Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    The Intriguing Mr. Darcy - A Pride and Prejudice Variation
    The Intriguing Mr. Darcy - A Pride and Prejudice Variation
    The Intriguing Mr. Darcy - A Pride and Prejudice Variation
    Ebook133 pages1 hour

    The Intriguing Mr. Darcy - A Pride and Prejudice Variation

    By Audrey Belmont

    4/5

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    When the Bennet sisters are invited to the Bingleys’ house party – on an estate that is rumoured to be haunted – Lizzy is worried Mr. Darcy will also be a guest. And he is.

    But to her surprise, suddenly he does not seem as stuffy and disagreeable as she first thought.

    Mysterious footsteps roam the hall at night – is it the ghost, or something more tangible?

    Lizzy and Darcy decide to investigate. Her close proximity to Darcy makes her question her first, unfortunate impression of him. Suddenly, he intrigues her – and Lizzy desires to learn more about him.

    Will she have time before the house party ends? Will they discover what – or who – is behind the mysterious footsteps in the middle of the night?

    And what will Lizzy do when she discovers that she has fallen in love with Mr. Darcy?

    This is a sweet Pride and Prejudice variation novella of approximately 32,000 words.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAudrey Belmont
    Release dateApr 13, 2018
    ISBN9781386672265
    The Intriguing Mr. Darcy - A Pride and Prejudice Variation

    Related to The Intriguing Mr. Darcy - A Pride and Prejudice Variation

    Related ebooks

    Royalty Romance For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Plain But Sensual

      Feb 14, 2021

      Plain But Sensual
      2 min read

    • Article

      Every Mr. Darcy* Ranked

      Oct 15, 2020

      Every Mr. Darcy* Ranked
      5 min read

    • Article

      Framed

      Oct 11, 2023

      Framed
      9 min read

    • Article

      Friends, Once

      Aug 25, 2020

      Friends, Once
      6 min read

    • Article

      POISON ON Pink Paper

      Dec 23, 2019

      POISON ON Pink Paper
      8 min read

    • Article

      Lady with A LUTE

      Aug 3, 2022

      Lady with A LUTE
      9 min read

    • Article

      The Mr Darcy MYSTERY

      Nov 23, 2022

      The Mr Darcy MYSTERY
      6 min read

    • Article

      YOU’RE SO embarrassing!

      Aug 4, 2021

      YOU’RE SO embarrassing!
      6 min read

    • Article

      Lobolo Intentions

      Apr 16, 2021

      Lobolo Intentions
      6 min read

    • Article

      Lady with A LUTE

      Jul 27, 2022

      Lady with A LUTE
      9 min read

    • Article

      Old-fashioned ISN’T OLD HAT

      Oct 4, 2023

      The Plough was always busy on a Thursday, so Liz and Emma were lucky to find stools at the bar. The pub had seen better days, but it was conveniently placed for both women, midway between their workplaces. Plus, they had become chummy with Jake, the

      3 min read

    • Article

      POISON ON Pink Paper

      Jan 8, 2020

      POISON ON Pink Paper
      8 min read

    • Article

      Lady with A LUTE

      Aug 10, 2022

      Lady with A LUTE
      9 min read

    • Article

      More Fool HER

      Feb 10, 2021

      More Fool HER
      8 min read

    • Article

      Never Going To DANCE AGAIN

      Jan 31, 2024

      Never Going To DANCE AGAIN
      6 min read

    • Article

      The Ghost Of A WEDDING

      Jun 23, 2021

      The Ghost Of A WEDDING
      6 min read

    • Article

      His Lordship’s LAST GAME

      Jan 17, 2024

      His Lordship’s LAST GAME
      9 min read

    • Article

      ALTERNATIVE Love Letters

      Sep 29, 2020

      ALTERNATIVE Love Letters
      6 min read

    • Article

      Losing Battle

      Oct 30, 2020

      Losing Battle
      5 min read

    • Article

      Growing Close

      Aug 25, 2020

      Growing Close
      6 min read

    • Article

      ALTERNATIVE Love Letters

      Mar 11, 2020

      ALTERNATIVE Love Letters
      6 min read

    • Article

      Alternative Love Letters

      Dec 29, 2020

      Alternative Love Letters
      6 min read

    • Article

      POISON ON Pink Paper

      Jan 2, 2020

      POISON ON Pink Paper
      8 min read

    • Article

      The Flower GIRL

      Jul 6, 2021

      The Flower GIRL
      6 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for The Intriguing Mr. Darcy - A Pride and Prejudice Variation

    4/5

    5 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      The Intriguing Mr. Darcy - A Pride and Prejudice Variation - Audrey Belmont

      CHAPTER 1

      L izzy! A letter has arrived – for me. Jane’s voice was full of wonder as she held out the missive to her sister.

      Who is it from? Elizabeth Bennet gave a teasing glance from the cream envelope to her sister’s flushed face and immediately guessed. Mr. Bingley.

      Oh, Lizzy! Jane blushed further. I had such a wonderful time with him at the ball at Netherfield – but I have heard nothing since.

      Well, if you would like to find out what he has to say, I suggest you open the letter. Lizzy smiled at her sister.

      Jane broke open the seal and scanned the note, her eyes widening. Finally, she pressed the letter into Lizzy’s hand.

      Poor Mr. Bingley. His roof has fallen in and the house is quite unsafe.

      What? Lizzy read the letter. You are right. Goodness! Netherfield seemed such a fine house – do you think it was the vibrations from everyone dancing at the ball that caused the poor roof to fail?

      This is not something to joke about, Jane lightly reproached her sister. The Bingleys have had to remove to Bridgewell Hall while the landlord repairs the roof.

      And he is holding a house party to liven things up. Lizzy waved the letter in the air. But I do not know what he is thinking, inviting all of us.

      Apart from Mama and Papa.

      But Lydia and Kitty – and Mary? No doubt Mary will wish to play the piano night and day, and give sermons in her spare time, but Lydia will lead Kitty into trouble – and potentially embarrass us all.

      I’m sure the girls will mind their manners, Jane said, a faraway look on her face. It is so good of Mr. Bingley to include the younger ones.

      Yes, Lizzy replied, it is.

      Oh Lizzy. Jane turned to her. Do you really think – Mr. Bingley – has a partiality for me?

      There is no doubt in my mind. Lizzy smiled at her sister. You are so good, so kind. And one of the most beautiful girls in the region – no, the country. It is not just your face and figure that make you so, Lizzy said in all seriousness, but your inner beauty glows in such a way that even the grumpiest man in the world would have to be blind not to see it.

      Like Mr. Darcy, you mean? I am sure you are doing the poor man a disservice when you profess your dislike of him.

      Lizzy shook her head. Perhaps I misspoke. I do not think that Mr. Darcy would have the perception to see your inner beauty, which places him far below the grumpiest man in the world.

      Lizzy, you are too harsh. Jane shook her head. Mr. Darcy has always been perfectly civil to me.

      And that is the problem. He is perfectly civil for form’s sake only. And only to you. You did not see how he looked at Kitty and Lydia at the Netherfield ball – as if they were uncouth hoydens who belonged in a zoo.

      Lizzy had the sinking feeling that perhaps Mr. Darcy had had a point. She’d been mortified when their mother had spoken in such a way to Lady Lucas that half the ballroom had heard of her hopes for Mr. Bingley proposing to Jane. To date, that had not happened. But the invitation to Mr. Bingley’s house party was a promising sign.

      In Lizzy’s mind, Jane and Mr. Bingley were a perfect match, and she would do whatever she could to facilitate such a pairing.

      If Mr. Darcy has not gone home to Derbyshire, then he may be a house guest too, Jane pointed out. Will that make you change your mind about attending?

      Not in the least, Lizzy replied stoutly. She would not let that – that man – stop her from accompanying her dear sister – as well as her three younger siblings. Someone needed to keep an eye on them, or else they would run riot the whole time they were there. And she did not need Mr. Darcy glaring at her for the duration of the house party, as if he thought it were her fault her sisters had high spirits.

      No, she would attend, and do everything in her power to ascertain Mr. Bingley’s feelings toward her sister.

      What are you two whispering about? Lydia burst into the room, her pretty face alive with curiosity.

      We were not whispering, Lizzy informed her youngest sister.

      Mr. Bingley has invited us to his house party, Jane told her.

      How marvelous! Lydia clapped her hands in delight. When is it? How long are we staying? Will there be a ball every night? I am sure there will. She twirled around the room. Oh, I simply adore balls, don’t you? I’ll tell Mama that I will need three more ball gowns immediately!

      Do not get carried away, Lizzy admonished. Did Mr. Bingley know what he was about, inviting her three younger sisters? If she did not attempt to rein in Lydia now, heaven only knew what embarrassment she would bring to them at Bridgewell Hall.

      Netherfield was the perfect place for a ball, Lydia enthused, twirling again.

      We are not going to Netherfield, Jane informed her. Mr. Bingley’s roof has fallen in and he has leased the Bridgewell Hall estate while it is being repaired.

      No! Lydia drew in a sharp breath. Jane, don’t you know that Bridgewell Hall is haunted?

      Jane and Lizzy stared at her.

      What? Lizzy recovered first.

      Everyone in Meryton knows about it. Lydia gestured carelessly.

      We do not, Jane said slowly.

      That is because you do not talk to your friends, Lydia criticized.

      You mean talking to the redcoats when you happen to come across them in Meryton. Lizzy frowned.

      Yes. Lydia nodded. Denny’s friend told me – oh, about three months past. Years ago, a wicked man lived there with his wife. He was horrid to her and abused her most abominably. And then, she lowered her voice and looked around the room, but there was nobody there apart from the three of them, he killed her!

      Jane looked shocked.

      When the authorities found out what had happened, they came to get him, but he didn’t let them. Instead, he hanged himself in full view of them, right from the top of the landing of the grand staircase.

      Goodness! Jane paled.

      So I do not think it a good idea that Mr. Bingley lease Bridgewell Hall, Lydia concluded. It is haunted.

      Nonsense, Lizzy said robustly. How did this friend of Denny’s know all these details? Is he from the area?

      No. Lydia shook her head. But his cousin was, before he left to join his regiment. He told Denny’s friend about it before he received his orders.

      How did the authorities find out about this man’s poor wife? Lizzy continued to probe. If this man was as wicked as you say, wouldn’t he have done everything he could to conceal his crime?

      Oh, Lizzy, it is just like you to poke holes in everything, Lydia chided. Denny’s friend swore the story was true, and I believed him.

      Lizzy thought her youngest sister would believe any redcoat who was handsome and charming, but decided it would be best not to voice that notion aloud.

      Lizzy, do you think this tale has any merit? Jane frowned.

      No, I do not.

      But Lizzy, it is true – I swear it! Lydia looked like she wanted to stamp her foot.

      I think I can hear Mama calling you, Lizzy said, although she had not heard a thing.

      Lydia turned toward the door. I shall tell her I must have three new ballgowns immediately – but I do not know if I shall be brave enough to step foot in that terrifying old house.

      I am sure there will be at least one handsome young man who will be delighted to put your fears to rest, Lizzy told her.

      Oh, perhaps Denny will be invited as well! Lydia scampered off.

      Lizzy, what are we to do? Jane paced the room. Do you think Lydia’s tale holds any merit? Perhaps I should write to Mr. Bingley immediately and warn him of this story.

      I would not, Lizzy replied. In my mind it is just that – a story. I would not put any credence in a wild tale Lydia has told us – even if she is our sister.

      Yes, but what if there is a kernel of truth to it? Jane fretted. Perhaps the man who lived there was not wicked, but what if his wife died in that house, and he was so overcome that he indeed took his own life?

      "Wouldn’t we have heard of that if it were true? Lizzy posed the question. We have lived in this district our whole lives. You know how gossip travels around here. Yet we have not heard any mention of Bridgewell Hall, especially news of a tragedy that happened there."

      Perhaps it happened so long ago that it was gradually forgotten, Jane mused.

      Then it must have been a very long time ago, Lizzy replied. So long ago, that if any ghosts were there, they must have become bored and left the estate.

      Oh, Lizzy. A small smile touched Jane’s lips. Somehow, I do not think ghosts function in that way.

      Well, if they still haunt that house, perhaps the presence of so many people will scare them away, Lizzy suggested.

      Yes. Jane nodded slowly. You may have a point there.

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1