So very excited to welcome back Joana Starnes to Austenesque Reviews today!  Joana and I “met” online a little less than a year ago, and in that short time she has been a guest on my blog once, a frequent commenter on many of my posts, and a lovely travel companion and guide when Mr. Bingley and I traveled to Chawton!!!  And let me tell you, Joana is just as kind and wonderful in person as she is online!  Joana, what a lovely year it has been getting to know you and witnessing your career as an Austenesque author blossom!  We are so happy to have you visit with us today and celebrate your new release, The Second Chance!!!

Thanks, Meredith, for welcoming me back to talk about my latest book. It’s such a pleasure to be here again!

As you might have come to expect, given my track record :D, ‘The Second Chance’ is a story that centres on Mr. Darcy and his strong fascination with someone who is socially unsuitable – but eminently suitable in all other respects!

‘The Second Chance’ is full to the brim of Mr. Darcy and his struggles – after all, what do we read and write fan-fiction for? – so maybe, just maybe, I should speak of something else for a change!!

I’d like to share with you something I read a while ago. It stayed with me, and I so wish I could remember the source, or at least the author’s name! Unfortunately, I just couldn’t find the link again – but I do remember the main message of the article, and here it is, in a nutshell:

At the heart of every gripping love-story, there is one of the following scenarios:

Option 1: ‘boy meets girl, they fall head over heels in love, they are separated by adverse circumstances, but through trials and tribulations they find each other again, and live happily ever after.’

Option 2: ‘boy meets girl, they are at odds for some reason, one – or perhaps both of them – heartily dislikes the other, but through trials and tribulations they get to understand each other better, they fall head over heels in love and live happily ever after.’

One of the reasons for the enduring appeal of ‘Pride & Prejudice’, the author pointed out, is that it exquisitely blends both scenarios, in the stories of Jane & Mr. Bingley and Elizabeth & Mr. Darcy.

I have never seen it in this light before, and that puzzled me, because it was so obvious and it made perfect sense! It also made me realise that, drawn to the drama of Mr. Darcy’s convoluted courtship, we so easily let the other couple fade into the background! Perhaps because they seem to tamely accept their fate – or perhaps because we judge them, one for being too subdued and the other too easily manipulated.

But what if they were not? What if Mr. Bingley showed more insight and more backbone? What if Jane was less disposed to disguise her feelings and her thoughts?

This is the angle I have chosen for them in my latest book, and I hope that the reduced angst in their relationship doesn’t make this variation any less readable – especially as there is more than enough angst for Mr. Darcy to muddle through, as he struggles for a second chance at finding happiness.

Below are two short excerpts – showing a Mr. Bingley who is not so easily led, and a Jane who is neither meek, nor silent – and I’d like to dedicate them to my wonderful hostess and her very own Mr. Bingley!

Awww!!  Thank you, Joana! 🙂

~ ** ~

Much to Miss Bingley’s chagrin, the Netherfield Ball had progressively grown from a passing thought into an overwhelming certainty. There was a point in late October when Charles appeared to have given up the foolish notion, but now it was very much the order of the day. Invitations were ordered and sent, and the big wheels were put in motion for the grandest event this godforsaken place had ever seen!

But of course! With her father out of danger, Charles was now confident that his ladylove could attend! Bah! He had even insisted that they delivered the invitations in person to that… that… family! And Mr. Darcy would not even join them – and indeed who could possibly blame him for that!

Miss Bingley would not make a secret of the fact that she was seriously perturbed by her brother’s current infatuation – and so was Mrs. Hurst. A connection with that abominable family! The mere thought of it made them both shudder. It could not be borne! They repeatedly sought to discuss their concerns with Mr. Darcy but, while he agreed it might be a mistake for Charles to offer for Miss Bennet, neither herself nor Louisa could draw from him any more than that.

‘There was something very odd about Mr. Darcy too,’ Miss Bingley pondered. He had become even less inclined to have his say in any conversation and had taken to going for very long walks through the grounds. He would vanish for hours, and on his return he would be withdrawn and taciturn, more so than had ever been his wont.

Bingley was equally unaware of the reasons for his friend’s lack of spirits, and if he had not managed to wheedle them out of him, it had not been for want of trying. That evening, as he laid out the billiards for a shot, Bingley decided he would make one more attempt.

“I wish you would tell me what is troubling you, Darcy. I wish I could be of service.”

‘You cannot, my friend.’

“I thank you for your concern, but there is nothing amiss with me.”

“This is what you have been claiming for a while, ever since our last visit at Longbourn in effect, but it does not wash with me, you know.”

A lesser man would have missed his shot. Darcy did not.

“Leave be, Bingley, pray oblige me. There is nothing to tell.”

‘At least we have progressed from “there is nothing amiss” to “there is nothing to tell”’, thought Bingley, who was not as unobservant as everyone would have him.

“If your cousin the Colonel were here, he would have threatened with drinking you under the table until you talked,” Bingley observed good-humouredly, “but you are quite safe from me. As we both know, you can hold your liquor much better than I!” he added, and made his friend laugh as there was a great deal of truth in that, if memory served.

Bingley set his cue down and advanced to Darcy with his hand outstretched.

“You have been a good friend to me for many years. If you need me, you know where to find me, and this is the last I shall say on the matter.”

“Thank you, old chap,” Darcy replied and shook his hand, leaving Bingley to wonder if the thanks were for his offer of assistance or for his promise of silence.

True to his word, Bingley changed the subject.

“I hope you will spend Christmas with us,” he said.

It was Darcy’s turn to abandon his cue and return to his friend’s side. Bingley waved towards the drinks and, at Darcy’s nod, he poured generous measures of port for both.

“I fear I cannot,” Darcy replied as he walked towards the fireplace. “I shall have to return to town. Georgiana and I have always spent Christmas together, and there are other matters to attend to. But you could come and stay with us in Berkeley Square. I am convinced your sisters would be delighted to return to town,” he added with a barely concealed grimace.

Bingley came to stand beside his friend in front of the large hearth. A great, merry fire was burning therein, casting red hues over their faces.

“I cannot leave her,” he said quietly.

“I beg your pardon?” his friend asked, not because he had not heard – he heard him well enough! – but because he did not expect Bingley to be so forthright.

“I cannot leave her. I will not leave her,” Bingley replied, this time louder, but with the same determination. “Not when her father’s condition is so uncertain.”

“You are not responsible for that!”

“Indeed not, but I would very much like to be responsible for her.”

Darcy looked up sharply.

“Have you made her an offer?”

“No. Not yet. But I intend to. Very soon.”

“And are you sure this is wise?”

“Whatever do you mean?” Bingley snapped with some irritation, almost spilling his drink.

Darcy fell silent for a while, choosing his words very carefully.

“As you said earlier,” he finally began, “we have been friends, very good friends, for many years. As your friend, I do not believe this connection is in your best interest– ”

“Not the disparity in our stations, Darcy, pray spare me!” Bingley impatiently cut in. “I would have thought you and my sister Caroline did not have that much in common. Miss Bennet is a gentleman’s daughter. I am the grandson of a cotton-mill owner, albeit very reputable and reasonably rich. I should have thought that in the eyes of the world, I stand to gain from the connection.”

“You know too well that it shall not be seen as such,” Darcy replied, stung by the association with Miss Bingley.

“Do you speak for yourself or for the rest of our acquaintance?”

Darcy pondered. He did not want to offend his friend, but he had to be truthful.

“Both, I believe…” At Bingley’s gesture of impatience, he laid a hand on his arm. “As your closest friend, I want what is best for you.”

Bingley turned towards him and, for the first time during the entire evening’s conversation, they looked each other steadily in the eye.

“I love her,” he said quietly.

“But does she love you? Or would she merely accept your addresses because her mother requires it of her, or because she feels she ought to secure her sisters’ fortunes?”

“She does not need to. […] But we have digressed from our discussion,” Bingley resumed with a mild smile. “I believe I owe you an answer. You asked me whether I thought she loved me. Yes, I believe she does. But I should like to know what makes you doubt it, just the same.”

Darcy again chose his words with great deliberation.

“Miss Bennet’s manners are cheerful and engaging, no doubt, but I have not detected any symptom of peculiar regard, and although she receives your attentions with pleasure, there is a certain reserve about her which leads me to believe she does not invite them by any participation of sentiment.”

Bingley shook his head with an amused smile.

“Reserved, is she? That is quite an indictment coming from you, for of course you have always worn your heart on the sleeve.”

“’Tis not the same,” Darcy retorted, rather offended.

“Most certainly not, I grant you, for I harbour no inclination of ever making you an offer of marriage!”

“This is no laughing matter, Bingley! We are discussing the rest of your life!” his friend snapped, having come close to the limits of his patience, as he stalked back to the billiards table.

“I do apologise. I could not resist it,” smiled the other, not a great deal of contrition in his address.

He walked slowly towards his friend, and his countenance lost all unholy merriment, to become earnest and almost solemn.

“I have the highest opinion of your judgement and the firmest reliance on the strength of your friendship and I thank you for having my best interests at heart, but on this occasion allow me to doubt your powers of perception. You have seen her but – what? Five, six times maybe? And only in company. Miss Bennet is a fine lady, Darcy, of genteel breeding and impeccable manners. What would you have her do to be assured of her interest? Pursue me in the same fashion that you yourself are pursued by a large selection of the ladies of our acquaintance?”

Bingley’s delicacy prevented him from mentioning his own sister, but there was no need for him to do so.

“Believe me,” he continued, “there are ways for a lady such as Miss Bennet to make her sentiments known to the object of her affection, without attracting the untoward interest of the world at large.”

He clapped his friend’s shoulder in an elder-brother fashion that surprised them both, as it suggested a complete reversal of their ages, and of their usual rapport.

“When you meet the future Mrs. Darcy, you will understand.”

Darcy nodded, an overwhelming emptiness within.

He doubted very much that he would.

~ ** ~

And several trying months later…

(Well, trying for Darcy, in any case!)

~ ** ~

It was wholly contrary to Jane’s nature to assume the worst of people, nor was she likely to place too much reliance on Mr. Collins’s words, but what he had to say the previous evening gave her an unsettling understanding of what sort of welcome – or rather lack thereof – Lizzy might expect from her future relations.

She was no stranger to the circumstance herself. After all, Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst had hardly become her affectionate sisters! Mrs. Bingley would not judge them – not quite – but that did not make her blind to their shortcomings. She was saddened by their insincerity, but not truly pained. Her only true concern was for her husband’s sake – and even that was largely for naught as Charles, although fond of his sisters, was not close to them in any way that mattered.

But could the same be said of Mr. Darcy and his relations? There was no doubt of his close kinship with his cousin. Was it unreasonable to assume that he might be equally close to the rest of the Colonel’s family? And, should Mr. Collins be at all accurate about that family’s response to Mr. Darcy’s marriage, would it not cause Lizzy a great deal of pain?

Such thoughts and the unwelcome recollection of the scene she had unwittingly witnessed from her window not very long ago conspired to distress Mrs. Bingley – so much so that she decided to speak up. And thus, the following morning, she resolved that her mother, Elizabeth and Kitty needed to see the nursery and admire the christening gown that was used for two generations of Bingley babes, as well as all the lace and cloth and garments lovingly put together for the new arrival. While they were thus employed, with profuse apologies Jane begged to be excused, for she had to attend to a ‘household matter’.

She smoothed her dress as she walked towards the seldom used sitting-room at the far end of the corridor and rather unsteadily drew breath before opening the door. She advanced into the room with a smile.

“Mr. Darcy! How kind of you to spare the time. Pray be seated, Sir. I have ordered us some refreshment. Would you care for tea, or do you prefer coffee?”

Darcy declined both and eventually sat, quite puzzled but persuaded there was more to this interview than sharing a cup of coffee. For a while neither spoke, the gentleman patiently waiting for the lady to gather her thoughts.

“I believe I should start by apologising, Mr. Darcy, for my failure to control the situation yesterday. I fear some of our relations are not inclined to think before they speak,” Mrs. Bingley eventually began.

Darcy put a hand up and smiled.

“Pray, do not make yourself uneasy. ‘Tis of no consequence. Who has not wished, at some time or other, to be allowed to choose one’s relations?” he observed lightly.

Jane’s response, however, was not a matching smile but a quiet “Precisely.”

She turned to the tray on the nearby table.

“Are you quite certain you would not like some tea?”

“Quite, I thank you,” Darcy replied, and Mrs. Bingley poured herself a cup instead.

It was obviously done for no purpose other than giving her hands temporary employment, for she abandoned it on the small table as soon as she had finished pouring it. After another period of silence, Mrs. Bingley gathered enough courage to turn to her companion and look him in the eye.

“Mr. Darcy,” she began, “I hope you would forgive me for what I am about to say, and ascribe it solely to the right cause. As I am sure you know, Lizzy is very dear to me. I should not wish to see her hurt in any way. She is… not as unaffected by adversity as she would wish us all to think. My sister is a very private person, Sir, perhaps surprisingly so, given her lively disposition and open manner. She would be cheerful and apparently unflappable, laugh at what she would call follies, whims and nonsense – and I might add, unmerited slights. She would not show it, but she would be affected by unremitting censure. And she would need a great deal of affection to compensate for that.”

Mrs. Bingley turned to her tea and took a sip to mask her discomfort, then slowly replaced the cup on the saucer.

“I fear Lizzy would not thank me for having spoken to you in this fashion,” she concluded with a little smile, in an attempt to make light of the situation.

“I will not mention it – not for a while at least,” Darcy assured her truthfully, “although you would imagine that I do not relish keeping matters from your sister.”

“No, of course not,” Jane replied quietly and Darcy leaned forward in his seat.

“Mrs. Bingley,” he began. “I greatly appreciate your candour and the sentiments behind it. Pray allow me to respond in kind. I cannot vouch for all my relations, nor for the reception we shall have in town. But I will not allow any discourtesy, from anyone, in my presence or otherwise. As for affection,” he added softly, “I hope it can compensate for such distress as you have mentioned for, you can rest assured, of affection your sister shall never be in want.”

Jane smiled.

“I never doubted it, of course. I merely wanted you to understand.”

Darcy leaned back in his seat and returned the smile, oddly comfortable with the unprecedented circumstance of being taken to task by Mrs. Bingley, the obvious devotion she had for Elizabeth bringing them together in a closer bond than they had ever shared. Quite unexpectedly, Darcy felt he had truly acquired another sister and, with the same warm affection he would have shown Georgiana, he leaned forward again and reached to take Jane’s hand.

“I do understand, and I thank you. You need not fear,” he added with a little laugh, which Jane with some relief echoed, “I know when I have been warned!”

~ ** ~

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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Joana kindly brings with her one LOVELY ebook copy of The Second Chance  for me to give away to ONE lucky reader.  Woot Woot!

To enter this giveaway, leave a comment, question, or some love for Joana!!

• This giveaway is open worldwide.  Thank you, Joana!
• This giveaway ends May 26th!