Hi friends!! Are you an obstinate, headstrong girl? 🤔If yes! Be fiercely proud of your independent nature and strength of character, and join use in celebrating the ultimate obstinate, headstrong girl – Elizabeth Bennet! 🙌🏼 Our girl so deserves her own anthology, don’t you agree? 🙋🏻♀️And I’m so glad Christina Boyd and the lovely authors she collaborated with have gifted us this new anthology all about our dear, Elizabeth Bennet! 👒
And here to share a little more about her story from this stellar anthology is the lovely Joana Starnes!! 👋🏼
Why Elizabeth?
Good morning, Meredith, and thanks for hosting me today on the blog tour for Elizabeth: Obstinate, 
Headstrong Girl.
It was wonderful to be part of Christina’s Dream Team again (thanks for asking me, Christina!) and the theme was just as irresistible. Our favourite obstinate, headstrong girl – it’s such a delight to write about her! As for short stories, they’re ever so rewarding to write. It’s very satisfying to imagine our dear couple moving swiftly towards their HEA, even if cutting to the chase brings its own challenges.
It was also immensely satisfying to take Wickham out of the picture sooner rather than later – something I try to do in most of my stories, long or short, if I can get away with it 😊. My take on the gent is that he is an opportunistic, small-time crook, and the sooner Elizabeth stops believing him, the better.
So, what if Mr Darcy made more of an effort to warn Elizabeth about him?
That is the premise I chose for my story in the Elizabeth: Obstinate, Headstrong Girl anthology, mainly because I have always wondered how Mr Darcy could bring himself to leave Hertfordshire without making sure that Elizabeth was safe from Wickham’s wiles. He knew better than anybody that Wickham was bad news. He had garnered at the ball that the plausible so-and-so had easily befriended Elizabeth. So how could he not drop a more determined word of warning? Not to everyone, of course, and without revealing anything about his sister (he would never disclose that unless he had to). But what a thing to do, riding into the sunset and leaving Elizabeth with the wolf at her door!
Ah, but would the obstinate, headstrong girl believe him?
Last month I shared a little excerpt in which Elizabeth and Mr Darcy were clumsily interrupted by Mr Collins (you can find the snippet here). If you’d like to see how the other half of that conversation went, here it comes:
~ Excerpt from “The Uncommonly Busy Lane to Longbourn” ~
“May I join you?”
The sound of Mr. Darcy’s voice catches me unawares. I did not notice his return until now, when he is standing beside me, a cup of punch in each hand. I am tempted to observe that, as he can see, I am currently devoid of company and beggars cannot be choosers. But that would be uncivil even as a jest, so I only say, “Pray do.”
He offers me one of the cups, for which I am grateful, as no one else had thought of bringing me refreshments. Not even Jane. I thank him as he pulls himself a chair.
“My pleasure,” he says, then falls silent. This time, I cannot give myself the trouble of forcing him to converse. I sip my drink and shrug. He may do as he pleases.
The fortunate souls with full command over their unharmed limbs are lining up for another set. As I sit watching them with undiminished envy, my companion decides to break his vow of silence.
“My apologies for the earlier display of temper. I should have grasped that you had no wish to draw further notice to your predicament,” he says, much to my surprise. I rather thought him incapable of acknowledging himself at fault.
“Ah, yes, my predicament,” I say, choosing to make light of it.
“Are you still in pain?”
“Only if I attempt to stand,” I answer truthfully, which makes him glower at my cousin. To my unholy satisfaction, the glare has the power to arrest Mr. Collins’s capers. He blanches and nearly stumbles into my friend Charlotte’s back.
“That man should be tethered to a chair,” Mr. Darcy mutters between his teeth, and I cannot help laughing. He is not wrong there.
“Mr. Bingley’s ballroom would certainly be a safer place should Mr. Collins be thus confined.” And gagged, for good measure! But I keep the latter preference to myself.
Mr. Darcy turns towards me, no hint of amusement in his eyes.
“I would like to finish what I had to say before we were interrupted,” he solemnly announces.
“And that is?”
“A word of warning: Mr. Wickham is not a man to be trusted.”
I bristle, as much at the tone as at the implications.
“And I should believe you without question?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Why should you believe him?”
Because his very countenance vouches for his open and amiable temper, which is more than I can say of yours, I would very much like to snap. But, unlike Mr. Darcy, I am mindful of my manners. So, I merely ask, “What makes you think I do?”
“You spoke of his lifelong suffering.”
“Which, of course, is not of your infliction,” I scoff.
His left brow arches in the most provoking manner.
“Precisely,” he says. Just that, and nothing more.
I frown and refrain from informing him that, much as it will shock him, not everyone alive is eager to take his word as the gospel truth. I only say, “I thank you for your warning. I shall bear it in mind.”
Had I purposely set out to rile Mr. Darcy, now I might have rejoiced in my success, for he looks well on his way to losing his temper as he tersely says, “It is particularly incumbent on those who cling to their opinions to be secure of judging properly at first.”
I give a dismissive shrug. “Naturally.”
He verily scowls. “Has anyone told you that you can be awfully headstrong?”
“No. To my good fortune, most of those in my circle are well-mannered.”
I am rather proud of my aptly coined set-down. Sadly, its effect is ruined by Lydia, who could not have chosen a worse time to rush past us, chasing after Kitty and seeking to pull the ribbons from her hair.
“So I see,” says Mr. Darcy and takes his leave with a stiff bow.
* * * * * * *
Thanks for reading, and I hope you’d like to find out what happens next. Please don your bonnets or top hats and let’s take a stroll towards Longbourn in the footsteps of all the other callers – uncommonly many – who come to challenge Elizabeth’s preconceptions.
Love this scene! And I am already in love with Mr. Darcy…no surprise there, Joana! I love it when he engages her in battles of wit! 😉
~ About the Author ~
JOANA STARNES lives in the south of England with her family. Over the years, she has swapped several hats—physician, lecturer, clinical data analyst—but feels most comfortable in a bonnet. She has been living in Georgian England for decades in her imagination and plans to continue in that vein till she lays hands on a time machine. She is the author of nine Austen-inspired novels: From This Day Forward ~ The Darcys of Pemberley, The Subsequent Proposal, The Second Chance, The Falmouth Connection, The Unthinkable Triangle, Miss Darcy’s Companion, Mr Bennet’s Dutiful Daughter , The Darcy Legacy, and The Journey Home to Pemberley, and one of the contributing authors to The Darcy Monologues, Dangerous to Know: Jane Austen’s Rakes & Gentleman Rogues, Rational Creatures, and Yuletide: A Jane Austen-inspired Collections of Stories.
Connect with Joana
Blog ❧ Facebook ❧ Twitter ❧ All Roads Lead to Pemberley
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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
In conjunction with this blog tour The Quill Ink will be giving away a Grand Prize package: a book of your choosing from each of the authors’ backlist!
To enter this giveaway fill out the Rafflecopter form below!
- This giveaway will end March 31st.
- This giveaway is open worldwide.
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A second giveaway prize pack that includes Christina’s Silly Austen-inspired blank note cards and coordinating coffee mug.
To enter this second giveaway comment on this blog and other blog tour stops!
- This giveaway will end March 31st.
- This giveaway is open worldwide.
My sincere thanks to Joana Starnes and Christina Boyd for putting this lovely post together and inviting us to take part in the #OmgItsOHG book tour! Be sure to check out all the other stops!
Thanks so much for hosting me today, Meredith, with my take on our favourite obstinate, headstrong girl.
I’m so glad you loved this scene!! It was huge fun to write a grumpy Mr D who gets even grumpier by the minute thanks to Mr Collins’s capers and Elizabeth’s conviction that she’s always right 😉
Lots of hugs and have a fabulous spring!
My pleasure, Joana!! I cannot wait to read your story!
I always love to see a Mr. Darcy with little patience for Mr. Collins!!
Hugs to you!! Thank you for the lovely visit!
I read and thoroughly enjoyed this book. Thanks for a chance to win that very generous prize. Hello, Joana.
Hi, Sheila!
Thanks so much for your wonderful support! I’m so glad you liked the book. Huge thanks for the fabulous review and best of luck in Christina’s awesome giveaway!
So so stubborn! Surely she should admit the truth in that she should have no reason to believe Wickham’s version of events no matter how agreeable she finds him (although personally I don’t see the attraction!)
I agree with you Joana in that Darcy should surely warn Elizabeth and I think he may well have done so if not interrupted by Sir William. (I’ve watched 1995 so often that I can’t remember if that was actually even in the book?)
I absolutely loved all the stories in this fabulous anthology! Darcy and Elizabeth are my very favourite characters as you both know. So combined with such great authors how could it fail to enchant?
Thanks for sharing Joana and Meredith.
Thank *you*, Glynis, for your ever so kind words about EOHG and for this fun comment.
Hehe, I really don’t see the attraction either. It’s been so long since I first read the book, so now I can’t remember if I fell for Wickham’s sweet lies the first time. I guess I must have, our lady did such a great job of making him sound plausible!
LOL yes, Sir William does come to poke his bulbous nose into their conversation, that’s in the book too. It’s only the clapping and the ‘Capital! Capital!’ that isn’t but IMO the book is poorer for it 😀 He looks like such a clown, bless him!
If only! I can’t wait to see what Darcy does next! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Glynis! I love your comments!
“Because his very countenance vouches for his open and amiable temper, which is more than I can say of yours, I would very much like to snap.” Though she was only thinking it, this is the crux of Elizabeth’s opinion/problem. Though she feels Jane only sees the good in people, neither of them have truly been exposed to one who is two-faced. Yes, obstinate, head-strong girl indeed but haven’t we all been there! I know I have! I think that is why we love her so…and it is just a given that we love Mr. Darcy too! Badly done indeed, that he left without truly warning her! I love that you have at least attempted to have him do so.
My order has been placed, and I am waiting for my book to arrive! Congratulations to all who have contributed to another wonderful collection! I thank you!
Who knows, Carole, maybe he did try to warn her in First Impressions… Ah, the thought of all the lopping and cropping our sweet lady did – it still drives me to distraction 🙂 . I’d LOVE to know what was there before she took out so much. What was it, a third? And we’ll never know what was in it. (That was cruel, ma’am. Most cruel indeed!!!)
Thanks so much for reading the post and for this lovely comment. Have fun with the book when it turns up and thanks again for your wonderful support for Christina’s latest Quill Ink anthology.
I loved seeing how Darcy’s decision to warn Elizabeth doesn’t change their fundamental nature. For all that their pride and stubbornness are flaws, they are so much fun to read on the page! I particularly loved this line from Darcy: “It is particularly incumbent on those who cling to their opinions to be secure of judging properly at first.” It is a warning that both characters in the original novel could have stood to hear earlier! Loved your obstinate, headstrong version of Elizabeth, Joana! And thanks, Meredith, for hosting this stop of the blog tour!
Huge thanks again for hosting EOHG, Meredith, and for all your hard work in making it happen, Christina. You put so much love into all the Quill Ink anthologies, and it’s so wonderful to see that The Darcy Monologues now have a great companion in EOHG!
Yes! Those traits are hard for them to shake!
Thanks for the lovely visit! I am so excited to read both your stories!!!
I liked reading what you prefer to do to Wickham in your stories. Muahahahhah! Probably one of the attractions for me in reading your work, Joana. I think readers will love this treatment too.
Thanks, Meredith, for featuring our “Elizabeth” and I hope you enjoy the collection.
Muahahahhah indeed, Christina 😀 😀 .
Yeah, I do love to get rid of the little crook asap. I’m so glad that’s one of the attractions!!
So happy this day is here, Christina!! Congrats on your big release! I cannot wait to read all these wonderful stories for myself!
Love your writing Joana. Thank you again Meredith for sharing!
Thanks, Nancy, I’m so happy to hear that!! Thanks for reading the post and best of luck in the giveaway.
I will second that!
Thanks for the visit!
Joana what another great story you have in store for us. I could not help but laugh at : “No. To my good fortune, most of those in my circle are well-mannered.” And I dearly love to laugh, thank you for a chance to win!!
Hope this gives you a giggle or two, Charlotte 😉
Best of luck in the giveaway and thanks for taking part.
Sounds like one I would enjoy. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’m so glad, DarcyBennet! Thanks for reading and good luck.
Joana, I loved your excerpt. I do hope they eventually have a conversation where Darcy does advise her about Wickham. She is so… opinionated. Grrr! I can’t wait to read this. Christina’s the best at creating a team of excellent authors. Love you guys. Thanks to Meredith for hosting [hello to your Mr. Bingley]. Blessingsto all the authors on the launch and success of this work.
Blessings to you too, dear Jeanne. Have a lovely and peaceful spring and huge thanks again for your wonderful support. I’m over the moon that you liked the excerpt!! It was great fun to write this story and so lovely to be part of Christina’s dream team again!
Lol! Such an obstinate, headstrong girl!
Great excerpt, and I loved the peek into your thoughts on how to develop your story 🙂
You’re so kind, Karen! Thanks for this and for the super ‘Resistive Currents’. Loved that story!!
All the best and lots of inspiration!
Joana’s story was one of my favorite’s in the anthology. Thanks for featuring her here today. Best, LA
Huge thanks for your kind words, Laurel-Ann! I’m so happy this was one of your favourites!!
Have a lovely spring and all the best.
Lovely to hear! And I’m not at all surprised!
Loved this book, read it on the plane to Hawaii. Great stories featuring ODH. Love all these authors too!
That’s wonderful to hear our OHG got to go to Hawaii!!
Thank you, Kristin! I’m so glad you loved the book and that EOHG kept you company!
Not too sure that Elizabeth is going to take any notice
LOL she probably won’t. She’s an obstinate, headstrong girl after all 😀
love the banter
Thank you, Denise, I’m so glad!!
Thanks for reading the post and best of luck in the giveaway.
I’m about 70% through the book, so I’ve read this contribution to the anthology. It’s wonderful. Elizabeth really does prove to be obstinate and headstrong… 😀
I’m so happy you liked it, Lucy! Thanks for stopping by to read the post and have fun with the rest of the book 🙂
Ooohh, does she? Can’t wait!
Joana, Love this excerpt and I’m so looking forward to reading this collection. Best Wishes to all of the authors and to Meredith for featuring. Jen
Thanks, Jen, I’m so glad you liked the excerpt. Best wishes to you too, and lots of inspiration!
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and lovely support, Jennifer!
Exciting. Congratulations on this release.
Thanks, Patty, and best of luck in the giveaway!
The excerpt was wonderful–so typical Elizabeth. Given that it is a short story, I am happy that the angst will not last too long. I’m looking forward to “the rest of the story” as Paul Harvey used to say. Thank you for entering me in the contest.
I’m so glad you liked the excerpt! Thanks for reading and no worries, there’s very little angst in this one, if any 😉 Best of luck in the giveaway and thanks for taking part.
Wonderful excerpt for a wonderful story. I adore Joana’s writing and am constantly awed by the way she takes such a familiar story feel fresh and alive, how she makes characters on the page so real and emotionally resonant.
Oh my goodness, Beau, huge thanks for your wonderful words! You’re EVER so kind and right back at you! I’ve fallen in love with your writing ever since the Songbird, and you’ve given us one gem after another. Your ‘Love in Limelight’ is exquisite and O-M-G, The Colonel!!! That story tore me to shreds and put me back together again. You have such a way with words!! Please keep writing!!
That particular exchange between Darcy and Elizabeth is my favorite in the entire book, Joana! I loved the whole story. May I just say, though, that, while you might dispatch of Wickham early in many of your books, you certainly have found plenty of other ways to torment our dear couple weeks n the past! Wonderful post, Meredith and Joana!
I’m so happy to hear that was one of your favourite scenes, Debbie. Thank you!!!
Hehe, yes, I do look for other ways to torment them, don’t I? I guess it’s a wicked thing to say, but I’m kind of glad you think I found ’em 😀
OhI l cannot wait to see what Joana has in store for Darcy and Lizzy!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Debbie!
Love that excerpt, especially Elizabeth’s polite set-down… lol How could you not love it!!!
@Debbie Brown, I agree with your comment. Joana writes some of the best angst filled journey for our dear couple and also some of the best mush/swoon worthy scenes!
Can’t wait to read it! Congrats on another fabulous anthology Christina and amazing authors!
I’m so happy you loved the snippet, Dung. Thanks SO much for this and all your kind words about my books!! Have lots of fun with EOHG. Christina’s dream-team is fabulous – again!
I loved this book! And Joana, your story was one of my favorites…aw shucks, I don’t have a favorite. But I did love your story and even though this scene is great, I thought she was being a bit rude herself until I thought how snappy I’d be with an ankle killing me and ruining the rest of the party for me. I can’t say too much about the scene that is my favorite because of spoilers, just let me state that I loved the embarrassing way she found out just how much Darcy admired her…..classic.
Thank you Joana for such a great contribution to this awesome anthology, thank you Christina Boyd for all the hard work it took to bring this together (I’ll follow you anywhere) and thank you Meredith for hosting the blog tour. Best of luck to all the authors and may this anthology have great success.
P.S. Meredith I keep forgetting to say how cool the new header is and the way you shuffle the photos every once in awhile.
Gah!!!! So teasing! I cannot wait to read your favorite scene!! Joana has such a way with these two, I love all she does with them!
Thanks so much for the lovely mention of our header! I love pictures with my books so I wasn’t sure how this Instagram header would work out, but I’ve been really happy with it so far. The photos come directly from my Instagram feed and I don’t know when or what makes them change, but it is nice to see some variety. 😉
I’m ever so glad you loved the book, Michelle, and that my story was one of your favourites. Thanks for the nod and wink at the scene where Elizabeth heard how much Darcy admired her (hehe, that was such fun to write!)
Thanks again for your kind words and all your wonderful support for years and years, Meredith!! I’m over the moon that you’re still reading my books and that you still like them!! Lots of hugs to you both, lovely ladies!
Wonderful excerpt, Joana! Entertaining and so well-written! This story sounds really good!
Thanks, Kelly! I’m so glad you liked the excerpt. Have fun with EOHG and thanks for stopping by to read the post.