Hi readers!  I am so happy to welcome back author L.L. Diamond to Austenesque Reviews today!  Leslie is here to celebrate the release of Particular Attachments which is a sequel to her Pride and Prejudice variation, Particular Intentions.  Particular Attachments has definitely caught my eye (and not just because of the stunning cover) but because it is about Georgiana Darcy – I love stories that feature Georgiana and her path to finding love!  Leslie brings with her today a lovely outtake that shows Georgiana and Nathaniel at the young ages of eight and twelve.  We hope you enjoy!

Thank you so much, Meredith! It was a long road writing Particular Attachments, but I’m so excited about sharing Georgiana and Lord Sele’s story with everyone. I only hope everyone comes to care for Georgiana and love she and Nathaniel’s story as much as I do!

I always set some sort of challenge for myself with each book. With Particular Intentions, I wanted to keep to strictly Darcy and Elizabeth’s point of view. With Particular Attachments, we only previously knew Georgiana, so I narrowed everything to strictly from her perspective. It was challenging to try to cover everything in that way, but it reminded me a bit of Jane Austen in that she didn’t write scenes between men. She would never have been privy to those conversations, so did not write them because she didn’t know the dynamics. Anyway, I wrote this outtake just for fun to get an idea of Lord Sele’s (Nathaniel’s) perspective. I hope you enjoy it!

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Nathaniel watched the familiar landmarks pass as they neared Pemberley. They had travelled through Lambton a short time ago and the small groundskeeper’s cottage that always told him they were almost there could be seen a short distance down the valley.

He looked across the carriage to Darcy, who stared out of the window much like Nathaniel had a moment earlier. His long-time friend had been mostly silent since they departed Cambridge two days ago, and Nathaniel, being several years younger, was uncertain of how to be of aid. It was not every day a young man discovered their mother was dying. Nathaniel certainly had no concept of how Darcy felt, so he was at a loss. He did not even know what to say.

“Fitzwilliam?” Nathaniel’s mother leaned forward and placed a hand over Darcy’s, drawing his attention from the passing scenery. “If you need to speak of matters, please know Lord Lindsey and I shall be available for you at any time should you not wish to burden your father. I know he would desire to be there for you as well, but at times, ‘tis easier to speak to someone other than those closest to you.” Darcy gave a distracted nod before taking a deep breath and returning to his observation of the countryside.

His mother turned to him and dipped her head down to give him that look. The one that ordered his compliance when he had as of yet done naught to deserve it. “I expect you to behave yourself. I know you enjoy pestering poor Georgiana, but her mother is dying and I expect you to behave as a gentleman. Do you understand?”

“But she is so haughty to me. She refuses to speak to me when we are in company, she pretends I do not exist, and when she does speak, she puts on airs.”

For the first time since Darcy joined them, he cracked a small smile. “She pretends she is our aunt Lady Catherine.” He rubbed his hand up and down his leg. “From the information my father gave in his letter, I do not believe he has told Georgiana much if anything at all.”

“Nevertheless, Nathaniel should be on his best behaviour,” reiterated his mother.

At least Darcy understood his predicament . . . well, in a manner of speaking. Nathaniel had known the Darcys for as long as he could remember. Darcy was eight years older, but had taken him riding around Pemberley since he was first old enough to sit a pony. Now that Nathaniel was twelve, Darcy would not be required to rein in his mount so Nathaniel could keep his pace, but he was still so much older while Georgiana was a mere four years younger.

He withheld the frustrated growl he wanted more than anything to voice aloud. Did his mother not understand how infuriating Georgiana Darcy was? He had always desired nothing more than to be in her company. Instead, she had her little tea parties and played with her doll. What was its name again? Oh yes, Matilda. She took that ridiculous doll everywhere!

He had done all he could think of to garner her notice, but she refused to oblige him. She did as she pleased without reference to him. Did she not know they were supposed to be friends? She was closer in age by far to her brother after all.

His sulk came to a swift end when the carriage pulled before the grand house. As soon as they came to a stop, servants bustled to set the step, open the door, and retrieve their trunks.

Darcy hastened from the equipage and excused himself to refresh himself from the journey before Nathaniel’s father could even hand his mother down. While his parents were greeted by Mrs Reynolds, the housekeeper, he took a long look at the grounds—his gaze drawn to a small clearing on the other side of the lake.

“Mother, is that the Darcys having a picnic?”

“Mrs. Darcy was eager to have a day outside with Miss Darcy,” explained Mrs. Reynolds. “Mrs. Darcy is resting on a chaise while Miss Darcy plays. Several footmen and a maid just delivered refreshments and I believe Mr. Darcy is to join them quite soon.”

His mother smiled and wrapped her hand around his father’s elbow. “Then we shall greet them there.”

The walk around the lake was not a lengthy one, but Nathaniel fell a little behind watching a familiar figure skip without care around a field of daisies, a large bouquet of lavender and daisies clutched in her hand. All of a sudden, she stopped and her head darted from one direction to the other, looking in the grass. When she moved again, it was with more purpose until she bent down and picked something up. Of course! It would be that ridiculous doll.

He stopped and his gaze continued to follow her while she skipped over to her mother and presented her with the bundle of flowers she had picked. The corners of his lips curved up at her gesture. Georgiana always treated him with indifference, but she had a kind heart. He had always envied those she cared for, but he wanted to be counted in their number.

“Oh, a picnic! What a wonderful idea!”

He started at his mother’s voice. When had they crossed the remaining distance? He hurried around while his mother embraced her best friend. His father motioned him to his side when he reached them.

“Amelia, I am in your debt!” said Mrs. Darcy in a weak voice.

Georgiana stared at her mother, her eyebrows drawn down in the middle. How much did she understand? Darcy indicated she knew naught of her mother’s fate, but she was intelligent, and had to suspect something.

The weak voice of Mrs Darcy pulled him from his study of her daughter. “Georgiana, please take Nathaniel to have some punch or tea, and some food. I am certain he is thirsty and hungry after their lengthy trip.”

Chestnut ringlets bounced when Georgiana’s head turned from her mother to face him and her countenance underwent a dramatic change. Her eyes narrowed, her nostrils widened just a little, and her lips pressed thin together. Good Lord! Was he really so bad?

“Must I?”

A part of him cheered when her mother scolded her for her rude behaviour because it meant he would have some time in her company. Once she curtseyed and greeted his father, she pivoted in his direction, stood primly straight, and her crystal blue eyes met his. “Would you care for some tea?”

He gave a slight bow. “I would, thank you.”

His mother told him to be a gentleman and he would, though his fingers itched to give just the slightest pull to one of her perfect chestnut curls! Instead, he followed close behind to a table set with food. A maid helped him prepare a plate and a cup of tea while Georgiana paid more attention to that intolerable doll than him. One day, he was going to hide that menace so she would ask him to wander the gardens or ride around Pemberley instead of play with it!

When the maid placed his plate upon the table, he cleared his throat. “Will you not sit with me?”

She rolled her eyes. “I suppose I must.”

He crossed his arms over his chest and threw out a leg. She could be such a prim little miss when she wished it. Why did she insist on treating him thus? He had done naught to offend her. She liked him. She had to. “You may as well stop pretending.”

“I beg your pardon?” There was that imperious little look and voice that she always tried to use with him—the one Darcy claimed was like his aunt Lady Catherine.

“I said, you may as well stop pretending. I know you think well of me.” She enjoyed behaving as though he was not present, but how he wished for the opposite! She was speaking to him, which had to be an improvement over her silly silences.

“I am not fond of any boys—except Fitzwilliam and my father, of course. I am not playing you false.”

He grinned widely, making her take a step back. “You like me.”

“Do not.”

“Do too.”

“Do not!”

“One day, Georgiana Darcy, you are going to marry me!” He knew she would. She might pretend she did not give one jot for him, but one day she would cease this absurd game. Georgiana Darcy was the only girl he could ever imagine himself marrying—not that he knew many girls, but that did not matter because Georgiana was perfect for him. They could ramble in the woods together, ride their horses, and play the pianoforte.

A sharp pain to his leg made him cry out and fall on his behind on the ground. “You kicked me!”

“I will never marry you!”

Thanks again, Meredith! I hope everyone enjoyed the little outtake. I had a lot of fun imagining it from a different point of view 

Such sass!!  Hahaha!  I love it! 🙂  I can’t wait to see these two encounter each other again as they are older!  I wonder how Georgiana will act?  Will Nathaniel still want to marry her?  I can’t wait to find out what happens!

~ Book Blurb ~

Available for pre-order now!  Releases tomorrow September 14th!

She swore would never marry!

Georgiana Darcy is a lady with a secret! The last thing she wants is to return to London, but what else can she do when her brother and his wife make plans to spend the Christmas season in town. When Lizzy’s youngest sister, Lydia, joins them, Georgiana gains a confidante, but will Lydia’s outgoing nature cause problems when Lord Sele, son of a family friend reappears in Georgiana’s life?

As an insufferable boy, Lord Sele vowed he would marry Georgiana, but was his return from Ireland a coincidence or was his sole purpose to pursue her? He admits to desiring friendship, but Lydia is determined his desire is Georgiana and she will stop at nothing to see her best friend happily settled.

What is Georgiana to do when faced with the society she has managed to avoid for her entire adult life as well as the one man determined to change her mind about marriage? Will she be able to overcome her fears despite the spectre from the past that seems to be haunting her? Will she be forced to tell her secret and choose happiness or will someone from her past ruin everything?

~ Author Bio ~

L.L. Diamond is more commonly known as Leslie to her friends and Mom to her three kids. A native of Louisiana, she spent the majority of her life living within an hour of New Orleans before following her husband all over as a military wife. Louisiana, Mississippi, California, Texas, New Mexico, Nebraska, and now England have all been called home along the way.

After watching Sense and Sensibility with her mother, Leslie became a fan of Jane Austen, reading her collected works over the next few years. Pride and Prejudice stood out as a favourite and has dominated her writing since finding Jane Austen Fan Fiction.

Aside from mother and writer, Leslie considers herself a perpetual student. She has degrees in biology and studio art, but will devour any subject of interest simply for the knowledge. Her most recent endeavours have included certifications to coach swimming as well as a fitness instructor. As an artist, her concentration is in graphic design, but watercolour is her medium of choice with one of her watercolours featured on the cover of her second book, A Matter of Chance. She is also a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America. Leslie also plays flute and piano, but much like Elizabeth Bennet, she is always in need of practice!

Leslie’s books include: Rain and Retribution, A Matter of Chance, An Unwavering Trust, The Earl’s Conquest, Particular Intentions, and Particular Attachments.

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 Connect with Leslie

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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Today Leslie brings with her ONE ebook copy of Particular Attachments for me to give away to ONE lucky winner!

 

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

• This giveaway is open worldwide.  Thank you, Leslie!
• This giveaway ends September 20th!

Check out the rest of the tour going on now!  Thank you, Leslie, for the lovely visit!