Joana Starnes

* * New cover - content unchanged * * When Colonel Fitzwilliam's disclosures are interrupted by the bearer of distressing news from Longbourn, Miss Elizabeth Bennet is compelled to accept an offer she would have otherwise dismissed out of hand. An offer of marriage from the all-too-proud Mr Darcy. Yet how is she to live with a husband she hardly knows and does not love? Will she continue to feel trapped in a marriage of convenience while events conspire to divide them? Or would love grow as, day by day and hour after hour, she learns to understand the man she married, before she loses his trust and his heart? Given the 'early marriage' premise, the issue of growing affection and intimacy is central to the story. The relevant scenes are not graphic, but the novel does address mature themes. Excerpt from 'Mr Bennet's Dutiful Daughter' - a journey from duty into love. His hand came up to cup her cheek, his fingertips stroked her hair and he smiled again. A heartbreakingly warm smile. "There is so much I do not know of you. What joy it will be to discover." "And I of you. It was quite a surprise to hear you were contemplating kissing me as far back as November." "I should have. What a foolish waste of five months of happiness." "I am very glad I make you happy," she said quietly, and found with some surprise that she was in earnest. "You know you do. More than I ever thought possible," Mr Darcy whispered hoarsely and reached to lift her off the sofa and bring her close, ensconced in a tight embrace. Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his neck, abandoning herself to his kisses, only to find guilt welling afresh when his lips left her skin just for long enough to whisper, "My love, you are everything." 'Do not say it, oh, do not say it!' she felt the strongest urge to caution him. 'Do not give me so much power over you.' How unspeakably odd it felt to hear him openly avow it, after his reserve of full six months' standing. It was as if everything he had held in check was now offered without hesitation, unstoppably coming out in one rush after another, now that all reason for concealment was removed. It was overwhelming to discover that all this wealth of feeling had been there for so long, and she had noticed nothing. Her heart twisted in sudden compassion - the last sentiment she had imagined Mr Darcy would inspire in her, and for the least expected reason. Did he not see it was dreadfully unwise to reveal quite so much of himself to her? That it would make him vulnerable in the extreme and put him in the greatest danger, were she so heartless as to use it against him? Surely he did not think her equally in love, to trust her so implicitly with every formerly hidden feeling! What blow must it be to him, were the truth of her deep-held reservations ever to come to light. What burden of responsibility on her, to carefully conceal it from so astute a man. Unspeakably odd too that she should fret so much over sparing Mr Darcy's feelings, after spending months with the firm conviction he had none. Not for her, nor for the world in general. How aptly he had put it, all that time ago, when he had remarked that her greatest fault was her propensity to wilfully misunderstand...

~ a Pride and Prejudice Variation ~

Mr Bennet's Dutiful Daughter

Lory Lilian

Rediscover why millions claim Mr. Darcy is the ultimate catch. In any era. Fifteen Jane Austen inspired stories all told through his eyes.

The Darcy Monologues

From This Day Forward - The Darcys of Pemberley

Just as Mr Darcy finally decides to propose to the enticing Miss Elizabeth Bennet, she is summoned to Falmouth, to meet a relation she never knew she had. Thus, the ill-starred Hunsford proposal is avoided - but before he could even begin to understand his luck, adverse circumstances hasten to conspire against him, and Fitzwilliam Darcy is compelled to follow the woman he loves to the far reaches of Cornwall, into a world of deceit and peril, where few - if any - are what they seem to be... (New cover. Content unchanged)

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

The Falmouth Connection

A chance encounter in the wilds of the North brings more joy to Elizabeth and Mr Darcy than either of them dared hope for. But her world is rocked by blow after blow - and the truth would only cause him pain. 'I must be cruel only to be kind' is Elizabeth's guiding precept, and she chooses her path. Yet time, circumstances and new acquaintances teach her she had made a terrible mistake. How can she regain what she had lost and rebuild a future with the only man she will ever love, but for whom disguise of every sort is his abhorrence?

The Journey Home To Pemberley

What if Mr Collins shocked Elizabeth with his base conduct at the time of his proposal, thus sending her dashing out of her house, and into the arms of Mr Darcy? What if that accidental encounter was witnessed, and impropriety was assumed? What if Mr Darcy was glad of the excuse to marry his heart's desire - only to have his best hopes blasted within hours of his wedding? What if he found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time more than once? Evil rumours, an early marriage, a dreadful misunderstanding, an old secret and good intentions gone awry. What if 'I do' is not the end, but the beginning of the adventure? (The novel addresses mature themes. Given the 'early marriage' premise, the issue of growing affection and intimacy is central to the story. The relevant scenes are emotive and deeply sensual, but never explicit.)

Twists of Fate

What if Mr Darcy's first proposal was interrupted by a bearer of ill tidings? The worst tidings: an elopement! Ah, but whose elopement would allow Elizabeth and Mr Darcy to spend quite so much time together and overcome their prejudices and his stubborn pride?

A Timely Elopement

Amy D'Orazio

Christina Morland

Jenetta James

Karen M. Cox

Lona Manning

Katie Oliver

Sophia Rose

Beau North

Brooke West

J. Marie Croft

"In this romance anthology, eleven Austenesque authors expose the the histories of Austen's anti-heroes. Dangerous to know : Jane Austen's rakes & gentlemen rogues is a titillating collection of Georgian era short stories--a backstory or parallel tale off-stage of canon--whilst remaining steadfast to the characters we recognize in Austen's great works"--Page 4 of cover.

Jane Austen's Rakes and Gentlemen Rogues

Dangerous to Know

Just as Mr. Darcy finally decides to propose to the enticing Miss Elizabeth Bennet, she is summoned to Falmouth, to meet a relation she never knew she had. Thus, the ill-starred Hunsford proposal is avoided - but before he could even begin to understand his luck, adverse circumstances hasten to conspire against him, and Fitzwilliam Darcy is compelled to follow the woman he loves to the far reaches of Cornwall, into a world of deceit and peril, where few - if any - are what they seem to be ...

Miss Georgiana Darcy is need of a companion, and she would much rather not have Mrs Younge. The recently bereaved Miss Elizabeth Bennet is in need of a position. When she accepts the one Mr Darcy offers, she finds herself in his near-constant company and gets to know him at his best. Not as he would present himself to strangers in some remote corner of Hertfordshire, but as his nearest and dearest know him. An excellent brother, landlord, master. A wonderful man, noble, kind - and impossibly handsome. So who falls in love first? What of Mr Wickham and his dastardly ploys? And how is a lady's companion ever to have a future with one who could marry into the best houses in the land?

Miss Darcy's Companion

All is fair in love and war - or is it? What if Mr. Darcy's rival for Elizabeth Bennet's hand and heart is not some inconsequential stranger, but his dearest, closest friend? How is he to reconcile the claims of loyalty and kinship with the urge to pursue his heart's desire? "Eyes tightly shut against the horrifying future, Darcy dug his fingers in his hair. Lost to him forever. Not merely lost, but promised to his cousin - firmly in his life, but never his! How in God's name was he to bear it and not become unhinged? How was he to have her at his table as Richard's affianced, and not betray himself? How was he to see her, time and again, and give no sign that he wanted her more than he had ever wanted any woman? How was he to keep up the pretence, day after excruciating day? There was no escape from the hell of his own making, and it burned like molten lead to know he could have spoken months before Fitzwilliam had even met her. He could have spoken last November, and by now they might have already been wed. She would have been his, not Richard's. And if his cousin should have had the horrible misfortune of falling in love with his wife, then it would have been Fitzwilliam's hell, not his. It would have been for him to be torn asunder between loyalty and a need so deep that it burned its way into his very soul."

The Unthinkable Triangle

Soon after the Netherfield ball, a troubled Mr. Darcy decides to walk away from a most unsuitable fascination. But heartache is in store for them all, and his misguided attempts to ensure the comfort of the woman he loves backfire in ways he had not expected... Why is it that the worth of a true blessing is never felt as keenly as when it seems to have become quite out of reach? In this tale of 'Pride & Prejudice meets Sense & Sensibility', Mr. Darcy is compelled to reflect on this very question, as he struggles to come to terms with the effects of his wrong choices, and fervently hope for a second chance at finding happiness. “Well, Sir, what shall it be? The joy of music or of the printed word?” she asked, in a manner so highly reminiscent of their past interactions as to make him almost giddy with renewed hope. "The joy of you. My greatest folly was to ever walk away from it!"

Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility Variation

The Second Chance

Jane Austen's masterpieces are littered with unsuitable gentlemen-Willoughby, Wickham, et al. Eleven Georgian era stories reveal how Austen's rogues came to be whilst remaining true to canon.

Jane Austen's Rakes & Gentlemen Rogues

Natalie Richards

"You must allow me to tell you..."For over two hundred years, Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy has captivated readers' imaginations as the ultimate catch. Rich. Powerful. Noble. Handsome. And yet, as Miss Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" is established through Elizabeth Bennet's fine eyes, how are we to know what his tortured soul is indeed thinking? How does Darcy progress from "She is tolerable: but not tolerable enough to tempt me" to "I thought only of you"? In this romantic anthology, sixteen Austen-inspired authors assemble to sketch Darcy's character through a series of re-imaginings, set in the Regency through contemporary times--all faithful narratives to the fanciful. Herein "The Darcy Monologues", the man himself reveals his intimate thoughts, his passionate dreams, and his journey to love--all told with a previously concealed wit and enduring charm. Stories by: Susan Adriani * Sara Angelini * J. Marie Croft * Karen M Cox * Jan Hahn * Jenetta James * Lory Lilian * Judy-Lynne * KaraLynne Mackrory * Beau North * Ruth Phillips Oakland * Natalie Richards * Sophia Rose * Joana Starnes * Melanie Stanford * Caitlin Williams

Joana Starnes

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