Today I'm welcoming Lizzy Brandon to the blog for the first time. Lizzy is the author of Folly and Forgiveness, and has come here with her latest Pride & Prejudice variation, Recognizing Love. Let me share the blurb with you first, and then we'll hand over to Lizzy for an excerpt from the book. Lizzy has also brought an international giveaway with her!Book Description
Secrets will surface...
Accepting Mr. Darcy’s proposal and allowing him to
assume a love she does not yet feel pains Miss Elizabeth Bennet but she is
certain she can love him…in time. After all of the miseries he endured to
salvage her youngest sister’s reputation, how could she not come to love such a
man?
Unfortunately, Lady Catherine arrives, bringing
even thornier complications. With the many objections Darcy’s family will have
regarding his marriage to the daughter of an unremarkable country squire, what
more trouble can Lady Catherine stir up should she learn Elizabeth’s secret?
In this Pride
and Prejudice romance variation, what will Mr. Darcy do when he learns his
beloved has accepted him although her heart is not engaged?
Guest Post from Lizzy Brandon
Late last spring, I had just finished
reading a series of books where Mr. Bennet died and realized I had never seen
one where Mrs. Bennet died (unless most of the family was killed off with her).
Mr. Bennet's death would cause immediate problems for the family but how would
their lives change if Mrs. Bennet died?
For Recognizing Love, I started the story with the meeting at Pemberley
after Elizabeth has already learned most of her lessons. I enjoyed writing a lighter story this time
where Elizabeth is still conflicted about her feelings but already views Mr.
Darcy favorably and really wants to love him.
I most enjoyed writing a Mr. Darcy not only in love, but so confident he
is living his own happily-ever-after that he feels free to say what is in his
heart.
Excerpt from Recognizing Love
As
Mrs. Bennet and Miss Kitty discussed a recent call upon Lady Lucas, taking
great care to describe her gown, Mr. Bennet shook his head before turned to
Darcy and muttering, “Welcome to the family.” The gentlemen shared a look as
Elizabeth covered a laugh with her napkin. Darcy had been largely ignoring
them, a skill he imagined Mr. Bennet had mastered long ago.
Elizabeth
rejoined the ladies’ conversation, laughing at some comment, and Darcy marveled
at the complete change in expression that came over her whenever she did so.
This picture was how he envisioned her when they were apart, face glowing with
diversion, and her eyes a bit saucy. The dining room of Pemberley would be a
lively place from the day he brought her home. Far too often it was a quiet
room where he and Georgiana might discuss events of the day. In the future he
expected laughter to become commonplace.
“Mr.
Darcy? Are you woolgathering?” she asked and finally broke his reverie.
“My
apologies. I suppose I was. Forgive my inattention.”
“And
what weighty thoughts consume you so?”
“You
are mistaken. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of
fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman can bestow.” The eyes in question
glowed in response.
Mr.
Bennet chuckled, reminding Darcy they were not without an audience. He wished,
not for the first time since they sat down, that she was beside him so he could
speak words only she might hear. Soon enough.
Talk
turned to Pemberley and Bingley described his latest visit with his sisters.
“I
cannot say that I was surprised when I received Darcy’s letter informing me of
his engagement and intention to come to Hertfordshire. We had all noticed a
change in him after Miss Elizabeth’s visit.”
Mrs.
Bennet sighed dramatically. “And never did any of us have an idea of his
attachment while he was here.”
“How
did Miss Bingley respond?” Miss Kitty asked with a wicked grin, and her sisters
all sent her quelling glares.
“They
do enjoy being the first to have any on
dit,” Bingley said quickly as he fidgeted with his napkin.
“We
are advised to accept God’s will for our lives and not covet what is outside
our reach,” Miss Mary said with her usual solemnity. “Disappointment may be
inevitable, but one can find comfort by adhering to one’s duty.”
“Thank
you, Mary,” Mr. Bennet said with a sigh
as an awkward silence descended upon the group. Mrs. Bennet was not one to
allow silence to reign at her table for long.
“Lizzy
has ever been a dutiful child,” she said to Darcy. Unable to think of a
response, he looked to Elizabeth who was staring at her mother in abject
incredulity.
“Come
now Mrs. Bennet, that is hardly true,” Mr. Bennet said with a sardonic chuckle,
“and you must be glad she does not heed all your instruction, else she would
now be Mrs. Collins.” Elizabeth frowned at her father.
“Never
would I have done so had I any idea she had caught the eye of someone better,”
Mrs. Bennet cried out in alarm.
“When
was this?” Darcy asked.
“She
did not tell you?” Miss Kitty asked. “’Twas the day after the Netherfield ball.
Lizzy flatly denied him but he persisted until she had to leave the room. Then
Mamma demanded she go back and accept him.”
“That
is enough, Kitty,” Elizabeth said as her color rose.
Darcy’s
horror must have been evident as Elizabeth quickly reassured him, “I tried to
make my refusal as plainly and gently as I could, but Mr. Collins is not a man
of great comprehension.”
“Nor
would I have ever allowed that buffoon to marry you. Let that serve as a lesson
for your matchmaking, Mrs. Bennet. At least you need never fear, Mr. Darcy.
Lizzy is well able to refuse a proposal she does not desire.”
Elizabeth’s
pleading look to her father and the twinkle in Mr. Bennet’s eye told Darcy that
her father knew of his first proposal. That he shared company with Mr. Collins
in being a recipient of her refusal was mortifying. That she had been kinder in
her refusal of Mr. Collins allowed humor to finally break through his horror.
He
looked to Elizabeth who appeared mortified by the conversation. “Yes, Elizabeth
knows her own mind and would not be persuaded into accepting less than is her
due.” He sent her a teasing grin as she met his gaze. “I must be grateful she
accepted me.” Elizabeth visibly eased and grinned back.
“As
if Lizzy would ever dare refuse an offer from you,” Mrs. Bennet said with a
laugh.
Elizabeth
smirked at her mother’s words and sent him a challenging look, seeming to dare him
to share their tale. He blinked and feigned ignorance, an expression he had
seen Elizabeth use often enough. She shook her head playfully as she laughed
once more into her napkin.
* * *
About the Author
Years later, Lizzy was thrilled to discover
the world of Pride and Prejudice sequels and variations where her favorite
characters could live on with countless adventures. After enjoying reading variations for years,
she decided to try writing her own.
Giveaway Time!
But what if such games of chance are not for you, and you need to be assured of having the book ASAP? Well, luckily for you, the book is available to buy now:
Blog Tour Schedule: September 13-28
From Pemberley to Milton: September 13
Jane Austen Book Club: September 15
Babblings of a Bookworm: September 17 - you are here!
So Little Time:
September 20
My Love for Jane Austen: September 22
Diary of an Eccentric: September 24
Austenesque Reviews: September 26
More Agreeably Engaged: September 28
* * *
If you don’t want to miss any of my future posts, please subscribe:
I enjoyed Lizzy Brandon's first book, and this new book sounds just as promising. Oh, if only Mrs. Bennet knew that Lizzy refused Mr. Darcy's first proposal! Thank you for the excerpt and giveaways.
ReplyDeleteI've often thought that myself, Eva, I dread to think of her probable reaction! Lucky for Lizzy that her mother didn't know!
DeleteI did enjoy Folly and Forgiveness and look forward to this one. I liked this excerpt and that Darcy shows a sense of humour. Luckily Mrs Bennet doesn't know of Elizabeth's prior refusal or she would be needing her salts!
ReplyDeleteI recently bought 'Folly and Forgiveness' but haven't had very much time to read lately! I am looking forward to reading it though. I must say that I loved this excerpt and the teasing banter and looks that were going on. I have so much to 'catch up' on but 'winter is coming' so hopefully will have lots of time then!!! Thank you for such a generous giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ceri for hosting today and thanks to our author for the generous give away and the excerpt. I have the first book and am looking forward to reading it. This second one sounds interesting too. That exchange at the table with Mr. Bennet was a hoot. He seemed to be enjoying himself and the interactions between D&E.
ReplyDeleteI also have a copy of Folly and Forgiveness that is, as yet, unread. From what Lizzy has sais above, it certainly sounds to be a different take on the story.
ReplyDeleteYet another amazing excerpt for us to savour! I love the way Darcy and Elizabeth are learning to communicate without speaking. It's definitely a sign they're meant to be together.
Many thanks for the giveaway.
Thanks for sharing this delightful scene, Lizzy. I wish Georgiana would come to Longbourn and get to know her new family. It would surely help her to bond with girls of a similar age and get her to be more outgoing and sociable.
ReplyDelete