Accusing Mr Darcy by Kelly Miller - Blog Tour, Excerpt and Giveaway

Today I’m happy to be welcoming Kelly Miller back to Babblings of a Bookworm with the blog tour for her her latest book, Accusing Mr Darcy. Isn't that an exciting title?! Who is accusing Mr Darcy and why? Let’s look at the blurb, and then I will hand over to Kelly for an excerpt from the book. There's also an ebook giveaway accompanying the blog tour, details below!

Book Description

Could Fitzwilliam Darcy harbour a shocking, sinister secret?

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet count themselves among the many guests of the Kendall family, whose estate lies amidst the picturesque hills, gorges, and rocky slopes of the Peak District in Derbyshire. Elizabeth’s cousin Rose Kendall believes her dashing brother-in-law, Captain James Kendall, is Elizabeth’s ideal match. Rose’s husband, Nicholas, hopes his good friend Darcy—a rich, proud, and taciturn gentleman with a spotless reputation—will fancy one of the other eligible lady guests. 

News of a brutal killing at a neighbouring estate sends a wave of shock through the genial group of friends and family. When one of the Kendalls’ guests is attacked, all of the gentlemen become suspects, but the former Bow Street runner tasked with investigating the crime finds the evidence against Mr. Darcy particularly compelling.

In this romantic mystery, the beloved couple from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice cross paths with a ruthless killer. When faced with dire warnings against Mr. Darcy, will Elizabeth heed them or follow the dictates of her heart?

Excerpt from Accusing Mr Darcy by Kelly Miller

This excerpt from Accusing Mr. Darcy is in Elizabeth Bennet’s point of view. Elizabeth is with her cousin Rose Kendall.

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Rose led her to a sofa for their first candid, private conversation since her arrival. “How was your walk with Miss Darcy? Is she not a sweet girl?”

“Oh yes. Miss Darcy is genteel and kind, the opposite of her brother.”

Rose opened her mouth to speak, but hesitated. She gave Elizabeth a studied gaze and expelled a rushed exhale. “Nicholas was upset when he learned that his close friend Mr. Darcy made you uncomfortable on our wedding day. Although it is not the first time the gentleman’s conduct caused offense, his aspect, though austere at times, conceals a kind, honourable soul.”

“If so, it is an effective disguise.”

“My husband discussed the matter with the gentleman upon his arrival here, and it appears a misunderstanding took place. Mr. Darcy observed you when you greeted Owen. With no knowledge of you or your character, Mr. Darcy jumped to the conclusion that you were forward with Owen because you had a romantic interest in him.”

Heat overspread her face. “Why would Mr. Darcy make such an assumption? Is it so hard to believe that a man and woman can be close friends without one or the other having a romantic interest?”

Rose rested a hand on Elizabeth’s arm. “Lizzy, I dare say that Mr. Darcy was not the sole person to jump to that particular conclusion upon witnessing your greeting of Owen.” Rose’s eyebrows slanted in a trenchant stare.

Her chin jutted out. “Some people tend to assume the worst of others—in particular those they consider beneath them!”

“Now before you get into a miff, let me explain that I am not censuring you, but I should guess Mr. Darcy has never met a lady like you…other than me, of course. I believe the gentleman is accustomed to the company of ladies who attended one of those seminaries for young ladies so popular with the ton. You know the sort I mean: they seldom smile, never show enthusiasm for anything other than fashion or music, and never state their opinions on controversial topics.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “No doubt that is Mr. Darcy’s ideal lady: someone who is beautiful, passive, and reluctant to inflict her opinions on others.”

“That is not charitable and not at all true. I have had a few interesting discussions with Mr. Darcy since his arrival, and I respect the gentleman. He is intelligent, well-educated, and loves books of all kinds. You and he share many common interests like poetry, music, and history.”

Elizabeth shrugged. “I never said the gentleman was unintelligent. I suspect he is pleasant to you because you are married to his good friend.”

Rose’s visage took on a dark cast. “Lizzy, Mr. Darcy has suffered much loss in his life. His mother died when he was eleven. His father passed five years ago. Mr. Darcy has been raising his sister and managing his estate and his other properties since he was around two and twenty.”

With an audible sigh, Elizabeth leaned upon her elbow, which rested against the arm of the sofa. So Mr. and Miss Darcy had lost both of their parents. She was fortunate to still have her father. In addition, she had the love and support of Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, who had raised Jane and her for ten years following their mother’s tragic death after the birth of their stillborn sister. How could she lack sympathy for the gentleman’s situation?

“Nicholas considers Mr. Darcy as his closest friend. He believes Mr. Darcy and his sister spend too much time alone on their estate. Neither of them makes friends with ease. He hopes Mr. Darcy will find a match with one of our guests arriving tomorrow. I have invited my dear friends Miss Selina Oliver and Miss Barbara Lambert. I am sure you will be pleased to see them again.”

“Yes, I like them both.” Elizabeth had met Miss Oliver and Miss Lambert several times over the years on her summer visits to the Green family estate.

“I believe either of them would make a fine match for Mr. Darcy, but I suspect Nicholas’s secret hope is that one of his cousins, Susan or Rebecca Reeves, will suit him better.” Rose cocked her head, displaying a sly smile. “I imagine Nicholas would love to have his friend marry into the family.”

Elizabeth’s fingers toyed with a stray curl at the nape of her neck. “Tell me about your husband’s cousins.”

“Oh, you will like them. Miss Susan Reeves is nineteen years old, amiable, and garrulous. Miss Rebecca Reeves is eighteen and no less amiable but more thoughtful and quieter than her sister.”

“So other than the proud Mr. Darcy and the conceited viscount you mentioned in your letter, it sounds like an amiable group of people.”

Rose adopted a gentleness in her speech. “In regards to Mr. Darcy, it would please Nicholas and me if you could find a way to get along with him.”

“Well, I suppose…” After becoming so inured to her disdain for the man, Elizabeth had developed a strange resistance to relinquishing the sentiment. How annoying to be asked to alter her view of the gentleman now! She blew her breath out through her teeth. “It is possible I have been unfair to Mr. Darcy. I had believed he judged me harshly because I am the poor relation of his friend’s bride and thought the worst of me for that reason. I still classify him as among the proudest gentlemen of my acquaintance, but I suppose my actions might have been seen as improper to one who knew nothing of me and my long-standing friendship with Owen.” She rested her hand atop Rose’s. “I promise to be polite to Mr. Darcy. As for his sister, it will require no effort at all. Miss Darcy impressed me today as a warm, generous young lady, and I shall be pleased to know her better.”

“Thank you. I believe both Miss and Mr. Darcy would benefit from your friendship.”

Elizabeth’s lips twisted into a comical, pouting smile, eliciting a robust laugh from Rose.

* * * 

Author Bio

Kelly Miller is a native Californian and Anglophile, who made her first visit to England in 2019. When not pondering a plot point or a turn of phrase, she can be found playing the piano (although like Elizabeth Bennet, she is errant when it comes to practicing), singing, and walking her dogs. Kelly Miller resides in Silicon Valley with her husband, daughter, and their many pets.

Accusing Mr. Darcy is her third novel published by Meryton Press. Her previous books are: Death Takes a Holiday at Pemberley, a Pride and Prejudice Regency romantic sequel with a touch of fantasy; and Mr. Darcy’s Perfect Match, a Pride and Prejudice Regency romantic variation.

Contact Info:

• Amazon Author Page • Goodreads Author Page • Facebook • Twitter • Blog • Instagram

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Buy Links

Accusing Mr Darcy is available to buy now in Paperback, Kindle and Kindle Unlimited. 

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

Giveaway Time!

Meryton Press is giving away 8 eBooks of Accusing Mr. Darcy. To enter, please use the Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Accusing Mr. Darcy Blog Tour Schedule

14 September Austenesque Reviews

15 September Babblings of a Bookworm

16 September Interests of a Jane Austen Girl

17 September From Pemberley to Milton

18 September Austenprose 

21 September Diary of an Eccentric

22 September Donadee’s Corner

23 September My Vices and Weaknesses

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