Touring with Mr Darcy

A Pride and Prejudice Variation

By: Marie Green

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

After five proposals from unsuitable men, Elizabeth Bennet was determined to make her own way in the world. She had no wish to be a burden to her family or ever to marry. But her desire for independence had brought her to this, trapped and in need of rescue in the Tyrolean Alps and awaiting the arrival of her knight in shining armour.
Elizabeth had taken the position of companion to Lady Portashall-Pilling and was accompanying her and her son, Lord Pilling, on a tour to the Italian Peninsula. She was mortified when her knight turned out to be, of all the men on the Continent, Mr rotten Darcy! That hateful man who had ruined her sister’s life. Mr Darcy, for some reason, kept popping into her mind. And now! He had popped up in the Alps. Well - she knew one thing about him, he certainly looked a strong young gentleman. Hopefully he would have the strength to rescue her from the life-threatening situation she found herself in. Or would he?
Mr Darcy arrived in the small Tyrolean village to find that he was immediately sent out to search for the lost Miss Elizabeth Bennet. The thought tormented him as he set out towards the hills. After the lady had refused his offer of marriage, he had spent three lonely years travelling, from coast to coast and across the sea, to rid his thoughts of that woman. A tour to the Italian Peninsula with his sister and cousin Anne would free his thoughts of Miss Bennet and her caustic assessment of him. But when he finally discovered her, he was horrified to see that she was hovering on the edge of certain injury or worse. He had to put his mind and strength into rescuing her before she fell and be forever lost to him. There was no time for recriminations or any thought other than the one burning through his mind. He must bring her to safety.
Lady Polly, having known Mr Darcy for years, decided that the two parties should travel onwards together. Elizabeth had no say in the matter, nor did Mr Darcy. His sister and cousin were thrilled to find Elizabeth Bennet was also travelling to the Italian Peninsula. So, the two parties journeyed onward, to find a touch of romance, a little angst and some humour along the way.