Rebellion at Longbourn by Victoria Kincaid - Excerpt and Giveaway

Today I’m very happy to be welcoming Victoria Kincaid back to the blog with her latest book, Rebellion at Longbourn. Isn’t that an exciting title?! Victoria joins us with an excerpt and ebook giveaway. Let’s look at the blurb, to get an idea of why there would be rebellion at Longbourn, and then I’ll hand over to Victoria for the excerpt.

Book Description

Elizabeth Bennet’s father died two years ago, and her odious cousin Mr. Collins has taken possession of the Longbourn estate. Although Collins and his wife Charlotte have allowed the Bennet sisters and their mother to continue living at Longbourn, the situation is difficult. Viewing Elizabeth and her sisters as little more than unpaid servants, Collins also mistreats the tenants, spends the estate’s money with abandon, and rejects any suggestions about improving or modernizing Longbourn. After one particularly egregious incident, Elizabeth decides she must organize a covert resistance among her sisters and the tenants, secretly using more modern agricultural methods to help the estate thrive. Her scheme is just getting underway when Mr. Darcy appears in Meryton.

Upon returning from a long international voyage, Darcy is forced to admit he cannot forget his love for Elizabeth. When he learns of the Bennet family’s plight, he hurries to Hertfordshire, hoping he can provide assistance. Sinking into poverty, Elizabeth is further out of Darcy’s reach than ever; still, he cannot help falling even more deeply in love. But what will he do when he discovers her covert rebellion against Longbourn’s rightful owner?   

Falling in love with Mr. Darcy was not part of Elizabeth’s plan, but it cannot be denied.  Darcy struggles to separate his love for her from his abhorrence for deception.  Will their feelings for each other help or hinder the Rebellion at Longbourn?

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Excerpt from Rebellion at Longbourn introduced by Victoria Kincaid

Hello Ceri and thank you so much for welcoming me back to your blog!  I have just released Rebellion at Longbourn, a Pride and Prejudice variation that asks what Elizabeth would do if Collins inherited Longbourn and she needed to save the estate from his incompetence.  During that time, Darcy has been away, and he is a bit horrified to discover Collins in charge of Longbourn with Elizabeth and her sisters as dependent relatives.  The passage below is from his first visit to Longbourn.

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“Mr. Darcy, sir!”  Mr. Collins bowed, shook the other man’s hand, and then bowed again.  “You are very welcome.  Most welcome indeed to our humble abode.”  Standing beside Charlotte, he took her hand and gave her a simpering smile that would have made Elizabeth laugh had she not seen it so frequently as to become immune.  “Mrs. Collins and I are quite delighted to have you grace our home.  You honor us with your presence.”

Mr. Darcy clearly believed the effusiveness of the welcome was unnecessary.  “It is my pleasure,” he said shortly, eyeing the door as if considering an escape, but instead he took a sip of his tea. 

“I must say—and forgive me that I did not say this yesterday, but I was quite amazed to see you at the assembly; indeed I was nearly overcome with shock—but I must say welcome home from your travels.  I hope you did not find the Colonies too excessively savage.” Collins did not wait for a response.  “Lady Catherine always said she would take great pleasure in visiting the Colonies, but unfortunately her stomach rebels at the slightest boat trip.  I cannot count the number of times she has said to me, ‘I would show those ignorant colonists how a truly great nation functions.’ And I replied that indeed those people had been deprived of true greatness.”

“They seem to be struggling on despite that deprivation,” Darcy said dryly.  Elizabeth had to cover her mouth to stifle a laugh.

Collins nodded earnestly as he settled himself beside his wife and accepted a cup of tea from her.  He often poured a little brandy into his tea, but fortunately he did not do so in front of their guest.  “Have you visited Rosings Park since your return?” he asked.

“I have not had that pleasure,” Mr. Darcy said.  “I arrived home only a few days ago.”

Elizabeth’s eyebrows rose.  His business in Meryton must be very urgent indeed.  She wondered what it could be since she was unaware that he possessed any connections to the neighborhood.

Collins’s gaze flicked quickly to Elizabeth; she wanted to roll her eyes.  Charlotte had suspected Mr. Darcy had formed an attachment to her, but really it was nonsense.  “You should visit Kent at once,” her cousin admonished him.  “Your aunt has felt your absence most keenly and is naturally most eager to celebrate a certain long-awaited event.” No doubt her cousin was hinting about Mr. Darcy’s engagement to Anne de Bourgh.  Elizabeth had never heard the man himself refer to such an engagement, but he did not now deny it.

“I will visit Rosings in due course,” he said impassively.

Collins bounced with energy, obviously unsatisfied with this vague promise.  “Lady Catherine is most eager to see you.”

Mr. Darcy regarded the man coolly.  “I have pressing business elsewhere.”

Collins glanced around the room, perhaps seeking a change of subject.  “Where are Kitty and Mary?  They should be here with our guest.”

“I sent them to the market for tonight’s dinner,” Charlotte said hastily.

“Hmph.” Collins settled into his chair, dissatisfied.  He must believe they should wait at home all day in anticipation of a visit.

Elizabeth reached out to take a lemon biscuit, a rare treat.  Her cousin frowned on such indulgences unless guests were present.  As she nibbled on the sweet, she was aware of Mr. Darcy’s eyes upon her.  No doubt he was chronicling every worn seam and loose thread in Elizabeth’s gown.  Knowing she was flushing, she was not equal to meeting his eyes.

At least she need not be ashamed of Longbourn itself. Collins was dedicated to keeping up appearances, and Charlotte made sure the rooms never veered toward shabbiness.  Attempting to direct his attention to more neutral subjects, she inquired about his family and Mr. Bingley’s sisters.  But they had soon exhausted their mutual acquaintances.

Eventually the conversation devolved—as it so often did these days—into Collins’s rhapsodies about Lady Catherine and her inestimable advice on managing an estate. 

Occasionally, Elizabeth permitted herself to examine Mr. Darcy.  Somehow she had forgotten how handsome he was, with his dark wavy hair and fine patrician features.  His clothes were very fine as well, possessing the air of elegance and refinement that Collins aspired to but would never achieve.  She even admired the arc of his eyebrows and the straight line of his nose. 

What is wrong with me? Ogling a man in such a fashion!  Elizabeth immediately dropped her gaze, grateful that he had not noticed.  Elizabeth saw so few men; perhaps she could be forgiven for a trifle too much admiration. 

Collins’s monologue finally faltered, and their visitor cleared his throat.  “I did not know of Mr. Bennet’s passing until I returned from my voyage.” He frowned as if his ignorance disturbed him, but Elizabeth did not know why.  He had been acquainted with her father, but they had not been on intimate terms. The man was simply inscrutable.

Her cousin nodded pleasantly as though her father’s death was the subject of desultory conversation.  Elizabeth fought the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes; she had long ago vowed not to weep in Collins’s presence.

“It is very good of you to take in Mrs. Bennet and your cousins,” Mr. Darcy continued. 

Collins puffed out his chest.  “Mrs. Collins and I believed it was the Christian thing to do.  I flatter myself that my presence here provides a steadying influence on my cousins.” 

Elizabeth winced.  Collins never hesitated to make such assertions—when others would think it showed a want of delicacy. 

“I am still a clergyman, and I read them sermons every night.  In this way I hope to prevent these girls from following the same wicked path of their sister.” Elizabeth had heard this speech so many times she was nearly inured to it. Still, she pressed her lips together to avoid launching into a loud denial. 

But Mr. Darcy appeared about to swallow his tongue.  He coughed wildly, rattling his teacup on its saucer, and required a moment to regain his composure.  Finally, he said, “Is that so?”

Collins nodded with a self-congratulatory smile.  “And I believe I have made some progress.  Their behavior has been…satisfactory for the most part since my arrival.”

Elizabeth could restrain herself no longer.  She “allowed” her saucer to fall on the wooden floor where it shattered.  “Oh dear!”  She leapt up from the settee as if fearing to spill tea on her dress.  “I am so sorry.  How clumsy of me.”  Collins scowled, but Mr. Darcy’s expression was more amused.  Had he guessed her ruse? 

Charlotte jumped to her feet and hurried to the door to summon Hill, who arrived at once to clean up the mess.  In the ensuing hubbub, Collins’s previous subject of conversation was mercifully forgotten.  This was the third time Elizabeth had broken something to distract her cousin from discussing a painful subject.  She would experience more regret over the waste if the china had not belonged to Collins. 

Soon afterward, Mr. Darcy rose to take his leave.  Elizabeth was not sorry, she told herself; his presence in their drawing room was rather a chore.  Yet she had to acknowledge a small pang of regret. 

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Author Bio

Victoria Kincaid is the author of several popular Jane Austen variations, including The Secrets of Darcy and Elizabeth, Pride & Proposals,  Mr. Darcy to the Rescue, When Mary Met the Colonel, and Darcy vs. Bennet. All of her books have been listed in Amazon’s Top 20 Bestselling Regency Romances.  The Secrets of Darcy and Elizabeth was nominated for a Rone award and Pride and Proposals was recognized as a top Austenesque novel for 2015 by Austenesque Reviews.

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, an excessively energetic dog, two children who love to read, 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.

Connect with Victoria via Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads and at her website.

Buy Links

Rebellion at Longbourn is available to buy now in Paperback, Kindle and Kindle Unlimited.

• Amazon US • Amazon UK • Amazon CA • Add to Goodreads shelf

Giveaway Time!

Victoria is kindly offering to give away an ebook of Rebellion at Longbourn to one of you. To enter, just leave a comment on this blog post by the end of the day worldwide on Friday 12 June. If you would like to post a comment but have difficulty commenting please contact me and I will add your comment for you :)

Blog Tour Schedule

Victoria is visiting other blogs with Rebellion at Longbourn. Please visit the other blog stops to learn more about the book.

May 30 - Half Agony/Half Hope

June 3 – Diary of an Eccentric

June 4 – From Pemberley to Milton

June 5 – Babblings of a Bookworm

June 6 – My Jane Austen Book Club

June 8 – Interests of a Jane Austen Girl

June 10 – Austenesque Reviews

June 11 – Margie’s Must Reads

June 20 – For Love of Austen

July 27 – Austenprose

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