Ah, sweet retribution! In the original novel and most of the variations Darcy has the luxury of knowing he has the upper hand. But what if he hasn’t? What if Elizabeth is his superior in everything – station in life, wealth, connections? What if he is forced to approach the relationship with humility, knowing that he is less powerful than her and the family she now belongs to? What if their circumstances are so wholly reversed that he, not Elizabeth, has nothing but his charm to recommend him? Dear oh dear. We know that on first impression Mr Darcy of Pemberley doesn’t ‘do’ charm, so our favourite gent really has his work cut out in this variation. I will not ruin your enjoyment with spoilers, so I will only say I loved the very gratifying premise, the twists and turns (and the embarrassing misunderstandings), the way Darcy was stripped of all his advantages and had to work hard for his ladylove’s good opinion. Elizabeth Adams portrays our favourite characters with great affection and sparkling good humour, makes you shed tears in all the right places (and then some!) and rewards you with the joys of the ‘happily ever after’. A novel and captivating story beautifully told.36 s Debbie1,580 53

As others have commented, this story has two distinct parts. Elizabeth Adams is a gifted writer, and she does a wonderful job of squeezing all the emotion out of both sections.

Elizabeth Bennet just happens to be with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner when they make the acquaintance of Mr. Talbot, a widower twice over who has lost both his wives and his children due to tragic circumstances. While she is staying in Cheapside with her relatives, he often comes to visit and she views him in an avuncular kind of way, as he is two-and-forty and she hasn't even turned 18. Even at 17, though, Miss Bennet is charming, intelligent, and unusually mature, and Mr. Talbot finds himself smitten. As it happens, though, he isn't merely Mr. Talbot; he is Robert Talbot, the Earl of Asheland. When he proposes marriage, Elizabeth considers carefully before accepting and becoming the Countess of Asheland.

This puts a wonderful spin on the Meryton assembly about four years later. The four years of association with the Earl has had a positive effect on the entire Bennet family. Elizabeth goes to visit them, but Robert must go elsewhere on estate business, so she attends the assembly along with her two eldest sisters and mother. She begins her acquaintance with the Hursts, Bingleys and Mr. Darcy, therefore, on more than equal ground; she is actually above them in both rank and fortune, which changes the dynamics of the relationships significantly.

Circumstances continue to bring Darcy in contact with Lord and Lady Asheland. He observes that, in some ways, the Earl doesn't follow the rules of society to which Darcy has always adhered, and it has a distinct effect on his own attitude. Elizabeth doesn't think much of Darcy, who she finds too solemn and dull, though Robert recognizes his worth as an intelligent and honorable gentleman.

Part I relates how Elizabeth and Robert meet, court, and marry and then how their relationship with Darcy develops. Part II focuses primarily on Elizabeth and Darcy. I hesitate to say more beyond that for fear of spilling spoilers, but it is two separate books, though they're obviously related. It borders on being a fictional biography of Elizabeth during two distinct phases of her life.

Sorry. It's the retired English teacher in me. Whenever I read either a short story or a novel, I'm looking for a buildup of dramatic tension centered around a specific conflict (man vs. man, man vs. himself, man vs. nature) with a specific major event that has the effect of resolving the conflict. I have a guess as to what that turning point is intended to be here, but I'm honestly not certain. If it's what I think, then the entire first part of the book should perhaps be considered a backstory to the second, which seems to be the primary focus of this saga.

There's such great emotion throughout, as I mentioned earlier, with plenty of romance and yearning and all that good stuff. The writing style itself is lovely, and I found all the characters believable, especially with the changes in their circumstances. It has a strong realistic quality, as it recounts the highs and lows of Elizabeth's life experiences that everyone can relate to. Most readers will thoroughly enjoy this and not find anything lacking.i-own-it jaff29 s James S1,318

A gem of a read

I love Elizabeth Adams as an author. I was lucky enough to read her book, 'The Houseguest', when I first started reading P&P variations. It is still a book I consider in my top 10 and read it once a year.

I consider this book every bit as good. I recommend it to everyone. I refuse to give a plot outline. There are others who review that do that much better than I can. I hope I can convince you to buy and read this book before you know much about it.

Read it slow, savor the writing, the plot, the characters. It's a little bit special.

After reading the book again, I’ve never cried so much as when I was reading the scene when the Earl, Robert, died. Incredibly moving.24 s Sheila Majczan2,474 172

4.5 rounded up to 5 stars

First, know that this book, as stated in the story description, has Elizabeth marrying and loving deeply another man before she ever meets William Darcy. The man has had two marriages both of which ended in not only the death of his spouse but also the deaths of children from both marriages. His relationship with both women was not a love relationship. He has over 20 years on Elizabeth and that might seem a little off putting but he in no way has a father/daughter relationship with Elizabeth. They are well matched intellectually and he has learned through the years how to pick his fights and how or when to give in. Plus they have a passionate and fulfilling love life. (No graphic details.)

Being very wealthy Robert Talbot (Earl of Asheland) does much to not only to provide generously for his wife but also sets Mr. Bennet the example of what a father should be doing by adding to the Bennet sisters' financial futures but then also seeking proper education and monitoring by governesses where needed.

Darcy is one of many haute ton acquaintances and/or friends and as he is in company with them over several years he observes (in his staring, stand-offish way) much about Elizabeth and also about the relationship she has with Robert. He wants a woman such as that and he wants that type of close, at times playful and passionate relationship. He wants a mother she is for his own offspring.

In what is essentially a second volume/part II to this book, Elizabeth is a widow. Her husband has exhorted her to love again upon his death bed. She has no intention of doing so. And although he has guaranteed that her and her children's legal rights and wealth can never be touched or affected by any man she might marry, she shows no inclination towards another relationship, not even an affair.

Darcy makes all the same mistakes, even referring to her original background as a Bennet from Hertfordshire. Oh, he has now decided that since his original "perfect wife" is available why should he search for a copy. But he does have a lot of ground to make up and he decides that time and effort are well worth the prize in the end. He also has to prove that he will be a good "step-father" to her three children by Asheland.

This book does not contain much of canon. The author has many of the same people but their history and the relationships are all her own. I enjoyed this story and recommend it to others.25 s Mary556 11

Dear Reader,

Providence shone on Robert Talbot and Lizzy Bennet on a wet,foggy,February morn, intersecting their paths and initiating a union of shared hearts,minds,loyalty,family values and love.

Being loved and loving in return is an extremely powerful tie,one which brought endless joy,confidence,happiness and maturity to these two strong,independent and loving individuals.

Alas,these halcyon days came to a cruelly unexpected end and with it a forced acceptance that while one must forge ahead,one can never expect to meet another to fill the gaping void left in one's life.

But one didn't factor in the determined efforts of a particular gent,one who,in parts, proved irritatingly insufferable,offensively overbearing yet also adorably committed and endearingly tunnel visioned in his unshakeable certainty that theirs would be a union of true minds,mirroring her former marriage but not a clone of such.

Could she risk all she holds dear and place her and her beloved children's future felicity in the hands of this Derbyshire gent?

Dear Reader,I absolutely adored this wonderful story and greatly admire how the various threads involving the Talbots, Bennets,Bingleys and Darcys were seamlessly embroidered into a satisfying and deeply compelling tale.

Ms Adams breathed life into her characters and lovingly portrayed them as realistic and three dimensional figures,supporting each other as they encountered the trials and tribulations of life.

My words cannot do justice to this book,nor to how truly happy I was to find myself transported to a different era and allowed to witness the unfolding of not just one love story but several.

Highly recommended to all lovers of JAFF and romance! Treat yourself to this one! You won't be disappointed! 201817 s wosedwew1,254 116

Even hundredfold grief is divisible by love. ~ Terri Guillemets

If you’re a JAFF reader who can’t abide either Darcy or Elizabeth married to anyone else take this book off your TBR list and stop reading this review now.


Not only has Elizabeth married very young, she soon has three children and she is very much in love with her husband. We see the courtship and early marriage between Elizabeth and Robert Talbot. That is how he first introduces himself – as plain Robert Talbot. Later, he confesses he is an earl and very wealthy. Elizabeth becomes a countess and learns how to thrive in the highest levels of English society, all while she is becoming a Mother.

The story moves ahead to the Bingley/Hurst/Darcy party’s arrival at Netherfield. Elizabeth is visiting her family at the time while her husband attends to business in town. At the Meryton Assembly, Caroline and Louisa hear talk about a Countess but when they are introduced, Elizabeth gives her name as just plain Mrs. Talbot. Some of the best scenes are with the superior sisters, especially when they finally learn they have been disrespectful to a very highly-placed member of society.

Part 1 ends with the tragedy of Robert’s death from a riding accident.

No one ever really dies as long as they took the time to leave us with fond memories. ~ Chris Sorensen

Part 2 deals with Elizabeth’s grief and eventual recovery.

Darcy had formed a friendship with Robert and was present when he was thrown from his horse. He supported the widow behind the scenes and wrote letters to the family.

Darcy had long admired the marital relationship between Robert and Elizabeth and was resolved to find a similar girl. He never considered Elizabeth as a possible wife for himself until more than two years after Robert’s death when Darcy sees Elizabeth as ready to consider marriage again and realizes that instead of a similar wife, he could pursue the original.

She was no longer wrestling with the grief, but could sit down with it as a lasting companion and make it a sharer in her thoughts. ~ George Eliot

Oddly, I d the first part of the story much better than the second half.

I d Robert’s influence on Mr. Bennet to educate the younger sisters and curb their behavior. I to imagine this is how Darcy could have influenced the Bennet family in canon if only Elizabeth had accepted his Hunsford proposal.

I d the Caroline Bingley set-downs when she realized just how very far down society’s scale she was.

I d Robert’s mentoring of his brother Bingley and his consultations with the much-younger Darcy.

I would recommend this to anyone who s JAFF – unless you can’t accept ODC married to someone else.

There are those who'll bet
love comes but once, and yet
I'm oh, so glad we met
the second time around
The Second Time Around Lyrics | MetroLyrics2017 2022 audible ...more16 s Sam H.979 42

2022- Sigh. An amazing story, well performed as an audiobook!

2021/08 reread as an audiobook, narrated by Stevie Zimmerman!
This woman is an artist. She could read the telephone book in the manner of a P&P retelling and it would be awesome!
Amazing book! I did forget how long the Epilogue was. Not sure it needed that extra bit.

2020
Took me a while to get in to this story, but once I realized how different a variation it is, I kind of went along for the ride. It is descriptive at times, and can meander in to segways to explain secondary character side-stories. There is no evil drama to create tension in this book.

It tells the story of EB and all those she loves, from her being 17 yrs old there is one quite dramatic part to the story (which you kind of have to see coming) Once I got the rhythm of this author's story telling, and that it flowed without a big bad, I began to enjoy it.

Would definitely reread.2021 2022 2023 ...more12 s Carole (in Canada)800 62


Re-read: Just as wonderful as the first time I read this book!

This was the perfect book to read for Valentine's Day! It is a story that will wrap around your heart and pull at all your heartstrings. Not only do we have one love story, but we get two.

This is definitely a variation that changes up canon. I felt a member of the family, as I became immersed in Elizabeth Bennet's life. You feel her indecision, her joy and her love...you also feel her pain.

On her way to London with Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, they help a gentleman whose carriage has broken down. Elizabeth is not yet 18 but is a vivacious young woman. The gentleman, Mr. Robert Talbot, is forty-one and has buried two wives and three children. He has no intention of every marrying again.

"I have been a slave to duty these thirty years and now my life will finally be my own." (quote from the book)

Famous last words...for not long after meeting Elizabeth and the Gardiners, he is completely captivated. So, take a chance and see how Mr. Robert Talbot, the Earl of Asheland, is the making of Elizabeth Bennet and the guiding hand of the Bennet family. Take a chance and see how Mr. Darcy manages to insult her and become the man worthy of her regard...you wont be disappointed.favorites variations11 s Dung443

Gosh, I have never been so torn between having a HEA for Darcy and Elizabeth and wanting her to stay married to someone else!! I truly loved her relationship with her first husband and didn’t want anything bad to happen to them.

Elizabeth Adam is a talented writer. You can feel the emotions coming off the pages. The other are great with recapping the story.

I would recommend reading this for JAFF fans but also those who have lost a spouse. It gives you hope for a second opportunity in love. It was done respectfully and gave credit to the memory of a former spouse/parent.austen-inspried books-owned-kindle-ibook books-to-purchase ...more10 s Meredith (Austenesque Reviews)971 325

What If Elizabeth’s First Husband Was a Wealthy and Wonderful Earl?

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars


TYPE OF AUSTENESQUE NOVEL: Pride and Prejudice variation

TIME FRAME: Begins 2 years before the events of Pride and Prejudice and takes a widely different course

SYNOPSIS: What if a twice-widowed earl (who is twice her age) found in Elizabeth a true companion that would bring him the marital happiness he has been searching for his whole life? What if at the time she first meets Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth has been the Countess of Asheland for two years, happily marred to her beloved husband and mother to two adorable children? Elizabeth Bennet is no longer “a young woman without family, connections, or fortune,” in fact, her connections and fortune far exceed Mr. Darcy’s! In her latest Pride and Prejudice variation, Elizabeth Adams explores what happens when Darcy and Elizabeth are on more equal ground…
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