Hi readers! Hope you are enjoying a lovely Monday so far! I am happy to welcome author Lari Ann O’Dell to Austenesque Reviews today! As you might have seen already, Lari Ann had a new book come out last month, Mr. Darcy’s Clan, and has been celebrating this new release with a blog tour! I must say I’m excited about Mr. Darcy’s Clan – it has been awhile since I’ve read a story with vampires, and this one looks intriguing and thoughtfully developed! 🧛🏼‍♂️⚰️

Hello, Meredith. Thank you for hosting me at Austenesque Reviews. I am thrilled to be here to share both an excerpt and a deleted scene from my new release, Mr. Darcy’s Clan.

The book is divided into five parts. The following excerpt is from the beginning of Part 2. To set the scene, Lydia Bennet has just mysteriously disappeared, and the Bennets are keeping to themselves at Longbourn, while Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner work to discover Lydia’s whereabouts.

Mr. Darcy unexpectedly comes to call, which is a welcome distraction for Elizabeth. Mr. Bennet, however, insists that Elizabeth must send him away, not wishing to garner any suspicion of their circumstances. Elizabeth meets with Darcy in the garden before sending him on his way, and Darcy gives her a warning.

On the third day of Lydia’s disappearance the family received less-than-welcome news from their cousin who would inherit Longbourn. The family was at breakfast when the letter arrived.

Mr. Bennet opened it with a flourish. “It is from Mr. Collins. He writes he has just gone through the Immortal Rite, thanks to the patronage of the esteemed Lady Catherine de Bourgh. On her advice, he is coming to visit us to mend the rift between his late father and myself.”

“Papa, we cannot host a guest. What if Lydia is not found by the time Mr. Collins arrives?” Jane said nervously.

“To refuse him would look suspicious. We must behave as if nothing has changed. Mr. Gardiner and I will find Lydia before Mr. Collins arrives next week, and all will be well.”

“Do you share my father’s opinion, Uncle Gardiner?” asked Elizabeth.

“I do,” he said. “You must not worry. I have a business associate in Gretna Green who has agreed to investigate the matter. If Lydia did elope, we will know shortly. I am awaiting his letter.”

For the third afternoon in a row, Elizabeth and Jane tried to distract themselves with mending and other menial tasks. Mary played the pianoforte tirelessly, and Kitty sobbed by the window, hoping to see Lydia coming up the path. Mrs. Bennet had not left her bed since Lydia’s disappearance.

“Oh, look, someone is coming! It is that tall fellow, that unpleasant friend of Mr. Bingley. What on earth is he doing here?”

Elizabeth looked up from her stitching. “Mr. Darcy?”

“Right, that is his name,” Kitty said. “I thought he left with the Bingleys.”

Elizabeth had known he remained in Hertfordshire, thanks to Caroline’s letter, but she had not expected he would deign to call at Longbourn on his own. She wondered what his motive could be.

The bell rang and soon Mr. Bennet entered the sitting room.

“We cannot invite guests in today. Mr. Darcy has asked to see you, Lizzy. Go outdoors and make him go away.”

Elizabeth made her way to the front of the house and opened the door to find Mr. Darcy awaiting her. She closed the door behind her as she stepped out.

“Mr. Darcy, to what do we owe this visit? I had expected you to return to London with Mr. Bingley. I have to wonder what would induce you to stay?”

“I remain as a favor to Mr. Bingley,” Darcy said. “As to my presence here today, I wished to see you.”

“I appreciate your honesty, sir, and you flatter me. But I am afraid we cannot entertain guests today. My mother is quite ill, and my sisters and I are taking turns at her bedside. We are all so worried; we would make terrible company. You are welcome to call another day.”

Elizabeth turned to go back in the house but her retreat was prevented by Darcy’s hand on her wrist, just as he had done in the garden.

“Please, Miss Elizabeth, if I could have but a few minutes of your time,” Darcy said, clearly apprehensive about some matter or other.

“Oh, very well, let us take a turn about the garden,” Elizabeth said. Elizabeth returned a few moments later with a shawl wrapped around her shoulders. She led him away from the main house and into the small garden.

“Is something else troubling you, Miss Elizabeth? Has Mr. Wickham been here?”

“Why would you think that?” Elizabeth asked.

“You would not believe me if I told you,” Darcy said, avoiding her inquisitive gaze. “Suffice it to say no one is safe around that man, particularly you. He detests being humiliated, and by burning him with the cross you have made yourself a target for his vengeance.”

Elizabeth paled. She had not thought about such consequences of her actions. Could Lydia’s troubles also be due to that act of foolishness?

Darcy seemed to sense her distress.

“Rest assured, Miss Elizabeth, as long as he is not invited into your house, you and your family are safe at Longbourn.”

“We have not seen him since the night of the ball,” Elizabeth said. “I thank you for your warning, Mr. Darcy, but I really must return to my mother.”

“Of course, you must,” Darcy said. “I hope I may call upon you again soon.”

“You could call on Friday,” Elizabeth said, for she could only hope Lydia would be found before the week’s end.

Darcy smiled. “Until Friday then. I hope your mother recovers … and, Miss Elizabeth?”

“Yes?”

“Please, be on your guard. Wickham is a dangerous enemy.”

The deleted scene I mentioned originally occurred between Darcy and Wickham, just after the preceding except. Darcy, feeling that Elizabeth’s distress must be somehow related to Wickham, rides to Meryton determined to confront him. Ultimately, I decided it best not to have Darcy and Wickham meet again. Because I took this storyline in a different direction, the scene proved to be unnecessary.

Darcy rode down the path leading away from Longbourn. He could not help feeling concerned for Elizabeth. She was most certainly hiding something, and it frustrated him that she did not feel safe to confide in him. He had shared his secrets with her only days before at the Netherfield Ball.

She had seemed uneasy at the mention of Wickham. It was a reasonable conclusion that the scoundrel must be responsible for Elizabeth’s current distress. Since she had trusted him with the truth, there was little Darcy could do to help. At the very least he could ride to Meryton and find Wickham. The scoundrel would be all too eager to boast of his misconduct.

Resolved to act, he made his way to Meryton. Unsurprisingly, Darcy located Wickham at the local tavern, half in his cups, despite the early hour, and playing cards with his comrades.

Wickham turned at the sound of Darcy calling his name. His lips curled into a sneer. “And what brings the high and mighty Mr. Darcy into a simple tavern? Have you abandoned you precious code of honor?”

“We need to speak,” Darcy said.

“Shall we speak about how you deprived me of a future? I could have been a man of leisure with a beautiful young bride, but I was not good enough for your precious sister. Now I am forced to work and live on a lowly officer’s compensation, supplementing my income with my earnings from cards.” Wickham heaved a dramatic sigh, satisfied that all eyes were on him and his loud complaints.

Under other circumstances, Darcy might have been mortified by such slander, but he knew that he had lost the good opinion of those in Meryton weeks ago, if he had ever had it to begin with. Darcy slapped down a few coins on the table. “For your next hand, if you will come speak with me in private.”

Wickham grinned and pocketed the money. “Very well. Follow me,” Wickham turned toward the side door of the tavern.

Once they were alone in the alley between the inn and the tavern, Darcy lost no time in beginning his interrogation. “Have you been to Longbourn?”

“Why should I wish to go to Longbourn? You had me Disinvited. Besides, the Bennet ladies have nothing but their charms to recommend them. I need money.”

Darcy eyed the scar on Wikham’s face. “Your vanity has been injured. I know you are not above vengeance.”

“’Tis but a trifling scar. Miss Lydia did not seem to mind my appearance two nights ago.”

Darcy forced Wickham against the stone wall of the tavern. “What have you done? If you have ruined the reputation of another young lady , I will report you to the courts and you will cease to exist.”

Wickham’s eyes gleamed. “You do not have the nerve. Miss Lydia will be just fine and as much under my thumb as ever she was. The poor girl is dreadfully jealous of the attentions I have paid to Miss Elizabeth. She wanted me for herself, and I am nothing if not generous of spirit. But what does the fate of the youngest Bennet matter to you? If you have decided you want Miss Elizabeth, her fortune-hunting mother will gladly grant her consent. But I will have to warn you that eternal happiness is not in your future. I will see to that.”

Darcy repressed the urge to pummel the man. He was above such behavior. Surely, Wickham was just trying to provoke him. Elizabeth had given no indication that her youngest sister was in any danger. Wickham was Disinvited from the house. The Bennets were safe. There was little use in prolonging this confrontation.

“I can see that I have hit the mark. It must be terrible to want someone you will never have. Consider it justice. The great Fitzwilliam Darcy will never be with the lady he loves.” With that, Wickham slipped from Darcy’s grasp and returned to the tavern.

Ooh! Thank you for sharing both an excerpt and a deleted scene with us, Lari Ann! I like the idea of Darcy staying in Meryton after the Netherfield Ball and paying calls on Elizabeth…but I wonder what has become of Lydia!?! 😯

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~ About Lari Ann ~

Lari Ann O’Dell first discovered her love of Pride & Prejudice when she was eighteen. After reading a Pride & Prejudice variation she found in a closing sale at a bookstore, she said, “This is what I want to do.” She published her first novel, Mr. Darcy’s Kiss, two years later.

Born and raised in Colorado, she attended the University of Colorado in Boulder and earned a bachelor’s degree in History and Creative Writing. After graduating college, she wrote and published her second novel, Mr. Darcy’s Ship. Her third novel, Mr. Darcy’s Clan, is her first supernatural variation, and she is working on two more fantasy variations. She is now back at school and pursuing a degree in Nursing. She adores her two beautiful nephews, Hudson and Dean. She currently works at a middle school and writes whenever she can.

~ GIVEAWAY TIME! ~

Lari Ann O’Dell is generously giving away 8 ebook editions of Mr. Darcy’s Clan in conjunction with this blog tour!!  Woot woot!  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 Commenting on this post and filling out the rafflecopter widget on this blog enters you in a chance to win!

• This giveaway is open worldwide.  Thank you, Lari Ann!
• This giveaway ends April 7th!

Thank you to Janet Taylor and Lari Ann O’Dell for making this blog tour possible!