Hi! I'm new to Pride and Prejudice but I fell in love with the story and the characters most ardently to the point where my brain started coming up with little stories about Elizabeth and Mr Darcy here and there.

Anyway... English is not my first language so forgive my mistakes and I'm still researching manners and behaviour regarding Regency Period so feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

This story is NOT Historically Accurate though I will try my best to make my facts right.

This story is a product of my overactive imagination so please refrain from copying. (It may only be tolerable– but it's mine!)

WARNING: It will be very different from canon.

NOTES: Elizabeth and Mr Darcy are younger here than Canon. Elizabeth is eighteen and Mr Darcy is almost twenty-six. As to why I have my reasons. Also, Mr Darcy's parents are alive in this story.

Now without further ado, enjoy or at least… try to :)

? 2019 Zest Layne


Prologue

One cloudy day in October, Claire Bennet lay quietly in her chamber at the Longbourn Dower House.

She knew her time was coming to an end.

Never had she expected that she would soon say goodbye to the world without even reaching the age of seventy. But then again, she had never expected to be ill.

Had this happened in her early thirties, she would not be bothered by the prospect of dying. After all, there was a time in her life when she wanted nothing but to leave the mortal world. However, now, there was someone who needed her.

As if on cue, she heard light footsteps approaching her chambers. Claire watched as the door of her room opened ever so slightly and moments later, music in the sound of the pianoforte reached the room.

The sweet child who was sharing her melody with her was the very reason why Claire found it difficult to leave. Elizabeth, or Little Lizzy as she fondly called her, was everything Claire had wished for and had wanted in a granddaughter so the thought of parting with her pained Claire.

Little Lizzy had been in Claire's care since infancy and the two of them were inseparable; Claire was not just Little Lizzy's doting grandmother but also her first teacher, governess, companion, confidant, and friend.

If Claire died now, how would Little Lizzy fare in the world? How could her dear granddaughter survive Fanny Bennet's censure? What would happen if Fanny becomes physical in abusing her Little Lizzy? And what of Thomas? Knowing him, he would always choose the easy way out. And Lizzy's sisters, surely they would be too scared to disobey Fanny when it came to Lizzy.

"Did you hear me practise, Grandma?" The sweet voice of her darling granddaughter interrupted her thoughts. Little Lizzy was grinning at her adorably and only continued talking when she nodded yes. "Mrs Winters said that music can make people feel better so I played for you. I thought that you shan't be sick anymore if I played just right so I was ever so careful not to make mistakes."

"Such a dear girl you are, my Little Lizzy." Claire smiled and opened her arms for her granddaughter, to which Lizzy eagerly stepped into.

That night, after putting Little Lizzy to sleep, Claire asked for some writing materials to be delivered in her chambers.

She would not let Lizzy suffer and even in her grave, Claire would make sure that her granddaughter was well looked after.

And so, she started listing the adjustments she had to make on her Last Will for her visit with her solicitor on the morrow.

Fanny Bennet might try to make Lizzy's life miserable but Claire would counter it in every possible way she could.

First, Elizabeth would only have the finest clothes and the latest of its fashion.

A Footman and an Abigail would be hired just for her.

Lizzy would also continue to study with the Masters that Claire had hired since Lizzy was four.

Sandra Winters would still be Lizzy's companion so someone would be able to shield her from Fanny's nerves.

Claire would also see to it that Lizzy could spend time with the Gardiners in London whenever she pleases.

And lastly, Claire Bennet would leave all her assets and saved fortunes to eight-year-old Little Miss Elizabeth Artemis Bennet.

-p&p-

Chapter One

It was a truth universally acknowledged that smiles from Fitzwilliam Darcy of Derbyshire were elusive. Not once had the Ton seen him enjoy a ball or a gathering. His countenance was the likes of his father and grandfathers before him.

Stern. Formidable. Silent.

So naturally, when Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam – Darcy's older cousin and closest confidante –entered his cousin's study and found said cousin sorting out papers on his large wooden desk with a light smile plastered on his face, the Colonel was stunned.

It only added to his great surprise when Darcy greeted him with a lighter tone than usual and motioned for him to sit on the chair across from him. Richard could only sit down and stare as his cousin procure a glass and a bottle from the shelves behind him and fill the glass with some brandy.

Finally breaking out of his trance, Richard furrowed his brows at the single glass on the table which Darcy pushed towards him. "No cups for you Darce?"

Darcy only shook his head, the corners of his mouth still turned upwards. "No, I don't think I'm in need of it."

His younger cousin's reply only served to Richard's greater confusion. What happened? Of course, he had seen Darcy smile before; they were as close as brothers after all. But Darcy never smiled more than once in a day. It was like a rule.

"Are Aunt and Uncle returning to Pemberley soon? Have you heard from Georgiana today?" Richard could not help but ask, for surely his immediate family could only be the reason (other than the Colonel's stories and jests) for 'the elusive Darcy smile' to appear on more than one occasion in a spun of five minutes. But as far as he knew, Darcy's parents and sister were still going to stay in Scotland for at least another month.

"No, Richard. My mother insisted they wait until next month to return. I thought you knew about this already?" Though Darcy answered Richard, his attention was focused on the stack of papers in front of him, folding and unfolding parchments from time to time.

"I did," Richard confirmed, straightening himself and leaning forward to observe his cousin's expressions better. "But I thought I have to make sure seeing as you are acting strange today."

Darcy's eyes snapped at him in confusion. "Strange? How so?"

Leaning back on his chair, Richard pretended to study the glass of brandy he was holding as he searched his mind for words to explain. "I suppose it could be considered a normal behaviour for most," slowly he looked back at Darcy who was waiting for him to continue, "but I've never seen you smile, no matter how small, for no reason at all."

Darcy froze at the Colonel's statement. Had he really been smiling? Was that why the house servants had been giving him odd looks all day. If so, why hadn't he noticed? But he went out today, was he smiling earlier when he left his house? He was certain that he was not. The only time he knew that he smiled was this afternoon at Hyde Park. His smile could not possibly last for hours, could it? What would his father say if he let his mask slip in public?

"You do not have any idea that you were smiling, do you cousin?" Richard's question brought him out of his thoughts. Darcy was instantly alarmed at the look his cousin sent him. He knew Richard and that look could only mean trouble.

"Now tell me, cousin. How was your day exactly?"

Groaning inwardly, Darcy sighed and sat on the chair across from his cousin. He knew that he could not escape Richard's curiosity. Even if he tried to, his cousin would still manage to get his answers. Choosing the lesser of the two devils, Darcy decided to give in.

Perhaps he needed a drink of brandy after all.

-p&p-

It was after Luncheon earlier that same day, when Ackerman, the Darcy House's butler, announced the arrival of Mr Charles Bingley – one of Darcy's closest friends. Unfortunately for Bingley, Darcy's Aunt and cousin also happened to be in residence.

Lady Catherine de Bourgh was not fond of Mr Charles Bingley at all. And contrary to what many may believe, it was not due to the young man's roots from trade. Though that was still a factor, the main reason why Lady Catherine disliked Darcy's university friend was because of his character.

A man who smiled too much, Lady Catherine could tolerate. (She could, after all, tolerate her parson and his endless praises) But a man at the age of three and twenty who was indecisive and easily swayed by others was something, in Lady Catherine's opinion, that was not to be borne!

So when Mr Bingley started talking along the lines of leasing an estate in a small county called Hertfordshire located on the North of London and was about to ask her nephew for help, Lady Catherine de Bourgh immediately joined the conversation. She started by telling them about what a coincidence it was for her parson was also preparing for a trip to the area.

She then kept on talking and talking jumping from one topic to another – a technique she had learned from a friend that was quite useful – before ending with a generous offer. "My Anne would make a wonderful mistress of a big estate and Netherfield does not sound that big at all. Oh, it would be perfect for practice." At the gentleman's puzzled look, Lady Catherine continued, "Is that not what you were going to tell my nephew? That you were inviting him for his assistance regarding the estate along with my daughter Anne to act as its Mistress?"

While Anne de Bourgh was normally quiet in unfamiliar company, she knew the look on her mother's face when she was scheming something. And upon analysing the situation and the hidden hopeful expression of her cousin – that almost made her laugh – she decided to help her mother. "Is my mother correct Mr Bingley? Am I to practice managing an estate? It was so generous of you to give me such an opportunity."

As much as Lady Catherine hated it when Mr Bingley could not man up and say what he wanted to, the trait did serve its purpose and Lady Catherine could not help but smile inwardly at the young man's almost spluttering reply. "Of course, Lady Catherine, I suppose my sister, Caroline, shall also learn many things from you and your daughter."

Lady Catherine almost could not suppress an eye roll at the word 'sister'. The mentioned sister was why Lady Catherine was doing this after all. She would not let some greedy shrew get its claws on her nephew. So with a small smile at her successful plan, she clasped her hands and said, "It is settled then."

After Bingley had left, Darcy gave his Aunt Catherine and cousin a grateful look (to which the two ladies only laughed at) and told them that he was going out for a ride.

He rarely went out whenever he was in London for fear of encountering unwanted company. However, seeing as it was most likely to rain, he decided it would be a perfect time to head out. Darcy need not worry about getting sick for he had always loved the rain as much as Boreas, his trusted steed. Years of riding together in the rain had made them both immune.

-p&p-

"You know Darce," began Colonel Fitzwilliam with a smile, "as interesting as it was to know what Aunt Catherine did to rescue you from the claws of Miss Bingley, I know for certain that it wasn't enough to make you act like this."

Much to the Colonel's amusement, Darcy sighed, got up from his seat and got himself a glass of his own brandy before proceeding with the story.

-p&p-

Darcy's prediction about the weather had been correct and as he had expected, not one person could be seen when he and Boreas reached Hyde Park. Or so he had thought… for not more than a minute of their arrival, he heard a familiar tune being sung. He instantly held Boreas in his tracks.

He could not make out the words, for it was raining heavily, but there it was. At first, he thought his mind was playing tricks on him because he saw no one was there except for Boreas. Shaking his head, he looked up at the dark grey sky and watched as the rain poured down.

That's when he caught sight of her...

She was sitting on a branch of a tree with her back facing him. Her cloak was a dark green, blending in perfectly with the leaves and if Darcy hadn't heard her sing, he was certain that he wouldn't know of her presence.

As he listened to her, questions began to plague Darcy's mind. What was a lady doing out here in the rain? He was near enough to determine that her cloak was made out of fine fabrics so he assumed that she was a lady of some means. But if that was the case, why was there not a maid or a footman to accompany her? And why was she up in a tree? It was not lady-like to climb trees.

Lost in his thoughts, Darcy did not realise that the lady had come down until she was standing on the wooden bench beside the tree. As if only realising she was not alone, the lady let out a sound of surprise making her fall out of the bench if Darcy had not come in time to steady her.

Darcy was about to inquire if she was alright when his eyes met hers. Instantaneously, his question was forgotten and all he could focus on was the pair of dark emerald orbs that was looking at him with uncertainty.

They stared at each other for quite some time before the lady lowered her head, her eyelids copying the movement, instantly obscuring the view of her entrancing eyes, and forcing him to shift his attention to her dark long lashes which were softly grazing her cheeks, which was tinted with a light blush from the cold.

"I thank you, Sir, for your assistance." She said removing herself from his hold, looking at him once again. "I believe my companion must have now noticed my absence and a search party was now probably looking for me." The end was said with a light laugh that made her eyes sparkle.

Although surprised at her reaction, Darcy found himself smiling at her.

"Can I be of any assistance to walk you home, madam?" He asked once he regained his composure.

"I thank you for your offer," she began with a light smile, "but you need not fret, Sir, for I am sure I shan't stumble on my way home."

Before he could say anything further, she spoke again. "Goodbye."

With that, she curtsied and left.

-p&p-

"You mean to say that you are infatuated with a lady because of her fine eyes?" Richard asked in disbelief, not wasting a second, as soon as Darcy ended his tale.

"This is priceless!" laughed the Colonel when Darcy merely nodded to confirm his question. "Do you think your father would approve of your choice?"

At the unexpected question, Darcy raised a brow at his cousin. "I thought only a lady's imagination is rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment."

Richard pretended to be offended at being compared to the gentler sex but Darcy ignored him.

However, when Darcy noticed that Richard was still looking at him expectantly, he relented. "By the fabrics of her cloak alone, she seemed to come from the first class of society."

"So your father would approve then?" Richard did not need a response for he knew enough about his Uncle and Darcy's silence to figure out what the answer was.

After a moment of silence, Richard asked again. "Are you planning on meeting her again?"

Darcy made a noncommittal shrug before answering. "Perhaps."

"Then, cousin," Richard began, patting Darcy's shoulder. "I must leave you to meditate more on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow." After one last sip of his brandy, he placed the empty glass back on the table and straightened himself. "I believe dinner is ready and I am famished."

And as the door to his study closed, Darcy was left alone with his thoughts once again.

-p&p-

"Lizzy, are you still unwell? You seem out of sorts these past few days." After staying out in the rain three days ago, Elizabeth had caught a cold. Luckily, it was not accompanied by fever or else her Aunt Madeline and Uncle Edward would never let her out of their sight again. She could only be thankful that her Aunt and Uncle along with Mrs Winters were not mad at her for sneaking out. But if the day in the rain was not her birthday, she was sure that the three of them would have, at the very least, scolded her. But since it was her birthday, she only received exasperated sighs.

"I assure you that I am quite recovered, Aunt." She did not want to worry her Aunt but Lizzy could not help but be lost in her thoughts. Her mind was frequently – and unconsciously – making her remember that day in the rain and the gentleman whom she had encountered. It was starting to irritate her, the flashes of the memories from this year's first day of September. Yet, at the same time, she could not fault herself for wondering about the first-ever man she had ever talked to in the London society. It did not help that his countenance was pleasant to remember...

"If you say so, dear, but you are still refrained from venturing outside." This was said in a gentle but firm tone to which Lizzy only nodded in understanding. While she only had to deal with a cold from her 'unexpected' walk, Mrs Winters had gotten a fever because of it. And though Mrs Winters' fever broke out yesternight, she was still not well enough to do her duties as Lizzy's companion.

Madeline sighed at her niece's frown. It was really hard for her to deny Lizzy, who was like a daughter to her, almost anything. "However," Lizzy perked up at this and Madeline hid an amused smile. "If you are up for it, you can accompany me to your Uncle's Warehouse today."

The grin that appeared on Lizzy's face was answer enough.

"Come now and get dress. I will be waiting for you in the drawing room."

After eating the last bit of her food, Lizzy kissed her Aunt on the cheek and practically ran upstairs to change her clothes.

"Do not forget your cloak, dear!" Madeline called out.

-p&p-

The Gardiner Warehouse used to be a small warehouse located near Gracechurch Street no more than eight years ago. Over the years, the Gardiner's business grew and so, their warehouse was expanded and relocated. They still owned their old warehouse but at present, it was only used for storing common products.

After entering from the passageway specifically made for the Gardiners but before heading to Uncle Edward's study, Aunt Madeline gave Lizzy permission to roam around.

During her visits in London, the Gardiner Warehouse was the only place outside the Gardiner's Residence that Lizzy could explore without having anyone to accompany her (but only at times like this when her Aunt could tell that she's not acting like herself, otherwise her Abigail and Mrs Winters would be with her). Like the paths in Longbourn, Lizzy knew the warehouse by heart and one of her heart's comfort were books so she headed to the part of the warehouse where the books that her Uncle would export were placed.

Due to her Aunt and Uncle's fear of falling under the wrong hands of people such as highwaymen and the cruel kind from the Ton, her adventures in London were very limited.

Lizzy could not blame them for being overprotective though.

About three years ago, her Uncle had been targeted by a powerful gentleman, who had been a business partner of an Earl at the time. It turned out that said man had been deceiving and stealing money from the Earl. When her Uncle Edward had exposed the man's misdeeds, he had been a threat in the Gardiner's life for months to the point that Lizzy had not been allowed to visit her favourite relatives for more than half a year.

Two years prior that, her Aunt and Uncle lost their second child when they had been attacked in their carriage. In her distress, Aunt Madeline had a miscarriage and had become anxious for all of their safety ever since. It was her Aunt Madeline who convinced her Uncle Edward to have a private entrance – as well as hidden passages – to be put to the new Gardiner's House and Warehouse. (Those things had proven their use when her Uncle was being hunted by the former business partner of an Earl.)

Because of these events, Lizzy knew that it was not impossible for her to be a victim of said kinds of men. If not for her relations with the Gardiners, then said kind of men would be after her for her inherited wealth. Albeit, she had yet to have access to it, it was better to be cautious.

Despite these restrictions in Town, Lizzy still could not decide which place she preferred; being confined in London with relatives that loved her or walking freely in Hertfordshire with a family which half the members barely tolerated her.

At least Longbourn's tenants liked her… And there was also Charlotte Lucas, John –

Before Lizzy could ponder more on her thoughts, a voice interrupted her. "Excuse me, Madam, but I believe the book I need is placed on the shelf behind you."

Turning around, she stifled a gasp of surprise as she came face to face with the stranger.

He was tall, dressed in a dark grey coat, with dark curls framing his face and those familiar deep blue eyes… This time, she couldn't hide the gasp that escaped her. He was the same handsome stranger whom she had met that day in the rain…

Gathering her wits, Lizzy straightened her posture. "Pardon me, Sir." She began, moving a little away from the shelf. "Perhaps you could tell me the title of the book you require so that I may be of help to your search." There. That did not sound like she had fleeting thoughts of him since their first meeting, did it? Besides, for all she knew, he might not have remembered her.

Instead of providing a book title, Lizzy was surprised at the gentleman's reply. "I hope the rain did not get you sick." So he did remember her…

"Only a cold but it was gone now."

The gentleman nodded.

"Now, Sir, would you like some assistance in finding the book you are looking for?" Lizzy did not exactly know what she was doing – why she was pestering the unknown gentleman in front of her and offering her assistance in finding his desired book. The only thing she was certain of was that she was curious and intrigued.

He was the first gentleman she had 'met' in London. (Lizzy spying on Jane's 'suitors' every time her sister visited with her did not count.) After all, her Grandmother's Will stated that Lizzy should not be out in society until she was at least eight and ten years of age. And the day in the rain was the day of Lizzy's eighteenth birthday. She was just fortunate enough to encounter the handsome gentleman on the day she could finally be able to study the different people in the society outside of Hertfordshire, nay Meryton.

One of Lizzy's delights was studying the character of a person. She always challenged herself if she was a good judge of character.

When she was younger, she remembered laughing at the antics of the people around her just like her father. However, when her Grandma Claire found out about it, she was not happy at all. Lizzy's Grandma told her that; while it was alright to find some people's actions amusing, she should not make fun of them. Grandma Claire also told Lizzy that she should never generalise a person by their class or judge them too quickly. And because Lizzy started helping with Longbourn's tenants at such a tender age, she mostly knew how to deal with different characters of people.

And by how she rightfully predicted how horrible Jane's first suitor was, Lizzy prided herself for knowing if a person had good intentions or not. This was why she was intrigued by the gentleman who found her in the rain. She had noticed, albeit vaguely, that he brought his horse with him on that rainy day and neither rider nor horse seemed bothered by the rain. What was a gentleman, whom she assumed belonged to the upper classes of society, doing out in such weather? Did gentlemen in his class always talk to unsuspecting ladies wherever they went?

"Are you a regular customer of the Gardiners?" His question snapped her out of her wool-gathering.

Perhaps he found it strange to see a young woman in the Gardiner Warehouse. After all, only a selected number of people were allowed inside. Normally, her Uncle and his associates would deliver the orders to nearby stores like the fabrics for Madame Gertrude's.

Nonetheless, Lizzy did not want to tell the stranger that she was the Gardiners' niece. Not only would her Aunt scold her for talking to a stranger, a man no less, but also because Lizzy still did not trust the gentleman in front of her yet.

"You may ask a question which I may choose not to answer." Summoning all the impertinent side within her to hide her avoidance at his question, Lizzy raised her brows at him. "Now tell me, Sir, do you always answer a question with one of your own?"

At the lady's question, Darcy felt himself colour in embarrassment. How was he supposed to give her a book title when he had forgotten said title the moment he recognized her? Hence his behaviour of answering her questions with queries of his own. He was trying to change the topic but it was of no use!

But alas, he was never good in social situations. Not even when said situation only involved himself and a stranger. A stranger with bewitching green eyes at that… Her purple cloak only seemed to make her eyes stand out more.

Wanting to end the awkward silence and for fear of embarrassing himself if he could not provide an answer, Darcy instinctively pulled out a book from the shelf, where the unnamed lady was standing by some moments earlier.

"What an unusual choice." He heard the unknown lady from beside him mused. "I thought a gentleman such as yourself would not choose a novel for a reading material."

That's when he looked at the book in his hands. "Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded."[1] Of all the books he could have taken from the shelf it has to be a novel… but at least it was not an improper novel. Heaven forbid if it was a scandalous one like "Fanny Hill."[2] Not that Darcy read that book or its kind. He only came to know of its existence because of George Wickham, when he and Richard were searching the scoundrel's room for evidence to use against that good for nothing – Darcy shook his head.

Now was not the right time to think about George Wickham… not when an unknown lady whose fine eyes was looking at him with amusement. He shifted his gaze to meet hers again, "And what would be your choice of reading material, Madam?"

"Oh, there are many things I have the pleasure of reading but as of late, I found this book…" she reached out for a book above the shelf beside her and showed it to him, "…engrossing."

"The Complete Farmer: Or, a General Dictionary of Husbandry,"[3] he read aloud.

"Yes, it helps me a lot in managing my father's estate."

Managing her father's estate? This caught Darcy's interest. Not only did this unnamed lady beside him possessed the most bewitching eyes, but it seemed she had a fascinating personality as well.

"What an unusual choice." He said, eyes on the book, then his gaze met those eyes again, "I thought a lady such as yourself would choose a novel for a reading material… or perhaps, of plays and poetries."

"Oh yes, I do love reading Bard's plays as well as other writers' works, but I must admit to finding the least pleasure in reading verses of poems," as she said the final words, he noticed that her smile faltered a little.

Curious at her expression, he asked, "But I thought poetry was considered 'the food' of love? And that was why it is generally liked by all, especially women."

"Of a fine, stout, healthy love it may. Everything nourishes what is strong already. But if it is only a slight, thin sort of inclination, I am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it entirely away."

-p&p-

More than two years ago, Elizabeth's opinion on poetry was different. She dearly loved to read, and at times when she had little time to do so, sonnets and short poems were a perfect choice – it did not require too much time reading and she could sharpen her mind by deciphering its meanings.

It was about a fortnight after Jane Rose Bennet's eighteenth birthday when Lizzy's feelings on poetry began to change. With Fanny Bennet's insistence, Jane had spent a month in London with Lizzy and the Gardiners.

Though her Aunt Madeline was still wary after the mishap with the Earl's business partner and was still not comfortable with receiving unfamiliar callers, Lizzy had persuaded her Aunt to grant Fanny Bennet's request – but only after explaining that Lizzy saw this opportunity as a way to get closer to her elder sister.

Their mother had always made sure that her favourite daughters – namely, Jane and Lydia – were separated from her least favourites. This was why Lizzy was never close to both her eldest and youngest sisters.

Mary, the middle child, was whom Lizzy was closest with. Their fondness of playing the pianoforte and love of reading united them. At first, Mary preferred Fordyce's "Sermons to Young Women,"[4] but after many times of reading with Lizzy, her choices of reading material widened. Lizzy and Mary would spend their time together either playing duets or debating with their Papa in Mr Bennets Study.

The next sister closest to Lizzy was Katherine or 'Kitty' for short, the second youngest among the Bennet sisters. They bonded over Kitty's adoration for animals – mainly to Apollo, Lizzy's Steed – and Kitty's interest in fashionable clothing. Lizzy would buy fabrics for Kitty to experiment with and when their mother was not aware, she would also let Kitty ride Apollo.

Lizzy remembered being close to Jane as well, back when they were four or five. She wanted her and Jane to be like that again. She wanted to be close to all her sisters, even Lydia who sometimes annoyed Lizzy.

However, things did not always go as she wanted it to be and Jane's first suitor had proven that.


So, what do you think?

I changed the format because I've encountered some reviews that readers are having difficulty with the time line. Was this better?


[1] Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded is an epistolary novel by English writer Samuel Richardson, first published in 1740. It tells the story of a 16-year-old maidservant named Pamela Andrews, whose employer, Mr B, a wealthy landowner, makes unwanted and inappropriate advances towards her after the death of his mother. Considered by many literary experts as the first English novel, Pamela was the best-seller of its time. The feminist movement was beginning and the perception of women was changing from women as housebound housewives to women as intellectual and independent people. Industrialization resulted in a large increase in the middle class which changed the dynamic of class. Pamela was one of the first pieces of literature to present these changing roles and represent women as moral and intellectual people who are capable of their own thoughts and emotions and not dependent on issue of class ascension is also addressed, as Pamela herself moves through classes during the novel. This drew the attention of many people and is a large reason why it was received well by others and with high criticism by some.

[2] Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure—popularly known as Fanny Hill (an anglicisation of the Latin mons veneris, mound of Venus)—is an erotic novel by English novelist John Cleland first published in London in 1748. Written while the author was in debtors' prison in London, it is considered "the first original English prose pornography, and the first pornography to use the form of the novel". It is one of the most prosecuted and banned books in history. The book exemplifies the use of euphemism. The text has no "dirty words" or explicit scientific terms for body parts, but uses many literary devices to describe genitalia. For example, the vagina is sometimes referred to as "the nethermouth," which is also an example of psychological displacement. The novel was published in two installments, on 21 November 1748 and in February 1749, by Fenton Griffiths and his brother Ralph under the name "G. Fenton". There has been speculation that the novel was at least partly written by 1740, when Cleland was stationed in Bombay as a servant of the British East India Company. Initially, there was no governmental reaction to the novel. However, in November 1749, a year after the first instalment was published, Cleland and Ralph Griffiths were arrested and charged with "corrupting the King's subjects." In court, Cleland renounced the novel and it was officially withdrawn.

[3] The Complete Farmer: Or, a General Dictionary of Husbandry is an 18th-century dictionary, which dealt with all branches of agriculture. It contained various contemporary methods of cultivating and improving land; of breeding, managing, and fattening cattle; of curing the various diseases etc. The whole was ranged in alphabetical order, and everything, relating to the fame subject was contained in one article. It was supplemented with a Gardener's Kalendar for the use of farmers and others, which contained accounts of the work necessary to be done every month in the year, and accounts for the nursery and kitchen gardens.

[4] Sermons to Young Women (1766), often called Fordyce's Sermons, is a two-volume compendium of sermons compiled by James Fordyce, a Scottish clergyman, which were originally delivered by himself and others. Fordyce was considered an excellent orator, and his collection of sermons found a ready audience among English clergy and laity alike. It quickly became a staple of many Church and personal libraries.

Source: Wikipedia

I just browsed the Internet on books from 1700 to 1800 and these are the products of those searches. I was intrigued by Pamela so I mentioned it here and when I read the synopsis of Fanny Hill, George Wickham immediately came to my mind.


Any thoughts?