Cassandra

Reader Feedback: "What a lovely new storyline of an old favorite. I recommend this book to diehard Pride and Prejudice lovers." ***** As a young man Darcy marries a young woman after a whirlwind courtship, only to lose her in childbirth after a year of marriage. Though loath to join society again, with the assistance of old friends and new, Darcy is once again induced to take an interest in life and move past his heartbreak. Darcy never thought he would be able to find love again, but it is not long before he hears the siren call of a pretty young woman, who is sister to his friend Bingley's wife . . . ***** "Promise me you will care for our girl. She is precious. She will be the light of your life if you let her. Promise me." An ugly sneer came over his aunt's face, and she said in a tone laced with contempt: "Your wife! Are you insensible of the fact that the woman perished because she was not meant to be your wife? You were always meant to be Anne's. There can be no other!" Darcy's feelings at seeing his sister-his shy sister!-toying with Miss Bingley could not be interpreted, but at this point he was forced to actually cough into his hand to hide the laughter which was threatening to bubble up from his chest. By his side, Bingley was in a similar state; he was looking away, though his shoulders were shaking. It was, perhaps, not especially kind to enjoy the set down of another in such a fashion, but Darcy could not repine it. The lady was, after all, most deserving. "Miss Bennet, I have not spoken ere now for various reasons, most of which I believe you must already understand. It is not because I was uncertain about you. It is because I was not sure of myself. Now I am sure. I find you to be the most intriguing and beguiling woman of my acquaintance, and should I be given my heart's desire of a lifetime to study you, I know it shall prove insufficient. But I would like to obtain that opportunity. Thus, do I ask too much in requesting a courtship from you?"