I Promise To...

by Zoe Burton

They have known each other forever. Now, they must join together for protection.

While Fitzwilliam Darcy has known Elizabeth Bennet all his life, he had never considered her as a possible wife. That is, he hadn’t considered her as such until his father betrothed her to him without his knowledge. However, when he discovers the chilling reason, he understands the necessity of his father’s actions.

Before Elizabeth Bennet was attacked by an unwanted suitor, she was happy, outgoing, and confident. Now, she’s fearful. Before, she had dreamed of marrying for love. Now, she must marry for safety.

Though Darcy and Elizabeth quickly realize that their life-long friendship is rooted in the deepest of loves, her life and reputation are still in danger. Will Darcy be able to keep his promise to protect his beloved bride, or will an apparently untouchable peer make it impossible?

I Promise To … is Zoe Burton’s debut Pride & Prejudice novella variation. If you enjoy your JAFF with sweet romance, featuring protective gentlemen and frightened, but brave, ladies, this book is for you. So, grab your copy of I Promise To …, curl up in your favorite chair, and get lost in the world of Darcy and Elizabeth.

Genres: Romantic

136 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 12, 2014

Reviews

[Talia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this story to be original and full of good angst. I wish E and D were a bit older.

[Elizabeth Bennet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story that keeps you on your toes. I love how the author had D&E growing up together. I also liked that his father was still alive and was as great a father as Darcy always claimed him to be. The connections he has to Lizzy's uncle was unique and welcome. As much trouble that lurked around each corner it was nice to things resolved so quickly. My only concern was at one point the villain after Lizzy causes a scene and it is Darcy's father who deals the final hand but my question is if he could be dealt with so easily and quickly why wait for him to attack Lizzy and risk her and her reputation? It didn't make sense but I only took one star away as I still love Darcy the Hero and how so many was willing to rush to her aid. I have the sequel to this one next on my list. While some made mention of impropriety there is some very vague and minimal scenes. I do wish there was more interaction between the characters more than a narrative feel the book holds. There are pov's from several characters but the feel was more like someone looking through a window describing segments of their life and tribulations. Still enjoyable!

[Sheila Majczan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was a fairly quick read but with not much depth to the story. Young Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth have a friendship during their childhood due to the business relationship between his father and her Uncle Gardiner. Both adults observe these dear young people and made judgments which come to matter as the two mature.

Shortly before Fitzwilliam’s return from his Grand Tour, Mrs. Bennet pushes Elizabeth to accept the proposal of a “Lord Regis” but when Elizabeth refuses him the man does NOT accept “no” for an answer.

When Mr. Bennet sends Elizabeth to live with her aunt and uncle for protection…from two sources, trouble follows and it is then that Mr. George Darcy and Mr. Edward Gardiner come up with a solution and others are more or less “forced” to accept it.

Elizabeth is only 16 at this point. And her spirits have definitely been dampened by the experience at Longbourn. At times she is described as now being timid. The question becomes twofold: will Elizabeth be safe and will there be a happy future or just something she….has to accept and live with?

George Wickham is still in the picture as his father remains the favored steward at Pemberley. That side of the story plays out very differently from canon but to our complete satisfaction!

We hear almost nothing of the other Bennet sisters and the Bingley family. Lady Catherine shows up but her brother heads her off.

I found the angst very limited as a solution was reached and the consequences dealt with in a most expedient manner. This was a sweet read. Elizabeth has some frightening (and painful) moments but there is more than one gentleman to her rescue.

[wendy luther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it a sweet story

I enjoyed this George Darcy and and Fitzwilliam and 3lizavwth ....a wonderful young couple being thrown together due to evil...

[Madenna U · Rating 3 out of 5]

Darcy Senior and Gardner are good friends and the oldest Bennet girls grow up knowing the Darcy family. Fast forward many years and Mrs Bennet is trying to force Elizabeth to marry a peer who is violent.

The Darcy family works to protect her and keep her safe. It is any easy quick read.

[J. W. Garrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! HEA, fraught with angst and threats to bodily harm: 5-sars

I was reluctant to read this new author. I came across her name on the Austen Authors website and decided to give her a try. I had it in my TBR file and kept putting it off. I hate reading an author others have acknowledged and support only to be disappointed. However, my trepidation was unfounded. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, angst and all.

There has always been, in the back of my mind, a list of “Things I Wish Would Happen” in the JAFF stories, novellas and books I buy. I go into the story hoping I can at least check off one or two on my list. I love it when an author manages to surprise me. Several have actually succeeded in totally catching me off guard. I find that extremely exhilarating as it keeps me, as a reader, on my toes.

Let me just say that Zoe Burton must have somehow read my mind. I could not believe how many points on my list she hit within this one story. Two points in particular were major as far as I’m concerned. They are: First, Old Mr. Darcy finding out about Wickham’s proclivities before he can damage young Darcy. And second Old Mr. Wickham finding out about his son’s behavior before he can do more harm. Yeah, this was a real surprise and I’m not sure it has been addressed before. Well done Burton.

Oh, what a dreadful story as a very young [six and ten] Elizabeth is forced to leave Longbourn for the protection of her Gardiner relations in London. I will NEVER forgive Mrs. Bennet for her blatant actions against her daughter. Nothing was done to her in this book; however, I am hoping there will be something addressed in book 2. I am about to start reading that next.

As we journey through the relationship between the Gardiner and the Darcy families you absolutely fall in love with then. I simply adored young Darcy and Lizzy as their families come together to improve a very bad situation. Mr. Darcy and Uncle Gardiner worked together to post extra guards in order to ward off attempts and threats of violence against Lizzy …oh my heart. Goodness, Burton managed to keep the tension steady and moved the story along at a good pace. Well done.

Several of the reviewers mentioned that these characters were not our favorite P&P characters. Well, how different were you when you were 15 and 21 compared to five years later? These characters have not had the influences that our P&P characters had. So in fact, they are different characters. This is how things would work out IF their situation had been different. I liked the variation.

Minimal errors as mentioned in other reviews.

[Les · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like your P&P Variations with a lot of drama this is the story for you. This book goes so far off canon that it should be an inspired by the characters of rather than a variation or a What if....

In this novella Lizzy and Darcy have know each other since Lizzy was 10, Mrs. Bennet is a shrew and Mr. George Darcy is still alive. When Mrs. Bennet has the opportunity to marry her least favorite daughter to a peer, at the age of 16, she becomes immovable on the subject. When Lizzy refuses the proposal she is physically assaulted and injured by the man. When she is removed to London he becomes a Stalker

Luckily Mr. Gardiner and Mr. Darcy are friends and confidants. Mr. Darcy (Sr) is more than happy to assist Mr. Gardiner in protecting Lizzy by making her a Darcy. He does this by announcing the betrothal of Lizzy and Fitzwilliam Darcy. Note to aspiring P&P authors that would be an interesting twist if Lizzy was Darcy's step mother.

No one else from Meryton appears in this novella. Wickham, Lady Catherine and the Earl of Matlock make brief appearances. Mr. Darcy senior is excellent at making his point and stopping complaints and problems. There are several scenes that had me rolling my eyes with the silliness.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I purchased this book this morning, and barely could put it done (if not for the fact I had a planned outing with a friend scheduled, I wouldn't have). I thoroughly enjoyed the book from this first time author. Very well written, and while diverting from the original in plot, I believe the characters remained the same in essence. Oh to wish she would have gone further with this book is an understatement. Whose to say with some incentive maybe a sequel can be produced, wink wink!!

[James S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lizzy, married to Darcy at a much younger age

I think this is one of the author’s first published books.

The premise is Lizzy is being forced by her mother, at age 16, to marry a lord who wants her. But he is a notorious rake who physically beats people. Mr. Bennet, unwilling to control his wife sends Lizzy to the Gardiners.

She is found there and to protect her an arraigned marriage is made to young Fitzwilliam Darcy.

Pretty interesting premise and the story was a fun read.

I recommend the book.

[Carol Perrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Promise To......

George Darcy and Edward Gardiner have been friends and business associates for a long time. In this story Fitzwilliam is twenty and Lizzy is fifteen. They have been to Darcy House and Pemberley. Both Lizzy and Jane spend a lot of time with the Gardiners. Mrs. Bennet hates Lizzy and wants her gone from Longbourn so much so she promises her to the hateful Lord Regis. When Lizzy refuses him, he strikes her in the face with fists breaking her jaw and bloodied her face besides. Mr. Bennet stops him from beating her and causing more damage than he's already done. While her face heals, Mrs. Bennet berates her constantly and tells Lord Regis that he should compromise her. Mr. Bennet sends her to the Gardiners, but even then she is not safe. Realizing they cannot protect her, he asked George Darcy for help. Father and Uncle decide to betrothal Fitzwilliam and Lizzy. Realizing that the two have many things in common, both Fitzwilliam and eventually Lizzy agrees. One night, Lord Regis climbs into the bedroom window he thinks is Lizzy's but it is not. When finding her room, the guard hears the scuffle, and Lord Regis escapes out the window. Another guard follows on foot to see where the escaping carriage stops which is Lord Regis' home. Realizing that they cannot protect her, they take her to the Darcy townhouse. Fitzwilliam has already purchased a licence to marry. The next morning, his Uncle the Bishop, marries them in front of the Darcys, Matlocks, and Gardiners. Reading about the wedding in the paper the next morning, Lord Regis is furious. Vowing to take her back, Lord Regis watches the Darcy House. Lady Matlock and Lizzy are going shopping, he follows and apprehends them in the book store. Grabbing Lizzy by the arm with her kicking and screaming, Lord Regis doesn't see the Darcys and Lord Matlock enter the store. Fit to be tied, angry Fitzwilliam grabs Lord Regis around the neck ready to kill him. George Darcy stops him, and then he threatens Lord Regis to cease, or there will be consequences. Even though non titled, George Darcy has much more power, clout, and money than Lord Regis, and combined with the Fitzwilliam side of the family, he realizes he better leave off. Fitzwilliam has always loved Lizzy, and upon reflection, Lizzy realizes she loves Fitzwilliam. Mrs. Bennet is a piece of work. Jealousy is a terrible thing, but for a mother to hate her child that much is reprehensible. Cute story.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. If you like angst you will love it. Mr. George Darcy (Fitzwilliam's father) and Mr. Gardner are friends who make a pact to save Lizzie from Mrs. Bennet's machinations. This is a retelling as Lizzie and Darcy are about 7 years younger than in Pride and Prejudice. Once you finish this novella, don't worry it's not over, Promises Kept is the sequel. I ecommend reading this story, but a warning, it is very difficult to put down.

[Carol Perrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Promise To…

Heartwarming story even though there is some of Mrs. Bennet’s hateful behavior towards Elizabeth in the beginning that continues until Darcy Senior finally confronts the peer. Her Uncle Gardiner and Mr. George Darcy are business partners and close friends. Elizabeth is sent to the Gardiners because her mother is angry that Elizabeth has refused a peer that her mother wishes her to marry. After Elizabeth is attacked by Lord Regis, she is sent to London, because her mother will not leave her alone. During a meeting between Darcy and Gardiner, Gardiner cannot concentrate. When Darcy finds out what the problem is, he immediately suggests that Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam become betrothed. Far diner is shocked, but agrees to this marriage. When Lord Regis discovers her location, he tries to abduct her late on night. The guards hear his entry and although the inside guard missed grabbing him, the outside guard was able to follow him home and report to her uncle. Frightened, Gardiner takes Elizabeth to the Darcys’ home. Fitzwilliam tells his father to send for his uncle, the bishop. Before the day was over, the two were wed. Confrontation with Wickham was overheard by George Darcy, and he sent Wickham away with a flea in his ear. Lady Catherine de Bourgh shows up incensed by this marriage, but further aggravated that neither father or son are home to discuss the situation. When the elder Darcy returns home, she is in high dungeon screaming at everyone whether they are listening or not. Darcy puts her in her place quickly. The Fitzwilliams hold their judgement until they’ve met Elizabeth both knowing that their like or dislike will have no effect on the decision Darcy made for his son. The Fitzwilliams are totally drawn in by Elizabeth. She and the countess are scheduled to go shopping the next day. When Lord Regis hears this, he decides to intercept Elizabeth. While at the bookshop, he grabs Elizabeth and threatens Lady Matlock. He doesn’t hear the Darcys and Lord Matlock enter the store. Fuming, Fitzwilliam grabs Regis by the throat. His father tells him to attend to Elizabeth who has fell to the floor. Darcy then threatens Regis with complete ruin of him and his family if he doesn’t leave Elizabeth alone and leave London for a while. Knowing that he has everything to lose, he removes himself and his family immediately. In the end of the book, ODC admit their love for one another, and both realize they head towards their HEA. Cannot wait to read the next book in the series…Promises Kept.

[Jacquelin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a P&P departure as opposed to a variation. Darcy and Elizabeth have known each other all their lives. Something happens to Elizabeth (a horrible man proposes to her, she says no and he slaps her, actually, he practically punches her) and becomes enraged. Mr. Bennett sends her to London and he and Darcy’s father come up with a plan to have Darcy marry Elizabeth for protection. Uhhh….marriage for protection? Their logic is that, if Elizabeth is already betrothed the unwanted suitor will go away. But during the betrothal the blackguard breaks into Elizabeth’s room, not knowing that it’s not her room. He gets found out but that causes the fathers to want to up the wedding date. Elizabeth becomes fearful and the usual vibrant and out-going person she used to be has vanished. All ends well and they marry. But the premise of the story is odd and doesn’t sit well with me. They know who the unwanted suitor is, he is actually caught in the act when he initially hits Elizabeth. So why isn’t the first thing that Bennet to either call him out or call the constable? Instead the villain allowed to stalk Elizabeth and speak ill of her to anyone of the ton who will listen. A somewhat entertaining book but I could give it no more than 3 stars. Thankfully, it’s a novella so it’s very short

[Deb Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this P&P variation

Even though Elizabeth was quite young when she married Fitzwilliam... her life experiences up to the age of 16... had made her seem quite mature. The love that George and Fitzwilliam Darcy bestowed upon her was very heart-warming. Along with her wonderful aunt and uncle... and the Darcys....Elizabeth ended up with a happily-ever-after she so deserved👍

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth growing up kind of friends. Mr. Darcy and Me Gardnier are friends. As friends they save Elizabeth from unwanted suitor by engaging Fitwilliam and Elizabeth. Then a brief look at their first year of marriage. Mrs. Bennet is horrible, Wickham goes away (thankfully), and no Caroline.

[RTD · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent

I enjoyed most of the book, although the last 30 percent disappointed me. The villain showdown was anticlimactic.

Fyi- This is book 1 of 2. I didn't see that anywhere in the description.

[Geri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute novella with a much younger Darcy & Elizabeth.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. It was sweet to see a younger Darcy and Elizabeth fall in love early on, but the plot was very one dimensional and simple and not all that compelling.

[colleen churm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Promise To...

Just re-reading this lovely story by Zoe Burton. She spins an interesting tale of Lizzie being friends with the Darcy family through Mr. Darcy (he is still alive and thriving in this story) and his friendship with long-time business partner, Mr. Gardiner. Lizzie had ended up in London living with the Gardiner family to escape a spoiled, brutal Peer, who was pursuing Lizzie, against her will, of course, Mrs. Bennet was all for it so Lizzie was sent to London for her protection! Due to the Peers continued threats, it's worked out, by Mr. Darcy, Sr. And Mr. Gardiner, that young Darcy and Lizzie marry. More happens, to keep our interest of course. It would have been fun to have read a second story, with how things worked out in the Future, more on Jane, and the other girls, silly Collins etc, but it was a Good Read all on its own.

[Lady Jl · Rating 4 out of 5]

short but good

It was rather short I wish it was longer! Darcy and his fathers relationship was wonderful to read about. Once again Lizzy had to pay for her mothers idiotic judgement. It would be nice to have seen more of Jane. I'm glad I took the time to read it. My wish is for the author to continue their story although with the epilogue written who knows?

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novella is a Pride and Prejudice variation whereby Darcy and Elizabeth have known each all most of their lives. When Elizabeth is 16 an unwanted suitor forces her to stay with her Gardiner family. Where the elder Darcy and Gardiner arrange a marriage between Elizabeth and Darcy.

[ShaniBelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely

I always enjoy Zoe's stories. Most I have read more than once. I loved this Fitzwilliam and his father. I like stories where old Mr Darcy is alive. I highly recommend this one!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this novella, would loved to have the story extended with more of Elizabeth's family and Darcy's friend Mr. Bingley.

[Teresita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely!

A short but sweet story! Darcy and Lizzy are really young but already the wonderful people they are destined to be. A great read for a leisurely day.