February is for Lovers by Jack Caldwell

The Cajun Cheesehead Chronicles by Jack Caldwell

Greetings, everyone. Jack Caldwell here. For some time, thanks to St. Valentine (and Hallmark Cards), the month of February is known for love and hearts and all that stuff. (It’s also the graveyard of televised sports, as it falls between the end of football and the start of NASCAR, but I digress…)

Anyhoo, as I’ve been working on my next two novels, I decided to post this excerpt from a possible future book. (Hey, I’ve got five or more books in my head at any given time. My muse likes to work overtime.)

Tentatively entitled THE COURTSHIP OF ELIZABETH BENNET, it runs with the idea that Darcy tells Elizabeth the truth about Wickham the morning after the Netherfield Ball, and before they realize it, they are in an accidental courtship. They try to make the best of it; however, these are the pre-Hunsford Elizabeth and Darcy. Which means an arrogant Darcy likes an oblivious Elizabeth more than she likes him.

Still, our boy can be romantic when her tries. Here’s your Valentine …

 


 

Once the visit was over, Jane and Elizabeth escorted their gentlemen from Longbourn to their awaiting conveyance. While Bingley made his tender adieus to Jane by the carriage door, Darcy and Elizabeth walked a little away to give the engaged couple privacy.

Darcy graced his lady’s hand with a soft, quick kiss. “And so, I must take my leave of Hertfordshire’s loveliest lady.”

Elizabeth, still not comfortable with her suitor’s newly-displayed ability to flirt, took refuge in her wit. “Ah, but you are speaking to the wrong lady, sir! Shall I have my sister step over? For as we all know, she is the most beautiful lady in Hertfordshire!”

To her surprise, Darcy did not laugh. Instead, his countenance grew grave. Never releasing her hand, he turned and beheld Jane and Bingley for a moment with a considering gaze. He then returned his serious attention to Elizabeth.

“I know no such thing,” his said in a low, measured way, his eyes intense. “Miss Bennet is pretty, to be sure, but not handsome enough to tempt me. You, on the other hand, are all that is lovely and beautiful.

“Beauty is far more that a pleasant countenance. Beauty is the love and devotion to walk three miles in the mud to nurse a sister. Beauty is the flushed complexion that comes from being out of doors. Beauty performs on the pianoforte not with skill but feeling. Beauty is wit and intelligence, compassion and courage. Beauty is honesty and loyalty and constancy of character. Beauty is the charity of a second chance offered to an unworthy man. Beauty is the strength of mind that overcomes pride, both in others and in one’s self. And beauty has eyes of such expression and enchantment that they pierce the soul.

“Pray do not diminish yourself in my hearing, Elizabeth. I will not stand for it. Your sister, as kind and good as she is, has the beauty of a fine painting in a gallery, there to be beheld and admired by all. Your beauty is inside and out, alive and glowing. It is for a man to possess, and in his turn, be possessed. It is intended to connect with one person for a lifetime.

“I burn for your beauty, Elizabeth. Compared to you, your sister is nothing.”

This was a statement from which Elizabeth was not soon to be recovered! She stared in open-mouthed astonishment as Darcy tenderly kissed the inside of both her wrists. Her knees threatened to buckle.

“I will count the moments until I return for the Twelfth Night assembly. I want all your dances, Miss Elizabeth, but I will beg for the first and last. Will you be so kind to grant them to me?”

“Y-you have them, Mr. Darcy,” she managed.

Darcy smiled—a tender, private smile—his dimples in clear evidence. Already a well-formed gentleman, Mr. Darcy now became the handsomest she had ever seen, handsomer than even Mr. Wickham. He tucked her hand into his arm and together they walked to the carriage in silence. It was just as well—Elizabeth could not speak for the world. They stood together while Mr. Bingley boarded, Jane wiping away a tear.

By now Elizabeth was mistress of herself. “Farewell, Mr. Darcy,” she said in her normal voice. “I wish you safe journey.”

His dark eyes never leaving her, Darcy bowed. “Until we meet again, Miss Elizabeth.” He then bowed to Jane, and with one last, serious look to Elizabeth joined Bingley in the carriage. A moment later, they were off, and Elizabeth, with a lump in her throat, stood in the drive, silently watching the carriage until it disappeared around the bend.

 


 

Now, please don’t get excited. I have no idea when, or if, COURTSHIP will get completed. Happy Mardi Gras, everybody! Until next time, this has been the Cajun Cheesehead Chronicles.

It takes a real man to write historical romance, so let me tell you a story…

45 comments

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    • Luisa on February 7, 2018 at 12:22 am
    • Reply

    You must continue to write this one, Jack. Darcy is so poetic and romantic. Swoon! LOL.

    1. The thing about Darcy is he doesn’t think he’s romantic. He’s just being honest.

    • J. W. Garrett on February 7, 2018 at 12:24 am
    • Reply

    OMG!! Wow!! That was absolutely beautiful. Swoon… where is my fan? I’m going to be useless for the remainder of the evening. Dang… that was amazing. I love it when Darcy says something that leaves Elizabeth speechless. Heck… I’m speechless. Thanks for this excerpt. Whew!!

      • Syrianne on February 7, 2018 at 5:01 am
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      I agree. That was just… Wow.

    1. It’s hard to leave Elizabeth speechless, isn’t it? LOL!

    • Terri on February 7, 2018 at 12:44 am
    • Reply

    I sincerely hope it gets finished. Looks like just my sort of story.

    1. I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks!

    • Sophia on February 7, 2018 at 2:12 am
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    Wow Jack that was beautiful! I never knew Darcy could flirt that well! But boy did he make me fall yet again for him! I hope to see THE COURTSHIP OF ELIZABETH BENNET at some point on the market! That was too good not to finish! Please let your muse out to play with this idea some more!
    It takes a man of great feeling to write such beautiful stories! Well done!

    1. As someone said below, this statement wasn’t flirting. It’s not even a marriage proposal. It was a declaration of the truth as Darcy sees it. As far as he’s concerned, this is a fact.

    • Glynis on February 7, 2018 at 3:20 am
    • Reply

    In my humble opinion you should immediately drop all other stories and finish this one!!!
    I love stories where Darcy and Elizabeth get together early and this speech was……….. well it left me speechless as well as Elizabeth.
    I’m begging your muse to forget all other stories 🙏

    1. My Beta Babes would kill me. You haven’t read ROSINGS PARK yet.

    • Mary on February 7, 2018 at 3:58 am
    • Reply

    My goodness!!! Just as well that I’m sitting down while reading this or otherwise I’d find myself in a faint!! Oh,what beautiful,heartfelt,totally disarming but truthful words to have uttered to Elizabeth!!! Be still my beating heart!! Yes,Jack,you have got to finish this story…..clear everything else from your mind and treat ys,your loyal readers,to this story. ☺️🎈

    1. See above. I like living.

    • Agnes on February 7, 2018 at 5:01 am
    • Reply

    Wow. What a lovely pre-Valentine treat! Flirting? Bah! This is a great declaration! I long to see what could throw a spoke into the wheels of such intense and open courtship! I wish we could command your muse to focus on this story until it’s all fleshed out.

    1. What COULD throw a spoke into the wheels, hmm? The muse will eventually let me know. One thing it won’t be is something stupid by Darcy.

        • Agnes on February 8, 2018 at 2:39 am
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        Well, to do something stupid after *this* woudl be really killing the character. So it has to be something stupid by Elizabeth? Mischief by Wickham? In canon D&E both make mistakes based on their own character and can share the blame as well as the character improvement. I wonder if this can happen in your universe… In any case, Rosings Park ought to come first! We’ve been waiting for a very long time for it… (not to be nagging, that is, just a little push)

    • Mari on February 7, 2018 at 7:01 am
    • Reply

    Love this story, but I’m still waiting for those other books you promised Jack. This one is lovely but it can wait. However if this one takes precedence, I won’t miind at all. Is that confusing enough?

    1. Yep.

    • Rose Drew on February 7, 2018 at 8:26 am
    • Reply

    It is so HOT in here! Pant! Pant!

    1. Isn’t that a song?

    • Maria on February 7, 2018 at 8:48 am
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    Jack I agree with the other ladies, you MUST finish this one first. You have left us all with our mouths open and speechless. Please give your Muse a push in this direction and finish this story. Enjoy the up coming Holidays.

    1. MARDI GRAS!!!

    • Martha Claycomb on February 7, 2018 at 9:26 am
    • Reply

    Deep and heavy sigh. ❤️

    1. My work here is done.

    • Sheila L. Majczan on February 7, 2018 at 9:36 am
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    Ditto head here!!! Jack, that was as good as “the letter” in Persuasion. Heart wrenching, gut griping, tear inducing! Thank you for a lovely start to my day. I look forward to reading more.

    1. Always like Darcy and Wentworth. Those boys know how it’s done.

  1. Holy Smokes, Jack!!! This Darcy is…WOW!!! I do have to wonder if you spoke to your wife like this to win her hand all those years ago. THanks for the excerpt.

    1. I’ll never tell.

    • Hollis on February 7, 2018 at 10:04 am
    • Reply

    It takes a real man to finish this up and get it to the quivering masses, Jack Caldwell! Darcy is HOT HOT HOT I must say, not his usual silent, broody self. Get to work or ten lashes with a wet noodle will be coming your way.

    1. Hot? Nah. He’s just telling it like it is. That’s why I like writing sequels.

    • Carole in Canada on February 7, 2018 at 11:57 am
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    You are such a tease!!! You just can’t leave us hanging wondering if you will write this into a full blown story!!! Who would want those words, spoken by Darcy, to just linger out there and not know what happens next? Oh the ‘Muse’ is with you 150%. I am looking forward to whatever book is next…another book in the Three Colonel’s saga??? Rosings???

    1. Yep — next book is ROSINGS PARK.

  2. I sincerely hope that this amazing scene will have a book around it at some point, a book that we can all enjoy. I understand other projects having precedence, but I do hope that you can work on this one from time to time. Darcy’s declaration is perhaps the most romantic statement of enduring love I have read in all of Austen (including variations, sequels, etc.) You just out-Austened Austen!

    I hope to read the entire work in the future. This scene is absolute **magic**!! And for a man who has a difficult time baring his soul, he does so here beautifully, eloquently, and with complete honesty.

    WOW. I was utterly gobsmacked by this scene.

    Thank you for sharing it with us, Mr. Caldwell!

    Warmly,
    Susanne 🙂

    1. Gobsmacked is good.

    • Walter Krause on February 7, 2018 at 3:38 pm
    • Reply

    One can only hope that the Muse is extra busy inspiring you! I’m 75 and would hate to imagine leaving this life without having read the complete novel. Pity an old man!

    1. I’ll do the best I can, Walter!

    • Anji on February 7, 2018 at 4:10 pm
    • Reply

    Quick – where are my smelling salts? And someone find my fan, immediately!

    Jack, as I wouldn’t want you to suffer harm, or worse, from your Beta Babes (after all, then we’d never find out what happens in the above, would we?), I will take a leaf out of Lady C’s book and graciously allow you the latitude to complete Rosings Park first. But then, your muse must allow you to satisfy the curiosity and pleas of us all. We NEED to read this book!

    1. Thanks!

    • Stephanie Carrico on February 7, 2018 at 7:29 pm
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    Oh my…that was breathtaking…set my heart to racing..

    1. Breathtaking is good.

    • betsy hagan on February 7, 2018 at 8:08 pm
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    ooooh, la la

    1. Merci beaucoup!

    • Cindy Hinkle on February 8, 2018 at 9:54 am
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    Oh my!

    • Elin Eriksen on February 8, 2018 at 5:07 pm
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    I want more! Oh my, I sound as petulant as Lydia…
    Will have to content myself with the upcoming Rosings book, I am eagerly awaiting the release.

    Resently read the Crescent City trilogy and I absolutely loved it! Right up there with Pemberley Ranch.

    Thank you for writing all these fabulous book.

    • Gianna Thomas on February 10, 2018 at 12:51 am
    • Reply

    Love your excerpt, Jack, and, yes, I want more of this one. This is totally swoon-worthy. So, it takes a real man…? And, yes, I agree that you and a couple of others do quite well with historical romance. 🙂

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