For the Love of Darcy

P&P peacockI fell in love with Mr. Darcy for the first time when I was a 14-year-old high school freshman. We were assigned Pride and Prejudice in English class, and there was a cute but pesky boy sitting near me. Up until then, I’d kinda had a crush on the boy (even though I knew he wasn’t worth the energy). He may have distracted me through other assigned readings but, this time, he — and, indeed, all of our fellow classmates in our little Wisconsin town — disappeared when I started reading about Lizzy and Darcy, the Netherfield Ball, the beautiful grounds at Pemberley, the unscrupulous deeds of Mr. Wickham and the full host of human behaviors Jane Austen laid out before us like platters at a feast.

By the 3rd chapter, I’d decided Jane was a genius. By the 33rd chapter, she’d already managed to become my favorite author, not to mention a guiding light of wisdom in my (frequently failing) teenage attempts at understanding my peers. Every person I knew in my high school class had suddenly been branded with a private but very apt, in my opinion, Austen label: I knew a sweet Jane Bennet or two…and far too many Wickhams. I could point fingers and wince at the mean-girl antics of those nasty Caroline Bingleys and spot a Lydia from the striking distance of half a football field. But where was my Mr. Darcy? He was not (I assure you!) at my high school. He was not — although I swear I conducted a thorough search — at my undergraduate university either.

However, I finished college and began teaching elementary schoolers in Illinois. My 23rd birthday — just a few weeks into the school year — was an event my friend Mary insisted upon celebrating. So, she and I went out for sodas and sandwiches on a mid-week night at a local restaurant. Mary, extravert that she was, started chatting it up with another woman at the next table. There were two men at that table as well. One of them left shortly thereafter to make a phone call, while the second one (and only because he was trying to be polite) got up to talk with me. It was clear neither of us really wanted to converse with some stranger just then. We were introverts who were enjoying our known companions and wanted to get back to our real conversations. Nevertheless, our friends left us with little choice.

accordingtojane[1]I soon discovered that this man — a high school English and history teacher — had read my beloved Jane Austen on his own. FOR FUN, he told me! I was incredulous and squinted at him suspiciously. After a half hour of conversation, he asked for my phone number, then called me a few days later to formally ask me out. I accepted — still suspicious, but also curious now. After our first date, though, I had to admit (a little begrudgingly) that he was kind of cool. I came back from our evening together with the oddest sense of certainty that I had, in fact, met my Mr. Darcy at long last.

That night was 20 years ago this week. And while I always try to temper my doughy romantic heart with a clear-eyed view of relationships…I’m happy to say I wasn’t wrong about him. It was only fitting that he was one of the three men (along with my brother and son) to whom I dedicated my debut novel, According to Jane, the story of a modern women who has the ghost of Austen in her head, giving her dating advice. Boy, I could have used help like that back then! And in my new book, Friday Mornings at Nine, a tale of three 40-something moms who wonder if they married the right man, he was the one who helped me brainstorm plot ideas (along with a few good friends!), even when plotting turned to questions of infidelity and uncertainty. I’m thankful every day for him because, while there may be multiple Darcys sprinkled around the world — and, perhaps, some of you know one or two of them — I’m still so glad I found mine.

007 Marilyn Brant--clipped

Marilyn Brant

Marilyn Brant is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author of Contemporary Women’s Fiction and Romantic Comedy. She’s published eight novels to date, including ACCORDING TO JANE, which was a #1 Kindle Bestseller, won RWA’s Golden Heart Award and was named one of Buzzle.com’s “100 Best Romance Novels of All Time.” She also wrote PRIDE, PREJUDICE AND THE PERFECT MATCH, which was a Top 100 Bestseller on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble. And her latest novel, a coming-of-age romantic mystery called THE ROAD TO YOU, is just out!

35 comments on “Marilyn Brant: For the Love of Darcy”

    1. sadriani
      Marilyn, what a delightful story! I, too, could have used the reasonable voice of Jane Austen whispering in my ear during school – I have to agree: far too many Wickhams!Isn’t it amazing what happens to us when we least expect it? Your personal Mr. Darcy sounds like a dream come true, and I’m so happy you found each other. Very serendipitous! Happy 20th anniversary to you both!Susan

    1. Jane Odiwe
      That’s such a lovely story! Your Mr Darcy was obviously meant to be!

    1. Heather Lynn Rigaud
      Hey Marilyn!I married my Darcy 20 years ago (give or take a couple months) How funy is that?You wrote a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing it!

    1. Cindy Jones
      Thank you for the great story–nice way to start the day! It sounds like you are married to your First Reader. Me too. Best wishes for your new release!

    1. Pamala Knight
      Thank you for sharing how you met your wonderful Mr. Darcy. It’s amazing to be able to recognize Darcy (or Lizzy) when all those Wickhams and Carolines are clouding the landscape.Happy Anniversary (and bonne annee, belated of course)!

    1. J. Marie Croft
      Marilyn,
      Your photo gives the impression you’re about to lean in and tell us all a delicious story, and you did!
      When you came back from the restaurant with the oddest sense of certainty you had met your Mr. Darcy, perhaps you had Jane Austen in your head giving dating advice.
      Happy 20th anniversary to you both.
      Joanne

    1. Maria Geraci
      Aw, Marilyn! What a great story! Congratulations to you and your Mr. Darcy for 20 years together!

    1. Marilyn Brant
      Susan, thank you! It did feel serendipitous (I love that word ;). My friend Mary was at our wedding and kept saying the same thing.Jane, thanks! Yeah…I’m gonna keep him ;-).Heather, congrats to you on 20 years, too!! Wishing you and your Darcy many more!Cindy, isn’t it wonderful to have a great critiquer/reader who lives with you? I’m glad you’ve got that, too :). p.s. I will add that there were some scenes that inspired eye-rolling on his part, though–LOL.Pamala~thanks so much, my friend, for all the good wishes. {Hug!}Joanne–LOL!! I’d love it if you were right! Maybe Jane was there with me all along… ;)

      Maria, thanks, sweetie!! It’s still hard for me to believe that it’s been so long! (Or that I’ve gotten this old. :-)

    1. Margay
      Hi, Marilyn! I wish I could’ve met my own Mr. Darcy, but I’m thankful that I can read about him in books like Miss Austen’s and yours – According to Jane is still one of my favorite recent reads.
      Margay

    1. Vee
      What a great story Marilyn. How wonderful that you found your Mr Darcy!
      I certainly love reading about romance. Particularly Darcy & Lizzy’s romance. But I also enjoy reading about real life romance, such as yours, when after all these years you feel blessed to have each other. Congratulations!
      TSBO devotee
      Vee

    1. Kimberly Hulst
      I would be happy with a Mr. Bingley.I have this added to my to buy list. And congrats on 20 years of being together!

    1. Pamela Cayne
      What a lovely story, Miss Bennett! Some things were indeed meant to be! And hey–love the new digs here. Congrats!

    1. RivkaBelle
      Awwww!!! That’s such a sweet, amazing story!!! I’m still waiting on my Darcy, but I think I’ve met a couple Bingleys. I’m just too much a Lizzie to be their Jane, haha …I wish I could have Jane Austen as a best friend – I think she’d have an interesting take on the craziness of life :o)Congratulations Mrs Darcy! ;o)

    1.  

    1. Marilyn Brant
      Margay~thank you! You’ve been incredibly supportive over the past year and I’m so appreciative ;). Really glad to hear the great news on FB about Marissa, too!! So happy to hear she’s doing well…Thanks, Vee! I feel pretty lucky to have met my hubby, even though I could strangle him today. (He gave me his terrible cold and now I can’t breathe–argh!) Sometimes we share TOO MUCH in marriage, eh?!Kimberly~oh, thank you so much! I really hope you’ll like the book! (It does have some racy scenes…just giving you fair warning. :) And many thanks for the congrats, too.Pamela, you wonderful lady you!! Thanks for visiting me here — I like the new digs, too!!RivkaBelle, thank you!! Wishing you the Darcy of your dreams… And I so agree — it would be amazing to hear Jane’s real take on the world today ;).

    1. Jessica
      Congrats on finding your Mr. Darcy – I bet you are glad your friend insisted on taking you out for your birthday ;)

    1. Abigail Reynolds
      I knew far too many of the wrong characters from P&P when I was in high school, too. How lovely that you found a man who read P&P for fun – a very good sign. I loved According to Jane and I’m looking forward to your new book!So glad to have you with us!!!!!!!!! (see, I can do lots of exclamation points, too!)

    1. Chelsea B.
      Awwwwwe! I enjoyed your post so much! Thanks for sharing :-)

    1. Kara Louise
      Thanks for sharing your wonderful journey with us and congratulations on your success! I read According to Jane and thought it was fun, now I can’t wait to read more!

    1. Marilyn Brant
      Jessica, I have never stopped thanking her for that!! (And I have a profound respect for the natural chattiness of extraverts, too. :)Abigail, SO glad to be with you, too!!!!! Thank you so very much for inviting me!!!!!!!! xoxoChelsea, I’m really glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU for visiting ;).

    1. Marilyn Brant
      Kara, thank you!! And I’m anxious to read Darcy’s Voyage! Congrats again on your book release ;-).

    1. Lisa
      What a lovely story! Thanks for sharing about your childhood and how you met your Mr Darcy!

    1. Nina
      Marilyn,I first read P & P at 14 too. You were way more mature than I was, for I fell in love with Bingley at first, then Wickham and I was SHOCKED when she ended up with Mr. Darcy. At that age, I had no patience for arrogant men. Still don’t, but now I know how to handle them better! ;)Loved ATJ. That rapscallion Sam was just too adorable in his befuddlement about Ellie. Can’t wait to read Friday Morning at Nines, perhaps after reading it, I’ll even call up some friends and do lunches instead of emailing!Nina

    1. Vee
      LOL so true about sharing too much at times and also wanting to strangle haha! Hang in there Marilyn hope your devoted hubby is taking good care of you especially since he so kindly gave you the bug;)
      TSBO devotee
      Vee

    1. Marilyn Brant
      Lisa, thank you! I’m so glad you liked it :).Nina–LOL!! I’m glad one of us knows how to handle these arrogant men ;-). I’ll admit to have gotten a bit better at it over the decades, but sometimes I’m still left speechless…Thanks, Vee! I’m going to tell him he at least owes me some chocolate this weekend. And a neck rub :).

    1. Amy Z
      Thank you Marilyn for sharing your beautiful story with us. Wishing you great success with the new book and congratulations on the success of the last one. I enjoyed it very much. Aren’t we lucky — we ladies who have managed to find our Darcy’s in life? I’ve been married to mine for nearly 18 years and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

    1. Marilyn Brant
      Amy, thanks so much for your lovely comments (I’m thrilled you liked the post and According to Jane, too ;), and congratulations to you for having found your Darcy and gotten to spend all of those years together. Wishing you both a wonderful weekend!

    1. Meredith
      What an amazing story! I’m so glad you found your Mr. Darcy, and you discovered him through discussing Jane Austen! That is awesome! What a lovely post, Marilyn, thank you for sharing!

    1. Marilyn Brant
      Thank you, Meredith!! I still love talking with him about Austen, and I have to admit, it’s been pretty funny over the years to hear him describe people we’ve met as a Wickham or a Bingley. (He’s quite confident that he’s the only Darcy of my acquaintance. ;-)

    1. Kathryn L Nelson
      “Ghost of Austen” indeed! She has certainly been busy. Delightful to think of your inspired romance. I’m looking forward to the rest of the story…

    1. Marilyn Brant
      Oh, Kathryn, thank you! And I’m very much looking forward to your Pemberley Manor! :)

    1. Heather Lynn Rigaud
      This comment thread is now closed for the weekly drawings. Thanks!

    1. Joanne
      can’t wait to read According to Jane!! sounds so cool.

    1. Marilyn Brant
      Heather, thanks for letting us know ;).Thank you so much, Joanne!!

12 comments

Skip to comment form

    • Sheila L. M. on February 7, 2014 at 12:48 pm
    • Reply

    Marilyn, I can’t buy any more books just now as I have too many unread ones on my kindle and I am re-reading paperbacks to post reviews but the two books mentioned in this old post are going to be on my “wish list”. I have enjoyed the 2 I read and the WIP on line. Don’t know if you’ll read this since it is a very old blog but wanted to, again, say, how your writing appeals to me.

    1. Sheila,
      May I just say again how much I appreciate you?! Thank you so much for the compliment of reading my stories and wanting to read more! (A word about According to Jane — that is one of my steamiest books, so be forewarned!) And, btw, I always reply to comments whenever I see them. Even if I can’t get to them the day a blog essay is posted, I check back whenever possible to respond to readers who are kind enough to leave me messages 🙂 . So, thanks for sharing your thoughts, both here and on Amazon!

        • Sheila L. M. on February 8, 2014 at 6:27 pm
        • Reply

        I do not mind sex scenes but it depends on how they are handled and the context. I discovered Abigail long ago and have all her books and she is not shy about adding such scenes. And back in the 70’s before this JAFF genre came to my attention I was reading historical romances which had sex in all of them. (My favorite: Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, née Kathleen Erin Hogg (June 3, 1939 – July 6, 2007), was a U.S. writer, pioneered the historical romance genre with the 1972 publication of her novel The Flame and the Flower.) I have Linda Berdoll’s JAFF books. Have not reviewed them online but they are X rated and maybe even XXX. I laughed at certain descriptions and even read one aloud to my adult daughter. And then there is Mr. Collins’ cucumber in The Scenes that JA Never Wrote. I LOL’ed and had tears in my eyes. So you will not put me off with that warning. The 2 books and WIP have proven to me that you will give me some interesting reading. BTW: I am from the generation which had bra burning, draft card burning, civil rights protests, etc. Make Love, Not War…so I have been around and it is hard to embarrass me but I do know my tastes. Enough said.

        1. LOLOL, Sheila!!
          Well, I’m very glad to know this! Thank you!! And I’m thrilled that you found the other books/WIP to be interesting reading — *hugs!* As for Kathleen Woodiwiss, I have several of her novels, including The Flame and the Flower! She left a tremendous mark on the world of romance… 🙂

            • Sheila L. M. on February 9, 2014 at 12:14 am
            • Reply

            Shanna is my favorite. I had all her novels at one time but only kept her last one upon her death.

            1. I haven’t read that one…but I’ll have to now 😉 .

    • Deborah on February 7, 2014 at 2:45 pm
    • Reply

    Thank you for reposting this and thank you for that story. I must say my husband is the person who 3 years ago read Pride and Prejudice and asked me if I had ever read it. I told him I hadn’t and he said I should so I did and became hooked. So, I have to thank him for introducing me…an odd turn of events…at that point we had been married 23 years. I also love family history and have been researching our the family trees. On his mother’s side and believe this, or not, he is decended from the Darcys who came to England with William the Conquerer or I shouyld say the D’Arcys. So, I guess you could say I really do have my own Mr. Darcy.

    1. Oh, Deborah, I *love* these stories about your husband!!! WOW! Not only are you married to a real D’Arcy/Darcy, but the fact that he was the one who introduced you to Austen’s work is worthy of a full romantic swoon 😀 . How cool is that?!! Thank you for sharing this with me! <3

    • Karen Holt on February 7, 2014 at 9:43 pm
    • Reply

    Now I am intrigued…. need to read According to Jane as I’m a Wisconsin girl and an Austen addict.

    1. Karen,
      Yay! I’m delighted to meet another Wisconsinite AND another Austen fan!!!
      Thank you for taking the time to comment! I truly hope you’ll enjoy According to Jane 🙂 >

    • Chanpreet on February 7, 2014 at 10:38 pm
    • Reply

    That’s so romantic! Thank you for sharing something so personal.

    1. *Hug!*
      Thanks, Chanpreet!!
      My hubby is a good guy…it was a lot of fun to get look back and remember that day we met 😉 .

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.