Book Description
Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet have suffered profound heartache in the fourteen years since parting in Lambton when word of Lydia’s folly reached her family.
At the age of forty, Darcy is now a widower raising a teenage daughter, whilst Elizabeth, a spinster, has spent the intervening years in service.
Unexpectedly thrown into each other’s company by circumstances not of their making, has time stood still when it comes to matters of the heart?
Can their timeless love survive the newest obstacles to happiness?
Excerpt from Taking Another Chance with introduction from the author, Brenda Webb
Ceri, thank you so much for allowing me to visit and share an excerpt of my newest book TAKING ANOTHER CHANCE. I always enjoy visiting with you and your readers and giving away copies of my tales.
As a way of introduction to this story, I have always wanted to write a story where an older Darcy and Elizabeth find each other again and TAKING ANOTHER CHANCE is the result. The blurb above sets the stage for the story; however, for those who hate stories where Darcy is married to someone before Elizabeth, allow me to hint that the marriage began with deception and was of short duration.
Those who read my books know that I never have ODC in love with anyone but each other. After all, Some Loves Are Meant To Be!
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Matlock ManorThe ball
As William made his way down the magnificent grand staircase, it occurred to him that under Isabelle’s watch nothing at Matlock Manor was done conservatively, especially soirées such as this one. The ball was scheduled to begin in less than an hour, and not only were pots and vases of flowers and greenery occupying every available space, vines and cut flowers had been woven through the rails of the staircase and placed atop every doorway. In addition, the candles in every chandelier in the house were lit, whilst numerous candelabra had been scattered throughout the house, lighting all the recesses not reached by the chandeliers.
Though pleased for his cousin, William was secretly glad Pemberley’s furnishings were less ostentatious, for Matlock Manor reminded him too much of Rosings Park under Lady Catherine’s reign. That woman had died three years to the day after his marriage to Lady Cornelia, with the estate passing to his cousin Anne.
Anne had survived her mother by a mere two years, during which time Lord Matlock helped her run Rosings Park with the aid of a steward. After Anne died there were no de Bourghs alive to inherit, so the estate passed to Lord Matlock. After his death it became part of the family holdings and the steward continued to manage it under William’s watchful eye because Viscount Sele, the new Lord Matlock, showed no interest in doing so. William hoped that once Richard became more comfortable managing Matlock Manor, he could pass part of that responsibility on to his cousin.
As these thoughts were going through his head, William was oblivious to the fact that Lady Parker was waiting to accost him in the foyer. The minute she heard his boots on the marble floor, she swept out of the nearest parlour as though she had no idea he was there.
“Mr. Darcy,” the blonde-haired beauty purred as she floated towards him. “It seems we are the only ones dressed for the ball. And how handsome you look, too!”
William could not deny that Lady Parker was beautiful, and tonight she looked even more so, wearing a teal-coloured, silk damask gown with a delicate, gold-sequined net overlay. The gown’s sleeves were fashioned off-the-shoulder, and the bodice was cut so low that, for a brief moment, William found himself pondering what could be holding it up.
He quickly recovered. “That is not true. I was just talking with your sister and Richard, and they are both fully dressed.”
Ignoring his curt reply, Lady Parker walked over to weave her arm through his, lifted her chin and batted her eyelashes. “What a shame you cannot dance. I would love to be your partner tonight.”
“It is not that I cannot; it is that I choose not to. I will not chance ruining an unsuspecting partner’s foot should I misstep.”
“I am willing to take my chances,” she said brazenly.
“I am sorry, but I am resolute on the matter.”
“I could refuse to dance and keep you company.”
“Since my cousin is hosting this ball for your benefit, do you not think that would be inconsiderate?”
Suddenly, Lady Matlock called from the landing, “Darcy, Richard needs to speak with you right away. He is in his dressing room.”
Whilst Isabelle disappeared as quickly as she had come, William feigned disappointment. “Duty calls. Please excuse me.”
Cursing under her breath as William started back up the stairs, Lady Parker walked on to the ballroom.
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Elizabeth had come downstairs to fetch flowers from the conservatory in the hope that having flowers for their hair might coax a smile from Lady Marianne and Lady Marjorie, who were disappointed at not being allowed to attend the ball. Instead, they were to stand in the receiving line to greet the guests and then retire. Having found the perfect rose buds, Elizabeth was unable to go up the rear stairs because footmen were carrying a table down them; thus, she hurried towards the grand staircase. Stumbling upon Lady Parker’s ambush of William, she barely managed to stop before rounding the corner into the foyer. Holding her breath, she listened as he successfully parried each of Lady Parker’s advances, which reminded her of a similar scene involving Caroline Bingley years ago.
Covering her mouth to keep from laughing, she thought, Poor man! After all this time, you are still being pursued by the ladies.
As soon as the foyer emptied, Elizabeth rushed up the stairs, praying that she could present the flowers to the girls without encountering William. That was not to be, however, for the instant she pinned two white rosebuds at the back of Marianne’s head, William knocked on his daughter’s dressing room door.
“Come!” Marianne called and William walked in. Elizabeth froze.
“Would you excuse us, please?” he asked.
“Of course,” Elizabeth replied.
Picking up the pink rosebuds she had selected for Marjorie, she hurried into the hall and proceeded straight to that young woman’s dressing room. Cautiously laying her ear against the door and hearing nothing, Elizabeth tried the handle. The door opened, and she slipped inside to find Marjorie alone and weeping.
“Whatever is the matter, my dear?”
“Papa treats me like a child!”
“You may feel that way now, but once you have a daughter of your own, you will understand.”
Whilst drying her eyes on a lace-trimmed handkerchief, Marjorie retorted, “How can you possibly know that? You have no children.”
Elizabeth’s expression became wistful. “I once witnessed the downfall of a young lady who followed her own counsel. Believe me, the outcome was dreadful, not only for her but for her family as well. You should thank God every day that your father cares enough to limit what you do until you are mature enough to handle the responsibility that comes with making your own decisions.”
Marjorie’s brows furrowed. “Is this woman the reason you are in service?”
Surprised at Marjorie’s intuition, Elizabeth replied, “I am in service because I chose to be.” Changing the subject, she held up the pink rosebuds. “I found these in the conservatory and thought they would look beautiful in your hair tonight.”
Marjorie’s face brightened. “They are lovely. Will you pin them in?”
“Of course.”
~~~*~~~
This makes me a bit sad, but I am taking heart in Brenda's comment that she guarantees me a Darcy and Elizabeth happy ever after!
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Before my obsession with all things Jane Austen, I worked as an administrative assistant to the president of a CPA firm. No longer working, I enjoy spending time with my family and indulging my love of storytelling.
Born on a farm in Cullman, Alabama, I proudly admit to being a country girl, and after years of living in the city, I finally achieved my dream of moving back to the country. My husband and I now reside on a three acre mini-farm, sporting chickens and numerous rescued dogs and cats.
Always a voracious reader, I rediscovered Jane Austen books after watching the 2005 Pride and Prejudice movie. Searching for everything relating to Miss Austen, I eventually stumbled into the world of Jane Austen Fan Fiction. After reading many of other people's stories, I decided to try my hand at writing a tale that kept coming to mind and began posting that story on online in 2009.
By November of 2010, I started my own forum, DarcyandLizzy.com, and many readers followed me to this site. Several of my friends insisted that I publish, and in April 2011, Fitzwilliam Darcy an Honourable Man became available.
I have since published the following novels: Mr. Darcy's Forbidden Love, Darcy and Elizabeth, A Most Unlikely Couple, Darcy and Elizabeth - A Promise Kept, Passages - A Pemberley Tale and Proof Of Love - A Pemberley Tale. I also published a novella - A Twist of Fate.
I post all my stories on the forum before I publish them and, just to set the record straight, any similarity between the names in my books and those of television or movie characters is purely coincidental. I have never watched soap operas and I watch little TV/movies other than BBC productions and those relating to the 1800s. In addition to the characters that belong to Jane Austen, my character's names come entirely from my imagination.
Anyone is welcome to join the forum and read my stories and an array of stories by a number of talented JAFF writers. Just register at www.darcyandlizzy.com/forum.
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