Reaching for the Moon: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By Anna Lockhart

She is no longer the awkward girl he once knew...

Elizabeth Bennet has been a companion to the sickly young Anne de Bourgh since she was fourteen-years-old. In that time, Anne's intended, Fitzwilliam Darcy, has come to see the awkward and intelligent young Elizabeth as part of the family.

Yet, when Elizabeth returns from a two year sabbatical in Calais with Anne, Elizabeth now a lovely young woman, Darcy finds himself torn. Does he do what is expected of him by his family and custom, or does he follow his heart?

Reaching for the Moon is a Pride and Prejudice variation with romance, mistaken identities, and the power of a destined love!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Daisy Chain Publishing
• Release date: Jul 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393444978

Book preview

Chapter 1

Rosings Park - 1793

E lizabeth! Elizabeth, come to the drawing room at once!

Lady Catherine de Bourgh rarely approved of shouting in her home, but it was little surprise that today, she felt it was appropriate to abandon her own rules of the manor. Elizabeth could not imagine what Lady Catherine wanted from her at this hour. She was meant to read to the Lady’s daughter, Anne, as she did every day at this time. Working as Anne de Bourgh’s companion was not exciting but it was predictable. As she pondered whether or not that was a positive attribute of her employment, she followed the sound of Lady Catherine’s voice to the drawing room.

Yes, Lady Catherine? Elizabeth asked with as polite of a tone as she could manage. Anything less could lead to a missed meal, or sometimes two depending on the woman’s particular mood. She did not answer Elizabeth, and instead pointed to a table near the window. There she saw a letter sitting next to a small box.

Why are you receiving deliveries at my home, Elizabeth Bennet?

Elizabeth recognized her sister Jane’s handwriting on the letter and knew what she had received. Today is my eighteenth birthday, Lady Catherine. I suspect it is a letter from my family, and perhaps a gift.

Well, do not just stand there, young lady. Open it.

She did not understand why her employer wished for her to open her gift in front of her, but it was hardly the strangest request she had received in the four years that she had been the companion of Anne de Bourgh. It was never her wish to come to Rosings Park and become a part of Lady Catherine’s staff, but when she turned fourteen, the position was offered to any sister of appropriate age in the Bennet family. After much consideration, it was decided that Jane was more likely to find a husband because of her beauty, so Elizabeth was sent to Rosings.

If she did not love her sister so dearly, she would be greatly annoyed that beauty was considered a greater virtue when it came to marriage than a clever mind. Additionally, Elizabeth knew that the money she earned from her employment was not only of great help to her mother and father, but she was also able to alleviate the burden on her parents that came from having five daughters at home. She missed Longbourn greatly, yet she knew that her employment at Rosings Park was for the best.

Lady Catherine coughed to draw Elizabeth’s attention back to the items in her hands. Much to the woman’s frustration, she opened the letter first.

Dearest Lizzy,

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Happy birthday, sweet sister! I write this letter on behalf of the whole family, though I am sure you know I love you best of all. Do not tell papa I said that, of course. We miss you at Longbourn and hope to see you for Christmas this year, though I understand if young Anne needs your assistance. 

Life is much the same here at Longbourn. Lydia and Kitty are driving papa and mama mad as they begin to show interest in the boys in town. If Lydia continues along this path, she will marry before I do. And Mary is, of course, Mary.

I wish we could be with you to celebrate this most special day but please know my heart is with you. I hope the gift will begin to pardon our absence. It is from the whole family.

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With greatest love,

Jane

Elizabeth opened the box carefully and gasped when she saw a delicate silver necklace with a small pearl dangling from it. It was lovely and she could not wait to put it on.

You will not wear that in my house, Lady