An Unexpected Inheritance: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary (Darcy and Elizabeth Happily Ever Afters)

Having been teased by the various excerpts and comments during the blog tour I could not wait to read this story, even though it was not available from KU.As the story begins, we are reading about Darcy and his cousin, Richard, in their roles under the command of General Bennet. Pay attention to the incident described as it has significance as the story plays out. The General is wounded. Darcy gets a letter from his uncle, Lord Matlock, that he has inherited Pemberley. This is a surprise as his great uncle, who owned Pemberly, has a brother whom all expected to inherit. Why the change in his will?Darcy, instead of departing for Pemberley (having been reared by his father a barrister) contacts Bennet, asking for some guidance, an education (if you will) in how to manage an estate. He takes Richard with him as he plans to share Pemberley with him. Richard does have an older brother who will inherit. However, that brother's character leaves doubts that he will be around long or that he will ever produce an heir. So, Richard might come into estate ownership on his own.So, we have these two men living at Longbourn. The sisters have been reared with more attention to their education and manners. They do NOT come out early. Plus, although she died before her husband retired, Mrs. Bennet had different behaviors. She took care of the troops under her husband's command; not only feeding them on occasion but also tending to their wounds, their wives and children, etc. (If, like the Bennets, the whole family "followed the drum".)So, we read two different threads in this story: one is of romance (...not only Darcy and Elizabeth) and the other is a mystery as to who and why it seems General Bennet is the target of several attempts at murder. Elizabeth has taken on the chore of helping a large and clumsy Darcy learn some social graces, i.e., dancing. This was amusing.There is an accident with a carriage. Jane was in grave danger with that event and Elizabeth also puts herself at high risk as she seeks to extricate her sister from the carriage. Then as things develop there are questions as to whether it was at all an accident.Bingley does rent Netherfield but is a new acquaintance to Darcy, as well as the Bennets. Wickham shows up and his interaction with Elizabeth plays out differently. Colonel Forster's reaction as he is informed about this troop member's history is a surprise.Collins shows up: uninvited and unwanted. The handling of that event was highly interesting. Things for him play out a little differently, also.The danger deepens and help is recruited from London - men who were known to the General when he served.At the end, the author then gives us a link to Love, Thomas An Unexpected Inheritance Bonus Epilogue. (I cannot find this book listed anywhere to give a review...just know that it has to do with Mr. Bennet deciding to look at marrying again, especially in light of how awful Collins is.) I did read and enjoy this separate story...a sequel.I highly recommend this story. It was well written.

This is one of those stories that makes major changes to several of Austen’s main characters. Sometimes this works; often it does not. Happily, Ms. Rachel does a very nice job of altering the elder Bennets and Darcy. It’s a satisfying romance and an interesting story with a good mystery element.Mr. Bennet is now Lt. General Bennet, with both Richard Fitzwilliam and Fitzwilliam Darcy under his command. Mrs. Bennet still has five daughters and no son, but the family followed the drum through the Peninsular War. Tragically, Gen. Bennet suffers a shooting accident, Mrs. Bennet catches influenza and dies, and two other tragedies happening almost immediately afterwards leave Elizabeth Bennet in very low spirits.The family returns to live in Longbourn. Fitzwilliam and Darcy leave the Army soon afterwards, after Darcy discovers he has inherited from his great-uncle, the Master of Pemberley. Realizing he knows little about running an estate, Darcy welcomes his cousin’s suggestion to stop in at Longbourn and visit their former commanding officer.Darcy is not the polished gentleman of canon. He is inordinately tall and massively built, and although born a gentleman he is accustomed to thinking of himself as only a soldier and officer. He would rather face enemy shelling than step out onto a dance floor with an unknown young lady and have to make polite conversation with her!The story brings in Bingley and Wickham, but here they are both unknown to Darcy and Fitzwilliam. When mysterious accidents begin to happen to the Bennets, no one can figure out why anyone would want to kill the family patriarch. Or is someone else the actual target?Elizabeth finds life at Longbourn a bit confining, but she is intrigued and challenged by her father’s two visitors. And when the Bingleys arrive in Meryton, it’s up to her to make every effort to encourage Charles Bingley to court her elder sister Jane, despite the interference of Bingley’s sisters.A sweet romance between ODC, and a few more HEAs complete this recommended story.

It's OPPOSITE DAY at Pride & Prejudice! Every little circumstance in the original is turned on its head here. While it is nicely written and does have some sweet moments between the main characters, I would not call it a P&P variation at all. Yes, it calls itself a vagary, but even that's going a bit far. The characters share names with the originals, but have nothing else in common. To my eye, it's rather slow, dark and heavy, and feels more Victorian or even like a gritty American western, partly for its obsession with guns. It is very far from light, witty and satirical like the original Jane.Maybe if you're from a military family you'll love this. I didn't. It's just not my cup of tea.And now, a longer list of "In whiches," or jarring opposites.-Elizabeth is obedient and tractable-Jane is witty and has a spine-The younger girls have a governess and are not yet out-Mr. Bingley has foresight and street smarts-Darcy is a lowly officer and comes from a family of tradeSPOILERS!-Charlotte marries for love-Mr. Bennett may yet have a son.IN SHORT, if you have deep respect for military life, or love Dickens, other Victorian literature or westerns, you may love this. Just don't say I didn't warn you.

This gave us a very different Darcy fresh from soldiering and with a previous relationship with Bennet. I loved the way these characters were so altered from other variations. I loved the camaraderie with Fitzwilliam, General Bennet and Mr Bingley too, made a great team of gentlemen! This was a story with beautiful friendships, exiting suspense and a very lovely developing romance between Elizabeth and Darcy. One of my favourite reads of the year!

Well researched, gripping storyline. Alternative start being mostly set on the battlefield. Mr.Darcy in a different presentation, but not lacking in character. Elizabeth, as ever, feisty and completely believable. Well worth five stars, and then some!

I have read of the sterling support that the ‘camp follower’ wives gave their menfolk; some being married multiple times as they were repeatedly widowed.This story alludes to the vital role played in keeping our fighting men, fit, fed, and watered, by their womenfolk.

I would probably have given this more stars if I hadn't read the other books from this author. This felt lightweight in comparison. Nice story, nothing not to like, just not as good as her previous work.

A nice story with a good bit of drama but was hoping for more. Did love this version of Elizabeth.