Blog Tour: The Secret of Pembrook Park by Julie Klassen Review and Giveaway

 

Hello lovelies! I hope you all are well. I’m so excited to rejoin the blogosphere.

 

Award winning historical romance author Julie Klassen tours the blogosphere February 16 through March 2 to share her latest release, The Secret of Pembrooke Park. Twenty five popular book bloggers specializing in historical and Austenesque fiction will feature guest blogs, interviews, book reviews and excerpts of this acclaimed gothic Regency romance novel. A fabulous giveaway contest, including copies of all of Ms. Klassen’s eight books and other Jane Austen-themed items, is open to those who join the festivities.  

 

 

In the spring of 1818, twenty-four-year-old Abigail Foster fears she is destined to become a spinster. Her family’s finances are in ruins and the one young man she truly esteems has fallen for another woman — her younger, prettier sister Louisa.

 

Forced to retrench after the bank failure of Austen, Gray & Vincent, the Foster family optimistically pool their resources for another London Season for her sister in hopes of an advantageous alliance. While searching for more affordable lodgings, a surprising offer is presented: the use of a country manor house in Berkshire abandoned for eighteen years. The Fosters journey to the imposing Pembrooke Park and are startled to find it entombed as it was abruptly left, the tight-lipped locals offering only rumors of a secret room, hidden treasure and a murder in its mysterious past.

 

Eager to restore her family fortune, Abigail, with the help of the handsome local curate William Chapman and his sister Leah, begins her search into the heavily veiled past aided by unsigned journal pages from a previous resident and her own spirited determination. As old friends and new foes come calling at Pembrooke Park, secrets come to light. Will Abigail find the treasure and love she seeks...or very real danger?  

 

Buy Links 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook.com | Book Depository | Indie Bound

Book Details:

Title: The Secret of Pembrooke Park, Author: Julie Klassen, Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (December 02, 2014), Genre: Regency Romance/Gothic Romance/ Historical Fiction/Austenesque/Inspirational Fiction, Trade paperback ISBN: 978-0764210716, eBook ISBN: 9781441264824, Audio: B00QXKRDZ6: Rating:

Abigail seems to be struggling with self-worth issues. The boy she was grew up with—and thought she would marry—seems to have fallen for her younger sister. The advice she gave her father has landed them in financial ruin and now they are in need of a new place to live.

 

When a solicitor arrives offering use of Pembrooke Park, an abandon manor house—they jump at the chance and Abigail now finds herself wrapped up in Pembrooke’s history as well as the strange circumstances surrounding the family that abandoned the house.

 

Julie Klassen’s novels are always a treated and I know that I will lose sleep when a new one arrives. With that said, the start of The Secret of Pembrooke Park was a bit slow as was the mystery. While clues were scattered in early on to catch the reader’s attention, the developing relationship between Abigail and Will took center stage until the middle of the novel.

 

I liked the characters. I think that Abigail was one of my favorite Klassen heroines. It was nice seeing her character arc as the story progressed. Will was an interesting hero. He knew about the history and rumors about Pembrooke Park and I was eager to see just how much he knew.

 

What I loved about this novel—even though the plot ebbed and flowed—was the gothic feel. Although it was a lighter tone, the gothic aspect—reminiscent of Northanger Abbey—kept me reading to the very end.

 

Overall, The Secret of Pembrooke Park was an intriguing mystery with a lovely romance.  Fans of Klassen will be delighted.

 

About the Author:

 

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her books have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Awards. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota. Learn more about Julie and her books at her website, follower her on Twitter, and visit her on Facebook and Goodreads.

 

 

 

Grand Giveaway Contest

 

Win One of Four Fabulous Prizes

 

In celebration of the release of The Secret of Pembrooke Park, four chances to win copies of Julie’s books and other Jane Austen-inspired items are being offered.

 

Three lucky winners will receive one trade paperback or eBook copy of The Secret of Pembrooke Park, and one grand prize winner will receive one copy of all eight of Julie’s novels: Lady of Milkweed Manor, The Apothecary's Daughter, The Silent Governess, The Girl in the Gatehouse, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The Tutor’s Daughter, The Dancing Master, and The Secret of Pembrooke Park, one DVD of Northanger Abbey (2007) and a Jane Austen Action Figure.

 

To enter the giveaway contest, simply leave a comment on any or all of the blog stops on The Secret of Pembrooke Park Blog Tour starting February 16, 2015 through 11:59 pm PT, March 9, 2015. Winners will be drawn at random from all of the comments and announced on Julie Klassen’s website on March 16, 2015. Winners have until March 22, 2015 to claim their prize. The giveaway contest is open to residents of the US, UK, and Canada. Digital books will be sent through Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Good luck to all!

 

THE SECRET OF PEMBROOK PARK BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE:

 

February 16              My Jane Austen Book Club (Guest Blog)

February 16              vvb32 Reads (Excerpt)                             

February 17              Psychotic State Book Reviews (Review)
February 17              My Kids Led Me Back to Pride and Prejudice (Spotlight)    
February 18              Addicted to Jane Austen (Review)                                
February 18              Peeking Between the Pages (Review)                                     
February 19              Jane Austen in Vermont (Interview)                                          
February 19              Living Read Girl (Review)                                                
February 20              My Love for Jane Austen (Excerpt)                                           
February 20              Truth, Beauty, Freedom & Books (Review)                            
February 20              Laura's Reviews (Guest Blog)                                        
February 21              A Bookish Way of Life (Review)                                    
February 21              Romantic Historical Reviews (Excerpt)                        
February 22              Reflections of a Book Addict (Review)                                    
February 23              Austenesque Reviews (Guest Blog)                                         
February 23              Peace, Love, Books (Review)                                        
February 24              vvb32 Reads (Review)                                         
February 24              Poof Books (Excerpt)
February 25              Babblings of a Bookworm (Review)                                         
February 25              Austenesque Reviews (Review)                                    
February 25              Luxury Reading (Review)
February 26              So Little Time…So Much to Read (Review)
February 26              More Agreeably Engaged (Excerpt)
February 27              Psychotic State Book Reviews (Interview)                             
February 27              Booktalk & More (Review)
February 28              Laughing with Lizzie (Spotlight)
February 28              The Calico Critic (Review)
March 01                   Leatherbound Reviews (Excerpt)                                              
March 01                   Delighted Reader (Review)
March 02                   CozyNookBks (Review)                                       
March 02                   Laura's Reviews (Review)                                               

The Secret Betrothal by Jan Hahn

Why would a gentleman ask a lady to conceal their betrothal?

Jane Austen writes of secret engagements in more than one of her novels, and in The Secret Betrothal, author Jan Hahn explores the question of what would happen if Austen’s most famous heroine from Pride and Prejudice reluctantly agrees to accept such a proposal.

When Fitzwilliam Darcy learns that Elizabeth Bennet has committed herself to such an arrangement, his hopes of winning her hand are shattered.  After circumstances continue to bring the two together—from Hertfordshire to Rosings Park to the seaside town of Brighton―he finds he is unable to tame his desire for the woman who has stolen his heart.

Will Darcy’s efforts to win Elizabeth succeed, or will his sworn enemy lead her to the altar?

 

 

My Thoughts:

 

The Secret Betrothal by Jan Hahn is one of those books where, as a reviewer, you don’t want to give too much of the plot away and spoil it for readers.

 

What I will say is: In this P&P alternate path Elizabeth engages in a secret betrothal with Wickham. Yes, dear readers, you read it right. Lovely Elizabeth is engaged to Wickham, who for once isn’t portrayed as a complete villain, and she doesn’t tell a soul, not even her dearly devoted sister Jane.

 

Let me stress the point again: This is an alternative telling of P&P. Those of you who are P&P purists who want Elizabeth solely with Darcy may want to keep an open mind when starting the Secret Betrothal. Elizabeth and Darcy do get their HEA, but there is a whole lot of the wicked Wickham thrown in the mix, which I devoured like manna from above.

 

I will admit, when I started the book I was a little skeptical. I mean really, who wants to see Darcy’s hopes of winning Elizabeth’s hand crushed? I suppose the evil reader side of me kind of wanted to see Darcy squirm a little—I know, I know, I am sure vile emails will follow. But, admit it, you kind of want to see it too. 

 

Although once I started the book, I was hooked. Having previously read Hahn’s novel, The Journey, I knew I was in for treat. Not only does Hahn write outstanding plots that stay true to the core of P&P, her male characters are some of the strongest that I’ve seen in Austen adaptations, which is one of the reasons you should add her novels to your Austen collection.

 

While many readers, me included, want the HEA with Lizzy and Darcy, I was thrilled to see that Darcy had a contender. And even more pleased that the contender was Wickham, it just throws something extra into the mix.

 

Overall, I loved this novel. The flow of the plot occasionally waxed and waned but the amazing and realistic characters will have you hooked until the very last page.

 

 

 

Jan Hahn is fascinated by Jane Austen, 19th Century England, and true love. Having spent years in the world of business, she is now content to leave it behind and concentrate on writing about Austen's characters finding true love in 19th Century England. A storyteller since childhood, she's written skits and plays for local organizations and owned a business recording, writing and publishing oral histories. Jan is a member of JASNA and began writing novels based on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice in 2002.

 

Jan's first novel, An Arranged Marriage, won the award for Best Indie book of 2011 from Austen Prose. The Journey, published in 2012, was selected by Austen Prose as one of the Top Five Austen Inspired Historical Novels of 2012, and it won the Favorite Pride and Prejudice Variation/Alternate Path of 2012 award from Austenesque.

Jan has five children, seven grandchildren, and is a native Texan. In her dream world, she lives in England in a place called Pemberley.

 

Links:

Jan Hahn’s blog: http://janhahn.merytonpress.com

 

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Betrothal-Pride-Prejudice-Alternate-ebook/dp/B00IJ1ZM2S/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1393267433&sr=1-1&keywords=the+secret+betrothal

Consequences C.P. Odom

 

 

Consequences is a cautionary tale about the evils of hasty judgment, revisiting Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and one of those pivotal moments when Elizabeth Bennet throws away Mr. Darcy’s offer of marriage so decisively. What transpires from that point is well known to Austen’s extensive readership, but what if even one element in the chain of events in her novel turns out differently? Does Austen’s happy ending eventually come to pass, or is the outcome more bleak?  

 

And if, in order to secure financial security for her loved ones, Elizabeth does not reject Darcy, is she married to a proud, arrogant, disdainful man who, as she feared, forces her to deny her own relatives and thus condemns her to a lifetime of misery? Or does she find herself married to a man who cares enough for her to reject the opposition of his family and chance his very standing in society in order to marry a woman he loves beyond measure?

 

Consequences, written by the author of A Most Civil Proposal, explores two alternate realities—both tragedy and triumph.

 

C.P. Odom’s blog: 

Buy Links:

Amazon

B&N

Book Details:

Consequences by C. P. Odom, Publisher: Meryton Press, ISBN: 978-1-936009-30-5, Published: December 17, 2013, Trade Paperback, How I read it: Trade Paperback sent via Leatherbound Reviews

 

My Thoughts:
 

Consequences is two stories in one book. The catalyst for both stories is Darcy’s first marriage proposal.

In the first story, Elizabeth rejects Darcy’s proposal and there is no turning back and no happily ever after in sight. It kind of felt as though Odom wrote the first draft of book 1, read it then decided the characters weren’t suffering enough so he added more suffering and heartache.

Book two has Elizabeth accepting the proposal and a happier outcome is achieved. 

If I’m being honest, book 1 had me wanting to chuck bloody thing in the bin and never see it again. It was really a depressing little tale that had the characters of Pride & Prejudice dropping like flies. You may need to keep the tissues handy when reading this one. But I continued reading and thankfully book 2 was bright and sunny and much more uplifting. I also really enjoyed seeing Charlotte Collin’s as a stronger character.  

Overall, I trudged through book 1 but enjoyed book 2. Odom’s writing style was intriguing and true to that of Miss Austen’s and I look forward to reading more from this author.

 

 

Thomas Lefroy’s sofa up for auction

A George III mahogany framed sofa, thought to have belonged to Thomas Lefroy, a love interest of Jane Austen who many believe was the inspiration behind Mr. Darcy, goes up for auction. To read more about this interesting, and no doubt highly sought after, piece of furniture please visit HERE

 

Until We Meet Again,

Best Wishes,

Angela

Free Austen-inspired kindle books

I had a few minutes to spare again this morning, so I thought I would do another round of free Austen-inspired books for the kindle. (Sorry I don’t have time to search for other formats) Click on the title for the link to the e-book on Amazon.

Shadows in a Brilliant Life by Susan Kaye

Prude & Prejudice by Francene Carroll

Darcy Waits

Elizabeth Waits

YA Novel

Fall For You by Cecilia Gray

Best Wishes & Happy Reading,

Angela

Free Austen-inspired Kindle books

I thought that I would take a few minutes while I had my morning tea to post a few free Austen-inspired kindle books. Click on the title for the link.

Elizabeth Darcy of Pemberley By Maggi J Coxon

Georgiana Darcy's Diary by Anna Elliot

 

Persuade Me by Juliet Archer

 

The Love Letter by Brenna Aubrey

 

Pride & Prejudice Illustrated Edition

Best Wishes,

Angela

Love at First Slight by J.Marie Croft

It may not be universally acknowledged, but the unvarnished truth is that a young widow in possession of a good fortune is not necessarily in want of another husband.
In this humorous, topsy-turvy Pride & Prejudice variation, all major gender roles are reversed. It is Mr. Bennet’s greatest wish to see his five sons advantageously married. When the haughty Miss Elizabeth Darcy comes to Netherfield with the Widow Devonport (nee Bingley), speculation — and prejudice — runs rampant.
William Bennet, a reluctant and irreverent reverend, catches Miss Darcy’s eye, even though he is beneath her station. His opinion of her is fixed when she slights him at the Meryton assembly. As her ardour grows, so does his disdain. When she fully expects to receive an offer of marriage, he gives her something else entirely . . .

My Thoughts:

All Janeites know the tale of P&P by heart. Now imagine that dear classic retold with the characters swapped. Elizabeth is now playing the role of Mr. Darcy and Darcy is now one of the five Bennet boys whose father takes of the role of Mrs. Bennet. Sounds interesting? You bet it is!

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book, if I’m being honest. Occasionally, retellings can be a little out there and with this being a ‘topsy-turvy variation’, I approached with caution. But I must say that I loved it. There was not a single thing that I did not like about this novel. The gender reversal worked!

The author’s sharp wit could rival that of Jane Austen, which made the book a pure delight to read. What I loved most about this book was the way it kept all the prevalent parts of P&P while incorporating the author’s own voice into it.

Would I read this again? Most definitely!

If you have ever watched (and loved) the BBC series Sparkhouse where the characters in Wuthering Heights are reversed, then Love at First Slight is the book for you.

Blog Tour Schedule:

2/17 Review at Addicted to Jane Austen

2/18 Review at Best Sellers and Best Stellars

2/20 Excerpt & Giveaway at Everything Books and Authors

2/21 Review at Diary of an Eccentric

2/22 Excerpt & Giveaway at My Love for Jane Austen

2/23 Guest Post and Giveaway at The Delighted Reader

2/24 Review at A Word's Worth

2/26 Review at More Agreeably Engaged

2/27 Review at Warmisunqu's Austen

Mr. Darcy’s Promise-blog hop & Giveaway

It was just brought to my attention that this post wasn’t showing up for some and only showing the title for the others, so I do apologize for that. I hope now that the problem has been fixed.

I would like to Welcome Jeanna Ellsworth to Addicted to Jane Austen.

I am so excited to able to share a snippet of chapter 1 from Mr. Darcy’s Promise with you.

There are few things that I would like tell you about before I share chapter 1 with you.

The first thing that I want to tell you, dear readers, is that for a limited time February 8-14 Mr. Darcy’s Promise will be available for .99¢ exclusively from Amazon and Amazon UK

 

Now for the second thing to tell you.

If you do order a copy of Mr. Darcy’s Promise you will be entered to win signed paperback copies of Mr. Darcy’s Promise & Jeanna’s forthcoming release, Pride & Persistence.

How do you enter?

Send proof that you purchased the e-book of Mr. Darcy’s Promise for .99¢ from Amazon or Amazon UK during February 8-14 to jeanna.ellsworth@yahoo.com and you will be entered to win

You have until February 18 to send in your proof of purchase.

How do you send in proof of purchase?

1. Forward your confirmation email or a screen shot or a photo of a receipt or you can even copy and paste the confirmation email in the body of an email then send it to jeanna.ellsworth@yahoo.com

Jeanna has kindly allowed me to giveaway a copy of Mr. Darcy’s Promise. To enter please leave your name and a valid email address as well as your format preference (Paperback or e-book). Winner will be selected on February 11.

Chapter 1

Georgiana struggled again with her once strongly-held conviction that she was doing the right thing in surprising her brother at Netherfield. She looked across the carriage at Mrs. Annesley, who was quietly reading her book. Georgiana was never one to deceive anyone, and certainly not the companion who had been so kind to her. Her brother had taken meticulous care in hiring Mrs. Annesley, because of the disastrous previous companion, Mrs. Younge. She knew her brother blamed himself for the significant role Mrs. Younge had played in Georgiana’s near elopement with George Wickham just a few months ago.

Georgiana willed herself not to think of that awful incident at Ramsgate. It had been meant to be a relaxing holiday at the shore, and she had been manipulated into believing that she was in love with George Wickham, all because he wanted her dowry. Just remembering the hateful words that Wickham spat at her once he learned he would not get any of her dowry made her shudder. Once again, Georgiana thanked God that her brother had surprised them at Ramsgate and that she had shown the forethought to disclose their plan to elope–– ending it before it happened. She remembered the fierce look in her brother’s eyes when she told him about Wickham. She did not want to see that look again. Georgiana took a deep breath to calm herself. She hoped she was doing the right thing in surprising him. She took out the letter she received from him a few days ago and reread the lines that had led her to make this decision.

My dearest Georgiana,

Things are going well for Mr. Bingley at Netherfield. He seems to be handling the responsibilities of running his own estate remarkably well. Country life seems to be quite acceptable to him. I too have enjoyed the hunting and grounds at Netherfield. I have met several amiable people here in Meryton, one of whom is uniquely lively. I find Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s wit engaging and a welcome relief to the exhausting flattery of Miss Bingley. I have had many occasions to appreciate her willful opinions, some of which have been aimed directly at me, and they seem to be shed as quickly as breath itself. Her mind is so intelligent and charming, that I must admit that I cannot help but listen as she speaks. I have never met a lady with such decided opinions . . .

Georgiana folded the letter. He had gone on to ask about her studies and wrote wishes to see her soon, but it was the part about Miss Bennet that had intrigued her and made her deceive Mrs. Annesley in this way. He had never written of a lady before and he certainly had never expressed his admiration for one before. She tucked the letter away and regained her courage. Yes, this is the right thing to do. My brother is in love and I must see it for myself. The carriage turned off the main road and she could see a large stone building ahead of them. She would see soon enough what her brother thought of her arriving at Netherfield unannounced.

The house was not as grand as Pemberley, but seemed large and pleasant. As they neared, Georgiana looked up at the beautiful ivy climbing up the sides of the doorway and around the corners of the building. On closer examination, she could tell that the ivy had recently been trimmed back. Perhaps it was encroaching where it was not wanted, just like she was doing now to William. Georgiana blinked back tears and tried to rally her courage again. She had come to see the lady who had taken hold of her brother’s heart. They exited the carriage and knocked on the door. Georgiana took one more breath to calm herself.

As they were escorted inside by the servant, she looked around the vestibule. In doing so she caught sight of a young lady with brown curly hair standing in the doorway a few doors down. The lady smiled briefly when their eyes met, and Georgiana was somewhat shocked that the lady would even acknowledge Georgiana at all since they did not know each other. Georgiana heard her own name announced down the hall to her right, followed by jubilant exclamations from Mr. Bingley, followed by her brother’s deeper, more concerned voice. Both voices were rapidly approaching.

Mr. Darcy took long strides out the study door and saw that it really was his sister, Georgiana. Why was she here? Her face showed concern when she saw him and she smiled slightly but somewhat nervously. When he had first heard Georgiana announced by the servant he was quite concerned. Upon seeing her appear healthy, although apprehensive, he relaxed a little.

“Georgiana? Has something happened? Why are you at Netherfield?” Before he could finish the last sentence Georgiana ran to him and threw her arms around his neck. He embraced her tenderly and kissed the top of her head, but he could tell she had started to cry. “There now, Georgie, I am just surprised to see you.” He continued whispering comforting things in her ear, tucking stray curls behind her ear. It took several minutes of these ministrations before she improved. When the tears seemed to have subsided, he took her shoulders and pulled her away to get a good look at her. “It is so good to see you! I have missed you so much, but what has brought you to Netherfield?”

“Were you not expecting us, sir?” Mrs. Annesley asked. “Georgiana told me you had summoned her!”

Mr. Darcy looked at the embarrassment on Georgiana’s face and the shock on Mrs. Annesley’s face. He then noticed Elizabeth standing in the doorway watching the exchange. This was not the time or place to talk to Georgiana about her ruse. He was just so grateful to see her. “It is no concern! I will take my sister any day, any time! Come my sweet, there is someone I want you to meet.” He took Georgiana’s hand and led her towards Miss Elizabeth.

Elizabeth had watched the warm welcome between brother and sister and did not know what to make of it. Mr. Darcy was so animated and caring to his sister. He had kissed her and embraced her so tenderly. This was not the prideful “Master of Pemberley” that had been introduced at the Meryton Assembly and had snubbed her for a dancing partner. And it certainly wasn’t the same aloof man who judged all those around him. She was quite baffled. She realized they were heading her way. Surely he does not mean to introduce her to me? Mr. Darcy can hardly think well of me! But just a quick moment later, Mr. Darcy had stopped right in front of Elizabeth.

“Miss Elizabeth Bennet, allow me to introduce you to my dear sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy. Georgiana, I would like to introduce you to Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

Elizabeth watched an enormous smile grace Georgiana’s face and she saw a little something else in her eyes . . . mischief? She could not tell. She was so taken back by the warm welcome and change in Mr. Darcy’s manner and the hint of something else in Georgiana’s eyes that she almost forgot to curtsy. “It is a great pleasure, Miss Darcy.”

“No, the pleasure is all mine. Brother, do you think we could order tea for all of us? The road was long and tiring.” As she had addressed her brother, she noticed that his eyes were fixed on Miss Elizabeth. He had a small grin on his face that lightened the creases by his eyes. She would have to watch closely to judge his feelings further, but at the moment it appeared she was right. Her brother loved Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

Bingley spoke up from behind them. “Miss Darcy, I will ring for tea. Please, make yourself welcome in the drawing room.” He motioned to the room where Elizabeth still stood in the doorway. “I just have a few things to do to get ready for the hunting party, but I will be back shortly.” Bingley then motioned for all to follow Elizabeth into the drawing room.

Darcy eyed Georgiana suspiciously. He watched her as she struggled to decide on where to sit. It wasn’t until Miss Elizabeth took her seat that Georgiana found one, which happened to be right next to Miss Elizabeth. It seemed a little odd to Darcy that his overly shy sister would chose a seat so close to someone to whom she had just been introduced, but he dismissed the concern immediately. He looked at Elizabeth who had already started up a conversation with Georgiana, asking about her travels, the weather, and even what musical composition Georgiana was practicing. He was in awe that they seemed to get along so well. He found he was content just watching them and thought to himself that he had never seen Georgiana so open and assertive.

Why is Mr. Darcy staring at me like that? Elizabeth felt quite uncomfortable under his scrutiny and with his strange looks. She decided she had enough and said, “Miss Darcy, I am so glad to have met you. I look forward to seeing more of you, but for the moment I must take my leave of you to attend to my sister.” She stood and left the room, giving Mr. Darcy her own strange look as she passed him. She thought she heard a chuckle from him which only added to her confusion as she left the room. Why was Mr. Darcy so altered with his sister? Could I have been mistaken in his character? Her confusion worsened as she exited the room.

“Well, Georgiana! Now that we are alone, do you mind telling me why you felt the need to come to Netherfield and surprise me?” Mr. Darcy asked. Georgiana’s mood shifted back to the embarrassed and anxious state she was in when she first came. Mr. Darcy listened as she made excuses about how her studies were going well but she needed a rest; and then she said the air in London was too poor for her health. She had started on another excuse when Mr. Darcy interrupted her.

“Come now, I am not cross with you! I just think you should have written with the news that you were coming. I would have let you come at any time, but what if something happened on the road and I had no knowledge of your travels? If you had left two days ago, you would have been caught in a terrible rainstorm!” Mr. Darcy knew just how long ago it had been because that was when Elizabeth’s sister Jane had arrived and taken ill while dining with Bingley’s sisters. The next day he was graced with the most beautiful sight, a rosy-cheeked Elizabeth. She had walked the three miles to Netherfield to look after her ill sister. Her eyes had been so bright from the exercise that he wanted to kiss her right then! Of course, he did not. But it was the first time he had ever experienced such an overwhelming impulse, and it had taken him by surprise.

“I am sorry, William. I missed you. Thank you for not being angry with me.” She paused and then continued. “Why is Miss Bennet here at Netherfield?”

Mr. Darcy brought his mind back to the present. “Miss Bennet caught a fever and cold two days ago, but she is recovering well.”

Georgiana was even more confused. “But she did not look ill a moment ago.”

“Forgive me, allow me to clarify. Miss Elizabeth Bennet is here to care for her eldest sister, Miss Jane Bennet. It is she who is ill.”

That made more sense to Georgiana. It pleased her that Miss Elizabeth was staying here, for that meant she would have more opportunities to observe her brother in Miss Elizabeth’s presence. Just then Mr. Bingley returned to claim Darcy for the hunting party. He was followed by Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, both of whom welcomed her profusely, already fussing over how grown up she was and how bright and cheerful she looked. Georgiana shyly greeted them and looked to William. She knew from experience that as soon as William left, Miss Bingley would let up, but until then she had to endure the constant compliments that always were said just loud enough for William to hear.

Want to read more? You know you want to!

For the next section please visit:

MY LOVE OF JANE AUSTEN

Please stop by Jeanna’s website HERE to discover a listing of all the participants.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Jeanna’s forthcoming release, Pride & Persistence (and believe me, you most certainly do!) Please visit the link HERE

Best Wishes, Happy Reading, And Good Luck!

-Angela