A Case of Some Urgency: A Variation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

By Mary Smythe

Enjoyment rating: 4 out of 5

Level 1 intimacy

Synopsis: Elizabeth and the Gardiners are departing Pemberley after receiving the news of Lydia's supposed elopement. While on the way to Longbourne, Elizabeth is rereading the letter from Darcy but has to quickly hide it in the carriage seat when her aunt speaks to her. Unfortunately, she forgets the letter and it is later found by Mr. Bennet! Worse, he READS IT so now he is privy to Darcy's involvement in separating Jane and Bingley as well as the sordid tale of Wickham. Mr. Bennet goes to Darcy and demands that he marry Elizabeth!

Having read Pride & Prejudice fanfic for awhile now, I've determined that the forced proximity/early marriage trope is one of my favorites. This story obliges but overall was not right for me. The characters are mostly believable when comparing to their original counterparts in P&P. However, I was promptly rubbed the wrong way when Mr. Bennet announced to the entire family that Elizabeth would be marrying Darcy without having the courtesy to speak to her privately first.

Lydia and Wickham are the primary troublemakers and they can be exhausting. Both are exceedingly selfish, self-centered, and have cruel streaks that were a bit painful to experience. Their vitriol was intolerable. I overall enjoyed the story but probably would not read again.