A Dishonorable Offer

Elizabeth's and Jane’s future looked bleak: Mama had wasted her money after Papa died, and Lydia married a brawny blacksmith. Now they were barely seen as gentlewomen, but Elizabeth refused to ever let herself be unhappy. She still believed they would marry for love.

His uncle had been an exemplary guardian after Father died, but it was annoying how he insisted Darcy always keep a mistress. He pushed a new woman on Darcy every single time he grew bored and ended an affair. Not again. This time he'd find his own woman. He wanted a woman he could talk and laugh with. Someone like the vivacious Miss Elizabeth. But even though her family had fallen far, he did not believe she would accept such an arrangement...

The story is mostly a funny romantic comedy with the unhappy parts not lasting too long. But Elizabeth is in an difficult situation, and Darcy feels very protective of her long before he admits to himself he loves her.