A Promise Kept by Brenda Webb - Excerpt and Giveaway

Today I am welcoming Brenda Webb with an excerpt of her new Pride & Prejudice variation, 'A Promise Kept'. Brenda is very generously giving away 2 ebooks of the book (worldwide) plus a signed paperback to a lucky US/Canadian/UK reader. Read on for the excerpt and details of the giveaway!

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Excerpt from Chapter 18

“What do you mean the magistrate cannot search John Guthrie’s townhouse?” William asked angrily. “Cannot or will not?”

Having arrived long after William sat down to dinner, Richard hoped to forestall discussing the business at hand until he had caught up with the courses that had already been served. As usual, Darcy was too impatient to wait, forcing him to explain whilst he was eating.

“Will not at this point.”

“I thought the red-haired man Charles’ butler identified as one of Howton’s thieves was seen at a pub with Guthrie shortly before the murder.”

Richard took another sip of his cousin’s expensive wine to wash down a bite of pheasant. “That is true. An informant saw Guthrie and another gentleman with Carney at a pub in the warehouse district the morning of the very day Howton was killed.”

William threw his serviette down on the table. “Then what is their justification for waiting?”

Defeated, Richard lay down his fork. “If you will cease with the interrogation, I shall explain.”

Looking very irritated, William nodded.

“This case goes much higher than the magistrate’s office now. The Prime Minister has more nefarious criminals in his sights than those who killed Howton.”

“I do not follow.”

“I was not called back into service merely to fill in for Colonel Seeger, as my orders stated. Once I arrived at my office, General Lassiter briefed me on a matter of great consequence—a supposed plot to kill the Foreign Minister.”

“Viscount Castlereagh?”

“Yes. Please remember that all of this is confidential. For now, watch what you say, especially in front of Browning and Whitaker. I do not think even the Bow Street Runners have been apprised of it.”

William moaned, rubbing his eyes. “This disaster gets more complicated by the hour.” Then he stood and began to pace. “So, Guthrie may also be involved in a plot to kill Castlereagh.”

“At this point, the plot against the Foreign Minister is still speculation. However, Liverpool is determined to treat it as though it is real. As I understand it, Castlereagh is now being guarded day and night, howbeit covertly. I doubt if even his servants are aware of who is truly a servant and who is a spy.”

“So, if we are not allowed to pursue leads to locate Howton’s murderer, what are we to do?”

“Wait. If the rumours are correct, the assassination attempt is to take place within the next week or two. If nothing happens, then Guthrie will be ours to question.”

William sat back down despairingly. “What am I supposed to tell Elizabeth—that I have no earthly idea when I will see her again?”

“If she loves you, Darcy, she will understand that none of this is your fault.”

“No woman will understand being forsaken forever.”

“It is not forever. It is only two more weeks.”

“When you love someone as I love Elizabeth, two weeks is forever.”

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Book Blurb - Darcy and Elizabeth - A Promise Kept

Five years after his disastrous proposal at Kent, Fitzwilliam Darcy receives a letter from Charles Bingley regarding a promise made when their friendship ended. Should Darcy keep the promise, it will throw him into the company of the one woman he has struggled for years to forget—Elizabeth Bennet.

Having just entered a secret agreement with Lady Markham, will Darcy put his future in jeopardy by stepping in to help Bingley? Has time and distance helped him overcome his regard for Elizabeth, or will he fall as madly in love with her as before?

Is true love to be found in a promise kept?

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The book is available to buy now Amazon UK / Amazon US.

Connect with the Author

• DarcyandLizzy.com • Austen Authors • Goodreads •

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Giveaway time!

Brenda Webb is very kindly offering a giveaway to a commenter on this post. There are two ebook copies of 'Darcy and Elizabeth - A Promise Kept' available to win (worldwide) and one signed paperback version that a US/Canadian/UK reader can win. To enter, please just comment on this post by the end of the day on Monday 2 May. Please leave a way for me to contact you just in case you're the lucky winner and please can you clarify whether you're entering for both paperback and ebook or just ebook.

Thank you so much to Brenda Webb for sharing an excerpt with us, and providing such a lovely giveaway!