Mr. Darcy and the Girl Next Door

EDIT: GIVEAWAY HAS CLOSED

And in accordance with Amazon’s exclusivity policy, I have deleted the subsequent chapters. Giveaway winners are:

Cath E
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Jeannette
Taswmom
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Thank you for playing, everyone!

It’s coming! Mr. Darcy and the Girl Next Door is entering the final stages prior to publication. I haven’t shared any chapters from Works in Progress for a while, so I thought it would be a fun way to kick off the new year.

I think one of my favorite tropes in Jane Austen fiction (or romance in general) is the Friends to Lovers trope. But what if it’s Friends-to-almost-lovers-to-other-friend-to-True Love? That’s quite a mouthful, I know. But wait, there’s more! (I’m starting to sound like an infomercial from the 90’s). This is also an “Elizabeth-is-not-a-Bennet” story, and boy, does she ever have some skeletons in her closet.

It’s a fun plot that I’ve been enjoying, so I hope you will stick around to read the Introduction that sets up the whole story. First, though, a little cover candy and the official blurb:

Darcy’s got the wealth and wit, but Elizabeth’s heart is already spoken for. Cue the romance and shenanigans, because the game of love is about to get serious.

**Elizabeth Bennet**

It was supposed to be simple: come back to Derbyshire, see childhood friends, maybe fall in love. But that was before I realized George Darcy, the boy I’d set my heart on, was already engaged.

Things I didn’t expect this summer:

1. Realizing I still had feelings for George. (Old habits die hard.)
2. Being warned off by his oh-so-serious older brother. (As if I’d listen!)
3. Finding myself in the middle of a love square? Love rhombus? Whatever it’s called.
4. Being oddly drawn to the older Darcy brother. (His eyes… that’s all I’m saying.)
5. Being the unintentional wrench in a seemingly perfect engagement.
6. Participating in the wittiest banter battles of my life. (With Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome, no less.)
7. Maybe… just maybe… reconsidering where my heart truly lies.

**Fitzwilliam Darcy**

I pride myself on being the responsible Darcy. But responsibility gets a tad complicated when Elizabeth Bennet storms back into our lives.

This summer’s unforeseen complications:

1. Trying to keep my wayward brother, George, on the straight and narrow. (Impossible.)
2. Watching Elizabeth, with her sparkling eyes and razor-sharp wit, aim for George’s heart. (Torture.)
3. Reminding myself I’m trying to keep her away for George’s own good. (A lie I keep telling myself.)
4. Finding it increasingly challenging to keep my distance. (Why does she have to be so… captivating?)
5. Becoming entangled in a mess of love, loyalty, and longing.
6. Wishing, for the first time in my life, that I wasn’t the responsible one.
7. Realizing that perhaps it’s my heart that’s at stake in this unexpected game of romance.

And now, the introduction!

Pemberley, Derbyshire
1804

“With all due respect, Mr. Darcy, what you propose could create… difficulties.”

Mr. Edward Gardiner scanned the document presented him by the gentleman once more, his quill hovering over one line in particular. He removed his spectacles and looked across the desk at its owner—a man in his early fifties with greying temples and a grave expression. “‘A single power loom can replace as many as a hundred skilled weavers and be operated by a handful of unskilled laborers.’ Sir, that is…”

Mr. Darcy sat back in his chair. “It will displease the weaver’s guild. Yes, I know. But there is no help for progress, Gardiner. What I want to know is the financial outlay.”

“Well.” Gardiner shook his head and replaced his spectacles to look over the proposal once more. “Your idea is intriguing. You have already secured the backing of other suppliers?”

Mr. Darcy nodded. “Pemberley’s flocks alone produce enough wool to meet approximately a quarter the initial demand, according to my figures, and my brother-in-law, Lord Matlock, can produce twice as much. It will be no trouble securing the wool. So, you see, Gardiner, I can build a woolen mill here on the river, provide steady income for fifty or sixty families and a secure future for Pemberley, or I can sit back and watch another do it. One who, I might add, may have fewer scruples than I.”

Mr. Gardiner nodded slowly as he touched his quill over each line. “It appears you are right. I see nothing wrong with your estimates, but I would like to take this to a friend in London to have him examine it for anything we might have overlooked.”

Mr. Darcy stood from his desk, signaling the end of the interview. “Of course, Gardiner. You have always advised me well in matters of business, and I expect no different on this occasion.”

Mr. Gardiner folded the leather portfolio and held his breath. “On that matter, sir, I must confess—I am giving up my position.” He met the gentleman’s eyes, then looked down again. “I was married last year, sir.”

“Yes, I recall. One of our local beauties… Miss Fairbanks, was it not? Lovely girl.”

“Indeed.” Gardiner’s face glowed with pleasure. “With my marriage came certain… advantages. I have been operating a small import business on the side for some years, and now I shall be able to expand and purchase my own warehouse.”

Mr. Darcy’s stern features softened. “It could not happen to a more deserving man. I am pleased for you, Gardiner. But I do hope you can refer another financial adviser to me… Ah, Fitzwilliam. Just a moment, Gardiner.”

Mr. Darcy stepped from around his desk and extended a hand toward the door. “Did you send for them?”
Gardiner turned to see a young man of probably twenty, equal in height to the senior Darcy but lacking the father’s commanding presence and ease. Lanky and thin, with a face that looked fresh from the school room, the youth glanced at Gardiner before inclining his head to his father. “Yes, Father. They are in the blue drawing room.”

“Very good.” Darcy looked back to Gardiner, his expression growing somber. “I do not believe I have ever introduced you to my son and heir, Fitzwilliam. Fitzwilliam, this is Mr. Gardiner from London.”

The young man required no further introduction. He bowed immediately. “Mr. Gardiner.”

“Sir.” Gardiner bowed in reply. “Well, Mr. Darcy. I shall be on my way, then, and I—”

“Sir, if I may impose on you, there is one other matter which, I am afraid, is more pressing even than the business for which I summoned you.” Darcy gave his son a nod, dismissing the young man, and closed the door.

“Oh? Then I hope I can be of service.”

“So do I.” Darcy sighed heavily. “I have a ward—a young lady who has been in my care since she was little more than a babe. She is now a rather precocious thirteen.”

“I did not know that, sir. Perhaps that is the young lady I saw at archery in the gardens when I arrived? She appeared to be besting her companion—I believe it was your younger son?”

Darcy gave a thin smile. “Yes, Elizabeth Smith. She and my son George are… close.”

“I see, sir.” Then, his stomach lurched when he realized what the name “Smith” probably meant. “Oh. I see. You, ah… you have a problem, then, do you?”

Darcy’s features settled into a scowl. “You would not be the first to assume that, but I assure you, that is not the difficulty. She is not my natural daughter, though some claim to see a resemblance. And I am exceedingly fond of her—so much so that I have put off doing what must be done for far too long. However, her presence here is becoming more and more… problematic.”

“What are you asking, sir?”

Darcy sighed and gestured for Gardiner to follow him. They walked through the long corridors, passing a dozen of Pemberley’s servants and as many doors on the way. Finally, they stopped before an opened pair of double doors, and Darcy paused. “I doubt they will even notice us.”

Gardiner looked into the room and saw a youth of approximately fifteen or sixteen, lounging on a thick Persian rug and laughing as his companion, the young lady, aimed a grape at his mouth with a catapult made of a spoon and a spool of thread. “You missed, Lizzy!” he crowed. “I win the bet, so it’s my turn to pi—” He broke off with a series of coughs.

The girl, Elizabeth, shot to her feet, whooping and twirling around. “I got you that time! Don’t you know to close your mouth instead of bragging, George? Now, I get to pick what we do this afternoon, and I want to play chess.”

“Chess?” The lad flopped back on the floor with a dramatic sigh. “On a sunny afternoon? I wanted to ride around the lake.”

“You know I can’t keep up with you on horseback. You’ll get on that fast hunter of yours and scare the wits out of me. But I do love watching you squirm when I make you sit still at the chess table. A deal’s a deal, and you lost, George.”

Mr. Darcy softly drew the doors closed and turned to Gardiner. “They are inseparable, that pair.”

Gardiner felt a squeeze in his chest. “And you cannot let the situation become a permanent one, is that the trouble?”

Darcy tilted his head with raised brows and beckoned Gardiner back to his study. Once inside, he drew out a thick portfolio from his desk. “You have guessed the situation rightly. Had she been born on the right side of the blanket, nothing would make me prouder than to accept Elizabeth as my daughter-in-law. She is clever, cheerful, of good character, and would make an able partner for even the most discerning of men. She also has a trust in her name that will see her established wherever she marries, but it cannot be in… certain circles.”

“I am afraid I do not understand, sir.”

Darcy opened the portfolio and laid it on the desk. “Her origin is known to only two people—her natural parent, and myself, and it must remain that way. However, as Elizabeth matures, the family resemblance is becoming too striking to ignore. If she were seen, discovered, introduced to the wrong people, it could be ruinous for more than just her. Do you understand, Gardiner?”

He shook his head. “I suppose, but what am I to do on the occasion?”

“You have advised me for years. I know you to be a man of unimpeachable character, and what’s more, your… your status in society would protect her from discovery.”

“You want me to become her guardian?”

Darcy raised his brows. “I would make it worth your while.”

“Well… sir, it is not a matter of the money. I can hardly offer such a young lady a good home just now. I am always gone, and my wife, while she would adore a daughter, is… ah…”

“I see. If Mrs. Gardiner is already enceinte and cannot often count on your assistance, it is a deal to ask.”

“Just a moment…” Gardiner held up a finger. “How old did you say she was?”

“Thirteen in April.”

“I do have four nieces in Hertfordshire. One is fourteen, and too often alone, for her three younger sisters do not share her interests and disposition. It might prove profitable for Jane to have such a girl as Elizabeth come to live with them.”

“Is the situation an honorable one?”

“In every way. My brother-in-law, Thomas Bennet, is a gentleman. An idle one, but he is a kind man who… egad, he would like nothing more than to sharpen the young lady’s skills at chess. I think the family might suit her, sir. And if you are prepared to… ah… assist…”

“I will add something to the dowries of Bennet’s other daughters if he can provide a kind and loving home for Elizabeth. I cannot see any harm befall her, Gardiner.”

“If Bennet does take her in, I will still view her well-being as my personal responsibility,” he vowed.

Darcy nodded wearily. “Good. For there is another concern.” He placed a hand over his heart and heaved a low sigh. “My doctor fears that one more bad spell such as I had last winter could turn very grave indeed. I cannot lay this responsibility on Fitzwilliam. He does not know the truth, nor does he have the heart to do what I must to protect them all… Pray, Gardiner, will you look after her? I must have your word.”

Edward Gardiner cast an eye over the documents Darcy had spread before him, but he never read the contents. He just swallowed and nodded. “I will look after her like a father, sir. Or…” he chuckled. “At least a very protective uncle.”

Intrigued yet? This is the first time I’ve written an “Elizabeth-is-not-a-Bennet” story, and I’m loving it! I’ll be posting the first few chapters leading up to launch date on January 31. Stay tuned next week!

You can reserve your copy here!