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The Darcy Monologues
The Darcy Monologues Read online
The Darcy Monologues
Caitlin Williams
J. Marie Croft
Joana Starnes
KaraLynne Mackrory
Melanie Standford
Lory Lilian
Susan Adriani
Jan Hahn
Sara Angelini
Beau North
Jenetta James
Natalie Richards
Sophia Rose
Ruth Phillips Oakland
Karen M. Cox
Edited by
Christina Boyd
Contents
Title Page
Praise for Authors
Introduction
The Regency
Death of a Bachelor
From the Ashes
If Only a Dream
Clandestiny
The Beast of Pemberley
A Resentful Man
In Terms of Perfect Composure
Without Affection
Other Eras
Hot for Teacher
You Don’t Know Me
Reason to Hope
Pemberley by Stage
Darcy Strikes Out
The Ride Home
I, Darcy
Acknowledgments
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
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THE DARCY MONOLOGUES
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Copyright © 2017 by The Quill Ink
Cover and internal design © 2017 The Quill Ink, L.L.C.
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All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any format whatsoever.
For more information:
The Quill Ink, P.O. Box 11, Custer WA 98240
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
ISBN: 978-0-9986540-0-3
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Cover design by Shari Ryan of MadHat Books
Layout by Shari Ryan of MadHat Books
Praise for Authors
Susan Adriani
The Truth About Mr. Darcy, “Adriani is a fantastic story teller.”
Austenprose
Darkness Falls Upon Pemberley, “Adriani’s word choice is perfect, rich, and exact.”
Leatherbound Reviews
Sara Angelini
The Trials of the Honorable F. Darcy, “Delicious! It is finger-licking, lip smacking, delicious…definitely my favorite modern re-telling of Pride and Prejudice to date.”
A Bibliophile’s Bookshelf
Karen M Cox
At the Edge of the Sea, “…intoxicating and heartfelt romance … Readers will be entertained and inspired by this winning tale.”
Publishers Weekly
Find Wonder in All Things, “…no wonder at all why it was awarded the Gold Medal in the Romance category at the 2012 Independent Publisher Book Awards.”
Austenprose
1932, “A sexy and exciting story, 1932 is a truly fresh take on this timeless tale.”
Bustle
Undeceived, “Love it when an author can surprise me.”
Delighted Reader
J. Marie Croft
Love at First Slight, “There was not a single thing I did not like about this novel. … The author’s sharp wit could rival that of Jane Austen … a pure delight to read.”
Addicted to Austen
A Little Whimsical in His Civilities, “If there’s an Austen hero that deserves a good chuckle at himself, I can think of none other more deserving than the proud and staid Mr. Darcy. Ms. Croft helps him loosen up his cravat in a manner that is playful, poetic and utterly romantic.”
Just Jane 1813
Jan Hahn
An Arranged Marriage, “Passionate and sensual but never over the top, you do not want to miss this treasure!”
Sensible Romance
The Journey, “I loved this story! …I couldn’t put it down!”
So Little Time
The Secret Betrothal, “…I devoured like manna from above.”
Addicted to Jane Austen
A Peculiar Connection, “…beyond daring. Heartrending. And written so painfully well.”
Austenprose
Jenetta James
Suddenly Mrs. Darcy, “…a touching, sometimes dark, often playfully sexy interpretation of what might have been…”
Jane Austen’s Regency World Magazine
The Elizabeth Papers, “…a novel that will appeal to fans of Jane Austen and romantic mysteries.”
Publishers Weekly
Lory Lilian
Rainy Days, “I smiled a lot while I read and even cried a little… Great story!!!!”
Just Jane 1813
Remembrance of the Past, “The journey couldn’t have been more endearing.”
From Pemberley to Milton
Perfect Match, “…an understated little gem!”
My Kids Led Me Back to Pride & Prejudice
His Uncle’s Favorite, “Lory Lilian is a good storyteller.”
More Agreeably Engaged
Sketching Mr. Darcy, “Marvelous: one of the best JAFF stories I have read.”
Goodreads reviewer
The Rainbow Promise, “…heartfelt and lovingly crafted…”
Just Jane 1813
KaraLynne Mackrory
Falling for Mr. Darcy, “With its light-hearted, heartfelt, amusing tone, Falling for Mr. Darcy is a perfect piece for an afternoon pick-me up.”
Leatherbound Reviews
Bluebells in the Mourning, “…her interpretation of the characters was just about perfect.”
Indie Jane
Haunting Mr. Darcy, “Mackrory’s lilting prose is pleasantly reminiscent of Austen’s, and readers will enjoy the unique twist to the familiar tale.”
Publishers Weekly
Yours Forevermore, Darcy, “As far as Regency Adaptations that stay true to the original, this one is my favorite!!”
Margie’s Must Reads
Beau North
Longbourn’s Songbird, “North gives a voice to a whole new demographic of characters and expertly navigates the social confines of conservative Southern expectations of the times.”
San Francisco Book Review
The Many Lives of Fitzwilliam Darcy, “I absolutely adored this novel from the first page…one of the best books I’ve read this year, possibly one of my all-time favorites…”
Diary of an Eccentric
Ruth Phillips Oakland
My BFF, “… excessively diverted…read with a perpetual smile upon my face.”
Austenesque Reviews
Natalie Richards
Then Comes Winter (A Man Whom I Can Really Love), “…definitely the most adorable of the collection.”
Austenprose
Sophia Rose
Sun-kissed: Effusions of Summer (Second Chances), “A truly beautiful and compelling romance!”
Austenesque Reviews
Melanie Stanford
Sway, “The characters are vivid and perfectly flawed, and the story is imaginative and wonderful.”
Books in Brogan
Joana Starnes
From This Day Forward, “A beautiful love story…that any Janeite purist should enjoy.”
More Agreeably Engaged
The Second Chance, “I was completely swept up by th
is evocative and gripping variation!”
Austenesque Reviews
The Subsequent Proposal, “I love it when Austen-inspired fiction shakes things up a bit, and Starnes certainly does that!”
Diary of an Eccentric
The Falmouth Connection, “Joana Starnes writes with great verve and affection about the familiar characters — and an intriguing cast of unfamiliar ones.”
Jane Austen’s Regency World Magazine
The Unthinkable Triangle, “…full of feeling…a book full of soul.”
From Pemberley to Milton
Miss Darcy’s Companion, “Beautiful, rather clever and shocking…”
Obsessed with Mr. Darcy
Mr. Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter, “‘She did it again,’ I told myself as I savored the feelings whirling around inside of me.”
Just Jane 1813
Caitlin Williams
Ardently, “To say I was swept away into the storyline may be an understatement.”
Just Jane 1813
The Coming of Age of Elizabeth Bennet, “This is a story to be completely and emotionally wrapped up in and consumed with!”
Austenesque Reviews
Dedication
For the creator of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy
Introduction
“You must allow me to tell you…”
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For over two hundred years, women have loved Jane Austen’s brooding and enigmatic hero, Mr. Darcy. Handsome, rich, strong, cerebral. You might find Fitzwilliam Darcy in disguise, including his imperfections, as numerous other literary paragons and film icons such as Gilbert Blythe, John Thornton, Gabriel Emerson, Edward Cullen, Lloyd Dobler, Jake Ryan, Richard Blaine, Mr. Big . . .
“I have faults enough, but they are not, I hope, of understanding. My temper I dare not vouch for. It is, I believe, too little yielding—certainly too little for the convenience of the world. I cannot forget the follies and vices of others so soon as I ought, nor their offenses against myself. My feelings are not puffed about with every attempt to move them. My temper would perhaps be called resentful. My good opinion once lost, is lost forever.”
Chapter XI.
Despite the manifold of faults against him, Darcy has other estimable qualities that have stood the test of time: constant, cool-headed, honest, gallant. Although he is flawed, he is willing to change for the love of a worthy woman. And we adore him for it.
“My object then," replied Darcy, "was to show you, by every civility in my power, that I was not so mean as to resent the past; and I hoped to obtain your forgiveness, to lessen your ill opinion, by letting you see that your reproofs had been attended to. How soon any other wishes introduced themselves I can hardly tell, but I believe in about half an hour after I had seen you.”
Chapter LVIII.
I have always had a weakness for this powerful and noble man. After having the pleasure of meeting so many other readers who also cherish this classic hero, I have long dreamt of assembling my own team of exceptionally talented authors that I have either had the good fortune of working with on past projects or I have fangirled over for years. In The Darcy Monologues, fifteen Austen-inspired authors have sketched Darcy’s character through a series of original re-imaginings of Pride and Prejudice, set in the Regency through contemporary times—from faithful narratives to the fanciful. Readers will meet the man himself as he reveals his intimate thoughts, his passions, and his own journey to love—all told with a previously concealed wit and enduring charm.
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As 2017 finds Janeites from every corner of our world celebrating Miss Austen’s life during the bicentennial anniversary of her death, I invite you to fall in love with Darcy all over again as you savor this collection of short stories that aim to captivate readers’ imaginations. Rediscover why Mr. Darcy has the timeless distinction of being referred to by millions of readers as the ultimate catch.
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“It is your turn to say something now, Mr. Darcy.”
—Christina Boyd
N.B. For authenticity, each author has written in the style and spelling pertaining to their story setting and era or proclivity to their prose. In the spirit of the collective and to be consistent throughout, this anthology adheres to US style and punctuation. Additionally, as a work inspired by Jane Austen’s masterpiece, Pride and Prejudice, her own words and phrases may be found herein.
Death of a Bachelor
Caitlin Williams
“I admire all my three sons-in-law highly,” said he, “Wickham, perhaps, is my favourite; but I think I shall like your husband quite as well as Jane’s.”
Mr. Bennet to Elizabeth, Chapter LIX.
In four days’ time, I will be a married man. Though not particularly profound, the thought stopped Fitzwilliam Darcy mid-stride on the path to Longbourn. What did it mean to be a husband? He had once considered it a state to be feared and avoided and retreated quickly away from the sort of romantic entanglements which might ensnare him into matrimony. Oh, he had lived in the world, known women, but never properly courted one with the serious intention of making her his wife. He was a man already burdened with many obligations, heavy responsibilities and now he was about to assume more. The words, the promises, the vows he would take were much on his mind, swirling constantly through his consciousness.
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“forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
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He ought to press on. It was cold enough for him to see each breath he exhaled, and though his boots were thick and expensive, he could no longer feel his toes. He thought he wiggled them now but could not say for certain whether they moved or not. It was late November and the temperature was dropping rapidly. The skies were a brilliant white; it would surely snow soon. Yet he had chosen to walk from Netherfield to Longbourn. He might have ridden or used the carriage but walking would take much longer, and time to be alone—time to think—had become a rare commodity. Peace was now a thing to be treasured. Since he had proposed for the second time to Elizabeth Bennet—on this very lane thirty-two days previously—time had accelerated. Minutes, hours, and days had rushed by, eaten up in a swirl of preparations, tedious visits, dull parties, and never-ending fittings for gowns. Having imagined a courtship full of long country walks and stolen moments in the shrubbery, he was frustrated at having been largely confined to over-heated, noisy parlours—too many small rooms filled with too many chairs on which garrulous matrons placed their full derrières. Mrs. Bennet’s friends and relations seemed blessed, one and all, with the ability to talk endlessly, loudly, and about a great many nothings. Even worse, they brought with them their daughters! Simpering, stupid girls who stared at him while whispering and giggling behind their hands.
The only relief from this torture had been five days in London when Mrs. Bennet had taken her two eldest daughters to London to shop for wedding clothes. There they had managed to escape, he and Elizabeth, and strolled happily through Kensington Gardens, pretending it existed only for them—the trees and paths and the sunken Dutch garden. The burnt orange, wintry sun, which tried but failed to warm them, had sat so low in the sky it seemed to balance on the surface of the Serpentine, making the water sparkle. As they had strolled over it, the grey stones of the bridge had been bathed in the reflected light of the brilliant orb, making them turn golden and glow—as did Elizabeth’s face, as did his heart. He had thought to risk a kiss while she admired the view and he admired her, but Bingley had interrupted them. His untimely friend had turned back and shouted for them to “Hurry on,” as “dear Jane is half-frozen. I will not have her catch a cold, Darcy.”
He had also escorted his betrothed with much pride to the theatre, where she looked fine in her new silk, tailored by a French modiste who was fashionable amongst the ton. His first sight of her in the daringly, low-cut gown had left him breathless and giddy. Though his pleasure had been curtailed when he had realised he was not the only gentleman on Drury La
ne playing worship to the beauty of her décolletage. The rest of the evening was thus spent in a battle of hands and wits, whereby he repeatedly placed her shawl about her shoulders and she repeatedly complained and took it off again.