Hi friends! I am so excited to welcome back Gailie Ruth Caress to Austenseque Reviews today! It was such an honor to host her beautiful (and extremely lit) cover reveal for Fearful Symmetry a while back and I am highly anticipating reading her debut soon! I just love the dramatic premise of a fire, danger, and Mr. Darcy being heroic! Gailie Ruth is here to share an excerpt from Fearful Symmetry, we hope you enjoy! 🔥
Happy spring to you, Meredith!
Thank you so much for having me here today on Austenesque Reviews. It’s a real treat to be back *again* after you were so kind as to host my cover reveal in January!
My book has finally come hot off the presses, so I am delighted to introduce your readers to my debut novel, Fearful Symmetry, by sharing a scene from it today. I hope you enjoy this little teaser!
When their party returned to Netherfield, Miss Bingley’s offering of refreshments created clusters of chatter
in the salon. Elizabeth hoped she might have her chance to speak to Mr Darcy at last, for she had spotted him in a comfortable chair, contentedly situated with his tea and a plate. At her approach, he made to rise.
“Oh, no, sir. We had better not risk an accident over a mere formality,” Elizabeth forestalled him graciously, nodding towards his carefully balanced plate and then to her own teacup in her palm.
“I should not wish to leave a lady unacknowledged,” he declared, “but I suppose some informality may be excused, given our prolonged cohabitation.”
Elizabeth indulged his droll observation with a laugh. As she settled herself into the matching chair to his, she observed, “Indeed, it is above half a month now, as of today, since I have invaded Netherfield to make myself useful to one ill or injured relative or another. You are very good to countenance so much unplanned company during your visit with your friend.”
“I had not expected my time in such a quiet county to be so eventful, I admit. But I cannot regret my coming, for I have been honoured to find myself being of use to Bingley, to the Bennets, and to more besides,” Mr Darcy reflected, catching her eye with a speaking look before leaning forward and lowering his voice. “Regarding our mutual acquaintance, it seems some mischief was already afoot, as I learned from my discussion with Colonel Forster and his wife. My old friend Wickham has styled himself as the younger son of a gentleman, and he has already had some credit extended to him by the local proprietors hereabouts who believe his shallow pockets are tied on strings to a deeper purse. Colonel Forster was surprised to learn that he was only the son of my father’s late steward, and now he has learnt to be suspicious of the rascal.”
Elizabeth felt an upswell of relief. “I am glad that your mission was successful. My little village will be spared by your diligence last night, Mr Darcy, though they are ignorant of it.”
“It is no more than I ought to have done.”
At this demurral, Elizabeth could not keep from revealing some of her admiration, if only to assuage her own feelings for the man before her. “Only the best sort of man would take on such an errand, when it could easily have been ignored. I thank you, sir, on behalf of my friends in Meryton. There is much I owe you for the wonders you have worked in a se’nnight.”
At this, Darcy looked more troubled than pleased. Elizabeth wanted to tease him into levity to ease away the severity from his expression, but her chance was spoilt by her youngest sister.
“Oh, Lizzy,” said Lydia, nearly bouncing with impatience as she approached her sister, “I must have you speak to our mama! I want to go into the village to call on my friends tomorrow, for we shall leave soon, and for heaven knows how long! But she says that I must stay here to pack for our trip to town!”
“Oh, Lydia—a moment, please,” said Elizabeth in exasperation, before turning to Mr Darcy and bobbing a curtsey. “Please excuse us, Mr Darcy. It seems that I am needed.”
Her conference with Lydia soon gathered more participants, as Kitty, with her own interests at stake, drew alongside them; and then Mary, seeing a chance to offer advice, drew nigh. She listened but a moment to their cluster of talk before she cleared her throat.
“It is the honour due to foremost to Mama, and then to Jane as a newly engaged woman, to take their leave of the neighbourhood,” Elizabeth said. “However, I believe that Mary and I will have sufficient help from the maids to ensure all is tidied up. I can offer Mama our assurances that you and Kitty might be spared from packing, but it is she who must grant permission.”
The girls agreed to this scheme, and they applied to Mrs Bennet for approval. Mr Bingley gallantly offered his carriage, and so the arrangements for Monday’s farewell tour were completed in time for the ladies to go up to rest and dress for dinner.
***
After dinner, Darcy unhappily faced the awful prospect of the loss of Elizabeth Bennet’s company in a circumstance least likely to lend his feelings the aid of distraction, for it was a Sunday evening, when he had nothing to do.
Lol. I see what you did there, Ms. Caress! 😉 This excerpt is most intriguing! I love that Elizabeth is staying in close quarters with Mr. Darcy, I love her awareness about Mr. Wickham’s wastrel ways, and I love the teasing banter and admiration we see blooming within Elizabeth for Mr. Darcy! I wonder if Mr. Darcy is also becoming more enamored…🥰
Thank you so much for sharing, Gailie Ruth! I wish you so much success with your debut release of Fearful Symmetry!
~ Book Description ~
Darcy had never known such a woman, one who could rush into an inferno and emerge as bold and brilliant as burnished brass, bright as any mirror.
FITZWILLIAM DARCY HAD PLANNED TO LEAVE NETHERFIELD PARK and all thoughts of the enchanting Miss Elizabeth Bennet behind him—until one night when he saw smoke rising from Longbourn and realised she was in peril.
ELIZABETH BENNET FOUND MR DARCY ARROGANT AND INSUFERABLE right up until he became her hero, pulling her and her sister from the fire that devastated their home, and could have claimed both of their lives. Seeing how he put his own life at risk to pull her from the fire, how could she help but change her opinion of him?
THROWN TOGETHER AGAIN in the refuge offered at Netherfield, Darcy and Elizabeth’s unexpected bond gains strength. But disapproval, debts, and doubts all arise when the costs in time and expense involved in rebuilding Longbourn threaten to widen the gulf in standing between Elizabeth and Darcy in the eyes of society. Amidst these perplexities of destruction and decorum, can love’s courage overcome calamity?
~~~
GIVEAWAY TIME!
In conjunction with this lovely blog tour, Quills and Quartos will be giving away an ebook of Fearful Symmetry to one lucky reader who comments on this post.
To enter this giveaway, leave a comment, question, or some love for Gailie Ruth below!
- This giveaway is open worldwide! Thank you, Quills and Quartos.
- This giveaway will end March 19th.
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Follow Gailie Ruth’s Tour!
Fearful Symmetry is available in paperback, ebook, and Audible audiobook!
My sincere gratitude to Gailie Ruth Caress, Kristi Rawley, and the wonderful people at Quills and Quartos for inviting me to take part in this lovely tour!
I read and enjoyed this story. Obviously leave me out of the giveaway. Thanks for sharing here. Stay safe.
Sheila, I’m so glad you came by to show your support for this first-ever novel of mine! I *love* that you loved it!
I’m always happy when Elizabeth learns the truth of Wickham sooner rather than later. I don’t like it when they live with misunderstandings for so long!
I do wish Lydia hadn’t interrupted her chat with Darcy but typical Lydia thinks only of herself and her desires!
I do hope Elizabeth has chance to talk more with Darcy soon and look forward to reading more!
Oh yes, typical Lydia! But don’t worry–ODC will find their way! And I’m with you: I always was sad that in P&P, Elizabeth doesn’t discover Darcy’s true generous nature until much, much farther along in the story. This plot-twist early on allows her to see his character on display with much more transparency, and I have to say, I enjoyed writing sparks flying. I hope you love the story! Thank you for coming by to comment!
What a tease of an excerpt! I am intrigued and looking forward to reading your debut novel! Thank you for a chance at the giveaway!
I so hope you enjoy the story! It was a *tease* to write, as well, since I wanted to shift so many of Elizabeth’s revelations forward into an earlier part of the plot. It really does change that wonderful E/D dynamic, I think! Thank you for coming by to comment!
It is a stunning cover. At first, I thought of Rebecca. I thought that Elizabeth was delightfully teasing towards Mr. Darcy. Congratulations on your debut novel. Thank you for the excerpt and giveaway.
I can’t agree more about the cover, Eva! Susan Adriani was the designer behind it, and it’s just…gorgeous. And it shows how strong yet soulful Elizabeth is! I hope you love the story. Thank you for coming by to comment and chat!
I’ve already started to read this on KU, and am loving it so far.
Thanks for giving us the chance to win a copy, who knows I may be lucky.
I’m so delighted that you’re enjoying the KU version! I’m also glad you came by to comment (and what a compliment for the book!). Thank you, Sarah.
Just the thought of Darcy saving Elizabeth from a burning Longbourn makes me swoon. I look foreward to reading the book and Lizzy’s new appreciation of Darcy and learning of his excellent qualities 🙂
To be honest, that idea made me swoon, too! I just had to write about it. I hope you love it, Tzippy! Thank you for coming by to comment!
It’s always a pleasure when Wickham’s character is revealed early on. I just wish that for once Lydia, too, would either get her just desserts or grow up, she’s such a tiresome character. I enjoyed the excerpt and am looking forward to reading the whole story!
I’ve never been happy with the way Wickham so easily misled Elizabeth in P&P (but reader’s hindsight is always 20/20!). So I have to say it was a delight in Fearful Symmetry to have Elizabeth *far* less receptive to his lies. I hope you enjoy that bit of the story! As for Lydia, well, even in P&P she is still “wild” and is “Lydia still” even after her elopement and near-ruin. It’s disappointing, but I try to remind myself that she is still a child—just a silly child who needs attention. The contrast between her and her elder sisters grows even more stark in the aftermath of the fire at Longbourn in my novel, since so much maturing has to rapidly happen among the Bennet sister crew. I hope you enjoy the shifts in the family dynamic, even if there are some doses of Lydia being…Lydia. At least we can admire her resilience, right?
Thank you for coming by and chatting a bit. I enjoyed engaging with you over your comment, Satu!
Fabulous extract!! I can’t wait to read this one. Huge congratulations on your release!!!
Thank you, Jessie! It’s so awesome to have you come by to support this debut novel! I’m a big fan of yours!
I have heard great things about this so would love to read. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
I’m so glad you came by to comment! I hope you love the story!
I’m looking forward to reading this story. Thank you.
I hope you love reading it, Betty! Thank you for visiting my first “blog tour stop” to peek at the novel here at Austenesque Reviews!
“At this, Darcy looked more troubled than pleased.” Hmm, I wonder why he was looking troubled. Too bad that Elizabeth didn’t get to find out.
Oh, but that would be telling! And poor Elizabeth is trying to figure out Darcy’s seeming consternation here as well. But what is love without a little bit of struggling communication? I can promise they eventually work it out! Only HEAs on this author’s watch! Thank you for coming by to take a look at the excerpt, Ginna. I hope you love the story!
The plot sounds unusual and exciting. Darcy a hero and a month in Elizabeth’s close company. In ALL of the Bennets’ company? Yikes! I’m eager to see what unfolds there! Thank you for a peek inside and the giveaway chance
The combination of a heroic Darcy and the most awkward house-party ever was simply too tempting to not to write a book about it! I do hope you enjoy it, though. Thank you for coming by and commenting, Deborah! I am so enjoying these responses.
Congratulations on your book! It really sounds exciting! Would love to read it. 🙂
Thank you, Audny! It was such a joy to write!
Hi, I am excited to read your new book. I have read wonderful reviews about it! I do enjoy when ODC get to know each other slowly. enough so that Elizabeth is more sure of Darcy’s character than Wickham’s charm 😉
Congrats!
I appreciate your excitement, Sam! And I hope you love it! I totally agree about getting Wickham’s lies cut off outright. He’s a nasty one, eh?
Looking forward to reading this, looks really good.
I hope you love it, Ann-Marie! Thank you for coming by to check it out and leave a comment!
Thank you for the excerpt. It looks like Lizzy and Darcy will not have many misunderstandings here. I’m glad that Lizzy is aware of Wickham’s deceitful ways early. Thanks also for the opportunity to win a copy of the book!
Thank you for coming by to check it out, Cyndy! Fingers crossed for you in the drawing!
Thank you for the excerpt. Would love to know more of ODc’s time in Netherfield. (How they continuously drawn closer to each other)
Thank you for the giveaway
I’ve read the book and really enjoyed it. Congratulations, Gailie Ruth!
How long will they be in close quarters? The longer the better!
Please do not enter me in the giveaway as I already have an ebook copy, but this is a delicious excerpt of D & E interacting. However, I am slightly down about the Bennets here ready to move out (for now at least). Thank you for sharing this.