What do you think?
Rate this book
Darcy and the Duchess
A historical romance what-if story where before meeting Fitzwilliam Darcy, Elizabeth Bennet meets and marries Rafael Gainsbridge, the Duke of Deronshire. At only eighteen her life takes a very different turn, yet many of the same characters, adventures and villains accompany her as she journeys through her life as wife, mother and widow. As her heart heals from the premature death of her husband, she learns to love again finding the strength to protect her family and win the love of her lost husband's best friend, Fitzwilliam Darcy. But can their growing and often thwarted understanding survive the villainous plotting of George Wickham.
- GenresFiction
250 pages, Paperback
First published August 28, 2010
16 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 7, 2023
I am a sucker for Elizabeth really is Darcy's equal or better.
High drama and Darcy is an idjit for a while.
High drama and Darcy is an idjit for a while.
September 24, 2016
In this variation, Elizabeth meets and marries a duke at a young age. However, he is dying. To protect her and their twin sons' futures, he begs his best friend to protect her by marrying her. Of course, that friend is Darcy. It is love at first sight for him, but he is foolish enough to fall for Caroline's malicious character assassinations more than once. Can he overcome his own pride and weaknesses to win her love?
For a first published novel this was a very good story. Much better than some of what shows up on my Kindle feed. My fondest hope is that the authoress decides to publish more. My Kindle library would be very grateful and she definitely deserves the rewards and recognition for her work.
For a first published novel this was a very good story. Much better than some of what shows up on my Kindle feed. My fondest hope is that the authoress decides to publish more. My Kindle library would be very grateful and she definitely deserves the rewards and recognition for her work.
July 11, 2022
This is a Elizabeth-is-in-a-higher-status-than-Darcy trope! But this Darcy was not at all likeable. He is attracted to her, claims to love her but never trusts or respects her. And he was not there when she needed him and his final appearance of her rescue felt so unnatural. In fact, the entire Darcy and Elizabeth relationship felt unnatural. I really didn't understand why she married him in the end. Most of the story didn't meld together well. It could've been better.
April 11, 2016
The concept of this variation was good. But, in the first half, it lacked detail and the characters lacked depth. I had to rely on my established knowledge, from other reading, of Elizabeth and Darcy's characters to love them in this version. Unlike in other P&P variations, the author did not offer new insite or make me love them more. Three stars were given to the last half, otherwise it would have recieved only two for poor execution of a promising idea.
October 23, 2010
What if Elizabeth was already married to another man when Darcy first met her? What if Elizabeth's husband was a wealthy, esteemed, yet terminally-ill duke? What if Darcy agreed to look after and marry the soon-to-be widow at the request of his good friend Rafael, the Duke of Deronshire?
What an extraordinarily unique variation of Pride and Prejudice! Instead of Elizabeth being below Darcy's station, she is far above it. Instead of being a gentleman's daughter with no dowry or connections, she is a wealthy widow with a multitude of admirers. One of which is the fastidious and haughty Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Although he falls in love with Elizabeth at first sight, Darcy cannot squelch his prejudiced assumption that Elizabeth is a manipulative and mercenary husband-hunter. Elizabeth, meanwhile, overhears Darcy's detrimental comment about her not being “of his sphere,” and harbors a healthy resentment for that insufferable man. And when she learns that Darcy is prepared, willing, and extremely desirous of fulfilling the promise he made the late Duke, she let's him know, “Hunsford-style,” just exactly what she thinks of him.
To continue reading, go to http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
What an extraordinarily unique variation of Pride and Prejudice! Instead of Elizabeth being below Darcy's station, she is far above it. Instead of being a gentleman's daughter with no dowry or connections, she is a wealthy widow with a multitude of admirers. One of which is the fastidious and haughty Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Although he falls in love with Elizabeth at first sight, Darcy cannot squelch his prejudiced assumption that Elizabeth is a manipulative and mercenary husband-hunter. Elizabeth, meanwhile, overhears Darcy's detrimental comment about her not being “of his sphere,” and harbors a healthy resentment for that insufferable man. And when she learns that Darcy is prepared, willing, and extremely desirous of fulfilling the promise he made the late Duke, she let's him know, “Hunsford-style,” just exactly what she thinks of him.
To continue reading, go to http://janeaustenreviews.blogspot.com...
May 20, 2020
I didn't understand why Darcy was so gullible to Caroline's gossip. Annoying. He was undeserving and didn't really redeem himself.
August 6, 2025
3 1/2 stars rounded up
This is an older story that could use a few tightening up spots, granted those are easy to set aside and just enjoy the story.
This is one that takes place several years before canon when Elizabeth is traveling with her uncle and meets a young man who decides to pursue her. Surprise surprise, this young man is a Duke. The sad part is, and you find out right away, so this is not a spoiler, that he is sick and dying. The time together they have is sweet and they are blessed with twin boys. Rafael (the Duke) is good friends with Darcy and due to this friendship, Rafael asked Darcy to take care of his sons and marry his wife to protect her. The problem was he neglected to share this with his wife. Darcy being Darcy is good at putting his foot in his mouth and letting jealousy and rumors take precedence in his thoughts. Wickham plays more into this story than canon as Elizabeth helped thwart his plan to elope with Georgiana.
I loved Great Aunt Agatha! Things I enjoyed: minimal Bennet family on page, no Lydia drama, no Mr. Collins, and Caroline gets a surprise at the end. Will I read this one again? Probably especially if I’m in the mood for a story where Elizabeth marries another first.
This is an older story that could use a few tightening up spots, granted those are easy to set aside and just enjoy the story.
This is one that takes place several years before canon when Elizabeth is traveling with her uncle and meets a young man who decides to pursue her. Surprise surprise, this young man is a Duke. The sad part is, and you find out right away, so this is not a spoiler, that he is sick and dying. The time together they have is sweet and they are blessed with twin boys. Rafael (the Duke) is good friends with Darcy and due to this friendship, Rafael asked Darcy to take care of his sons and marry his wife to protect her. The problem was he neglected to share this with his wife. Darcy being Darcy is good at putting his foot in his mouth and letting jealousy and rumors take precedence in his thoughts. Wickham plays more into this story than canon as Elizabeth helped thwart his plan to elope with Georgiana.
I loved Great Aunt Agatha! Things I enjoyed: minimal Bennet family on page, no Lydia drama, no Mr. Collins, and Caroline gets a surprise at the end. Will I read this one again? Probably especially if I’m in the mood for a story where Elizabeth marries another first.
April 1, 2021
This book was really expensive for me so I was hoping it would be worth the cost. The depiction of Darcy and his take on Caroline Bigleys false gossip struck such a false note, and other ways he acted so not my impression of a man in control of his emotions spoiled the read for me. I am 80 and have read probably 50 or more of these Austin variations-even the strange and bizarre fate of Caroline and how the men involved used her to their ends confused me. hope you find it more in line with what you expected
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2020
Well written Pride and Prejudice full story fan fiction piece with a few passionate pieces discretely done. The story twist with Elizabeth Bennet having risen to a higher title than Darcy is also intriguing and helps to level the playing field though Darcy still manages to hold some of his typical insecurities and yes- even his arrogance. There is also the interfering and sniping Caroline Bingley. I highly recommend this book for the pace and how well it is done.
September 10, 2020
Very Different
Different variation from canon, although we do have to suffer Wickham and Caroline, but no Lydia or Lady Catherine. Elizabeth marries a duke before ever meeting Darcy, who is charged with taking care of her and her sons after the duke’s demise. It’s a very good story I enjoyed.
Different variation from canon, although we do have to suffer Wickham and Caroline, but no Lydia or Lady Catherine. Elizabeth marries a duke before ever meeting Darcy, who is charged with taking care of her and her sons after the duke’s demise. It’s a very good story I enjoyed.
July 11, 2021
Good premise, but not a fan of how Darcy is written
I feel like he puts his foot in it, and comes off as super creepy, possessive, objectifying, and not at all the awkward turtle we know and love. And he still gets the girl in the end. Perhaps the story would have been better served to explore darcys's thoughts less so the reader could like him more.
I feel like he puts his foot in it, and comes off as super creepy, possessive, objectifying, and not at all the awkward turtle we know and love. And he still gets the girl in the end. Perhaps the story would have been better served to explore darcys's thoughts less so the reader could like him more.
March 12, 2020
Really enjoyed this read.
August 23, 2020
Wonderful!
February 14, 2021
Good read
This was a good and easy read, I just found some of the characters a bit too much away from the original and a bit inconsistent across the book as a whole
This was a good and easy read, I just found some of the characters a bit too much away from the original and a bit inconsistent across the book as a whole
November 16, 2021
Elizabeth meets Rafe, the Duke of Gainsbridge, marries, but he has cancer. Darcy is in love with her and Rafe asks him to take care of her and their sons.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2012
Voilà encore un livre qui aurait gagné à ne pas utiliser les personnages austeniens, ou comment les auteurs se font du mal en voulant utiliser Jane Austen pour vendre plus!
Nous sommes ici dans une soi-disant réecriture d'Orgueil et Préjugés où Elizabeth aurait rencontré un Duc avant même de connaître Darcy et l'aurait épousé. Elle aime son mari mais malheureusement il tombe malade et avant de mourir confie son épouse à son meilleur ami, Darcy.
Habituellement une réecriture change un petit élément de l'histoire et nous raconte les bouleversements qui en découlent, alors qu'ici il ne subsiste absolument rien de l'histoire d'origine. L'idée reste cependant originale et j'étais prête à me laisser séduire mais encore aurait-il fallu que les personnages soient respectés. Mais tenez-vous bien, nous avons dans ce livre, au hasard, un Bingley qui rembarre sa soeur Caroline sans ménagement et une Louisa Hurts choquée par les propos et le comportement de cette même soeur. Même leur physique n'est pas respecté! Lizzy est encensée à chaque page pour sa beauté éblouissante à laquelle absolument personne ne peut résister. Lizzy est certes jolie mais pas de cette façon là, sinon la première scène mémorable du bal de Meryton où Darcy la juge "tolerable" n'aurait pas lieu d'être!
Bref, les bévues ne s'arrêtent pas là. Les conventions de l'époque ne sont pas non plus respectées il semblerait. Les hommes viennent rendre visite aux jeunes femmes dans leur chambre et le temps de veuvage semble avoir particulièrement raccourci! Pire, l'auteur qui a voulu préciser à chaque fois le mois et les années des actions s'emmêle dans ses propres dates. Elle dit par exemple que Lizzy est veuve depuis quatre mois alors qu'entre janvier et mars, je serais plutôt tentée de dire que cela ne fait que deux mois mais je peux me tromper! Et le problème avec les incohérences, c'est que lorsqu'on en repère une, on ne finit plus de les traquer!
Pour finir, le destin réservé à Caroline, que l'auteur semble avoir particulièrement prise en grippe, est complètement invraisemblable! Et moi qui me plaints toujours des fins trop courtes, celle-ci n'en finit plus! En bref, une bonne idée de départ mais un travail un peu baclé et un livre qui gagnerait à avoir des personnages originaux plutôt que mal copiés sur ceux de Jane Austen.
Nous sommes ici dans une soi-disant réecriture d'Orgueil et Préjugés où Elizabeth aurait rencontré un Duc avant même de connaître Darcy et l'aurait épousé. Elle aime son mari mais malheureusement il tombe malade et avant de mourir confie son épouse à son meilleur ami, Darcy.
Habituellement une réecriture change un petit élément de l'histoire et nous raconte les bouleversements qui en découlent, alors qu'ici il ne subsiste absolument rien de l'histoire d'origine. L'idée reste cependant originale et j'étais prête à me laisser séduire mais encore aurait-il fallu que les personnages soient respectés. Mais tenez-vous bien, nous avons dans ce livre, au hasard, un Bingley qui rembarre sa soeur Caroline sans ménagement et une Louisa Hurts choquée par les propos et le comportement de cette même soeur. Même leur physique n'est pas respecté! Lizzy est encensée à chaque page pour sa beauté éblouissante à laquelle absolument personne ne peut résister. Lizzy est certes jolie mais pas de cette façon là, sinon la première scène mémorable du bal de Meryton où Darcy la juge "tolerable" n'aurait pas lieu d'être!
Bref, les bévues ne s'arrêtent pas là. Les conventions de l'époque ne sont pas non plus respectées il semblerait. Les hommes viennent rendre visite aux jeunes femmes dans leur chambre et le temps de veuvage semble avoir particulièrement raccourci! Pire, l'auteur qui a voulu préciser à chaque fois le mois et les années des actions s'emmêle dans ses propres dates. Elle dit par exemple que Lizzy est veuve depuis quatre mois alors qu'entre janvier et mars, je serais plutôt tentée de dire que cela ne fait que deux mois mais je peux me tromper! Et le problème avec les incohérences, c'est que lorsqu'on en repère une, on ne finit plus de les traquer!
Pour finir, le destin réservé à Caroline, que l'auteur semble avoir particulièrement prise en grippe, est complètement invraisemblable! Et moi qui me plaints toujours des fins trop courtes, celle-ci n'en finit plus! En bref, une bonne idée de départ mais un travail un peu baclé et un livre qui gagnerait à avoir des personnages originaux plutôt que mal copiés sur ceux de Jane Austen.
June 11, 2012
It was alright. An interesting premise, although poorly executed. My big problem with it was continuity. The month and year listed under each chapter was at odds with the story and, a few times, with what characters said. For example, if I went by the month and year for one chapter, then her children would be putting together two word sentences and questions at around 11 months, which either makes her children really smart, or the author didn't look up when cognitive speech patterns in children started. (It's between 18 and 24 months, btw.) Also, at another point, Darcy himself says a certain event happened two years, when in fact, if you went by the month and year for that section, it would have only occurred a year and a half ago. It just seemed like everything was consistently six months off from where it should have been. It's not a big deal if it happens once, but when it happens several occasions, it's irritating.
There were also times I didn't understand what was going on, either because not enough information had been given, or the author decided to hold off telling the important information until well past the ideal reveal time. A little off-putting, but nothing that a little editing couldn't fix.
I did wish it had been a little longer. The set-up was good, but after the Duke is gone, things seemed a bit rushed. Like the author was trying to fit too much in as quickly as possible. Again, nothing that a little editing couldn't fix.
There were also times I didn't understand what was going on, either because not enough information had been given, or the author decided to hold off telling the important information until well past the ideal reveal time. A little off-putting, but nothing that a little editing couldn't fix.
I did wish it had been a little longer. The set-up was good, but after the Duke is gone, things seemed a bit rushed. Like the author was trying to fit too much in as quickly as possible. Again, nothing that a little editing couldn't fix.
May 3, 2012
I tremendously enjoyed this book. I loved the different circumstances for Darcy and Elizabeth. Elizabeth being married to Darcy's best friend first is a great twist. I enjoyed reading about her angst after her first love dies and the care she takes of her sons. The turmoil she finds herself in in letting go of his memory and attaching her love to Darcy. I can imagine myself while reading this. I enjoyed the characterization of Aunt Agatha especially. Bingley and Jane were true to form. Miss Bingley seemed a bit more vile and I'm not sure how I felt about that tho probably very accurate. Wickham of course still had some nefarious plans. I just didn't enjoy Lord Vreeland and Miss Bingley especially towards the end of the book. since it wasn't until the end of the book however it didn't disturb my enjoyment of the rest.
February 18, 2012
I WAS REALLY EXCITED TO READ THIS BOOK!! This alternative is really quite clever. It starts out a few years earlier. Elizabeth is about 18 and with her Uncle Gardiner on the continent when she meets a young Duke. Obviously she marries the Duke and becomes a Duchess. The story line has lots of promise, the problem is that the author has jagged ideas that sometimes leaves you wondering what she wrote. I had a hard time understanding some of the passages. Also it needs to be edited better. If it was, they might have caught the cliffs that we were led to and felt that we jumped off. I don't mean to be severe about this review but I truely wish the author would go back and rewrite and fill in some of the gaps. It would be an exceptionally wonderful story if she did.
February 5, 2011
I admit I had high hopes for this Pride and Prejudice variation, especially with it having such a unique story line. Alas, I find myself somewhat disappointed. The story had potential, but it was lost with ambiguous characters. Don't get me wrong, the characters are as they ever are-the same brooding Darcy struggling with his feelings; the same catty Caroline obsessed with Pemberley; the same easily offended Elizabeth-and that's the problem. The author did not take in account how the characters thoughts, feelings and reactions would be in this retelling. Without it, the story lacked all plausibility.
August 6, 2011
This is one of those P&P What-Ifs that is very loosely connected to the original. I snipped the cord of the loose attachment and just enjoyed a story that had similar names. For this to be enjoyable to a Jane Austen P&P fan, you must do it. There were good characters, interesting plot, and strong emotions to delight a reader of gentle historical romance.
I liked how the author took the concept of Elizabeth having the upper hand in the relationship not just in love, but in consequence. I found the new Caroline vastly amusing. I found myself cheering on the Darcy character's growth and understanding of himself and others.
I liked how the author took the concept of Elizabeth having the upper hand in the relationship not just in love, but in consequence. I found the new Caroline vastly amusing. I found myself cheering on the Darcy character's growth and understanding of himself and others.
February 19, 2018
Great Read
This is a wonderful story, and I have to admit, I liked it even better on rereading it. This version starts with Elizabeth meeting and marrying a Duke. After tragedy strikes the story then continues with the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy (who was her husband's dearest friend). It is a very interesting tale and the usual villains appear. Miss Bingley is extremely evil and dislikable in this story, and her comeuppance is very satisfying. I truly enjoyed reading this and highly recommend it.
This is a wonderful story, and I have to admit, I liked it even better on rereading it. This version starts with Elizabeth meeting and marrying a Duke. After tragedy strikes the story then continues with the relationship between Elizabeth and Darcy (who was her husband's dearest friend). It is a very interesting tale and the usual villains appear. Miss Bingley is extremely evil and dislikable in this story, and her comeuppance is very satisfying. I truly enjoyed reading this and highly recommend it.
December 27, 2010
Great premise! Nice balance between not too chaste, and not too sexy (I like the bodice ripping, myself). A few typos/word usage errors, but not so many as to detract from the story and nothing that wouldn't get fixed with a professional edit should it be picked up for regular publication (which I would anticipate). This is an author I hope to see more from.
August 19, 2011
So very fun and different. Darcy meets Elizabeth but it is not her low connections which discourages his suit but the fact that she is already married to a good friend! Wow! What an interesting idea. And when he gets the chance at her he still messes up the proposal! A short and quick read that I very much enjoyed.
did-not-finish
March 13, 2012I loved the first 35% of this, but when I hit around the 40% mark, I decided it was time to put it down. I just don't like Darcy characterized as anything other than a gentleman. His fantasies were starting to get a little too steamy for me. Perhaps I'll pick it up again someday, but for now, it's going on the "did not finish" shelf.
March 2, 2012
The plot diversions of Caroline Bingley and Wickham detracted from the central love story leaving the story flat at times. There was not much in the way of effervescent witty dialogue to help the narrative along either.
November 4, 2010
I just wasn't thrilled with Elizabeth being married before meeting Mr. Darcy.
April 26, 2022
3.5*
An enjoyable read but would benefit from being tidied up a little.
An enjoyable read but would benefit from being tidied up a little.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews