AN: I'm back and presenting a new story, and I'm proud to say I've grown as a writer since my last story. I hope you will enjoy this short little novella I've written. This story will be 9 total chapters and features an epilogue at the end. I promised that when I posted my last story this one would be around 15k words. Well, this story took a mind of its own and is now 21k words-at one point it pushed 25k but required editing. I plan to post once a week on Fridays. Please enjoy!

Blurb: A what-if story that picks up right in the middle of Elizabeth's visit to Pemberley with her Aunt and Uncle. During the visit, chaos ensues at Pemberley, and maybe our favorite couple, Elizabeth and Darcy, can discover what they want. We will be introduced to some of our favorite members of Pemberley and some new guests will play a role.

Thank You Henya Blackstar, and the other Beta Readers from CritiqueMatch for all of your valuable input and feedback.

Thank you for reading and Enjoy! :D


Unexpected Invitation

By: Kmarinelli2023

Love is hard.

It's elusive, as fickle as water. Some find it like a lost wonder serendipitously coming upon a serene lake reflecting the beauty of a clear sky. Other souls find themselves on a turbulent river rushing through treacherous rapids, unsure if they will survive. But for those who believe–those who persist–love demands hope.

It was a time when marrying strictly for love was radical, a notion met with skeptical eyes and hushed disapproval. Society had its expectations: social standing, wealth, family alliances, everything but the heart's whims. Love–an emotion as volatile as it was comforting–didn't guarantee security. Universally then, security was as fundamental as breath itself.

Whether a prince upon their gilded throne or a pauper curled in the shadows, neither was oblivious to the lure of stability. The prince, for the sake of their nation, and the pauper, to secure bread for the morrow. Love could offer neither. A transactional marriage, unsentimental yet secure, often took precedence over personal happiness.

Yet some chose love. Or what they thought was love. Many of these relationships were built on sandy foundations of infatuation–commonly misinterpreted–and were destined for disappointment. But all laws have exceptions. Like a shooting star, there existed couples whose love endured and provided the much-desired security. And like the star, their journey was seldom smooth.

On a warm April day, under the witness of a vibrant sky, one such love story faced its precipice. Both party members shared the weight of their mistakes, casting a cloud of doubt that would linger on–one wrestled with heartbreak and regret, the other with doubt and presumptions. Yet both believed that their paths would never converge again.

Simultaneously, beneath the same generous sun, another separate love bloomed. The pair strolled hand in hand through the garden covered in soft hues–of lavenders, cerulean, and sage– and left the protection of the greco-roman rotunda, their steps a melody of anticipation. The reflection pool, beneath their feet, rippled as a gentle breeze carried the blossoming love and scent of orchids, lilies, and carnations.

Summoning the much-needed courage to say four simple words that would forever change their fates, he uttered them with a soft fragility.

The woman, eyes gleaming with joy, declared enthusiastically, "Yes, I will marry you!" Her hands reached up, tracing her beau's cheekbone, as a tidal wave of warmth surged within her. Temporarily leaving her worries behind.

His eyes mirrored her love, glittering like the sun's reflection off a serene lake. As they leaned closer their breaths became one like their future. "I love you," he whispered, each word a sacred vow. A vow she believed could–and would–sustain life.

Her lips curved in a gentle smile, the sweet reward of claiming her newfound love. "I love you too," she whispered, a whisper lighter than a feather's grace. But her temporarily forgotten woes invaded her peace. "But what about…their beliefs?" A faint tremor escaped her lips.

He tightened his hold on her, his resolve unwavering. "I promise, my love, we can overcome everything."

Her heartbeat echoed in her chest, like waves crashing against a rocky shore. Would their love endure the tumultuous sea of societal expectations?

But his loving gaze gave her all the strength she needed, fortifying her resolve.

A pearl of laughter, melodic and bright, spilled out from her. "I can't believe we're engaged!" she exclaimed, her face alight, a radiant serenade.

Turning to face one another, their lips met, sealing their fate. He lifted her up, sharing in the laughter floating on the breeze, and spun them around in a show of love triumphing over fear. They basked in their glow, societal norms long forgotten.

The happy couple stood believing their love could conquer all, yet underneath the serene lake, a lakebed of trouble stirred.


AN: Some of you might find the style here to be extra, and I meant for it. I am no great Jane Austen or declare to be a hint of her great talent. But I wanted to write an introduction that would hint at the style and tone commonly found in writings from this period, plus provide some backstory. I hope you found this enjoyable, as I found when rewriting and rewriting this part. Honestly, this was the hardest part to write out of my entire story. Metaphors are not my forte but thought they would work well compared to the original draft. I look forward to showcasing my next chapter! In the meantime, I'd love to hear your thoughts on who the couples are.

Have a lovely weekend Reader!