Much to Be Talked Of

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

De: Nan Harrison

Narrado por: Alice Sockett

He trusted you with his deepest secrets… I believe he still loves you.

Elizabeth Bennet returns home from Kent with a burdened heart following Mr Darcy’s offer of marriage. She finds it hard to put aside the revelations of the gentleman’s letter—a letter that challenges everything she believed about pride, honour, and love. Reeling from the truths it contains, Elizabeth finds solace not in the bustling Bennet household at Longbourn, but in the quiet counsel of her godfather, Mr Goulding—a wise, kind-hearted neighbour whose own past is marked by tragedy and quiet heroism.

As Elizabeth comes to understand the failings of her own judgment, she also begins to see her family through new eyes—and with it, the social dangers they court daily. But Mr Goulding sees something more in Elizabeth: a strength of character and a moral clarity that make her the perfect steward for a surprising legacy.

With her future irrevocably altered by his final bequest, Elizabeth must navigate newfound purpose, lingering regret, and the bittersweet ache of a love that may be lost forever.

©2025 Nan Harrison (P)2026 Quills & Quartos Publishing

Pleasantly surprised

Beautiful rendition. I craved a better profession of love from Darcy from the Austin version and it delivered! Love the new/fresh perspective on the different characters!

Enlightment while separated

Another lovely story by Ms Harrison. D&E grow in maturity and understanding while separated. It seems to be a hallmark of this author how she has them become better people. Thi narration is good but some parts felt flat and I would zone out and have to rewind to follow the story.

Delightful Variation!

The narration and story were well done. I found myself crying at times as the story unfolded. Hight recommend this JAFF.

Great story

In this story Elizabeth has a Godfather. Mr Goulding. He was a very nice man. Great jaff

The godfather we never knew we needed.

A very good narration by a new-to-me narrator, Alice Sockett—she gives a very expressive performance, and I'd definitely listen to her again.

In this thoughtful variation, Nan Harrison takes a barely mentioned family name from Pride and Prejudice and creates an endearing secondary character for Mr Goulding as Elizabeth’s godfather. The foreword provides us with his heartbreaking history—from clergyman in India to widowed and childless master of Haye Park—and his time spent watching the Bennet children grow up in his company, and as he observes Bennet family dynamic, which isn’t exactly complementary to Longbourn’s patriarch.

What follows is an endearing character-driven story with themes of kindness, legacy, and personal responsibility. Mr Goulding’s final wishes place an unexpected burden and opportunity on Elizabeth: the creation of a charitable trust to serve the local community, along with the bequest of his dower house to safeguard the Bennet women’s future. It is a believable, thoughtful solution to the Longbourn entail, and one that shows Goulding’s lifelong affection for Elizabeth and her family.

Darcy’s role is largely behind the scenes, yet his secret involvement is steady and heartfelt. His efforts to support Elizabeth, even without her knowledge, keep their developing regard in view, even while the narrative keeps them separate. For a mild touch of angst, Wickham makes an appearance, drawn by rumours of sudden wealth, but now armed with the knowledge of Darcy’s letter, his machinations no longer fool Elizabeth.

I think the author’s message of using one’s gifts for the good of others comes through with sincerity and emotion. I’m not shy to say I needed a tissue, but everyone who knows me knows I’m tender-hearted when I read—when it’s merited.

This is a warm, sometimes emotional, and uplifting variation; it is especially ideal for readers who enjoy new characters and a fresh expansion of Austen’s world; I certainly do, and I believe Jane would have approved.