PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE STARTING THE STORY

September 8, 2015 - The recent thefts of stories here at has led some authors to pull their stories from this website. I do not plan to do so at this time, however, I do feel the need to include the following: This story is protected by copyright law and may not be used, copied or republished without the expressed written consent of the author. My work has been available online elsewhere for many years so establishing my ownership will not be an issue for me. Don't go ruining it for others.

Hello all!

First of all, this will be the only Author's Note you will have in this story other than any quick warnings for chapters that have violence in them. If you have a question or want a clarification, please leave a signed review or send me a PM. I'll be happy to answer as I am able without giving any spoilers. If you leave an unsigned review, I will not be able to respond.

This story was written about 10 years ago. This was my first foray into the dark side of life. BOOTBF does have a happy ending, but the characters go through a lot of difficulties before they are free to love and live happily. This is definitely an Alternate Universe story as I have changed quite a few things about the Bennets and the Darcys. Of all the JAFF's I've written, this is the one that could very easily be turned into an original regency novel. It has a lot of JA's phrases woven through it, but hopefully in ways you will not expect. It also has the world's longest Prologue. (Insert eye roll here)

Once again, I have tried to write this with Regency era sensibilities. You may not agree with them, but it's the way the world was then. I've delayed posting this story until now trying to decide how to introduce it to you so when certain events happen, people don't have a fit. Without giving any spoilers, let me just say that the villains in this story are not evil because of who they sleep with. They are the baddies because they are selfish, self-serving, cruel people who use sex as a weapon, not caring about the person they bed except on how they can use sex as a way to put their 'partners' under their power to use them as they see fit and for their pleasure. There is no affection in their liaisons; they are the sexual predators of today's world. They abuse because they can and it amuses them. You will understand when you come to it. They leave victims that surprised me when I wrote it.

I also touch the subject of assault and attempted sexual assault. I am very sensitive to this subject as it hits very close to home. I will warn you when it is coming.

Whew.

I hope I haven't scarred you all off. This is still very much a story about love, forgiveness and second chances.

I will post 2-3 times a week. There are 18 sections, included the Prologue and Epilogue.