Mr. Darcy's Complex Courtship

A Darcy & Elizabeth Pride & Prejudice Variation

De: Kelly Miller

Narrado por: Stevie Zimmerman

Would Mr. Darcy sacrifice his legacy for love?

Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy’s marriage proposal comes as a shock to Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Despite the temptation to rail at him for his past injustices, she restrains herself and declines his offer with civility.

Following a heartfelt and enlightening discussion with the perplexing gentleman, Elizabeth is persuaded to judge him anew and allows him to call upon her in London. As her understanding of Darcy’s nature improves, so does her regard for him.

But Darcy’s aunt Lady Catherine confronts Elizabeth with a startling declaration: her ladyship maintains she has the means to take Pemberley away from Darcy. Could this outrageous assertion be true?

In this Regency variation of Pride & Prejudice, shocking developments and unforeseen obstacles combine to drive Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy apart. Will they manage to overcome these impediments and find their happily ever after?

©2024 Kelly Miller (P)2024 Kelly Miller

Scandals & Secrets Arise When Elizabeth Says Yes

While staying with her friend Charlotte and Mr Collins in Kent, Elizabeth Bennett visits the home of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. She meets Mr Darcy and his cousin, who are staying with their strong-minded aunt. Elizabeth disliked Darcy in Hertfordshire and has no reason to think highly of him now.



Elizabeth receives a letter from her sister and learns that Charles Bingley broke off his engagement on Mr Darcy's advice. Then Mr Darcy visits her at the parsonage. After disparaging her family, Fitzwilliam proposes to her. Will Elizabeth politely decline his offer? Or will she give him the sharp edge of her tongue? Let's leap into Mr Darcy’s Complex Courtship: A Darcy & Elizabeth Pride & Prejudice Variation and find out!

Story

As in Jane Austen's classic tale, Elizabeth rejects Darcy's proposal. But his fervent desire to marry her touches her. Elizabeth sets invective aside and tells him she could never marry someone who separated her sister from the man she loved. After assuring Darcy that Jane’s affection for his friend wasn't motivated by greed or social elevation, Darcy promises to speak with Bingley and rescind his earlier advice. He also explains how Mr Wickham tried to elope with his younger sister to benefit from Georgiana's wealth. Darcy begs Elizabeth for another chance to demonstrate his character and prove his devotion to her.



In Kelly Miller's story, Elizabeth visits her aunt and uncle in London. After convincing Bingley to marry Jane, Mr Darcy woos Elizabeth. Unlike many gentlemen of his social standing, Mr Darcy shows no reluctance to visit a tradesman's house. When the Gardiners notice Mr Darcy’s interest, they approve of the match. Elizabeth also forges a friendship with Georgiana. Then Lady Catherine de Bourgh learns of her nephew's pursuit in Mr Darcy's Complex Courtship: A Darcy & Elizabeth Pride & Prejudice Variation. Unless Darcy severs his interest in Elizabeth Bennett, his aunt will ruin him.



Lady Catherine isn’t alone in her desire to prune the budding romance. Unlike his daughter, Mr Bennett cannot forget Mr Darcy's actions when he stayed with Mr Bingley at Netherfield. The young man's aloof manner, strict views, and rudeness set Mr Bennett against Darcy. Mr Bennett worries that Darcy would be a domineering husband who would repress Elizabeth’s spirits, dictate her actions, and extinguish her creativity and imagination.

Art

While keeping our focus on Elizabeth Bennett, Kelly Miller also takes us into Mr Darcy's world. Elizabeth’s anger turns to curiosity as Mr Darcy presses his suit. Darcy's earnest desire to reform his character and impeccable manners impress Elizabeth. Elizabeth also values his determination to discover the truth when Lady Catherine unveils her plan to destroy Darcy's life. Stevie Zimmerman’s voice and delivery evoke Keira Knightley’s portrayal of Elizabeth in Joe Wright’s 2005 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice.

Like Jane Austen, Kelly Miller focuses on the etiquette and social standards in Regency England. Unlike today, Mr Darcy risks a scandal if he accepts someone who works for a living into his household. Elizabeth does not excel at music like Georgiana. But when she discovers an outlet for her creativity, Elizabeth gives critics ammunition to attack Darcy should she become his wife. Both situations recall Sir Thomas Bertram's outrage when he discovers his family preparing a theatrical production in Mansfield Park.



Finally, a lack of communication and an inability to readily discover facts reveal people's fears in Regency England. Kelly Miller shows how the poorer classes' lack of education could harm the aristocracy in Mr Darcy's Complex Courtship: A Darcy & Elizabeth Pride & Prejudice Variation. Mr Bennett's fears also reflect the society of the period. Elizabeth's father loves reading and encourages his daughter's thirst for knowledge and reasoning ability. Yet many members of The Ton strictly control their wives, sisters, and daughters' access to entertainment and education.

Final Thoughts

While some characters ascend, others embrace their darker sides in Mr Darcy’s Complex Courtship: A Darcy & Elizabeth Pride And Prejudice Variation by Kelly Miller. When circumstances separate them, Darcy risks his status in society to uncover the truth about his family, and Elizabeth discovers a new interest that could provide financial independence.

Mostly enjoyable

I loved the book till Chapters 10-14. The contrived misunderstandings and the lack of courage of Darcy and Elizabeth to question rumors and each other is not an unusual situation in a story but for it to happen just as the reader expects the HEA and take so long to resolve irritated me. I agree with another reviewer that Mrs. Matlock seemed like a villain. The ending and epilogue redeemed the book.
Stevie Zimmerman’s narration was perfection as always.

Great Variation

Pride and Prejudice Variation! I loved it!!! It was a great and amazing read. (Actually made me want to read the original and watch the BBC movie adaptation). I just had all the Darcy feels throughout this just like I were reading it for the first time. Again I thoroughly loved it! Through many different trials and turns do they still end up with each other? If you love pride and prejudice - I think you'll love this variation. 🎉❤️ And the only way to find out of through all the trails and pulls to get them in different directions if they end up together is to read it! I will definitely be recommending to friends.

Thank you @kelly.miller.author for the listen! I appreciate it!

Only makes me love Darcy more!

A refreshing take on what could have been between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. The characters stayed true to who they are and the story was well developed and engaging! Highly recommend!

Plenty of time with ODC

A less strident refusal of the Hunsford proposal opens up the opportunity for Darcy and Elizabeth to discuss their misunderstandings before they leave Kent, which allows Darcy to make amends and pursue Elizabeth's good opinion when she returns to London. This early courting and understanding does not lead to an early HEA, however, as new obstacles and misunderstandings plague our dear couple.

While I enjoyed the story and narration, found the story engaging and think it deserves five stars, I do agree with the other reviewer(s) in feeling frustrated that some characters were able to get away with causing trouble for ODC without accountability. I agree that Aunt Matlock did not seem to be working on behalf of Darcy and Elizabeth - her advice seemed devised to tear them apart at every turn. Yet, the other characters let her off the hook without any confrontation. Mr. Bennet is also given leeway to block Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship without any real pushback. I am not advocating for a lot of drama or breaking with these relatives, but some accountability would have been nice.

The story was engaging from beginning to end. The misunderstandings are addressed quickly, which is a pleasant break from more angsty variations.