When Jane Got Angry by Victoria Kincaid - Excerpt and Giveaway

Today I'm welcoming Victoria Kincaid back to the blog with her latest book, When Jane Got Angry. Victoria is bringing us an excerpt of the book, plus a giveaway to a commenter on this post. Let's read the blurb and then I'll hand over to Victoria.

Book Description

When Mr. Bingley abruptly left Hertfordshire, Jane Bennet’s heart was broken. Since arriving in London to visit her aunt and uncle, Jane has been hoping to encounter Mr. Bingley; however, it becomes clear that his sister is keeping them apart. But what would happen if she took matters into her own hands? Defying social convention, she sets out to alert Mr. Bingley to her presence in London, hoping to rekindle the sparks of their relationship.

Bingley is thrilled to encounter Jane and renew their acquaintance, but his sister has told him several lies about the Bennets—and his best friend, Mr. Darcy, still opposes any relationship. As Jane and Bingley sort through this web of deceit, they both find it difficult to retain their customary equanimity.

However, they also discover that sometimes good things happen when Jane gets angry.

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Hi Ceri, Thank you for having me back to visit!  My latest Pride and Prejudice variation envisions what would happen if Jane Bennet took matters into her own hands and initiated contact with Mr. Bingley when they were both in London. It was a bit of struggle giving Jane a backbone while staying true to her character, but it was also great fun to figure out how to make it work. Below is an excerpt from the beginning of the book, when Jane is still working her way up to becoming angry.

Excerpt from When Jane Got Angry by Victoria Kincaid

But now a spirit of reckless disregard took hold of her.  If Miss Bingley indeed held Jane and her relations in such low esteem, perhaps the woman’s opinion did not signify at all.  Jane might never see her again.  “How is your brother enjoying London?”  She heard the words issue from her lips, although she was still unsure from where she obtained the daring to express them.

Miss Bingley narrowed her eyes as if unhappy that Jane dared to mention him.  “He is quite well, thank you.  I mentioned that you were residing in London, but he is much occupied with Mr. Darcy and his sister at the moment, or he might have called.  He stays at Darcy House, you know.”

He knows I am in London, and he has not called to pay his respects.  Jane’s hands shook slightly where she clasped them in her lap, but she took pains to hide her discomposure. Drawing on her reserves of steadiness and her accustomed placidness of expression, Jane gave a bland smile.  “How pleasant for them.”

Miss Bingley’s smile revealed all her teeth.  “Indeed.  Charles is quite taken with Miss Darcy.  I am extremely hopeful on that account.”

Similar words in a letter had cut Jane deeply before, but now she wondered…  If Miss Bingley had been deceiving Jane about her regard, perhaps she also been wrong about her brother’s affection for Miss Darcy.

No, surely the woman could not be so awful.  Would she actively work against her brother’s happiness?  Nobody could be so cruel.

And yet…Jane tried to observe Miss Bingley dispassionately.  The other woman sat on the edge of the settee, as if she feared the entire piece of furniture were infected with fleas.  As Aunt Gardiner attempted to engage the woman in conversation, Miss Bingley almost completely ignored her.

Perhaps Miss Bingley was capable of scheming against Jane.  Lizzy had proven correct about many other assertions about the woman.  But how could Jane ascertain the truth?  Without an opportunity to meet Mr. Bingley, it seemed a hopeless business.

And yet…Jane was not quite ready to concede defeat.  What would Lizzy do in such circumstances?

Surely Lizzy would not simply surrender.

Aunt Gardiner and Miss Bingley had reached a lull in their conversation. Imagining herself as Lizzy,

Jane stepped into the breach.  “You said Mr. Bingley was much taken with Miss Darcy.”

“Y-Yes,” Miss Bingley said uncertainly.

“Then I suppose they have danced at balls?  Taken carriage rides together?  Has he purchased her flowers?”  A secret thrill pulsed through her body.  Jane Bennet would not have been so bold, but Jane-as-Lizzy could be.

Miss Bingley squirmed in her seat and coughed.  “I…um…I do not believe things have proceeded quite so far. He did dance with her at the Harringtons’ dinner.  But she is not out yet, so she does not attend balls.”

Aunt Gardiner seized on this information.  “Not out?  Did Mr. Bingley secure permission from Mr. Darcy to court his sister?”

Miss Bingley’s hands fidgeted in her lap.  “I do not believe there has been any formal…”

When Miss Bingley’s voice faded, Aunt Gardiner continued, “Miss Darcy is full young to be considering matrimony already.  Does her brother approve?”

Miss Bingley pulled herself to her full height and regarded the other woman disdainfully.  “I have not discussed the subject with Mr. Darcy.”

“But you have seen them together?  Observed your brother’s partiality?” Jane said, feeling a bit giddy.  Even Lizzy would not have been so bold.

“I have not had the pleasure of observing them together very often,” Miss Bingley admitted. “But they have been much thrown together at Darcy House…I believe.”

Aunt Gardiner regarded Jane with a triumphant expression. Indeed, Miss Bingley’s stammering explanations suggested that she may have manufactured much or all of her brother’s interest in Miss Darcy. 

Miss Bingley pulled her reticule into her lap with an irritated sniff, standing abruptly.  “I am afraid it is past time for my departure.  Louisa is expecting me to attend her for a bit of shopping.”

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Go, Jane!

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Buy Links

If you need to know what happens when Jane gets angry then you can buy the book now in e-book or paperback - Amazon UK / Amazon US / Goodreads

Or, you could try your hand at winning a copy, below.

Author Bio

Victoria has a Ph.D. in English literature and has taught composition to unwilling college students. Today she teaches business writing to willing office professionals and tries to give voice to the demanding cast of characters in her head.

She lives in Virginia with an overly affectionate cat, two children who are learning how much fun Austen’s characters can be, and a husband who fortunately is not jealous of Mr. Darcy. A lifelong Austen fan, Victoria has read more Jane Austen variations and sequels than she can count – and confesses to an extreme partiality for the Colin Firth miniseries version of Pride and Prejudice.

Visit her at www.victoriakincaid.com

Goodreads • Twitter • Amazon US Author Page •

Giveaway Time

Since Victoria is a generous lady, she is offering to giveaway a copy of When Jane Got Angry, in either ebook or paperback, to one of you lovely visitors to my blog. To enter, please leave a comment on this post by the end of the day on Friday 16 November. In order to claim your prize you will need to know you've won, so please leave a way for me to contact you, whether we are Goodreads friends, or you leave an email address or Twitter name.

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