From Pemberley to Paradise, page 16
Alethea was the only girl and in time she became the most precious member of the family. So when she arrived—close to tears—to a family dinner in London, her uncle—the colonel—looked after his rifle and all the other men prepared to fight.
But it was her papa to ask her what happened.
“Benjamin Crosby[3] refused to publish my novel!”
“Who is this Benjamin Crosby?” roared the colonel who was a general now, but everybody in the family kept calling him colonel, as a first name.
Alexandra put a gentle hand on her husband’s arm, “It is not necessary to kill him, my dear!” she said and sent a smile in Elizabeth’s direction.
“He is an editor,” Alethea answered.
“We shall not kill him, literally!” laughed one of Alethea’s cousins, a successful businessman. “But we shall kill his business. The family will establish for the princess a new Publishing House. She will be our first writer and then we take all the writers from that infamous Benjamin Crosby.”
Just six months later, the first novel of Miss Alethea Darcy was in all bookshops across the Kingdom. It was named From Pemberley to Paradise and one could read on the first page: For Mama, Papa and the Devil-Brothers
End
By Florence Gold
A Struggle for Love
A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Kindle Edition
Just weeks before his wedding to Elizabeth, Darcy departs for London to attend some urgent business. After three painful days, neither Georgiana nor Elizabeth has received any news from him. Has he run away, suddenly fearing married life or have more somber circumstances occurred? A Struggle for Love is a Regency Pride and Prejudice Variation, with an original touch of mystery that triggers angst and passion in a plot that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the long-awaited happy ending.
Excerpt
At the end of their meal Mr Bennet forced himself to ask a question he profoundly disliked, but knew it was necessary to find an answer. “Dear Georgiana, please forgive me, but I have to ask you a question.” The girl looked at the man in front of her in total confidence; she understood that there might be many doubts regarding her brother's disappearance. With a frank look, she invited him to continue.
“Is it possible that Darcy simply wanted to escape his future marriage and just went abroad or far away in the country?” Mr Bennet was flushed from the effort he made, while Elizabeth looked absolutely devastated. For a moment Georgiana hid her eyes in the cup in front of her not sure she was capable of answering. It was at that very moment that Parker made a step towards the table, addressing only Mr Bennet, “If you may permit me, Mr Bennet, sir, to speak.”
The butler's words miraculously eased the atmosphere, as someone else was to carry the burden of an answer. They all looked at Parker, waiting for his words, confident that his butler was the man to give them an honest answer.
“Please, Mr Parker, continue!” said Elizabeth in her father's place. “My master is a gentleman, a genuine one, not just in name but in spirit and mind; if he had decided not to marry, I assure you that he would have found a way not to hurt Miss Bennet’s reputation. Absolutely not, neither would he leave Miss Georgiana with no notice from him. He is the most attentive and responsible brother; he is even attentive to me. He tells me when to go to sleep and not wait for him, for all years I have been in his service. No, I am sorry to say this, but something had happened to him.”
Mr Darcy’s Legacy
A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Kindle Edition
Paperback Edition
Mr Darcy is eagerly awaiting his wedding to Miss Elizabeth Bennet, the young woman he considered to be the mistress of his heart. Unfortunately, his family and mostly Lady Catherine and Lord Matlock are against this union. While their love grows stronger and their future seems it will be filled with connubial bliss, a letter from Darcy’s past shatters their present, making him question everything he has known his entire life. Is he prepared to open his heart and his mind to such a tormenting revelation? Is London’s Ton ready to accept such a disclosure, or will it turn it into a new subject for more disturbing rumours? Will a gentleman such as Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy, who takes pride in his family’s past, accept that his legacy is not what he believed it to be?
Excerpt
Darcy smiled for the first time that morning, and kissing Elizabeth’s hand, he looked around the table. In the past he harboured a secret displeasure thinking he would be associated with Wickham as brother-in-law, but Mr Bennet dispelled his worries by his unconditional and unselfish support.
The breakfast continued in a more serene atmosphere; the ladies engaged in quiet talk about the dresses and weddings while the gentlemen discussed horses and hunting when Darcy’s butler made an entrance with the silver tray for correspondence and whispered some words in his master’s ear. It was obviously something important, Georgiana knew instantly. Parker had perfect manners and he never would disturb her brother in the middle of a meal unless…
Darcy coloured and took the letter in an evident state of emotion.
“I beg your pardon!” he said. “I have to read this letter; the coach is waiting for my answer.”
He hesitated a moment with the letter in his hand, unsure of sharing the identity of the sender with the whole party, but then he said rather determinedly, “The letter is from the Duke of Blandford!”
An exclamation of astonishment circled the table; Charles and Georgiana were astounded, the others just curious but Darcy understood it was too late to conceal the contents from them, so he read in a somewhat uncertain voice:
Mr Darcy,
It was such a pleasure to meet you at the Opera and get acquainted with your lovely lady. Please oblige me by joining me on Wednesday at the Club to discuss important matters. I will be present at early hours, till 1 o’clock. Please attend me in that period.
FitzRoy William, Duke of Blandford
Weeding at Pemberley
A Pride and Prejudice Variation
Kindle Edition
Following an unexpected encounter in London, two months after Hunsford, love grows tentatively, then turns into passion when Elizabeth and Darcy are reunited in Derbyshire.
Eager to marry as soon as possible, they find in their way to happiness despite opposition and unexpected obstacles.
Love, hate, elopement, an unexpected turn of events; enemies and friends - all lead to a long-awaited happy ending at Pemberley!
Florence Gold offers once again her receipt for a Pride and Prejudice Variation where our beloved characters take a path filled with adventure, romance and suspense.
Excerpt
The following morning, Elizabeth woke up very early and dressed without any help from the maid. It was a sunny day, and the sound of birds animated the silent manor. She felt too much joy to stay inside – so what she did not dare do in the middle of the night, seemed allowed in the full daylight.
Therefore, she hurried downstairs and—with a little guidance from a servant—she found the main door and exited the house. She found herself in an inner yard, paved with stone. Through a large arch, she arrived in front of the house, just at the edge of the lake. On her left, there were impressive stairs, leading to a path between the lake and the colourful gardens.
She closed her eyes, breathing the air of Pemberley deeply inside her so she could take it with her upon leaving.
“Miss Bennet?”
She startled and looked around, taken aback. Darcy was approaching her, wearing a broad and warm smile.
“Are you well?”
He wanted to believe he had seen on her face a hint of enjoyment at his sight.
“Very well, thank you,” she responded surprised yet very happy.
“I hope you found your room comfortable?”
“Very much so,” she smiled. “But I believe that a room—as comfortable as it is—is not worthy of staying inside when you are at Pemberley.”
He approved with a nod. “I agree.”
During a momentarily awkward silence, both glanced around. One could say that the same question was in each of their minds, a question about love that could shatter the incertitude they were living in. He wanted to dare take her on a stroll, far away from other eyes; she wanted to spend with him as much time as was possible.
“Would you like to take a stroll before breakfast?” he eventually asked, his heart beating at the rate of his emotion.
“Yes, that was my intention.”
“Would you… rather be alone?” he continued, yet he was far from intending to leave her alone on Pemberley’s lawn.
“Some company would be lovely,” she whispered.
They started to walk, trying hard not to look at each other.
“Pemberley is even more beautiful than I was told,” Elizabeth declared with a voice that was desperately trying to sound normal, remembering the conversations they used to have when both were self-assured and unconstrained by a sentiment so complicated as love.
“I am glad you enjoy it. There is so much more of it to see.
Soon to be published
Elizabeth and Darcy at 1900
Kindle Edition
Excerpt
“Mr Niven Darcy Lancashire—Miss Jane Elizabeth Austen,” her father made the honour even if it was not his office.
The two youngsters became acquainted in a rather cold atmosphere emanating from both of them. The old gentlemen regarded their meeting with a little naughty smile, they tried to hide.
Mr Addington invited them to sit on the massive leather armchairs that completed so well the décor but Nevin looked for a chair because of his leg; it was a rather peculiar moment—he, very stiff on a high chair, and the rest sunk in the comfortable armchairs, it looks like Nevin was at an exam, all of them being the enquirers.
Eliza saved the moment when she stood up, the book still in her hands and sat on a chair near Nevin while she gave him the book. It was a graceful and straightforward gesture and he had to admit that, despite not being very beautiful, she had a certain elegance of posture and…spirit.
“It is the first edition of Pride and Prejudice, from 1813,” Eliza said, still not knowing exactly what they expected from her. She was looking at the book’s first page, opened in Nevin’s hand, but she was not reading. She knew everything about that first edition, so she continued, “It was written when Jane was not yet twenty-one. After an early rejection by the publisher Cadell, who had not even read it, her novel was finally bought by Egerton in 1812 for £110. It was published in late January 1813 in a small edition of approximately 1500 copies and sold for 18 shillings.”
Looking more at the old gentlemen than at Nevin she still waited for indications yet her father and Mr Addington just smile approvingly, they considered her to be on the good track.
Nevin was silent, browsing the book in a rather violent manner sufficient to worry Mr Addington that his precious treasure was not in good hands.
“Careful, Mr Lancashire,” he said, “you have in your hands that first edition, Eliza told us about!”
Without a word Nevin place the book on a table near him, but his expression did not change. He did not consider the book a treasure which should have been taken care of in any manner. His disdain for the novel was so evident that Eliza took his eyes from him, uncomfortable with his attitude.
Her father and Mr Addington were suddenly caught in a particular discussion, leaving them to initiate their conversation, but it was so difficult to begin as neither of them knew how their collaboration would function.
“Well, Mr Lancashire, how will we go further?” Eliza broke the silence.
“I read last night Pride and Prejudice. Not that edition,” he said, pointing out to the book still on the table between them, “but one that I found in my mother’s library.”
“It was the first time you read the novel?” Eliza asked, very politely.
“Yes, it is the first time!” While the expression on his face clearly said—“Do not imagine that I would have ever read the book without this assignment?”
His condescendence made her kind attitude disappear. A change he instantly perceived making him want to be forgiven by this strange girl who was unable to hide.
“Well, Miss Elizabeth…” His accompanied his words by a smile.
“Well, Mr Darcy…” Eliza said and abruptly stopped, the name flew out of her mouth in spite of her wish.
They looked at each other finally understanding the real motive they were together in that endeavour; the two gentlemen still talked, but behind their apparent innocence was the little trick they played on Eliza—Elizabeth and Nevin—Darcy.
Eliza felt the urge to admonish her father in a way never dared before. She was undoubtedly hurt but most of all she despised the situation he forced her in; working with this Darcy became so difficult now that she knew that neither her talent nor knowledge were essential but mare the fact that her name was Elizabeth.
Elizabeth and Darcy, what a better couple to write about Pride and Prejudice. She was also ashamed because her father could play such a trick on them, on him; he may be arrogant and so snobbish when it came to his studies and education, but he was a young gentleman who fought for their country and was severely wounded.
* * *
[1] http://www.reg-ency.com/fact_showpage.php?ccode=Div&ctyp=0 (Garland Publishing (1989)
[2] Biographical excerpts from: Le Faye (2004), 66; Litz (1986), 48; Honan (1987), 61–62, 70; Lascelles (1966), 4; Todd (2015), 4-5
[3] Jane Austen’s first editor.
Florence Gold, From Pemberley to Paradise
