Release of Answered Prayers – A P&P Short Story by Mary Simonsen

Answered Prayers - August 15, 2015Darcy and Elizabeth – Answered Prayers – Although four months have passed since Elizabeth Bennet’s rejection of his marriage proposal, Fitzwilliam Darcy has yet to come to grips with the idea of a future devoid of Elizabeth’s love and companionship. Riding through the rain to reach Pemberley, Darcy arrives at his home with his mood as gloomy as the weather. When he discovers that Elizabeth and her aunt and uncle are touring the gardens, Darcy decides to use the approaching storm as a way to keep Elizabeth at Pemberley. It is his last chance to convince Elizabeth that he is a man worthy of her affection. Will he succeed?

I am back with the third and final short story in what I am calling the “Pemberley series” because all three stories take place at Pemberley. You may ask, why Pemberley? The answer is simple: I just love how Jane Austen brings it all together in the gardens at Mr. Darcy’s Derbyshire estate.

By the time Darcy and Elizabeth arrive at Pemberley, they have had sufficient time to take a hard look at their own prejudices. In doing so, they realize that they have both fallen short. Elizabeth recognizes that she was too eager to think well of George Wickham and too quick to think ill of Mr. Darcy. But it is Darcy’s epiphany that allows the story to blossom. A self-centered, class-conscious man from England’s elite has fallen in love with the daughter of a gentleman farmer. What will the neighbors think! The wonder of it all is that he doesn’t care! It is at Pemberley where our charming pair take their first steps toward reconciliation. By the time Elizabeth leaves the manor house, there is nothing but blue skies and smooth sailing ahead.

D&E Gardens

Yes, I know that Lydia and Wickham happen, but we don’t believe for one minute that those two self-absorbed people will destroy the happiness of our beloved couple. The story of an immature teenager and a scoundrel almost gets in the way of the happy ending that we know is coming.

I write about Pemberley because it is so hopeful. Although Austen never intended to write a romance, once an author releases her work to the world, it becomes the property of the reader. To millions of Jane Austen’s readers, Pride and Prejudice is a romance—and a satisfying one at that. I hope you will enjoy my short story. Now, here is an excerpt from Answered Prayers:

The setting: The study at Pemberley with Darcy enjoying the port, i.e., he is a bit tipsy.

With the firelight flickering across Darcy’s face, Lizzy saw a deep and abiding hurt and knew that she was the one responsible for it.

“If I caused you any pain—”

“Yes, I know. It was unconsciously done, and you hoped that it would be of short duration. Unfortunately for me, you were wrong.”

“Mr. Darcy, I—”

“I was never so surprised in my life. Whenever I saw you at Rosings, I felt ridiculous because my feelings for you were so obvious: my visits to the Parsonage, our encounters in the park, how I could not take my eyes off of you during church services, supper, while you played, and on and on.” Shaking his head, he added, “A moonstruck calf had more dignity than I did.”

“I honestly did not know of your—”

“Of my what? Interest, regard, affection, love. That was the progression. When you came to Netherfield, you piqued my interest. During all those interminable card parties, you merited my regard. At the Netherfield ball, you earned my affection, and by the time I saw you in Kent, I was in love. Well done, Elizabeth,” Darcy said, raising his glass, “and you did not even notice.”

Darcy and Elizabeth – Answered Prayers is available on Kindle and Nook for .99.

I would love to hear your comments. Thanks for your present, past, and future support of my writing efforts.

P.S. For those who enjoy my Patrick Shea mystery series, the fifth book, Murder by Moonlighting, will be released next week.

27 comments

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    • EvelynTost on September 11, 2015 at 1:58 am
    • Reply

    Got it! And I’ll take a look at your new Patrick Shea as I did enjoy the last one, too. Hope they are both a huge success for you. And looks to be a great way to complete your Pemberley trilogy. Thank you!

      • Mary Simonsen on September 11, 2015 at 11:53 am
      • Reply

      Thank YOU, Evelyn. I hope you enjoy Answered Prayers. I appreciate your support.

    • Michelle Hall on September 11, 2015 at 4:05 am
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    Morning Mary, just about to go on to Amazon and purchase this as I have the other two. I love all your stories. You are one of my favourite JAFF authors. Very selfish of me but I hope you will publish another Regency/time travel D & E story very soon as I will have withdrawal symptoms. Thank you for keeping the story of D & E alive for people like myself.

      • Mary Simonsen on September 11, 2015 at 11:54 am
      • Reply

      Thanks, Michelle. I truly do appreciate my readers. I’ve met some of the nicest people through JAFF. I would love to write another time-travel romance. It’s just that the wheels are spinning a little slower these days. 🙂

    • Deborah on September 11, 2015 at 7:00 am
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    Love the excerpt. Got it. as usual, can’t wait to read it, but I must. Have to go to work.

      • Mary Simonsen on September 11, 2015 at 11:55 am
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      Work! That’s too bad! 😉 Have a good day, and I hope you enjoy the story.

    • Joy King on September 11, 2015 at 9:44 am
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    Oh, sigh! Well done, Mary.

      • Mary Simonsen on September 11, 2015 at 11:55 am
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      Thanks, Joy. I appreciate the compliment from a fellow writer.

    • Megan on September 11, 2015 at 10:43 am
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    Yea for new stories! I love your P&P short stories and the Patrick Shea series so seeing this post made me smile after a particularly rough night at work (thanks for that!). Can’t wait to read both!

      • Mary Simonsen on September 11, 2015 at 12:00 pm
      • Reply

      Thanks for your support, Megan. Sorry you had a rough night. I hope this story puts a smile on your face. Have a great day!

  1. Congratulations, Mary! The excerpt is enjoyable to read. I hope you will wrote and publish more Darcy and Elizabeth stories.

      • Mary Simonsen on September 11, 2015 at 12:00 pm
      • Reply

      Thanks, Sylvia. Hope all is well with you.

  2. Congrats on your release, Mary!! Always so lovely to see a new story by you 😉 .

      • Mary Simonsen on September 11, 2015 at 12:00 pm
      • Reply

      Thanks, Marilyn. I appreciate the good wishes.

  3. Congratulations on your two book releases, Mary!! I especially loved that last paragraph of the excerpt as spoken by Darcy. I’m heading to Amazon immediately; I *need* to read the rest of this story…*now.*

    Well done!! I can’t wait!! 🙂

    I also have the first of the Patrick O’Shea mysteries on my Kindle, and I’m very much looking forward to becoming suitably absorbed in that series.

    Thank you, Mary!! 🙂

    Warmly,
    Susanne 🙂

      • Mary Simonsen on September 11, 2015 at 12:05 pm
      • Reply

      Thanks, Susanne. I really appreciate ALL your kind comments and your support. When I post, it’s so nice to see familiar names. Hope you enjoy D&E Answered Prayers.

    • Carol on September 11, 2015 at 11:47 am
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    Congratulations on your new book, Mary. Cannot wait to read your third short story in the Pemberley series. Ordered it early this morning sometime after midnight. As soon as I finish the other book that I’m reading, it’s next on my list. So enjoyed the first two. Please keep your Darcy and Elizabeth stories coming. I’ve enjoyed them all. Thank you for including the picture of Darcy and Elizabeth. They are the only ones – the BBC series was fantastic and that is who I see through your stories.

      • Mary Simonsen on September 11, 2015 at 12:06 pm
      • Reply

      I agree with you about the BBC series. Although I enjoyed the ’05 movie, when I write D&E, it’s Colin and Jennifer in my head. They did such a terrific job. I hope you enjoy the story. I appreciate your supports.

  4. Another new story from you is a treat for me and I hit double bonus learning about a new Patrick Shea. 😉

      • Mary Simonsen on September 12, 2015 at 11:32 am
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      Thanks, Sophia Rose. Whenever I think of someone reading Patrick Shea, you always come to mind. 🙂

    • Jennifer Redlarczyk on September 11, 2015 at 5:49 pm
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    Beautiful!

      • Mary Simonsen on September 12, 2015 at 11:33 am
      • Reply

      🙂

    • Stephanie L on September 11, 2015 at 9:34 pm
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    I bought it early this morning when it popped up on my “recommended for you” page! Congrats on the new releases!!

      • Mary Simonsen on September 12, 2015 at 11:34 am
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      Thanks, Stephanie. I hope you know how much I appreciate your support. 🙂

    • Sheila L. M. on September 12, 2015 at 11:09 am
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    Went to Amazon and bought it and will now read it while I eat and definitely will be buying Patrick’s next adventure. I have to get back into the train wreck which I am half way though. Thank you for all your hard work.

      • Mary Simonsen on September 12, 2015 at 11:34 am
      • Reply

      Sheila, What can I say? You read my JA, Patrick Shea, AND Mud Run, AND you write reviews!. You are an uber fan! Thanks so much.

    • Lynn Char on September 16, 2015 at 10:41 pm
    • Reply

    Just picked it up. Can’t wait to get started!!!

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