Snippet from my WIP: An Intriguing Connection

Now that Mr Darcy and the Enchanted Library has been polished and published, I realized that I haven’t given you any updates for some time on my writing progress.

Just to reassure you, the FOURTH and FINAL book in Mr. Darcy’s Magic is in progress. It is chugging along very well indeed [to use a post-Regency phrase]. I am also working on two other regular variations that I hope to publish once the magic book is out.

I thought it would be nice for me to share a short scene from one of my WIPs to give you a  glimpse of what I’m doing at the moment. The novel is a traditional Pride and Prejudice that takes place just after Napoleon returns from exile. I don’t have a firm title for it yet. For now, I’m calling it An Intriguing Connection. That may change, though. What do you think of that title?

I think the snippet is self-sufficient, so I don’t need to introduce it. I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions once you’ve read it.

***

Darcy surveyed his surroundings. The sky was clear, but the moon was a pale slither — no help at all as he looked beyond the light cast by the candles in the ballroom. The lake stretched outward to the looming shadows of the mountains in the distance.  If there was someone rowing away, they were invisible. But anyone watching from the depth of the garden would undoubtedly see him and Miss Bennet, outlined by the light spilling through the windows.

Darcy had to remove Miss Bennet from the garden at once and return her to the crowded ballroom. He could only hope the murderer had not seen her face and would not recognise her, though he feared the fact that they had spoken English together made it harder to conceal their identities in a French-speaking location.

A figure emerged through the open doorway – a man escaping from the crush of the ballroom. If he came far enough into the garden he would spot them, and the finger of suspicion would point in their direction.

“Dance with me, Miss Bennet.” The words were unexpected even for him, but having said them, he realised they were the best course of action.

Miss Bennet stared back at him in shock. “This is hardly the time, sir. A man is lying at our feet – possibly dead.”

“Precisely.” Did the chit have no idea how much trouble she was in? Was she arguing with him? “I do not wish to dance with you, Miss Bennet. I am simply trying to conceal your face.”

He drew her to him, taking up her arm and taking the first steps of the dance, following the music. As luck would have it, it was a waltz, which would at least suggest to a casual observer they had come here to be alone.

“I see, but we cannot do this indefinitely.” Her voice was firm. He felt a reluctant tug of admiration. “And surely we ought to do something.”

“I am doing something.” He sighed in exasperation. “I am trying to save you from yourself. You can do nothing for this gentleman.”

The dance brought them very close, face to face. She was wearing a light perfume, elegant and elusive. He pushed that observation to the back of his mind. “You need to go back inside, to be lost in the crowd. You cannot afford for anyone to remember seeing you here.”

“True. But if we go inside together, you will be recognized, Mr. Darcy. People will notice, and I will be compromised.”

A flash of anger made him let go of her. Even when he was trying to help her, all she could think of was how to turn the situation to her advantage.

“I have no intention of offering to marry you, Miss Bennet. Ever. Kindly remove that notion from your head.” He thought of Mrs. Bennet’s voice, rising above the crowd. She would certainly cry compromise if he gave her half a chance. “I am merely doing what I can, as a gentleman, to help you avoid a great deal of trouble. However, if your mother tries to take advantage of the situation, I will not behave as a gentleman. Understood?”

“I am very obliged to you for your assistance, but I would not accept an offer of marriage from you under any circumstances, Mr. Darcy.” Her voice was cold.

Her words were blatantly untrue. Under normal circumstances, she would be delighted to receive an offer of marriage from him. He had probably offended her by being so blunt, but honesty was the best policy in this case. Trivialities had no time in his life, especially now, given what he needed to accomplish. He would see to it that the body was discovered, but there was a reason he had come here, and he could not afford to be entangled in some local feud, or to become the object of scheming ladies.

“I am glad we understand each other, because there is no time to be lost. I will return to the chateau through the front entrance. You will return to the ballroom any other way you choose except for the front entrance. I will meet you there, and we will dance. Agreed?”

“Agreed.” Her voice was distant. She had not forgiven him for insulting her.

He felt sorry for it. He did not believe she would turn him down if he offered for her, but he suspected she was not the type who would engage in devious games. She had made no attempt to flatter him, and she had not leaned into him when they were dancing. As he watched her make her way to the ballroom, it occurred to him that she had handled herself better than most young ladies he knew.  Exceptionally well, in fact.

It was a pity he would not see her after tonight.

***

I hope you enjoyed this little snippet! I’d love to know what you think.