Christmas at Blackthorn Manor–Excerpt

Hello everyone!

What a year for holiday JAFF! Do you suppose it is because of how challenging the last year and a half has been?

Today, I am sharing an excerpt from my new Christmas novella, Christmas at Blackthorn Manor. It came out in e-book format (and through Kindle Unlimited) on 25 October, and is available in the compilation ‘Tis the Season (which also feature’s Amy’s novella, Heart Enough, which she posted about on Monday). The audiobook will be released soon.

Christmas 2020 was a difficult one for me, as it was for many of us. I was missing my loved ones, and it got me to thinking… What if some of our favourite characters were also missing someone they loved? What if they happened to unexpectedly see them at Christmas? I had to then imagine what might separate Elizabeth and Darcy at a point when they were both in love—just to make things a little more interesting—and decided on a good dose of misunderstanding. Neither of them blames the other, and they have each accepted that they cannot be together. However, that does not mean they cannot wish their situation was different.

Finally, an excerpt. This snippet takes place not long after Mr Darcy, his sister, and Mr Bingley arrive at Blackthorn Manor; Elizabeth, her sister and brother-in-law have been there for a couple of weeks already. It is from Chapter 2.

Wanting a few minutes to collect herself, Elizabeth remembered an errand she wanted to do and went to her bedchamber. She regretted it when, on her way back to the withdrawing room, she came face-to-face with Mr Darcy.

“Miss Bennet.” He appeared as startled as she was by the encounter.

His eyes caught hers, and she felt instantly transfixed. She could not tell if her heart raced or stopped.

“I-I recalled a book I wanted to show your sister.” Her voice sounded unsteady, and Elizabeth wanted to pinch herself so that she would stop being so ridiculous. “We talked about it last evening, and I thought she would enjoy it. Would you like to see what it is before I—” She held it out to him.

“No,” he said. “I know you would not give her anything inappropriate for a girl of her age. How are you?”

For some reason, his question made her eyes burn, and she wanted to crumple to the ground and let her tears flow. She struggled to keep her voice steady. “I am well. And you?”

He gave an awkward nod rather than say anything. All the while, he kept staring at her. “And-and your sisters and parents?”

“They are healthy and much as they ever were.”

They stood in silence for a long moment. Elizabeth tightened her grip on the book; she longed to touch him, just put a hand on his arm for a second or two, and feel his warmth and strength. The fingers of her free hand twitched as if reaching for him, and she curled them into a fist before she forgot herself and acted inappropriately.

Mr Darcy cleared his throat. “Mr Ridley seems like a good man.”

She had to blink to clear her thoughts enough to reply. She swallowed heavily, hoping to clear the tightness in her throat. “He is. Jane was fortunate to meet him; I believe they are happy.”

“And you? Are you happy?”

Something in his eyes changed. They became more intense, and she had the sensation that he was digging into her soul. She wanted to cry out that no, she had not been truly happy a single day since they parted, that she could never be happy without him in her life. Instead, she nodded, forced her eyes away from him, and said that she had forgotten something in her bedchamber. Turning, she then fled back to her room for a minute of solitude.

That’s all I’m going to share. Chapter 3 starts with Mr Darcy reflecting on their unexpected moment of privacy. I hope you enjoyed this brief glimpse into the novella!

Christmas at Blackthorn Manor is now available via Amazon.

©Lucy Marin 2021