The Lost Lamb: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By Tara Harding

Elizabeth Bennet awakens one fateful morning to her mother's piercing screams. They discover a letter in young Lydia's bed: she has run away with George Wickham to Lambton, leaving her family in a state of shock and despair. Determined to bring her to senses, Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth set out on a journey to find Lydia.

 

Upon arriving in Lambton, they encounter Fitzwilliam Darcy, a man with whom Elizabeth has a complicated history. Despite their previous animosity, Darcy offers to aid them in their search for Lydia when he learns that Wickham is involved.

 

As the search for Lydia grows tense, and Wickham grows more desperate, can they rescue the youngest Bennet girl before it is too late?

The Lost Lamb is a Pride and Prejudice variation full of mystery, twists and turns, and a dash of romance! Follow the clues today…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Daisy Chain Publishing
• Release date: Jul 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223274261

Book preview

The Lost Lamb

The Lost Lamb

A PRIDE AND PREJUDICE VARIATION

TARA HARDING

Daisy Chain Publishing

Copyright © 2023 by Daisy Chain Publishing

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Coming Soon…

Available in August…

Coming Soon…

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One

It was a lovely warm evening at Longbourn, and my family gathered in the drawing room of our home as we often did on dreamy summer nights. The space was filled with the laughter of Bennets and the light patter of rain against the window panes filled the air. While most everything seemed just as it should be, there was strange anxiousness radiating off my youngest sister, who sat in the corner alone.

Lydia, your needlework is coming along quite nicely, I said to her, though she did not actually appear to be touching it.

Thank you, Elizabeth, she replied absentmindedly, her eyes drifting between her work and a book that lay open on her lap.

I narrowed my gaze at Lydia, feeling a pang of concern. In all her sixteen years, she had never been one for reading. Indeed, I could not recall the last time I had seen her so engrossed in a volume that she failed to join in our lively conversation. It was most unlike her, and I could not help but wonder what had caused such a change in demeanor.

Jane, do you know the title of the book Lydia is reading? I inquired of my eldest sister, who sat beside me, her own embroidery far more intricate and beautiful than any I had ever managed.

I do not, she replied, glancing over at Lydia with a furrowed brow. It is not often we see her so absorbed in her studies.

Perhaps she has finally discovered the joy of literature, offered Mary, our middle sister, though her tone seemed to imply she found her own suggestion dubious.

Or perhaps, muttered Mr. Bennet from the corner where he had been quietly perusing his newspaper, she is simply attempting to avoid her mother's incessant chatter about the upcoming ball.

Mr. Bennet! scolded Mrs. Bennet, her voice a shrill falcon's cry. You know as well as I do the importance of securing advantageous marriages for our daughters.

Of course, my dear, he sighed, returning to his newspaper with an air of resignation.

Lydia, my love, I ventured, deciding to address her directly, what has captured your interest so?

Leave me be, Elizabeth! Lydia snapped, slamming the book shut. Can I not read in peace?

A silence fell upon the room like a heavy shroud, all eyes turning towards our youngest sister. Even Kitty, who had been whispering and giggling with Jane moments earlier, appeared taken aback by the sudden outburst.

Of course, Lydia, I said calmly, though inside I felt a growing unease. I meant no offense. I was merely curious.

Curiosity killed the cat, you know, she muttered, returning to her needlework with a huff.

I know, I answered, taking a sip of my tea, the warmth spreading through me like a comforting embrace. The scent of bergamot and lavender filled my nostrils, providing a momentary respite from the tension that now hung in the air like a dark cloud.

Sisters, let us not argue, said Jane gently, ever the peacemaker, her blue eyes shining with compassion and understanding. There is no need for raised voices.

Quite right, Jane, agreed Mary, her face solemn. No good comes from fighting with one another.

Fighting? echoed Mr. Bennet, glancing up from his paper once more. I would hardly call this fighting. My brother tried to drown me in the pond. It was on my birthday, if I remember correctly.

Mr. Bennet, really! cried Mrs. Bennet, throwing up her hands in exasperation.

Very well, my dear, he conceded, a twinkle in his eye. We shall have peace and harmony among our daughters, if that is what you desire.

Indeed, it is, she huffed, before launching into a detailed account of the latest fashions she had seen in Meryton.

Though the conversation had resumed, my thoughts were preoccupied with Lydia's strange behavior. I could not help but observe her from the corner of