THE DARCY CONNECTION - Elizabeth Aston
Touchstone Books (Trade Paperback)
ISBN-13: 978-1-4165-4725-9
ISBN-10: 1-4165-4725-8
March 2008
Historical Romance

England - The Nineteenth Century

Mr. Collins's daughters are of marriageable age, but the Bishop of Ripon and his wife, Charlotte, pin all their hopes on their eldest, the stunningly beautiful girl named after her mother. Their aunt, Lady Grandpoint, offers to take Charlotte to London for the Season, and to find an appropriate husband. The younger daughter, plain and studious Eliza, named for her mother's best friend, Elizabeth Darcy, will, in her father's opinion, be the perfect cleric's wife. Bishop Collins is all too aware that Eliza is precocious and much too much like her namesake. When he discovers that Eliza and the local squire's son, Anthony, are seeing each other, he decides that he will send her with her sister and Lady Grandpoint to keep Eliza and Anthony apart.

Eliza has a secret that only a few people are aware of. She has surreptitiously been writing for the local newspaper under another name and collecting a few guineas for each article submitted. Now she'll be able to make use of her London observances while she sits on the sidelines of her sister's Season. Lady Grandpoint has made it abundantly clear that Eliza is not there to attend parties. At a small soiree, Eliza is introduced to the brooding Bartholomew Bruton. He sneers at her "provincial" dress and, suddenly, Eliza isn't so sure she wants to be the plain sister any longer. She allows her resourceful new maid to spruce up her wardrobe and her looks. Letters from Anthony arrive via notes from his sister, but soon Eliza finds that she isn't thinking of him as much as she used to.

It's a busy, whirlwind time for Charlotte who has become the belle of the ton. Her icy demeanor and beautiful face attract several eligible suitors, but Eliza is not jealous. Mr. Bruton, however, keeps appearing at the few social engagements Eliza is allowed to attend, and despite her anger over his original comments to her, she is ever so slightly fascinated by him. But what would a rich banker want with a poor bishop's daughter? And what of the man Eliza feels is totally unsuitable for her sister? Will she be able to prevent Charlotte from making a huge mistake?

Elizabeth Aston has penned a delightfully fun tale, continuing her series of Darcy books with THE DARCY CONNECTION. Eliza is intelligent, and observant, completely aware that she does not have the same attributes as her older sister, but she doesn't care. Mr. Bruton is reminiscent of Mr. Darcy himself -- misunderstood, honorable, and darkly handsome. Secondary characters, including Charlotte and Lady Grandpoint, play important parts, but Eliza shines through on nearly every page. Excellent dialogue fitting for the era and a comfortable knowledge of these times round out this terrific story.

Having read a few other Pride and Prejudice "continuing stories," I think Ms. Aston has done Austen fans well with the Darcy books. Don't miss this wonderful novel.

Jani Brooks