The Tenacious Miss Bennet: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By Briar Masterson

At a regimental ball in Meryton, Elizabeth Bennet is convinced that she has spent a diverting evening with the only gentleman she could ever envision herself marrying--Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. But when the night ends, Mr. Darcy is nowhere to be found, and Elizabeth is convinced that she has done something wrong to turn the gentleman's attentions elsewhere.

 

As Jane is invited to tea at Netherfield Park, Elizabeth begins to wonder if there is a plot afoot to keep her and Mr. Darcy apart. Can she discover the truth behind the gentleman's affections before it is too late?

 

The Tenacious Miss Bennet is a sweet, clean Pride and Prejudice variation that may be enjoyed by all lovers of Jane Austen's romantic classic.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blue Flowers Press
• Release date: Jun 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223433484

Book preview

ONE

elizabeth

The regimental ball in Meryton was a veritable feast for the senses. The grand room in the garrison hall had been adorned with twinkling candles and garlands of fragrant flowers adorned every surface. This year, as with the year before it, Mrs. Forster had worked hard and spent a good deal of money to remind the women of Hertfordshire that she was, indeed, worthy of their friendship.

My mother was not yet convinced of it, which meant that the other ladies of her circle held a similar opinion... I did feel badly for Mrs. Forster, but she held herself above the rest of the young women of her own age, which did not endear her to anyone.

I did not think she would have taken kindly to any advice that I might have offered her, nor had she shown any interest in making friends with Charlotte Lucas, who might have been the only one to recommend her to the ladies whose society she so desperately wished to acquire acceptance into.

Thankfully, this evening Mrs. Forster was already occupied when my sisters and I arrived at the garrison hall and I did not have to pretend to enjoy her company or offer any false praise in an effort to make her smile or feel more accepted.

Jane often scolded me for my indifference when it came to Mrs. Forster, but I could not abide her pretentious attitude when it came to the effort she made to ingratiate herself within Hertfordshire's limited society.

The garrison hall was not usually an inviting place, but the limited decor did serve to somewhat lessen the stiffness of the space. The warm glow of the candles cast a soft light upon the throng of dancers who moved gracefully across the polished wooden floor, their gowns swishing like the rustle of autumn leaves. The musicians played with gusto, lending an air of excitement to the festivities.

Look at all the handsome officers, I murmured to my sister Jane and our dear friend Charlotte Lucas as we stood watching the spectacle before us. It's so rare for there to be enough gentlemen available for dancing partners.

Indeed! replied Charlotte, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. And I've heard tell of new gentlemen arriving in Meryton soon.

More gentlemen? Jane asked, her lovely face lighting up with interest.

Really? I asked.

Charlotte nodded. Mama tells me that there is a gentleman who has just taken the lease at Netherfield Park, which is a mercy considering how long it has stood empty. She told me that this gentleman will be bringing at least 4 others with him.

Four others? My own curiosity was piqued. Perhaps this shall be a most fortuitous evening for us all.

Let us hope that those four others are not all ladies, Charlotte laughed.

Shall we mingle and see if we can catch the eye of any of these fine gentlemen? Charlotte suggested.

Let us do just that, agreed Jane, it is a rare thing to have so many officers in town and we may as well enjoy this disparity while it lasts.

Lead the way, Charlotte, I said as I took her arm.

As we made our way through the crowded ballroom, I couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation. Perhaps tonight I might find— But, then again, why would tonight be any different than any other ball or dance in Meryton?

As we walked through the crowd toward the dance floor, I noticed a small commotion near the entrance of the hall.

Curious, I scanned the crowd and spotted two gentlemen who appeared to be the cause of the stir. One had a tall, striking figure, with fair hair and an open countenance that spoke to his affability. Beside him stood a man of equal height but with a more serious demeanor, his dark hair curled over his collar and framed a face marked by strong features and piercing eyes. They were accompanied by two elegantly dressed ladies, who wore expressions that seemed to convey a great disdain for the scene before them.

Look, I whispered to Jane and Charlotte, nodding discreetly in the direction of the newcomers. Do you see those two gentlemen? I believe they are the additional new arrivals to Meryton that you spoke of, Charlotte.

Indeed, Jane replied, her gaze following mine. "They certainly appear to