Drawn to Love

Drawn To Love is a light, romantic, sweet novella of around 27,000 words, focused on Elizabeth and Darcy’s love story in familiar yet unique settings.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Fitzwilliam Darcy is a proud, arrogant, and unpleasant sort of man. What is hardly known to anyone is that he also possesses a tender heart, an inclination for the arts, and a real talent for playing the pianoforte as well as drawing and painting. Such talents he keeps hidden, buried under the weight of his responsibilities.

After his disastrous proposal at Hunsford, Darcy struggles to conquer his passion for Elizabeth Bennet, as well as the unbearable pain of her rejection. He withdraws to Pemberley alone, taking care of his duties as master and landlord and waiting for his sister and the Bingleys to visit him for the summer.

All his struggles are in vain, though, and Elizabeth’s image remains still vivid in his mind and in his soul, so much so that it becomes his muse. His inspiration comes to life in several sketches, in which he attempts to find a little comfort.
Elizabeth’s own torment is not much different. Mr Darcy’s shocking marriage proposal brought out the worst in her, and she rejected it in a most outrageous manner. Now, while she does not regret her refusal, she blames herself for offending the gentleman so deeply and favouring his adversary, Mr Wickham.

When the Gardiners take her on a long trip to the Lakes, she sees a glimpse of joy in dark times. But their destination changes suddenly, and she finds herself in Derbyshire. Even worse, Mrs Gardiner has decided to pay a visit to Pemberley, even before arriving at the inn in Lambton. With a heavy heart and deep embarrassment, she holds her breath as the carriage rolls her closer to Pemberley House. Her distress turns into the deepest turmoil when they suddenly see Mr Darcy himself, carrying an easel, which he drops in surprise, revealing several portraits of a woman whose identity cannot be doubted.

The accidental encounter could offer Elizabeth and Darcy the opportunity for more torment and pain as well as for peace and joy. Yet, their trust in their own feelings and in each other’s has been deeply shaken, and reviving it could be an impossible endeavour, especially with Miss Lydia Bennet still in Brighton with the regiment, with Mr Bingley’s sisters on their way, and with several other obstacles needing to be overcome.