WIP news: What am I working on?

You’re probably be wondering whether I’m going to give an update on the release date of my third novel in my Dangerous Magic series. Alas, all I can report is that I’m working on it as diligently as possible, and I’ll let you know as soon as I’m sure of the release date.

But for now, the really good news is that the Muse has been giving me lots of new ideas, so I’ve been scribbling away. Lots of possible different directions, but which one should I focus on? I seem to be jumping from one plot to the other. It’s fun, but terribly confusing. If only I could settle on a single one!

Still, if it keeps me writing, who’s to say it isn’t a good thing?

Just to give you an idea of what I’ve been doing, I’m happy to share a sneak peak at one of the stories I’m currently working on.  This excerpt comes from the opening of the novel. Enjoy!

***

It was a time-honored tradition for Fitzwilliam Darcy and Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam to spend Easter with Lady Catherine at her home in Kent. The tradition was established during his childhood, when his mother, then his father, had insisted on bringing all the young Darcys and the Fitzwilliams together. The tradition had mostly petered off as the children grew up, but Darcy believed in maintaining family connections. Luckily, his cousin Richard was of the same mind, and so they dutifully – and often reluctantly – made their yearly pilgrimage to Rosings Park.

This time, it was different. There was no reluctance. Only anticipation.

The closer they drew to Rosings, the more eager Darcy became. He had never been so glad to see the sprawling old building, its proud spires pushing up through the trees. After a miserable winter, Darcy was finally alive. He felt as if he had been in hibernation. He could now finally emerge into the light.

More than emerge. His heart was singing, and it had only one tune. One word. Elizabeth. Just before he left London, he had received a letter from Lady Catherine informing him that Miss Elizabeth Bennet was expected the very next week, and that she would be staying for some time at Hunsford with her friend Mrs. Collins.

Spring had come unexpectedly.

“You seem remarkably cheerful, Darcy. Come to think of it, I do not recall ever seeing your mood so buoyant.”

Darcy shook his head. “It is Spring, Cousin. The countryside is blooming. The air is fresh and warm. There is not a cloud in the sky. I have plenty of reasons to be cheerful.”

Richard sent him a sidelong glance. “If I did not know any better, I would say you were in love.”

Darcy jerked in shock, spooking his horse, and causing it to move sideways. Under the cover of striving to bring it under control, he was able to command his expression and steel himself to answer his cousin.

“Aha! I have startled you! Am I right?” Richard chuckled with glee.

Darcy had to put an end to this line of questioning before he lost control of it. “Is it not possible to enjoy the freedom of nature for a few precious moments without someone gossiping about my intention to marry? I am tired of being watched. I thought we had left Society behind in London.”

Richard looked contrite. “I was only teasing, but you are right, of course. It is a beautiful day, and we may as well make the best of it before we are obliged to deal with our aunt.”

Darcy slumped with relief. He had delayed Richard’s enquiries, for now at least. If Darcy kept a tight rein on his emotions and did all he could to conceal how he felt about Miss Bennet, he might be able to get away with it. He did not want anyone to guess the direction of his feelings, not until he decided on his plans.

“Oh, look,” said Richard suddenly. “There is Anne with her phaeton. She drives very well, does she not? We should go ahead and greet her.”

Without waiting, he galloped away, leaving Darcy to follow slowly. The sight of Anne filled him with guilt. He had never promised to marry her, but still, the question was always in the air between them whenever they met. A weight of expectation. A sense of unfinished business. Not this time. Not if he concluded that he still cared for Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

There was a chance, of course – a remote one — that when he encountered Elizabeth again, Darcy would realize he had recovered from his infatuation. He would discover that the figure that had inhabited his mind and heart these past several months was nothing but a figment of his imagination.

He did not set much store by it, however. Even the possibility led to a strong depression of spirits. Life would be diminished without her in his world.

The most likely outcome of their reunion was that, in around six weeks’ time—give or take a few days—he would be engaged to Miss Elizabeth Bennet, because he had already realized he did not want to live without her. And soon after, they would be joined as one.

The singing in his heart rose from a single tune to an orchestra of joy so intense that he could scarcely see where he was going.

***

As Elizabeth came down the stairs, she was touched to find that Mr. Bennet had come out of his study expressly to say goodbye to her.

“Are you certain you have not changed your mind, Lizzy?” he said. It was not the first time he had asked. He was going to miss her.

“I am certain. At the very least, I would like to see how Jane is faring in London. But I also want to satisfy myself that Charlotte is not too miserable with Mr. Collins.”

“And, more importantly, dealing with the venerable Lady Catherine.” They shared a laugh, and for a moment Elizabeth wished she was not leaving. She wondered if she was making a mistake going to Hunsford and placing herself at Mr. Collins’ mercy.

Then Papa gave her a thump on the shoulder. “You are looking worried. Surely you are not cowed by the prospect of meeting her ladyship?”

“Oh, the horror!” She put her hand to her heart in mock terror, then laughed. “Come, papa. You know very well I will rise to the occasion. I always do, whenever anyone tries to intimidate me.”

“I am delighted to hear it. You must write frequently to reassure me that Lady Catherine has not ground you down. I would hate to have you turn into another Mr. Collins.”

She shook her head at his obvious ploy to make her promise to write to him.

“I will write as often as I can, Papa.”

He nodded. “Hurry and come back. Do not linger. I will not have any decent conversation for weeks until you and Jane return.”

Mrs. Bennet stepped into the hall just in time to overhear his remark. “What nonsense, Mr. Bennet! You have me, and all three of your daughters here.”

“I rest my case.” Mr. Bennet gave Elizabeth a lopsided smile.  “Come, let us wait outside in the fresh air.”

“Coming, mama?” said Elizabeth.

“I will say my goodbyes here. I would rather not talk to Sir William. He will be crowing over the fact that his daughter will soon be mistress of Longbourn, and I cannot bear to see his superior expression. The other day when they were here for dinner, I saw him look over the house as if assessing what he will change in it once we were gone.”

“He did no such thing, mama. There is not need for it. He has visited us at least once a week since I was born. He knows every inch of the house.”

“And I have known him since before you were born, so I can tell you that the Lucas’ are a greedy, grasping family, and they would not blink an eye at turning us out of our home whenever they choose.”

As Mrs. Bennet was growing more agitated, Mr. Bennet thought it prudent to intervene. “They cannot turn us out until I expire, Mrs. Bennet, so you must dedicate yourself to keeping me healthy and in good spirits and hope by the time I drop dead, Charlotte will be old and grey.”

Mrs. Bennet ignored him. “At least I do not have to face Lady Lucas today.” She had already forgotten that she was not planning to go out to greet Sir William. “You would think that Mr. Collins had never proposed to anyone else. As I have told Mrs. Philips many times, I do not know how they could make such a fuss about it. Mr. Collins proposed to you first. Clearly, he would rather have married you, Lizzy. He would never have proposed to Charlotte if you had not turned him down. Yet Lady Lucas talks of it as if he had intended to marry Charlotte all along.” She gave Elizabeth a knowing look. “It would not surprise me if they deliberately set out to grab him from under our very eyes, just so they could triumph over us.”

It was absurd. They could not have predicted that Elizabeth would turn down Mr. Collins. Or had they? Charlotte knew Elizabeth’s opinion of him all too well. It was possible that she had informed Lady Lucas, who had then paid him more attention than he would have normally received. If they had deliberately schemed to marry Charlotte off to Mr. Collins, then Elizabeth could only feel sorry for her.

“Quite right, my dear Mrs. Bennet.” Mr. Bennet’s mouth quirked. “How fortunate for them that Lizzy turned him down.”

“Well, it was not fortunate for us.” Mrs. Bennet sniffed and blew loudly into her handkerchief.

The old argument was about to be reignited. Elizabeth was tired of hearing her parents squabbling about the same issue. She took Papa’s arm and pulled him out of the house. Mrs. Bennet followed, determined to have her say.

“I can hear Sir William’s carriage coming down the drive,” remarked Mr. Bennet.

Fortunately, that was enough to send Mrs. Bennet scuttling back inside.

***

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little glimpse into my latest JA variation! I would love to hear your reactions.