"Sweet on Mr Darcy..." And When Darcy Falls First: The Sweet Appeal of a Low-Angst Pride and Prejudice Variation

carolinecartieraut

Aug 31

15 min read

Hello Dear Readers! I rarely blog about my own books, but today I'd like to talk about "Sweet on Mr Darcy," my sweetest and fluffiest variation yet! It is available NOW on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited, and will be available on Audible on 10/1/2026.

There is something wonderfully satisfying about a Pride and Prejudice variation in which Darcy falls first. We all know the familiar story. Darcy meets Elizabeth Bennet, is immediately struck by her, and then spends a considerable amount of time trying to convince himself that he ought not to be. Elizabeth, meanwhile, has already formed her opinion of him.

But what happens when Darcy insults Elizabeth so thoroughly that she tells him, quite plainly, that he is the last man in the world she could ever be prevailed upon to marry—and Darcy promptly realizes that she is the woman he cannot live without?

That is the beginning of "Sweet on Mr Darcy." Darcy falls first... Darcy's first impression of Elizabeth is not particularly promising. After arriving in Ramsgate to spend the summer with his father and Georgiana, he meets the Bennet family, who have recently become friends with his sister. Unfortunately, Darcy is in a temper, Wickham has given him plenty of reason to be angry, he is frustrated with his father, and Elizabeth happens to be standing directly in his path.

His resulting insult is enough to offend Elizabeth—but, much more importantly, it hurts Georgiana... But Elizabeth is not about to allow Darcy to treat his sister's friendship as though it were something that must be controlled simply because he is her brother. She gives him an opinion of his behaviour in return, making it perfectly clear that she values Georgiana for herself and has no interest whatsoever in Darcy's consequence, fortune, or attentions.

And then she tells him she is his sister's friend, not his. As for marrying him? Absolutely not. Darcy, naturally, is instantly smitten.

There is something particularly charming about a hero who knows almost immediately that he has found the woman he wants—and then discovers that winning her will require considerably more than making a proposal.

One of the things I especially enjoy about Elizabeth in this story is that she isn't desperately waiting for someone to marry her. Her sisters may be looking for husbands. Other young ladies may be weighing the merits of various gentlemen. But Elizabeth is looking for something rather different. She wants happiness. And she is not willing to exchange that happiness for a merely acceptable marriage.

This gives Darcy a wonderful challenge. He cannot simply convince Elizabeth that he is wealthy, respectable, or an excellent match. He has to convince her that marrying him will make her happy. Fortunately for him, he has help. Georgiana and Lady Priscilla Fitzwilliam become his allies in the effort to show Elizabeth the man beneath his unfortunate first impression. And Darcy discovers that quiet devotion, patience, kindness, and simply paying attention to the woman he loves can accomplish far more than grand gestures.

Elizabeth does not fall in love with him overnight. She watches him. She learns who he is. Little by little, she begins to see the gentleman she had not expected to find beneath that first dreadful impression.

The setting adds another layer of charm to the story. Ramsgate becomes the backdrop for summer visits, family gatherings, society, and a cast of characters who make it increasingly difficult for Elizabeth to avoid Darcy.

Among the most entertaining is the original character of Lady Barry, an elderly and thoroughly cantankerous woman who has little patience for most of humanity. Elizabeth is one of the few exceptions. She visits Lady Barry twice a week, and the old lady's affection for her is unmistakable. Naturally, this causes speculation throughout Ramsgate. Why does Lady Barry favor Elizabeth so strongly? What does she intend to do with her estate? And why does she suddenly seem willing to tolerate people she previously found intolerable?

The list of people Lady Barry can endure gradually expands to include Darcy, Georgiana, and Lady Priscilla. But Elizabeth remains her favourite. And when the person who believes himself entitled to Lady Barry's inheritance decides to interfere, this eccentric friendship becomes considerably more significant than anyone thought possible.

The unexpected connection between Lady Barry and Darcy's late mother adds another thread of family history to the story. The long-standing connection raises not only the respect, but the amused affection and protective natures of not only Mr Darcy Senior, but even Lord Matlock.

Of course, no Pride and Prejudice variation would be complete without Mr Wickham. Darcy's father's indulgence of his godson has gone far beyond ordinary family generosity, and Wickham's increasingly reckless behaviour eventually lands him deep in debt. His determination to secure a permanent connection to his godfather's family leads him to attempt an elopement with Georgiana—and when that fails, his desperation only increases.

So there is danger beneath the sweetness. But Sweet on Mr Darcy isn't a story built around relentless angst. The heart of the book remains Darcy's courtship of Elizabeth. There are outings, family gatherings, romantic misunderstandings, amusing social situations, eccentric characters, and, of course, confectionery adventures. Lots and lots of confectionery adventures.

And somehow, between all of it, Darcy manages to prove himself to be exactly the sort of man Elizabeth could imagine spending the rest of her life with. There is something particularly enjoyable about a romance where the hero has already fallen hopelessly in love and the heroine gets to take her time deciding whether she wants him.

Darcy knows what he wants. Elizabeth knows she will not settle. And neither of them needs to rush. That makes Sweet on Mr Darcy a story about the pleasure of watching two people gradually discover that the one standing in front of them is exactly the person they have been looking for.

It is 80,000 words of clean Regency romance, with a low-angst tone, a little danger, plenty of family and friendship, an eccentric elderly lady, a gentle and loyal canine companion, matchmaking assistance from Darcy's own relations, and enough sweets to make the title entirely appropriate.

And, most importantly, it gives us a Darcy who falls first—and an Elizabeth who makes him earn every bit of her affection. For readers who love Pride and Prejudice variations that leave you smiling, "Sweet on Mr Darcy" is a confection worth savoring.

Enjoy this short excerpt of a scene where Elizabeth and her father visit Lady Barry with Mr and Miss Darcy...

“Mr Darcy, Miss Darcy, Mr Bennet, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Miss Mary Bennet, and Mrs Younge, madam,” The very proper and distinguished butler of Nethercourt House announced the group to the drawing room.

An elderly woman, old enough to be Mr Bennet’s mother, sat in a large and comfortable chair. A white and red comforter spaniel, also known as a King Charles Spaniel, nestled as close to her side as possible, its nose and paws buried in her skirts. The animal perked up the moment the visitors entered and quickly jumped down to greet them, prepared to be admired, especially by Elizabeth.

“Why Belle, you are getting so white around the eyes, though your tail shows you to be as happy to see me as ever!” Elizabeth knelt upon the floor to greet the gentle animal that she had played with often in her youth. Belle was a bitch that never went into season, and was therefore impossible to breed. She was given as a present to Lady Barry eleven years before, when the lady still lived at Netherfield Park.

“Lizzy-girl, how dare you refer to our young lady’s age so impertinently! May I remind you that you have three younger sisters grown up? You will not be a spring miss for very long yourself,” the old woman chided as Elizabeth curtsied and then approached her old friend to kiss her upon the cheek. “Now why have you brought all of these interlopers with you? I thought we were to read one of those outrageous gothic novels that ought to be outlawed.”

“I assure you, Lady Barry, I meant no disrespect to my dear friend, Belle,” Elizabeth promised as the spaniel greeted the other guests with enthusiasm, as if she had been friends with them all of her life. “Our new acquaintance, Mr Darcy, said that you knew his late wife and wished to pay you the respect of a call before he and my father visit the library with Miss Darcy and my sister.”

“Good morning, Lady Barry.” Mr Darcy bowed to their hostess. “I recall my wife’s great affection for you and your late daughter, Mrs Hagerman, and I wished to introduce you to our daughter, Georgiana.”

Georgiana looked positively terrified as she curtsied. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Lady Barry.”

Lady Barry raised a brow at Elizabeth, then gave Miss Darcy a long inspection. “Indeed, Miss Darcy, the pleasure is mine. Your dear, sweet mother was my daughter Isobel’s closest friend. You have your mother’s looks about you, and your father’s height, I see. It was kind of Darcy to let me look at you.”

She turned to Mr Darcy. “I heard that you are in Ramsgate for your health. You must manage whatever your condition is and return to good health at once, Darcy. This dear girl is too young to do without both her father and mother. I have met your boy but once, years ago, and I suspect he would rather not finish raising her on his own.”

“I fear the condition of my heart is too far gone to be healed so quickly by sea air, Lady Barry, but I assure you that I am well enough to see the task of raising Georgiana to completion, or so I hope,” Mr Darcy answered her with amusement.

“Pathetic excuse for illness! Take the sea air every morning on the promenade. It works for everyone who visits Ramsgate.” Their hostess regarded him with amused contempt.

“Except for you, it seems.” Mr Bennet could not allow the opportunity for impertinence to pass. “You have been in Ramsgate for years and appear no better than when you left Meryton.”

“You may lecture me upon my health when you have attended to the health of your daughter’s dowries, Bennet.”

Elizabeth hid a smile as she observed Miss Darcy’s alarm at the blunt, forward speech of their hostess.

“Actually, their dowries are as healthy as one could expect of a man of my station with five daughters, though I can claim no credit to it.” Mr Bennet perversely enjoyed informing the woman. “It was the late Mrs Bennet who you were so fond of, who made some prudent investments with funds saved from Longbourn’s management. The girls have lately had generous sums added to their portions. They ought to have no trouble finding husbands now.”

“The late Mrs Bennet, you say? That woman would be the last I would expect to set a farthing by, but if she did, she was a sight more clever than you, Bennet, and that is saying something.” It sounded as if there might have been a compliment to someone in what she said, but Elizabeth gave up on discerning where. “And now you have a new wife, I hear. The most practical and sensible woman in Meryton, and a new son. You must be the laziest clever man I have ever met, or the cleverest lazy one. I can never determine which is the most offensive.”

Elizabeth stifled a snort of laughter as their hostess turned from Mr Bennet to address her.

“You may tell me how much you have later, Lizzy, and we will ponder your options here in Ramsgate when we are alone.” Lady Barry then turned to Mary. “Well, young lady, how do you account for your time since I saw you last? Your gown is handsome and well cut indeed, but not over-adorned. It suits you very well. You look quite smart. How do you like your new stepmother and brother? Do you still play the pianoforte?”

Mary spluttered in surprise at not only being noticed, but not unkindly. One of Lady Barry’s merits was that she might use her age as an excuse for impertinence, but she was never excessively harsh with those who did not have the spirit to fight back or who did not enjoy crossing swords in conversation. She always said precisely what she meant, but chose with care how she said it, depending on to whom she was speaking.

“Thank you, Lady Barry. Of course, I miss my mother most acutely, but my new stepmother is very kind, and everyone has grown attached to our brother Lucas. I do still play the pianoforte. I had some lessons with a master last year, and believe my performance has benefited from the instruction.”

“It has, very much,” Elizabeth assured them. “Miss Darcy has been reading a novel with my sister Kitty, but would like to become friends with all of my sisters, so Mary has been invited to visit Darcy Cottage to play duets today after looking at sheet music while Papa and Mr Darcy visit the library.”

“Well, I will thank you for not bringing Kitty and the youngest one today…noise with ribbons on it…both of them,” Lady Barry grumbled.

“They are much grown up since you saw them last,” Elizabeth promised. “I am certain they will visit you while we are here. Perhaps they will come with Charlotte when she is feeling better.”

“Where is Reginald’s daughter? I heard she was with you in Ramsgate, Darcy,” Lady Barry demanded.

“You are well stocked in information.” Mr Bennet grinned wickedly.

“And still more misanthropic than you, young man, only better armed.” Lady Barry looked at Darcy expectantly.

“Lady Priscilla is with us at Darcy Cottage, but we are such a large party today.” Mr Darcy bowed at the neck as he stood, and at Lady Barry’s nod, Elizabeth rang the bell. “I am sure she will be happy to call with us another time.”

“Look at the wretched man, inviting himself back like he owns the house,” Lady Barry said to Miss Darcy, who looked deliciously alarmed that a woman could speak thus to her own father, and not even cause offence. “You may come and call upon me whenever you like, Miss Darcy, and bring your cousin with you. I will tell you stories of your mother, uncle, and aunt that will make your hair curl.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Georgiana promised. “Priscilla will be delighted, I am sure.”

“I am interested to see how Reggie and Eleanor’s girl turned out,” Lady Barry replied. “Bennet, a little of your company goes a long way. I look forward to seeing more of your womenfolk. I rarely venture out, but perhaps I shall pay a call when Mrs Bennet feels able to receive callers. I must see this son of hers for myself. To be honest, I had no idea you had it in you.”

Mr Bennet laughingly assured her that Charlotte was well enough for callers in the afternoons, and that she would be welcome any time, and the butler arrived to escort them all, save Lizzy, to the door.

***

Elizabeth enjoyed the rest of her visit excessively. Lady Barry had always been a great deal of fun. She rarely tolerated boys or men with patience; she had little use for most girls or women, but she knew precisely who to mock and who to be kind to, in her own way. The irascible lady had always had a soft spot for Elizabeth.

Lady Barry was the heiress of her mother and grandfather, the widow of a baronet whom she had not particularly wished to marry, but since the man was her father’s friend, and needed the income from her dowry and an heir, she was pressed into agreement. She admitted to Elizabeth more than once her satisfaction that the son her husband so wanted never appeared. She delighted in her daughter Isobel, and was broken when the young woman died in the attempt to bear her first child.

When she was eventually widowed, she left the property that was entailed to her husband’s distant cousin without regret and moved to Netherfield, the home of her childhood, to enjoy the income from the inheritance that had always been held in trust for her. Her husband’s cousin attempted to visit her annually, though he was always rebuffed. He referred to her as aunt, and created a general air of expectancy that he was obviously her only heir.

“As if his proprietary behaviour could possibly stake a claim, the stupidity of the silly man haunts me. My mother would give me a shake when I reached the beyond if I were to leave her fortune to him. But men are all the same, Lizzy. If they have no money, they want yours. If they cannot find a way to use it all up themselves, they will find a way to divert it to another man, even an unrelated one, before they wish to see a female managing it. Just like my father. If he could not touch my mother’s principal, at least he ensured its income would provide for his friend. My feelings were entirely inconsequential when it came to the financial comfort of another man.”

“Well, I never had any fortune to worry about until very recently, but I do not think nine thousand will put me in very much danger from the wrong men,” Elizabeth replied.

“That is true. While nine thousand will attract a man who must ensure he at least marries with some attention to his wife’s maintenance, it is not enough to draw the very worst fortune hunters, though you must still be careful,” Lady Barry acknowledged. “Well, if you plan to marry, you will certainly have the opportunity while you are in Ramsgate.”

“I am unsure that I plan to marry, precisely, although Jane certainly does, and at the earliest opportunity, it seems.” Elizabeth took a biscuit from the plate. “My only concern in that direction is that if I were to marry, I must be in love with the man, or I should never embark upon such a venture at all. Especially now that my circumstances would be quite secure if I were never to do so. I do not need a husband for security, so unless I meet someone I can truly love and admire, I see little merit in the endeavour.”

“I knew you were the intelligent one of all of your sisters.” Lady Barry nodded in approval. “Though I am not certain that love makes men any more useful. I have no experience in those matters. Isobel seemed to find her husband all that was admirable. I made sure that if she was to marry, it would be for inclination, not for my husband’s convenience or for that of some other man. I suppose her friend Anne was satisfied with George Darcy. I heard less from her after dear Isobel died, of course, but Lady Anne married for the deepest love, and I do not know that she ever regretted it.”

“Mr Darcy seems like an honourable man,” Elizabeth observed. “I can easily believe that a young lady might have found much to admire in him thirty years ago.”

“I hear that his son is a fine figure of a gentleman, quite his father’s image, though word from town has it that he inherited Anne’s reticence.” Lady Barry sat back and stroked Belle’s head. “When with those with whom she felt safe and comfortable, Lady Anne was everything amiable, though in larger company, she often exhibited crippling shyness.”

“I believe both Miss Darcy and her brother must experience the same affliction then, for I understand she has been brought to Ramsgate to help her feel more comfortable in society. I have noticed her struggling on more than one occasion since we met and am told that her brother is the same.” Elizabeth paused. “Her cousin, Lady Priscilla, is a society dragon in training. She is an excellent example for Miss Darcy, and befriending each of my sisters in turn will certainly assist the young lady in conversing with different people.”

“Well, since it is not your immediate plan to find a husband, you must make every effort for your sisters.”

“I was surprised at the enthusiasm with which Jane met the prospect of finding a husband in Ramsgate.” Elizabeth gazed out of the window. “I did not realise that she felt she was wasting away in Meryton.”

“Your mother passed just as your sister was approaching her majority. I am certain Miss Bennet expected to be married long ago, especially having been raised by Fanny Bennet,” Lady Barry said in understanding. “First an entire year of mourning, then the expectation of being supportive to your stepmother during her early marriage and her confinement. Your elder sister is ready to live her own life rather than exist in support of others. Now then…where is that novel? Did you bring the one by Mrs Radcliffe?”

The rest of the morning was spent sipping chocolate, enjoying biscuits and cakes, and reading and laughing over Mrs Radcliffe’s most recent volume. Reading to Lady Barry was not for the weak of heart. The lady demanded to hear the most outrageous tales, yet constantly interrupted the prose with her thoughts, opinions, or even to demand that Elizabeth “skip the dullness and come to the part where someone is behaving badly.” By the time Elizabeth left, there had been a great deal of laughter, but neither of them remembered much at all about Mrs Radcliffe’s novel.

Check out "Sweet on Mr Darcy" on Kindle Unlimited for a glimpse of the Bennets in Ramsgate, and to meet Lady Barry and Belle properly!

About the Author:

Caroline Cartier is an anglophile in her forties, living out her happily ever after in New England with her very own Darcy. She is mom to an extraordinary young English major, two cats, and a spaniel (co-author) named Belle.

Having cut her teeth on the Tudors and Mary Queen of Scots with the historical fiction of Jean Plaidy and Victoria Holt at sixteen, Caroline read her way through the histories of the Monarchs of England and France, settling into an abiding love for Regency fiction in her twenties.

The first Jane Austen Variation she ever read was Mr Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange. Several years later, a free trial of Kindle Unlimited opened a whole new world of Austenesque fiction. After reading what feels like hundreds of variations, Caroline began her first writing project in 2021, The Victorian Vagaries, a Victorian Pride and Prejudice Quartet that was published in 2024.

Having been a gushing member of many fandoms in her time, Caroline takes great enjoyment in historical fiction, fantasy, and YA fiction, and enjoys the works of Rick Riordan, Angie Sage, James Patterson (the Max Ride series), Stephanie Meyers, Suzanne Collins, J K Rowling, L M Montgomery, Louisa May Alcott, and of course the father of fantasy, J R R Tolkien.

She takes her inspiration for writing from the wonderful authors of Austenesque literature and the romance series of Stephanie Laurens, Julia Quinn, and Lisa Kleypas, in addition to other historical romances and television period dramas.