Happy Friday, friends! It was another busy week at Austenesque Reviews – did you catch all 4️⃣ posts?

I’m excited to end this fun week with a visit from a new author, Helen Williams! As you might have seen Helen released her debut book – In Essentials – with Meryton Press this month! And it is a Pride and Prejudice that has a very unique premise to explore. Elizabeth seems such a hearty and hale character, yet in this story she suffers from a chronic illness. 

Helen is here to share an excerpt from In Essentials, we hope you enjoy! 😊

Hi Meredith! Thank you so much for hosting me here at Austenesque Reviews. I am looking forward to interacting with everyone here in the comments thread.

The excerpt below is from Chapter 17 of In Essentials – almost the end of the book – and I hope draws readers into the story and makes them want to find out how our two favourite characters reached this point. Though it may pose more questions than it answers! What illness is Elizabeth suffering from? What happened in London? Will Elizabeth ever recover?

~ Excerpt from Chapter 17 ~

Thus the matter was settled, and Colonel Fitzwilliam’s services were engaged to escort Miss Darcy to Netherfield. Darcy did his best to prepare his relations, yet both were still taken aback by the alteration in Elizabeth’s appearance.

You will excuse me for not rising to greet you,” Elizabeth said with a gentle smile. “I am still rather unsteady on my feet. But come, Miss Darcy, sit by me and tell me how you have been. Though first you must tell me where you found that delightful bonnet. I am quite in envy of you!”

Leaving Elizabeth to thus distract and engage the attention of his sister, Darcy turned to the colonel and quietly reassured him.

I know she appears very ill, but she is much improved already. It will just take a little more time to have her back to the way she once was.”

As she was in London or in Kent?”

London. She will never be as she was in Kent.”

A great shame—a travesty, really.” The colonel’s eyes were full of pity as his glance travelled from Darcy to Miss Elizabeth and back again. “I am heartily sorry for you.”

You have not the least reason to be, I assure you. When I consider the alternatives—to have lost her or to have never had her to love—I have few regrets. And I refuse to waste my time in contemplation of what could have been. So do not waste your pity on me, Spencer. I have no need of it.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam could think of no reply. And as his attention was at that moment called upon by Miss Elizabeth, he had no opportunity to pursue the subject any further with his cousin. But after an animated conversation with the lady, he was soon persuaded that Darcy had the right of it: within her frail outer shell, Miss Elizabeth was still very much the same woman as she ever was. Her irrepressible character and impertinent ways were unaltered. She smiled as readily as before and, once again, had easily succeeded in putting Georgiana’s anxieties to rest. They all passed a very entertaining visit before leaving Elizabeth to rest.

“Miss Elizabeth is a marvel,” the colonel pronounced when he was alone with his cousin.

Darcy chuckled. “She would tease you terribly if she heard you say such a thing!”

“You cannot deny it, though.”

“Certainly not, but I have thought her remarkable. I have often said that—in essentials—she is very much as she ever was.”

Oh well done, Mr. Darcy! Elizabeth is so lucky to have you. I’m so happy to see him at this point of joy and contentment! But you are right, Helen, I am left wondering about all those questions! 🤔😉

~ Book Description ~

Five months after Darcy’s disastrous proposal to Elizabeth Bennet,

he discovers that the woman he ardently loves is suffering from a grave illness.

Despite an affliction that has left her altered, Elizabeth Bennet is still the same person in essentials: witty, sanguine, and obstinate. However, her future is uncertain, and she struggles to maintain her equanimity—especially when Fitzwilliam Darcy returns to Netherfield and seems determined to improve her opinion of him. Now she must decide whether she is brave enough to trust him and embrace happiness, however fleeting it might prove to be.

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~ About Helen ~

Helen lives in Cambridge, UK where she works for the University of Cambridge. She has been writing as a hobby for around 15 years and has written several novel length stories based on the work of Jane Austen. Helen has Welsh roots so her stories will often include a couple of references to the land of her fathers, in addition to her two other loves – dogs and rugby. In addition to writing, Helen’s hobbies include cooking, hiking, cycling and campaigning for green initiatives. Having been diagnosed with pituitary growths in 2015 and 2020, Helen is also an active member of the Pituitary Foundation and her experiences with chronic illness inspired her latest story.

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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Meryton Press is generously giving away 2 ebook editions of In Essentials in conjunction with Helen’s visit to this blog!!  Woot woot!  

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

• This giveaway is open worldwide.  Thank you, Meryton Press!
• This giveaway ends October 29th!

My sincere gratitude to Janet Taylor, Meryton Press, and Helen Williams for making this visit possible!