An Inducement into Matrimony

Review also posted on my blog

https://myjaffobsession.blogspot.com/2022/11/an-inducement-into-matrimony-collection.html

AN INDUCEMENT INTO MATRIMONY is an anthology of short stories which are variations of Pride & Prejudice, written by some of today's best JAFF authors.

Sixteen Days At Pemberley by Susan Adriani

In which Lydia does not go to Brighton. The Gardiners and Elizabeth stay at Pemberley, allowing Darcy to show how much he has improved himself and how much he adores his dearest, loveliest Elizabeth.

The Pleasure of Understanding Her by Mary Smythe

In which Fitzwilliam Darcy has a headache with an odd side effect. He awakens with the ability to hear everyone's thoughts. This ‘blessing' leads him to learn that despite her flirting and sycophancy, Miss Bingley thinks him dull and stupid.

Whilst Miss Elizabeth's thought's show that she has not been flirting with him as he believed, but in fact dislikes him.
Can his power help him to change her mind?

The Heart's Consent by Paige Badgett

In which Elizabeth Bennet meets a frosty reception at Darcy House.

Lydia Bennet's elopement, put an end to Elizabeth's visit to Derbyshire. It also dowsed the rekindled attraction between Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy.
A year later, with the scandal fading, Elizabeth calls upon Fitzwilliam's sister Georgiana. However, Fitzwilliam gives her a cold and bitter welcome.
Elizabeth is under pressure to find a husband and is being offered a marriage of convenience to Mr Coble, a wealthy tradesman.

She had held some hopes that Fitzwilliam Darcy might still feel affection for her. After her visit to Darcy House, with all hope of a love match gone, she accepts Mr Coble's offer of marriage.

She immediately regrets her decision, just as Darcy regrets his treatment of Elizabeth.

Can they find their way to each other?

No Charm Equal by Jan Ashton

In which Darcy becomes a friend to Elizabeth and briefly, a magician's assistant!

United by Happenstance by Gailie Ruth Caress

In which Lady Catherine transports Elizabeth Bennet and Maria Lucas from Hunsford to London.
She insists on dropping in to Darcy House, on the way. They meet young Georgiana Darcy and join her in the music room.
When Fitzwilliam Darcy enters the room, the frisson between him and Elizabeth is palpable.
Unfortunately, Lady Catherine notices and verbally attacks Elizabeth (and poor Maria due to guilt by association).

Darcy is staunch in his defence of her and sees both ladies safely to the Gardiner's home, following their abandonment by Lady Catherine.

Darcy and Elizabeth, thus have a second chance to get to know each other.

The First Moment of Their Acquaintance by Amy D'Orazio

In which Mr Darcy grows a beard, wears poorly fitting breeches and pretends to be his own cousin, in an effort to be in Elizabeth Bennet's presence and to win her heart.

Speaking the Truth by Nan Harrison

In which the Bennet family go that ‘extra mile' to humiliate themselves at the Netherfield ball.
Elizabeth is so mortified that she tries to run home on freezing night, in a ball gown and satin slippers.
Fitzwilliam Darcy is concerned and goes after her with a warm cloak. Their encounter corrects several misunderstandings and leads each to re-evaluate their opinions and feelings.

A Duet in Dispute by Michelle Ray

In which Elizabeth is a talented composer and pianist. Her desire to perform leads her to reject marriage to the man she loves, because he and all her family believe it would be a degradation for her to be a professional pianist.

Whilst in London, she meets and befriends a talented musician, who embraces poverty for the glory of music.
Unfortunately, his name is George Wickham and we all know what that means.

What Might Have Been by Kay Bea

In which Lydia was never found. The ruin of the Bennet family is swiftly followed by the death of Mr Bennet and banishment from Longbourn. The Gardiners business is beset by disaster and they leave London to start again in Liverpool, taking Kitty with them. Five years later, Fanny Bennet has remarried, to a man who resents the existence of her daughters.

Elizabeth is the last sister unmarried, residing with her mother but not provided with any money. Thus she works as a seamstress for a fashionable modiste.

One day she meets Fitzwilliam Darcy in the street and dreams of an impossible fairy tale ending!

This anthology is a wonderful mix of angst, romance and heartfelt delight!.

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