Faults of Understanding Paperback Release & Giveaway!

Hi, friends! Yes, I know. You thought the celebrations for this book ended weeks ago… but in honor of the fact that the paperback edition has finally released, I thought I’d treat you to one more excerpt and giveaway. 🙂

So far, all the scenes I shared pre-publication were from early in the book, but since this month’s blog theme is “Blossoming Love,” I’m going to fast forward a bit, to give you a little taste of what lies ahead for our favorite couple. ❤️️

As you may remember, Darcy and Elizabeth’s marriage got off to somewhat of a rocky start, to say the least.  But after a  tumultuous two months at Pemberley, Darcy’s anger and resentment have begun to thaw. And while he still hasn’t admitted his true feelings for Elizabeth (even to himself), in an attempt to please his new bride, Darcy has agreed to attend a Valentine’s Day ball at Lord and Lady Matlock’s estate. I hope you enjoy.

Faults of Understanding

Excerpt

Elizabeth allowed her husband to lead her to the floor where the waltz was already underway. Gazing at the swirl of couples moving in perfect harmony, she was temporarily transfixed by the beauty of the dance. A moment later, Darcy’s arm wrapped around her waist, and she felt the warm press of his palm against the small of her back as they joined the circle of dancers. Turning in his direction, she allowed her left hand to settle lightly on his right shoulder. They were still at least six inches apart, but the pose felt unspeakably intimate, and Elizabeth could feel a rush of heat creeping up her neck at the novel sensation of being held in such a familiar embrace.

However, before she could dwell on it further, Darcy stepped forward, and all thoughts flew from her mind as Elizabeth fixed her attention on following the movements of the dance. She worried briefly that she would embarrass herself, as she had only practiced the steps a handful of times, and never in a ballroom filled with other couples, but it soon became apparent that whatever skill she lacked, her husband more than made up for.

Mr. Darcy led as he did most things, with a quiet authority that put Elizabeth immediately at ease. He changed positions in a way that was natural and fluid, signaling in which direction he meant for them to go with a subtle tilt of his head, or the gentle pressure of his hand against her back. Before long, Elizabeth realized it was almost as though they had become one being, moving together in perfect unison. The room spun as the thrill of the dance took over, and a small laugh bubbled up her throat.

Darcy looked down at her, an answering smile brightening his features. “Enjoying yourself?” he asked.

“Oh, yes!” Elizabeth breathed. “It feels like flying!”

No sooner were the words out of her mouth than the couple dancing next to them careened in their direction, causing Darcy to tighten his hold, anchoring Elizabeth against his body as he swiftly pulled her out of the way. Elizabeth stumbled slightly at the abrupt shift in position, but Darcy effortlessly matched his steps to hers, continuing through the movements of the dance as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.

“Are you well?” he murmured against her ear when they were clear of the other couple, and Elizbeth nodded shakily. With their bodies now pressed together, she could feel the hard muscles of his chest as the vibration of his deep baritone reverberated through her body. Taking an uneven breath, she inhaled the subtle scent of shaving soap and starch, and her heartrate escalated. It briefly occurred to her that one of them should step back, as they were now dancing in what must be viewed as an indecently tight embrace, but for some reason neither of them altered their position, and they stayed as they were until the dance ended some minutes later.

***

The music ceased, and Darcy immediately stepped back, releasing his wife. Elizabeth stared up at him. Her cheeks were flushed a soft pink, and her eyes sparkled with laughter. God she was beautiful! For a moment he just stood there, transfixed by the picture she made, his body still reeling from the sensation of holding her in his arms. Other dancers drifted past them, making their way to the edges of the floor for a short respite before the musicians began the second dance in the set.

Pulling himself together, Darcy gently cupped Elizabeth’s elbow, leading her to a corner of the room where the dowager marchioness sat with another matron.

“You two made quite a handsome couple out there,” Lady Wheaton said, as soon as they arrived. “I trust you found the dance agreeable?”

“Oh, it was wonderful!” Elizabeth answered, laughter in her voice. “I have never danced a waltz before!”

Lady Wheaton’s gaze shifted from Elizabeth to Darcy and back again, a slim smile playing at the corners of her lips.

Darcy cleared his throat, turning to his wife. “May I get you some refreshment? We should have a few more minutes before the next dance begins.”

“Thank you, but no. I think I need only rest my feet. I have not sat out a dance yet.”

Darcy nodded, saying to his godmother, “Melanie? How about you? Some punch?”

“Yes, thank you, Fitzwilliam. I could do with some refreshment; however, I believe I will accompany you. I have been sitting too long in one attitude, and shall relinquish my seat to your lovely wife.”

Lady Wheaton stood, and Darcy offered her his arm as Elizbeth slipped into the seat she had vacated.

Making their way through the crowd, Darcy was pulled from his thoughts of Elizabeth when his godmother spoke beside him.

“She has been watching you, you know.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Your wife. Elizabeth. Her eyes follow you, even when she is dancing with another. There is interest there, whether you believe it or not.”

At Melanie’s words, Darcy’s heart pounded as he attempted to school his features. “I am afraid I do not have the pleasure of understanding you,” he said stiffly.

“Oh, but I think you do.”

They had reached the refreshment table and Darcy stepped forward, accepting a cup from one of the footmen. After handing the libation to Lady Wheaton, the two moved to a quiet corner where they could converse with some degree of privacy.

“You are in love with her,” the dowager marchioness said simply, taking a sip of her drink. “And you are grieved because you do not believe she returns your feelings.”

Darcy started, struggling to compose his features. His godmother had always been known for her perception, but he was not prepared to have anyone speak to him so candidly, nor did he have any intention of discussing his marriage.

“People wed for many different reasons,” he answered carefully.

“Yes, yes. People do all sorts of irrational things, especially when it comes to marriage. They wed for money, for connections, for social standing. But we are speaking about you. And you did not marry Elizabeth for any of those reasons.”

Darcy looked away, his jaw tight. “No.”

When he said no more, his godmother regarded him with interest, before taking another swallow from her cup. “It can be difficult to find oneself in a marriage of unequal affection. Believe me, I know.”

Instantly, Darcy’s eyebrows rose. “You?” he asked incredulously. “I always thought yours was a love match.”

“Oh, it was. But it did not start out that way.”

“Ah. The marquess did not… that is…” Darcy felt his cheeks color and his godmother laughed at his discomfort.

“No, my dear. Frederick was not the problem. I was.” At Darcy’s look of surprise, she continued, “I fancied myself in love with another, but he was not of our station, and my father refused to consider the match. Frederick Rice was the second son of a marquess. His family was titled and ours was not. He was kind, but dull, or so I thought at the time.”

“But you agreed to marry him anyway?”

“I suppose you could say so. That is, I did not lock myself in my chambers or steal away in the night. Barring that, there was very little I could have said or done to prevent it. My father agreed, and so it was settled.

“What changed? Did you come to feel more for him once he inherited the title?”

Lady Wheaton shook her head, staring back at him with a lively expression. “Goodness, you do think well of me. No. I fell in love with him long before that. As it turns out, I was completely mistaken about Frederick’s character. What I had taken for tedium and monotony, in fact, turned out to be steadiness and stability, and a passionate nature he showed to no one but me. As I came to know him better, my feelings began to alter. But most importantly, he loved me, and he never missed an opportunity to tell me so.

“Still, it took time. Time for me to learn to be a good wife, and for Frederick to learn to be a good husband.” Handing her empty glass to a passing servant, she paused, studying Darcy with an inscrutable expression. “You are very like him, you know. And you are proud; all the Fitzwilliams are. But heed my advice. Do not let your pride keep you from expressing your true feelings. All living things need nourishment to grow. A flower will not bloom in the darkness.”

Across the room, the musicians had returned to the dais and the air soon filled with the sound of the violinists tuning their instruments.

Next to him, his godmother smiled. “But enough of that for now. It is time for your next dance, and we should not keep your lovely Elizabeth waiting any longer.”

~ Book Description ~

When Fitzwilliam Darcy makes an impetuous offer of marriage to Miss Elizabeth Bennet, he is convinced they have as good a chance as anyone for a harmonious life together. That is, until an overheard conversation changes everything, and Darcy realizes he is now joined in perpetuity to a woman who loathes the very sight of him.

Elizabeth Bennet’s expectations for matrimonial accord were never very high, having accepted Mr. Darcy’s proposal in a fit of pique, not love. Still, she is determined to make the best of her situation, despite having tied herself to such an arrogant, disagreeable man.

But life at Pemberley is not at all what she imagined, and Elizabeth soon finds herself with more questions than answers about the enigmatic gentleman she agreed to wed.

Trapped in a marriage founded on misunderstandings, Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy struggle with deepening attraction while confronting self-doubt and old betrayals. But is love enough to heal the wounds of the past? What will it take for two people bound by duty to find their way home to one another?

Okay, giveaway time! Since we’re celebrating the paperback today, I’m offering up a signed paperback, open to all US residents. (If I draw anyone outside the US, I will send the Kindle version). To enter the giveaway, just leave me a comment below. The winner will be drawn on July 1st.

Oh! And if you’d like to purchase a copy of the ebook or paperback, you can do that HERE. 🙂

Thank you for reading. Until next time!

JA