, 2018
This is a very very good story by an author who is creative and prolific. In the past three days I have read three of her works on the same theme which isn't how you should read anything.
WARNING:There is much violence and abuse as well as detailed love scenes - you have been warned. Proceed with caution.
This book begins with Fitzwilliam Darcy and his entourage finding a badly beaten woman on a roadside in Hertfordshire. He is headed for Netherfield but her reaction makes him reroute to an Inn where she is healed. When detective Darcy gets to Netherfield to beg off his visit he is able to uncover who Lizzy is and who abused her.
In this variation Lizzy & Mary are Mr. Bennets bio daughter while the other three evil stepsisters are Lewises. One trademark of this author are stupidly evil characters usually personified as Mrs. Bennet, Lady Catherine, Mr. Collins and Jane Bennet ( or in this case Lewis). Jane has bought into the story that she is the most beautiful, deserving, desired girl in the whole wide world and it is only because of that awful Lizzy that she isn't married to royalty. Another is Darcy being a Duke or DUKES. In this case he is 2 Derbyshire and Devonshire. Another is LOVE AT FIRST Sight for ODC.
Lizzy gets rescued by Darcy along with Mary and whisked away to Pemberley then Lizzy and Darcy decide to marry in Scotland... before heading back to Meryton to give the Lewises their comeuppance.
This is a book for fans of angst and drama. (me). I just recommend leaving some time between the authors books.
WARNING:There is much violence and abuse as well as detailed love scenes - you have been warned. Proceed with caution.
This book begins with Fitzwilliam Darcy and his entourage finding a badly beaten woman on a roadside in Hertfordshire. He is headed for Netherfield but her reaction makes him reroute to an Inn where she is healed. When detective Darcy gets to Netherfield to beg off his visit he is able to uncover who Lizzy is and who abused her.
In this variation Lizzy & Mary are Mr. Bennets bio daughter while the other three evil stepsisters are Lewises. One trademark of this author are stupidly evil characters usually personified as Mrs. Bennet, Lady Catherine, Mr. Collins and Jane Bennet ( or in this case Lewis). Jane has bought into the story that she is the most beautiful, deserving, desired girl in the whole wide world and it is only because of that awful Lizzy that she isn't married to royalty. Another is Darcy being a Duke or DUKES. In this case he is 2 Derbyshire and Devonshire. Another is LOVE AT FIRST Sight for ODC.
Lizzy gets rescued by Darcy along with Mary and whisked away to Pemberley then Lizzy and Darcy decide to marry in Scotland... before heading back to Meryton to give the Lewises their comeuppance.
This is a book for fans of angst and drama. (me). I just recommend leaving some time between the authors books.
May 24, 2018
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars
I read this because one of the readers gave it a 10+ rating in the fanfiction/unpublished forum. It is 31 chapters with a 32nd chapter previewing the author's next story.
Darcy falls in love immediately with a battered woman who throws herself in front of his coach and begs for death. Then she begs not to be taken to Netherfield or Long*** and don't call her, "Lizzy".
Darcy is His Grace with a long list of titles. He doesn't know it but Elizabeth also has many connections to the ton. He only knows that upon meeting and hearing Mrs. Bennet and her 3 daughters' description of Elizabeth's situation and character, he must protect this Elizabeth from any contact with Mrs. Bennet, Jane, Kitty and Lydia. He also discerns that a fourth sister, Mary, is in some despair while hearing the family's words.
Most of this story revolves around plans for and execution of justice...well-deserved set-downs and consequences to Mrs. Bennet, her three daughters, Caroline and even Mr. Collins. Then Lady Catherine is thrown into the cauldron for good measure. Elizabeth's verbal confrontations spare nothing; they are harsh and cut her foes to tiny pieces. The ton can't stop talking about the repertoire and by such Elizabeth has gained their respect.
The Duke (Darcy) keeps repeating to himself how he loves his Duchess. We do have some happy events, more towards the end, as family comes together and married life settles down. We also read of the physical abuse Elizabeth suffered later in the story as she describes how her stepmother and stepsisters attempted to force her to marry Mr. Collins when Mr. Bennet falls sick and while he lies unconscious.
This was interesting but I would have liked more romance PLUS the long harangues in which we read of Elizabeth's verbal evaluation of her enemies' characters and behaviors were, after a while, just a little too much. I do like to see certain people get their just reward but whole chapters are devoted to each one's judgment separately and thus a little too page absorbing for my tastes.
I read this because one of the readers gave it a 10+ rating in the fanfiction/unpublished forum. It is 31 chapters with a 32nd chapter previewing the author's next story.
Darcy falls in love immediately with a battered woman who throws herself in front of his coach and begs for death. Then she begs not to be taken to Netherfield or Long*** and don't call her, "Lizzy".
Darcy is His Grace with a long list of titles. He doesn't know it but Elizabeth also has many connections to the ton. He only knows that upon meeting and hearing Mrs. Bennet and her 3 daughters' description of Elizabeth's situation and character, he must protect this Elizabeth from any contact with Mrs. Bennet, Jane, Kitty and Lydia. He also discerns that a fourth sister, Mary, is in some despair while hearing the family's words.
Most of this story revolves around plans for and execution of justice...well-deserved set-downs and consequences to Mrs. Bennet, her three daughters, Caroline and even Mr. Collins. Then Lady Catherine is thrown into the cauldron for good measure. Elizabeth's verbal confrontations spare nothing; they are harsh and cut her foes to tiny pieces. The ton can't stop talking about the repertoire and by such Elizabeth has gained their respect.
The Duke (Darcy) keeps repeating to himself how he loves his Duchess. We do have some happy events, more towards the end, as family comes together and married life settles down. We also read of the physical abuse Elizabeth suffered later in the story as she describes how her stepmother and stepsisters attempted to force her to marry Mr. Collins when Mr. Bennet falls sick and while he lies unconscious.
This was interesting but I would have liked more romance PLUS the long harangues in which we read of Elizabeth's verbal evaluation of her enemies' characters and behaviors were, after a while, just a little too much. I do like to see certain people get their just reward but whole chapters are devoted to each one's judgment separately and thus a little too page absorbing for my tastes.
January 29, 2023
Suspension of belief is required to enjoy this one, and if you can do it, it’s quite the diverting read. For a full and complete synopsis, see J.W. Garrett’s entertaining review. Enjoy!
May 22, 2018
Thriller/fairytale that was nigh on impossible to put down. Would have liked more romance though. 4.5*
August 29, 2019
The story is good but once Elizabeth is saved it is almost the same story over and over - don’t mess with the Duchess and her family.
July 11, 2025
It's really a very good story which starts very differently and proceeds delightfully. The only complaint I have is that there could've been more romance and less descriptive repetitions of Elizabeth's ordeal and the villains' depravity.
March 23, 2021
An entertaining fairy tale. I liked the way they disposed of all the villains of the story. A fun read!
January 29, 2023
Some of the best set downs in JAFF. Loved it. On to the next!
November 23, 2023
3.5 rounded to 4
August 3, 2025
3.25⭐️
I have to admit this story was obviously the authors first foray into writing. While good it was not as polished as her other work - Bonded Hearts, which I read just before I read this book. The stories have similarities, but I found Bonded Hearts a bit more structured and the banter more fun. While I liked the interactions between E & D I thought there was not as much as I would have liked.
I have to admit this story was obviously the authors first foray into writing. While good it was not as polished as her other work - Bonded Hearts, which I read just before I read this book. The stories have similarities, but I found Bonded Hearts a bit more structured and the banter more fun. While I liked the interactions between E & D I thought there was not as much as I would have liked.
January 27, 2024
Too much abuse for me to ever read again.
I will say I enjoyed it when I read it before.
I will say I enjoyed it when I read it before.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews