Jealousy in July: Excerpt Mr. Darcy’s Rival

Is Caroline Bingley green with envy as she notices Mr. Darcy’s attentions to Elizabeth Bennet? Does Emma Woodhouse wish unspeakable horrors on Harriet Smith because of Harriet’s crush on Mr. Knightley? After Willoughby, does Marianne covet Elinor’s more sensible behaviour? We could go on for ages, but it’s only for this month so don’t miss a post!

When I heard we were doing Jealousy in July posts, I knew I had to post a scene from “Mr. Darcy’s Rival.” In this pivotal scene, Colonel Fitzwilliam has just revealed to Elizabeth that Darcy had separated Bingley from Jane. But instead of divulging it to just Elizabeth (not knowing he was speaking of her sister), both Darcy and Rickland (Darcy’s rival) were there.


Before Darcy could make any justification, Elizabeth lowered her eyes and said softly, “I feel a headache coming on.” She turned to Mr. Rickland. “Would you please escort me back to the parsonage?”

“Certainly.” Rickland stood up and took her hand, bringing her to her feet. “Please excuse us.” He shot Darcy a look of disgust, and the two walked away.

Darcy could barely begin to comprehend what had just occurred. His cousin looked at him with a questioning glance. “What was that all about? I knew Miss Bennet disliked you, but her reaction was more severe than I ever would have expected.”

Darcy jerked his head around in disbelief. “What do you mean you knew she disliked me?”

Fitzwilliam blew out a puff of air. “It has been apparent from the moment I first made her acquaintance that she barely tolerates your company. Darcy, you cannot tell me you were not aware of her opinion of you.” He paused and looked in the direction the couple walked. “But this was certainly not what I expected. I thought she would laugh at it, as she has laughed at other things you have done.”

Jealous Darcy

Darcy felt as if the ground beneath him was about to give away. His head swam with what his cousin had now revealed to Elizabeth and this unforeseen intelligence he imparted to him.  He shook his head as he tried to make sense of it all. How could he have not seen what others had readily seen? How could he have believed Elizabeth returned his regard when, in truth, she loathed him? She had laughed at him! He wondered what had truly been her opinion of him and what must she think of him now!

Darcy did not trust himself to speak. His feelings waged war within. He felt anger at his cousin for mentioning something he had not expected him to share with anyone else, grief for allowing himself to love a woman who did not return that love, frustration with himself for being so blind, and jealousy at Rickland for being the one Elizabeth wished to have comfort her.

“Darcy? Would you care to please explain?”

 

Darcy turned to his cousin, who had been silently waiting for an answer. He knew not how to disguise the anguish that was likely written on his face.

“It was her sister. Her eldest sister, Jane, was the young lady from whom I separated Bingley.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam’s jaw dropped. “Heavens, Darcy! No wonder she was angry! I had no idea. Pray, forgive me.”

Darcy waved a hand through the air. “You had no way of knowing.” He peered at his cousin through lowered brows.

Fitzwilliam watched him for a moment as if pondering something. Finally, he said, “Darcy, before Rickland and I came upon you and Miss Bennet, he asked me something I initially thought odd.”

“What was that?”

“He asked whether you had feelings of affection towards Miss Bennet.”

Darcy took a deep breath, afraid to even look at his cousin. “And… and what did you tell him?”

“I laughed. I told him there is something between the two of you, but it is certainly not affection.”

Darcy turned away from his cousin, rubbing his jaw. He scuffed the ground with the heel of his boot.

“Darcy, am I correct in that assumption, or did I misspeak in that matter, as well?”

Darcy closed his eyes, and when he opened them, he saw his cousin had stepped around and now stood in front of him. He pinched the bridge of his nose, looking at the ground as he did, and nodded his head.

“Lord, Darcy. I had no idea!”

“I am grateful for that. I would not have wished you to divulge the matters pertaining to my heart to Rickland.”

“If you had told me, both of your feelings for Miss Elizabeth Bennet and the lady involved in your… your…”

“Go ahead and say it, Fitzwilliam. My interference.”

Fitzwilliam tossed his head. “If you had told me it was her sister, I would not have made such a blunder.”

“There is a lot I should have done differently. And the blunder, as you call it, can for the most part be attributed to me.”

“Do you want to start at the beginning?”Col Fitzwilliam

“I would rather not.”

“Darcy, I cannot imagine what you could have done to earn a lady’s contempt. In particular, Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s!”

When Darcy did not answer, Fitzwilliam continued. “I can certainly understand she is angered now, but what offenses could you have committed before this? Especially if you harboured feelings of affection for her.”

Darcy began walking. “I am in no mood to discuss this.”

“You are angry with me, and I take full responsibility for my share in this. But please help me understand!”

Darcy stopped abruptly and turned to look at his cousin. “The less you know, the better. I do not want you talking to Rickland about my feelings for Miss Bennet. He is under the misapprehension I do not have any feelings of affection for her, and I would prefer we leave it that way.” He fisted his hands and let out a long sigh.

“Ahh. Those sighs emanating from you; I now know why.”

Darcy chose to ignore his cousin’s remark. “Did Rickland indicate he likes Miss Bennet?”

“She is very likeable. We all like her, Darcy. Rickland, me, and even our aunt, believe it or not. But I doubt you are referring to that kind of liking.” He shook his head. “He did not give me any indication his feelings for her are strong in that way. He is much like me in that he has to consider marriage to a lady with at least a moderate fortune.”

“I would not wish for Miss Bennet to be misled and hurt by him. Why would he ask to speak with you about my interest in her if he were not interested?”

“I believed he was merely curious.” The colonel shook his head. “Perhaps I was wrong there, as well.”

Darcy was silent for a moment and then said, “I should like to leave on the morrow. I can make an excuse to our aunt, but I cannot remain here.”

Fitzwilliam rubbed his chin. “As much as I hate to leave the pleasant company we have enjoyed here, I would have to agree.” He folded his arms across his chest. “But I am still interested in hearing how this all came about.”

Darcy let out an exasperated huff. “We shall have a long carriage ride on the morrow. One day removed might make me more inclined to discuss this with you.” He began to walk away, and then stopped. “But I would not count on it.”

21 comments

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    • Kari Singh on July 5, 2016 at 8:27 am
    • Reply

    Looks like an awesome story! Elizabeth now knows about Darcy’s interference with Jane and Bingley, and doesn’t know the truth about Wickham. Darcy hasn’t insulted Elizabeth’s family (to her face) and asked her to marry him…will he give up on her? (Of course, I know he won’t). And, since he is leaving tomorrow, how will they meet up again? I can’t wait to see where you take us.

      • Kara Louise on July 5, 2016 at 9:24 am
      • Reply

      This is a book that is already published, Kari, so I won’t be continuing it here. I hoped it would spark some interest in those who may not have already read it. 🙂 And you’re right in all your conclusions – and there is definitely something that occurs that brings the 2 back together.

    • Jennifer Redlarczyk on July 5, 2016 at 9:30 am
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    I really enjoyed reading this tale and love it when Darcy has to work for her love! Thanks Kara. Jen Red

      • Kara Louise on July 5, 2016 at 10:55 am
      • Reply

      Thanks, Jen! As I reread this, I thought it would be fun to have a ‘tormented Darcy’ month. Would that be too mean?

    • Carol hoyt on July 5, 2016 at 11:35 am
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    I haven’t read this. But your plan worked!
    I’ll be looking for it!

    Thanks for the excerpt !!

      • Kara Louise on July 5, 2016 at 12:45 pm
      • Reply

      Thanks, Carol! It came out a year ago. I hope you’ll enjoy it!

        • Nikki on November 27, 2017 at 6:13 pm
        • Reply

        Me too! Buying it first thing in the morning. 🙂

    • Glynis on July 5, 2016 at 12:29 pm
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    Well I have Only Mr Darcy Will Do and Darcy’s Voyage so I don’t know how I missed this one. I will definitely be checking it out so thanks Kara 😊

      • Kara Louise on July 5, 2016 at 12:46 pm
      • Reply

      I have 7 others, Glynis. 🙂 Mr. Darcy’s Rival was my most recent published novel. Glad you enjoyed it.

        • Glynis on July 5, 2016 at 4:49 pm
        • Reply

        7 others!!! Well I will definitely have to check them all out. Thanks for the info 😊

    • Carole in Canada on July 5, 2016 at 1:42 pm
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    Oh yes Mr. Darcy, what have you done! I loved this book and hope you will soon have another. I do know you are busy with your grandchild!

      • Kara Louise on July 5, 2016 at 2:08 pm
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      You’re right, Carole, and now it’s 2 granddaughters! Wouldn’t have it any other way, however! Thanks!

    • Deborah on July 5, 2016 at 2:00 pm
    • Reply

    I loved this story when I read it. This makes me want to read it again. Are you thinking about doing anything with the book Anne was writing in this book? Will you be releasing Mr. Darcy’s Rival as an Audio book?

      • Kara Louise on July 5, 2016 at 2:10 pm
      • Reply

      Thanks, Deborah! I’ve expanded Anne’s story a little, made a lot of changes, and decided to go ahead and publish it as a novella. It is still in the editing stage, though. It’s going to also include a bonus chapter that tells her ‘real happily ever after’ according to the events in Mr. Darcy’s Rival.

    • Bonnie Wilson Carlson on July 6, 2016 at 12:45 am
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    I loved this book. One of my favorites.

      • Kara Louise on July 6, 2016 at 7:23 am
      • Reply

      Thanks, Bonnie! Always glad to hear that!

  1. I loved this book; I’ve read it twice already and still couldn’t resist reading the excerpt!

    Thank you, Kara!! 😀

    Warmly,
    Susanne 🙂

      • Kara Louise on July 7, 2016 at 11:38 am
      • Reply

      Thanks, Susanne! Appreciate it!

    • Wendy on July 7, 2016 at 6:03 pm
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    I always enjoy your books. It’s been a while since I’ve read this one, and I think I’ll read it again soon. Thanks for sharing!

      • Kara Louise on July 9, 2016 at 1:23 pm
      • Reply

      Thanks, Wendy! Glad you enjoyed it!

    • Dung on July 13, 2016 at 5:51 pm
    • Reply

    Oh boy, Darcy is in deep and better not let Rickland gain on Ms. Bennet’s affection! Looking forward to reading this and finding out what happens.

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