Encounter to Remember Chapter 1

Congratulations to the winners of Encounter to Remember giveaway! Mary A Coble won the paperback, and Lara and Linny B won an ebook. I will be contacting soon you by email!

Greetings everyone! It seems forever since I have posted here, and if you have been wondering where I have been, I took a step back from the blog at the end of last year. My schedule has changed so much so that I have had little time to write. But I am not complaining, as the main reason for that is my 3 granddaughters, ages 6, 4, and 1. I have been very involved in their lives and giving their mom a break on a regular basis.

In addition to that, I began working part-time with my husband last December. It was a job I had previously done, so there was very little training. It was supposed to only last about three to four months, but with the pandemic, things changed. While parts of the job remained, there were parts I no longer had to do, and fortunately, I was able to work from home. But that three month job has now turned into ten months, and it looks like, at this point, it will continue for a while.

But also with the pandemic, I found myself with a little more time on my hands, so I started back to work on a story I had begun writing last year. It is a novella, about 160 pages, but it still took me about 8 months to get it finished.

I finally finished the story, and tomorrow is the launch day! I thought I would tease you with the blurb, cover, and the first 2 chapters. I am posting the first chapter today, and Chapter 2 will be posted tomorrow.

Be sure to read about the giveaway and two fun details about the book following the excerpt.

Here is the blurb:

A year after Elizabeth Bennet refuses Fitzwilliam Darcy’s offer of marriage, they unexpectedly encounter each other inside a London bookstore. Neither is certain how the other feels, but after a few awkward moments and simple conversation, each realizes something in the other has changed. There are expressions of regret and apologies offered to one another for the things that were said and done that day one year ago. Mr. Darcy extends an invitation to Elizabeth to join him at his London townhome the following day, along with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. Both leave the store filled with a sense of renewed hope, anticipation, and excitement. But when Miss Bennet does not show up at his home at the expected hour with no note of explanation, Mr. Darcy begins to doubt all he believed about her character, as well as what actually transpired at the bookstore that day. This novella explores how Darcy and Elizabeth must both discover the truth of what happened that day and what obstacles they must overcome to finally get their happily ever after.

Here is the cover of “Encounter to Remember”

Chapter 1

The stone walkway leading up to Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner’s house glistened with a thin sheen of ice. A few icicles had begun to form and hung from the eaves of the roof. The ice storm that happened suddenly and unexpectedly the day before had removed all vestiges of what had been a warm, budding spring.

Elizabeth Bennet stood gazing out the front window of her aunt and uncle’s home and sighed as she looked out at the flower bed where beautiful tulips had just begun to open a few days earlier. They were now encased in a layer of ice.

She cast a worried glance at her aunt. “Do you think your tulips will survive the ice and frigid temperatures?”

Her aunt joined her at the window. “I suppose it depends on how long it remains cold. If the weather warms, there is a slight chance they will continue to bloom.” She slowly shook her head. “But if the cold temperatures continue, and the ice does not melt, they very likely will not survive.”

“I hope the other flowers you have planted will still bloom.” Elizabeth shivered as a draft of cold air penetrated her wool shawl.

Mrs. Gardiner took her niece’s arm. “Come, let us sit near the fire where it is warm.”

They settled into comfortable chairs, and Elizabeth stared into the fireplace watching the flames frolic and dance. She placed a coverlet over her lap and smiled as she listened to them crackle and pop.

“At least we have nowhere to go today,” Mrs. Gardiner said as she took a sip of tea. “It is certainly nice to be able to stay indoors and not have to venture outside in these conditions.”

Elizabeth tilted her head. “But tomorrow… You and Uncle Gardiner must go for the final fitting for your new clothes. What if it is still icy? It would be hazardous conditions in which to travel – or even walk.”

Her aunt drew in a long breath. “We have a little time if we must wait. We do not need the new clothes until two weeks from Saturday. If it is too treacherous outside tomorrow, we will have to make another appointment.”

Elizabeth smiled. “It is best to be safe.”

“Yes,” her aunt agreed. “It is always best to be safe.”

*~*~*

Elizabeth stood at Mrs. Gardiner’s side at the London dressmaker’s shop. The weather had finally warmed up, and they had waited an additional day for most of the ice to melt before venturing out. There were still small patches, but it was not as bad as it had been.

Mrs. Gardiner tried on her dress and was delighted it only required a few minor alterations. Elizabeth and her aunt looked through bins of lace, buttons, and ribbons that would embellish the gown while Mr. Gardiner sat in a chair reading the newspaper. He wanted nothing to do with the decisions that were required for the gown, apart from how much it would cost him when it was finished.

There was nothing he disliked more than being fitted for a new suit of clothes. He had put it off long enough, however, and could come up with no reasonable excuse to delay it any further. He had recently put on some weight, and his clothes were now fitting too tightly – if at all. He restlessly squirmed in the chair as he waited for the ladies to finish. He had already been next door to the tailor’s, tried on his suit, and was glad to be finished. He was grateful men needed few embellishments, other than a fine neck cloth and a handkerchief.

As Elizabeth waited for her aunt  to finish, she walked to the window and looked out onto the cobblestone street. She enjoyed watching the crowd of people bustling about, and all the carriages, gigs, chaise-and-fours, and phaetons that paraded up and down the street. The vendors selling their wares called out to the people as they walked past. She loved the busyness and the liveliness that was found here, although she knew if she lived in London, she would likely long for the peace and quiet of her country home and neighbourhood.

She had come to London for a brief visit with her aunt and uncle. She had so enjoyed the time she had spent with them the previous summer traveling to Derbyshire that she immediately accepted the opportunity to visit them again when they invited her and Jane.

Jane was not to come, however. Mrs. Bennet had adamantly refused to permit her to leave, as a rumour had begun spreading about Meryton that Netherfield was being prepared for its resident to return. Despite the unreliable source of that rumour, she insisted her daughter remain at home to be available if Mr. Bingley happened to return and call at Longbourn – which she was certain he would do.

Elizabeth let out a long, soft sigh. She knew the likelihood of Mr. Bingley returning was poor, and it was more probable that the home was being readied to be shown to other interested parties, or perhaps it had already been let to another. She strongly doubted that Mr. Bingley would return after being gone for more than a year.

Noticing a small bookstore across the road, she turned back to her aunt. “Would you mind, Aunt, if I went to the bookstore across the way?” She tilted her head. “It will only be a brief visit. I am certain you do not mind.” She gave her aunt an encouraging smile, hoping she would allow her to venture across the street and visit the shop by herself.

Mrs. Gardiner arched a brow. “With anyone else, I would insist you wait for me to accompany you, but as you are my independent and stubborn Elizabeth, yes, you may. Cryderman Bookstore is an excellent store and has a great number of books.” She raised her brows. “Do you need any funds?”

“No, I have a little in my reticule.”

“I will be finished here shortly, and if you have not yet returned by then, I shall join you.”

“Thank you, Aunt Gardiner. I hope I will find something of interest.”

“Take care and watch for any lingering patches of ice,” Mrs. Gardiner called as her niece stepped out the door.

Elizabeth set out across the road, carefully dodging the carriages and eluding the men selling their wares. She noticed there were still some patches of ice here and there and was careful to step over or around them.

As she walked up the steps to the store, she could not help but think of Mr. Darcy’s library at Pemberley that she had seen while in Derbyshire. Her hand went up over her heart as she recollected the beauty and vastness of it. She had secretly wished she could have been a little mouse and hidden away to live in it the rest of her life.

She let out a giggle, which quickly softened to a moan. “I would not have to wish to be a mouse if I had only accepted the man’s offer.” She paused as she placed her hand on the doorknob and entered. “But I did not, and at the time I had good reason!”

She gave her head a shake and stepped in. The smell of the small bookstore was heavenly. There was something about the smell of leather book covers, a variety of papers that made up the pages, and stained wooden shelves that now held the books. As she looked around, she saw that it was smaller than Mr. Darcy’s library. It was likely this little bookstore did not have as many books as he had in his own library!

“Good day, Miss.” A blond-haired woman stood in front of the counter, handing what looked like some food to the gentleman behind the counter.

“Thank you, Susan,” the gentleman said as he brought a piece of bread up to his nose and sniffed it. “Ah! There is nothing like the aroma of freshly baked bread.”

He looked over at Elizabeth. “Welcome to Cryderman Bookstore, young lady. I am Mr. Cryderman. Is there anything I can help you find?”

“Thank you, no. I think I would just like to look around first,” she answered. “If you do not mind.”

“Be my guest.” He pointed off to the side. “Our newest books are on the table there. Please let me know if you need assistance finding something particular.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Thank you. I certainly shall.” She looked at the fire blazing in the fireplace. “It is delightfully warm in here.” She laughed. “Much warmer than outside!”

“That it is,” Mr. Cryderman said. “If you think you will be here for a while, feel free to hang your cloak up on the rack at the front.”

“Thank you, I believe I shall!” Elizabeth slipped the cloak off her shoulders and hung it up.

As she walked to the table of new books, Mrs. Cryderman leaned in towards her. “If you enjoy good fiction novels, they are along the back shelves. Let me know if you would like a recommendation. I have read many of them and have my favourites.” She turned her head towards the gentleman. “My husband has his favourites, as well, but they may not be suited to your taste.”

“Thank you. I shall look at them directly!”

Mr. Cryderman turned his attention back to his freshly baked bread, and his wife began straightening up some books that were placed on the front table. Elizabeth turned towards the back shelves. As she did, she saw a gentleman step out from behind them. Her heart leapt when her eyes locked with Mr. Darcy’s!

There you have the first chapter! I hope it intrigues you enough to stop by tomorrow for Chapter 2.

One of the things I wanted to mention about this book was that last year we had a fund-raiser to help people affected by the hurricane, and Susan Cryderman contributed towards the relief fund and requested a cameo in my next book. Thus, Susan Cryderman of Cryderman’s Bookstore is named after her. She will also be featured later in the book.

Also, this novella is part of the Times and Seasons Novella series, and I hope to have three other novellas, one for each season, and one of them will be a modern story.

Giveaway! I am offering a paperback (US only) and 2 ebooks to three lucky winners who comment on this post and tomorrow’s post. (If you comment on both posts, you will get 2 entries!) I will draw the winners’ names next week on Thursday and post the winners on this post at the top and on facebook on Friday, October 30. Good luck!

The kindle book is now live! Here is the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KYN4VNC/

Here is the amazon link for the paperback: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LJXPK91

It will also be available in iBookstore, Nook, and other venues.

And here is the link to Chapter 2: https://austenvariations.com/encounter-to-remember-chapter-2/