Good morning!
Well, I’m finally getting somewhere with my next book, and I was wondering if you’d like to hear a little more about the story.
If you’ve seen my earlier posts, you already know the premise:
What if Mr Collins were to shock Elizabeth with his base conduct at the time of his proposal, thus sending her dashing out of her house, and into the arms of Mr Darcy?
What if that encounter was witnessed, and impropriety was assumed?
Evil rumours, an early marriage, a dreadful misunderstanding, an old secret and good intentions gone awry. What if ‘I do’ is not the end, but the beginning of the adventure?
So, the day is 27 November 1811, the morning after the Netherfield ball. Mr Collins makes his proposal, and behaves in a very ungentlemanly manner (in modern parlance, he gets handsy). On her way to Meryton to find her father, who had gone to show his face at the parish meeting, Elizabeth comes across Mr Darcy.
I hope you’ll bear with the old trope (slipping in the mud… foot injury… a little TLC…). I’ve done my best to make it worth your while 😀 , starting with the fact that, for once, Mr Darcy makes a good impression. Convinced that they will never meet again, he is wistful and gentle (not to mention that a handsy Mr Collins would make anyone look good).
I hope you’ll like the slow-burn scene when the book sample is set up on Amazon. But for now, how about we jump to the end of Chapter 2?
TWISTS OF FATE ~ Excerpt ~ Chapter 2
“What is amiss? Something is troubling you. What is it?” Mr Darcy asked, leaning back to rest on his haunches, his scrutiny so intense that Elizabeth was forced to look away, her frustration mounting.
He had chosen the wrong day to read her rightly. This was none of his concern. Why could he not assume, as he always had, that she was simply traipsing over the countryside like a hoyden?
She could not discuss her troubles with him – could not speak of the repugnant episode with any gentleman of her acquaintance. Not even with someone she had known all her life, nor the amiable and caring Mr Wickham. Most assuredly not with the likes of Mr Darcy.
“Nothing is troubling me. I am weary, that is all.”
It was not entirely a falsehood. By now, she genuinely was more weary than troubled. Weary of this day, although it had barely begun. Weary of reliving the vile scene, much as she sought to ward off repulsive recollections. Weary of picturing her return home to another dose of ugliness which could not be avoided, even though her father’s presence would make it more bearable. And above all weary of the struggle to keep dark thoughts at bay and not permit herself to think of what might happen should they lose him – of the hardships a vengeful Mr Collins would heap upon her and her mother and sisters, once he became the master of Longbourn.
“All the more reason not to walk into Meryton,” Mr Darcy said, disrupting her train of thought – which was not a bad thing under the circumstances, and she might have been grateful, were he not so eager to express an opinion on matters which did not concern him.
So she retorted, “I fail to see the difference. This is halfway between there and Longbourn. If anything, my aunt’s house is a little closer. And that is where I am going as soon as the rain abates,” she concluded blandly.
Mr Darcy’s tone was equally matter-of-fact when he made his answer:
“I was not suggesting otherwise. What I meant was that you should not go on foot.”
Elizabeth’s lips quirked into a little moue at having to explain the matter, yet proceeded to do so regardless.
“You seem to believe that there is another option, but I assure you, there is not. Your horse is not equipped for riding side-saddle, and even if he were, this would not serve me. I hardly ever ride, so I could scarce hope to control a beast the size of yours.”
“Perhaps not. But he will obey me. And, as you have just pointed out, you cannot use that saddle.”
“Precisely,” Elizabeth replied, at a loss to grasp why he imagined that what he had just said strengthened his argument, when it clearly supported hers. And then comprehension dawned, and her eyes widened. “You are not suggesting I ride to Meryton with you!” she spluttered, but the look he levelled at her told her that this was exactly what he was suggesting. So Elizabeth rolled her eyes and declared, “No, sir, that is out of the question! How would it look?”
“What are you suggesting, then?” Mr Darcy countered. “That you walk half a mile or so with that injury and make it worse, or catch a severe cold, just to humour a set of busybodies who had better mind their own affairs?”
“From what I have noticed, people rarely mind their own affairs,” Elizabeth shot back at this further sign that the same could be said of him. “I thank you for your concern and no less for your assistance,” she added, gesturing towards her bandaged foot, “but I believe this would be a good time for us to part company.”
For the briefest moment, a peculiar expression overspread his countenance, but as soon as she made to remove the coat and return it, the look she could not read gave way to unmistakable exasperation.
“Would you kindly see sense and keep that on?” he rasped. “You may be assured that I am not taking it back. Not yet. And I am not going anywhere,” he announced as he rose from his squat, only to drop down next to the nearest tree and lean back against it.
Elizabeth opened her lips to argue the point, but he forestalled her and spoke again with stern determination:
“You may think that the good people of Meryton would have been better pleased had I seen you injured and ridden past, leaving you to your fate, but I cannot oblige them. So I will wait with you until the rain lets up, and then follow you into Meryton at two hundred paces, if I must. But, as I just said, I am not going anywhere until I am assured of your safety. ‘Tis the very least I can do.”
And with that, he rested his arms on his bended knees and remained still, leaving her open-mouthed and speechless – but not for long.
“That is very thoughtful,” she said at length, and largely meant it, “but quite unnecessary. I am virtually on my own doorstep.”
“‘Virtually’ is, I think, the salient word here,” he pointed out, then his tone softened when he asked, “Are you still cold?”
“No, not at all. But you must be freezing.”
He made no answer, just gave a vague gesture that casually acknowledged the truth of it or aimed to convey his lack of interest in the matter. So Elizabeth could not help adding, “Have you ever been told that you can be too stubborn for your own good?”
“Repeatedly,” Mr Darcy said, with a disarming smile that had her staring. It was completely out of character – as was the light-hearted teasing that came a fraction of a second later: “Whereas I imagine that no one has ever said the same of you.”
Elizabeth gave a mild chuckle.
“If memory serves, I may have been called obstinate and headstrong once or twice.”
“Have you? Astonishing,” he retorted, the open smile still in place, then leaned his head against the tree trunk and closed his eyes.
Bemused, Elizabeth sat staring at him for quite some time, and only dropped her gaze when his horse startled her with a loud snort. But Mr Darcy kept his eyes closed, even as he spoke again:
“How is your foot?”
“Happy enough, I thank you.”
“I am glad to hear it.”
Then he fell silent. So did she. And nothing could be heard but the patter of the rain, and the horse leisurely cropping the wet grass.
TWISTS OF FATE ~ Excerpt ~ Chapter 3
“This is not letting up,” Elizabeth concluded a little while later.
“Seemingly not,” her companion concurred, without glancing her way.
He was no longer leaning his head against the tree trunk, eyes closed, but sat gazing into the distance, absentmindedly toying with a sprig of holly that had fallen on the grass.
For the second time in as many minutes, Elizabeth saw him trying to suppress a shiver, which was foolish. As she knew full well, that was an involuntary reaction that could not be suppressed.
She had not commented on it before, but now she chose to:
“You are cold.”
Mr Darcy shrugged.
“That is neither here nor there.”
She could not agree. And being held to ransom by the rain was becoming more than a little vexing.
“This is absurd,” Elizabeth declared with energy.
“Indeed,” Mr Darcy said, and this time did turn his head to look at her, the same sort of disconcerting smile playing on his lips.
For her part, she could not see the humorous side of it. This was patently absurd! Were it not for the turn in the weather, the walk from Longbourn to Mrs Phillips’ house would have taken her just twenty minutes. Half an hour at the utmost. Being compelled to wait here for twice that long would have been laughable, were it not so provoking. As for the chivalrous streak she had discovered in Mr Darcy, it was astounding, but was fast becoming somewhat of a nuisance, too. Not necessarily because his society was as uninspiring as ever. If anything, his disinterest in conversation had brought her nothing but relief this time. She could not have borne a chatty companion. But his stubbornness was another matter.
It made no sense at all that Mr Darcy, of all people, should task himself with ensuring her safety. Admittedly, that did work to restore some of her faith in gentlemanly conduct, since this man who clearly had no regard for her was putting himself to so much inconvenience just because she was a damsel in distress. Even so, she profoundly disliked being the cause of someone else’s discomfort, and was not of a mind to countenance it for a great deal longer.
But then a sterling notion came to her, and Elizabeth could only chastise herself for not thinking of it sooner.
“It is a ten-minute ride, is it not? Or a quarter of an hour, shall we say?” she asked, and Mr Darcy nodded.
“Aye, about a quarter of an hour at a walk. Possibly less.”
“Very well, then. I believe I have a solution.”
* * * * * * * * * *
“Is that the bridleway?” Mr Darcy asked.
It was the first time he had spoken in the whole of ten minutes – the first time either of them had spoken – and, however quiet, the sound of his voice made Elizabeth sit up with a start.
“Yes. Just there,” she indicated, then returned her hand to her lap.
That was her solution: the bridleway that skirted the small town, running behind a number of houses, of which her aunt and uncle’s was one. The seldom-travelled, narrow track would serve a vast deal better than the main road into town. It would allow her to gain access into Mrs Phillips’ garden through the back gate, with no one any the wiser as to how she might have got there, rather than turning heads and raising brows by blithely riding into Meryton with Mr Darcy.
It was such an obvious answer to her conundrum that she really should have come up with it in a matter of moments, Elizabeth told herself as she endeavoured to ignore the feel of Mr Darcy’s knee brushing against her calf when he steered his mount towards the bridleway with a nudge, a pull of the reins and a click of his tongue.
It was a hopeless business. She had not learnt to ignore the feel of his arm around her either, and she had applied herself to that task for considerably longer than the last four seconds.
She could boast of only one achievement: she had subdued the nauseating panic that had gripped her when Mr Darcy had swung himself into the saddle and asked permission to hold her. It had been a senseless panic. Idiotic. The precaution was strictly necessary. Of course it was! And he had civilly requested her consent. This was nothing like the despicable business at Longbourn. He had asked her. And once she had nodded in acceptance and his arm had encircled her waist, the hold was considerately light, for her own safety, not his base gratification.
Even so, she could not ignore it. And the same could be said of his breath on her cheek, or his chest against her shoulder. In essence, other than the fact that she sat atop a very large horse, this particular experience had nothing in common with her girlhood recollections of riding with her father.
A flash of black-and-white plumage caught her eye, and all of a sudden two magpies flapped their way out of the undergrowth and flew across the path with caws and loud screeches. Startled, the stallion shied away from the disturbance, tossed up his head and snorted mightily by way of complaint, but thankfully he neither bucked nor reared, and had the good sense not to bolt. Her panic fully justified this time, Elizabeth could be nothing but grateful that the hold around her waist had already tightened into a fierce clasp. Yet, for all her fright, a modicum of common sense prevailed, and she knew better than to spook the horse further with a missish cry of alarm. She smothered it and held her breath, releasing the lungful only seconds later – several awfully long seconds – once she found that, through sheer good fortune and thanks to Mr Darcy’s fast reflexes, they were not thrown off. His one-handed grip on the reins remained firm as he soothed the startled beast with low, reassuring murmurs, but the tight hold around her gradually slackened – and she almost wished that it did not. Her balance felt unnervingly precarious after the recent antics, and she could scarce wait to have her feet back on the ground. Elizabeth opened her lips to ask for assistance in dismounting, but Mr Darcy spoke first, manifest concern in his voice and countenance:
“Are you well?”
“I am, yes, I thank you,” Elizabeth faltered, then released a shaky little laugh and sought to make light of her alarm and the enduring perverseness of fate that seemed intent on dogging her every step on this irksome day. “It would have been in keeping with the rest of the morning if we should have been unseated within thirty feet of our destination.”
“Oh. Are we here, then?” Mr Darcy asked, and for some reason sounded less pleased than he might have been at finding his self-appointed task accomplished.
“Yes. That is my aunt’s house, over there,” she replied, pointing it out through the spindly branches of the coppiced trees that bordered the bridleway on both sides.
“I see,” he said and nudged the stallion forward.
When they reached the gate sunk into a hedge of hazel, dogwood and hawthorn, he dismounted, assisted her down, then offered his arm.
The support was welcome, Elizabeth found, as she tottered across the track, favouring her injured foot. How ever had she imagined that she could walk unaided for half a mile or so?
“Thank you for all your help. And for your coat,” she said with a small, conscious smile as she removed it and handed it back – and about time, too. His silk waistcoat offered no protection from the weather, and the drenched shirtsleeves were clinging to his arms like a second skin.
But Mr Darcy did not don his coat. He draped it over his arm and remained motionless, his eyes trained on her countenance in a long, almost unblinking stare that she might have met with a mixture of unease and vexation at any other time.
Today, in view of everything, Elizabeth chose to excuse his penchant for staring at people, indifferent to the discomfort he might cause them. Then a second generous impulse came on the heels of the first, and prompted her to extend her hand.
Mr Darcy took it in both of his, and although she had been wearing his coat for over an hour while he had braved the November weather in his shirtsleeves, Elizabeth found that his hands were much warmer than hers. Very warm. For his sake, she hoped that he had not caught a fever.
“Well, then,” she said, “I believe this is goodbye.”
“Yes. It is,” Mr Darcy concurred, his voice gravelly. “I leave today.”
“Oh?”
“I— It cannot be helped. I must return to town – to duties that can no longer be neglected. I am— Thankfully, I had this chance to see you and take my leave. I wish…” He broke off, and his lips tightened. “If we are not to meet again, I wish you a lifetime of joy.”
The solemn finality of his parting words surprised Elizabeth nowhere near as much as his choice to bend down and press his lips to the back of her fingers. And he still held her hand as he straightened up – held it for a good many seconds – then slowly released it and bowed.
“Farewell, Miss Bennet.”
“Farewell, sir. Travel safely, with my best wishes for your health and happiness,” Elizabeth replied in kind, astonished to find the exchange strangely moving.
If anyone had made such a prediction yesterday, she would have laughed and chided them for sporting with her patience. But nay, it was this topsy-turvy day that was sporting with her and her emotions, Elizabeth concluded, and wrapped her arms around herself, uncomfortably aware that she was no longer sheltered by Mr Darcy’s woollen coat.
Inexplicably, he made no use of it as yet. Nor did he seem in any haste to leave – at least not until he saw her shiver. He recollected himself then with a swift, “Forgive me. I should not keep you,” and turned around to open the garden gate for her.
‘It should be a fine thing if it were locked,’ Elizabeth could not help thinking. That would be in keeping with Fate’s mischievous games too.
But the gate gave way and swung back with a grating squeak, its hinges in dire need of oiling. And when Mr Darcy bowed again, Elizabeth matched his wordless farewell with a curtsy, perfectly unaware that Fate had not quite finished toying with her yet.
* * * * * * * * * *
“Lordy, just look at them bowing an’ curtsying, all prim an’ proper, like,” the ruddy-faced maid scoffed, clinging to her companion. “As if their attire weren’t in a right old state. I’d wager they’ve been every bit as naughty as we. What d’ye reckon, lovey?”
“Who’s to say, pet? Who’s to say?” her paramour muttered, grinning from ear to ear, and shuffled sideways for a better look through the narrow crack in the door of the barn.
But by then the young woman had already had enough of spying on the others.
“Of all the rotten luck, them two turning up just now!” she grumbled. “What’s to be done, George? Can’t sit here all morning to wait till the coast is clear. I’ve got to get back to the shop, an’ sharpish, else old Valpy-the-Harpy’ll tan me hide.”
“Oh, I think she will forget to scold you if you present her with a juicy bit of gossip,” Lieutenant Wickham cheerfully retorted, patting her rump in reassurance.
© 2021 Joana Starnes
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I can’t wait to hear what you think!
More excerpts coming up soon, and GIVEWAYS of course! The first one starts today, and it’s international.
Please comment on this post or on any of the two coming up on 24 June and 1 July, for a chance to win a copy of ‘TWISTS OF FATE’.
There are 3 Kindle copies up for grabs
and the winners will be announced in the LAUNCH POST on 22 JUL 2021.
I hope the pre-order link will be set up in a couple of weeks’ time.
Thanks for reading and see you again on the blog tour!
‘TWISTS OF FATE’ BLOG TOUR:
17 Jun 2021 ~ Austen Variations ~ Giveaway and Excerpt: A ride in the rain
24 Jun 2021 ~ Austen Variations ~ Ongoing Giveaway and Excerpt: A fiery Mr Darcy
28 Jun 2021 ~ Austenesque Reviews ~ Cover Reveal, Giveaway and Excerpt: A very un-Hunsford-like proposal
5 Jul 2021 ~ Babblings of a Bookworm ~ Giveaway and Guest post: Breaking the wall of silence
8 Jul 2021 ~ From Pemberley to Milton ~ Giveaway and ‘Ask Me Anything!’ (I’ll try to answer without too many spoilers 😉 )
13 Jul 2021 ~ Austen Variations ~ Ongoing Giveaway and Excerpt: If anything can go wrong…
16 Jul 2021 ~ Austenesque Reviews ~ Giveaway and… [my lips are sealed, but I hope you’ll like it 😀 ]
22 Jul 2021 ~ Austen Variations ~ Launch Day!
Bye for now, and have a lovely day!
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Oh dear, they were so careful but, like the bad penny he is, George Wickham turns up and is about to spoil it all for our dear couple. I love the wistful goodbye Darcy makes, you can feel the turmoil he feels whilst being frustrated that he has decided to fight his feelings (as in canon). Can’t wait for the whole book to come out.
Author
I’m so glad you liked the excerpt, Debra! I can’t wait to see what you think of the rest 🙂
Take care and thanks for reading.
I can’t wait to read it!
Author
Thanks for stopping by, Pallavi!
Loved the excerpt!
Author
I’m so glad, Denise! Thank you.
I’ve rarely read a scene fanfiction between Darcy and Elizabeth when D is preparing to leave Netherfield.
Touching and quite poignant. And of course, Wickham rears his ugly head like a bad penny.
Sounds like another great story.
Author
Thanks, Linny, I’m so glad you liked the scene! BTW, I realised that I’ve written very few rainy scenes so far (probably because I see plenty of rain when I look up from the keyboard :D). But they have their uses, and so does Wickham 😉 . Don’t worry, I haven’t gone so far as to make him likeable, but he’s definitely useful!
Thanks for reading and see you soon!
I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
Author
I’m so glad you liked the opening, Katie! Thanks for reading!
Oh no! I hope Darcy doesn’t believe that Elizabeth collaborated with Wickham to gain a position as Mrs. Darcy!! But something equally terrible must happen if Darcy and Lizzy end up at odds for an extended period of time after such an almost tender beginning without additional misunderstandings as is pictured in this excerpt. Wonderfully different premise!! I can hardly wait to read the whole story!
Author
Thanks, Satu, I’m so glad you liked the tender beginning! I hope you’ll be pleased to hear that if Darcy and Lizzy are at odds, it’s not for very long, and that there’ll be plenty of time for tender moments. I hope you’ll enjoy their ‘courtship dance.’ All the best and thanks for reading!
Dear Ms Starnes,
Thank you for the excerpt! I’m looking forward to read more !
Author
Valérie, thanks for stopping by! I’m so glad you liked the excerpt!
Well this looks very good indeed! A forced marriage scenario done right is always a pleasure and in this case, a Wickham engaging in debauchery as part of the premise is more than believable. Also, a handsey Mr. Collins, it speaks to more than a controlling, repressive patriarchy but to the definition of a “respectable gentleman”. Darcy cannot but contrast favourably. While Mr Collins never crossed THOSE lines in canon, I was musing recently of how, considering her father was a rector, Jane Austen hardly portrays the church as infallible. Even Tilney, Bertram and Ferrars have their issues. But I digress. It looks to be a good story and I greatly anticipate launch day.
Author
Thanks for reading, JRTT, I’m so glad you liked the beginning! Thanks for spotting this, it’s exactly what I was going for in Mr Collins’ case: ‘controlling, repressive patriarchy’ under the guise of respectability. He crosses one line he never crossed in canon, but I’m pleased to say that he goes off the page pretty sharpish. Nothing but a plot device to make Darcy contrast ever so favourably 🙂
Come to think of that, I can’t help wondering at Elizabeth telling Darcy (in the original ‘Hunsford proposal’) that he was the last man in the world whom she would ever be prevailed upon to marry. Wouldn’t Mr Collins factor somewhere in that equation? Or was he discounted because he was ancient history and already married to Charlotte? Or was Elizabeth just lashing out at Darcy as a tit-for-tat in response to his comments about her family, not meaning it 100%, as we tend to do when we’re angry?
Thanks for stopping by to chat, and I hope you’ll like my latest spin-off. All the best and have a lovely day!
Can’t wait!
Author
Thanks for reading, Claire! I hope you’ll like the full story.
With his guard down and his gentle care of Elizabeth, I plan to adore this Darcy already. Elizabeth seemed to have gotten quite comfortable during that quiet 10 minutes of riding wrapped in Darcy’s arms and warm coat. Not like her father indeed! And the one long last look at her, his sweet parting wish…I hope you share Darcy’s thoughts of the ride as well?! Wonderful interaction.
Omg – nasty Wickham and Collins. They look to be particularly repulsive. Please say you have a fitting demise planned – for them both!
Congratulations and much success!
With my July birthday, I can think of nothing finer than to celebrate immersed in your new book❤️
Bring on that slow burn sample!😉
Author
❤️❤️ “With his guard down and his gentle care of Elizabeth, I plan to adore this Darcy already.” ❤️❤️ Awww, Deborah, thank you! I hope you will! (He keeps letting his guard down. I hope you’ll approve 🙂 )
I’m so glad you liked their interactions!
Re, fitting punishment, I hope you’ll be pleased to hear that I took my cue from the great comments in response to my Commeuppance post in March: https://austenvariations.com/wickhams-comeuppance-how-shall-we-punish-him/ (He won’t get to live the life of Riley, that’s for sure!)
Thanks for reading and best wishes for your upcoming birthday!
Thank you for the kind wishes, Joana!😊
Author
Thank *you*, Deborah! I hope you have a wonderful time on your special day!
I loved the excerpts – surely Darcy has a motivation to come back to Hertfordshire after his London business concludes.
Author
Oh, definitely!!
In fact, I’m hoping you won’t mind a mini-spoiler: he’s not going anywhere.
He has more important business to conclude in Hertfordshire. ‘Knight-in-shining-armour’ business 😉
I loved her “He had chosen the wrong day to read her rightly.” So true for her, so good for us!
And I loved these two excerpts!
Good luck with the blog tour!
Author
I’m SO happy you loved that phrase and the excerpts, Alexandra!!
Huge thanks for everything and have a lovely day!
Thank you for the lovely excerpt. How exciting to have a new book of your coming our way. Hopefully Darcy won’t be too harsh on his Elizabeth.
Author
My take is that he simply can’t, even if he wanted to, Sam :))
Thanks for reading, and I hope you’ll like the rest.
Well, now I REALLY want to read it 😉
Author
Thank you! Sorry about the long wait!
I absolutely love the humour in Darcy’s chat with Elizabeth ❤️. Who knew? What a fabulous beginning Joana (well apart from Mr Collins and his ungentlemanlike behaviour!)
But even that had its uses as it’s the reason for Elizabeth’s flight to Merton, thus putting her in Darcy’s path!
Love it, love it, love it! 🥰🥰
Author
“… apart from Mr Collins and his ungentlemanlike behaviour! But even that had its uses as it’s the reason for Elizabeth’s flight to Meryton, thus putting her in Darcy’s path!”
That’s what I was thinking too, Glynis 😉 . We just can’t have Mr Darcy swooning off to London (if we can help it 😀 )
Thanks so much for all the love and stay safe!
So excited to see your new book! Love the excerpts.
Author
I’m so glad, Gill! Thank you!
Whoa… Didn’t see that coming!!!
What a cold shower after the lovely and witty exchange! Indeed one should wonder what perception of the situation Darcy would have – he will of course do the right thing – and how much he will blame Elizabeth… but for what?
I only know you will blissfully solve it anyway… after surely involving one or ten tissues…. 😉
Looking forward !!
Thank you for the excerpt, Joana!
Author
Thanks for reading, Mihaela! Oh dear, sorry about the cold shower. Now, I’m not going to say that I hope you’ll like Wickham eventually (he is a nasty piece of work after all) but hey, if he’s keeping Darcy from going off to London… And he has his uses in other ways too.
Thanks for the vote of confidence 🙂 . I hope you’ll approve. And I’m not planning to blast your tissue reserve either. There’s as much angst as besottedness in this one, believe it or not 😀 😀
Even from the excerpt we can see how the book title is apropos. I’m already hooked and can’t wait to read the rest. My favourite trope too. Wishing you every success with your new release!
Author
Thanks so much for your kind words, Marie! I’m so glad it’s your favourite trope! Mine too. Let’s cut it to the chase, I say. The sooner they get married, the better :))
All the best and I hope you’ll like the full story.
It had to be Wickham causing problems. I look forward to what happens next.
Author
LOL Diana, yes, it had to be Wickham, hadn’t it?
I don’t think it’ll be a big spoiler if I say that my take on the ‘situation’ is along the lines of ‘Oh, if Wickham only knew just how much he was helping Darcy by hatching those evil schemes!!’
I hope you’ll approve 🙂
All the best and thanks for reading.
With out a doubt your book will be a beloved story judging by the previous ones. You have the ability to take a well rehashed story or characters from that story and engage the reader so darn well! I’ve read all your books and really find them terrific. You aren’t afraid to but in the spicy stuff either which always makes them better! I am anticipating this one to be a good read judging by the excerpt above. Thanks Joana!
Author
Thanks so much, Ruth, for your wonderful words!! You’re ever so kind! I’m so happy you read all my books and loved them. I hope you’ll enjoy this one too. I’ve sprinkled some spice here and there (hopefully neither too little nor too much 🙂 ). I hope you’ll like reading about our favourite couple’s courtship dance as much as I enjoyed writing this story.
What a fun introduction to your new novel. I guess old GW is the magpie instigator in this one. Can’t wait to see how the FMS plays out. Thanks and best wishes!
Author
Thanks for stopping by to read and chat, Jen! I’m so glad you liked the excerpt!
I didn’t read the comment, but you can bet I’ll read the book. Your works are in my list of authors to definitely read.
Author
You’re so kind, Betty! I’m so happy and honoured that my books are on your must-read list!
I LOVED this story. You are amazing and have the best ideas. I just wanted to stop by and say congratulations as the launch approaches. Blessings on its success and I wish you well.
Author
Huge thanks for everything, Jeanne! Much, much appreciated!! Blessings to you too, and have a lovely and peaceful summer!
Like Jeanne, I also loved this story (and all of Joana’s stories) and highly recommend it. Best of luck with the release.
Author
I’m so glad you loved it, Sheila! Thanks so much for the thumbs-up, much appreciated!!
It’s like Lizzy was really seeing Darcy for the first time, the way he has always looked after her, bit now she is too close to wilfully misunderstand hos intent. Love it!
Author
Michell de Alvares, thanks so much for this! I think so too, that she’s starting to see him for what he is. I’m so glad you liked the excerpt!
Elizabeth is a very lucky girl to have the dashing Darcy come to her rescue! Darcy bides his time convincing Lizzy to let him be of aid. But finally with a plan to go a back way into Meryton she agrees. One can only imagine what might have happened to Mr Collins had Darcy been aware of his inappropriate treatment of this fair lady! Farewell indeed Mr Darcy. I think NOT!
Author
“Farewell indeed Mr Darcy. I think NOT!”
I loved this, Debbie! Thank you!
No, we can’t have any of that galloping off to London 🙂
Joana: what would we do without old GW and Mr. Collins! Can’t wait!!!
Author
😀 They really have their uses, don’t they?
Thanks for reading, Sharon! I hope you’ll like the full story.
Ahhh! What a great treat we’re all in for! You asked our forgiveness for using certain tropes, but hey, we love those tropes for a reason, especially when done well. And you, Joana, have certainly done them justice here! I love this Darcy and Elizabeth.
When Darcy says, “So I will wait with you until the rain lets up, and then follow you into Meryton at two hundred paces, if I must,” I couldn’t decide if I wanted to laugh at his stubborn sense of duty or swoon at the Darcy-ness of him! 🙂 And Darcy, leaning against a tree with a disconcerting smile on his lips — another swoon! I love it!
Also, on a more serious note, I really appreciate how you have Elizabeth struggling with her response to Collins’s assault against her. Even though we haven’t read that scene yet, I can tell she was really disturbed (rightly so) by the way he treated her. What I especially love about your depiction of Elizabeth is how we’ve got this internal struggle in the narration and the witty, practical Elizabeth in dialogue. The contrast with how she’s feeling and how she’s trying to keep up a brave face makes the horror of what she’s been through all the more affecting for me. And the parting between Elizabeth and Darcy! Another swoon. I could go on and on. Brava! Can’t wait for the release, Joana!
Author
Thanks so much for this, Christina, you’re ever so kind! I’m so happy you think the excerpts worked! And I absolutely loved your wonderful turn of phrase: ‘the Darcy-ness of him.’ ❤️ This word should be in every dictionary!!
Huge thanks especially for your thoughts on the ‘Collins situation’. I was struggling to give a plausible representation of how someone with Elizabeth’s upbringing and life experience would react. I’m so relieved you think that she comes across true to herself! (BTW, just as a reassurance, the episode is dispatched in 9 lines and it’s opportunistic rather than deliberate. Even so, I haven’t started sharing excerpts from Ch 1 because I thought I’d save the 10% allowance for sweet scenes between our favourite couple. Also, because the AV site is for people of all ages, and that was worth bearing in mind).
And back to happy things, I’m over the moon that there was swooning 🙂 . Huge thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!
A lovely excerpt. I anxiously await the release. I am happy to see Elizabeth is seeing a different Darcy before the “forced marriage” occurs. Even if she won’t admit it – Elizabeth will probably not be as against as she thinks. Thanks for another great story! Best of luck with the release and thanks for the giveaway.
Author
I’m so glad you liked the excerpt, Mary!
“Even if she won’t admit it – Elizabeth will probably not be as against as she thinks.” I hope you’ll be pleased to hear that she won’t be against it 🙂 . I really shouldn’t give too many spoilers, but now I can’t help myself, I have to reassure you on the ‘forced marriage’ front: due to the ‘Collins situation’ & Wickham showing his true colours sooner rather than later & Darcy being protective rather than arrogant and obnoxious, Elizabeth is quite ready to admit that she is warming up to him 🙂
How wonderful that there will be another book by Ms. Starnes. I have loved every one so far, so am looking forward to this one. I do love the early marriage scenario too. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of the book!
Author
I’m so glad you loved my other books, Cyndy, and that you love early marriage scenarios! I do too – it’s so nice to imagine our favourite couple finding their HEA sooner. Thanks for reading and best of luck in the giveaway!
Wickham. tsk. tsk.
Great excerpt. Thank you for sharing!
Author
Tsk, tsk indeed 😀
Thanks for reading, Linda, I’m so glad you liked the excerpt!
Okay! This looks like a book I’m going to have to start reading earlier in the day, in order NOT to be kept up all night!
Author
Thanks, Ginna! And sorry about the size. We’re talking 153k words… I’ll try to cut-cut-cut some at the final edit, but it won’t make that big a difference. Thought I’d warn you in advance 🙂
All the best and thanks for reading!
Oh my goodness! I am all into this story, and ready to preorder. When will it be out again? A month, you say? Well, the end of July cannot come too soon. Dear Author, it looks as if you have another winner!
Author
I’m so glad you liked the excerpt, Peggy! It’ll be out on 22 Jul and available for preorder at the start of the month, fingers crossed. Best wishes and I hope you’ll like it.
Ooooh that sounds wonderful
Author
I’m so glad you like the sound of it, Michelle. Thank you! I hope you’ll like the full story too.
This story sounds amazing! Can’t wait to read!! Good luck.
Author
Best wishes and thanks for reading, Amy! I’m so glad you liked the excerpt!
Definitely going to add this to my list. FMS dont always turn out well! Crossing my fingers Darcy doesnt think Elizabeth is involved. Wickham needs to just go away!
Author
Thanks for adding ‘Twists of Fate’ to your TBR list, Tiffany! I hope you’ll like it.
And I also hope you’ll be pleased to hear that Wickham does go away. Far, far away 🙂
I love it! I’m so excited for this variation. I look forward to seeing how their relationship develops with them starting off on not such a bad foot. And I was surprised by the Wickham reveal, so good job lol. I can’t wait to read the whole book! You always do a great job with these variations. They feel familiar and yet unique, which I love. Keep up the good work!
Author
Thanks, Emily! I’m so glad you’re looking forward to it. That’s what I absolutely love about early marriage scenarios, the fact that D & E have to learn to live together before they fall in love (or before they realise they already had 🙂 ) All the best and thanks for stopping by to read and chat today!
Wickham just can’t seem to help himself, either with girls or causing trouble for Darcy. Congrats on the new release! I can’t wait to read it.
Author
“Wickham just can’t seem to help himself, either with girls or causing trouble for Darcy.”
Indeed 😀 . And little does he know that by causing trouble he’s actually helping Darcy a fair bit 😉
He’d LOVE that!!!
Thanks for reading, Robin, and I hope you’ll like the book.
I’m a bit surprised that Elizabeth didn’t ogle Darcy a bit in his wet shirt… hehe! I really enjoyed this excerpt and am looking forward to the story. Funny, but when I read the blurb, I pictured that Elizabeth’s refusal of a handsy Collins was that which was observed, therefore forcing an engagement with him, not Darcy. Of course, Darcy would have to ride in like a gallant knight in shining armor to rescue her. It appears he does that anyway, , it’s fun to see him more than a little besotted and somewhat moony-eyes over Elizabeth.
Author
Oh my goodness, no, not a forced engagement with Mr Collins! I shudder to think… Thanks for carrying on reading, Kerry! I’m so glad the excerpt was a welcome surprise, wet shirt & besottedness and everything 🙂
Loved the excerpt, Joana! I’m so excited to read this! Your books are amongst my all-time favorites. Thanks so much for the chance to win a copy of your newest.
Author
Thank you, Pam! I’m so happy you liked my other books! Hope you’ll enjoy this one too. All the best and thanks for reading.
Loved the excerpt. I should have known that “lovey” would be George.
Author
Isn’t he a darling? 😀
Thanks for reading, DarcyBennet! I’m so glad you loved the excerpt.
This sounds fantastic! Thanks for the giveaway and please let us know when the preorder is live!
Author
I’m so glad you liked it, Lynda! I’ll post the preorder link asap. I’m hoping it will go live around the start of July. Best of luck in the giveaway and thanks for stopping by to read and chat.
Thoroughly enjoyable, Joana!!! I love the way Elizabeth slowly warms to Darcy! Can’t wait to read this!
Author
Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Monica! I’m so happy you enjoyed it! I love to imagine them getting together sooner and working things out 🙂
Love all your stories and looking forward to this one!
Author
Thanks, Marta! I’m so glad you loved my other stories. I hope you’ll like this one too. All the best and thanks for reading.
I’m looking forward to this book release!
Author
I’m so glad, TC! I hope you like the full story. Thanks for stopping by and best of luck in the giveaway!
This should be fun! I loved the moment Darcy confronted her about stubbornness… and that he proved himself more stubborn than she… a match for her indeed!
Wickham is big trouble again.
Looking forward to this!
Author
Birds of a feather 🙂
I’m so glad you loved the excerpt, Agnes, and that you’re looking forward to the whole story. Thank you!! I hope you’ll like it. Best of luck in the giveaway and have a lovely day!
This looks like fun!
Author
Thanks for reading, Colleen! I’m so happy you liked it! I hope the next posts on the blog tour will be fun too 😉
What a great start! It’s nice for a change to see some of Darcy’s good qualities showing up for Elizabeth early in the story. I always enjoy seeing humor between them as well. I am looking forward to the launch date. Thank you for the sample of the fun to come.
Author
I’m so glad you enjoyed those scenes as much as I did when I wrote them, Catherine! It’s so lovely to picture Mr Darcy letting his guard down and letting his good qualities show. I can’t help thinking that their life together would be full of love and humour (and the odd disagreement on account of their stubbornness 😀 . Which should make the return to harmony even sweeter).
Thanks for reading. Best wishes and I hope you’ll like the rest.
Thank you for sharing this excerpt with us. I enjoyed reading this piece and look forward to the rest. Very ineteresting intruduction of Mr. Wickham into the story. Of all the people to accidentally witness this event…I am very intrigued about how he will get his comeuppance in this story. Thanks again!
Author
Oh, he will get his comeuppance alright 😉 Thanks for reading, Laura, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! All the best, and I hope you’ll like the full story too.
I really love reading these book excerpts. I enjoyed the interaction with between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Just an amiable moment that paints him in a better light early on in the story and has her feeling something other than contempt. Can’t wait to read.
Author
I’m so glad you enjoyed their interaction, Katherine! I hope you’ll stay tuned for the rest of the blog tour, there’s more coming up! Have a lovely weekend and thanks for reading.
Oh I can’t wait!!
Author
Thanks, Amanda! I’m so glad you liked the sound of it 🙂
I read, and sometimes reread every P”&P variation you write, Joan a.
That no you for all the pleasure!
Author
I’m so happy they give you pleasure, Betty! Thanks so much, it’s wonderful to hear that!
Really loved this excerpt thank you! I always thoroughly enjoy the dialogue between Darcy and Elizabeth in your books, you execute it all just superbly. Really looking forward to this one Joana:)
Author
Huge thanks for your kind words, Roseanne! I’m so happy you enjoy my take on their interactions! I do hope you’ll like this book too. They open up and talk a fair bit (even Mr Darcy, eventually 😉 )
Have a lovely weekend and thanks for reading!
Ahahahahaha!
Little does W know he is doing ODC a favor, saving E from C and giving D an excuse to marry for love!
Author
Such a favour, Roxane!! And Wickham isn’t done being ‘helpful’ 😉 . I hope you’ll come back next Thursday for another peek.
All the best and thanks for reading!
I’m all for a story where ODC get aligned early on so there is chance for more relationship development–always a welcome change! Waiting with bated breath!
Author
Thank you, Joy! I absolutely adore these scenarios too, where our dear characters are brought together early and have to interact day in – day out while they discover each other’s feelings and their own.
I hope you’ll like my take on their relationship development. Enjoy the weekend and thanks for reading!
Looks like lots of twists and turns, with plenty of witty dialogue from our dear couple while Wickham waits in the shadows!
Author
I’m so glad you liked my take on our dear couple’s dialogue! Yes, there will be twists and turns along the way. From where I’m sitting, I can count a fair number 😉 , so I hope you’ll like the journey. Best wishes and thanks for reading!
I’m so looking forward to this one! I loved Darcy’s half-hearted attempt to bid farewell to her forever.
Author
And little does he know… 😀 Thanks so much, Paige, I’m so happy you liked it! All the best and have a lovely day!
Thanks Joana for the excerpt. I love the premise and look forward to reading more. Congratulations on your latest novel. I love your books. –Leslie
Author
Thanks for stopping by to read the excerpt, Leslie. I’m so glad you liked the premise!
Thank you Ms Starnes for a look into your new book.
Lookign forward to more of the story esp Mr D’s return to Meryton.
Author
I’m so glad you liked the excerpt! More coming up on Thursday. I hope you’ll be pleasantly surprised 😉
That was such a lovely excerpt with Mr Darcy being on his best chivalrous behavior towards Elizabeth. I loved the descriptive language you used and that bit of tension, especially at the end with Lieutenant Wickham. I dread as to what kind of trouble he will cause. Thank you for sharing this piece and the chance at the giveaway.
Author
Thank you, Jen! I’m so glad you loved the language and Mr Darcy being at his most chivalrous. Please come back on Thursday, there’s more coming up about the outcome of Wickham’s scheming. Mr Darcy won’t be having much fun, but I hope you will 🙂
I could sense what Elizabeth was feeling anytime Darcy touched her. It appears that she has a good impression of him. And, I did not expect George Wickham to witness Elizabeth and Darcy! No wonder people thought compromise. I love all of your books! Thank you for the lengthy excerpt and giveaway.
Author
That’s such a wonderful thing to say, Eva! Thank you!! I hope you’ll like this week’s excerpt too. Thanks for reading and see you on Thursday!
This is going to be a favorite I can tell! Great start and horrible cliff hanger you left us with. I’m looking forward to your completion of the novel and will certainly look forward to reading it in its entirety. I loved how D just patiently sat in the rain against a tree waiting for E to be reasonable. That told us so much about D’s character. .
Author
Thanks so much for your wonderful words, Meg. I’m so happy you loved the premise and that you’re looking forward to reading the whole story. All the best and thanks for reading.
This sounds like a very promising adventure for ODC! Looking forward to your upcoming excerpts!
Author
Thank you, Regina! I’m so glad you liked the first excerpt and that you’re looking forward to more. The next one is coming up on Thursday and then a couple more afterwards. I hope you’ll like them too.
Just got back from visiting my Dad for the first time in over a year and bringing home my new rabbit rescue and come back to this lovely excerpt! Wickham always has to get in the way but maybe this is good to keep Darcy from leaving. Can’t wait to read more, your writing never disappoints.
Author
I’m so glad you could visit your Dad at last, Jennifer!
I hope your rabbit is very happy to have a new home with you.
LOL Yes, Wickham just had to meddle. But I hope you’ll find it was for the best (in a roundabout kind of way 😀 )
Thanks for your wonderful words about my writing! All the best and have a good week!
That wicked Wickham is going to cause trouble as usual. Here’s hoping it causes Darcy to stay and fight for Elizabeth.
Author
Yep, that’s the plan, Luisa 😉
All the best and thanks for reading!
I say witnessed by GW is the worst. Hmmm… Now what. Waiting for more. This is great!
Author
I’m so glad you’re enjoying it, Jen! Thank you!
What a lovely scene!
Author
Thanks, Xena Anne! I’m so glad you liked it.
I am so excited that we do not have much longer to await the publication of your much anticipated new book, Joana. These two excerpts have certainly wetted my appetite for another excellent Lizzy and Darcy interlude.
Darcy is wonderful in both these excerpts —so stubborn and so very masterful —and Lizzy is her usual ‘determined to find fault’ self despite Darcy having come to her aid. But then, her nerves are very jangled after her run in with The lecherous Mr Collins.
Of course, Wickham has to witness their less contentious farewell, along with his little bit of muslin- of-the-moment. It does not take a Rhode scholar to know that chaos will ensue.
I do have one question: why, on such a cold and wet November day, did Darcy not have his great-coat on? At the beginning, I thought this was the coat Lizzy was making use of, but no, it was his jacket.
And I certainly hope Mr Collins gets his comeuppance.
Thank you for the excerpts and for the two to come. A lovely appetiser.
Lesley. 🤗
Author
Thanks so much for your wonderful words, Lesley! I’m so glad that you liked the excerpts, and ODC’s stubbornness :))
LOL “Of course, Wickham has to witness their less contentious farewell, along with his little bit of muslin-of-the-moment. It does not take a Rhode scholar to know that chaos will ensue.” Indeed 😀
Right, so, about Mr Darcy’s choice of apparel: I just realised that the relevant bit comes before the start of the excerpt. It had just started to rain when Lizzy left the house a quarter of an hour earlier, so the weather was nice and dry when Mr Darcy set off from Netherfield. Still, he should have made provisions seeing as it’s November, but let’s say that he was too worked up over his plans to leave Hertfordshire and the sweet temptation to pay much heed to the weather. But the honest-to-goodness truth is that I wanted him to win the ‘Mr Wet Shirt’ competition 😛 . Also ( heartless as I am) I wanted him to have enough reason to catch a cold, so that his plans for departure could go out of the window.
Thanks for stopping by to read and chat! Have a lovely day, and I hope you’ll like what’s coming.
Ah, I so dislike a lecherous Mr. Collins! Poor Elizabeth! I hope she gave him a good smack! At least she was saved by our Mr. Darcy! Who else would come to her rescue in such horrid weather and force her to wear his coat and ride his horse so that she would not come to further injury or get any wetter?
Author
Hi, Joan!
“At least she was saved by our Mr. Darcy! Who else would come to her rescue in such horrid weather and force her to wear his coat and ride his horse so that she would not come to further injury or get any wetter?” Indeed :)))
Mr Collins does deserve a good smack and worse, doesn’t he? Lady Cat doesn’t make an appearance in this story (I thought ODC have enough to deal with as it is, without her barging in) but it must have been a stormy day at Rosings when Lady Cat found out that Mr Collins was the one who set the wheels in motion for Darcy’s rushed marriage.
I really, totally dislike, loathe Mr. Collins. I love Mr. Darcy, my hero; and I am loving this opportunity to win this e-book.
Author
Best of luck in the giveaway, Christa! Thanks for taking part.
Very informative excerpts! They contain all the ingredients to get a couple in trouble. Can’t wait to read it complete!
Author
Not long now 🙂 . Best of luck in the giveaway and I hope you’ll like the full story.
Thank you for sharing a bit of the story! I am wondering on how D&E get on from here.
Author
Thanks, Audny, and I hope you’ll enjoy finding out. Best of luck in the giveaway and thanks for stopping by.
I love your characterizations. I already looking forward to this Darcy and can’t wait to read the rest of the story.
Author
Thank you, Madenna! I’m so glad you’re looking forward to this Darcy and the rest of the story. Best wishes and good luck in the giveaway.
Thank you for you job, Joana. I’m reading your books now (just finished “Journey Home to Pemberley” and plan to start reading “The subsequent proposal”) and I’m really excited to find out that a new one will be released soon!
Honestly, your books are so good, and characters of Elizabeth and Darcy are so believable. When I start reading your book, I can’t put it back and read the whole night to finish it.
This extract is great and emotional. Can’t wait to read this book soon)
Author
Thanks so much, Valentyna! I’m so happy to hear you like my books. I hope you’ll enjoy this one too. Mr Darcy’s wedding day seems to have gone down like a lead balloon in today’s excerpt 😉 but in fact his love life takes a good turn much quicker than it did in the ‘Journey Home to Pemberley’ and ‘The Subsequent Proposal.’ I hope you’ll like that 🙂 Best of luck in the giveaway and thanks for taking part.
[…] If you missed the first excerpt, you can find it here. […]
[…] day. If you missed any of the posts on the TWISTS OF FATE blog tour, you can find them here: A ride in the rain; A fiery Mr Darcy; A very un-Hunsford-like proposal; Breaking the wall of silence and ‘Ask Me […]
[…] A ride in the rain […]