So Material a Change– An excerpt

Good morning! Many thanks to all who came out and said such nice things about the cover reveal for my upcoming release So Material a Change. I’ll be giving you a few excerpts from SMAC over the upcoming weeks, so keep an eye out!

I posted the first excerpt back in March which many of you might have read already. Rather than post the same one I will just link to it here and give another bit below that.  The new part is below the Comeuppance link!

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Elizabeth woke around her usual time, half-seven. She looked out the window to see a lovely autumn day emerging over the countryside. 

She dearly hoped that the outlook of the day would be similarly brightened by Jane’s improved health. As she retired last night, Jane appeared improved both in looks and disposition. Elizabeth hoped it to be so, firstly because she wished Jane well, and secondly because she anticipated returning to Longbourn to get away from the nasty Miss Bingley, the gossipy Mrs Hurst, the boring and boorish Mr Hurst, and the odious Mr Darcy. Only Mr Bingley was in any manner a pleasant host, but his company could in no way make up for the deficiencies in the other four. 

Jane would disagree. Elizabeth smiled as she began to dress and put up her hair. Jane would be inclined to tolerate a great deal to be in company with Mr Bingley. 

Her morning rituals complete, she went to Jane, noting with pleasure the return of some colour to her sister’s cheeks. “How are you this morning?”

Jane pushed herself into a seated position. “Much better. I believe I owe it all to your good care.”

“’Tis always my honour, loath as I am to see you ill.” Elizabeth leant in to kiss her sister’s cheek, pleased to find it cool.

“I thought I might join the party in the drawing room this evening after dinner.”

Elizabeth took a seat next to her on the bed. “I believe they will all be happy to hear that. One gentleman in particular.”

“Oh, I am sure you are wrong,” Jane demurred, looking shyly at the counterpane. 

“I am equally sure I am not wrong! I am confident I am entirely correct! But the others may be equally glad, though for a different reason.” 

On Jane’s enquiring look, she added, “Miss Bingley has made no secret of her wish to see the end of our visit, and after Mama’s call yesterday with Lydia and Kitty, I cannot say I blame her.”

“Was she very bad, Lizzy?”

Elizabeth pressed her lips together, trying to think of what to say. Finally, having thought of no politic phrasing, she admitted, “She was boastful and excessively familiar. She bragged about your beauty and insulted Charlotte Lucas. She offended Mr Darcy—though I should imagine he takes exception to nearly everything. Nevertheless, he is a guest here. She should not have insulted him.”

Jane plucked at the coverlet. “Did Mr and Miss Bingley think ill of her?”

“I believe Mr Bingley is singularly incapable of thinking ill of anyone. He tolerated her with great equanimity. Miss Bingley…yes, she noted our mother’s shortcomings.”

Seeing Jane’s frown Elizabeth added, “But Mr Bingley remained unaffected, and is not his the opinion that truly matters? I think it unlikely our family would have ever earned the good opinion of the likes of Mr Darcy and Miss Bingley, not without a significant change in consequence and fortune.”

“I hope it was not so bad as that. I do like Mr Bingley more than any gentleman I have ever known.”

Elizabeth patted her sister’s hand. “I daresay he likes you just as well. And now, did Mama tell you of the visitor expected at Longbourn today? Evidently, we are to be set upon by none other than the heir of Longbourn, a Mr Collins. He wrote to Papa some weeks past, announcing his intention to visit us. I believe he will arrive today at four o’clock.”

Jane’s eyes widened. “After all this time?”

“His stated purpose is to ‘heal the breach’ between our families, but Mama believes he is here to choose a wife from amongst his cousins.”

Jane’s eyes widened even further. “Oh, really? Oh, Lizzy, you do not think…would Mama…? If he wishes to marry me, Mama will make me, I know it!”

“My mother is positively certain that you are about to secure Mr Bingley and would not permit Mr Collins anywhere near you, to be sure. No, I fear that if she is correct about Mr Collins and his design in coming here, she will expect me to fulfil that duty.”

“Papa would never—”

“I am perfectly able to stand up to Mama. Besides, she might be wrong. He might come for no purpose but to see Longbourn.”

“Or maybe,” Jane said, an uncharacteristic sly tone in her voice, “he is just the kind of man a lady would long to marry, and you would thank our mother for forwarding you to him.”

With a laugh, Elizabeth said, “I think it unlikely. Rest now, and I shall return later. I must make haste to join them at breakfast.”

* * *

Elizabeth departed Jane’s chamber with a glad heart. How good it was to see Jane smile again! Surely they would be able to leave soon; perhaps even tomorrow. 

Entering the breakfast room, she noted Mr Bingley, Mr Darcy, and the Hursts already at the table. She forced a smile to her face. “Good morning. I trust you all slept well?”

Not anticipating a response from any of them—even the amiable Mr Bingley appeared uncommonly out of sorts—she turned towards the sideboard, selecting toast for her breakfast. She was considering the eggs when, to her astonishment, she heard Mr Darcy say, “Elizabeth, my dear, yes, I slept, ahh…quite well, and, um…I hope you did too?”

Elizabeth dropped the spoon she had just lifted. Did he say my name? My dear? I obviously misheard him. Her shock increased as she realised he had come to stand very close by her side. 

He leant over her, murmuring, “Just agree with what I say and do.”

He took her plate from her hands and held out his arm. Such was her astonishment, she took it and allowed him to lead her to the place next to his at the table. She sat, noticing that Mr Bingley and the Hursts were staring intently at them. One would have had to be a complete fool to miss the air of tension surrounding the group. 

Mr Hurst, having evidently got a satisfactory answer to whatever question had been in his mind, emitted a guttural sound and then lowered his head back to his plate. His mouth full, he asked, “Will there be sport today, men?” Mrs Hurst shot him a disgusted look. 

“Miss Elizabeth and I shall walk in the gardens after she eats,” Mr Darcy announced.

Elizabeth opened her mouth to protest his presumption in making plans for her when she felt the unmistakable pressure of his hand on hers underneath the table. 

Not really sure why she agreed with him, she smiled. “As I am known for being an excellent walker, I must be diligent in practicing my craft.”

Mr Bingley emitted a bark of laughter, but his levity died as soon as Elizabeth said, “I do hope Miss Bingley is not unwell this morning?”

“Indisposed,” Mr Bingley replied, frowning at no one in particular. “She is indisposed. She will keep to her rooms today.”

Elizabeth swallowed a bite of toast. “I hope she has not the same fever that afflicted poor Jane.”

At the utterance of her sister’s name, Mr Bingley brightened. “Ah, yes! How fares Miss Bennet this morning? Dare I hope you found her a bit improved?”

Elizabeth smiled at his kindness. “Indeed I did, sir. In fact, she wishes to join the party downstairs this evening after dinner.”

“Excellent!” Mr Bingley looked around the table. “Is that not excellent?”

* * *

As Elizabeth required very little time to eat her light repast, it was soon thereafter that she found herself fetching her bonnet and gloves from her room in accordance with Mr Darcy’s plan for a walk. 

What is he about? He appeared almost friendly, and I daresay I saw a smile from him. Very odd behaviour. What could he mean by it? I must, of course, reprove his familiarity with me. It was highly improper. 

Although she had taken no more than a few minutes to retrieve her things, she returned to find Darcy pacing the vestibule at the front of the house. His agitation was clear as he made his way back and forth across the marble floor, his steps sharp and firm. 

He said nothing as he held out his arm to her. She took it, allowing him to lead her out of the house and into the gardens. When they had gone a reasonable distance from the house, he spoke. 

“Elizabeth, I find myself in a position where it is necessary for us to marry.”

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So Material a Change arrives October 11th! You can preorder a copy HERE.