Here we go
Co-written with my good friend, Ada Bright, two of Jane Austen’s classic collide in Mr Darcy’s Persuasion, an intriguing tale of pride, prejudice and persuasion.
The story begins in November 1811, soon after the Netherfield Ball has taken place and, therefore, three years before the events of the original storyline of Persuasion.
Here is a taster, with the Prologue!!
(Originally the first 30 chapters were posted on the blog, but these have now been removed in the run up to publication).
You can pre-order the eBook HERE!! The paperback will be released, along with the eBook, on 9th March 2021.
~o0o~
Mr Darcy’s Persuasion – The Prologue
Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman, writes to his cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam
Mount Street, Mayfair
Thursday, 28 November 1811
Cousin,
I trust you are conveniently situated in Dorset and that your quarters answer for your immediate needs—do not, I beg you, send me further details on the sanitary habits of your regiment. I am well able to comprehend the reality without your explicit illustrations.
Thankful though I am to receive word of your continued good health, I do have a modicum of regret your hearing is not compromised. Following your call upon Georgiana last week, I shall have to caution her to exercise more discretion in sharing the content of my correspondence.
Despite your suggestion to the contrary, no young lady has caught my attention. Georgie’s imagination is rapid. It has leapt from a casual reference to an expression of interest without any justification. (Pray ignore the smudges; my pen blots at will.)
Besides, even with your poor talent for deduction, you will note I have quit Hertfordshire for Town. My friend and his sisters have likewise returned, and I hope this will be the end of Bingley’s—and thus my own—association with the county.
I can picture you now, Cousin, brow quizzically raised as you muse upon the reasons for such a precipitous departure, when I had envisaged being bound to attend Bingley for some months. My motives were two-fold.
Bingley, you may recall, is of an open disposition and has a propensity for rapidly forming attachments, his admiration for a young lady often turning to love before they have exchanged above three words. He had the misfortune to develop such a tendresse in Hertfordshire, concerning a lady of inferior birth and from a most unsuitable family. So blatant were Bingley’s attentions, a marriage was being anticipated by the local populace.
Thus, when Bingley was obliged to return to Town yesterday—the day after hosting his confounded ball—our party hastened after him.
Bingley’s sisters joined me in expressing our mutual disapprobation for the lady’s circumstances, pointing out the evils of such a match. I feared, nonetheless, my friend would not concede to our plea for him to remain in Town for the winter; thus, I was obliged to further persuade him of the young lady’s indifference. In this I am confident, and my assurance carried weight.
My second inducement for leaving the county so swiftly is—be warned, Cousin—of a far more disagreeable nature.
Wickham is now stationed in Hertfordshire with his regiment! My immediate anxiety was for the county’s proximity to London and our charge remaining there unprotected by either of us. What is more, I learned shortly before the ball that Wickham had taken himself off to the Capital.
You can imagine my desperation to return to Georgiana’s side directly. I will own this added impetus to my encouragement of the Hursts and Miss Bingley to join me in following my friend (though I did, of course, speak no word to them regarding Wickham.)
There is one final matter, which I am obliged to set before you. As you know, Georgiana has been suffering in recent weeks under a heavy cold, and the impending winter and present damp weather are preventing a swift recovery. She remains wan and listless, with a persistent cough, and though Mr Wilson assures me there is no danger, it keeps her from repose at night; thus, she is also fatigued.
My intention is to take Georgie west, where the climate and rural surroundings will provide better opportunity for her to safely take the air throughout the coming months. As such, I have secured lodgings in Somersetshire, but forty miles distant from your encampment at Blandford.
Sir Walter Elliot of Kellynch Hall has been most obliging, offering a property on his estate for the length of our stay (though I suspect his assistance is for non-altruistic reasons. The rumours in Town are of his being strapped for cash). Rein in your alarm, Cousin. I am quite safe from any hopes the gentleman may entertain regarding his unmarried daughters.
We shall remain there for the duration of the winter, at the least, and hope to return to Town in the late spring. There is an open invitation for you to pass as much of your liberty with us as you can spare from your parents—you will be a more than welcome sight for your two exiled cousins. I shall send the direction as soon as we are established in the county.
I know you care as deeply for Georgie as I—indeed, you are as another brother to her. Let us hope this will aid in the improvement of her health, for her spirits, as you know, are still not recovered fully from the events of the summer.
I remain, as ever, your loyal servant.
F Darcy
~o0o~
Miss Elizabeth Bennet writes to her aunt, Mrs Gardiner
Longbourn, Hertfordshire
Friday, 29 November 1811
My dear Aunt,
How are you and the family weathering this inclement season in Gracechurch Street? Be thankful for your pavements; the rains seem never-ending in Hertfordshire, and we have mud and disruption all about.
But oh, dear aunt, if these were the only things to despair of. When I recollect the catalogue of misfortunes I related in my last—was it but two days ago?—I had no notion things could worsen beyond my imagining!
How, I hear you say, could they worsen, my disappointment in Mr Wickham not attending the ball being so profound—and all through the insufferable Mr Darcy’s influence? How could they worsen more than the ignominy of being obliged to dance the first set with my cousin Collins—his skill in the activity warranting as much respect as his character—and then his having the temerity to propose marriage to me? How could they worsen for Jane, who—after an evening of such delights—knew Mr Bingley’s travelling to Town the following day would prevent his calling?
This is how. Word has come, by Miss Bingley’s hand to Jane, of the whole party’s removal to London and giving no indication of their return. Further, she claims her brother’s attention is all upon Mr Darcy’s sister—a match she says the families anticipate with pleasure.
I doubt there is truth in what is said about Miss Darcy or that Mr Bingley will not return. His inclination was too pronounced, but Jane will not heed my words and has taken this letter in all faith. Nothing I say will sway her to the contrary.
And now for the worst of it. You will recall my relief at escaping such a fate as being shackled to Mr Collins. Sadly, it had not long to endure.
In the light of Mr Bingley’s defection, and with all her schemes for seeing Jane settled at Netherfield come to naught, Mama is encouraging my beloved sister to accept the hand of our cousin instead! To prey upon Jane’s sweet, obliging nature when she is so low in spirit is cruel indeed, but Mama will not let up and Jane is now giving it serious consideration.
Mr Collins thankfully left us today, for he is obliged to return to Kent, but he has avowed his intention of returning in a fortnight to press his case, and Mama is so set upon making it happen, I fear the worst.
I beg you will be able to talk some sense into Jane, for I know there is little point trying to instil any in my mother.
Jane says it matters not whom she weds, with Mr Bingley gone from her life. My heart breaks to see her so disillusioned, but she will not be drawn into my way of thinking. How thankful am I that you will be here within a week of Mr Collins’s return to pass the festive season at Longbourn.
May I petition for an invitation for Jane to accompany you and Uncle Gardiner to Town directly afterwards, that you may give her respite from the pressure being brought upon her? If fortune blesses us, she may even cross paths with Mr Bingley.
I beg an early response, my dear aunt. Send me some solace as I continue my efforts to open Jane’s eyes.
Your affectionate niece,
Lizzy
P.S. Despite the above, I would not have you believe I have kept to my room in a fit of pique at not gaining my point! Indeed, quite the contrary, for I have made a new acquaintance.
A Miss Anne Elliot has come to stay at Lucas Lodge. Charlotte informs me Sir William was introduced to the lady’s father, Sir Walter Elliot, at St James’. She seems a genteel lady, a little older than I, but we appear to have much in common. I find I like her very well.
We are to dine at Lucas Lodge this evening, and I look forward to furthering the acquaintance before Miss Elliot is obliged to return to her home in Somersetshire
~o0o~
Pre-order HERE!!
Copyright © 2020 Ada Bright & Cass Grafton
I'm Cass, and I write the sort of stories I love to read - heart-warming, character driven and strong on location. I lean heavily towards the upbeat in both my reading and my writing. 
Cass Grafton - Writer 
Hi Cass,
I must say I have been waiting for a Pride and Prejudice inspired book from you ever since I read the trilogy A fair Prospect, which I absolutely loved. The prologue is very promising and the premise of mixing Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice appeals a lot to me. I liked A Quest for Mr Darcy too. I am already delighted by your saying that it will also be a long book and I am already looking forward to the first chapter.
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Hi Cristina!
Lovely to hear from you again. Hope all is well with you.
It’s probably closer in style to Quest than A Fair Prospect, which was very introspective, but I hope you will enjoy it!
Best wishes
Cass
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Everything is well here in Wales, except for the pandemic still causing grief everywhere!! 😕
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Roll on the better times for all of us!
Keep safe and well!
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Oh my! This sounds intriguing! Darcy and Georgiana going to stay with Sir Walter? Elizabeth making a friend of Anne Elliot? But Mrs Bennet trying to marry Jane to Mr Collins? Please don’t let that happen!
I’m certainly looking forward to more!
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Lovely to hear from you, Glynis! Hope you’ll enjoy how it all pans out!
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I loved reading this prologue! You definitely have stirred my interest, and I look forward to the interactions between the characters in both stories. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks, Maureen! Hope you continue to enjoy!
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So Netherfield has come and gone and Anne Elliot has come. I like the connection between the two fathers and St. James. Looking forward to the next post.
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Hope you continue to enjoy it, Jen.
Also hope you are continuing to get better!! ❤
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Persuasion is my second favorite of Jane Austen’s stories so this definitely is one I will read. Wondering if we are going to read of a long separation (8 years in Persuasion) or have a letter similar to Captain Wentworth’s oh-so-romantic letter. I, too, hope Jane does not end up with Mr. Collins (having just read another book’s excerpt – a book in which Jane becomes Mrs. Collins -ugh!). Thanks for a chance to win and good luck with the release.
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Thank you, Sheila! I hope you will like how the story pans out.
That letter… oh my! Stirs my heart on every single read of it!
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Hi Cass! Thanks for sharing your intriguing prologue. What a great crossover! I’m looking forward to reading more. Hopefully, Jane will escape the parson’s mousetrap with a certain toad.
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‘mousetrap with a certain toad’! lol Love it!
Hope you continue to enjoy, Cassandra!
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Love crossovers so love this. Looking forward to reading more of the hopefully burgeoning friendship between Elizabeth and Anne.
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Hope you continue to enjoy!
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Cass & Ada – my curiosity is peaked and can’t wait for more chapters! This chapter definitely opened quite a few doors of opportunity of your creative process! But please don’t let Mrs Bennet marry Jane to Collins that would break my heart! Maybe a friendship between Wentworth and Lizzie? Or a relationship between Colonel Fitzwilliam and Jane? So many good ideas and possibilities 😉
Count me in for the giveaway and your lovely new book ❤️🤩
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Ah, Sophia, if only Mrs Bennet would listen to me… or anyone, come to that! lol
New chapter up now!
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Ooooo! Loving this one! Looking forward to its development.
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Hope you continue to enjoy, Kathy! Chapter One now up!
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Hello! This does throw an interesting mix of characters. I suspect you will have to trim back on the usual P&P characters, but how to choose? Here is my first musing…
Darcy being out of his comfort zone and Georgiana spotting his interest in Elizabeth has mischief potential. Will Anne be overshadowed by Elizabeth’s personality and Jane’s beauty – will she retreat and not make a good impression when needed most? How can Wickham stay away? How can Collins stay away? When Mrs Bennet hears there are Navy officers lurking, will she send Lydia? When do the Bingleys intrude? Just the Preface so far and we are all ready for more. And more again!
LOL this had best be a long story – just to unravel this Gordian Knot! I know – tooo many characters in this musing. I like your style of writing, so will look forward to how you work this crossover! Cheers and be safe. Dave
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Dave! Lovely to hear from you!
Have no fear, this will be a long story – perhaps not quite as long as the Beast, but close! 😉
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I love Pride & Prejudice and always enjoy reading new takes on the book. I need to refamiliarize myself with Persuasion. I haven’t read that book but have seen a film of it. I love reading letters; so, this is much fun.
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Bonnie! Lovely to see you here!
Just having watched a film of Persuasion will be enough, I’m sure, to get the gist of the story. The main difference is that this is set three years earlier than the film/book, so Captain Wentworth is away at sea and we see a lot less of the Musgrove family.
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Ok, cool. Thank you for that information.
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Glad to see a new story from you. I have never read Persuasion, the only JA story I ever read is Pride and Prejudice, but I know I will enjoy this story nonetheless. Thanks so much for sharing your talent with us. Have a wonderful day. Cant wait to read more.
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I’m sure you will be fine not having read Persuasion. Have you seen any of the adaptations? There are a couple that are a good reflection of the book.
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I am entranced by the writing of the prologue–sounds so much like Austen herself. P&P and Persuasion are also my favorite of JA books. Congrats on getting reading to publish a variation. I look forward to seeing the completed book.
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Thank you so much for reading the prologue! Hope you’ll enjoy more soon!
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No I have not. The only JA I have ever read is Pride And Prejudice. I know a few others have been on TV but I have not watched them.
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You’ll be fine! Honestly, it’s more P&P than Persuasion!
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What a beginning! I’m excited to follow along. I have read A Quest and A Fair Prospect many times. Is AFP what you call ‘The Beast’ lol? They are both among my best go-to’s for a guaranteed comfort dose of Darcy and Elizabeth. Persuasion is my next favorite Austen, so I look forward to having another story to revisit with the added perk of Frederick and Anne 🙂 Thank you for sharing and the giveaway chance!
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You’re welcome.
Quest was affectionately named the Beast here on the blog when I was posting it, but this will be slightly shorter… but still long!
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I can’t wait to read more. Persuasion and P&P are my favorite Austen novels, too.
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Yay! So happy to hear that!
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Love the epistolary format of the Prologue and the deft way you’ve set up the intersection of P&P and Persuasion! Looking forward to reading additional chapters.
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Hope you continue to enjoy, Regina. Chapter One now up and Chapter Two coming on Tuesday!
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I am eagerly awaiting the next instalment. So well written. Love this.
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Glad you enjoyed the Prologue, Lynda. Chapters One and Two are now up!
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These letters are a great way to set things up. I look forward to Chapter One!
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Hope you are continuing to enjoy, Judee! New chapter coming later today!
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Oh, my nerves! Reading this has gotten me terribly excited, not only for how our dearest leads will resolve their conflicts but the promise of Col. Fitzwilliam having a role much larger that JA’s original. I have always loved how you write him in your works. Looking forward to each installment as it comes… perfectly in time for holiday break.
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Mel!! Lovely to see you!
I’m going to post chapters up until it’s ready to publish (probably February) but I’ll be looking for test readers again if you’re up for it!
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Yes, yes, a thousand times YES! 😀
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Wonderful start!
So excited to be reading more of your work!
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Hope you enjoy these opening chapters! Not sure how many I will post yet, as we’re trying to get the book ready for publication in February, but as long as people are enjoying it, I will add more!
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My two favorite Austen novels, reimagined by my two favorite authors. I am chuffed. So excited to see what you have in store for us – as well as Darcy and Lizzy. xx Tart
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Awww, my favourite Tart too! 🤣😘
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