Hello readers! I am so very excited to welcome back author, Jan Hahn to Austenesque Reviews! If you aren’t familiar with Jan Hahn‘s work, I entreat you to rectify that immediately! She writes some brilliant and inventive Pride and 
Prejudice variations! At the moment she is celebrating her newest release, A Peculiar Connection (which I am dying to read!) Today, Jan shares with you all a very emotionally intense dance between Darcy and Elizabeth from A Peculiar Connection…(so gripping!)
As the evening drew to a close, Colonel Fitzwilliam arrived to claim the last dance. Andrew Denison accompanied him and reminded me that he would call on the morrow. We had just concluded our conversation, and when he turned to leave, I saw Mr. Darcy approach.
“The last dance, is it not?” he said. “Will you do me the honour, Elizabeth?”
“Darcy!” Colonel Fitzwilliam hissed in a low voice. “Miss Bennet has already promised me.”
“You have presumed upon her time more than enough this night. Elizabeth?”
He brushed past the colonel and took my hand firmly in his, steering me toward the dance floor without a backward glance.
“Sir…it is not done!” I whispered. “I…I beg you, do not make a scene.”
He drew closer and spoke in my ear. “It is not I who would make the scene, Elizabeth. No one but you and I know our true connection. Will it not appear unnatural if I do not ask my cousin to dance at least once? Take your place in line.”
The first notes sounded, and I recognized the song as a newer romantic air that called for greater contact among partners than any previous dance of the evening. I held my breath as Mr. Darcy stepped forward and encircled my waist with his arm. The position thrust our faces close, and he met my gaze with a dark, piercing stare. Was it my imagination, or did his hand linger longer than necessary about my body? Did he step nearer than he should when we clasped hands and danced forward? And why did my hand tremble so when I placed it upon his shoulder?
I cleared my throat and attempted to lighten the mood with conversation. His only response to my remark was a steady reading of my face. I saw his eyes travel down to my mouth, and I found myself blushing. Frantically, I searched for something harmless of which to speak.
“Are not the musicians talented? I have rarely heard such able completion of―”
“Elizabeth.” He twirled me around and stepped away.
I took Mr. Whitby’s hand and bowed in time to the rhythm before turning back to face Mr. Darcy. “Sir?”
“In your lifetime, have you ever, just once, danced without speaking?”
I glared at him as we clasped hands and stepped down the line. “Naturally. I simply―”
“Then, I pray you, bestow that favour upon me. Let us do nothing more than dance.”
We circled the last couple in line and faced each other. Oh! The man was impossible! Very well. I would not tell him if the house caught fire. I gritted my teeth and determined to complete the set, but only because I refused to call attention to myself by leaving the floor abruptly. But I would not enjoy it. Oh no, I would not enjoy one moment.
And then Mr. Darcy took my hands and whirled me around and around. I inhaled sharply as the tempo increased, but I matched him step for step. He stared into my eyes with a ferocity I recalled from our first dance together at Netherfield. I refused to cower but met his gaze fully. But why…why must he incline his head so near? The scent of his skin intoxicated me. And he must not allow his hands to caress my shoulders when we clasped each other to descend the line. Was it my imagination? No, I knew his hands lingered longer, much longer, than needed.
This would never do. The melody enchanted me, and I felt myself caught up in the fascination of dancing with him. All those feelings I had earlier confessed to God now flooded my heart, and I knew I was lost. I had not forgotten the spell he could weave over me. In spite of all my declarations and determination, I had not overcome the delight I experienced at his slightest touch. I loved him, but not with a sister’s love. And I never wanted our dance to end.
Thank you, Jan! I’ve heard so many wonderful things about this new variation! I cannot wait to read it!! Thank you to Jakki Leatherberry and Meryton Press for making this blog tour possible!
Connect with Jan
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GIVEAWAY TIME!
Michele and the lovely people at Meryton Press have kindly donated 1 paperback copy of A Peculiar Connection for me to giveaway to 1 lucky winner! Woot Woot!
To enter this giveaway leave a comment, question, or some love for Jan below!
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Meryton Press!
- This giveaway ends April 20th!
Jan’s book An Arranged Marriage is one of my all time favorite JAFF novels. Can’t WAIT to read this one!
Thank you, Ginger! I’m glad you liked AAM and hope you enjoy A Peculiar Connection.
I read this book as soon as it came out and it was the first book for which I twittered “MUST READ”. You hold your breath throughout. So much angst! I just about never use Twitter.
Oh, and this is a book I will read over and over again. It touched my heart and soul – get the tissues ready. Thank you for such a creative work, Jan Hahn.
Thank you, Sheila! I should hire you as my publicist.
I haven’t read any of Jan’s books but I do have An Arranged Marriage and The Journey. I received them as Christmas gifts and can’t wait to read them and this book sounds fabulous too. Thank you so much for writing D & E stories and keeping P & P alive!
I hope you enjoy my books, Michelle, and thanks for commenting.
I am really looking forward to this book! I love Jan Hahn’s work and An Arranged Marriage is also one of my favorites. Thank you for the giveaway and sharing the excerpt with us!
Thank you, Shannon, and good luck with the giveaway!
Having loved all of Jan’s previous books and enjoyed the excerpts I am just waiting for the end of the giveaways to find out if I have won a copy before buying my paperback copy
Vesper, you’ve been so kind to follow my blog tour. I really appreciate it!
I have loved Jan’s other books and am looking forward to reading this new one. I am so very intrigued and can feel the tension in the above excerpt. Thank you for the giveaway!
Thank you, Eva! The following scene is no less tense.
I am reading Peculiar Connection now and the suspense is killing me! The Colonel’s character and motivations are a real challenge. Outstanding variation!
This colonel is my usual studmuffin – he’s a bit out for what he can get. Thanks, Colleen, and don’t let the suspense get to you!
wonderfully written scene – Congrats, Jan, on this newest delight!
Thank you, Sharon! I’m pleased that you liked it.
I am very much looking forward to reading this book. Would love to win it.
Thanks, Ginna, and good luck with the giveaway!
I absolutely loved Jan’s other books, so I will definitely read this one! Looking forward to it! Thanks for the giveaway.
That’s so sweet of you, Arjanne – thank you!
Thank you so much for this excerpt and
the giveaway! I really want to read the book and would love to win.
I hope you get a chance to read the book, Susan. Thanks for your interest.
Another great excerpt! Ah the torture of not knowing for Elizabeth! Can’t wait to read this book! Thank you for the giveaway!
I do torture Elizabeth and Darcy in this book. Hope they don’t hold it against me. Thanks, Dung!
You have teased me enough:). I must read every page of “A Peculiar Connection”. Thank you for the opportunity to read it for free. Also, thank you for suggesting such wonderful books to read.
I’m afraid these excerpts are just teases – sorry about that. Good luck with the giveaway!
I’ve read two of Jan’s books and loved them! Looking forward to reading the newest one!
Thank you for reading my books, Bev, and for your kind comments!
Wow! I have not have the patience to wait on this one! Love the intensity!
Thank you, Betsy, and good luck with the giveaway!
Recently read The Journey and have been awaiting this newest ever since. Sounds fabulous!
Thank you for reading The Journey, and I hope you like A Peculiar Connection!
I definitely have to read that book! (Fanning myself)
You make me smile with that comment. Thanks!
Loved the scene and looking forward to reading the book!
Thank you, Kim!
I haven’t read any books by this author and don’t own any, either. The book sounds good.
Thank you for your comments, Michelle.
The colonel studmuffin comment made me smile! This book sounds so great. Even if we didn’t have the wonderful excerpt, the comments from people who have already read this and your previous books would be enough to make me want to read it. 🙂
Thank you, Paige! I’m glad you’re interested. I must say your name is one of my all time favorites. If I was still in the baby-making business and had another daughter, I’d name her Paige.
I agree, it’s a very intense dance and emotionally charged scene. Thanks for sharing this brilliant excerpt, Jan. Must put it on top of my tbr list.
Thank you, Luthien! I hope you get a chance to read it.
I’ve also read a couple of Jan’s previous works and enjoyed them tremendously. An arranged marriage is a favorite. I love the premise. You had me at dance in this excerpt. I love dancing scenes. They are intimate but this even more so by the way it’s written. Loved it. I love colonel studmuffin. He sounds a bit of a challenge here. It sounds like a lot of angst. I just can’t imagine Darcy and elizabeth in a totally different kind of relationship.
Darcy and Elizabeth have trouble imagining such a relationship, too. Thanks for your kind comments, Suzan!
Recently I re-read An Arranged Marriage and enjoyed it immensely once again as if it was the first time. Oscar Wilde was fully right in stating that if one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all:) I believe that with Jan Hahn’s books, we will be able to enjoy reading all of them over and over again!
Even in one dancing scene the author successfully weaved so many different emotions (including emotions prompted in Elizabeth and in us, readers, by hilarious “In your lifetime, have you ever, just once, danced without speaking?”), so at the end of the scene I am left to wonder how many emotional delights awaits for us in the whole book:)
Thank you for sharing yet other interesting excerpt!
This ballroom scene comes back to haunt Darcy a bit later in the book. Thanks for all your comments, Oloore, and for following this book tour!
“An Arranged Marriage” was the book that started me on my JAFF journey/addiction so I’m very excited Jan has released another book. I will of course be reading this! Congrats Jan on your new book 🙂
Thank you, Brenda! It’s always great to hear that one of my books started a JAFF addiction. One of Abigail Reynolds’ stories started mine.
Love the excerpt, Jan. Question: Do you have a WIP at the minute!?
Thank you! Can I call my WIP a Tear Up the Pages and Start Over Project? I can’t seem to settle on a beginning, but yes, I have something in mind. I appreciate your asking.
I have enjoyed Jan’s books, especially An Arranged Marriage. The excerpt is captivating. I am eagerly anticipating reading this book.
Thank you, Deborah! I hope you enjoy it.
Having read Jan’s other works, I am looking forward to this one. Thanks for hosting a giveaway.
Thank you, Stephanie. Good luck to you and all those who commented!
You can take my name out of the giveaway–I was so intrigued, I bought it yesterday and just finished reading it! I WAS SPELLBOUND for the entire book! Phew! I felt like I was holding my breath the whole time too! Thank you for such a wonderful read!
Oh, Betsy, you made my day! Thanks so much!!!
Sounds amazing, Betsy! Can’t wait to read it!
OMG!! Are they already married? how? why??? I cannot wait to read it!! I would love to win the book but if not I am definetely buying it!! As I am reading Persuasion now, i can wait a tiny bit!!
Enjoy Persuasion! It’s my second favorite Austen book after P&P. And I hope you get to read A Peculiar Connection. Thanks for your comments!
Oooh, what an exciting excerpt!! Thanks so much for sharing it! Can’t wait to read more! 🙂
Thank you, Maria!
Hi Jan,
I didn’t know you so I hadn’t read any of your writings but, reading your excerpt, I know I’ll enjoy them a lot!.I like when authors show the inner thougts of the characters speaking in first person as you’ve done with Elizabeth, because It makes the characters be closer to the readers. Good luck with your new release! And Thanks Meredith for this post And Thanks, too, to Meryton Press for the giveaway 🙂
Thank you, Teresa! I’m most at home writing in first person. It just seems like you and I are sitting down together while I tell you a story. Good luck with the giveaway!
Music, Elizabeth, Darcy – oh my! Yes, please.
Thank you for the post, for the giveaway and for more P&P happiness all around.
I agree, Lilyane – those three elements make for an intriguing scene. Thanks for your comments!
Great excerpt – thank you for the post. I can’t wait to read more. Congratulation on your new release.–Leslie
Thank you, Leslie!
This book sounds like a one I would love to read! The cover looks good too 🙂
Thank you, Jenna! The talented Janet Taylor designed my cover, and I’m glad you like it.