A Sneak Peek: Mistaking Her Character

 bleeding heart 2I had hoped to have a book launch to announce today, but alas it was not to be. Life conspired against me and things are running just a little late.

As I wait for my cover designer and my faithful proofreaders to finished with the manuscript, I couldn’t resist sharing another sneak peak of Mistaking her Character (formerly Wholly Unconnected to Me) with you.

I’m hoping to have it ready in about two more weeks! Can you tell I’m excited?


Mistaking Her Character

Lady Catherine loomed in the parlor doorway, her features gathering into her darkest, most menacing scowl. “A word, if you please.” She turned on her heel and disappeared into her lair.

Elizabeth dropped a small curtsey and rushed into the parlor to brave the dragon in all her fury. If only she had remembered to bring her sword in her workbag.

Lady Catherine ascended her throne, a stony mask of creases, gnarls and shadow firmly in place.

Was that the scent of burning sulfur in the air?

“Your ladyship?”

“You think I am ignorant of what you are about, young woman?”

“I have not the pleasure of your meaning, madam.”

“None of your cheek here, girl. I know. Oh, I know.” She shook her finger toward Elizabeth. “You have ambitions beyond your station, beyond all propriety and decency.”

“Excuse me?” Elizabeth grabbed the back of the nearest chair to shore up her liquid knees.

“It is written upon your face—clear in that indecent display I just walked in upon.”

“Mr. Darcy?” She gasped. “You assume far too much. I only met him yesterday.”

“Entirely long enough to form designs upon his person and fortune. You spurned Mr. Collins—I am sure—in the hopes of someone of greater consequence whom you have now found in the person of my nephew.”

The upholstery tore a tiny bit beneath her fingernails. “I assure you, madam, I never considered such a thing. Mr. Collins and I … our temperaments are so different, we could never have made a good match. I am convinced he has a much happier situation with—”

“Are you suggesting happiness may be found in disobeying me?”

“By no means.”

“Then turn your attentions to Mr. Wickham. He studies at the Inn of Courts—.”

“He does not, nor is he likely to, having offended a very influential member.”

She flushed puce.

That could not be healthy.

“Where do you come by this information?”

“Mr. Darcy—”

Lady Catherine slapped the arms of her chair and heaved to her feet. “What were you doing talking to my nephew?”

“We met on the road this morning.”

“While you were driving, unchaperoned, as I have expressly forbidden.”

Her shoulders drew up and she tucked her elbows close into her sides. “Yes, your ladyship.”

One, two, three steps. Lady Catherine stood so close their skirt hems touched. She waved her bony finger under Elizabeth’s nose. “I will make this very plain to you, young woman, so that even you, in all your cleverness, cannot pretend to misunderstand me. Darcy is for Anne. From their cradles, they have been promised to one another. It was the fondest wish of his mother and me. No upstart like you is going to interfere with those plans.”

“What am I compared to Miss de Bourgh?”

“What are you—exactly! Exactly! But do not play coy with me.” She circled Elizabeth, a hungry cat stalking a bird. “We both know you have arts and allurements to distract him from his duty to his family. You have no delicacy, exposed to the basest things of life—of men.”

How did one respond to such raving? Perhaps best not.

“Have you considered why I have been trying to find you a match? Even with your connection to me, few decent men will ally themselves with a woman like you. Despite your youthful airs and arrogance, I have had—and will continue to have—your best interests in mind—unless—” She stabbed her sharp finger into Elizabeth’s chest.

Elizabeth jumped back.

“—unless you insist on preying upon Darcy. You are not his equal and would bring shame upon his name and all his family.”

“Shall I leave Rosings?”

“No, Anne requires your presence. I will not deny her any comfort, no matter how little I fathom it.”

“Then shall I ignore him? Turn my back as the servants do when he approaches?”

“You are not … not … a servant.”

“How am I to behave?”

“With every civility, but nothing more.”

“As you wish, your ladyship.”

 “I will be watching you, Miss Elizabeth. Do not think you can escape my notice if you disobey. Now leave me.”

She curtsied and strode away, fists balled so tightly her arms shook.

Two steps into the corridor, Mr. Darcy blocked her path. She stopped short and barely held back a tiny shriek. How tall he was, towering—or was that, hovering over her.

“I hardly know what to say, my aunt—”

She raised an open hand. “Pray forgive me, sir, but I am truly in no state for conversation at the moment.”

“Will you speak with me later?”

“I do not know, sir. Excuse me.” She curtsied and hurried away.

26 comments

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    • Megan on May 19, 2015 at 4:01 am
    • Reply

    Thanks for the excerpt Maria! So looking forward to reading the final story when it’s done!

    1. Thanks Megan! I’m hoping to having it ready in just a couple of weeks!

    • EvelynTost on May 19, 2015 at 4:13 am
    • Reply

    Oh! I am and have been so looking forward to this book. Yay! So close now!! May I ask how book titles are decided? And what makes you decide to change them? I like the old title very much, but find the new one interesting too, but have to get used to thinking of the story with the new one now! Thank you, can hardly for your book launch and cover!!!!!

    1. I wrestled a lot with the title and it just came down to the originally being rather clunky and hard to get on a book cover. Both titles are taken from the same speech in the original P&P, though.

      Thanks, Evelyn!

    • Mari on May 19, 2015 at 6:30 am
    • Reply

    I truly enjoyed this story very much as I followed it online, and always hoped It would be published. Whatever it’s called, it will be in my library. I loved the comment about burning sulphur! It was hilarious, and it was wonderful to help alleviate the mounting tension in the scene. It is always wonderful to see our beloved characters in new situations, and it keeps us wanting more. Despite the many obstacles that Elizabeh and Darcy faced in this one, there was never any doubt that things would come right in the end. Well, not too may doubts! I am eager for the announcement that it is ready to order. Some of the characters may behave differently than we are used to, but that is what made it so compelling and fascinating. I also loved Long Tom. He was a wonderful character, and I hope we see more of him in the future, even if it’s just a few lines here and there. I will always have a soft spot for him and the wonderful Gardiners, who are even more wonderful than ever. There is a furniture store near where we recently moved, called Gardiner’s, and they have the most wonderful merchandise, just like Uncle Gardiner has. You know I had to check them out! Congratulations on another amazing book. I literally can’t wait to treat myself to this one.

    1. Thanks so much, Mari. I’m glad you have enjoyed it. Long Tom is one of my favorite character, him and Piper from Remember the Past. They are such fun to play around with.

      I’d love to visit that furniture store! Sounds delightful.

      I look forward to making the announcement that it’s ready soon!

    • Deborah on May 19, 2015 at 7:05 am
    • Reply

    I am so eagerly awaiting the release of this book. I loved Wholly Unconnected to Me and cannot wait to read the revised, edited version. This has whetted my appetite, even more. I loved this excerpt. Lady C is so very terrible. Can’t wait to see Long Tom again and read the story in its entirety. Thank you for sharing and making us eagerly anticipate the release of this book. 🙂

    1. Thanks so much, Deborah! I’m eager to see it released too!

    • Carol Hoyt on May 19, 2015 at 8:09 am
    • Reply

    I do believe it has gotten better !
    As I read this passage , I see a flame spewing dragon in the place if lady c !

    The book will be fabulous !! Can’t wait !!

    1. Thanks, Carol–you just made all the countless hours editing worthwhile!

    • Jennifer Redlarczyk on May 19, 2015 at 8:27 am
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    Love this excerpt. Loved the original posts, can’t wait to read the final book.

    1. Thank you Jennifer!

    • Carol on May 19, 2015 at 8:52 am
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    Loved this excerpt. Cannot wait to find out why Elizabeth is at Rosings. I think you’ve just made Lady Catherine more horrible than ever.

    1. Thank you Carol. I think this is the most horrible Lady Catherine I’ve written, certainly a major contrast from her in Remember the Past!

    • BeckyC on May 19, 2015 at 9:31 am
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    Ah, yes! It brings the story back to me. I can’t wait to see it in print. Congratulations!

    1. Me too, Becky! Thanks!

  1. I have read Wholly Unconnected at least twice now–I think it’s three times, actually–and it’s one of my very favorite Austen Variations. I wish that I could afford to buy the new version when it came out. Oh well, I’ll save my pennies. 😉 Thanks for posting this excerpt; it reminds me why I love this book series so much! 🙂

    Warmly,
    Susanne 🙂

    1. Thanks so much Susanne.

    • Julie on May 19, 2015 at 1:56 pm
    • Reply

    Love it! Lady C. is certainly in fine fettle! She spews her venom in new and endlessly interesting ways, hahaha.

    1. Glad you enjoyed, Julie! Thanks!

    • Dr. Roberta Shechter on May 19, 2015 at 2:20 pm
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    Maria: Thank you for sharing this wonderful scene of the two strongest women in Darcy’s life.The complexity of the totally different character structure within each woman is gently and well illustrated. This is the first of your writing that I have had the pleasure to read. In fact, later this afternoon I will look you up on Amazon and order at least one of your novels and/ or books of short stories from my local book store tomorrow. Sincerely, Roberta

      • Dr. Roberta Shechter on May 19, 2015 at 2:30 pm
      • Reply

      Website: Please email me follow up comments to the above comment, I forgot to “check.” Roberta

      1. I’m sorry, but there’s no way for us to do this from our end. That control is only available to the commenter.

    1. Thanks, Roberta. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

    • Lauren K. on May 20, 2015 at 1:16 pm
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    Thanks for posting Maria! I can’t wait to read the version. I concur that this is definitely the cruelest Lady C. that you’ve written but everything seems authentic to her character. She is spoiled and entitled and has been for her whole life so, of course, she thinks that she can control people’s lives. Glad Darcy heard everything, it will make the break between the two that much easier…

    1. Thanks, Lauren. I am so glad to hear that even with the changes, the character rings authentic.

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