Rumour and Reputation: A Duology of Pride and Prejudice Variations

This Season in London, anything is possible…even a match between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy!

What might have happened if Elizabeth Bennet went to London after Jane…and discovered a new side of Mr Darcy once there? Rumour and Reputation explores this question, resulting in a duology of complementary tales exploring ideas of truth and lies, risks and consequences, misunderstandings and new discoveries. In these sweet, romantic novellas, Beatrice Langford and debut author Sophie Forsyth present two very different perspectives on how London society and rumours run amok might cause Elizabeth and Mr Darcy to discover they are truly meant to be. Dive into two new versions of Our Dear Couple’s love story, filled with all the scandal, drama, and fun of the London Season!

Whispers and Wickedness by Sophie Forsyth follows a nefarious scheme, one that only Elizabeth and Mr Darcy can unravel. Upon learning that Jane seems strangely troubled, Elizabeth follows her sister to London, determined to raise her spirits. But she soon learns that the trouble is much worse than Mr Bingley’s absence - someone is spreading vicious gossip in London’s scandal sheets, composed of ugly lies with just enough truth to make them sting. Elizabeth will do anything to protect her sister and make the rumours stop. She would even team up with Mr Darcy, who has reasons of his own to see the gossip silenced. She would even agree to a pretended courtship to keep their investigation a secret. But there is one thing Elizabeth didn’t agree to: falling in love with Mr Darcy…

A Word Out of Place by Beatrice Langford presents a sweet, witty comedy of manners. The ton is on fire with the rumour that Mr Darcy has lost his heart to a mysterious country gentlewoman named Elizabeth Bennet - and worse still, Mr Darcy knows that he himself is to blame! To combat the rumours without causing more harm, Elizabeth and Mr Darcy agree to arrange a series of ‘accidental’ meetings in public, during which they will demonstrate their mutual indifference. But society refuses to be convinced…and soon it is Elizabeth and Mr Darcy who must confront the unexpected truth of their feelings!

Rumour and Reputation is a duology of novellas perfect for readers eager to dive into the scheming and scandal of a London Season and explore two very different ideas about how Elizabeth and Mr Darcy might discover their love for each other even as they insist there can be nothing between them. Expect light humour, lots of mutual longing, and triumphant happy endings.