Showing results by author "Carrie Mollenkopf" in All Categories

“Fitzwilliam Darcy, you are a complete idiot!” Elizabeth snapped before slamming the now filled trunk. The motion, so sudden, spooked the cat who leapt from his place to rub circles around her limbs. Scooping the mewing creature into her arms, Elizabeth rubbed her face into its fur, finding a measure of comfort. “No wonder lonely old women keep cats; they are much better than husbands,” she insisted, wondering if Charlotte would part with the cat. Three weeks had elapsed since she had arrived in Hunsford, and Elizabeth had seen enough. Charlotte, by her own admission, was perfectly ...

Lydia Bennet has managed to find a husband just before her sixteenth birthday and before her elder sisters. However, she quickly finds that the old warnings of the risk in marrying in haste are true. Soon, her prince Charming's golden glow becomes tarnished by reality. George Wickham is not the gentleman he pretends to be. The youngest Bennet must depend on her personal pride and stubborn streak to survive when her life is turned upside down. Lydia's trials take her from the cold North of England to the Outback of Australia. Will the happiness she seeks be realized or will her dreams become...

.Charles Bingley is in possession of five thousand a year, and a recent inheritance, but where did he acquire this fortune? Is he the respectable man that he appears to be? Or does his past hide something else? And what of his closest friend Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley, does he too, hide secrets that best remain buried? There are those who will do anything in the name of revenge, and those who will reciprocate with honor. London 1813…. Already regretting his decision, Fitzwilliam Darcy grumbled as he glimpsed the first views of the London dockside. The foul smells of rotting fish and ...

Elizabeth Bennet Darcy walked slowly down the long gallery that housed the visual images depicting generations of Darcys. As she paused before the frames, it was as if each pair of eyes was staring back, studying her in return. Imagining they could speak, Elizabeth pondered what opinions were held by her husband’s forebears. Were they pleased with the new mistress or did they find fault? Some of the portraits went back hundreds of years, having been installed in the current house long after the first had been razed during the early 14th century. Pemberley, as it now stood, was built upon ...

When Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy indulge in a much needed holiday, it is far less than restful. From the opera houses of London to the beaches of Brighton, dangers follow as they attempt to save a new acquaintance. Read an excerpt from Mrs. Darcy and the Soprano's Suitor. “Miss Milton! It is Elizabeth Darcy. I trust you are enjoying your stay?” Turning, the young woman’s countenance broke into a smile, but it was short lived. While the presence of the Darcys was not entirely unwelcome, the sight of the man whose constant presence had been as yet considered coincidental, now drove ...

Nearly five years after her marriage, Elizabeth Darcy has every happiness a woman could want. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for her dearest sister Jane. After miscarrying a child, Jane is expecting once again, but the presence of Caroline Bingley is making her miserable. Fearing for Jane's health, Elizabeth goes against her own preferences and invites her former nemesis to Pemberley with the hopes of finding an appropriate husband for Caroline. However, Caroline's selfishness interferes with the happiness of everyone around her as she demands attention. Even sweet Georgiana Darcy ...

Before the Reverend Mr. Collins can take up his living under the patronage of Lady Catherine de Bourgh at Hunsford, he is beset by an old enemy who not only sells the good reverend into servitude, but takes his place as vicar. Unbeknownst to all, the imposter will seek a wife to secure his new status while the real Mr. Collins suffers aboard a ship bound for China. Through turmoil and misery, Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet will discover the ruse and attempt to set it to rights. Read an excerpt below from Stealing Mr. Collins: William Collins groaned as he tried in vain to open his ...

On the outskirts of Lambton, Derbyshire, 1825… Fitzwilliam Darcy shook the agent’s hand firmly but would not give immediate agreement, for such an undertaking was not a thing to be done lightly. No, he wished to consult Elizabeth’s opinion before making any final decision, for it would affect her deeply. In truth, the project had the potential to impact all of Pemberley as well as the citizens of Lambton. Smiling wryly, he promised to send a message by the end of the week. A short enough time, but once done, would leave a lasting imprint. A mill required water to turn the complex ...

Skeletons in the Darcy family closet? Sure, everyone has them, but blood sucking creatures? Who knew? When Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy decide to bring back the traditional Pemberley Autumn festival, it comes with some unexpected surprises. The arrival of distant cousins from Wales, remind them that legends are often founded in truth. Through unforeseen events, Georgiana Darcy finds herself caught up in a most unusual situation. Will she accept her new life and find lasting happiness, or will she become another tragic victim?

Pemberley…home to the Darcy family for generations. With such grandeur, comes great responsibility, a responsibility that transcends time and exists even after death. When unfortunate circumstances result in the demise of Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy, they do not go on to their heavenly reward. Pemberley, and the love they have for it keeps them earth bound, walking in the shadows. Unable to leave, for reasons unknown, Elizabeth and Darcy watch their beloved home go through generations of future Darcys and experience great change, but not always for the better. Each time Pemberley is ...

With the impending arrival of their second child, as well as the plans for a spring wedding for his sister, Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley wants nothing but peace and quiet. But when distressing news arrives, he and Elizabeth must leave their personal desires and come to the assistance of Miss Darcy's fiance and journey to the moors of Devon. Read below for an exerpt from my latest Elizabeth Darcy Adventure. Darcy could not give a reason for his need to be concerned. His wife was the most sensible sort of person, and what she said was not without validation, but Elizabeth also had a ...

Just Elizabeth Darcy longs for another child with no success, an orphan is mysteriously thrust into her care. Unfortunately, of the only people who know of his origins, one lies dead, murdered by an unknown hand, and the other, suffering from an illness brought upon by shock, cannot speak. Who was the unknown woman meeting Lambton's aged vicar in the churchyard? And why was she in possession of a child that was not hers? Will this orphan baby be the answer to Elizabeth's desire for an addition to her family? Does Darcy share this feeling? Read an excerpt from Mrs. Darcy and the Churchyard ...

After Elizabeth Bennet refuses the proposal of the most arrogant man in England, she has little time to ponder what might have been when a sudden carriage accident claims the life of the Reverend William Collins, leaving his wife, Elizabeth’s dearest friend, badly injured. Caring for Charlotte as she recovers, Elizabeth’s strong spirit pervades Rosings Park, much to the great dislike of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. But simply sending Elizabeth home is not enough as her influence over Anne de Bourgh drives the heiress to seek a future that does not involve an arranged marriage. When matters...

Mary Bennet's wedding day is swiftly nearing. The date is set, the banns have been read and all the preparations are well in hand. The fairy tale dream appears to have become a reality. Only the discovery of the cold corpse belonging to Meryton's beloved vicar threatens Mary's happiness. Who would have killed such a gentle old man? Who will perform the wedding? The rush to find a suitable replacement vicar will not be as easy as it seems with the untimely return of Mr. Collins as he does his best to interfere. Mary and Atlas will embark on a quest to not only discover the identity of the ...

Whatever happened to Fitzwilliam Darcy to make him so proud? So arrogant? Did he truly look down upon Elizabeth Bennet, or was he suffering from a broken heart? This tale takes place months before the classic meeting between Elizabeth and Darcy as the reader will discover the events which caused our hero to be such a reluctant suitor, despite the demands of his feelings and the impracticality of their union. Will the love of Elizabeth be strong enough to heal Darcy and overcome those who wish to stand in their way? Read Darcy's side of the story and what he was willing to do to find true love.

Rosings Park, Kent 1799.... Catherine de Bourgh stared down at her daughter with distaste. She had never wanted children, much less the disappointment of a girl. What good was a female to anyone? The lives of women were dictated by men, and even in death, those same creatures had the final word. To make matters worse, the child was rather small, and had bouts of colic and every other infant ailment that one could imagine. The doctors had tried all manner of remedies, eventually giving up hope that Anne de Bourgh would live past infancy. But she had survived, and now returned her mother’s ...

Why must a lady marry at all? Of course a person must have means… and the Bennets had none. But surely her father would live to be a great age. Not yet fifty, Mr. Bennet had years before they must worry about Mr. Collins casting them out. It was only Mama that was difficult. Some days Lizzie believed that her mother would marry each one of them off at the first opportunity, regardless of personal wishes or lack of affection. But, as her mother’s child, she could be equally stubborn. Elizabeth Bennet would marry for love and nothing less. However, when she believes that her father is ...

“Fitzwilliam, I have received most excellent news from Longbourn.” “Oh? Has Mr. Collins returned?” Darcy’s attempt at jest was met with equal amusement as Elizabeth tapped his hand playfully with the letter. The Reverend Collins was her father’s heir, and at one time, sought her in marriage. An odious sort of person, he had made her miserable for weeks, but eventually resigned himself to another, Elizabeth’s closest childhood friend. It had been an odd arrangement, but one that suited both parties. Mr. Collins required a wife and Charlotte wished to be mistress of her own home...

“I have just received a letter from Charles. He has invited us to stay at Netherfield for several weeks. They are hosting a gathering for one of the local young ladies. The daughter of Sir Alvin Bixby. Of him, I cannot say much, having met the gentleman but once, but without a mother there would be no one that can see to such things as her coming out and what not. Jane must be in her element with preparations. But I must say, it has been far too long since the children have seen their grandparents. We really must accept. Are you up to a journey so soon?” To this, Elizabeth could not ...

"You know the estate far better than I, but one day, you will marry and leave. Then where will I be?” Elizabeth said gently. This admission, true in nearly all ways but one, sent another wave of embarrassment upon Georgiana’s features. However, this time she smiled shyly. “Do you really think so? I mean…marry?” “I think it will be sooner, rather than later, especially from the way Mr. Penwick looks at you.” “I do admit to finding him very agreeable, in all manners. But I wonder…” she replied, but suddenly her voice trailed Staring out across the placid lake, the pleasant...