The Conversation .... with Elizabeth Darcy and Emma Knightley

By Noe and Cindy

Hyde Park ... a morning walk ... a chance meeting ... Elizabeth Darcy ... Emma Knightley ... a conversation ... Wouldn't you like to know what that's all about?

This 6400 word short story is a super silly Pride and Prejudice/Emma variation that is definitely worth the time it takes to read it. You'll also love Noe and Cindy's other short story, "Mr Darcy and the Space-time Continuum," for if you enjoy Jane Austen's beloved characters, you will not want to miss Mr. Darcy's trip to outer space.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Noe and Cindy
• Release date: May 11, 2015
• ISBN: 9781513063102

Noe and Cindy

Noe has been married to his first real love for more than 40 years. It was she that urged him to put his writing skills to authoring a novel in April of 2013 based on Pride & Prejudice, “Mr Darcy falls in love.” Noe has never been afraid to admit he loves chick-flicks, being a real gentleman who always treats women with the respect they deserve. It is his romantic side that brought the story of Mr. Darcy to life so we all could see things through Darcy's eyes. Noe's appreciation of Mary Bennet and Georgiana Darcy led to a sequel, "The Sun Also Shines for me," about the two girls working together as sisters on a very special project. After that came "Captivated by Youth and Beauty: Mr. Bennet's story", the tale of how the heart of Lizzy Bennet Darcy's father was won by one lovely young lady. Noe also did the artwork for the covers of his books, another thing Cindy encouraged. He makes woodart too, including a statuette of the image of Darcy depicted on the cover of their book, as well as fine pieces of wood jewelry. Look for them at facebook.com/AuthorsNoeandCindy and on Instagram @noes_expressions.

Book preview

Preface

Today in the world of Jane Austen, one conversation is sure to get its share of opinions: ‘Which one of Jane Austen’s male protagonists is the best?’ Ask that question and opinions go flying — each person having their own reasons as to why they chose that guy. It occurred to me, would the women of these men argue over such a question as those today do?

From Sense and Sensibility, Elinor Dashwood, I believe, is too reserved for such an argument. And from the experience with Willoughby, Elinor’s sister Marianne has lost all her spirit through the tragedy of learning that love is not like what is read in poems; in the end, she has come over to her elder sister’s way of thinking and would not join in such a discussion either. Anne Elliot, in Persuasion, went through eight years in quiet resignation, so the idea of her being outspoken enough to express her opinion on the subject seems impossible. She and Elinor are much alike in this regard.

Catherine Morland from Northanger Abbey just might be spunky enough, but her youthfulness would move her to be overwhelmed, especially since the man she ends up with has broken with his father and is not rich. It seems to me she would definitely be too intimidated to enter into a debate over whose man is better than everyone else’s. And Fanny Price of Mansfield Park, coming from the same type of humble background as Catherine Morland, would likewise be, by rank and timidity, unable to feel at liberty to offer her opinion.

This leaves us with the only two women in the Austen world who have the spirit and social standing to argue that her man is the choice for the award as best male: from Pride and Prejudice, we have Elizabeth Bennet Darcy. and from the book bearing her name, there is Emma Woodhouse Knightley.

Now, having read P&P many times, you already know that Mr. Darcy, speaking to Sir William Lucas, said sarcastically, Every savage can dance. The truth is, gentlemen of the time were expected to know how to dance and much more. Some of what was expected of them would be things that could be expected from a savage as well, such as knowing how to box, which back then was referred to as being a pugilist ... there is something about saying things with a Latin twist that makes them sound less savage-y,

Reviews for The Conversation .... with Elizabeth Darcy and Emma Knightley

[Elin Eriksen · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An entertaining short story.
Mrs Darcy and Mrs Knightly are bickering in Hyde park about who has the best husband.
A tough call, I admit...