Mr. Darcy's Little Sister

      by C. Allyn Pierson

Jane Austen's classic novel, Pride and Prejudice, introduces readers to Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy's painfully shy sister, Georgiana.  Miss Darcy is more than ten years Darcy's junior and has lived a sheltered and lonely existence with governesses and companions since the death of her parents.  When her brother marries the vibrant and witty Miss Elizabeth Bennet, Georgiana's life is suddenly changed and it is not long before the two young women are friends.  There is a major roadblock to Georgiana's happiness, however: over the first six months of her brother's marriage she must prepare herself for her coming-out and presentation at court, and then attempt to attract a husband who loves her for herself and not just for her large dowry.  The prospect is horrifying to the nervous young woman, but her new sister-in-law is determined to help Georgiana find her way to womanhood through the maze of ritual, tradition and marital politics that is Regency-era England. However, the story plays out rather differently than any of them expect.........