Intrigue at Longbourn: a Pride & Prejudice Prequel: Elizabeth Bennet’s Secret Investigation and Mr Bennet’s Audacious Plan Elizabeth Bennet Series Book

A father and daughter at odds; who is in the right?Love or duty? A young lady and a clergyman must choose.…Imagine how it was before Netherfield is let.…The original forbidden-love romance in which integrity plays a large part.___________________Elizabeth Bennet enjoys a lively six months before Netherfield Park is let at last. She secretly investigates the fate of a pregnant kitchen maid, assisted by the handsome new rector of Longbourn parish, Mr Wilde. Their apparently clandestine association is noticed and misinterpreted by some.Meanwhile, to secure the family’s future, Mr Bennet embarks on a complicated, high-risk scheme.Holidays provide welcome diversions and the social scene is enhanced by a young scientist named Julius Fairweather.But misunderstandings abound. Father’s and daughter’s separate manoeuvres inevitably clash, stoked up by a jealous mischief-maker, as the summer races inexorably towards Michaelmas of 1797 when a young man of large fortune named Bingley first enters the neighbourhood.EXCERPTCHAPTER 33 ‒ Sunday 16th July 1797Elizabeth resolved not to loiter in the vicinity of the Rectory in future for fear of being found out in her goal of coming upon Mr Wilde. So today, she held back as long as possible after her family had exited the church building, hoping they would be making their way towards the lychgate after complimenting Mr Wilde on his sermon as was customary and taking their leave of him.“Ah, Miss Bennet, I am glad to see you.”She hoped there would be no ill humour after their last meeting when she had insisted on being given the name of the milliner’s shop in London. But he was smiling down at her, pushing back his locks of dark hair which had fallen over his forehead, and it struck her with the force almost of a physical blow that that encounter had been over a month ago. A month during which the effect he had on her had not dissipated in the least.Flustered, she quickly said: “I merely wondered if you had any news for me…about Alice, Mr Wilde.”“In fact I do. I was hoping for the opportunity to speak to you. Would it be possible for you to call at the Rectory tomorrow morning at eleven o’clock?”“Oh, yes indeed. I thank you, Mr Wilde. I will be there.” Elizabeth turned her head and peered out of the porch. Helen was leaning around her father’s arm still trying to watch Elizabeth and Mr Wilde, and now Mr Bennet was frowning into the interior of the church, no doubt wishing to be gone.“I must join my family. Oh, and I thank you for your letter.”“You are very welcome.” Elizabeth swallowed as he looked her face up and down. “I will look forward to seeing you on the morrow.”She nodded and hurried away, past the St Clairs, towards her family.___________________Become better acquainted with the characters in Jane Austen’s magnificent ‘Pride & Prejudice’.Witness the first encounters between Elizabeth and Darcy.Read the first chapter of ‘Menace At Pemberley’ with a large Christmas family gathering at Pemberley as foretold in ‘Pride & Prejudice’.Written in a classic, easy-to-read, literary style, ‘Intrigue At Longbourn’ is a well-researched account of life as it was in the late-18th century.Readers say:…A delightful read, which draws you into the story…What a fascinating book, and so well researched!…I am immensely impressed. Jane would have been proud.…I loved this book and found it exceeded expectations.…The plot and subplots are pleasingly enthralling without being dramatic.…I really enjoyed the book. You’ve drawn the characters well.…Very authentic and extremely well written.___________________A cozy village mystery…A clean, Christian romance…A reluctant hero…A desire for social justice…