A Sister's Sacrifice

Book excerpt: Elizabeth Bennet is concerned when her sister Jane seems uninclined to invite her to London to meet Jane's fiancé despite having earlier indicating her intent to do so. Determined to remedy the situation, Elizabeth decides to stay with her aunt in London, thereby forcing the truth of Jane's circumstances to rise to the surface. It is in London that Elizabeth meets Fitzwilliam Darcy and his younger brother, a rake of a man who is more interested in dalliances with women than in maintaining the small estate bequeathed upon him by his father. Despite Darcy's great efforts, his brother simply refuses to listen to reason and curb his excesses, leaving Darcy at a loss concerning how to proceed. Because both Elizabeth and Darcy are so focused on their siblings, neither expects to catch the other's eye. But as they spend more time together, they find themselves to be willing allies and perhaps even something more. If they work together, is it possible to ensure that all parties involved will achieve happiness? Or will the sacrifice of Elizabeth's sister proceed, causing sorrow to enshroud the future and forever banishing any hopes for marital bliss?