Happy Fridays, friends! It is lovely to welcome back Elaine Jeremiah to Austenesque Reviews today! Did you she just had a new book release a few days ago – Elizabeth and Darcy Beginning Again? 🙌🏼

And today she is here to share an oh-so-enticing excerpt that takes place in the rain!! 🌧 Which is perfect because we are experiencing a good bit of rain today! We hope you enjoy!

~ Excerpt from Elizabeth and Darcy Beginning Again ~

Darcy stretched his arms out in front of him. Despite Elizabeth’s light weight, they were remarkably stiff after carrying her for so long. The rain had remained heavy and incessant as he was carrying her, running down the back of his neck and pooling in the crooks of his arms where he was supporting her. Claps of thunder had continued to sound overhead and he was glad they had had the relative cover of the trees.

He had never been more relieved than when he had spied the hut ahead of them, the trees becoming sparser as the woods opened out into the small clearing where it was situated. Even so, holding her in his arms for so long was far from a hardship. On the contrary, somehow it felt so right, as though it were meant to be this way.

Now they were firmly established in the small one-roomed dwelling. He looked over to where Elizabeth was lying on the single bed in the corner of the room, her eyes shut. He did not believe that she slumbered. He knew that the pain would be too great for that. He had injured his own ankle dismounting from his horse awkwardly not three years since. Injuries such as these were painful to say the least and needed time to heal.

They had barely spoken since their arrival. She had seemed eager to escape the confines of his arms and as soon as they had reached the door to the hut, she had thanked him in a low voice for assisting her and then asked him to release her, hobbling over to the bed as quickly as she could. She had then tried to remove her half boots but was in such obvious pain in the attempt, that he had insisted on helping her to do so.

After that Darcy studiously ignored her and had busied himself with starting the fire, using the firewood that was so helpfully piled beside the fireplace. The flames were now crackling away, providing reassuring warmth. He sighed as he regarded her from his seat at the crudely made table on the other side of the room.

Elizabeth would likely never know that his feelings for her had undergone a great alteration since his rash, unkind words at the assembly. For days now, he had wished with all his heart that he could take back those stupid remarks he had made, but of course that was impossible. Worst of all, he realised that it was probable she had heard every last word he had said.

Darcy shifted in his seat. His clothes were still damp and sticking to him. Although they had taken off their outer garments and hung them over a chair by the fire, the clothes they were left in remained saturated. The two of them should be seated closer to the fire, Elizabeth especially. But how best to persuade her? He knew she would be unwilling to speak with him. Still, she was not asleep.

‘Miss Bennet,’ he said, attempting to moderate the sound of his voice so that it didn’t alarm or frustrate her. She opened her eyes and sat up wincing, meeting his gaze, her expression inscrutable. ‘I know your ankle must be paining you, but it occurs to me that your clothes, your dress will never dry out if you remain in that corner. You may even catch cold. If you permit me, I will help you to sit and place your hurt ankle on the stool by the fire.’

She said nothing for a moment, merely kept her beautiful eyes fixed on his face until he felt as though he should perspire. Then at last she nodded. ‘Your suggestion is a sensible one, sir. I am feeling rather uncomfortable, it is true. My dress,’ she tugged at a sleeve, ‘does not seem to be getting much drier yet.’

‘Very well, I shall assist you.’ He strode across the room and in two paces was beside her. She swung her legs so that she was seated on the edge of the bed. He stooped and placed his arm under hers, supporting her as she stood up. As they made physical contact once more, a strange unsteady feeling came over him. He pursed his lips, hoping she would not notice her effect on him. She winced and he heard her issue a sharp hiss of pain. ‘Miss Bennet, you are unwell. Here, let me help you.’ He encouraged her to place even more of her weight onto him and almost carried her over to the chair.

A few moments more and Elizabeth was installed on the chair with her foot on a stool, as close to the fire as could be, he seated on the other side. They were silent a while longer until Darcy thought he would burst and was about to speak, when Elizabeth surprised him by saying in a wry tone, ‘I do not suppose this was how you envisaged spending your day, sir.’

The comment took him by surprise and he was unsure at first how to respond. Her looks and her voice suggested that there was no guile to her words, and yet he did not know the lady well enough to be certain there was not an underlying meaning he could not immediately perceive.

‘To tell the truth it was not,’ he said finally with a smile. ‘But I am more concerned for your welfare, Miss Bennet. I am not the one with an injured ankle.’ She raised an eyebrow. He swallowed. ‘I am sorry for what happened. If I could somehow undo it all, I would.’

She nodded. ‘Sir, it was an unfortunate accident. I know you did not mean for it to occur. But then it is impossible to predict what will be in life. In my opinion, what is important is to do one’s best… even if at times the company one has to endure is merely tolerable.’

Darcy sat back sharply in his seat, feeling as though she had winded him. So she had heard what he had said. At that moment he wished he could crawl into the nearest foxhole large enough to accommodate him. ‘Miss Bennet, I am sorry for what I said,’ he told her, his face burning. ‘There was no truth to it at all.’

She was looking at him with a quizzical expression on her face, her pretty little lips pursed as though she were trying to make him out. ‘I see. So you bear me no ill will then?’

He frowned. ‘Ill will? Why should I bear you ill will?’

She raised her chin, looking him in the eye. ‘I thought you thoroughly disliked me and wanted nothing to do with me. That much seemed apparent when previously we were in each other’s company. Then I surprised you today when you were on your horse and thanks to my injuring myself, you have had to carry me all this way. But now you tell me it is forgotten and you do like me after all. I suppose I am somewhat mystified, that is all.’

Darcy shook his head. ‘I am truly sorry for my behaviour towards you at the assembly, Miss Bennet. It was most ungentlemanly. I am quite ashamed of myself,’ he said, watching as her eyes widened. ‘I do not dislike you and I never have. In fact, I…’ He halted mid-speech and shook his head, aware that he may be betraying himself too much. ‘It is of no matter.’

Elizabeth’s brow was furrowed; she was looking at him curiously as though she could not make him out. He had the feeling that she liked to have the measure of people and did not know where she stood with him. Good, he thought. <I should not wish for her to have the upper hand where I am concerned<.

He tugged at his cravat, which suddenly felt constricting. These thoughts were dangerous. He and Elizabeth Bennet could never be. It simply would not work. She was beneath him in every way. And yet…

And yet!?!?! Ahhh! Yes, keeping thing that ‘and yet’ Darcy!

I love this combination so much -rain, forced isolation, Mr. Darcy coming to the rescue, frank conversations! 🌧🎩I cannot wait to see what happens next – thank you so much for sharing, Elaine!! I wish you the best of luck with Elizabeth and Darcy Beginning Again! 💖

~ Connect with Elaine ~

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~ About Elaine ~

Elaine lives in Bristol, South West England with her husband and their golden retriever, Dug. But she was privileged enough to grow up in Jane Austen country, in Hampshire.

She’s always loved writing, but it’s only been in recent years that she’s been able to devote more time to it. She decided to self-publish with the help of her wonderful husband who’s very tech-savvy! In 2013 she self-published her first novel, but it was only with her fourth, her novel ‘Love Without Time’, that she felt she finally found her niche: Jane Austen Fan Fiction!

She’s always loved Jane Austen’s writing and the Regency era, so this felt like a natural thing for her to do. ‘Elizabeth and Darcy Beginning Again’ is the first ‘Pride and Prejudice’ variation she’s written.

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Elaine generously brings with her 2 ebook copies of Elizabeth and Darcy Beginning Again for me to randomly give away to TWO lucky readers.  Woot Woot!!! 📕📗

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

• This giveaway is open worldwide.  Thank you, Elaine!
• This giveaway ends February 12th