Hi readers! I’m so thrilled to welcome back new author Stephen Ord to Austenesque Reviews today! If you didn’t already, know his beautiful debut book Pemberley by Moonlight released earlier this week. 🙌🏼📘🙌🏼 Stephen is here to share an excerpt from his debut release and I am quite positive it will leave you as enchanted and spellbound as it did me! 🤩 We hope you enjoy! 🤗
Hi Meredith! Thank you so much for hosting me here at Austenesque Reviews today. I had a lot of fun interacting with your readers in the comments during my cover reveal and cannot wait to speak with them again.
In the excerpt from Pemberley by Moonlight I hope that your readers will be drawn into the vacuum where Mr Darcy should be. Being honest it is something that is not often done, which made me even keener to do so; after all who frees Bingley to do as he wishes and allows Elizabeth to learn of Mr Darcy without his lack of social skills at a certain Assembly muddying the waters? I do hope that the reader can almost feel the cosy rug under their toes along with Elizabeth; it is something I love, when a book can draw you in and I hope that I have achieved it in this scene.
~ Chapter Two Excerpt ~
In a snug retreat of comfort and warmth, gazing around her at the beautiful four-poster bed and
beyond into the light and airy guest bedroom, Elizabeth lay awake remembering when she had first heard the name Mr Darcy. It was last autumn, the very end of September, when the handsome and wealthy Mr Bingley had first arrived in Meryton, setting the entire town at sixes and sevens to know more of him and his friends.
On the day of the Meryton Assembly, given in early October, all of the Bennet ladies were excitedly dressing for the evening. The rumours had it that Mr Bingley had gone to town to bring back a large party of ladies and gentlemen, but these rumours proved false when he arrived with only two of his sisters and the husband of one, a Mr Hurst.
The whispers about Mr Darcy began shortly after their arrival at the assembly hall that evening. It became known by the majority in the room that Mr Bingley’s friend of many years, a gentleman even more wealthy than he was, had gone missing, leaving behind a grand estate in Derbyshire and an orphaned younger sister of sixteen.
Elizabeth felt a little ashamed as she recalled being eager to hear more of the delicious mystery, having failed to recognise that behind a mystery, there is always some devastation. And indeed, it seemed there were few left untouched by the tragedy of Mr Darcy’s disappearance. Where the man was, nobody knew; he had seemingly disappeared from the face of the earth.
Ensconced in the large bed in Mr Darcy’s home, Elizabeth wondered how she would have got on with him. She hoped that despite the obvious differences in their stations in life—never more apparent than now that she was at Pemberley—they would have been as easily friends as she and Miss Darcy had been. Would he have found her liveliness and tendency towards teasing too alarming in a young lady? She wondered again at his handsome face and figure—was the statue true to life? Curiosity overcame her need for the comfort of her bed.
Her feet sank into the plush rug as she stood; she wiggled her toes in appreciation of its softness. She then walked towards the large window that overlooked the semi-formal rose garden. There was a chill in the air that increased as she approached the windows and left the rug, causing her to shiver involuntarily.
As Elizabeth looked out of the window, she could see a peculiar phenomenon: fingers of fog trailed around the rose garden, seemingly from nowhere. Elizabeth scanned the other semi-formal gardens—nothing at Pemberley had been tamed beyond recognition—towards the other greens and shrubberies in view. Her sight then traced farther out, going to the dark woodlands and the winding stream that was only slightly visible due to the moon’s faint glisten in that spot. In all of these areas, she failed to observe any more fog.
She wondered at it, curious as to why only the rose garden should have fog, and in the relative warmth of August. Weather was always of some interest to her, and she could not account for the fog, particularly as it seemed so very limited to the area around the statue, swirling and almost pulsating around it. Even of itself, the fog seemed to assume a life of its own, a protector of the statue—or else, a guard.
“The fog, standing guard?” Elizabeth laughed at herself. “Off to bed, Lizzy Bennet. You can save your active imagination for another day.”
With that, she took herself off to the largest and most comfortable bed that she had ever slept in and found sleep ready to embrace her.
* * *
Early the following morning, at an hour when only servants were awake, Elizabeth could not resist going for a walk. After passing quietly through the house, she immediately made her way to the statue in the rose garden, feeling the damp morning air around her.
Elizabeth took a moment to raise her gaze and look the tall stone man in the eye. “Good morning, Mr Darcy. We meet again, sir. Even made of marble, you are an exceedingly handsome gentleman.”
Suddenly aware of what she had just said, and embarrassed by it, she looked around to ensure nobody could have overheard her. With an abashed smile, she said, “I am sorry, sir, you will soon find I give my opinions rather decidedly for a young lady. I hope you do not take it amiss that I offered an unsolicited compliment.
“I know your sister misses you very much, and my new brother, Mr Bingley, misses you desperately too. He has given me an education on his fine friend Mr Darcy, and while he is not as open as your sister in his pain, every kind word, every moment that he speaks of you is as his example of how things should be done, and how a gentleman ought to be. I wish…well, I wish I could meet you, Mr Darcy, and implore you to come home. There seems to be a large gap in the world where you should be.”
“Save her.”
The words were deep but quiet and came from she knew not where. Elizabeth jumped, startled by the sound, and whirled about, seeking the source. There was no one present that she could see.
She walked this way and that, searching for someone, some male, nearby that might have spoken but she was quite alone. Then her eyes went to the statue’s.
“Oh dear, now my imagination really has got the best of me.” She laughed at little, embarrassed by her own foolishness. “Forgive me, sir, I am not usually so silly. Well, perhaps I am, but not in the company of strangers.”
She did not know why she chose to do it—in fact, it may not have been a conscious choice—but Elizabeth bobbed a curtsey to the marble gentleman before setting off into the beautiful woods that she had missed out on yesterday. Her half-boots were soon eating up the trail, and she felt a soaring in her heart at this living Eden before her, surrounded as she was by a little piece of mostly untamed Heaven.
I am completely enchanted and so eager for more! ✨ I wonder what has become of poor Mr. Darcy and what and where did the “save her” come from?! 😯 And I absolutely adore Elizabeth’s playfulness and seeing her ruminations about the mysterious and missing Mr. Darcy. 💗Big congrats on this lovely release, Stephen!
Check out Pemberley by Moonlight now!
~ Book Description ~
“I wish I could meet you, Mr Darcy, and tell you to come home. There seems to be a large gap in the world where you should be.”
WHAT HAS HAPPENED to Fitzwilliam Darcy?
IT HAS BEEN NEARLY A YEAR since the master of Pemberley disappeared, leaving behind his distraught young sister and a family in turmoil. But clues to his whereabouts are scarce and it soon seems there will be nothing to do but see Georgiana married and have him declared legally dead.
ELIZABETH BENNET, ON HOLIDAY with her aunt and uncle, visits Pemberley and soon finds herself drawn into the mystery of the missing gentleman. But what secrets are hidden within the gardens of Pemberley? And what is the strange attraction she feels towards the statue of the man she has never met?
Powerful forces want to keep them apart, but true love will overcome even the most fearsome evil.
~~~
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
In conjunction with Stephen’s lovely visit, Quills & Quartos is giving away 1️⃣ ebook copy of Pemberley by Moonlight to 1️⃣ lucky winner!!
To enter this giveaway leave a comment, a question, or some love for Stephen below!
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Quills and Quartos!
- This giveaway ends September 17th.
My sincere gratitude to Stephen Ord, Kristi Rawley, and the wonderful people at Quills and Quartos for putting this special post together!
I read and enjoyed this story – 5 star review from me.
Hi Sheila, on September 10th I moved deeper into the countryside in Scotland and then paid for it with a difficult time getting back online. I’m sorry for the delayed response and I’m really grateful for your comment, thanks.
I have not read it yet, but it is definitely to my “to read” shelf!
Hi Cassandra, thanks so much for adding me to your reading list, it’s the one real bonus of the dark nights heading to Scotland soon, cosy nights in front of the fire with a good book.
oh this looks fun!
Hi Theresa, thanks so much, I hope that you enjoy it.
I’m currently in the process of reading this wonderful book. Well done! Who can forget the phrase were Elizabeth tells him: “There seems to be a large gap in the world where you should be.” WOW!
Hi ForeverHis, I’ll make this apology a few times I’m sure; I am sorry for the delayed response, I only now have full internet again after a move into the countryside in Scotland. Thanks so much for commenting and such lovely feedback.
Oh yes! I definitely want to read this sooner rather than later! I hope the fog is friendly and watching over Darcy at night? I’m happy to find he can talk to Elizabeth 🙂
I hope your house move went well and you are happy with your new home!
Thank you Meredith for sharing this.
Hi Glynis, apart from the delay to get rural broadband my new home is wonderful so far. Lots of work to do, but so much potential for a family home. Thanks so much for asking!
Oh my! I can imagine and just feel the chills running through Elizabeth as she gazes upon Mr. Darcy’s statute. I look forward to reading this intriguing story. Thank you for a chance at the giveaway!
Thanks Carole, I am sorry for the delaying in offering my thanks.
A very interesting excerpt. I look forward to reading this tale and congratulate you on the publication of your book.
Thank you so much Brenda, there are so many excellent JAFF authors and books out there, I just feel privileged to have made a contribution to the community.
I’m reading it now. It is a wonderful adventure so far.
Thank you Kimberly, I’m sorry for the delay in responding, but so grateful for the feedback!
Wha an intriguing excerpt! I love a good mystery with a touch of the paranormal. Can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Hi Pam, I hope that you enjoy the story when you do read it. I can even tell you so now I’m finally back online and my laptop actually does useful things once more.
I haven’t read this yet either but it is on my to read list, such an interesting plot idea and love the cover!
A massive (but sadly delayed) thank you Katherine!
This book is waiting in my Kindle library. I am very eager to read it!!
Hi Rebecca, thanks so much for adding me to your reading list! Now I am starting to settle after my house move I will need to work on my winter nights reading list. Darcy and Elizabeth Christmas stories are always fun!
Where is Mr Darcy and can he be found?
Thanks for commenting Lily, sorry for the late response. I have been to that strange country known as ‘offline’ after moving. Hopefully you will get to see that I kept my promise and came back to reply to everyone kind enough to comment.
I’m hooked! I hope I win it!
Hi tgruy, thanks so much for commenting.
Oh, what has happened to Darcy? He must be concealed in the statute. Kiss the statute, Elizabeth, and see what happens! Thank you for the excerpt and giveaway.
Eva E, I’m sorry for the late response (you may have spotted my comment on the whole moving home situation), I often think that Elizabeth kissing Darcy would improve the poor mans mood!
Great excerpt. Sounds like Georgiana might be in danger. Hopefully Elizabeth can solve this mystery.
Thanks very much darcybennett. They were strange times for women back then and it is sad to think of some of the dangers.
“Save her.” A touching moment. I am looking forward to reading it and learning how it all resolves. Good luck with the release!
Thank you so much Robin!
Wow such a compelling and mysterious excerpt. I definitely want to read more and find out what happened to Mr. Darcy. Congratulations on the release of your novel and thank you for the excerpt. –Leslie
Thank you Leslie, hopefully you spotted comment 20 and know I’ve had no internet. It’s worth it for the house in the countryside village, but the timing wasn’t good and I’m sorry for the delayed response.
Oh my goodness! This sounds fantastic!
Hi Morghan, I often feel like you when I spot new JAFF, I hope that you enjoy the story!
First, I love the cover and title! It’s so fitting with this excerpt offered. I didn’t want Lizzy to go! Absolutely delightful!
Hi Mary, sorry for the delayed response. Now that I am back online I just wanted to thank you for your lovely comment and feedback.
Hi All, can I just say thank you for so many kind comments and apologize for the delay in replying individually (I will respond, I promise). I’ve just moved home and have so much building furniture and unpacking! Sadly no internet until after the weekend either, so my laptop is a paperweight right now 😉
Wow! Another intriguing excerpt! I look forward to figuring out this mystery.
Thanks so much Ginna! Hopefully you spotted the above comment and understand my delayed response. I am very grateful you took the time to comment.
I read this and loved it!
Hi Sam, thank you so much, after a massively busy couple of weeks moving home this comment made the sun come out for me!
Who needs saving? Is it Georgiana? Did the statue speak to Elizabeth? I have so many questions. Looking forward to reading this book!
Hi Cyndy, I hope that you enjoy the story, it’s still amazing to me that I have contributed to a community I love!
Looking forward to reading this enchanting story. Thank you for this excerpt.
Hi buturot, thank you so much for taking the time to comment!
Oh! What a wonderful excerpt! I would love to read more!
Hi Audny, hopefully you spotted comment 20 and know I’ve had no internet after moving home. Thank you so much for commenting and offering such lovely feedback.
I am sure I missed the giveaway but I’ll be reading this no matter what. It’s hovering near the top of my list and I really can hardly wait to read this. It sounds so intriguing. And angsty, and sad, and mysterious.
Hello Michelle, you are my final reply in my mission to make up for having no internet in my new rural home. Thank you very much for commenting and adding me to your reading list, I am very grateful!