Comfort and Joy: A Pride & Prejudice Novella by Anngela Schroeder - Excerpt and Giveaway

Today I’m welcoming Anngela Schroeder back to Babblings of a Bookworm with her upcoming Pride & Prejudice novella, Comfort and Joy, which goes down a path I am sure a lot of you will enjoy reading – being stranded! Let’s look at the blurb and then I will hand over to Anngela for an excerpt from the book, and an ebook giveaway,of a book from her backlist.

Book Description

While visiting Lambton with the Gardiners only weeks after Mr. Bingley has vacated Netherfield Park, Elizabeth Bennet, takes her two young cousins Victoria and Emily and their swooning friend Katie Joy Harris on a holiday ramble through the Derbyshire countryside. With Jane back at the Inn at Lambton, and her Aunt and Uncle on a day trip to Manchester, the girls' adventure becomes treacherous when a snow storm traps them unexpectedly. Taking shelter in an abandoned cottage, they have to face their fears of being stuck in the snow, or discovery by a highwayman.

Excerpt from Comfort and Joy, introduced by author Anngela Schroeder

Hello, my fellow Bookworms! I hope you are doing well, staying healthy and enjoying preparation for whatever holiday you celebrate in the upcoming season. I am so grateful to Ceri for allowing me to share an excerpt from my upcoming holiday novella, “Comfort and Joy,” starring not only our favorite couple, but also the precocious Gardiner girls, Victoria, Emily, and their friend Katie Joy Harris.

One of the magical things about the holiday is the time spent with loved ones. My family is spread far and wide, but when we get together, we love to play games. This last summer, my father was able to teach my son backgammon, and my boy has committed to teaching me during the Christmas break. Because I was not familiar with the game as of yet, I decided Darcy would play a traditional staple with Miss Emily Gardiner—Chess.

Please enjoy this scene where Darcy not only reveals his patience and abilities, but also his interest in Elizabeth. :) 

* * *

Elizabeth glanced up from her book at the man patiently playing chess with Emily and Katie Joy and shook her head. True, he was very solicitous in helping us get in the cabin and starting the fire…But it almost seems…that he is attempting to…no, that is ridiculous!

Her thoughts were interrupted by the squealing of Katie Joy.

“Oh Mr. Darcy, you have lost your horse!”

“It is a knight, Miss Harris,” he corrected, smiling at the young girl. “And I did not lose it. It was valiantly won by Miss Emily.”

“Yes.” His opponent placed the chess piece on her side of her board. “Both Papa and Lizzy play chess with me, and I am always ready to beat another.”

Mr. Darcy stifled a laugh, glanced over at Elizabeth, and winked. “It would seem, Miss Elizabeth, that I have been tricked into believing I was the master chess player. Obviously, I have a few lessons to learn from your cousin.”

Elizabeth sat stunned. Mr. Darcy winks? How can this be the same man from Netherfield Park who would not even speak to adults only months before—let alone a child, had one presented itself?

No, something was off-balance in her world. Maybe I am becoming ill? She muffled her snicker as, only moments later, another cry came from the other three.

“Checkmate? How could you have checkmate? I just took your horse!” A dumbfounded Emily looked from the board to Mr. Darcy and then back to the remaining pieces.

“Would you like to play again?”

“Yes, of course! I cannot end with you having beaten me. But how do you have checkmate?” She rested her chin on her fist and drummed her fingers on the table.

Elizabeth smiled at the cheek of her cousin and the chuckle of Mr. Darcy.

“Very well. I will set the board.”

Their plans were interrupted by Katie Joy. “Emmy, can you wait and play later? I would rather explore the cabin now.”

Emily dropped her game pieces. “Oh, may we, Mr. Darcy? May we explore?”

“Girls, that is out of the question!” Elizabeth answered for him. “You cannot run through another's home, opening doors and rummaging through closets.”

“It is of no concern, Miss Bennet. They may explore to their hearts' content. We may be trapped here for many days,” he observed, calling attention to the sound of the gale winds storming outside, “and I do not want them to feel uncomfortable.” He turned to the girls. “While we are here, consider this house your own. Quite possibly, you will discover some of the delights my cousin Richard and I found when we were about your age and would come with our fathers.”

“May we, Lizzy?” they asked with wide eyes.

After a brief hesitation, Elizabeth nodded her head. “If Mr. Darcy agrees, then I see no reason to deny you the fun. But please remember to be respectful of his things.”

“I hope we discover scones.”

“And lemon biscuits for Lizzy and tea cakes for Tory.”

“Be respectful!” she reminded the girls as they ran from the room.

Without the two children’s presence, a stillness settled over them, broken only by the popping of the fire and Tory's rhythmic breathing.

“They are spirited girls. They remind me much of my sister Georgiana—at least, of how she once was.” Mr. Darcy rose from his chair, moving to put another log on the fireplace. “May I?”

 “Of course.” Elizabeth shifted her feet from his path. “Forgive me, but why would you speak of how your sister once was? Has she changed so much since she has grown into a young lady? If I remember correctly, she is only sixteen years old, is she not?”

“Yes, just.” He stared into the fire.

“And all her finishing schools and seminaries are not encouraging boisterous activity?” Lizzy teased, but she bit her tongue when there was no response.

Mr. Darcy allowed the silence to settle before replying, “My sister has recently been…disappointed in…an acquaintance's behavior, as have I. The disheartening experience caused her to lose some of the…vivacity she once had. I may be her brother, but I know not how to help her.”

Elizabeth realized she was holding her breath but released it slowly after his admission. She paused before saying, “Often we as women only want someone to listen, to assure us that our perspective on life is not at fault. Because we are not in control of our futures, we need reassurance from those we love the most that they love us just as much in return. I am certain,” she continued, “your presence at this time will be all Miss Darcy needs to buoy her spirits from her disappointment. How can she not with such an attentive brother?”

“I thank you and ask that you forgive me for being so maudlin. I had planned to surprise Georgie for Christmas––.” He turned to her and forced a smile.

She returned it with understanding. “And now you are trapped in a cabin with not only Elizabeth Bennet, whom you cannot stomach, but her cousins and their young friend, who would even try the patience of Job, you poor soul.”

Her attempted levity did not produce the intended result. She was stunned into silence when he raised his eyes to meet hers and slowly said, “Miss Elizabeth, when will you cease willfully misunderstanding me?”

A full smile creased his mouth, and a dimple she had never before noticed appeared in his cheek. “If you will excuse me, I must secure Ulysses.”

* * *

Buy Links

Comfort and Joy is available to pre-order for Kindle now, for delivery on 17 December 2021.

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

 

About the Author

Anngela has a degree in English with a concentration in British Literature and a Masters in Education. She loves to travel, bake, and watch college football with her husband and 3 rambunctious sons. Her weaknesses are yellow cake with chocolate frosting, her father's Arabic food (namely grape leaves, and falafel), and frozen Girl Scout Thin Mints. She lives in California where she dreams of Disney adventures and trips across the pond.

Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Instagram / Austen Variations

 

Giveaway Time!

Anngela is kindly giving away winner’s choice of her previous ebooks to a commenter on this blog post. To enter, just leave a comment by the end of the day worldwide on 14 December – please note that Comfort and Joy is not part of the giveaway, but Anngela has quite a number of other books to choose from!

If you have any problems adding your comment please contact me and I will add your comment for you :)

Blog Tour Schedule

Anngela is visiting a few blogs with this book - here is more info: