Pride and Prejudice Variation – Page 32

Music Monday: At Last, Etta James

Brimenting. “Etta James ~ At Last (Dancing with the Stars).” YouTube. YouTube, 05 Feb. 2013.

CONNECTION BETWEEN MUSIC AND STORY:

A reader, after concluding her reading of Finally Mrs. Darcy, told me that the story made her think of this song. I think it is an excellent choice. In this story, Darcy and Elizabeth meet after having been separated for five years.

Here’s the description of the book:

After Lydia’s elopement, Mr. Bingley returns to Netherfield, but sadly he is alone. His connections to Mr. Darcy are severed, crushing any hope Elizabeth Bennet had of finding happiness with the man to whom she has lost her heart.

As the years pass, grief turns into acceptance and Elizabeth marries. She is content to settle into her new life, but it is not to last. A fever claims the lives of both her husband and father, leaving her in the care of her new uncle, Gareth Amberly, who is determined to see her happy.

As this Pride and Prejudice Variation Novella opens, Elizabeth’s uncle introduces her to the man he suspects will make her happy ─ Fitzwilliam Darcy. It takes very little time for Darcy and Elizabeth to come to an understanding and for Elizabeth to discover the true reason for their separation. Is a complete restoration of relationships possible, or will their happily ever after always be tainted by separation?

The story moves quickly. By the end of the first chapter, Darcy and Elizabeth have come to an understanding. This story is about their short trip from reunion to wedding, but it is also about forgiveness and restoration.

The following excerpt is from the first chapter and is when Darcy finally knows for certain that Elizabeth loves him.

EXCERPT FROM Finally Mrs. Darcy:

“When you did not return with Bingley, I thought it was because you did not wish to be associated with a family tied to Mr. Wickham or such foolish girls as Lydia — and who could blame you?” She turned to face him. “It broke my heart. I refused to attend assemblies for nearly a year. Mama thought it was because I missed Jane, but it was you I missed.” She took one of his hands. “Eventually, I could no longer refuse to attend, and I met Jack. He was a pleasant man. He smiled much and spoke well of all he met. I believe he was constitutionally incapable of being disagreeable. He respected me, and I was happy, but he was not you.” She squeezed his hand. “I loved him, but not as I love you.”

“You love me?” Darcy stood perfectly still. His breath caught in his chest as he waited for her reply. The thought that his affections might be returned threatened to make him embarrass himself by either causing him to weep or shout or, heaven forbid, both.

“For these five long years, I have loved you. I have tried not to, but it is impossible. I fear I shall always love you.” A breeze tugged a wisp of hair free, and she brushed it away from her face. “It is why I have told my uncle I do not wish to marry again — not that he will hear of that, but it was not fair to Jack and would not be fair to another to give him only part of me.”

“You love me.” Thankfully, his delight only spread across his face and did not express itself with any more exuberance than that.

She nodded.

“Are you certain you will never marry again?” He stepped closer to her, looked into her eyes and brushed that wayward wisp of hair from her cheek.

“Never.” She drew the hand she held around her waist. “Unless it is you.”

“You will marry me?” Again, the happiness of his heart wished to be released in a cry of victory, but he would not allow it.

“If you will have me.” She smiled up at him as his arms pulled her close.

“You will marry me.” He bent his head to kiss her softly. “My feelings and wishes have never changed. I love you now as I loved you then, most ardently.”

Elizabeth drew his mouth back down to hers. These were the kisses for which she had longed. The kind of kiss that sent fire racing through her body from her lips all the way down to her toes. The kind of kiss that caused her to long for greater intimacy.

“Elizabeth,” he whispered near her ear as he pressed kisses along her neck. “When? When will you marry me?”

She sighed and held him tightly to her. “This very moment if it were possible.”

“I shall acquire a special license. One week,” he claimed her lips once again, “one week, and you shall be mine.”

Finally Mrs. Darcy is available for preorder on…

KOBO AMAZON NOOK IBOOKS

Music Monday: Kindred Spirits, Brian Crain

brian crain. “Brian Crain – Kindred Spirits.” YouTube. YouTube, 22 Mar. 2016.

THE LINK BETWEEN MUSIC AND STORY:

Brian Crain’s music often plays while I am writing. This week it was on nearly every day. There are so many of his songs that I absolutely love, and when it comes time to make a little video trailer for a book, I go to his collection to choice the background music. It has, after all, been the background music while I have written and edited. This week, I decided to make a quick video for my Choices series, and since each hero and heroine finds a true love and a kindred spirit, I had to use this song. So above, it the full song and below is the trailer I made which uses part of this song. I hope you enjoy it!

ABOUT THE SERIES:

This series is a re-imagining of Jane Austen’s classic tale, Pride and Prejudice. When Mr. Bennet makes a choice to help his eldest daughters find happiness, he sets off a chain of events that will affect the lives of all his daughters and many of Darcy’s relatives. Enjoy the stories as a Fitzwilliam family secret unfolds, new loves are formed in the face of opposition, and an old love is rekindled.

Music: Kindred Spirits by Brian Crain. Used with permission.

Find all four novellas at these ebook-sellers:

Nook: http://buff.ly/1NA4k5j
Kindle: http://buff.ly/1NA3Yvp
iBook: http://buff.ly/1NA4aLb
Kobo: http://buff.ly/1NA4slc

Music Monday: Quotes from Oxford Cottage

A year ago this coming Thursday, I published my first book, Oxford Cottage. This video is a collection of quotations from that book. Many of them were submitted to me by readers. The song is one that I have listened to many times while writing. It is Secret Path by Brian Crain. (I adore his music!)

I hope you enjoy this look back at my first book.

Wordless Wednesday: Edmund Blair Leighton – The Question

Edmund Leighton [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

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Lucy did not flee, but she did take a place in the shade, next to a small wall that ran part of the length of the field before crumbling into ruins, a remnant from years gone by. She plucked a blossom from the flowers that grew around the wall and twirled the flower in her fingers.

“My sister said you wished to speak to me,” said Philip as he approached her.

She swallowed and bit her lip as she looked up at him. He had taken out his handkerchief and was drawing it across his face to wipe away the perspiration that was there. His jacket had been discarded, and his cravat hung loosely about his neck. His sleeves were rolled halfway to his elbows, revealing sinewy forearms. She had always found him handsome, and in such a disheveled state, she found him even more attractive. However, instead of spending a few moments admiring him as she wished to do, she turned her eyes toward where his sister still stood with Mr. Darcy and Mr. Williams. “It would be more accurate to say your sister wishes for me to speak to you.”

[from And Then Love, Willow Hall Romance book 1]

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MAILING LIST PATREON SOCIETY6

Her Father’s Choice, Chapter 5, Now Available to Read

The next chapter of this story is available to read and will remain available until next Saturday. And good news came this week, Her Father’s Choice is now available for purchase at both Kobo and Amazon.

CHAPTER 5

Two days later, Richard entered Darcy’s study, a paper in his hand and a piece of wood under his arm.

Darcy looked up briefly from his papers. “Did you lose your way to the workshop?”

Richard took a seat in front of Darcy’s desk and placed the diagram of a jewelry box on top of the papers Darcy was reviewing. “Will she like it?”

“It is lovely,” said Darcy.

“Yes, I know, but will Miss Elizabeth like it?” He pointed to the design to be carved in the top. “Is this a flower she would appreciate?”

Darcy shrugged. “I cannot be certain, but it does seem to be something she would like. I have never thought to ask her which flowers she prefers.”

Richard drummed his fingers on the desktop.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to Darcy. “She said her room was decorated as if she had done it herself. There are some pieces of yours in there. Remember?”

“Quite right!” Richard stood and snatched the diagram from Darcy. “Do you mind if I borrow one? I can follow the pattern from before but add a few distinguishing features.” He was nearly at the door before Darcy could reply that the idea was excellent.

The door opened as Richard reached for the handle.

“Father.” Richard nodded to the man who stood behind Mr. Daniels.

Lord Matlock looked at the wood Richard held under his arm and then, with a raised brow and a pointed look, said, “Colonel.”

“For another year, my lord, and not a day longer,” said Richard as he pushed past his father.

Glancing quickly at the clock on the mantel, Darcy rose to greet his uncle. He knew that in less than an hour, his aunt, who had insisted on being seen in town with Elizabeth would be arriving for tea, and Georgiana, Elizabeth, and Mary would be with her. He did not wish for his uncle to still be here when they arrived, but he doubted that any interview would be short in duration.

“You are still allowing my son to use your workshop?” Lord Matlock waved the butler away.

No, this was not going to be short or pleasant. “I am.”

“I do wish you would not encourage his foolish notions.”

Darcy waited for his uncle to be seated before taking his own. “Perhaps I encourage it because I do not see it as a foolish notion. Women stitch and net. I do not see why a gentleman cannot carve and join wood.”

“It is not done is why. And to compare a man’s pursuits to that of a lady.” He shook his head. “Preposterous! But I am not here about that foolishness. I am here about a completely separate but equally concerning piece of news that I have had from my sister, Sophia.”