Greetings, friends! If you are a fan of crossovers and love it when characters from different Jane Austen novels meet, you will be excited about today’s visiting author – Jayne Bamber! If you are familiar with Jayne Bamber’s novels than you know she loves combining characters from various Jane Austen novels and exploring the dynamics of these new relationships – see HERE and HERE.

Jayne is here to share an entertaining excerpt from Handsome, Clever, and Rich. We hope you enjoy! 🤗

Hello, Readers! It is such a treat to be back at Austenesque Reviews! Today I am sharing a little bit about my latest novel, Handsome, Clever, and Rich, which is now available in Kindle Unlimited – with paperback and audiobook on its way! For those of you who have not yet read it, this new release is a fusion of Pride & Prejudice with Emma. I love writing mash-ups, and I often wonder what would happen if certain Austen characters crossed paths with one another, despite being in separate books.

It has been a blast to imagine Elizabeth Bennet discussing books with Marianne Dashwood, making japes with Frank Churchill, or travelling to Bath with Catherine Morland, in the previous novels I’ve written. Seeing her in action with Emma this time around has been so much fun for me, as I see a great deal of similarity between their characters. Afterall, which Austen heroine, encouraged by a doting father, thinks herself the cleverest girl in the village and an excellent judge of character, despite saying things she later regrets and being taken in by a flirtatious newcomer who hoodwinks the whole town, and who ends up engaged to a wealthy landowner after he apologizes for being so critical?

But there are another pair of parallel characters that I was excited to throw together in Handsome, Clever, and Rich – while the epilogue offers a tiny glimpse of Mrs. Bennet and Miss Bates in action together, I could not resist writing a scene where the clergymen get to shine. Both Collins and Elton have such a high opinion of themselves as to think their romantic advances must be desired wherever they are bestowed, and both of them, I think, are a little in love with the sound of their own voice. So it seemed only natural for the two to have a brag-off over whose situation and prospects were the most desirable! Can Mr. Elton’s good looks and easy charm compete with Mr. Collins enjoying the patronage of Lady Catherine de Bourgh? How could any lady get through such a display of eligible bachelors without swooning?

***

~ Excerpt from Handsome, Clever, and Rich  ~

***

It quickly became apparent that all Mr. Collins’ pompous nonsense was designed to provoke Elizabeth – to show her what she had lost in refusing him, and to arouse her jealousy by flattering her friend. Elizabeth was mortified to have such a relation, even by marriage. That Mr. Collins should parade his ignorant self-importance at Netherfield in particular was especially vexing to her, for she feared his absurdity would reflect some degree of shame upon the Bennets, and give the Bingleys further cause to think themselves superior.

To Elizabeth’s astonishment, it was Emma who brought her around to the defiant levity she really wished to feel. Emma met Elizabeth’s eye across the table, her lips twisting into an expression of wicked glee as she perceived what amusement might be had by furthering the conversation between the two clergymen at the table.

Turning to her left, Emma addressed Mr. Elton, though her comments were meant to bait Mr. Collins. “What a charming neighbor you have been since coming amongst us, sir,” she said warmly. “I had no notion that a vicar of the right disposition could be such a fine addition to our neighborhood. The one we had before you did not complement our set nearly so well, which I think is often the case.”

Mr. Collins appeared to perceive the slight, though his mouth was too full of food for him to offer any further reply than a very angry and hasty sort of chewing, which caused his face to redden, producing a most unbecoming effect.

Mr. Elton appeared ready to receive her praise with all his customary charm, but Emma continued. “I wonder you do not marry, sir – surely a house so fine as the parsonage must be in want of a mistress.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam nearly choked on his wine, and began to dab his face with a napkin, though Emma remained as oblivious to this as she was of Mr. Elton’s ardent gaze.

“I hope you will choose wisely,” Emma replied. “Your choice is sure to affect the society of the whole neighborhood.” She might have said more, and Mr. Elton would no doubt have been delighted to receive her advice, and imagine much more implication – but Mr. Collins could keep silent no longer.

“How right you are, Miss Woodhouse,” Mr. Collins cried. “Upon my word, you sound very like my esteemed patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.” He paused for a moment and looked round the table, as if to allow all those within hearing to be awed by his having such a noble connection.

Emma grinned, exchanging a look of mirth with the Colonel. “I have heard of Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”

“I am not surprised to hear it,” Mr. Collins said with a deep bow of his head. “She is a considerable figure indeed – I am so very fortunate in my patroness! I am exceedingly grateful to her, for I have never before experienced such condescension and affability from a person of her rank. She is prodigiously attentive to me, for we are very near neighbors – my humble abode is separated from her own only by a lane.”

Here, Mr. Collins addressed Charlotte, leaning his head and shoulders far too close to her, though he still looked across the table at Emma as he spoke. “I say humble abode, but it is a fine house indeed! So comfortably appointed! Her ladyship called there herself, and she was so benevolent as to perfectly approve of some improvements I have been making there, and even vouchsafed to recommend some alterations herself – some shelves in the upstairs closet.”

“Shelves in the closet – a happy thought, indeed,” Emma cried, looking at Charlotte with pity and at Mr. Collins with incredulity.

Mr. Elton suppressed a grimace at his rival parson, and turned to address Emma. “Perhaps the great lady of my own neighborhood might bestow upon me the great honor of such circumspection,” he said. “I agree with you, Miss Woodhouse, that the vicarage of Highbury is a very fine house, but surely any bachelor’s home must be in want of… a woman’s touch.” He gave Emma a very charming smile, before sharing his general affability with all those around him.

Mr. Collins began to bristle at the other clergyman’s charm. “My noble patroness has incomparable taste – I have been so fortunate as to behold the splendor of her own home, Rosings Park, and very extensive property. I am sure it is one of the grandest houses in the country – I daresay in all of Europe. Would you not agree, Mr. Darcy? I am sure you must have quite an attachment to the place.”

Mr. Darcy let out a low, sharp exhale, and Elizabeth turned to him with a look of solicitude. The Colonel had hinted that Lady Catherine de Bourgh was likely to disapprove of her nephew’s engagement, and Elizabeth could not like to see her intended thus provoked by such an ignorant fellow.

It was Emma who came to their rescue. “One of the grandest in Europe? My goodness,” she cried, leaning forward with alacrity. “That is quite a claim, Mr. Collins – if I did not know you to be a man of the cloth, I might say you were boasting.”

“Certainly not,” he replied. “I might state the facts, to be sure, without being accused of boasting – Lady Catherine herself is everything amiable, and puts on no airs at all, despite all the grandeur of her home. I am sure you will be impressed with such humility and grace when I tell you there are sixty-four windows in all, at Rosings – it is truly a marvel – the chimney piece alone cost above eight hundred pounds. To be a frequent visitor at such a place, as I often am – it is a distinction and an honor, indeed.”

“How fortunate for you,” Mr. Elton said, cutting the other man off. “It must be a blessing for you, to have one such house in your neighborhood to visit. It sounds quite as elegant as Donwell or Randalls – or Hartfield, of course – the finest house in all of Surrey, in my own humble estimation. I have not counted the windows, though the house holds manifold attractions indeed. But then, I am always at ease in company, no matter what sort. I call upon the less fortunate of our little village – I understand you are nearly just as attentive to them yourself, dear Miss Woodhouse – I should say I am quite as comfortable amongst them as I am here at my cousin Bingley’s fine estate.”

“Quite right,” Mr. Collins rejoined. “I flatter myself I am much the same – cordial and comfortable in any society, whether high or low. Why, three nights past I was dining in splendor with Lady Catherine and her daughter – whom I can assure you, Mr. Darcy, is in fine spirits – but I was quite happy to come into Hertfordshire and extend the olive branch to my poor cousins at their modest abode. They are practically orphans, but as they are almost my nearest relations, I thought them well worth my notice, and Lady Catherine quite agrees.”

This is just brilliant! How did I never realize that Emma Woodhouse and Elizabeth Bennet have so much in common?!? It is completely accurate to say that they both think “herself the cleverest girl in the village and an excellent judge of character.” I wonder what they will make of each other?! Will they be friends, frenemies, or just cordial acquaintances…

And the connection between Mr. Elton and Mr. Collins is equally fun to explore and observe. So much elevated pomposity in one room – is it even possible for them both to be in the same room at the same time?! 😄 Thank you so much for sharing this fun look at Handsome, Clever, and Rich. I wish you all the best with your new release!

Connect with Jayne

Facebook    ❧    Blog

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Jayne is kindly offering an ebook giveaway of Handsome, Clever, and Rich, in conjunction with her visit today!

To enter this giveaway, leave a comment, question, or some love for Jayne below.

• This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Jayne!
• This giveaway will end May 25nd!