Chaos Comes to Longbourn begins with a frustrated Mr. Darcy fleeing the ballroom in an attempt to get Elizabeth Bennet out of his mind. He winds up in the dark Netherfield library, only to stumble onto (literally) Lydia Bennet in a mild state of undress. Although he witnessed a figure slipping out the back door, he was found in a compromising position and is forced to propose to Lydia.
This is just the start of a wacky, mixed-up tale that also finds Jane engaged to Mr. Collins, Charlotte Lucas engaged to Wickham, and Lizzie engaged to Mr. Bingley...and not a single one of the characters happy with how the cards have fallen.
There wasn't much mention of food, save toast, eggs, and a beefsteak. There were however, plenty of instances of both wine punch and brandy.
Darcy massaged his temples. Those glasses of brandy—how many had it been?—had seemed an excellent idea the previous evening after he had escaped the debacle in the library. However, his throbbing head and queasy stomach now told him that he should have been more abstemious. He could not help reliving last night's disaster over and over. How had it happened? While attempting to escape one Bennet sister, how had he ended up engaged to another? Surely it was some horrible nightmare.
I thought I'd combine the two to make a modern version of a brandy-fortified punch. Perfect for sipping at your next ball or autumn get-together.
Chaos Comes to Longbourn
author: Victoria Kincaid
series: Jane Austen Variations Book 7
publisher: Victoria Kincaid (July 2, 2016)
genre: Romance | Historical | Regency
soft cover : 246 pages
"foodie" read: no
opening sentence: Why do I wish to dance with Elizabeth Bennet?
teaser: This humorous Pride and Prejudice variation begins at the Netherfield ball. While attempting to suppress his desire to dance with Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy flees the ballroom only to stumble upon a half-dressed Lydia Bennet in the library. After a shrieking, nerve-stricken Mrs. Bennet discovers them in this compromising position, Darcy is forced to make Lydia an offer of marriage.
A few weeks later, Bingley returns from London to discover that a heartbroken Jane has accepted an offer from Collins. Bingley instead proposes to Elizabeth, who accepts with the hope of reuniting him with Jane. Now Darcy must cope with jealousy toward Bingley and a fiancée who longs to get her hands on the grand estate of “Pembleton” (or is it “Peckersly?”). Lydia, in turn, is jealous that Wickham has proposed to Charlotte Lucas—who (much to Wickham’s dismay) does not find red coats nearly as appealing as clerical collars.
Although Darcy yearns for Elizabeth, he feels honor bound by his promise to Lydia. Elizabeth has also developed feelings for the master of Pemberley, but he has never seemed so far out of her reach. How can Darcy and Elizabeth unravel this tangle of hilariously misbegotten betrothals and reach their happily ever after?
about the author: The author of numerous best-selling Pride and Prejudice variations, historical romance writer Victoria Kincaid has a Ph.D. in English literature and runs a small business, er, household with two children, a hyperactive dog, an overly affectionate cat, and a husband who is not threatened by Mr. Darcy. They live near Washington DC, where the inhabitants occasionally stop talking about politics long enough to complain about the traffic.
On weekdays she is a freelance writer/editor who specializes in IT marketing (it’s more interesting than it sounds) and teaches business writing. A lifelong Austen fan, Victoria has read more Jane Austen variations and sequels than she can count – and confesses to an extreme partiality for the Colin Firth version of Pride and Prejudice.
connect with the author: website | facebook | twitter
recipe inspired by the book: Apple Brandy Punch
author: Victoria Kincaid
series: Jane Austen Variations Book 7
publisher: Victoria Kincaid (July 2, 2016)
genre: Romance | Historical | Regency
soft cover : 246 pages
"foodie" read: no
opening sentence: Why do I wish to dance with Elizabeth Bennet?
teaser: This humorous Pride and Prejudice variation begins at the Netherfield ball. While attempting to suppress his desire to dance with Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy flees the ballroom only to stumble upon a half-dressed Lydia Bennet in the library. After a shrieking, nerve-stricken Mrs. Bennet discovers them in this compromising position, Darcy is forced to make Lydia an offer of marriage.
A few weeks later, Bingley returns from London to discover that a heartbroken Jane has accepted an offer from Collins. Bingley instead proposes to Elizabeth, who accepts with the hope of reuniting him with Jane. Now Darcy must cope with jealousy toward Bingley and a fiancée who longs to get her hands on the grand estate of “Pembleton” (or is it “Peckersly?”). Lydia, in turn, is jealous that Wickham has proposed to Charlotte Lucas—who (much to Wickham’s dismay) does not find red coats nearly as appealing as clerical collars.
Although Darcy yearns for Elizabeth, he feels honor bound by his promise to Lydia. Elizabeth has also developed feelings for the master of Pemberley, but he has never seemed so far out of her reach. How can Darcy and Elizabeth unravel this tangle of hilariously misbegotten betrothals and reach their happily ever after?
about the author: The author of numerous best-selling Pride and Prejudice variations, historical romance writer Victoria Kincaid has a Ph.D. in English literature and runs a small business, er, household with two children, a hyperactive dog, an overly affectionate cat, and a husband who is not threatened by Mr. Darcy. They live near Washington DC, where the inhabitants occasionally stop talking about politics long enough to complain about the traffic.
On weekdays she is a freelance writer/editor who specializes in IT marketing (it’s more interesting than it sounds) and teaches business writing. A lifelong Austen fan, Victoria has read more Jane Austen variations and sequels than she can count – and confesses to an extreme partiality for the Colin Firth version of Pride and Prejudice.
connect with the author: website | facebook | twitter
recipe inspired by the book: Apple Brandy Punch
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yield: 3 cups
Apple Brandy Punch
Sparkling apple cider and brandy are the stars of this party punch that is perfect for autumn parties.
prep time: 5 MINScook time: total time: 5 mins
INGREDIENTS:
- 250 ml sparkling cider or sparkling apple juice, cold
- 1 cup club soda, cold
- 1/2 cup brandy
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Amaretto
- 1 tablespoon apple pie whiskey
- ice cubes
- apple and lemon slices
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Combine the first 5 ingredients in a pitcher or punch bowl (if making a large batch). Add ice cubes and apple and lemon slices to garnish.
Notes:
- This is a small-batch punch recipe, but it multiplies easily for larger quantities.
Since this is a work inspired by Jane Austen, I am sharing this with the Fandom Foodies #JaneAustenBites link-up, right here at All Roads Lead to the Kitchen!
