Excerpt from “An Unexpected Merry Gentleman”

Happy Holidays, Janeites!

‘Tis the season of plum pudding, wassail and mince pies (Or in my case, Grape leaves, Eggnog Bundt cake and Peanut butter-peanut butter cup cookies).  We all have those traditions which dictate our events for Christmas—baking Christmas Cookies, making tamales or even pulling taffy. The holidays wouldn’t be the same without love wrapped up in the memories of our traditions.

In Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” one assumed tradition in the Bennet household is that the Gardiners will come to Longbourn for the Christmas season…and they do. But, what if they didn’t? What if something occurs which brings them into Meryton, but instead of staying with the Bennets, as their usual custom, they stay with…Mr. Bingley at Netherfield Park? How would this change the story? And what if they had two precocious children? (Well one precocious child who bears a striking resemblance to Elizabeth, and another quiet child who emulated Jane).

In my Christmas novella, “An Unexpected Merry Gentleman,” that exact event occurs!  Mr. Bingley is indebted to Mr. Gardiner for some business advice, and to thank him, he and his family are invited to Netherfield. An exuberant Mrs. Bennet can’t believe their luck, and a delightful holiday tale ensues filled with snow ball fights, puppies, and ‘hearts in [his] eyes.’

And what better way to see Mr. Darcy, than in the presence of children? If you thought he was practically perfect before, then just wait! So, go grab a cuppa and settle down to read this excerpt as Miss Victoria Gardiner allows her propriety to shine and Miss Emily Gardiner (the young cousin and twin to Miss Elizabeth Bennet) laments the trials of ‘being a lady.’

From, “An Unexpected Merry Gentleman,” by Anngela Schroeder

Fitzwilliam Darcy could not hide his amusement at the three young girls walking before him. Two young girls, and one young lady, he corrected himself. The snow had ceased, and the Gardiner girls had begged Georgiana to accompany them out as Mrs. Gardiner was resting and their nanny was ill. Thus, they all four set out to tramp through the woods.

“It is a winter wonderland, Miss Darcy!” Emily said, glancing from the snow-laden trees to the frost covered plants.

“It is as if Father Christmas himself lives at Netherfield and has put us in a painting,” Victoria agreed, walking along cleared paths.

“I could not agree more,” Mr. Darcy said. “It reminds me very much of Pemberley and the holiday season of my childhood.”

“What were you like as a child, sir? I am sure we would have been great friends, you and me, as we both like to slide down banisters. But, did you enjoy playing in trees or swimming?”

“I did at that, Miss Emily. Some of my fondest memories were with my cousins splashing around the lake on our estate or building a soldier’s fort in the trees.”

“In the trees? You built a fort up in the trees?” Both girls looked at him with wide eyes.

“We did.”

“That sounds quite dangerous,” Victoria said. “Was your nanny not afraid you would hurt yourself?”

“I am certain she was. However, Nanny Flora would often climb up with us to make sure all the knots were tied properly before allowing us to have our way.”

Emily Gardiner sighed. “I wish my nanny would let us climb trees. She always tells Mama when she catches me, and I get in trouble.”

He laughed at the solemnity of her demeanor. “Miss Emily, I am certain she fears for your safety.”

“Yes, but she ruins all our entertainment. We cannot run through the house. We cannot play catch with our lesson books. We cannot blow bubbles in our tea. It is so difficult to be a lady!” She crossed her arms, and little puffs of breath rose in the frosty air. “I so want to be a lady like Miss Darcy, but what diversions I shall miss!”

Darcy laughed and extended his hand to Georgiana. “Dear sister. You must show your friends what Father and I taught you to do in the snow which some might deem unladylike, but is perfectly acceptable for a country girl from Derbyshire.”

Her eyes lit up. She dropped the girls’ hands, removed her gloves, scooped up some snow, packed it into a ball, and threw it at a cluster of mistletoe hanging from a tree.

“Well done, Georgie!”

Darcy laughed at Victoria’s shock and Emily’s smile as the youngest Gardiner daughter scooped up her own snowball. “Oh, Miss Darcy. What a lovely idea!” Soon snowballs were flying.

I hope you enjoyed this small excerpt from “An Unexpected Merry Gentleman,” which along with my other novels will be on sale starting tomorrow in the “Deck the Shelves in the Closet” Book sale.

What are some of your favorite Holiday traditions? Do you have certain foods you eat?  Places you visit or activities you participate in?

As I am Middle Eastern, my 88 year old father cooks numerous dishes of Arabic food for us:  grape leaves, falafal, hummus, kibbe, just to name a few. My husband and I host his family for Christmas Eve. It’s wonderful to look forward to and something that brings me joy during the season!

Have a lovely Holiday season, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, or just the month of December.