Showing posts with label Longbourn's Angels. Show all posts

Deleted Scene ~ We did a very bad thing

If you have read Longbourn's Angels, you are aware Mrs. Bennet knew of Elizabeth and Jane's friendship with the Duke of Belmont's family. However... the first draft had everyone keeping this tidbit from her and at the end of the book, at Jane's wedding to the Earl of Holcomb, everything comes to a head.

We start with Mrs. Frances Bennet's introduction to the duke at Jane's wedding breakfast.

~~~

"I am pleased to meet you. I am certain Lord Holcomb is glad you attended his wedding."
"We did not come as the earl's guest, Mrs. Bennet. We came in honor of Jane," the duke said.
"Not the earl?" Fanny looked to Elizabeth. "How can that be? We are not friends with any peers."
She saw Elizabeth glance at the duke's family and after a slight nod from his grace, Elizabeth led her mother away a few steps.
"Jane and I have known the duke's family for over eleven years."
"You and Jane? Eleven years!" Fanny could not help herself, her voice rose with each staccato sentence. "How? Why was I not told?"
During all this, Elizabeth had been steadily removing her from the room and down the hall toward her husband's study.
"Mamma, I will explain all. We will have some privacy in Papa's study."
They entered the room and Fanny marched to her husband's desk and turned to face her daughter, her hands fisted against her hips.
"Please explain to me how it is that a duke's family has honored my eldest daughter in such a manner, and I do not even know their names."
She listened as Elizabeth explained how she had saved the duke's daughter and how the friendship with Lady Susannah grew from there. When she went on to explain she and Jane had visited the duke's estate every summer, Fanny thought her heart would break. That her family thought her so capricious and fickle, they could not even tell her of this, was a blow to her self-esteem. What else had they kept from her? Was she even a part of this family? Would they even notice her gone if she ran away as Lydia had?
When her middle daughter had finished relaying all the pertinent information, Fanny was silent for a moment, absorbing it all and not liking how it made her feel. She finally sighed deeply and stepped past her daughter to exit the room.
"Thank you, Elizabeth. Please excuse me, I have guests to attend."
For the rest of the day, she behaved as an exquisite hostess, shattering any preconceived notion others may have held for her. Through it all, she conversed, listened, and advised – and spoke not one word to her family, other than to Jane when she and Henry made to depart on their wedding trip. Fanny kissed her eldest daughter on the cheek and said, her tone earnest, "I wish you every happiness and will pray your husband treats you with the respect you so richly deserve."
Later in the day, given the studied looks her husband kept shooting in her direction, she knew a conversation was to take place. She managed to avoid him until all the guests were gone, save Mr. Darcy who lingered in the drawing room with Elizabeth and her brothers.
"Fanny, might I have a word with you – in my study?"
~~~
They traversed the hall side by side and after he had opened the door and allowed her to precede him, Thomas moved to take one of the chairs near the fireplace. With a wave of his hand, he invited her to also take a seat, which she did. Silence stretched between them, becoming more awkward the longer they sat. She gave a start when the clock struck the half hour.
"Elizabeth told me she explained her relationship with the Duke of Belmont," he finally said, breaking the strained silence. "Have you nothing to say? Any questions?"
"Why?"
"Because the duke was so very grateful to Lizzy for saving his daughter's life."
"No. Why was I not told?"
Thomas pinched the bridge of his nose. A habit he had formed from childhood, indicating acute frustration, or an unwillingness to speak the unvarnished truth, no matter how much it hurt.
"It was done in an attempt to keep gossip at bay."
"Gossip. What gossip?"
"You and I both know that whatever you know, your sister Margaret knows as well." Thomas fell back in his chair and waved his hand in the direction of Mrs. Phillips' house, over a mile away. “She would never have kept this secret, and both Jane and Lizzy did not want our neighbors to treat them differently. They are good girls, Fanny. You did a marvelous job raising them. No one can take that from you, and because of your kindness and love, our girls will have a wonderful life. Do not let this overshadow the joy of this day.”
“Mr. Bennet, I am well aware our girls are everything that is lovely. You still should have told me. If you had asked, I would never have spoken a word of it.” She blinked rapidly, a feeble attempt to delay her tears. “I did not realize how low I had fallen in your esteem.”
“Fanny, that is not true.”
“No?” She straightened and drew back her shoulders. Her chin lifted in defiance, reminding him where their daughters had learned dignity. “I shall not trouble you further, Husband, with my flights of fancy. Let no one ever say Frances Bennet does not learn from her mistakes.”
She stood and gave her husband a full curtsy and after a quick pivot on her heel, quit the room. Bennet let out a heartfelt sigh. That had been badly done. Trite apologies would not soothe his wife’s hurt feelings. They had kept this secret from her for no other reason than they thought her silly, and it also fed his capricious sense of humor. The advice his own respected father had shared with him the night before he wed Fanny came to mind. He had come to Thomas’ room, Holy Bible in hand, and read from Proverbs.
Bennet reached for that same Bible, laying safely on the bookshelf behind him, and turned to the familiar passage. Tears filled his eyes as he read through the chapter, halting on the verses which he chastised himself for forgetting.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Fanny was a good and virtuous wife and she had trusted him, but that trust had not been returned. Not in things that mattered other than faithfulness. He had made her look the fool. He closed the book and clasped his hands on the cover, bowing his head. He asked forgiveness from his Lord, then asked for guidance on how to approach his wife. After a good half hour, he blew out the candles and ascended the stairs. He knocked lightly on his wife’s bedchamber door and his heart melted when she cracked it open, revealing big blue eyes, red-rimmed from crying.
“Ahhh, Fanny. I am so sorry. Can you find it in your heart to forgive a foolish man?”
She said not a word but left the door open before returning to a chair near the fireplace. He closed the door behind him and did not leave the room until late the next morning.
~~~
"Your father and mother have not yet come down to break their fast?"
Darcy paced the family parlor, shooting glances at the door in hopes Elizabeth's father would miraculously appear. He finally had gotten her to say she would marry him and now he was being stonewalled in trying to approach her father for his consent and blessing. Granted, the family had been very busy with the wedding, but… surely things would revert to normal now that all the bustle had died down.
"We have not seen Mamma or Papa since late yesterday when Jane and Henry departed." Elizabeth began to wring her hands and joined him in pacing. "I told Mamma how and why we knew the Duke of Belmont and I do not think she took the news well."
"Your mother did not know the duke's family? How many years have you been friends with his daughter?"
"Over eleven years."
"Eleven…" he paused in thought. "Your mother must have been very hurt over this."
"She did not give the appearance of being hurt."
Darcy cut Elizabeth a hard glance.
"I watched your mother most carefully and what I thought was nervous energy I now realize was a woman holding everything together to keep others from seeing her anger."
"Anger?"
Darcy snagged Elizabeth's hand and tugged her toward the couch. After they sat, he faced her.
"Think about it this way. Let us assume Jane never once told you about Lord Holcomb and continued to see him, be courted by him, and accept his proposal without once taking you into her confidence. Then, by telling half-truths, she convinced you to attend church on a Tuesday morning, whereupon you find all your family and friends gathered to celebrate her marriage. How would you feel about that?"
"First of all—"
"No, my love. Accept the premise exactly as I presented it."
"Very well, I would be very hurt she had not trusted me enough to share her good news."
"Multiply that deception by eleven and a half years. Can you now understand why your mother is hurt?"
Tears filled his love's eyes.
"We did a very bad thing to Mamma."
"Yes, so what are we going to do about this?"
"Beg forgiveness, over and over until she accepts."
"Good starting point, but I do not think that is enough."

Friday Kiss ~ June 2

Today's word for #FridayKiss is 'tangle'.

On the groom's side of the chapel were the earl's former in-laws, Lord and Lady Sunderland, who sat with a very excited Lady Cassandra. Mrs. Bennet’s heart swelled with love when she saw Lord Holcomb’s daughter. She was such a polite and adorable child, yet filled with a nervous kind of energy. In some ways, she resembled Elizabeth when she was younger; always questioning and curious. Mrs. Bennet couldn’t count the number of times she wished for nightfall to find some peace from the endless questions like, ‘Why does a cricket’s leg bend backward?’ or ‘How do clouds stay afloat?’ Even when Mrs. Bennet checked on her children before bed, she often found Elizabeth in a tangle of sheets, still exploring in her sleep. The man who married her would need lots of patience to quell her curiosity. She blushed a little at the thought of how her husband had calmed her nerves when they first were married.

Fanny looked at Lord Holcomb – Henry – waiting patiently near the altar for his bride. At the time of Mr. Bingley’s defection, she had despaired of her Jane ever finding happiness, but now that she’d met the earl, Fanny could not even begin to imagine her eldest daughter married to anyone else. Henry was faithful and true and valued Jane for more than her beauty, something Fanny had erroneously thought was the only valuable asset her daughter owned. Fortunately, the earl had seen beyond the physical and sought the woman beneath the skin.

Standing next to Henry was Mr. Darcy. Now, this was something Fanny had not expected. She knew the earl had lost almost all his immediate family to an influenza outbreak a few years ago, so there was no brother to stand with him. She reasoned, however, if Mr. Darcy’s courtship with Elizabeth progressed further, the two men would become brothers through marriage, which created its own perfect symmetry.

Mrs. Bennet assessed the proud mien of Mr. Darcy. No one could deny the gentleman’s attractive appearance, but his prideful bearing was, at times, difficult to overlook. Would he have the capacity and patience to handle Elizabeth’s unparalleled enthusiasm for life? When she posed this question after being informed of their courtship, Mr. Bennet assured her if their daughter accepted a marriage proposal, she would have a very content life. Her husband explained Elizabeth’s joie de vivre was precisely what the man from Derbyshire needed to soften his somber disposition. Fanny suddenly chuckled and hoped the fastidious man did not mind tangled bed cloths.

The church door opened and Elizabeth entered to begin the procession. Fanny happened to catch sight of Mr. Darcy’s expression upon seeing her second daughter walk down the aisle and sighed with satisfaction. He would not mind tangled sheets at all.

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My latest baby is two weeks old and has already achieved not one, but two!! orange banners. Thank you, dear readers. You are the only ones who make this possible.

If you haven't yet read Longbourn's Angels, you can get your copy HERE, exclusively on Amazon, Kindle Unlimited.

NEW RELEASE

Longbourn's Angels

.Elizabeth and Jane Bennet have their very own guardian angels in the form of elder twin brothers, Michael, and Gabriel, who are on high alert when Meryton is suddenly flooded with eligible gentlemen. One is honorable although a tad too proud, one is a known flirt always on the lookout for his next ‘angel,’ and one is a garrulous bore. All of them have their eye on a Bennet sister.

The brother’s protective instincts are further heightened when a dangerous predator arrives in their sleepy village, and more than one lady learns that evil can appear in the guise of a handsome man.

Where there is no wood, the fire goes out.

In this retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, new and old friendships are forged in bonds of steel while others are lost in the waves of gossip.

Available now, exclusively on Amazon's Kindle Unlimited. Purchase your copy HERE

WEEKEND WRITING WARRIORS #88

I'm baaaack! One of the rabbit holes I disappeared into these past few weeks was Discord, more specifically, MidJourney - an Artificial Intelligence (AI) program. I wanted to create my own characters for Longbourn's Angels that I could use for marketing and teasers. Below is my 'cast' for my WIP (work in progress), Longbourn's Angels. Crossing fingers, toes and eyes it will be ready for release early 2023.

Elizabeth & Darcy --- Jane & Henry & Bingley

I also created some fun graphics and the one I am using today pairs nicely with the snippet I wish to share.

But First (to quote Julie Chen) - My 10 lines:

If there had not been a ball to prepare for and talk of, Mrs. Bennet would have been in a pitiable state. Ever since the invitation to the ball had been extended, the skies had opened and a deluge of rain fell for five straight days. As such, she was prevented from taking the carriage to Meryton to obtain whatever she deemed necessary for Jane’s dress. She also fretted over Lydia’s gown, as this would be her first official ball, having been granted permission to attend and dance with family members only. Papa would return Lydia back to Longbourn after the supper hour.

Mrs. Bennet’s frustration was felt in equal parts by all the Mister Bennets, who would rather have been anywhere but inside the house. In order to escape animated conversations about ribbons, lace, length of sleeves, and lack of shoe roses, they took refuge in their father’s well-stocked library to read or play chess, with Elizabeth frequently joining them in a bid to escape their persistent cousin.

It was there he finally tracked her down.

“Cousin Elizabeth, I have found you.”

Elizabeth paused, her white bishop in hand, poised over the chessboard.

Now, for the rest:

“I did not realize I was lost, Mr. Collins.”

“You are uniformly delightful.”

“What did you need to see Lizzy about, Mr. Collins?” Papa queried from his comfortable chair by the fireplace. He knew of her frustration, and had found it amusing – for the first few days – but now, even the edges of his temper were beginning to fray.

“I sought out my cousin’s company in order to request her company for the first two sets at Mr. Bingley’s ball.”

Elizabeth flashed a look of panic toward Gabriel, seated across from her at the chess table. Without even looking in the direction of their cousin, Gabe said, “Lizzy’s first set of dances has already been spoken for.”

“By whom?”

Impudent man!

“Excuse me, Gabe. I need to put your King in check before I address Mr. Collins.” Elizabeth dropped the chess piece onto the board, feeling a surge of satisfaction at her brother’s incredulous look. She then stood to face her cousin. “I am not required to divulge this information to anyone save my father, Mr. Collins. Suffice to say, it is none of your business, and you will see for yourself on the night of the ball.”

She fervently hoped one of her brothers or Papa would stand up with her because, as of this exact moment, she did not have a partner for the opening sets.

“This is not to be borne,” Mr. Collins sputtered. “You will mind your sharp tongue in the future, Cousin Elizabeth.”

The silence which descended upon the room was almost measurable. Papa carefully placed a bookmark in his book, set it on the side table, and rose to his feet. He was at Mr. Collins’s side in two strides, causing the younger man to crane his neck in order to meet his elder cousin’s gaze.

“What is not to be borne?” Papa asked, his voice deceptively soft. “Who are you to tell my daughter to mind her tongue?”

“I have determined Cousin Elizabeth suits me best. She is next in age and beauty to Cousin Jane and, as her future husband, I naturally assumed she would open and close the ball with me.”

Elizabeth dropped back into her chair, shocked at the audacity of the man. His outlandish explanation fully explained why he had dogged her every step these past few days.

“Elizabeth,” Papa said without turning around, “would you care to join your mother and sisters? Your brothers and I need to have a conversation with Mr. Collins.”

“I respectfully request to stay, Father. I believe you are going to speak about me, and wish to be present.”

Papa cut her a quick glance and winked. She did her very best not to smile when Mr. Collins’s mouth flopped open in surprise. As it was, she clearly heard Gabe cut short a gurgle of laughter. She dared not look in Michael’s direction. He took his sister’s safety and wellbeing to heart and, like his namesake, truly became an avenging angel if anyone threatened his Lizzy.

“Very well.” Papa turned back to Mr. Collins. “First, let us talk about the ball. Did you ask Jane for the first set, as she is the eldest?”

“I did not. Mrs. Bennet told me she was as good as engaged. I assume her betrothed will open the ball with her.”

“Jane is engaged? I shall have to congratulate her, as this is the first I heard of it.” A deep frown creased the forehead of Mr. Collins. Elizabeth wasn’t sure if it was because he had a hard time understanding Papa’s caustic humor, or if he now just realized Jane was not spoken for. “Well then, let us address why you believe you are betrothed to Elizabeth.”

Papa returned to his chair while Mr. Collins swallowed hard, and began to speak.

“On my first night here, I spoke to Mrs. Bennet of my desire to extend an olive branch, more specifically of finding my future wife while in Hertfordshire.” He paused when Michael coughed. “I commented on the beauty of all my cousins, most especially Cousin Jane.”

Michael’s cough turned into what sounded like a growl. Mr. Collins began to get a panicked look about him.

“Excuse my son. He has the first stages of a cold and needs to clear his throat often. Carry on. I am fascinated with what you are telling me.”

“As I said, before being rudely interrupted,” Mr. Collins dared to glare in Michael’s direction. “I mentioned my preference toward Cousin Jane, and Mrs. Bennet said she felt it was incumbent upon her to tell me your eldest daughter was very close to becoming engaged. Upon seeing my disappointment, she told me not to give up hope. I am certain, said she, there are other young ladies who would look upon your situation with a hopeful eye. I asked if her other daughters had an understanding with any gentleman, to which she said no. I then knew I had your wife’s blessing and was assured of my success in gaining your second daughter’s hand in marriage.”

“We have two things which must be addressed, Mr. Collins. The first is your desire to extend an olive branch by way of marrying one of my daughters.” Papa held up his hand when Mr. Collins opened his mouth to speak again. “I realize your father and I had an acrimonious relationship, and cannot fault you for wishing to heal the breach in our family. I do, however, take umbrage with the notion you believe you have an understanding with my daughter, especially when I explicitly informed you – upon your arrival – not to seek a wife from amongst my daughters.”

“But if I take Cousin Elizabeth to wife, when you leave this mortal coil, your family will have the comfort of knowing one of their own inherits Longbourn. That is, if we are so blessed as to have a son.”

The room fell silent, broken only by the snap and crackle of the fireplace.

“Mr. Collins, are you deficient in understanding?”

“No, I do not believe I am.”

“Do you not see my sons in this room with me?”

“Yes.”

“And whom do you think will inherit Longbourn when I die?”

“I… umm… Master Michael Bennet.”

“And if anything happened to my eldest son, whom do you think will inherit? That is, if Michael has not married and had a son of his own?”

“Master Gabriel Bennet.” Mr. Collins flicked a glance toward the chess table where Elizabeth and Gabriel sat.

“So, it is safe to say, one of my own will inherit Longbourn.”

“Cousin Bennet.” Mr. Collins began to wring his hands. “Should the Good Lord take you and your sons, I would step in and become head of the family. The entail was designed for this very thing.”

“I am of a mind to have our local physician check you over. Your memory is exceedingly faulty for one so young. When you first arrived, not only did I warn you against pursuing my daughters, but I also told you the entail was broken when my eldest son reached his majority. I cannot be held responsible if your father did not inform you of this fact.” Mr. Collins stood mute by the door. “Now that the line of succession has been confirmed, let us address the fact you had the audacity to describe yourself as the future husband of Elizabeth.”

“As I said before, Cousin Bennet—”

“You are not, never have been, and never will be, the future husband of Elizabeth.”

“I do not understand. I believe Mrs. Bennet wholeheartedly supports this decision.”

“But, I do not, and as Elizabeth has not yet reached her majority, I would not give consent, nor my blessing to such a union.”

Thankful for her father’s staunch support, Elizabeth stood and faced their cousin.

“Mr. Collins, while I thank you for the honor you wished to bestow on me, it has become a moot point. I would never have said yes to your proposal of marriage.”

“Never?”

“Never. I do not love you, sir, and will only marry a man who can hold my heart in tender care.” Mr. Collins continued to stare, his mouth hanging open. She did not wish to cause him further embarrassment unless provoked, so she turned her attention to her father. “I believe I will join my sisters.”

“Are you forfeiting the game, Lizzy?” Gabe called out, his voice hopeful.

With a sly grin, she leaned over the chess table and said, “There is only one move open, dear brother, and then you are in checkmate.”

Gabe studied the board and grimaced before tipping his king. Elizabeth straightened and moved toward the door. When Mr. Collins stepped aside, allowing her to exit gracefully, she bobbed him a quick curtsy. No need to be rude to the poor man. She was glad she had afforded him the small courtesy because, before the door closed behind her, she heard Papa say, “Take a seat, Mr. Collins. We are not done here.”

~~ooo0ooo~~

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WEEKEND WRITING WARRIORS #87

A new week has dawned with a new snippet from my last release: In Essentials. Glad you joined me today.

Here, in Canada, my family celebrated Thanksgiving last weekend. What a joy - even with all the extra work. Since Covid, this is the first time our little family was all together in one space. With six grandchildren, ranging in age from 10 months to 15 years, the cacophony of noise was wonderful, and at times overwhelming.

Full confession. I was grateful for the silence when everybody left for their own home. Does this make me a bad grandma? Even so, I would not trade the chaos for anything. We ate food, played cards, soothed bumped knees, and cleaned the floor from multiple spills. Our poor cats hid the entire time. Yup - it was a good time.

Onto this week's snippet. I am sharing from In Essentials. This book was released in March 2022. Here is the blurb, followed by my excerpt for this week.

BOOK BLURB:

His mistress, rewarded with a substantial allowance, jewelry, and clothing was in all essentials Mrs. Darcy, except by name.

His wife, with low connections and vulgar relations, is Mrs. Darcy by name, but in essentials, she is nothing more than a necessary evil to thwart the plans of his uncle the earl, as well as provide a legitimate heir to Pemberley.

All too soon, Darcy realizes there are hidden depths to his petite wife, and finds himself completely fascinated by not only her beauty but intelligence and wit.

Elizabeth, fully aware of why Mr. Darcy chose her as his wife, fights her growing attraction to the taciturn gentleman from Derbyshire, failing miserably. She is finally forced to acknowledge, that, in essentials, he is the only man who can make her happy.

EXCERPT:

A tall gentleman stalked the edges of the assembly room, hating every minute he was forced to remain in the presence of complete strangers. The room stank of cheap tallow candles, unwashed bodies, and bad breath. More than that, it stank of desperation. Frantic mothers and fathers seeking to have their children wed. Male or female, it did not matter. The goal was to find a warm body to ensure a continued heritage and hopefully bring ready cash into the family coffers. In this regard, they were not too dissimilar to him, as he too, was on the hunt. But not for the same reasons.

A LITTLE MORE TO WHET YOUR WHISTLE:

Last week, his uncle had once again lambasted him for not marrying one of the many pedigreed debutantes paraded past him at endless balls and soirees, going so far as to challenge the guardianship of his younger sister if he did not comply with his demands. Tired of his mother’s brother trying to force him into marrying his choice of wife, and his mother’s sister demanding he marry her daughter, he decided he would find his own wife. And not just any wife. She would be vile, though not in looks. If he had to bed the wench, he wanted some form of beauty and a pleasing body. No, she would be someone who teetered on the edges of polite society. Preferably a gentleman’s daughter with vulgar connections. The more vulgar the better.

He had no need for more money or love. His mistress filled the latter of those requirements in more ways than one. His lips briefly curved as he remembered how she’d bid him farewell last night, knowing she would not see him until the new year. Straddled across his lower torso, she had raised and lowered herself, allowing him free reign with his mouth and hands. There was not a crack or crevice on her delectable body he was not familiar with, and after two years, still had not tired of her.

If he truly wished to have his uncle expire from an apoplectic fit, he’d marry her, but knew such a rash act would materially damage his sister’s chance of making a good marriage when she finally came out in society. He could never do that to sweet, innocent Georgiana, and after a near disaster this past summer, where he’d nearly lost her to his father’s loathsome godson, he had vowed to protect her until she married a good man.

A high-pitched shriek followed by giggles brought him back to his quest – finding a gentleman’s daughter who would horrify his mother’s family. Two females barreled past him. His gaze followed the pair of ladies, girls really, far too young to be out in society even in a backwater town like this. They skidded to a stop in front of a woman to whom he had avoided introductions. He’d caught the calculating gleam in her eye the minute he and his friend had entered the room and knew she had decided on the both of them as future sons-in-law.

At first, he’d dismissed her, but now, watching how her daughters behaved, his interest was piqued. His uncle would be devastated if he showed up with one of those empty-headed twits on his arm. Lost in thoughts of how to facilitate a belated introduction, his friend approached.

“Come, Darcy. I must have you dance.”

“Before we left Netherfield, I told you I would be poor company tonight.”

“Then let us acquaint you with someone pleasant who can drag you out of the doldrums. There are some very pretty girls here.”

“You are dancing with the only handsome woman in the room.”

His gaze fell on his friend’s partner, who remained on the dance floor, waiting for their turn to go down the line. She was not only handsome; she was divine. He surmised even a dead man would have felt stirrings of desire in the presence of her beauty. However, he was not here to find a beautiful woman to grace his bed, he had the delectable Daphne for that. What he needed was someone who was not perfect. Someone his uncle would loathe on sight.

“Yes, Miss Bennet is so very beautiful, but you will not distract me in this. I will find someone for you to dance with who is not my sister.”

“I thank you, but you should make your way back onto the dance floor and enjoy your partner’s smiles. You are wasting your time with me.”

“I say, there is a pleasant-looking lady just yonder. I could ask my partner to introduce us.”

Darcy looked over his shoulder and spotted a petite woman seated by herself, her foot tapping in time to the music. He caught her eye and paused. She was pretty, but not handsome enough to tempt him from his mission of finding an uncouth bride. About to decline Bingley’s offer of introduction, his attention was caught by the loud chit he’d noticed earlier. She plopped down in the empty chair next to the intriguing woman and huffed out a huge sigh.

“La, Lizzy! I am quite fagged. I need to catch my breath before the next dance.”

The young girl hadn’t lowered her voice nor did she seem to care about the fact she slouched in her chair like a drunken sailor. The woman, Lizzy, obviously did because she hissed something under her breath and the girl straightened, but not before a pout appeared on her face.

“Oh, who cares what they think. They mean nothing to me.”

The young woman grabbed the girl’s arm and hauled her to her feet before marching toward the vulgar woman, whom he assumed was their mother. Even from across the room it was obvious the matron berated the young lady, allowing the spoilt child to prance off, head held high without batting an eye at her coarse behavior. He smiled. This ‘Lizzy’ was perfect.

He turned to his friend.

“After your dance has ended, I would be pleased to meet the young lady.”

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WEEKEND WRITING WARRIOR #85

I have not signed into WeWrWa for a very long time and to my fellow warriors... Sorry 'bout that.

So, I cannot promise this will be a regular thing - real life has a nasty way of saying, 'Nuh Uh, you ain't doin' that right now,' and things get pushed back. Suffice it to say, I am here for today.

Here is this week's selection:

Obliged by the scarcity of gentlemen to sit down for two dances, Elizabeth became aware Mr. Darcy had paused in front of her. Would the handsome gentleman notice her and ask her for a set? Mr. Bingley, dancing with Jane, broke from the line to implore his friend to join the set. Elizabeth, with no intention of listening to their conversation, could not avoid them as the two friends paused no more than a few feet from where she sat.

“Come, Darcy,” Bingley said, “I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about when you could be enjoying the company of a pretty girl.”

“You know I detest dancing unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as this, it would be insupportable. Besides, your sisters are engaged and there is not another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with.”

Elizabeth was surprised at Mr. Darcy’s assertion that dancing with any one of her neighbors and friends was considered a punishment instead of enjoyment.

And a taste for more:

“You are so frustratingly fastidious,” cried the younger man. “These people are my neighbors. Can you not, for my sake, soften your attitude for one dance? Truly Darcy, I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life, and several of them are uncommonly pretty.”

“You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room,” said Mr. Darcy, looking toward the dance floor. Elizabeth took note of where he directed his attention and felt a slight thaw in her disgust. Someone who thought Jane beautiful could not be all bad.

“I agree. She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! Regardless, you will not detract me from my mission. I must have you dance.” Bingley cast his gaze around and it fell on Elizabeth, who looked away, embarrassed at having almost been caught listening in on their conversation. “I say, there is a young lady sitting down just behind you who is quite pretty. Miss Bennet will know who she is. Do let me ask my partner to introduce you.”

Elizabeth worked hard to regulate her breathing, counting to ten while mentally preparing a positive response when he asked her to dance. By the time she reached three, she realized there had been no answer from Mr. Darcy, other than, ‘Which do you mean?’ Without thought, she glanced up and found him staring directly at her. Upon catching her eye, he withdrew his own and coldly said, “She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me. I am in no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. Return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, you are wasting your time with me.”

Stunned, cheeks burning with mortification, Elizabeth could not even form words in her mind at his brutal observation. All her life she had been found wanting by her mother, forever compared to Jane who was the epitome of beauty and grace, yet she’d always felt she had a small measure of pleasing features. Her eyes were quite fine, and she had a quick smile for everyone. To be dismissed so summarily by someone who had never met her before this evening, cut her to the quick. Mr. Bingley opened his mouth to argue further when a familiar figure stepped in front of both gentlemen.

“Excuse me, sir. I believe you owe my sister an apology.”

“I do not know who your sister is, sir,” Darcy replied, giving the younger man a haughty glare.

“She is the one whom you find barely tolerable, and not handsome enough to dance with.”

Oh dear, this could get messy. Elizabeth hurried to join them. By this time, a second gentleman had come alongside and also glared at Mr. Darcy.

“If you require introductions, sir, you are cordially invited to join us outside. My brother and I will introduce you to our fists. You will find they are not tolerable as well.”

“Michael! Gabriel!” Elizabeth stepped in their midst. “Apologize to Mr. Darcy at once.”

“He insulted you, Elizabeth,” Michael ground out between clenched teeth, his steely gaze never wavering from Mr. Darcy’s.

“He deserves to be horsewhipped for saying such things about a lady to whom he has not been introduced,” Gabriel added, and gently tried to move Elizabeth aside. “It was extremely rude.”

“I agree, Gabriel. Would you like to take the first punch?”

“No, you are the elder Michael, you may go first.”

Excerpt - Longbourn's Angels

Hello, my friends. Can you believe almost half of this year is in our rearview mirror? I, for one, am glad some of it is in the past. This year has been interesting. The Barr family has good news. Mr. B's cancer treatment was successful. His numbers look very, very good and the next update will be in about another five months. If things stay status quo, he will only have to go in every six months for the next two years, then it will be slated back to annual visits. (Whew) Also, he had surgery only three weeks ago, and everything has healed nicely with his first check-up is this week. Then... THEN... we move on the 29th. Yikes!

Needless to say, my writing has been in spits and spurts because of packing, visits to the building site, picking floor, lighting, tile, fixtures... etc., etc. Having said that, I continue to work on Longbourn's Angels. The main characters are ODC (Darcy & Elizabeth), but I am weaving in small vignettes of Jane and their older twin brothers. Yes, you heard me. Twin brothers. I toyed with making them triplets with Elizabeth, but I like having them as older brothers, looking out for their younger sisters. Especially when a proud man has the temerity to insult our dear Lizzy at the Meryton Assembly.

This time, I have not written the Bennets with titled family, however, because Mr. and Mrs. Bennet's first children were male, Mr. Bennet has taken better care of his estate and so they are a little wealthier than in the original story. They also own Netherfield Park. It tickles my fancy to have the Bingleys unknowingly pay rent to the family Caroline Bingley loves to disparage. Also, the two sons have attended Eton and Cambridge, and have high-placed friends.

Below is a small snippet. In this scene, Gabriel and Elizabeth have traveled to Netherfield Park to bring Jane home. As in canon, she had ridden to Netherfield on horseback, got wet, and became sick. Alas, she does not stay longer than one night before her big brother and younger sister come to hie her home to Longbourn. What you will read is what happened between Gabe and Mr. Darcy once Caroline escorts Elizabeth up to the room where Jane spent the night.

***

The door had barely closed before a footman poured a cup of coffee for Gabriel. With a word of thanks, he accepted the cup and settled back in the chair he had chosen, directly across the table from Mr. Darcy and to the left of Mr. Bingley. He cast a quick glance at Mr. Hurst, who paid them no mind, concentrating solely on his overflowing plate of food. Gabe briefly wondered where Mrs. Hurst was, but quickly dismissed her from his thoughts.
“Was there any damage to Longbourn from the storm?” Mr. Darcy asked.
“Not that I could tell. My father and brother will ride the estate later this morning and assess the damage.”
“How large is your father’s estate? I have been riding the border between Netherfield and Longbourn, and have come to realize it is grander than what we were led to believe.”
Gabe assessed Mr. Darcy. Arrogant the man might be, but he was a landowner of a huge tract of land in Derbyshire and had rightly decided the Bennets were more than what met the eye.
“Longbourn, while not as extensive as Pemberley, is comfortable. Our family has owned their land since the Plantagenets.”
“I say, the Bennet history is as rich and deep as yours, Darcy,” Bingley exclaimed. “Although, I do recall you saying your forefathers arrived with William the Conqueror.”
“That is true.” Darcy conceded with a slight nod of his head. “My family does have deep ties to our lands.”
“My friend Peter tells me Pemberley is quite the sight to see.” Gabe watched the master of that great house carefully. “He opines it might be more impressive than Chatsworth.”
“I will own I am proud of Pemberley,” Darcy conceded. “However, it is not as grand as Devonshire’s home. Few are.”
“Peter’s opinion may be skewed by the fact he was not particularly fond of the late duke.”
“Have you met his grace?” Bingley asked, his mouth dropping open in surprise.
“My brother and I, along with Peter, attended university with his son, Hart and were invited to a house party they hosted last summer.”
“You have mentioned Peter a few times. Is he another minor landowner here in Hertfordshire like your father?”
Gabe longed to knock the superior look from Darcy’s smug face. His father was no minor landowner. The boundary of Longbourn estate encompassed approximately eight miles at its widest point, not including Netherfield Park.
“Peter’s main estate is in Derbyshire, although he owns property near Meryton, which his family uses for hunting parties and a quick summer escape from town.” Gabe did not tell the gentleman the estate he referred to was known as Stoke House.
“You said he owns land in Derbyshire?”
“I did.” Gabe decided to drop crumbs of information, wanting to see how far down the path they’d follow before realizing the truth. “Quite close to Pemberley, to be more exact.”
Let us see what Mr. Darcy makes of that. Gabe suppressed a grin. He could tell Darcy was beginning to put the pieces together, confirmed by his next question.
“Would your friend, by chance, be Peter Stokes?”
“He would, indeed.”
From the blank expression on the faces of Bingley and Hurst, neither of them knew who Peter Stokes was. But Darcy did, and Gabe held that man’s gaze, knowing an adjustment in attitude would soon follow. It was the way of the ton. They curried favor with those who held titles, and the Earl of Thedford was a powerful friend.
“How is it your family knows the Stokes?”
“As I said, he owns property close to Meryton and is a close friend of me and my brother. We practically grew up together. Unsurprisingly, our fathers struck up a friendship and, to this day, continue to try and outmaneuver each other in chess.”
It was a small movement, but Darcy’s left eyebrow twitched. Better and better. Now the great man knew of their close connection to the Marquis of Dorchester, Peter being his heir. Gabe heard movement in the hall and knew Miss Bingley would be joining them in a few minutes. He looked at Darcy, allowing his disdain for the man to show completely on his face.
“Do you wish now you had given consequence to a young lady who was not slighted by other men but had sat out two sets because there were not enough gentlemen to dance with?”

My, oh my, how I love humble pie.

NaNoWriMo 2021

Today is the start of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). It has become very popular over the years and the minimum goal you can set is to write fifty thousand words in a new novel over the thirty days of November. I have only 'successfully' done this twice in my writing career. As I have stated numerous times, I am a slow writer and thirty days is WAY too short for this type of writing sprint.

Having said that, I am giving it a whirl again. My writing speed has increased this past year, so I hope to make the finish line with a new plot bunny and have chosen this venue to announce it:

All I have, at this moment, is a small premise. This month will be spent creating a story readers will enjoy and want to revisit when they need a smile. To whet your whistle, I will give you a small taste of what is written so far.

EXCERPT:

All of Meryton waited with bated breath as the party from Netherfield Park entered the assembly room. Elizabeth, dancing with Samuel Watson missed the initial introductions given by Sir William Lucas as the evening’s master of ceremonies. She wasn’t worried about that fact. Being introduced at a ball was not difficult and she knew she would, at some time during the evening, make their acquaintance.

As she and Mr. Watson waited to go down the line, she noticed Mr. Bingley was good looking and gentlemanlike with a pleasant countenance and easy, unaffected manners. His sisters carried themselves with an air of decided fashion, although Elizabeth felt they were quite overdressed for a simple country assembly. The older man, whom she learned later was his brother-in-law, looked the gentleman but his fastidious attendance to the hidden flask in a coat pocket soon put paid to that observation. However, it was the third gentleman in the group who drew her attention with his fine, tall person, handsome features, and noble mien.

Elizabeth herself felt a faint fluttering of excitement when she laid eyes on the handsome man, and was extremely glad she had worn one of her newer gowns and taken extra care with her toilette that evening. Normally their maid pulled her hair back into a soft chignon as her hair was so hard to tame, but this evening she had managed to pin Lizzy’s riotous curls into some semblance of order, securing them in place with various pins and decorative flowers. Although her eldest sister Jane was the beauty of the family, Lizzy felt that for once she could stand with her head held high, knowing that she looked her very best.

It wasn’t long before Mr. Bingley asked Charlotte Lucas to dance and he joined the set. From where she danced, Lizzy could plainly see that Mama was not at all pleased over this turn of events, but her glare turned to smiles when the affable young man solicited Jane’s hand for the next two sets.

As pleasant and friendly Mr. Bingley was upon first acquaintance, his friend did not enjoy the same praise and good thoughts from the citizens of Meryton. He danced only with the ladies of his party and spent the rest of the evening stalking about the edges of the room, ignoring anyone who dared attempted polite conversation with him and refused all introductions to other patrons of the assembly. Lizzy, at one time, had hoped he would ask her to dance, but when she saw the hurt expression on Mrs. Long’s face when he turned his back and cut her direct, all good feelings evaporated like a fine mist when the sun rose. She determined right then and there; he was no gentleman.

Later in the evening, obliged by the scarcity of gentlemen to sit down for two dances, Elizabeth became aware that the proud Mr. Darcy had paused in front of her. Mr. Bingley, dancing with Jane, broke from the line to implore his friend to join the set. She had no intention of listening to their conversation, but as they were only a few feet away, it was impossible to avoid.

“Come, Darcy,” Bingley said, “I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner.”

“I certainly shall not. You know how I detest dancing, unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as this, it would be insupportable. Besides, your sisters are engaged and there is not another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with.”

“You are so frustratingly fastidious,” cried Bingley. “These people are my neighbors. Can you not, for my sake, lower yourself for one dance? Truly Darcy, I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life, as I have this evening; and several of them are uncommonly pretty.”

“You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room,” said Mr. Darcy, looking toward the dance floor. Elizabeth took note of where he directed his attention and felt a slight thaw in her feelings. Someone who thought Jane beautiful could not be all that bad.

“Oh! she is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! Regardless, you will not detract me from my mission. I must have you dance.” Bingley cast his gaze around and it fell on Elizabeth, who looked away, embarrassed at having almost been caught listening in on their conversation. “I say, Darcy, there is a young lady sitting down just behind you who is quite pretty. Miss Bennet will know who she is. Do let me ask my partner to introduce you.”

“Which do you mean?” and turning round, Darcy looked for a moment at Elizabeth, till catching her eye, he withdrew his own and coldly said, “She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me. I am in no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. Return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, you are wasting your time with me.”

Stunned, Elizabeth could not even form words in her mind at his brutal observation. All her life she had been found wanting by their mother, forever compared to Jane who was the epitome of beauty and grace, yet she’d always felt she had a small measure of pleasing features. Her eyes were quite fine and she had a quick smile for everyone. To be dismissed so summarily by someone who had never met her before this evening, cut her to the quick. Mr. Bingley opened his mouth to argue further when a tall, familiar figure stepped in front of both gentlemen.

“Excuse me, sir. I believe you owe my sister an apology.”

“I do not know who your sister is, sir,” Darcy replied, giving the younger man a haughty glare.

“She is the one whom you find barely tolerable and not handsome enough to dance with.”

Oh dear, this could get messy.

Elizabeth hurried to join the men. By this time, a second gentleman had come alongside and also glared at Mr. Darcy.

“If you require introductions, join us outside. My brother and I will introduce you to our fists. You will find they are not tolerable as well.”

“Gabriel! Michael!” Elizabeth stepped in their midst and faced them. “Apologize to Mr. Darcy at once.”

“He insulted you, Elizabeth,” Gabriel ground out between clenched teeth, his steely gaze never wavering from Mr. Darcy.

“He deserves to be horsewhipped for saying such things about a lady to whom he has not been introduced,” Michael added.

“Introduced or not, no gentleman would say that about a lady. It was extremely rude.” Gabriel said and tried gently to move Elizabeth aside.

“I agree, Gabriel. Would you like to take the first punch?”

“No, you are the elder Michael, you may go first.”

“Boys!” Elizabeth shook off Gabriel’s hand, stood her ground and stared her brothers down. “There will be no punches thrown, nor whippings given, and you will apologize to Mr. Darcy.”

“No need, Miss Elizabeth. I will apologize.”

She glanced over her shoulder toward Mr. Darcy. “We have not been introduced, sir. You will not address me until you are. I am of a mind to let my brothers have at you.”

“You are the Bennet triplets!” At Mr. Bingley’s astonished outburst, Elizabeth cut a quick glance at the young man who stood open mouthed, completely forgetting his dance with Jane. “You were a year behind me at Cambridge and much talked about, if I recall.”

“As were you,” Michael Bennet said. He then assessed Mr. Darcy. He looked at him from head to toe and then back up to stare him directly in the face. “Because we are Cambridge men, I know you have a younger sister,” – Mr. Darcy gave a violent start – “and would like to pose a hypothetical question. If someone so wholly unconnected with your sister said, within her hearing, that she was not handsome enough to dance with, what would you do?”

“I would be tempted to call them out onto the field of honor.” Mr. Darcy turned his somber gaze to Lizzy and gave her a polite half bow. “Although we have not been properly introduced, please allow me to apologize Miss Elizabeth for the insult I levied in your direction. It was not well done and I am heartily ashamed of my words.”

She longed to turn and leave without acknowledging his apology, but she was raised a gentlewoman and would behave as one.

“Apology accepted, sir.” She gave him an equally polite curtsy, then without so much as a by your leave, grabbed an arm of each of her brothers and dragged them to the other side of the room.

“Promise me you will not fight. The next set is starting and Jonathan Lucas awaits me at the refreshment table.”

“We promise,” the brothers said in unison and she could only hope they would keep that promise. She made a mental note to follow up with more directives when they got home. Her brothers were too clever by far and just because they promised not to fight at the assembly did not mean they would not exact vengeance on the man in the following days or weeks.

The Bennet brothers were known to be overprotective of their sister, Elizabeth as well as Jane. Mrs. Bennet bemoaned their actions, saying no eligible young man would ever darken the door to Longbourn for fear of facing the wrath of Michael and Gabriel, Longbourn’s resident guardian angels. With any luck, Mr. Darcy would be gone from the area after a short visit with his friend.

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Longbourn's Angels