WARNING This story is about rape. It is not graphic but realistically portrays the emotional legacy of such an attack as well as portraying faithfully the attitudes of society.
A life altering event inextricably links a fifteen-year-old Elizabeth Bennet to Fitzwilliam Darcy while simultaneously creating an almost insurmountable divide. This Pride and Prejudice deviation takes the reader on a journey through a labyrinth filled with misunderstandings, bias, guilt and fear--not to mention, laughter, animal magnetism and waltzing. As Elizabeth says, 'she shed enough tears to float one of Lord Nelson's frigates' but as she also observes 'unhappiness does, indeed, have comic aspects one should never underestimate.'
Though the path for our protagonists is much more arduous than canon the benefit remains the same, a very happy Janeite ending for these two soul-mates. Along the way there is retribution, redemption and reward for other characters--including a few that recall players in Ms Austen's 'Sense and Sensibility.'
Beth Massey's second novel: 'Mr Darcy's Cottage of Earthly Delight, Shades of Pride and Prejudice' will be released in late December of 2012.
Elizabeth Bennet visits Mr Darcy's estate, against her better judgement. Overhearing some disturbing gossip, prompts her to escape a devastating revelation with a solitary exploration of his beautiful park. Caught in a downpour, she is rescued by none other than the recently returned from London, master of Pemberley. Jealousy, anger and passion combine to create a different outcome than her remorse-ridden imagination could have ever imagined.
