A Test of Fire
Elizabeth Ann West
From the ashes of tragedy, love will rise.
He called her “tolerable.” Then he became her savior.
Mr. Darcy’s cutting dismissal should have been the worst part of Elizabeth Bennet’s evening. Instead, it was the fire that nearly killed her—and his desperate rescue that changed everything. Now the proud gentleman who publicly snubbed her has become a constant, concerned presence at Longbourn, and Elizabeth doesn’t know what to do with a debt she can never repay.
Survivor’s guilt meets devoted protector.
As Elizabeth battles serious injuries and grieves her lost friend Charlotte, Darcy brings his personal physician from London and becomes her chess partner during long recovery days. But every shared glance makes her heart race—and she can’t tell if it’s love or gratitude.
When pushy cousin Mr. Collins proposes and Darcy’s intimidating aunt arrives to forbid any attachment, Elizabeth’s feelings are put to the ultimate test.
Sometimes you have to survive the fire to find your forever.
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!†
†This story was produced using author‑directed AI tools. This is a re-release, newly edited with bonus scenes and other enhancements. Elizabeth is a founder and owner of Future Fiction Press.
Book Information
Author: Elizabeth Ann West
Available on: September 22nd, 2025
Imprint: Lovelace Lit
Word Count: 61k
Genres: Historical Romance, Jane Austen Fan Fiction, Regency Romance, Romance
Formats Available: Ebook
ISBNs: 978-1-966024-17-0
Purchase
Chapters from A Test of Fire...
A Test of Fire Chapter 1
The Assembly Rooms in Meryton pulsed with joyous celebration for the end of the harvest season. Nearly every family in the surrounding hamlets of Meryton, Netherfield, and Longbourn were represented.
Read NowA Test of Fire Chapter 2
Elizabeth Bennet opened her eyes. A blurry image appeared, hovering before her like a watery reflection in a puddle.
Read NowA Test of Fire Chapter 3
Mr. Darcy rode his horse along the dirt road leading to Netherfield Park and let the gray go at a trot.
Read NowA Test of Fire Chapter 5
Mr. Darcy found Mr. Bingley in the parlor, pacing before the fireplace. "Perhaps we should stay another night for dinner," Mr. Darcy suggested. Mr. Bingley ran his hands through his hair,...
Read NowA Test of Fire Chapter 6
The first day the men contrived to call on the Bennets, it rained. Therefore, there could be no standing outside and the roads were too wet to risk a carriage.
Read NowA Test of Fire Chapter 7
Elizabeth Bennet heard humming. The constant, irritating humming that she could not escape courtesy of the care of Doctor Stevens.
Read NowA Test of Fire Chapter 8
Gliding down the stairs, Elizabeth paused on the landing to look out the oeil-de-boeuf offering a perfect view of the front lawn of Longbourn that led further to a grazing...
Read NowA Test of Fire Chapter 9
Enlisting the aid and attendance of Miss Bingley required an act of subterfuge. The Hursts politely declined the dinner invitation, sending their regrets that Mrs.
Read NowA Test of Fire Chapter 10
Mr. Darcy blinked as he watched Elizabeth leave without even looking back at him.
Read NowA Test of Fire Chapter 11
"If you wish to avoid Mr. Collins, you have to dress so we can begin," Jane Bennet whispered into her sister's ear.
Read NowA Test of Fire Chapter 12
If Elizabeth thought she would find respite at home, she was sadly mistaken. Instead of the leisurely, buffet style meal her family often enjoyed in the afternoon, not sitting down...
Read NowA Test of Fire Chapter 13
Returning from Meryton with his purchases made, Mr. Darcy slowed his horse as he approached the churchyard.
Read NowA Test of Fire Chapter 14
Dinner at Longbourn reduced the table numbers to the Bennets, Mr. Phillips, and Mr.
Read NowA Test of Fire Chapter 15
The next morning, Elizabeth could not prevent herself from waking with the dawn. Pleasantly surprised and elated to feel more like her old self, she tested her body by closing...
Read NowA Test of Fire Chapter 16
"Was that Mr. Darcy?" Kitty asked, scrunching her nose up and looking down the lane. Elizabeth groaned as her sister dared to come outside with her paper curls still in...
Read NowA Test of Fire Chapter 17
Mr. Collins abandoned his efforts to unite himself with the Bennet family through marriage without any further offers to his cousins.
Read NowA Test of Fire Chapter 18
“If we do not leave this instant,” Mr. Bennet warned, peering over the rims of his spectacles, “we shall make our entrance to St. Luke’s upon the final Amen, which...
Read NowA Test of Fire Chapter 19
The mood at Lucas Lodge contrasted greatly with the emotional atmosphere Elizabeth Bennet experienced at Longbourn. For the first time since the fire, Elizabeth felt as though she was not...
Read NowA Test of Fire Chapter 20
Emotionally spent and physically exhausted upon returning home, Elizabeth could sense something was terribly wrong.
Read NowA Test of Fire Chapter 21
The unannounced arrival of Lady Catherine de Bourgh four days before Christmas startled the staff at Pemberley who believed only their Master, his sister, and her companion, Mrs. Annesley, would...
Read NowA Test of Fire Chapter 22
By four of the clock on the twenty-third, as Father Graham had announced from the pulpit, Netherfield’s doors stood open and the parish came up the sweep in a procession...
Read NowA Test of Fire Chapter 23
Christmas Eve at Longbourn struggled between feelings of grief and hope. Today was a day of rest save for Mr. Gardiner accompanying his wife, his sister, and the widower Phillips...
Read NowA Test of Fire Chapter 24
After a night of crying over circumstances she could not control, Elizabeth Bennet woke with a singular mission and her mind on Christmas morning. She would locate every distraction at...
Read NowA Test of Fire Chapter 25
When Elizabeth arrived at Netherfield Park, a carriage waited in the drive. She pulled the reins of Franny to bring the horse to a stop as Mr. Darcy opened the...
Read NowA Test of Fire Epilogue
Reynolds had seen the final lanterns extinguished in the great hall; the footmen had carried away the last of the evergreen boughs; the door to the music room was drawn...
Read Now