Mr. Hurst's Ambition

Mr. Hurst, an extremely minor character of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, has but one spoken line in the original novel, and it is generally agreed to be worthless by most readers. But is anyone truly worthless? Certainly he has his own story. And here it is in novella form. Raised by an unconventional governess, Mr. Hurst's childhood impressed upon him one overall idea, which was to not make waves in his world. Can Mr. Hurst shed these constraints as an adult in a rigid Regency society? Mr. Darcy's daring admiration for Miss Elizabeth Bennet breaches class mores, which challenges Mr. Hurst as he muddles through the first year of his marriage to the former Miss Louisa Bingley. Equally difficult to ignore is the non stop chatter of Mr. William Wilberforce, whose work for abolition threatens the entire country's comfort. Mr. Hurst must decide how long he will choose convenience over courage as his life changes around him.