A Cleverly (Un)contrived Compromise

Review also posted on my blog
https://myjaffobsession.blogspot.com/2022/09/a-cleverly-uncontrived-compromise-by.html

At fifteen, heiress Georgiana Darcy was romanced by a fortune hunting scoundrel. Believing it was true love, she consented to an elopement. Her devoted brother, Fitzwilliam Darcy saved her from ruin, but she was left heartbroken.

Darcy invited his close friends, the Bingley family to join them for the summer, to provide distraction.

Georgiana developed an infatuation for Charles Bingley. Darcy viewed the match favourably as he knows his closest friend is a decent, if immature young man.

As master of the great estate of Pemberley, Darcy is used to taking charge. He decides to mold Charles into a responsible landowner and husband for Georgiana.

Thus, Netherfield Park is leased and Charles starts to learn estate management. He also meets the local families and becomes enamoured of the beautiful, Jane Bennet.

Elizabeth Bennet is determined to forward the match by managing her unruly, embarrassing family. Unfortunately, Fitzwilliam Darcy is equally determined to thwart the match, to preserve Bingley for Georgiana.

Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam are equally matched in intellect and determination, although Elizabeth has more charm and social skill.

Things come to a head at the Netherfield ball.
Elizabeth's attempts to place Jane in Bingley's presence vex Darcy and others. Her actions to quell her younger sisters' outrageous behaviour have unexpected consequences.
Bingley is vexed with Darcy for obstructing his chances to enjoy Jane's company.

Thus, both Elizabeth and Darcy are given misleading intelligence, to draw them away from the ballroom.
By unfortunate coincidence, they end up in the same room, which is subsequently locked by an innocent servant.

The potential consequences of such a compromise, impress both parties with the need for urgent escape.

The aftermath starts the slightly bumpy road to true love and a happy ever after!

Along the way we meet four glorious kittens.
One perfect lady and three very naughty boys.

The story is delightful, the characters well drawn (both human and feline) and the mixture of romance and mayhem very enjoyable.

I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own.