‘Forced Engagement’ is a Pride and Prejudice variation, romantic and light, spiced with some moderate angst. The story begins three months after Mr Bingley and his party have departed Netherfield, leaving Jane heartbroken and Mrs Bennet devastated at the loss of a most desirable son-in-law. In London, Caroline Bingley and Louisa Hurst are happy that their brother is spending the winter at Pemberley with Mr Darcy. Their resentment towards the Bennet family—especially Elizabeth—is still strong, so when the opportunity for a little scheming arises, they quickly embrace it, offering Netherfield to Sir James Langley, a baronet more handsome than honourable. Sir James is searching for a wife who might please his aunt enough to leave him a great fortune, and the Bennet girls seem to be accessible victims. Sir James’s arrival at Netherfield stirs up the small community, while his interest is quickly directed at Elizabeth, bringing new hope to the single-minded Mrs Bennet. However, both Bingley and Darcy find that their minds often turn to the two eldest Bennet sisters. Doubt, remorse, guilt, and regret fill the gentlemen’s hearts with sadness for their lost love. A visit to her friend Charlotte Collins in Kent places Elizabeth once again in Mr Darcy’s company. Sadly, Mrs Bennet’s appetite for gossip ruins Darcy’s decision to ask for Elizabeth’s hand in marriage, and both leave Hunsford a few days apart, more in love than ever but equally desperate as their love seems impossible. Determined not to persist in his errors, Darcy hastens to his friend Bingley to urge him to follow his heart and marry Jane, only to discover a monstrous plot against Elizabeth. Ready to protect her from any misfortune and offer her his heart and hand in marriage, Darcy leaves for Longbourn. But is it too late?