A Folly of Youth: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

Review also posted on my blog

https://myjaffobsession.blogspot.com/2023/05/on-visit-to-her-uncle-gardner-in-london.html

On a visit to her Uncle Gardner in London, the 16 year old Elizabeth Bennet and a friend are excited to be invited to a ball. They fib to her uncle so that they can attend.
It does not strike them as odd that the invitation is from a stranger in Hyde Park!

The ball is being held for mistresses to find new protectors, but Elizabeth is too naive to realise.
She rapidly finds herself the target of some unwanted attention.

Fitzwilliam Darcy followed his erstwhile friend, George Wickham to the ball.
He rapidly recognises what is going on and is preparing to leave when he spots Elizabeth.
The only way to deflect unwanted attention is to “claim” her for himself.
A dance and a thorough kiss do the job.

It is at this point that an apoplectic Mr Gardner rushes in to rescue Elizabeth.

Darcy is accused of compromise but refuses to marry Elizabeth. After a lot of wrangling it seems they are betrothed – sort of!

Over several years, Darcy refuses to marry Elizabeth but Mr Bennet won't release him, even with financial compensation. (Accepting money is too close to admitting that Elizabeth was Darcy's mistress).

As Elizabeth approaches her majority, Darcy asks Elizabeth her opinion.
She doesn't want him, but her father persists.

Darcy and Elizabeth agree that if he can find her a decent suitor among his friends, that would be an acceptable alternative.

Elizabeth travels to Bath with her married sister Jane. Darcy is there with several family members.

Darcy spends time with Elizabeth introducing possible suitors. He discovers that he likes her and had no idea that since her mistake in London, her family have secluded her to protect the Bennet name.

While there are sad elements to the story, there are delightful episodes, particularly the irrepressible Lord Saye and his trusty Pomeranian, Florizel.

A HEA is of course guaranteed, but before that there is a shocking denouement.

Amy D'Orazio pulls yet another stunning rabbit out of the hat!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.