Showing results by author "Carrie Mollenkopf" in All Categories

Hertfordshire, England 1813…. Margaret Bennet, with skirts hiked past her ankles, ran across the kitchen garden, caring not who either witnessed her unladylike scamper, nor who got in her way. Resembling a hen in search of a wayward egg, she quite blended in with the chickens in the yard who took flight from their nests at the sight of her. But haste was to be made, and there was not a moment to lose. Netherfield Park had been let, and even better, to a gentleman, reportedly of great wealth, nearly five thousand a year. And although her inconsiderate husband had yet to call upon the ...

On the outskirts of Lambton, Derbyshire, 1825… Fitzwilliam Darcy shook the agent’s hand firmly but would not give immediate agreement, for such an undertaking was not a thing to be done lightly. No, he wished to consult Elizabeth’s opinion before making any final decision, for it would affect her deeply. In truth, the project had the potential to impact all of Pemberley as well as the citizens of Lambton. Smiling wryly, he promised to send a message by the end of the week. A short enough time, but once done, would leave a lasting imprint. A mill required water to turn the complex ...

When Elizabeth Darcy joins her sister-in-law on the important task of house hunting, they discover far more than they ever expected. The vacant former leasehold of Ivyglenn is everything Georgiana ever dreamed, that is, all but the body in the attics. Who left a lady carefully posed in a wedding dress staring lifeless out the attic windows? Read an excerpt below... Elizabeth had wandered down an equally labyrinthine passage, leading towards one of the dormer windows. It’s light, surprisingly clear for a space so cluttered, shown down upon what appeared to be a dressmaker’s form clad in ...

Darcy closed the journal, it was the last entry, all the rest of the pages were covered with drawings of objects that he could not identify. Where these depictions of what his father had seen? The curiosity to disprove the ramblings of his parents was overwhelming, nearly as much as the desire to prove they were not both sinking into delusions. Rising, he took the keys and placed them carefully in their designated receptors before turning the numbered dials to a mere five days in the future. His hands shook slightly as a wave of nausea passed over him, threatening to halt his actions. ...

.Charles Bingley is in possession of five thousand a year, and a recent inheritance, but where did he acquire this fortune? Is he the respectable man that he appears to be? Or does his past hide something else? And what of his closest friend Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley, does he too, hide secrets that best remain buried? There are those who will do anything in the name of revenge, and those who will reciprocate with honor. London 1813…. Already regretting his decision, Fitzwilliam Darcy grumbled as he glimpsed the first views of the London dockside. The foul smells of rotting fish and ...

Before the Reverend Mr. Collins can take up his living under the patronage of Lady Catherine de Bourgh at Hunsford, he is beset by an old enemy who not only sells the good reverend into servitude, but takes his place as vicar. Unbeknownst to all, the imposter will seek a wife to secure his new status while the real Mr. Collins suffers aboard a ship bound for China. Through turmoil and misery, Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet will discover the ruse and attempt to set it to rights. Read an excerpt below from Stealing Mr. Collins: William Collins groaned as he tried in vain to open his ...

Just Elizabeth Darcy longs for another child with no success, an orphan is mysteriously thrust into her care. Unfortunately, of the only people who know of his origins, one lies dead, murdered by an unknown hand, and the other, suffering from an illness brought upon by shock, cannot speak. Who was the unknown woman meeting Lambton's aged vicar in the churchyard? And why was she in possession of a child that was not hers? Will this orphan baby be the answer to Elizabeth's desire for an addition to her family? Does Darcy share this feeling? Read an excerpt from Mrs. Darcy and the Churchyard ...

After Elizabeth Bennet refuses the proposal of the most arrogant man in England, she has little time to ponder what might have been when a sudden carriage accident claims the life of the Reverend William Collins, leaving his wife, Elizabeth’s dearest friend, badly injured. Caring for Charlotte as she recovers, Elizabeth’s strong spirit pervades Rosings Park, much to the great dislike of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. But simply sending Elizabeth home is not enough as her influence over Anne de Bourgh drives the heiress to seek a future that does not involve an arranged marriage. When matters...

Rosings Park, Kent 1799.... Catherine de Bourgh stared down at her daughter with distaste. She had never wanted children, much less the disappointment of a girl. What good was a female to anyone? The lives of women were dictated by men, and even in death, those same creatures had the final word. To make matters worse, the child was rather small, and had bouts of colic and every other infant ailment that one could imagine. The doctors had tried all manner of remedies, eventually giving up hope that Anne de Bourgh would live past infancy. But she had survived, and now returned her mother’s ...

"You know the estate far better than I, but one day, you will marry and leave. Then where will I be?” Elizabeth said gently. This admission, true in nearly all ways but one, sent another wave of embarrassment upon Georgiana’s features. However, this time she smiled shyly. “Do you really think so? I mean…marry?” “I think it will be sooner, rather than later, especially from the way Mr. Penwick looks at you.” “I do admit to finding him very agreeable, in all manners. But I wonder…” she replied, but suddenly her voice trailed Staring out across the placid lake, the pleasant...

Derbyshire, England 2018… Lee Darcy stared ruefully at the framed diploma. It was tastefully done, as to be expected from his Aunt Catherine, but the irony of it was laughable. His formal name, one he detested, was displayed in gold script above the Latin Summa Cum Laude. “Fitzwilliam Leopold Darcy” he said aloud, sarcasm heavy in his voice, hating the very sound of it as it curled off his tongue. Many was the times he had been the object of ridicule from that moniker. It had not been until prep school that anyone had caved in to using his nickname. Later, he had simply answered to ...

“Fitzwilliam, I have received most excellent news from Longbourn.” “Oh? Has Mr. Collins returned?” Darcy’s attempt at jest was met with equal amusement as Elizabeth tapped his hand playfully with the letter. The Reverend Collins was her father’s heir, and at one time, sought her in marriage. An odious sort of person, he had made her miserable for weeks, but eventually resigned himself to another, Elizabeth’s closest childhood friend. It had been an odd arrangement, but one that suited both parties. Mr. Collins required a wife and Charlotte wished to be mistress of her own home...

Elizabeth Bennet Darcy walked slowly down the long gallery that housed the visual images depicting generations of Darcys. As she paused before the frames, it was as if each pair of eyes was staring back, studying her in return. Imagining they could speak, Elizabeth pondered what opinions were held by her husband’s forebears. Were they pleased with the new mistress or did they find fault? Some of the portraits went back hundreds of years, having been installed in the current house long after the first had been razed during the early 14th century. Pemberley, as it now stood, was built upon ...

Pemberley 1818, Elizabeth Bennet Darcy sat alone in her private morning room contemplating her plans for the following week. It had been five years since her marriage, and she and her husband had fallen into an unofficial tradition of creating a series of small surprises to celebrate the occasion. More often than not, the surprises turned out the be jokes of the worst kind, but they loved it. Never ones for large crowds, they had preferred privacy to sharing, even with immediate family. So far, it had been nothing short of heavenly as they grew to know each other in ways that most married ...

When Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy indulge in a much needed holiday, it is far less than restful. From the opera houses of London to the beaches of Brighton, dangers follow as they attempt to save a new acquaintance. Read an excerpt from Mrs. Darcy and the Soprano's Suitor. “Miss Milton! It is Elizabeth Darcy. I trust you are enjoying your stay?” Turning, the young woman’s countenance broke into a smile, but it was short lived. While the presence of the Darcys was not entirely unwelcome, the sight of the man whose constant presence had been as yet considered coincidental, now drove ...

Nearly five years after her marriage, Elizabeth Darcy has every happiness a woman could want. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for her dearest sister Jane. After miscarrying a child, Jane is expecting once again, but the presence of Caroline Bingley is making her miserable. Fearing for Jane's health, Elizabeth goes against her own preferences and invites her former nemesis to Pemberley with the hopes of finding an appropriate husband for Caroline. However, Caroline's selfishness interferes with the happiness of everyone around her as she demands attention. Even sweet Georgiana Darcy ...

Whatever happened to Fitzwilliam Darcy to make him so proud? So arrogant? Did he truly look down upon Elizabeth Bennet, or was he suffering from a broken heart? This tale takes place months before the classic meeting between Elizabeth and Darcy as the reader will discover the events which caused our hero to be such a reluctant suitor, despite the demands of his feelings and the impracticality of their union. Will the love of Elizabeth be strong enough to heal Darcy and overcome those who wish to stand in their way? Read Darcy's side of the story and what he was willing to do to find true love.

With the impending arrival of their second child, as well as the plans for a spring wedding for his sister, Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley wants nothing but peace and quiet. But when distressing news arrives, he and Elizabeth must leave their personal desires and come to the assistance of Miss Darcy's fiance and journey to the moors of Devon. Read below for an exerpt from my latest Elizabeth Darcy Adventure. Darcy could not give a reason for his need to be concerned. His wife was the most sensible sort of person, and what she said was not without validation, but Elizabeth also had a ...

When Lady Catherine de Bourgh descends upon Pemberley, she has but two missions in mind. The first, is to prevent the marriage between her niece and a most unacceptable man. The other, is to make life miserable for Elizabeth. Will she succeed? Or, will fate intervene? With a mix of mystery, murder and poison, find out in Mrs. Darcy and the Teapot Tempest. “Forgive me Mama…Papa, but I do not believe my nerves are quite up to tolerating another of Auntie’s sermons,” Georgiana invoked as she finished her preparations and turned back towards her aunt. “Here we are, just as you like it...