Compromised: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Novella

By Cressida Lane

Elizabeth Bennet has taken to walking near Hunsford to avoid any more chance encounters with Mr. Darcy while he visits his aunt at Rosings. When that very man comes to aid her during a rainstorm, Mr. Collins catches them unawares. Certain Elizabeth's virtue has been compromised, Mr. Collins insists on their immediate marriage.

Darcy claims he intended to marry Elizabeth all along. Lady Catherine is furious. Mr. Collins is adamant. The rest of their friends and family hardly know what to say. Can our dear couple overcome the challenges of such a precipitous wedding?

Compromised is a clean Regency romance novella, a variation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cressida Lane
• Release date: Jan 30, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386717324

Book preview

Chapter 1

The fourth such occurrence brought more than just the displeasure of his company .

Elizabeth Bennet had been obliged to wait out a storm beneath an enormous sycamore tree. The time was not unpleasantly spent. She rather enjoyed the moment of solitude despite the rain. Elizabeth was reflecting on her sister Jane's last letter when the sudden sound of snapping branches drew her attention.

A cloaked figure came into view, startling her; Elizabeth shrieked aloud.

Miss Bennet, said the figure, holding out a hand toward her. Forgive me, I did not mean to alarm you. The man removed his hat.

Mr. Darcy, said Elizabeth, catching her breath. She was relieved to find it was only he, though not entirely pleased to have encountered him on her walk yet again. I thought for certain you would have relinquished your rambles today in deference to the rain. Indeed, the only reason Elizabeth had ventured out despite the threatening weather was rooted in that very idea.

I would you had thought the same, he said. I called at Hunsford and Mrs. Collins informed me you had set off on your own quite a long time ago.

Not so very long, said Elizabeth. And as you see, I am well.

Quite. After the first moment of their greeting, Mr. Darcy had fixed his gaze on the tree just past her left shoulder and had not yet once removed it. Elizabeth found it vexing and could not understand why, nor did she understand the silence that followed to be anything but an imposition on her solitary reverie.

Did Mrs. Collins ask you to come look for me? asked Elizabeth. Charlotte had hinted more than once that Mr. Darcy's interest was too marked to be the polite attention of a passing acquaintance, but Elizabeth had dismissed the notion out of hand. Charlotte was clever enough to bestir circumstance, though, should the opportunity present itself and Elizabeth suspected this was precisely such a case.

Elizabeth loved her friend dearly, but Charlotte would answer for this.

Mrs. Collins did ask me, said Mr. Darcy. But I would have come looking for you myself had she not done so.

At that proclamation Elizabeth began to laugh, amused at the notion. Whyever so, Mr. Darcy? Did you fear I'd perish in a rain shower?

There have been reports of highwaymen not far from here, Miss Bennet, said Mr. Darcy, his voice rather more stern than it had been before. You would do well remain in company on your walks in the future.

I see, she said. He did not respond for a long moment.

It is hardly customary to laugh at the goodwill of a friend, Miss Bennet. I wonder that you should sneer at Mrs. Collins’s concern for your well-being.

Elizabeth remembered at once a conversation with Miss Caroline Bingley; she'd warned that Mr. Darcy was not to be teased. Her mirth diminished at the memory, but only somewhat.

We have established that my being is quite well, Mr. Darcy. Allow me to thank you for your concern. You may certainly return to the house and report as much to all and sundry.

You mean, return alone? To leave you here?

Yes, sir.

He looked at her then, disbelief in his eyes. His color rose quickly, and he returned his gaze to the tree.

Miss Bennet, I cannot in good conscience leave you to fend for yourself in these woods under these circumstances. Now may I please offer you my coat?

Your coat? Whatever for?

Miss Elizabeth...

Mr. Darcy appeared unable to complete his thought.

I understand your concern for my health, Mr. Darcy, said Elizabeth, though she did not.

It is not my concern for your health that prompts my offer. His reply was curt and not a little harsh. "The rain has rendered your clothing all but transparent, and it is my belief that you would not wish to be