A Test of Fire

When two new eligible bachelors move into the neighborhood, the Meryton Assembly becomes a more exciting harvest celebration than ever before. Couples dance and make new acquaintances, reveling in so many possibilities the evening presents . . . until the shout of "FIRE!" echoes from overhead.

Scrambling for safety separates Elizabeth Bennet from her sister, Jane. Frightened that she might lose the person she loves best in all the world, Lizzy sets aside her fear and rushes back in to the burning building. Overwhelmed by the heat and falling debris, suddenly it's Elizabeth in desperate need of saving!

When the burned out shell of the tavern and assembly rooms are left smoldering in the early morning hours, many families have lost too much. The Bennet family sits vigil over the injured Lizzy, praying that she wakes up. They are joined by another, the very man who carried her out in his arms: Mr. Darcy.

Enjoy this twist of Jane Austen's original Pride and Prejudice that imagines how a fire at the Meryton Assembly might have changed the story. Join over 30,000 readers who have followed the story on Fanfiction.net since October 1, 2021 when author Elizabeth Ann West offered five story prompts to her reader group and they selected one for her to write as quickly as possible for them. They also picked out the "Easter eggs" you can find in the Acknowledgements section.

A Test of Fire is a feel-good path of healing and overcoming survivor's guilt for Our Dear Couple. You don't want to miss it!