Books
The British kingdom harbours a perilous secret. At its heart is Thomas Bennet.
Since dead men tell no tales, the patriarch of Longbourn must live in anonymity or face the unthinkable—being the cause of a foreign nation attacking his homeland. Skilled in deception and strategy, Bennet succeeded until his youngest daughter is born with a grievous affliction; the scrutiny she brings threatens to expose the very secrets he hides.
Mary Bennet, marked by her unusual appearance, becomes the centre of fear and gossip. As society and even her own family grow wary of her, Mary must confront her isolation with quiet resilience. Unaware of her father’s burden, she is thrust into a world of suspicion, where she discovers her role is not as insignificant as it once seemed.
Elizabeth Bennet faces her own trials as the family fractures under the weight of secrecy. Forced from Longbourn, drawn to the enigmatic Mr Darcy, Elizabeth must reconcile her blossoming feelings for him with the unsettling truths she uncovers. As Darcy’s past and his connection to her father come to light, Elizabeth is left questioning whom she can truly trust.
Follow the Drum is a gripping tale of sacrifice, loyalty, and impossible choices. When the fate of a kingdom rests on the secrets of one man, how far will he go to protect his family—and how high will the cost be?
“Her Majesty has made me the enemy of every young lady seeking a
husband and the target of every rake seeking a conquest”
Jane Bennet was once the jewel of the county, celebrated for her
beauty and the promise of a brilliant match. But while returning from town after purchasing articles for her trousseau, tragedy struck. A grievous injury altered not only her face but her destiny. Once envied, she became pitied, scorned, and—believing happiness forever lost—she released her suitor and withdrew into silence.
Years passed. Her sister Elizabeth carried the guilt of not being at
Jane’s side when tragedy struck, while their father bore the heavier weight of ancestral debts and failures. Around them, old alliances returned, and rivalries sharpened into vengeance.
Jane’s struggle to heal—of body, heart, and spirit—became her quiet triumph. History marked her scars, yet it was her strength that endured, captured in paint and in whispers as The Scarred Duchess.
She sees people’s emotions in colour—except for the one man she is determined to dislike.
After a fall from her horse, Elizabeth Bennet wakes to an altered world—one where her mind translates emotion into colour, painting those around her in vivid ‘aires’ born of breath, pulse, and movement. She reads truth in every shade, sees affection, envy, fear—until she meets Fitzwilliam Darcy. He has no aire. No colour. He is a void. Against her will, she is immediately drawn in.
Having lost both parents as a young man, Fitzwilliam Darcy struggles to meet society’s expectations: faultless manners, measured conduct, and the relentless weight of duty. Raise his young sister. Tend to a vast estate. Years ago, he made a promise to his mother—to allow love to find him. But he no longer believes in such a destiny. The girl with eyes of two colours, the one foretold to ease his burden, cannot exist. Then one night, at a minor country assembly, she does.
And in the background—watching, needling, provoking—is Mr Thomas Bennet, a father who treasures all five of his daughters, though each in her own maddening way. With a glass in hand and a barb always ready, he speaks in jest but strikes with truth. His wit conceals a sharper wisdom—and a heart that may yet open the door to understanding, forgiveness, and joy.
If you could see a man’s soul in colour—would you still trust your heart?