The Marriage Bargain: A Variation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice

De: Lucy Marin

Narrado por: Alexandra Lee Smith

“You can sell Pemberley and settle as many debts as possible. Or you could marry a wealthy woman and use her fortune to restore it.”

Fitzwilliam Darcy, heir to a mountain of debt, a tarnished family name, and a crumbling estate, finds himself confronted by an unthinkable choice. Knowing it is a last chance to save his birthright, he agrees to an arranged marriage with Miss Elizabeth Bennet, ward of her wealthy but vulgar uncle, Mr. Gardiner. Despite entering into the marriage understanding what he is giving up, he soon finds himself resenting the actions of his forebears and the choices he feels he was forced to make.

Elizabeth Bennet knows that marrying a gentleman of high birth would allow her to reclaim the social status she lost when her father died. Having been approached by men falsely proclaiming their affection for her, she embraces the opportunity to set the terms of her marriage openly and honestly. After meeting Mr. Darcy and his sister, Elizabeth is determined to give them the home and care they deserve. Believing she and Mr. Darcy have a common understanding of what their union will be like, she has high hopes for a happy future.

A friendship between them soon promises to bloom into something more romantic, but Darcy has unresolved issues in his past that will not remain hidden. Dismayed, Darcy at last confronts his errors…but is it too late for he and Elizabeth to find happiness together?

The Marriage Bargain is a forced or contracted marriage variation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and will be enjoyed by fans of Georgette Heyer's A Civil Contract and other regency romances.

©2022 Lucy Sportza (P)2022 Quills & Quartos Publishing

Very well-imagined, though the redemptive arc is a bit disappointing

Lizzie is too quick to forgive and there’s insufficient true amends made or understanding reached, but the themes are interesting. (The performer’s intake of breath is very audible.)

quite a twist

very clever names. enjoyable. Darcy didn't really emerge until later in the book nice diversion.

Dary Who?

Elizabeth shines in this tale. She is the sole heir of a vast fortune and is willing to marry a suitable man who shares her desire for a happy home and family.

Darcy is overwhelmed by his circumstances and faces the loss of Pemberley and all wealth with a sense of desperation. His desire to give his sister a happy home at Pemberley leads him to the altar with Elizabeth.

Darcy whines internally at his circumstances from the story's beginning about his admiration for Caroline Bingley. However, his inability to see the shrew's character flaws leads him to behave in a reprehensible manner that eventually forces Elizabeth to leave him for several weeks.

The story is a good read. Listen if you want to hear Darcy at his worst and Elizabeth at her best.

Absolutely loved this original story!

I really loved this book. I found it hard to put down as I got into wondering when us Mr. Darcy going to wake up and behave! lol I just love the characters so much! Highly recommend!

Little bit too much angst

Darcy was a little thicker and more stubborn than usual. And took a little longer than usual to figure out what a jewel Elizabeth was.