Hello my dear friends! I am so excited to welcome the lovely Jan Ashton to Austenesque Reviews today! Jan has published several fantastic Austenesque books – my favorite (so far) being her Pride and Prejudice modern-adaptation – A Searing Acquaintance (so poignant and exquisite! 🥰)
I am all eager anticipation for Jan’s newest release – Some Natural Importance – the premise is filled with promising deviations to explore! Jan is here to share an excerpt from Some Natural Importance. We hope you enjoy! 😊
~ From the Author ~
Thank you so very much for hosting me here at Austenesque Reviews, and for all you do to support the JAFF community. This is my only official blog stop outside of the Quills & Quartos Publishing channels, and I am very happy to be here!
Some Natural Importance is my first full-length novel in a couple of years; I’ve been behind the scenes working with other authors, and it is exciting to put out my own work. I was aided by the amazing support of my editors, Julie Cooper and Gail Warner, and Amy D’Orazio, my business partner and cold reader. (Plus, a gorgeous cover from Cloudcat Designs!)
The story is one that had been percolating in my mind for some time, as I wondered about the relationship between the two men most important in Elizabeth Bennet’s life. In canon, Mr Bennet and Mr Darcy have many similarities of mind and interest, and vast differences in how they apply themselves to those concerns and to their relationships and responsibilities to other people. Both men have their faults, and bringing them together in a friendship that excludes Elizabeth fueled my imagination (and Elizabeth’s ire). The following excerpt from Chapter 3 illustrates some of the tensions that set in early on when Mr Darcy visits Longbourn.
~ Book Description ~
It is the way of the world, Elizabeth. Men hold power over women, but I am not a man who wants to wield such power. I would prefer a woman who has some power over me.”
Fitzwilliam Darcy already has one arranged marriage in his past. The last thing he envisions for himself is another, yet he has somehow become entrapped in a promise to a dying man. Not only must Darcy overcome his resentment in order to live up to his sense of honour, but when he realises how deeply his heart may be engaged, he must convince Elizabeth Bennet of his true feelings.
Elizabeth never expected the imperious Mr Darcy to become a good friend of an idle gentleman like her father. And she certainly never anticipated they would form a secret pact compelling her marriage to a man she dislikes. She must set aside grief and resentment, as well as her suspicions: Is Darcy using her to avoid another bride pushed onto him by his family, or to gain riches Elizabeth never knew she had?
Or is it possible he loves her?
~ Excerpt (from Chapter Three) ~
The following morning, returning from a walk and pleased to have a story to share of the lugubrious
Mr Goulding, a stubborn mule, and a sneezing goat, Elizabeth knocked on the library door. She paused a moment before turning the knob and entering.
Mr Darcy looked up at her, his hand poised above the chessboard. Her father turned and gave her a small smile. She attempted to return it but her surprise was apparent; Mr Bennet allowed few visitors to his sanctuary, and certainly not one of such short acquaintance. She stood in the doorway, uncertain whether to enter. Uncertain of her own welcome!
“Hello, Lizzy. Have you come to cheer for your father or to polish your technique by watching Mr Darcy?” His eyebrows rose. “He is a most worthy opponent. You will have much to fear from me when we next play.”
“You play chess, Miss Elizabeth?”
She turned her eyes to the intruder. “Yes, Mr Darcy. My father taught me when I was six years of age.”
“She won her first match a year later.”
“She bested you?”
Ignoring the tone of disbelief in Mr Darcy’s voice, Elizabeth shook her head. “Not my father. My neighbour, Mr John Lucas.”
Mr Bennet smirked. “A young man who is four years her senior. Lizzy won kings more quickly and climbed trees more nimbly than John or any of the other neighbourhood boys.”
With her attention on the chessboard, it took a moment for Elizabeth to register the lingering silence that had greeted her father’s pronouncement. It took a moment more for her to feel that two sets of eyes had focused on her. A rush of shock and indignation swept through her; accustomed as Elizabeth was to her father’s mocking of her mother and sisters and the mirth he took in making sport of their neighbours, never before had he made her the object of a joke. As if she were a hoyden, running about the countryside to challenge boys to contests and boast as she bested them in their own games and sport. This was their game, hers and Papa’s; his cutting jests were softened by her humorous defences of the victims. Now he had turned his acerbic wit upon her, to amuse his particular friend and illustrious guest! She had not thought to care what Mr Darcy might think of her or her childhood adventures, but neither had she thought her father would exploit them at her expense, simply for amusement.
She fought back the reddening blush she felt heating her neck and cheeks and awaited a witty rejoinder from Mr Darcy. When none came. she took a breath and said quietly, “Do you mean to move your rook or castle, Mr Darcy?” When she looked up, she saw her father’s eyes now rested on the board but Mr Darcy’s remained on her. He moved away his attention and his hand reached for his rook.
“Ha!” Mr Bennet cried. “You came here to encourage my demise at the hands of our guest. You wound me, daughter. Leave us to our game.”
It was as if he had slapped her, dismissing her from his book room, showing no interest in his hitherto favourite and whatever she had arrived to share with him. As she walked to the door, bemused and angry that her own amusing story was left untold, Elizabeth’s notice was drawn to Mr Darcy’s face. A small smirk had flashed briefly before good manners caused him to suppress it. Was she the source of his amusement?
Suddenly a sense of humiliation swept over her; she had been exiled from her haven, from her father’s company, and it had amused his visitor. A man who had been no better than a stranger two days past now sat in her seat, sharing her father’s chessboard and monopolising his time. It took real patience—and the determination that Elizabeth Bennet would never resemble her younger sisters—not to slam the door behind her.
***
Five daughters out and not one of them wed or attached? Darcy shook his head in wonder. Something is wrong at Longbourn. His cousins would guess it to be large noses, empty heads, or misshapen bosoms. But he had met four of the sisters, and while one or two might have an empty head, their real disadvantages were more likely a lack of dowry and scarcity of single men of decent eligibility.
As his horse galloped across the field towards Netherfield, Darcy noticed Elizabeth Bennet in the distance, walking determinedly in the direction opposite him. Her bonnet dangled just above the grass, her hand clasping it by the ribbon. Suddenly she leapt in the air and swatted a tree branch before breaking into a run. Alarmed, he glanced about to see whether she was pursued by a wild animal or a miscreant. Then he saw her slow down, twirl and laugh.
Astonished, he stifled a chuckle. She was spirited, and she made an interesting study, whether intent on her father’s chessboard or striding across a field. Miss Elizabeth was clearly the Bennet daughter most favoured by her father and why would that not be? She was the most intelligent and well-spoken of the lot, and was teasing or subdued, with little range between the two; at dinner, she had stared at him with a curious expression that verged on vexation. It was not a look common to ladies eager to flatter and flirt with him.
No, there was a perverse sort of joyfulness in Elizabeth Bennet, but there also was warmth and passion. After his experience with Anne’s weak and indifferent temperament, to be in company with her complete opposite was curiously alluring. A girl who bested boys at tree climbing and chess had grown into a spirited young woman who sparred in conversation and ran through the countryside. Perhaps that was the key: living in the country allowed her the freedom to behave as ladies in town could not, or would not. He and Georgiana would play spirited games of spillikins and blindman’s bluff when she was younger, but as she had grown older and more ladylike, so had their approach to games, and any time spent together. He did not wish to see his sister running about wildly in field and forest, but she could benefit from a little more liveliness within a drawing room.
Miss Elizabeth’s liveliness was not always present in Longbourn’s drawing room, either. After that first night at dinner and in the past two days when Darcy emerged from the book room, he had nodded at her and she had, now that he thought about it, made no effort to forward a conversation. It was damn odd. Ladies, especially those of a certain status and of marriageable age, did not dismiss Fitzwilliam Darcy.
It nettled him.
I love how both Darcy and Elizabeth are ruminating about each other – and I love a nettled Mr. Darcy. Such a great excerpt for showing their internal thoughts and voices, Jan. Thank you so much for sharing! I cannot wait to read more!! 🤗
~ About Jan ~
Jan Ashton didn’t meet Jane Austen until she was in her late teens, but in a happy coincidence, she
shares a similarity of name with the author and celebrates her birthday on the same day—if not the same century—Pride & Prejudice was first published. She’s yet to find any Darcy and Elizabeth candles on her birthday cake, but she does own the action figures.
Like so many Austen fans, Jan was an early and avid reader with a vivid imagination and a well-used library card. Her family’s frequent moves in the U.S and abroad encouraged her to think of books and their authors as reliable friends. A former journalist, she is a life member of the Jane Austen Society of North America, and co-founder of Quills & Quartos Publishing. Some Natural Importance is Jan’s fifth book; she has previously published A Searing Acquaintance, Mendacity & Mourning, The Most Interesting Man in the World, and One Minute More.
~~~
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
In conjunction with Jan’s lovely visit, Quills & Quartos is giving away 2️⃣ ebook copies of Some Natural Importance to 2️⃣ lucky winners!!
To enter this giveaway leave a comment, a question, or some love for Jan below!
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Quills and Quartos!
- This giveaway ends May 19th
~ EBOOK SALE!!! ~
The Most Interesting Man in the World
I love how the lovers on the cover are looking at each other and lightly touching fingers. I don’t blame Lizzie for being humiliated by her father since she has not been the target of Mr. Bennet’s cruel jests. I am so glad that Jan Ashton has a new book as I have thoroughly enjoyed her previous ones. Thank you for the excerpt and giveaway.
Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words, Eva! I love the painting on the cover too! It sums up their relationship so well. I’m so glad to have a new book out–it’s a more somber story than my other regencies, but I hope you like it just as much!
That was quite a bittersweet excerpt, but that was well done in addition! It hurt me a bit to see Lizzy barbed by Mr Bennet, but seeing her run and frolick in the country lifted my spirits. Thank you for sharing this piece and for the giveaway opportunity.
Being the target of Mr Bennet’s barbs is not fun, and Elizabeth is not happy to find herself spoken to in the same way as her mother. Fortunately, she is a great walker, so she knows how to clear her head. 😉
I loved Jan’s other books and I’m looking forward to to reading this one. Interesting excerpt and a beautiful cover. Thanks for the giveaway ❤️
Thank you, Kate! I hope you’ll like this book too–it has more in common with A Searing Acquaintance than with my other regencies (not so many silly jokes or ditzy Bingleys lol).
I read and enjoyed this story. I recommend it to JAFF lovers.
Thank you so much for all your support, Sheila!
What a beautiful and poignant excerpt, Jan! I could really feel Elizabeth’s hurt at being displaced by Darcy. That is such a unique and yet believable twist on the story! Very much looking forward to reading this! (Meredith, as always, many thanks for hosting this preview, but please don’t enter me into the giveaway, as I look forward to purchasing a copy soon!)
Thank you so much, Christina! My little fangirl heart is beating fast hearing such praise from you. I hope you’ll enjoy my interpretation of the Darcy-Mr Bennet relationship and how it influences the direction of Elizabeth’s life.
Congratulations on this newest release. Darcy Intrigued by Elizabeth not fawning all over him. Sounds like a conversation needs to occur to work matters out.
Smart thinking, Pat. But you know how stubborn these two are: they need more than just one conversation to work things out!
I so love this beautiful cover! I love ‘the look!’ And I love the touching hands! Quite swoon worthy .
Obviously Darcy was married to Anne, who has since died? I’m not sure how he became friendly with Mr Bennet but it seems they’ve reached an agreement for Darcy to marry Elizabeth! I hope it doesn’t take her too long to realise what a perfect match it is?
Thank you for sharing this.
I’m glad you like it, Glynis! Susan Adriani is brilliant at finding just the right piece of art to convey a story’s emotions, and she hit the ball out of the park with this couple–the gaze between them and their hands, So perfectly D&E. I hope you’ll like the story too. 🙂
This is a lovely story. Highly recommended.
Thank you so much, Sam!
Intriguing excerpt! How (and why) did Mr. Bennet and Darcy become such fast friends? I’d love to read the book and get the answer to my question! Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Glad you liked the excerpt, Pam. Hope you’ll have the chance to read the whole story. 🙂
I love this excerpt and all of Jan’s books. I look forward to another good read. Thanks for featuring here ladies. Congratulations and best wishes.
Aw Jen, you are such a sweetheart. Thanks so much, and I hope you enjoy the book!
LOVED the excerpt! Another one for my TBR list.
It’s so hard to figure out the right excerpts to share. I’m glad this one hit the right notes, and happy to hear Some Natural Importance is on your TBR pile! Thanks, Lily
One of the things I love about Jan’s work is her wonderful use of words – sometimes feels a little Hemingway-esque in the way she creates a simple, sparse statement that pulls you in for a “can’t put it down” experience. Reading this excerpt, Jan – well, you had me at “It nettled him.” – SO looking forward to reading this one!
As a huge fan of Hemingway and his use of spare, sometimes repetitive phrases to convey emotion and feeling between the written lines, I am so deeply honored and abashed by any comparison to him. I just watched the Ken Burns documentary on him and thought that our dear Jane Austen would have found Hemingway a fascinating specimen. Meanwhile, I am so glad Darcy being “nettled” captured your interest! Thanks, Jean!
Wouaouh!.. I cannot wait to read the rest! And the cover… so romantic
I really wanted a romantic cover, and Susan Adriani created one. I’m so glad you agree! Hope you like the book, Pasquis!
A wonderful excerpt that clearly shows the tenor of their early acquaintance. I’m about 80% through the book and am finding it difficult to put down–less than 5 hours of sleep is just not enough!
Thanks for entering me in the drawing!
What a great thing for an author to hear: my book is keeping you up late because it’s hard to put down. Thank you so much for the kind words.
I also like a nettled Darcy. Congrats on the new release, Jan, and thank you for this excerpt.
Thanks so much, Robin!
I think I will enjoy this version of Elizabeth and Darcy. They already are studying one another. Lovely cover. Thanks for the chance to win an e-book.
Much deep thought and heightened emotions between these two! Thanks for stopping by!
The cover is beautiful! Thanks for the excerpt. I can’t wait to see how Elizabeth and Darcy come together with Mr. Bennet between them!
This is a pesky, paternal, and patronizing Mr Bennet. I’m curious how readers will feel about him by story’s end. Thanks for stopping by, Cyndy!
This book is wonderful, Jan, and I highly recommend it.
Thank you so much, G!
I love Jan’s books so I cannot wait to read this one!
Thank you, Brenda! And I feel the same way about your books! Great storytelling.
I love that there is a friendship between the two men. It reminded me a bit of the relationship between Mr Thornton and Mr Hale.
Mr Thornton and Mr Hale–I had not thought of that parallel, but it is indeed such a perfect comparison. Thank you!
This book sounds so interesting. I can see Darcy falling for Elizabeth already and it’s only chapter 3. I look forward to reading more.
I always love a story where true to canon, Darcy falls first and he falls fast. I hope you’ll enjoy the trajectory of their love story here. Thanks for stopping by, Kim!
Thanks again to Meredith for so graciously hosting me today with my new book!
Interesting excerpt. I am intrigued by Darcy having already married Anne and is now completely free. I look forward to reading your story.
Darcy always has a long to-do list, and in this story, he did check off the “marriage to Anne” box. But it was short and unhappy, and now he can look at Elizabeth without prejudice or guilt. I hope you’ll enjoy the book, Theresa! Thanks for commenting!
It’s really great to see Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bennet enjoying a game of chess. I’ve always thought they would have a lot in common because of their love of Elizabeth. Thanks so much for the excerpt and the giveaway. Congratulations on this new release. I look forward to reading more. –Leslie
Just as Elizabeth might not want to be compared to her mother, Darcy would be dismayed to realize how similar he can be to Mr Bennet. They have much in common, though Darcy is a a much better version of the man (and a whole lot sexier, of course). Thanks, Lesliegb!
This sounds like a different story than anything else I have read. Would very much like to read this bokk!
I do love to write P&P “bromances,” and showing Mr Bennet and Darcy as friends was a really different route to explore. I hope you’ll enjoy the book! Thanks for commenting.
Oh my, a friendship between Darcy and Mr. Bennet that leads to an arranged marriage? I must read this! Another for my TBR hoard, for sure.
Glad to hear the plot and machinations intrigue you, Christina! Hope you’ll enjoy it!
I read this on KU–thank you very much–yesterday. My To Do List does not like long stories. I do. This is a really, really good story. I’ve relished all your previous works and am eager for more. Although I’ve read it, I’d like a copy in my collection. I’ve reached the point of rereading favorites, now that I tend to read at least a book each day.
I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed the story, and enough so that you plan to read it again! Thanks so much for your kind words on SNI and my other books; I’ve two short ones in the works now, with a little more humor in them. 😉 I envy your ability to read a book a day, but immersed as I am in writing and editing others’ books, I am fortunate to read a few a month. Thanks again, editingzeal!
Have read your other books, so l am looking forward to reading this one as well. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
Thank you, Mary! I hope you enjoy it as you have my other books. I appreciate your support!
This is on my looking forward to read list! A very interesting premise. Can’t wait to read it.
Hope you enjoy it! Thanks for commenting!
Awesome story. I enjoyed the unique changes made by Ms Ashton like GW claims, & the relationshiop of Mr B and Mr D and EB.
This novel offers quite a different relationship dynamics between Mr Bennet and Darcy than other P&P variations, Jan. Congrats on another great release! I adore the cover too.
The idea of this plot is a new one for me. I’m sure I’m too late for the giveaway, but I still wanted to drop in and say how much I’m looking forward to reading this book. Congratulations Jan. I’m so glad you were able to work on your own writing while still sharing the load at Q&Q. Great romantic cover!