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Book Description
During his second year at Cambridge, a young Fitzwilliam Darcy accompanies a classmate to Lucas Lodge in Meryton for the holidays. Whilst there, he encounters a girl of sixteen who instantly captures his attention and soon after, his heart. Yet, because Elizabeth Bennet could never meet his relations’ expectations and he cannot abide her distasteful family, he returns to the university vowing to forget her.
Two years later, they are thrown into each other’s company and forced to spend several days together unchaperoned. Once they are discovered, Darcy suppresses his reservations about marriage to Elizabeth and does his duty in order to save her from ruin.
Will a young, headstrong and prejudiced Elizabeth realize how mistaken she has been about her husband’s character? Likewise, will a prideful, intractable but highly principled Fitzwilliam Darcy acknowledge his faults before their marriage is destroyed?
The moment Jane reached the pinnacle of Oakham Mount, she spied Elizabeth sitting in her favourite spot beneath the tallest tree, her back against the trunk. Though her knees were pulled up and her head was lying upon them with her eyes closed, Jane had no doubt Elizabeth was aware of her presence well before she stood in front of her.
“Lizzy, we have always been able to share a burden. Do you not wish to talk to me?”
“What good will talking do? Papa has his mind made up. They all do. I am to continue as Mr. Darcy’s wife because marriage to him will benefit our family.”
Jane sank down beside her. “I do not think that is why they want your marriage to continue—well, Mama may, but not the others.”
“I never thought you would take their side.”
“That is not fair.”
Lizzy sighed. “I am sorry. I do not mean to be unkind. Yet, I thought that you, of all people, would understand why I want to annul this marriage.”
“I do, but I also know you better than anyone. In fact, I probably know you better than you know yourself.” When Elizabeth did not reply, she continued. “When you confided to me that you were going to Cambridge to find John Lucas and marry him, I understood why you felt you had no choice; however, I was concerned because I did not feel he was a good match for you.”
“What makes you say that?”
“John cares nothing for the things that make you happy—plays, poetry and literature of every kind. In this manner, he is much like Charles. And, whilst I love him dearly, one could never accuse Charles Bingley of being an intellectual.” She laughed. “And I am satisfied because I do not consider myself one, either.”
“Do not disparage yourself, Jane. You enjoy reading and—”
Jane broke in. “Lizzy, do you not recall Sir Lucas telling Papa that John barely passed his courses because he frequented the pubs too often and neglected to study? And I have since heard he gambles on cards far too often.”
“Who told you that?”
“Charles. I fear that if John had to take the reins of Lucas Lodge anytime soon, he would not make a success of it. He lacks a sense of duty, whereas Mr. Darcy seems the kind of man who is aware of his responsibilities and is very capable of fulfilling them.”
“What he is capable of is thinking himself above our company.”
Jane shrugged. “He is above our company; however, I never felt he was a snob. My impression of him is that he is a very shy man who does not perform well to strangers.”
“Call it what you may, but he keeps so much hidden that I still feel as though I do not know him.”
“How can you say that after—” Jane halted, turning crimson. “You know.”
Elizabeth understood Jane’s meaning. “It never came to that,” she stated dryly, busily brushing phantom bits of leaves off her skirt.
“You never consummated your union?” Jane declared loudly enough that Elizabeth looked around to be certain no one was there to hear.
“No. You see I had a terrible cough and he ...” Elizabeth faltered. Then, her chin came up defiantly. “Fitzwilliam decided to wait until I was well before claiming his rights.”
“Oh, Lizzy, that makes me hold your Mr. Darcy in even greater esteem.”
“Will you stop calling him my Mr. Darcy!”
“Lizzy, it is time you accept the fact that you are married.”
“You are the fourth person to tell me that today.” Elizabeth stood, smoothing the back of her skirt. “I wish life could return to the way it was before Papa was hurt.”
Jane embraced Elizabeth, hugging her as she said, “I know.”
After a time, Elizabeth pulled back to give her sister a wan smile. “It seems I have no choice. I told Papa if he would let me stay until Sunday, I would leave for Derbyshire without another word of complaint. Our uncle is to return at that time to escort me to Lambton, so I have only a few days to say my farewells.”
Jane hugged her. “I truly believe you will find marriage to Mr. Darcy makes you happy, and I shall pray every day for that happiness to come soon.”
Trying not to cry, Lizzy nodded. “I fear I shall depend on your prayers more than you will ever know.”
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Ooh!
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Connect with the Author
Buy Links
Proof of Love is available to buy now, both in e-book and paperback! You can get it at Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon CA and elsewhere, or add it to your Goodreads shelf. Brenda's books are also available on Nook.
Giveaway Time!
Let us know what you think of the excerpt, or recommend your favourite of Brenda's previous books. Please indicate if you are in the US or Canada so I know whether to include you in the paperback giveaway, and make sure you leave me some way to contact you.
Thank you so much Brenda, for the guest post and this fantastic giveaway!
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I have only read Brenda’s ‘A Twist of Fate’ so far - a lovely Christmas P&P variation! I would love to read Proof of Love - I love young Darcy and Elizabeth stories! Thanks for sharing ❤️
ReplyDeleteHi Claire! I haven't read A Twist of Fate, although I'm pretty sure I have it on my kindle. I'll have to search it out closer to Christmas :)
DeleteHi Ceri,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely excerpt. So seldom do we catch a glimpse of Elizabeth in such a manner,wishing for her marriage to be annulled in an effort to cease all future contact right Mr Darcy.
Gosh! It seems she has little choice but to grin and bear it.
Interesting that Jane has realised that John Lucas would be no match for her,would be the total antithesis of what she'd require and yearn for in a loving,respectable and honourable partner. What's even more revealing is the fact that she numbers Mr Darcy as a man better suited to her intellectually and psychologically.
Looking forward to seeing Elizabeth take Jane's advice on board,learn the merits of her newly acquired husband and realise they are a very good match,given time,patience and a pinch of mutual understanding!!
Please don't enter me in the giveaway as I was lucky enough to win a copy of Brenda's book on another site.
I liked Jane's perception here too Mary. Elizabeth seems to be being willfully blind.
DeleteWhat an excerpt. I love this Darcy and Elizabeth... although I wanted to strangle both of them at every turn. Whew!! We have to remember that this is a much younger Lizzy. So her actions are childish at times. Great excerpt choice. Blessings on the launch of this work. Thanks Ceri for hosting.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good point, Jeanne, a younger Lizzy is likely to behave in a less-mature way. Hopefully the reader can make allowance for her.
DeleteSounds like another good story, and Jane to be the sensible one again
ReplyDeletemeikleblog(at)gmail(dot)com
It does sound good doesn't it! Good luck in the giveaway.
DeleteI really enjoy younger D&E stories. I also love it when Jane is a little stronger and more sensible as well. Thank you for sharing. I can’t wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy the book when you read it :)
DeleteThank you to everyone who has commented thus far. I really enjoyed writing this couple and I hope it comes through when you read it. I wish I could give everyone a book. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting, Brenda, and thank you for the generous giveaway!
DeleteGreat excerpt! I love Brenda's books and am excited to read this one. I don't live in Canada or the US so I can't apply for the giveaway. But just wanted to say congratulations to Brenda!
ReplyDeleteHi Daniela, thanks for commenting. You can't join in the giveaway for the signed paperback, but you can be included in the ebook giveaway if you would like.
DeleteOh dear. After such an emotional excerpt, I'm totally hooked! It is reassuring that ELizabeth has someone to talk to about her froced marriage, and I enjoy a mature Jane who is quite perceptive about people's personality, and in this case, not looking at the world through rose coloured glasses. I feel that this Jane and this Elizabeth complement each other beautifully, which is very true to canon. Thank you for the review and thank you for the giveaway as well!
ReplyDeleteForgot to say - I'm not a resident in US or Canada so I only qualify for the ebook prize :-)
DeleteI loved the giveaway too, Agnes! Good luck in the giveaway.
DeleteCeri, thanks so much for hosting Brenda. I love this book and am just finishing up with the second read. It's a great FMS and I hope lots of JAFF folks will pick it up. Congratulations Brenda on publishing another wonderful book! Jen Red
ReplyDeleteA second read is a wonderful compliment to the author. Thanks for commenting, Jen!
DeleteCan't wait to read the story!
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it when you read it, Mary Beth.
DeleteOh Elizabeth, give him chance...lovely excerpt. I am so looking forward to reading this one! Thank you for a chance at the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI was thinking that too, Carole, have an open mind, Lizzy! But she is too prejudiced :)
DeleteHello Ceri, thanks to you and Brenda for this post! I like the idea of a younger Darcy who falls in love with a teen Elizabeth! There aren't many books with our dear couple so young! Can I ask Brenda where the idea come from?
ReplyDeleteGood luck everyone for the giveaway! My email is LorenDushku@gmail.com
Great question, Loren, which I see that Brenda has ansewred.
DeleteIt is wonderful to see Brenda's book Proof of Love featured here. Seeing a younger Elizabet and how she reacted to a difficult situation was in interesting. But as usual Brenda's story was quite a journey.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it Maureen!
DeleteJumping back in to say thank you to everyone who has commented. :) And to answer your question Loren Dushku my plots just come to me as I try to think of new and different ways to write our dear couple. BTW any of you can win a Kindle Ebook copy and if you are in another country I can send it via email and tell you how to add it to your Kindle. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your reply Brenda!
DeleteIt always surprises me that authors can come up with new plots for JAFF, they are so inventive!
DeleteThank you so much for hosting Brenda Webb on your blog Ceri! I have to admit that I never read anything from her despite the fact that every single year I tell myself that I must. This year I think I will have to keep my promise and start by reading this book! I really enjoyed the writing style in the excerpt and the way the characters apparently are portrayed, and something tells me this is just my type of book(meaning full of angst...) :)
ReplyDeleteI think you are right, Rita, I forsee excitement ahead!
DeleteI know what you mean too about meaning for years to try reading particular authors. There are so many out there that I want to try, I just don't have time to read all I'd like to! Hopefully this year will be the year that you give Brenda's books a try.
Great excerpt. I especially loved Jane saying “your Mr Darcy.” I am US resident.
ReplyDeleteForgot my contact info, jadseah4(at)yahoo(dot)com
DeleteGlad you enjoyed it, Denise, and good luck in the giveaway.
DeleteGreat except. I’m curious to know what cause Darcy & Elizabeth to marry. I’m already liking this Darcy. Congrats on your newest release. I’m looking forward to reading it!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this yet, Dung, so I'm also eager to know what caused them to marry! I hope you enjoy this book when you read it.
DeleteLooking forward to reading this one. E didn't come off as childish to me here. I love Jane's voice in this excerpt. Thanks for the giveaway. I live in the US.
ReplyDeleteHi Kneyda. I agree that E doesn't come off as childish, but she is quite put out and maybe a little petulant. I wonder how she will be in the rest of the story?
DeleteThanks again to all of you who took the time to read and comment. I hope all of you will give it a chance for I think you will like it. I am currently writing the sequel JOURNEY OF LOVE. :)
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear that you are writing a sequel to this. Does Proof of Love have its own story arc or does the story conclude in book 2?
DeleteGreat excerpt Brenda and funny too! I enjoyed the exchange between Lizzie and Jane. I'm intrigued as to what might happen next. Where do Darcy and Lizzie go from here? I'd love to win a copy - if I don't I'll certainly buy one. All the best with this release, Brenda. FYI I'm in the UK.
ReplyDeleteThanks Elaine! Good luck with the giveawy.
DeleteI should add my email address is: elaine(dot)jeremiah(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this great excerpt Brenda, it's such a lovely book. Congratulations on the release.
ReplyDeletePlease, don't count me for the giveaway, I've already won a signed copy. :)
That's fantastic, Kate, signed copies are the best type of book :)
DeleteI love reading this tempting excerpt. It gives us so much (Darcy and Lizzy already married but have not consummated their marriage) and leaves us on tenterhooks. Jane is a dear sister and shows her tender side when Lizzy is in need of comforting. Thank you for sharing it and offering the book as prizes, Brenda.
ReplyDeleteI'm international so count me in for the e-book, Ceri.
evangelineace2020(at)yahoo(dot)com
Will do, Sylvia, good luck with the giveawy!
DeleteThought I commented already.....wonderful excerpt. Looking forward to another great read from Brenda. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThanks Becky!
Delete