The Earl’s Granddaughter

De: Ola Wegner

Narrado por: Virtual Voice

Pride and Prejudice variation.

What- if scenario of the most beloved novel. Elizabeth, an orphan raised at Longbourn, is not the daughter of Mr. Bennet but his niece. Shortly after Hunsford proposal Elizabeth learns that her late mother was the daughter of the earl. With her life circumstances suddenly changed Elizabeth has to learn how to handle herself as a wealthy young woman with noble connections.
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“I will walk you back home,” he insisted, following her.
“I thank you, sir, but it is not necessary. It is not far away,” she said as she kept walking.
“I insist.”
Elizabeth ceased her protests, knowing that there was no point in trying to convince him not to escort her.
“It is here, Mr Darcy,” she said, stopping by the front entrance. “Thank you for your assistance, although as you can see, it was entirely not needed. I was perfectly capable of returning home on my own.”
Darcy looked at the imposing building. “This is the home of the Earl of Riverstone.”
“I am aware of that.”
“He is not currently present in London.”
“How can you be so certain of it?”
“I dined with him in Manchester a week ago. He assured me that business matters should keep him in the north for a while.”
“He may be there, but his mother is here.”
“The Countess of Riverstone?” Darcy’s eyes widened dramatically. “Now, that it impossible,” he whispered.
Elizabeth raised her head high. “What is impossible, Mr Darcy?”
A heavy frown appeared on Darcy’s forehead. “What was your mother’s maiden name?” he enquired.
“Gardiner.”
“I was not asking about Mrs Frances Bennet. I heard some gossip during our stay at Netherfield. Caroline Bingley mentioned to me that you and Jane were first cousins, not sisters, and that your parents died when you were very young. The Bennets took you in to rescue you from destitution. She said that you were a foundling.”
“You believed her?” she exclaimed. “Was that the reason why you chose to propose to me in such a cruel, offending, and demeaning manner?”
“Lower your voice, please.”
“My parents married one another out of pure love. They were deeply devoted to one another, they respected each other, and they loved me. My father was a soldier and the heir to Longbourn. My uncle, Thomas Bennet, inherited the estate only after his death. I have never been a foundling, even before I learned the truth of my mother’s family.”
“May I know what was your mother’s maiden name?” he asked.
“Lady Eleanor Grey.”
Darcy stared at her hard and long.
Elizabeth took a step forward, looking into his eyes. “Yes, Mr Darcy. My mother was the daughter of an earl, the same as yours. Do you find me equal now? Would you have treated me differently, knowing that back in April?”
“Elizabeth? Who are you talking to? Who is that gentleman?”
Elizabeth looked away from Mr Darcy to see the Countess of Riverstone, standing in the front entrance, the butler right behind her.
Darcy turned around and bowed deeply in front of her ladyship. “Countess of Riverstone, I had the pleasure to walk your granddaughter home.”
“Mr Darcy,” the countess beamed at him. “I was not aware that you were in London.”
“I arrived a few days ago.”
“It is always a pleasure to see you.” She looked at Elizabeth. “My dear, you have never mentioned that you are acquainted with Mr Darcy.”
“We were introduced last year, your ladyship,” he explained. “I had the pleasure to spend some time in your granddaughter’s company due to common friends.”
“I see. Shall you step in, Mr Darcy?”
“No, thank you, your ladyship. Miss Bennet, Countess of Riverstone, I wish you a good day.”
Darcy walked away. He did not look back. Nevertheless, Elizabeth was certain that he talked to himself as he walked. She smiled. Poor Mr Darcy. She would never forget his expression when it dawned on him who she really was.

Interesting Variation - VV has improved

I think the story was well done, interesting, good dialogue, focus on E & D, etc…. Some scenes were definitely beyond Austen’s book and even though not too detailed, I found it a little off-putting to have Elizabeth behave as she did. The Virtual Voice has improved since the last time I listened to a book narrated by it. There was not the same robotic reading as before and a lot less errors i pronunciation and syntax and the like. That being said, I STILL prefer human readers.