Cover Reveal, Mr. Darcy’s Challenge

Mr Darcys Pledge Challenge Cover MEDIUM WEB (1)Welcome to the book reveal for Mr. Darcy’s Challenge (Book 2 of Mr. Darcy’s Pledge). I would love to hear what you think of the cover. Please leave a comment below describing what impressions the cover evokes for an additional chance to be entered on the Launch Day Giveaway. Meanwhile, I’d like to let you know that Mr. Darcy’s Challenge is now available for pre-order on Kindle. Here’s the link.
For those of you who’ve already read Mr. Darcy’s Pledge, I’d love to find out which cover you like better.
Meanwhile, I have another chapter for you. If you haven’t yet read the Prologue, please make sure to read it first (click here). This chapter is a little bit slow. I like to think of it as being like the slow climb up to the top of the roller coaster, before the ride begins. For the moment, you hold your breath, enjoying the anticipation. Slowly, slowly, the wheels creaking, you are pulled upwards to the top. Then the story begins.
You can find the Prologue here
Chapter One

“I wonder where Mr. Darcy could have gone?” said Mrs. Annesley as Georgiana sat down to breakfast.

Georgiana was taken aback by the question. Mrs. Annesley discouraged speculation generally, calling it detrimental curiosity and she certainly never showed interest in William’s comings and goings. Yet here she was, asking a question which Georgiana could not answer.

“What do you mean, Mrs. Annesley?” she said. “Surely it has nothing to do with us.”

Mrs. Annesley took a nervous sip of her coffee. “Naturally, I did not mean to question Mr. Darcy’s whereabouts. I simply wondered if you knew where his travels were taking him this time.”

Georgiana was so startled at this unexpected revelation that she dropped her fork.

“Oh,” said Mrs. Annesley, hurrying to pick it up from the floor. “I did not mean to startle you, Miss Darcy. I am very sorry to have done so.”

“My brother is traveling? Again? What could have possessed him to do so?”

She ought not to be critical of her brother in front of Mrs. Annesley, but really, it was very puzzling. Why had he not informed her he was leaving? She would be forced to admit that she had no idea where her brother had gone, nor for how long. She would not even have known that William had left Pemberley if it were not for Mrs. Annesley’s question.

“Are you certain he is traveling?” said Georgiana.

“Yes. I know I should not be eavesdropping, but the window was open and I overheard him say to young Ebenezer when he brought the horse that he would be away for a few days. Mr. Darcy gave specific instructions about exercising the new mare he acquired.”

“I do not understand,” said Georgiana. “He said nothing to me at all last night.”

Georgiana could scarcely credit it. So Darcy had departed yet again. Of course, William was a free agent and being her older brother, he was not obliged to inform her of his movements. There was nothing remarkable about that. He was a man. He was free to go and come as he pleased, and it was not up to her to question his reasons. Perhaps he had received a last minute invitation to a house party.

However, that did not mean she did not feel provoked that, after she had believed they had come to trust each other a little better, he had departed without even saying goodbye. It pained her that he disregarded her presence so completely, quite as if she was no more than a child and not the current mistress of Pemberley at all. The least he could have done was leave her a note.

Perhaps he had left one and she was growing upset over nothing. Georgiana tugged at the bell-pull.

“I would like to speak to Timmons,” she said, when the footman answered the summons.

She wished she did not need to question Timmons. When she was a little girl, she had quailed under his disapproving eye and solemn expression. Now that she was older, she knew he was an excellent butler, but she still preferred to have as little interaction with him as possible.

Timmons appeared promptly.

“Did Mr. Darcy leave a message for me?” she asked.

“He did not,” said Timmons, his tone implying what was obvious: namely, that if Mr. Darcy had left a message, it would have been delivered.

Georgiana hesitated. She had to find out where her brother had gone, but she did not wish the staff to know that William had not informed her. She did not feel secure in her position as mistress of the household and she could not help feeling that her ignorance of her brother’s departure would lower her status in their eyes.

“Did he inform you when he would return from his trip?”

Timmons’ expression did not change, but Georgiana noted rather gleefully that his body had stiffened. So, the butler did not know either. She felt less mortified now.

“He did not,” said Timmons.

“Thank you, Timmons. That is all. Could you send Mrs. Reynolds to me? I will be in the parlor.”

The old butler bowed and withdrew.  As she Georgiana walked with Mrs. Annesley to the parlor, she debated inwardly whether to reveal her ignorance to the housekeeper or not.

Fortunately, Mrs. Reynolds solved the problem for her.

“I am glad you sent for me, Miss Darcy. I was just wondering if you knew when Mr. Darcy would be returning. Cook is desirous to plan her menu for the next three days, but I was wondering if I should advise her not to put together any formal dinners.”

Georgiana smiled, happy to be saved the embarrassment of asking.

“I know nothing about my brother’s plans,” she said. “I did not know that he was leaving.”

One would have thought that he might at least have said something to Mrs. Reynolds, but the housekeeper was quite as mystified as Georgiana was. Not that she said anything, of course. She was far too loyal.

“Well, I am sure Mr. Darcy has his reasons,” said Mrs. Reynolds, folding her hands in front of her, which was something she tended to do when she was baffled. “I just wish he had taken an overcoat with him in case of rain.”

“Your concern does you credit, I am sure,” said Mrs. Annesley, which was irksome because it was precisely what Georgiana herself had been about to say.

“Thank you, Mrs. Annesley,” said Mrs. Reynolds. “Miss Darcy, about dinner?”

“Dinner in your room might be best, Miss Darcy,” said Mrs. Annesley.

“Yes, of course. I would prefer that, Mrs. Reynolds. There is nothing more dreary than dining alone at a big empty table,” she replied. She already felt the weight of the loneliness. It had been so busy the last few days, and now everyone was gone, including William, and she was left behind.

“I thought so,” said the housekeeper, giving Georgiana a warm smile. “You must be missing all the company we have had lately. The house seems very quiet.”

Thank heavens for Mrs. Reynolds, who knew her so well she seemed to read her mind sometimes. She ought not to think that way, of course, but she felt that Mrs. Reynolds was the closest to a mother that she had. She had been a constant support since her mother had died so many years ago. It was probably silly of her to think this way, but she could not help it. Mrs. Annesley was all very well as a companion, but she did not know her half as well, and besides, she took her duties as much too seriously to attempt to discover Georgiana’s feelings about anything. If she had as much as mentioned loneliness to Mrs. Annesley, she would have found Georgiana more sewing to do, or sent her out into the garden to sketch lavender or whatever happened to be blooming at the moment.

“It is certainly much more peaceful,” said Georgiana, catching the housekeeper’s eye, “especially with Lord and Lady Matlock gone.” It was probably foolish of her to make so much of it, but Georgiana had been flattered when Mrs. Reynolds had come to her to complain that two of the chambermaids had been in tears after Lady Matlock had dismissed them without a reference for bringing bath water that was too cold. Georgiana had spoken to her aunt rather firmly, reminding her that as a guest in the house she did not have the right to dismiss any of the staff. She had been trembling in her shoes while she did it, but astonishingly her aunt had not argued the point.

“Your servants are very slack,” had been Lady Matlock’s response. “Clearly a mistress is needed at Pemberley to take over the reins. Not you, my dear Georgiana, naturally – no one would expect it of a schoolgirl. That brother of yours has a great deal to answer for. What is he waiting for? When is he going to find himself a wife?”

The servants had been reinstated and sent to another side of the house, all without Mrs. Annesley even knowing a thing.  It made Georgiana feel like a guilty kind of pleasure at accomplishing something without Mrs. Annesley looking over her shoulder.

Mrs. Reynolds returned her look but was too discreet to say anything further.

“I will convey your decision to Cook, then.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds.”

The moment the door closed behind the housekeeper, Mrs. Annesley put down her needlework.

“I hope you will not take it amiss, Miss Darcy, but it is best not to make remarks about persons of higher rank like your uncle and aunt to the servants. I cannot think it quite right that you were discussing Mr. Darcy’s departure, either.”

Mrs. Annesley was really very kind, but sometimes she grated on the nerves, particularly since she seemed to constantly find fault. Lately Georgiana was beginning to feel a need to take charge more. Being on a short leash strained her patience. How was she to learn her responsibilities if she did not have the opportunity to practice? She had hoped to talk to William about it once all the guests had departed, but now he was not here.

She sighed, wondering yet again why William had dashed off without a word. She could not help feeling worried about it. There was no getting around it. Her brother was no longer the same  brother she had known for seventeen years of her life. This new Darcy was unpredictable and erratic. The fact that she knew the reason for this great transformation went by the name of Elizabeth Bennet did provide some explanation, but it did not make it any less troubling. She had witnessed how restless he had been before Elizabeth Bennet had arrived in Pemberley. He had even been on the verge of becoming engaged to someone else – to Miss Marshall, of all people. Georgiana could not think of a worse choice of a wife.

At least William’s sudden trip had nothing to do with Miss Marshall, who, as far as Georgiana knew, was still resident in Lambton. Georgiana could not rest easy, however. This new William was not to be relied upon not to make imprudent decisions on the spur of the moment. The more she thought about it, the more concerned she became. It was not like William to go away without informing anyone at all. Perhaps he had received an urgent summons or heard bad news.

With a sense of sudden urgency, she rang for Timmons to enquire if any letters had arrived this morning.

“Yes, there was a letter for Mr. Darcy,” said the Butler.

“Do you know who sent it?” she asked.

There was a slight flicker in the butler’s eyes, as if he was considering whether answering would betray his master’s confidence or not.

“I believe it was from Lady Catherine, to judge by the handwriting,” he said.

Georgiana could not help but feel that answering her question was a big concession on his part. With a surge of gratitude, she smiled at him. “Thank you for the information. You have been very helpful.”

The butler did not react. He bowed gracefully and retreated.

Old Stoneface, she thought, but at least he had given her the information. So now she knew there was a letter involved. What could Lady Catherine possibly have said that could have sent her brother running? If there had been an emergency of some sort – an accident or illness – Georgiana was certain William would have told her. After all, there would have been no need to keep it a secret.

If it was a secret, then it very likely had something to do with Miss Elizabeth Bennet. What connection could there be, however, between Lady Catherine and Miss Bennet? Perhaps Timmons had mistaken the writing. Miss Bennet had also left Pemberley very suddenly. Was William’s departure related to hers?

The clang of the front doorbell interrupted her thoughts and Timmons appeared again.

“Mrs. Renwick. Mrs. Marshall. Miss Marshall.”

Georgiana groaned inwardly. Miss Marshall was the last person she wished to see at the moment.

“Good afternoon, Miss Darcy,” said Miss Marshall. “We thought we would keep you company now that Mr. Darcy has abandoned you. We ladies must stick together.”

Georgiana frowned. How did Miss Marshall know that Darcy had left?

“You may well look surprised,” said Mrs. Marshall. “We have come straight from visiting Mrs. Parris, you see, and she told us that Mr. Logan came across Mr. Darcy this morning. Darcy informed him that he expected to be away a few days.”

“I see,” said Georgiana.

“What an exciting life Mr. Darcy appears to lead!” said Miss Marshall. “Always travelling hither and thither! I cannot imagine why he has returned to London so soon after leaving it.”

“I am not privy to my brother’s private business,” said Georgiana tightly, not wishing to encourage any discussion in that direction, even though she was desperately curious whether William had told Mr. Logan that he was going to London. “He is free to come and go as he pleases.”

“In any case, that is not why we are here. We came to take our leave as well,” said Mrs. Marshall. “The countryside is all very well, but when there is no hunting and everyone is away, it is quite abysmally dull. We have been invited to a house party in Kent – Lady Anthorpe, you know, everyone longs for an invitation from her – then we shall return to London. Perhaps we will see you there soon?”

“Possibly,” said Georgiana, hoping fervently that Miss Marshall would find an eligible partner at Lady Anthorpe’s house party.

“I shall be counting the days, Miss Darcy. I have become very attached to you, you know,” said Miss Marshall, “even though we have known each other but a short time.”

Having informed her of their plans, they did not stay long, claiming to have a great many things to do before they traveled. Georgiana could not imagine what could possibly occupy them in a tiny village like Lambton.

“Will you not open the window, Georgiana? The scent Miss Marshall is wearing always seems to bring on a headache,” said Mrs. Annesley.

“That is because you do not like her,” said Georgiana, with a little smile.

“No, indeed,” said Mrs. Annesley, “I would not be so forthright as to venture an opinion on the matter, for as far as I know, Mr. Darcy is considering asking for her hand in marriage.”

Her eyes were round and unhappy.

With a sigh, Georgiana looked out of the window. The carriage had not yet left and the two ladies were inspecting the stable area as though Pemberley belonged to them. As they approached, she could hear them speaking.

“He seems to keep good stables, at any rate,” said the mother.

“A pity the house is so musty. I am sure no one has bothered to redecorate since Lady Anne died,” said Miss Marshall, with a giggle.

The two women entered the carriage and drove away.

Georgiana watched until they disappeared into the avenue of trees then turned to Mrs. Annesley. She was not going to let Miss Marshall get her claws into her brother, or into Pemberley for that matter. She loved both too much.

“My brother is not going to marry Miss Marshall,” said Georgiana, firmly.

“Just because you do not wish it,” said Mrs. Annesley, “it does not mean it will not happen.”

Georgiana thought of Elizabeth Bennet and the expression on her brother’s face whenever he looked at her.

“It will not happen,” she said, crossing her fingers behind her back.

One thing was certain. If Miss Marshall was to be in London and there was a chance that her brother would be there too, then Georgiana’s purpose was clear.

She would go to London as well.

 

 

 

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  1. Your cover is intriguing and mysterious.

    1. Ah, I like the sound of that, Patty!

    • Dung on November 10, 2014 at 1:09 am
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    Love the cover. Beautiful with a hint of mystery. It coincides with part one’s cover very well.

    Glad Georgina is being more assertive and taking a stance on trying to figure what is happening to her brother & Elizabeth.

    1. I’m pleased you like the extract, Dung. I’ve always liked Georgiana and I really wanted to explore her personality a bit more in this book. Thank you for the nice words about the cover.

  2. Beautiful cover, Monica – I loved the first one, and now it looks as if she’s meeting our gaze full on-a little more assertive, perhaps? A fabulous excerpt-looking forward to reading the whole thing!

    1. I really enjoyed your perspective on the cover — an artist’s point of view? Interesting that you’re matching the cover with the exerpt. Thank you for your kind words, Jane.

    • LeslieGB on November 10, 2014 at 2:48 am
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    Beautiful cover Monica – and I loved the excerpt.. It will be on my TBR list. Thanks for the giveaway. –Leslie

    1. Any time Leslie (that is, any time I have a new book out!). I’m glad to hear you liked both the cover and Chapter One.

  3. Great excerpt Monica. It brings back just how obnoxious Miss Marshall was in book one! I really enjoy the humour in your writing, the little touches, like Georgiana being gleeful with her questioning, etc. I really enjoyed Georgiana’s character development in book one, so I’m looking forward to seeing more of her.

    The cover is great too! There was nothing wrong with the interim cover you had but this one matches with book one so much better. If I had to choose a favourite book one would just sneak it though, I think it’s one of the prettiest JAFF covers out there, it made me sad to be reading it on kindle!

    1. How lovely of you to say so about the cover of Mr. Darcy’s Pledge!! Thank you, Ceri.

      Well, I do like to have a little chuckle! If you liked Georgiana in Book 1 I think you’ll be pleased with her in Book 2.

    • Deborah on November 10, 2014 at 5:04 am
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    As already stated, I so live Georgiana’s new assertiveness in this chapter, questioning the imposing butler. I love the cover. It compliments the cover of the first book and I like that she is making eye contact with the reader. Both covers are beautiful and mysterious. I agree, with Ceri, that if I were to choose my favorite cover Darcy’s Pledge would just squeak by this one. Thank you so much for sharing!

    1. She is coming into her own a bit more, isn’t she? I’m glad you like both covers, Deborah, even if you chose the first one. I haven’t really decided which one I like better.

  4. The cover is gorgeous and matches book 1 perfectly. I’m not sure which one I like better. When I first saw book 1, I thought Lizzy seemed wistful, like she was thinking of someone. Book 2 seems like Darcy’s thinking of her; his vision of her. Maybe one of his saddle daydreams from the excerpt the other day 😉 It seems significant that she’s looking at us (or him) now.

    I like that Georgiana is practicing her assertiveness & feeling out her relationships with Darcy, Mrs A, the servants, etc. I thought it was interesting that “It pained her that he disregarded her presence so completely, quite as if she was no more than a child and not the current mistress of Pemberley at all.” Followed by, “She did not feel secure in her position as mistress of the household …”

    Also kind of funny that Mrs A criticized her for speaking ill of her ‘betters’, but then did the same thing to stinky Miss Marshall. lol

    1. Is Georgiana insecure because Darcy never gives her mistress’s responsibilities or does her never give her the responsibilities because he knows she’s insecure with it?

    2. Monica P — very perceptive to have picked out the contradictions! 😀 And I love that you see the cover as Darcy’s “saddle daydream”. The question is — is he hoping she would look at him, or is she really looking? 😉

  5. Assuming tha lady on the cover is Lizzy and not Georgiana. Lol see this is why I shouldn’t read at 6:15 in the morning.

    1. Monica P — I think the cover’s open to interpretation. People reading Chapter One will probably think of Georgiana first, but if you saw the cover when reading the Prologue, you would think of Lizzy. I like the different perspectives.

    • Vesper Meikle on November 10, 2014 at 7:18 am
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    I find the colours calming, and I like that not all of the face is exposed, is that hinting at secrets or being mysterious

    1. Vesper — yes, that’s very true. There is something very soothing about it, isn’t there? Thank you for stopping by and tweeting (as always).

    • Maggie Griscom on November 10, 2014 at 7:22 am
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    The cover is absolutely perfect. It goes so well with the first one. Also, the ethereal image of, I think Lizzy, implies the fact that she may just be out of reach. Poor Georgiana, it is hard to be the younger sister of an important man. I am hooked with the prologue and know 2 weeks isn’t long. But I am anxious to start reading!

  6. Thank you Maggie — ethereal is a great word. I like the idea of Lizzy being inaccessible.

    Two weeks isn’t long at all! It is tough for Georgiana all round. Without any other family around her it can’t be easy having a powerful brother. I do think it must have been quite lonely for her.

    • Mari on November 10, 2014 at 8:37 am
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    Love the cover, but drat it Monica! Just as I was getting my book addiction under control, I skipped over to Amazon and surfed your page. This is like being on a diet in a candy store – it didn’t end well! I bought book one of this series, and two others. I would not however have changed that for the world. Can’t wait to dig in. I think you already know that book two will be preordered as soon as it’s available. Thank you for so many tempting delights, none of which will affect my other bottom line! Thank goodness books aren’t fattening, and I can read them on my treadmill. Also these covers have such a dreamy otherworldly quality. They reel one in immediately.

    1. Oh, Mari, so sorry to spoil your diet!! However, books are low in calories and heavy so they’re good for workouts. You’ll need to balance two books on each arm to get the best workout, though 😉
      You’ll have to face it, Mari, some addictions aren’t meant to be cured. Delighted to hear you were tempted by my page! Have fun with Mr. Darcy’s Pledge!

    • Pam Hunter on November 10, 2014 at 10:23 am
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    Beautiful cover! Very mysterious and romantic at the same time. It could be a picture taken directly from one of Darcy’s dreams…one where his Elizabeth is finally gracing the halls of Pemberley. 🙂

    Loved the first chapter!

    Pam

    1. Thank you for saying so, Pam. I’m glad you enjoyed Chapter One. I hope you had the chance to read the Prologue as well because it provides the setup for Chapter 3. I, too, think there’s a dreamy quality to the cover.

  7. Beautiful new cover, Monica! What I especially love is the way it’s paired so perfectly with the first. They showcase different sides of a character (the eyes wide open/seeing clearly look of book 2 vs. the glancing down/introspective/pensive look of book 1, which matches perfectly a theme of self-discovery and growing awareness!), the different aspects of the estate, and the different flowers & colors — but the two covers coordinate so well together that the viewer/reader never doubts that they’re a set. And another wonderful excerpt, too!!

    1. Lots of wonderful insights, there, Marilyn. I’m impressed! The things that you’re mentioning could apply to Darcy, too. :0 so it definitely fits the themes of the two books very well. Thanks for that.

  8. OMG!! I love it! It’s even more beautiful than the cover to the first book!! I can’t wait to read it in print!!!!! I’m old fashion I still read regular books

  9. Mayme — I’m thrilled that you like this cover even better than the first! I do like to read regular books, too. I read both, but there’s still nothing like actually holding the book in your hand, especially as a writer. Hopefully, the book should come out as an actual book on November 25th as well. I’ll keep everyone posted.

    • Julie Rakowski on November 10, 2014 at 1:09 pm
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    This cover is beautiful and I like being able to read more about Georgiana and can’t wait for this one!!!!

    1. Thank you, Julie! It’s nice to know that you liked the cover.
      Georgiana doesn’t get as much attention in Pride & Prejudice as she deserves, so I’m really enjoyed getting to know her as I write.

    • BarbaraThompson on November 10, 2014 at 1:49 pm
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    I like this cover. It has a fresh look without looking like a modern story. And I love your preview. Thanks so much!

    1. Barbara — many thanks to you! That’s the effect I wanted so it’s good to hear it achieved that.

    • Constance on November 10, 2014 at 1:51 pm
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    The 25th being my daughters birthday I now have 2 reasons to look forward to that day! Considering how old she will be I think the book wins out as more exciting. The covers of both are so lovely. Am I selfish to give myself a gift on my daughters birthday? No, she understands my addiction! Can’t wait!!

    1. I’m really touched, Constance! And you’re not selfish at all — you’re being happy and celebrating in your own way. I’m sure she knows you well enough to understand.

    • Linda Clark on November 10, 2014 at 1:59 pm
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    I’m going to write this post then immediately go to Amazon and order/download Mr. Darcy’s Pledge on my tablet! I can’t comment on it’s cover as I haven’t seen it yet but the cover for this installment (will there be a #3 and more?) is as most everyone has said….mysterious and etherial. Elizabeth looks like she’s just out of reach. I like the artwork you have chosen. Now that I’ve been reading the prologue I feel I must go back and read what came before – which I presume is what Mr. Darcy’s Pledge is all about. Yes! Please let us know when we can preorder the e-book for Mr. Darcy’s Challenge. Your books are like potato chips – can’t possibly make do with only one. 🙂

    1. I love the chips analogy!!! Nobody’s ever called my books chips before so you get full marks for originality!! I know what you mean exactly. That’s how I feel when I discover an author I like.

    • Linda Clark on November 10, 2014 at 2:06 pm
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    OMG! I really am out of it, aren’t I? Well the deed has been done, one book purchased and downloaded and waiting for me to sit down and read it….. and Vol. 2 preordered! I hadn’t realized that it was already available. My Bad!

      • Deborah on November 10, 2014 at 2:32 pm
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      Thank you, Linda. I hadn’t realized it was available for preorder. I have also done the same!

      1. You guys found out before me!! How exciting! Thanks for letting me know. I’ll post it on top.

    1. Your good, Linda!! Now we all know as I didn’t!! I just found out from you! Thank you!

    • Joy Dawn King on November 10, 2014 at 2:49 pm
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    Monica, this is a hard one. The cover for your first book was so well done that I had your designed re-do mine. This cover? I want to look like her!!! She is beautiful, and as one commenter already said, ethereal. The colors are soothing and the garden is gorgeous. So, book 1 or book 2 cover? As gorgeous as book 2 is, I’m going to have to go with #1.

    I loved the Prologue and chapter one and am excited to read the rest. You are such a spinner of tales, Miss Monica, that I can’t imagine what you will come up with. (Did Lizzy return the list to Darcy without reading it first? My inquiring mind wants to know.)

    1. I know — I saw your new covers on Jane’s facebook page. They look wonderful. She’s so talented!

      Joy — the vote so far seems to be in favor of cover #1, but the tide may still turn…

      Thank you for the compliment. Coming from an accomplished spinner of tales like yourself, it’s very much appreciated!

    • Joy Dawn King on November 10, 2014 at 2:50 pm
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    Good grief!!! Silly fingers. I had your “designer” (not designed) re-do mine.

    • Eileen on November 10, 2014 at 2:51 pm
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    Well, I read and enjoyed this chapter about 9 hours ago and intended to comment much sooner than this…but life tends to get in the way (and this was supposed to be my “easy” day) 🙂 I loved your last post and this one. I am excited to get to read the rest of the story. Of course, I still have to read Mr. Darcy’s Pledge first. It is sitting on my Kindle bookshelf and has been for a while just waiting for it’s friend to join it. I haven’t even peeked at it yet, which for someone with as much curiosity as I have–that’s an accomplishment. 🙂 And it will probably have to wait until Christmas break so I can read them one after the other.

    Both covers are beautiful. I like this one better simply for the emotion it portrays. It feels hopeful and promising. In the first cover she is standing with her back to the house as if turning away and leaving it behind. In this one, there is only garden behind her–could she be facing the house and accepting? 🙂

    1. Oh, good, Eileen, another vote for #2!! *And* I see that you have come up with a very clever interpretation indeed!! That’s brilliant!

      Well — I know you have been waiting for a while for the book to come and determined to read the end first. Please don’t read the last five pages first, though… promise me you’ll wait until you’ve seen all the convolutions that happen before they reach that point?

        • Eileen on November 10, 2014 at 4:26 pm
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        I shall try, but I make no promises. 🙂

    • Wendy Roberts on November 10, 2014 at 4:55 pm
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    I love the cover! Even though we know the eventual outcome of the Darcy/Elizabeth story, I can’t wait to see how they get there in this version.

    1. Thank you, Wendy. But to use a cliche, it’s never over ’til it’s over 😉 Thanks for stopping by!

    • Carole in Canada on November 10, 2014 at 6:55 pm
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    The cover is beautiful and haunting. I think this is the image Darcy holds in his mind of Elizabeth and the scent of lavender evokes that. It also brings to mind the fact that his list is useless and he must face Elizabeth. This first chapter is wonderful showing how Georgiana is coming into her own…slowly but starting to feel she must assert herself. Especially if she wants to make sure Miss Marshall does not become the next Mrs. Darcy! Go Georgiana! As to which cover is my favourite, I am leaning towards Book #1. Looking forward to the release of Book #2 and thank you for the giveaway!

    1. Thank you for another original interpretation of the cover. I really like the idea that it reflects Darcy’s needs to “face” Elizabeth. Thank *you* for your kind words, Carole!

  10. Fantastic cover and fantastic chapter! I can’t wait to read the rest!

    1. Very happy to hear you liked the chapter, Abigail. Thank you for your support.

    • Sophia Rose on November 10, 2014 at 8:18 pm
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    I love the merge of the two graphics and the coloring has pop. I like that it has similar features to Pledge so one can see they go together, but it is unique too.

    1. “Pop” is good. I had to read it twice, though, because today’s Remembrance Day here in the UK and poppies are everywhere.

      The similar/different idea was something Jane, my cover artist, was quite particular about so I’m happy you think it works, Sophia!

    • Carol on November 11, 2014 at 12:33 am
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    Love this cover. Coincides with book one. Colors are beautiful seem to relate to Lizzy very well. Purple for her lavender scent that Darcy relates to her. I agree with Georgiana – no to Miss Marshall. Pemberley is not musty, she is. She’s as bad as Caroline, wanting to redecorate everything. Hope Darcy is smarter than this.

  11. Yes — absolutely. I did want to have a lavender field, Carol, so you’re clearly thinking along the same lines, but we needed the 19th century look and the images we tried didn’t work well at all, so we decided on a formal garden instead. But hopefully the purple suggests lavender.

    I’m with Georgiana, too — we can’t have Miss Marshall barging in and changing Pemberley!

  12. The cover is gorgeous. I love the purples in it and it does suggest lavender. Anxious to read how this continues!

    1. Thank you, Janet! It’s reassuring to know the purples do suggest lavender. I wish covers came with scents as well — it would be great to have the scent come out of the book as soon you open the cover.

      1. Wouldn’t that be great! I love the scent of lavender!

    • Charlene on November 12, 2014 at 6:44 am
    • Reply

    Love the cover. Can’t wait to finish reading the story! 🙂

    1. Thank you, Charlene. It’s good to have the book finished, finally. So many people have been asking.

  13. Though it’s enjoyable to read, I prefer the original cover. This second one is too busy for my taste. If I were to judge to book by the cover alone, if go right by this one. Sometimes simpler & understated is more elegant.

    1. Thanks for your input, Laurel. A few people something similar about the cover of the first book, too. I’m glad you enjoyed the excerpt.

    • Luisa on November 13, 2014 at 12:42 pm
    • Reply

    What a lovely cover, Monica. I can’t wait to read ‘the rest of the story” and learn how Darcy wins Elizabeth.

    1. Thank you, Louisa. Sounds like you have the ending figured out! 😉

    • Sheila L. M. on November 18, 2014 at 10:04 am
    • Reply

    I’ve been away from my computer (and home) for over a week so I am just reading this. I did read the first book and will have to re-read it now that the second one is to be released on the 25th. Both covers are just gorgeous. I love how clean and crisp they look. The second cover’s eyes seems to look right at one. She/Lizzy is about to relate something she knows and will surprise us. I also love lavender and as I have aged wear purple more and more so loved that color popping out. However with kindle we don’t get that property. I also find it harder to go to the end of a book to read the conclusion as I do with some books (not all).

    Georgiana seems to be coming into her own. I like how her mind has analyzed the personalities of each person so she knows how to question them or how to respond to them. And she is ready to take action to prevent her brother from making a mistake.

    The best thing about coming to this late is that I get to read everyone’s comments and your responses at one sitting. And I can then use their information to process and firm up my own thoughts. Thank you for this chapter. Looking forward to the “roller coaster” now.

    1. Thank you for your analysis of Georgiana, Sheila. I didn’t think of her development that way but it’s true that she is a bit of an observer — she tends to watch people and reach conclusions about them, a result, no doubt, of spending a lot of time alone.

      Glad you liked the purple and the covers. Hope you enjoy the book, too.

  14. Sorry for the very late reply to the post. I only just found the time to catch up with the blog posts here. I love both the covers for Book 1 and 2. It looks like there is a running theme in the Darcy novel series featuring a woman, a flower and a scene from a country estate. If there is a Book 3, I hope the colour chosen will be blue.

    This excerpt is very enticing. And I like your portrayal of Georgiana, Monica. She is growing up to be a mature young lady who is quite observant of the people surrounding her.

  1. […] If you’ve missed the earlier chapters, you can still catch up. You might want to read them first so the scene will make sense (although Sophie does introduce it). Here are the links: Prologue, Chapter One […]

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