Abduction & Acrimony : A Pride & Prejudice Variation Mystery Romance: Crime & Courtship, #2

By Abbey North

Everyone in Meryton is excited about the upcoming Netherfield ball, but Lizzy is preoccupied, for the thief, though his identity is known, is still at-large. When Mr. Darcy's sister arrives, she and Lizzy become fast friends, but Lizzy's acrimony with Darcy threatens everything, especially when she overhears him condemning Jane as a grasping social climber without true regard for Bingley. They are at odds, but when an abduction occurs the very night of the ball, it brings the two of them together to find the kidnapper and rescue his victim. Will they find a tenuous accord, or will their continued animosity keep them separated?

 

This is part two of the completed five-book "Crime & Courtship" series. They are intended to be read in order and follow roughly the same timeline and locations as J.A.'s masterpiece. The first mystery takes place in Meryton. The next is at Netherfield, followed by Hunsford, then London, and finally Pemberley. The story arc continues throughout all five parts, compromising one long read broken into five sections. A mystery is central to each installment, so you could call this a cozy mystery sweet Regency romance.

 

While Abbey sometimes writes sensual JAFF, this series is strictly SWEET.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Abbey North JAFF Books
• Release date: Feb 10, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201599447

Book preview

Blurb

EVERYONE IN MERYTON is excited about the upcoming Netherfield ball, but Lizzy is preoccupied, for the thief, though his identity is known, is still at-large. When Mr. Darcy’s sister arrives, she and Lizzy become fast friends, but Lizzy’s acrimony with Darcy threatens everything, especially when she overhears him condemning Jane as a grasping social climber without true regard for Bingley. They are at odds, but when an abduction occurs the very night of the ball, it brings the two of them together to find the kidnapper and rescue his victim. Will they find a tenuous accord, or will their continued animosity keep them separated?

This is part two of the Crime & Courtship series, which will be five books, intended to be read in order, and follow roughly the same timeline and location as J.A.’s masterpiece. The first mystery takes place in Meryton. The next will be at Netherfield, followed by Hunsford, then London, and finally Pemberley. The story arc will continue throughout all five parts, compromising one long read broken into five sections. A mystery is central to each installment, so you could call this a cozy mystery sweet Regency romance.

While Abbey sometimes writes sensual JAFF, this series is strictly SWEET.

Chapter One

It is strongly recommended you read the first part of this series before beginning book #2. You can find "Rapacity & Rancor" at your favorite vendor.

LIZZY’S STOMACH CURLED with dread as she followed Jane into Netherfield a few days later. They had been invited for tea, and since the invitation came from Caroline Bingley, she would’ve been surprised to see her name on it if she hadn’t expected this to be little more than an interrogation session.

No doubt, Miss Caroline wanted to know all the details of how she and Darcy had uncovered Wickham’s thefts in Meryton. Too bad they hadn’t yet captured him. That was likely to come up in discussion too, and she recognized that was another reason for dread as she entered the drawing room behind Mr. Fellows while three women stood to meet them.

Of course, she instantly recognized Louisa Hurst and Caroline Bingley, but the third young lady’s identity was a mystery to her. Perhaps not too much mystery though, because she strongly resembled Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Lizzy managed to find a pleasant smile as Caroline introduced them to Georgiana Darcy, who appeared to be a shy, quiet girl. She was doubly determined to steer the conversation away from the events in the village over the last few days if she could, knowing what George Wickham had tried to do to poor Georgiana Darcy.

The cad had nearly succeeded in seducing and getting her to elope with him, all so he could get her thirty-thousand-pound dowry. Only after learning from Mr. Darcy that would never happen under any circumstances had Wickham immediately absconded. She was overcome with sympathy for the girl, but she tried to hide it.

You simply must tell us all about what happened the other day, said Miss Caroline as she looked at Lizzy a few minutes after their arrival, when all banal pleasantries were exhausted, and everyone had a cup of tea in hand. The men have been dreadfully tightlipped about it, as though we need to be protected. I tried to argue with Mr. Darcy. After all, if you are permitted to go out hunting down robbers, surely Louisa and I can handle a bit of unladylike information. Her charming laugh was anything but.

Lizzy gritted her teeth, recognizing the insult in Caroline’s words. It was all an accidental discovery. There was certainly no way she was admitting to Caroline Bingley that she had deliberately engaged in investigating the matter, knowing the village constable would fall far short of competence to do so. Mr. Darcy had ended up her companion via a strange series of events, but that was unlikely to ever be repeated.

What are you talking about? asked Georgiana in her dulcet tones. She barely spoke loudly enough to be heard over the ticking of the grandfather clock.

Nothing important, said Lizzy quickly.

Hardly, said Louisa. Our dear friend Miss Eliza is being far too modest, Georgiana. She almost singlehandedly stopped a militia officer who was stealing from the village and his own people. Can you imagine? She sounded scandalized, but there was a flush in her face that revealed her excitement over the drama.

Georgiana gasped. How dreadful. However did you manage to do that, Miss Bennet?

Quite by accident, I assure you, Miss Darcy. Lizzy realized they weren’t going to be put off completely, so she tried to come up with an abbreviated version. I was coming home from Meryton when I ran into Mr. Darcy. He offered to see me home, since it was getting late. I had stayed longer than I’d planned at my aunt’s house.

She almost crossed her fingers in the superstitious hope her aunt would support that version of the truth if it were ever revealed to her. As we were walking, we saw someone moving about furtively, and there had been a series of thefts in the village. We simply approached to see who it was, and Mr. Darcy pinned the man in the shed while I ran for help. Unfortunately, the thief broke through the shed and injured Mr. Darcy, and he managed to escape, but at least we revealed the source of the danger.

Georgiana’s mouth formed an O. My brother was hurt? Now he is off to London on an errand? She shook her head. He needs to take better care of himself. I suppose that must be why he took the carriage instead of riding.

Lizzy shrugged, not sharing with Georgiana that Darcy had been injured in an unmanly fashion, mainly because she still had no idea what that meant either. No one had bothered to enlighten her or Jane, so they were left to speculation. If