The Formation of Just Such a Plan
One warning, two cautions, and two notes:
WARNING: Portions of this book focus on some of George Wickham’s worst crimes against young ladies. While the revenge taken is not fully or graphically detailed, it is extreme.
“He had certainly formed such a plan, and without meaning that it should effect his endeavour to separate him from Miss Bennet, it is probable that it might add something to his lively concern for the welfare of his friend.” Pride & Prejudice, chapter 45
This vagary proposes an alternate path for the characters of Pride and Prejudice. Some character aspects are embellished, and longstanding plans change, fail, or are realized and perhaps regretted in this fanciful twist.
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy’s plan to avoid being compromised by Miss Caroline Bingley leads to an unexpected friendship with Miss Elizabeth Bennet. In this tale, the two of them work together on one plan to help his sister and on another, which with the aid of his friend Mr. Charles Bingley and her elder sister Jane, will assist her family in correcting some of their most embarrassing behaviors. The plan, if brilliant in its execution, has results that are beyond any they could have imagined. After Mr. Darcy dashes her plans to become the next mistress of Pemberley, Miss Bingley chooses to leave Netherfield, take her mother’s maiden name of Northwood and control of her dowry, and returns to town. What machinations will she resort to in order to force Mr. Darcy to marry her? Miss Mary Bennet, at her sisters’ encouragement, devises a plan of her own to win the future she wants for herself. Sent by his mother to Meryton in order to assist his cousin, to what lengths will Colonel Fitzwilliam go in order to persuade Miss Charlotte Lucas that she is exactly the woman he has been searching for? And which plans of that scoundrel George Wickham's can be thwarted using the infamous gossip chain of Meryton, and to what measures will he resort if they succeed?
CAUTION: This vagary does have some uses of profanity. In defense of Mrs. Bennet, however, sometimes an indolent husband needs to be told to get off his arse.
CAUTION: For those who are on Team Richard, I do hope you enjoy him in this tale as much as I have. For those of you who prefer to look at Darcy as the man above all men, I preemptively apologize. While an almost perfectly proper gentleman who makes a decision or acts on a plan only after considering all angles, a situation sometimes requires a man whose strengths include quick, strategic action.
NOTE from the author: The whole of the book takes place between Jane and Elizabeth’s sojourn at Netherfield and the ball. I confess that I find the journey to the courtship or altar, whichever comes first, the most exciting part of a variation/vagary/retelling. The original novel, and the movies derived from it, end quite quickly after all pertinent parties have chosen their partner for their HEA. So, too, do I hope that when this tale ends, there is no doubt that they will ever after be happy.
NOTE from the author: Readers may notice what would be considered an improper use of capitalization when referring to members of the militia throughout this novel. These capitalizations were not made in error, they simply demonstrate respect for the rank earned by the characters portrayed in this novel, a form of deference and respect that could not be overlooked by the author.
Reviews
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if you ❤️ Col. Fitzwilliam then this is a must read!
Col. Fitzwilliam is one of my fav characters from P&P. As such I’m really selective and critical because I want him portrayed as a strong but funny but compassionate guy! Ms. Pease wrote a Col. Fitzwilliam that you just have to love! In fact most everyone except Wickham loved him! Really chuckled when even Mr. Bennett left his book room seeking marital advice! This novel is a long but easy read - I couldn’t put it down and read it all night! (I also love the way she has portrayed Mrs. Bennett and actually ALL the female characters)! No shrinking violets in this novel! As you can see - I really loved the novel and will definitely give it another read!
-Patti Cook
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Mrs Bennet rocks!
From beginning to end, I loved this story! There wasn’t the horrible acrimony between EB and Darcy after the first chapters! The plan for Mrs Bennet was the best plot line I’ve read in the hundreds of variations. Elizabeth helps out Darcy and in turn, they devise a plan to help Mrs Bennet better herself and her family’s future! She was the rock for the second half of the book! Loved how Caroline and Wickham got what they deserved.
-DeAnna Owens