Vauxhall on a Gala Night (Richard Phillips c.1804)

If you would like to listen to this post, you can do so on YouTube at this link.

Image extracted from page 503 of Modern London; being the history and present state of the British Metropolis. Illustrated with numerous copper plates, by Richard Phillips. Picture dated as published June 11, 1804. Original held and digitised by the British Library. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Unravelling Mr. Darcy, along with it’s sequels: Becoming Entangled and Enticing Miss Darcy, are fun Regency romps. The sort of stories where romcom meets Austen.

In Unravelling Mr. Darcy, the first story in this trilogy, Darcy is given a second chance to win Elizabeth’s good opinion before he even leaves the parsonage at Hunsford, and he’s not going to let anything get in his way of success. Not even his tightly wound pride.

The scene that I’m sharing today, and have paired with the drawing of a “Gala Night at Vauxhall” by Richard Phillips, is from the second half of the book, and it is set in Vauxhall — a pleasure garden that often appears in Regency romances.

All sorts of scandals seem to happen there in other Regency romances and, even in this one, there’s mention of a scandal that resulted in a couple marrying.

However, our dear couple will not fall victim to scandal. Be that as it may, that does not mean their appearance at Vauxhall will not find its way into the paper for reasons you will see in the following excerpt.


An Excerpt from Chapter 7 of Unravelling Mr. Darcy

Elizabeth placed her hand on Darcy’s arm and allowed him to escort her from their supper box and toward one of the numerous paths in Vauxhall Gardens. The vast number of people that filled the supper boxes and paths was astonishing, and then when the torches were lit, and the orchestra was playing while waiters scurried back and forth making certain that all in attendance were happy, it was nearly overwhelming. She had heard stories of this place, but until now, she had never truly imagined its grandeur.

Darcy drew Elizabeth closer to his side as they strolled. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Immensely.”

Darcy smiled at how the word was more breathed than spoken. “I had wondered. You have been rather quiet.”

She looked up at him. “I am awestruck by my surroundings. There is nothing quite like this in Hertfordshire.”

“Most assuredly,” he agreed with a chuckle.

“I am surprised you would venture into this vast sea of humanity,” she teased. “Our little assembly with its gathered throng was a great trial to you.”

He saw her lips twitch, and he waited for her to complete her tease before he refuted her.

“Perhaps,” she said, cocking a brow in a rather beguilingly impertinent fashion, “that is because the residents in the country are unwashed savages.”

“Oh, indeed they are,” he replied with a smile. “I have it on the greatest authority.”

Her eyes grew wide. “Do tell,” she prompted.

He leaned his head near her ear and whispered, “Miss Bingley.”

Elizabeth laughed.

“I assure you it is true because her sister verified the fact and some rude man lent his voice to the assessment if I am not mistaken.” He bent toward her ear once again. “You will forgive me for such ungentlemanly behaviour, will you not? I am attempting to improve my ways.”

There was such contrition in his whispered words that she gave his arm a small squeeze and readily bestowed her pardon. Mr. Darcy had over the last four days been the perfect gentleman. Both her aunt and uncle had been duly impressed by his manners. According to Aunt Gardiner, there was nothing of grandeur about him, save for the way he carried himself when walking. However, it was not deemed arrogant but rather dignified. Aunt Gardiner had spoken at some length of how of anyone she had met, Mr. Darcy was justified in thinking of himself in lofty ideals since she had seen his estate and knew many of his tenants. The man was of no small fortune, and he was, to her knowledge, always just in his dealing with tradesmen in Lambton. Bills were not left unpaid, and even lowly delivery boys were given a nod when he saw that they were doing their work well.

Elizabeth had heard enough arguments in Darcy’s favour to settle her more firmly in her new belief of his being among the best of men. Then, having observed him in her uncle’s home as well as when she and Jane had gone to Darcy House to have tea with his grandmother and Georgiana, she was beyond convinced of her correctness in viewing him in such a light. So convinced was she of his noble character that she allowed her heart to be open to his declaration to her, and though it was little more than a fortnight since that horrid evening in the parsonage, she found herself quite certain that should he offer for her again, she would accept with alacrity. For her heart spoke of love, though her mind had yet to fully comprehend it.

Darcy stopped to greet an acquaintance and introduced Elizabeth to them as well as Bingley and Jane, who followed close behind.

“I say, Darcy,” said Bingley before they began walking again, “it will likely be noted in the paper that you were seen in Vauxhall with a lady on your arm.”

Darcy shrugged. “They had best describe her as beautiful,” he said with a grin.

Bingley chortled. “I seem to have misplaced my friend whose greatest desire was to shun all of society.”

“He is not misplaced.” Darcy raised a brow at Bingley. “He has, it seems, found his good sense in a rather forceful fashion.”

Bingley chuckled. “Yes, I dare say your appearance will also make the society page.”

“Have you no pity for him at all?” Elizabeth asked in feigned disbelief.

“Not a jot,” Bingley declared.


At the time of this post, this set of books are enrolled in the Kindle Unlimited program and, therefore, only available at Amazon. Find links for them on the book page of my website @ leeniebrown.com/books

Courting is a Pleasure (The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin)

Shall we start the week with a traditional Irish song and a story excerpt about a couple who is courting? (The courtship in the story turns out better than the one in the song. 🙂 )

The lines from Unravelling Mr. Darcy below are from when Darcy and Elizabeth meet after Rosings when Elizabeth and Jane are still at the Gardiners.



Darcy’s been given a second chance to win Elizabeth’s heart, and he’s not letting anything stop him from succeeding — not even his tightly wound pride.

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Get Unravelled, Entangled, and Enticed this weekend.

As mentioned in this week’s edition of The Saturday Broadsheet, these three books have had their prices reduced for the weekend. Books 1 and 2 of this trilogy, Unravelling Mr. Darcy and Becoming Entangled, are just $0.99 USD (with all other currencies also reduced) while book 3, Enticing Miss Darcy, is free. Below are the links to each book on in your Kindle store.

He’s determined to win her, but first, Georgiana will need to learn to trust her heart.

Get Enticing Miss Darcy for FREE here

Darcy has one chance to claim his heart’s desire, and he’s holding nothing back.

Get Unravelling Mr. Darcy

Can Anne scheme her way out of one betrothal and into another?

Get Becoming Entangled


No Hockey? No Problem. Here’s a FREE Book.

As I was sitting down to create this Saturday Broadsheet, I decided that I wanted to attempt to add a little brightness to this day. Therefore, you will find an impromptu free book weekend and sale for this weekend. Keep reading, all the info you need is just down a bit under book promotions.

Writing News

Hey, how has your week been? Kind of crazy? Mine was pretty routine except I had to shift my errand day to Thursday since we are supposed to be getting a heavy dose of rain starting later today (Friday) into tomorrow. I’m not fond of running errands in the rain. 🙂 I also ended up taking a trip to the doctor on Thursday to get some antibiotics and to refill a prescription that is one of those take it daily things. 

Those errands and all took all day, so I am hoping to write a chapter of Protecting Miss Darcy this evening or tomorrow. Here’s the list of stories and the progress made along with a small snippet from each: 

Continue reading No Hockey? No Problem. Here’s a FREE Book.

Music Monday: How to Impress a Woman (MozART group)

PUBLISHED TO YOUTUBE BY MOZART GROUP ON MARCH 1, 2018.

My older sister shared this humorous video with me a couple of weeks ago, and I thought it would be a fun one to share on the Monday after Valentine’s Day. 🙂 I also thought it would be fun to pair it with a story with a very different Darcy who, having had his proposal refused and been granted a second chance, is working very diligently to unravel his pride and impress a woman. And today, I am giving you a full chapter just so you can properly meet Darcy’s grandmother and be just as delighted with his change in demeanor as she is. : )

Chapter 6 of Unravelling Mr. Darcy:

Perhaps you might. Remembering Elizabeth’s words from yesterday made Darcy smile as he accepted a cup of tea from his aunt, Lady Matlock. He shrugged in response to the questioning look Richard shot him and turned his attention to his tea.

“I hear Mrs. Anderson’s daughter has refused another suitor,” said Lady Matlock, peering over the teapot and looking at Darcy with a raised brow. “She is a pretty thing. Her taste in gowns is exquisite, and she dances very well.”

Richard guffawed. “That is the fatal shot, Mother dear. Darcy does not care if a lady can dance well, for he intends not to dance more than absolutely required. “

His mother turned to him with a smile. “But you adore dancing, and she is generously dowered.”

Darcy chuckled at the widening of Richard’s eyes and slackening of his mouth.

“I do not adore dancing,” he said stiffly. “I just tolerate it better than Darcy, and so it appears I adore it.”

Continue reading Music Monday: How to Impress a Woman (MozART group)