Mr. Darcy's Forbidden Love - Softcover

Webb, Brenda J

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1468137913 ISBN 13: 9781468137910

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2012

Synopsis

Mr. Darcy’s Forbidden Love is a Pride and Prejudice variation. Not a simple retelling, it is an intriguing new story that does not follow canon. It is rated for Mature Audiences. When Fitzwilliam Darcy meets Elizabeth Bennet for the first time, he is already married to another woman. Forced into a loveless marriage, in name only, to the widowed Lady Gisela Grantham because of his father’s sins, Darcy is obliged by honour to remain in the marriage to hide a dark secret. That unhappy part of his life, however, is quickly coming to an end as he meets the love of his life in a little known village in Hertfordshire. Mr. Darcy’s Forbidden Love is the story of a love that was meant to be—a passion too strong to be denied.

About this title

From the Author:

Before you buy the book, you need to know this. My books are written for mature audiences. I use British spelling so some words may be spelled differently than what you are accustomed to seeing. My characters believe in God and prayer. This book has 496 pages so if your like a quick read this is definitely not it and I enjoy writing "what if" books about Pride and Prejudice. That means that all of my stories are NOT canon and will include a good many main characters that you have never heard of before, as well as entirely different behaviour from characters that you know well. A Jane Austen purist will not enjoy them.

For instance, in this book William has been trapped into a marriage "in name only" to a widow whom he loathes. Mrs. Bennet and Aunt Gardiner are not very nice and William has an aunt who is his mother's youngest sister, Audrey. If this type of variation is not what you enjoy reading, I would advise you not to buy it. For those undecided who have a kindle, download the sample. If the first five chapters don't convince you to buy the book, you have lost nothing. For those who do not have a kindle, go to "look inside" and read some of it before you purchase.

My readers, those who follow me on my forum, DarcyandLizzy.com, like to read "outside the box" stories of Darcy and Elizabeth and I have published it at their request. After all, not everyone likes every type of story, but everyone is entitled to have the books they like available to them.

Any similarities to names of people in soap operas is purely coincidental. I do not have the time or inclination to watch them, nor do my betas it seems, as none of them noticed. It did take some time to determine just what AMC referred to but I am happy to set the record straight. 

Excerpt. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Copyrighted.

Suddenly, the first set was over, and as Wilkens led Elizabeth from the floor, Lord Holmes moved forward to claim his set. Ever mindful of the direction of William's gaze, Richard knew the exact moment his cousin's eyes found the woman he loved. Had he not known what was transpiring, he would have thought that William had slipped into a trance--his body went so rigid that he could have been taken for one of the statues in his own gardens. At length Richard felt compelled to ask, "Darcy? Are you well?"
 
Only a tightening of the muscles in his jaw belied William's awareness of the question, and when he fixed his gaze on Richard, emotions flashed in his eyes in rapid succession--not the least of which was misery. Without bothering to give an answer, he stalked towards the open French doors that led onto the terrace. Meaning to take to the gardens, his vaulted control collapsed once he was outside, and he halted where the steps began, holding on to a column for support.
 
Catching up, Richard clasped his shoulder. "Forgive me, Darcy. Evidently I was wrong."
 
William seemed to struggle to understand his meaning. "Wrong?"
 
"I met Elizabeth Bennet in this very house when I called on Walter the other day. She was a guest."
 
"And you recognised her?"
 
"How could I forget that name? She seemed to signify so much to you. So, I questioned her. Learning that she was from Meryton, I asked if she had met Bingley, and when she said she had, I was certain it was she--the woman you had come to love."
 
"You knew all along, yet you did not tell me."
 
"I was trying to save you."
 
William answered with no little sarcasm. "Save me? From what were you trying to save me?"
 
"From yourself! If anything, you are too good, too decent. I have only to mention your marriage to Gisela as my case in point!"
 
William's irritation waned as Richard continued. "You analyse everything and put everyone's welfare above your own. You love her! Of that I am sure, and I am just as certain that you would not have come tonight had you known she would be here. All in the name of what is best for Miss Bennet . . . what is best for everyone. I think you feel she would be better off forgetting you. Am I right?"
 
William did not answer. Instead he looked up into the velvety star-filled expanse, wondering how the same stars he studied from his balcony every night, could appear so much more beautiful now that she was in London. He took a deep breath of the cool night air. Even the air tasted sweeter! Did he dare consider what he desired now that she was close enough to touch?
 
Richard persisted, interrupting his thoughts. "You deserve her, Darcy! You truly do! And she deserves someone like you, not that pompous arse Wilkens."
 
 "Wilkens? Earl of Hampton?"
 
"The very one! Mark my words; he has set his cap for your Miss Bennet. He showed his jealousy the evening I met her, practically daring me to ask her for a set."
 
"But, he is well known for his temper! Most of White's shun him when it comes to games of chance because he is such a poor loser, and there is talk that he cannot keep servants because of his rages."
 
"I am not privy to all the rumours at White's, but what I do know is that he is an arrogant fool and not someone the fair Miss Bennet should marry." 
 
"Surely, you jest! Eliz--Miss Bennet could never esteem such a man!"
 
"Come down from your ivory tower, Cousin. Miss Bennet lives in another sphere, and what she desires will matter not a whit! In her world, a lowly squire's daughter with nothing to recommend her but beauty and intelligence is left to the mercy of whoever deigns to offer for her."
 
At William's glare, Richard held up both hands. "I am only repeating what you related to me--she has little dowry and no connections." As William acknowledged those facts with a nod, Richard pressed his point. "And to her family, John Wilkens would appear an excellent match. I imagine that Wilkens thinks he will incur none of the problems he did in the pursuit of more socially appropriate candidates. I heard Alicia tell Mother that Miss Christensen, Miss Hartwell and Miss Norwood--all the daughters of earls--rejected his request for a courtship. And you are well aware that my sister is never wrong when it comes to tittle-tattle."
 
William bristled. "Elizabeth was not meant for such a man as that!"
 
"She was meant for you! And if you cannot see it, I can! Divorce that wench you are shackled to, and marry the woman you want! Marry Miss Bennet!"
 
William took a deep breath and slowly let it out. "Do you not think that is what I want? That I do not think of it every waking hour? It is very difficult to divorce, as you are well aware, but I believe I have sufficient proof to win a civil trial, and your father's cousin, the Bishop of London, would agree to preside over the ecclesiastical court or appoint someone favourable to me. Of that I am certain. But the worst of it would be getting Parliament to pass the bill allowing me to marry again. It could be a long, drawn-out battle, and if your father opposes me--"
 
Richard interjected, "I believe, if it comes to that, Father would support you. But if not, you can do this without him! You have Landingham's support and soon Holmes will be in the House of Lords, and there is Lord Houghton, Lord Pearson, Lord Dearing, Greenlow's uncle, Powell's father. Deuce, half your classmates from Cambridge have fathers in the House of Lords. I could name two dozen of my fellow officers that have family members in their ranks. Besides, it will not be the first time you have faced a battle. Is she not worth the fight?"
 
"She would be worth any trial! But you forget what I am pitted against."
 
"Pray enlighten me."

About the Author:

Brenda Webb is a country girl, having been born on a farm in Alabama. After years of living in the city she finally achieved her dream of moving back to her roots. She and her husband now reside on a three acre mini-farm with chickens and numerous rescued dogs and cats. The neighbors horses and cows are a constant reminder of her childhood in Cullman and she could not be happier. Discovering Jane Austen again after watching 2005's Pride and Prejudice movie, she read everything regarding Jane Austen until she discovered Jane Austen Fan Fiction. Trying her hand at writing, this story evolved and the readers responded by following the story to her newly created website, DarcyandLizzy.Com to read. After many requests, she decided to publish the tale and the rest is history.

About this edition

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1468137913
• ISBN 13: 9781468137910
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 484