Fitzwilliam Darcy, Hero

A Pride and Prejudice Variation Duology

By: Julie Cooper, Mary Smythe

Narrated by: Simon Alison

Fitzwilliam Darcy, Hero is a duology comprised of two previously published novella length variations of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

Mr Darcy's Abducted Bride by Julie Cooper
ON THE DAY AFTER MR BINGLEY'S BALL , Fitzwilliam Darcy is preparing to leave Netherfield when he hears horrifying news. Mr Collins, it seems, intends to make Elizabeth an offer of marriage. Mrs Bennet—panicked by Mr Bennet’s illness—will stop at nothing to ensure that her obstinate, headstrong girl accepts it and becomes Mrs Collins as soon as is possible.

RUSHING TO LONGBOURN, Darcy finds Elizabeth out of her wits while she and Mr Collins plan for an immediate wedding. Recognising that Elizabeth will find herself bound to a ridiculous man for life, Darcy acts a hero, rescuing her and removing her from harm, intending to keep her away from the dastardly duo until she has regained her wits.

Elizabeth finds herself thrust into a terrifying journey alone with Mr Darcy. Mr Collins and her mother will stop at nothing to see their plans carried to fruition, and Mr Darcy is her only chance of salvation. Can she learn to trust him quickly enough to discern which of the choices before her will lead to happiness?

A Case of Some Urgency by Mary Smythe

When Lydia Bennet elopes with George Wickham it seems certain that the second chance at love for Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy has been destroyed. Desperate times often call for desperate measures, as Mr Bennet is soon to discover under the most painful of circumstances. His search for Lydia and Wickham is proving unfruitful and still worse—he has discovered signs of a secret romance between Elizabeth and none other than Mr Darcy.

Seeing an opportunity to avoid ruination , Mr Bennet visits Darcy with a proposed solution. But every solution provides a new set of challenges for Darcy and Elizabeth in this tale of romance lost and found.

©2024 Julie Cooper and Mary Smythe (P)2024 Quills & Quartos Publishing

Awesome

Both of these stories are very well written and well performed. In both stories Darcy is a strong man clearly smitten by Elizabeth. They are past the hating Darcy phase and only have to thwart the people that want to keep them apart. I enjoyed both stories a great deal.

Worth the credit

Highly recommended, I love books combined with more than 1 short story, they come together much quicker than in the long drawn out books

Pleasurable

The two stories are relatively low angst and well paced - they proceed along with just the right amount of emotion and rapidity. Both writers are gifted, and their works are always a pleasure to read.

The narrator has a smooth delivery, and is a pleasure to listen to - he has narrated a few other JAFF works and he is becoming one of my favorite narrators.

So, double the pleasure - in stories offered/writers skills and in listening enjoyment - double the fun!

Darcy and Elizabeth stand together

Darcy and Elizabeth’s romance features heavily in both these stories. Their care and love for each other quite satisfying. Though their path is not easy, of course. Mrs. Bennet is reprehensible in one story and Wickam and Lydia in the other. The narrator was enjoyable too.

Great read

I had read both books before listening to them. Still great. They are both well written and highly entertaining. Great Jaff.