The Unexpected Visitor: A Retelling of a Scene from 'Pride and Prejudice'

by Margaret Lynette Sharp

Here's the ultimate dystopian scenario. What if the beloved Darcy we know had been just a little less strong-minded and less independent of the social constraints that would have prevented him from marrying Elizabeth? And what if Elizabeth -- herself very strong-minded and perhaps resentful of attempts to interfere with her sister's happiness -- had reacted to Darcy's tender of an offer... well, very differently? Be prepared for the unsweetened sentiments expressed in this retelling of a vital scene in Jane Austen's immortal classic!

8 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2018

About the author

My blog: http://margaretlynettesharp.wordpress...

Margaret Lynette Sharp is an award-winning writer, and the author of over eighty titles, including #1 Amazon Best Seller, 'Longbourn Revisited'. Her work was highly commended during the the 2014 Hurstville Discovery Festival of Community Arts, and published by Hurstville Council in an anthology entitled 'Write Out Loud'. In November 2015 she won a Second Prize, again in the short story section of this same competition, and her title, 'More Than a Mere Bagatelle', has been selected for inclusion in another anthology, 'The Art of Writing'.
She spent her early years in an inner city suburb of Sydney, moving with her family to a leafy, outer suburb at the age of ten.
A self-motivated student who loved to seek out information, she matriculated just before her eighteenth birthday. Her enthusiasm for literature led to further studies, with a particular focus on Short Story Writing
Shortly after the death of her elderly mother whom she cared for, Margaret met and later married Ronald Sharp B.E.M., the creator of the Sydney Opera House Grand Organ. She believes that, without doubt, he was her greatest fan and motivator.
Excelling in English himself, Ron had edited much of her early work. He passed away on 21st July, 2021.

Margaret's books have been read and reviewed by readers from Australia, U.S. and India; the vast majority of reviews have been positive.

In addition, she has three blogs on WordPress, which has received many encouraging comments.

Reviews

[James S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short

This so short I don’t think I can review it without spoiling it but...the story blurb really gives it away so I will.

SPOILERS FOLLOW




very short story. It is the proposal with a Darcy who is just a little more proud about his connections. And Lizzie is just a bit more strident.

So Darcy delivers a proposal that is even more rude. Lizzie feels no embarrassment about refusing him and is short but quick to dismiss him. Darcy leaves with no feeling of being greatly disappointed.

Not sure why this story was written but since it’s free through Kindle Unlimited so the author isn’t trying to make some easy money.

I think the story shows that Lizzie and Darcy successfully getting together was highly unlikely and the HEA was always in doubt of being achieved.

It’s short and virtually free. I recommend it.

I believe I will write my own epilogue.

Darcy marries a rich woman from the ton. As the price of wheat and corn lessons and many industrial jobs are available Darcy slowly goes broke. 20 years later he loses Pemberley, has no heirs and his family is long forgotten.

Lizzy and Jane don’t marry until later when Uncle Gardiner sets them up in good marriages with wonderful men in trade. Lizzy is courted by a very intelligent young man who is not afraid of her intelligence. She and her husband become VERY rich investing in India, railroads and canals. She becomes one of the leaders in London in the society that grows around the new money aristocracy.

Lizzie obtains her HEA. Darcy dies at the age of 49 from chronic liver disease.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

In An Unexpected Visitor: A Retelling of a scene from “Pride and Prejudice”, Australian author Margaret Lynette Sharp takes that well-known first, arrogant proposal of marriage from Mr Darcy to Elizabeth Bennet and sets it down in slightly more contemporary language, while maintaining the essence of the chapter. She also sets down likely thoughts that Austen’s heroine may have had, and has Mr Darcy clear up one possible point of objection. While still very much in the style of Jane Austen, this retelling may evoke the ire of Austen purists. A short dose of Jane Austen Fan Fiction.

[Nikel27 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Free kindle book

[katherine dickson · Rating 1 out of 5]

You have got to be kidding me!!!

This "book" had 15 pages, 15!! It was Darcy's proposal retelling and not a very good one either. To leave a review I must leave 2 stars but if I could I wouldn't leave any

[Madenna U · Rating 1 out of 5]

This 6 page work contains the scene were Darcy proposes to Elizabeth at Hunsford. Darcy is a bit more gentle and Elizabeth packs a much more of a bite. She does not hold back.

[Dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ll be honest & say I don’t get. I don’t understand the purpose or what I’m supposed to get out of this.