Lizzy at the Carnival

Review also posted on my blog

https://myjaffobsession.blogspot.com/2023/05/as-autumn-arrives-in-meryton-revel.html

As autumn arrives in Meryton, the Revel comes with it.
A mix of carnival and fairground, it is welcomed by the tradesmen, farmers and servants.
It is deemed unseemly for daughters of the gentry, so of course, Lydia Bennet decides to sneak out to join the throng.

Lydia is the youngest and silliest of the five Bennet sisters, with as little decorum as sense. When elder sister Elizabeth hears her sneaking out after midnight, she feels duty bound to follow her and bring her back.

Lydia is meeting the handsome, charming Mr Wickham.
When Elizabeth finds Lydia and tries to take her home, Wickham is less than helpful.

Elizabeth is mortified to be spotted by the haughty Mr Darcy, but he surprises her by his kind assistance in returning Elizabeth and Lydia, safely home.

When Darcy spots Elizabeth, she is dancing alone and he has never seen anything more enchanting!

The author perfectly captures the allure of the fair. The lights, music and atmosphere, produce a sensuous “other worldly” space. The dirt, squalor and debauchery provide a frisson of fear and a thrill of danger.

The steamy content is well written and believable.

If you don't mind mature content and a complete absence of propriety, this is well worth reading.

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