Quotations Weblog

Twenty years after Elizabeth married Mr. Darcy, they have five daughters of their own to raise. The happy couple are forced to leave for Constantinople. The two male heirs, too young to leave Pemberley, are left with Elizabeth’s father, Mr. Bennett, but their five daughters have been left in the care of Colonel Fitzwilliam in London. Five wildly independent and eligible daughters with fortunes in London!

That is the scenario set in Mr. Darcy’s Daughters by Elizabeth Aston. For Jane Austen lovers, this book is probably the best I could recommend. It is the first in a series of books about the Darcy family and promises many lovely evenings of reading.

It was an quick and enjoyable read. There were a few old characters, but most were new. Not once was the name of Mr. Collins mentioned and at no time did Ms. Aston plagiarize from Austen’s original work.

Here are my favorite quotes from the book:

I was grateful for so many little things in this book. We weren’t worried about an heir to the Darcy fortune. We weren’t worried for the safety of the Darcys’ travel to Constantinople. We weren’t worried about the Darcy girls having to make their way in the world. Spoiled and unruly, I truly enjoyed reading the exploits of the Darcy girls. In the end, I didn’t believe that the heroine was truly in love with the hero, but I didn’t care. The marriage promised happy adventures all over the world. What’s a lack of affection to that?

The worst that could be accused is that Elizabeth Aston’s name seems perilously close to the name of Austen, so that it will be easy for her audience to find her books on the shelves at the bookstore. I know this is a common practice, but it irks me every time I notice it.

If you like this book, there are many more to enjoy:

• Book Two: The Exploits & Adventures of Miss Alethea Darcy – The youngest of the Darcy sisters has sadly married. She escapes her married home with her maid, dressed as a man. The two run away to Europe to throw themselves on the mercy of her sister, Camilla. When Althea’s husband is found murdered, it is she that the authorities are looking for.

• Book Three: The True Darcy Spirit – Amazing as it may seem Anne de Bourgh married and bore a child, Cassandra. A gifted artist, Cassandra, is determined to make her living on her own by painting in London, but political intrigue and treasure-seeking lords find her soon enough.

• Book Four: The Second Mrs. Darcy – Octavia Melbury is outspoken, which is a trait that few English gentleman care for. Captain Christopher Darcy, however, is entranced by her and the two are married. When he is carried off, she is left by penniless the evil George Warren. Fortune smiles on her and she comes into an inheritance of her own. Family tries to marry her off, Mr. Warren returns in an effort to steal Octavia’s fortune and she finds true love on her own.