Hi friends! I’m very happy to welcome back the lovely Kelly Miller to Austenesque Reviews! I think you may have seen that Kelly Miller has published a new Austenesque book last month – The Darcy Secret. Which sounds like it will be a little bit romantic and a little bit ominous. What is the Darcy secret?!

Kelly is here to share an excerpt from The Darcy Secret. And I am eager to see if it intrigues you as it does me! 🤔

~ From the Author ~

Thank you so much for having me today, Meredith; it is always a delight to visit your blog! I am excited to introduce readers to The Darcy Secret, my latest Regency variation of Pride and Prejudice! Tender scenes and romance abound in this book, which features a thread of mystery and suspense throughout. This excerpt, in Elizabeth’s point of view, takes place at Longbourn.

~ Excerpt from The Darcy Secret ~

When I passed through the gate and entered the park, movement on the avenue drew my notice. Dan approached on a bay horse—he must have brought a letter from Fitzwilliam! I sprang towards the messenger at a fast walk. “Good morning, Dan.”

He doffed his hat. “Good morning, miss.”

“Your timing is perfect—I just returned from my walk.”

“I’m glad to ’ear it.” Dan dismounted. He opened the saddlebag, retrieved a letter, and handed it to me. “Will there be a reply?”

“Yes. Please go to the kitchen and have a meal.”

“Thank you, miss.”

“You are welcome.” I hastened to the house. At the stairs, I broke into a run and did not slow until reaching my room.

Taking a seat upon my bed, I opened the missive with reverent care. I blinked at the scant three-paragraph message. Within a minute, I had skimmed every word. I set the paper down and rested against the headboard. After two days, I had expected…more. I stood and paced the room as unease took root within my breast. With an abrupt turn, I returned to the bed and reread Fitzwilliam’s words. This time, I pored over each line, as though to divine a hidden meaning.

My teeth closed upon my lower lip. Fitzwilliam had obtained the earl’s approval for our marriage, yet this missive lacked the happy tone of his previous one. What accounted for the change? I had no way of finding out. Unless… Could Dan be persuaded to provide a clue?

With a half-formed notion of what to say, I entered the kitchen and approached the table where Dan sat alone eating his meal. I slipped into the seat next to him.

He startled and set his fork down. “Yes, miss?”

I glanced towards our cook, who paid us no mind; I often visited the kitchen. “How is Mr. Darcy?” I used a low inflection.

“Um…I don’t know what you mean, miss.”

“I wonder if you have noticed anything…unusual with regard to him these past two days.”

Dan’s chin dipped. “I’m sorry, miss, but I don’t talk about the master. It’s not right.”

“I understand, and your loyalty is admirable. One should never gossip about one’s employer. However, this is a…special circumstance. Did you know that Mr. Darcy and I are engaged to be married?”

He met my gaze. “Yes, miss.”

“I am concerned for your master. I want to know if aught is troubling him.”

His features contorted. “I…I don’t know. I’m lucky to ’ave this position. I’d really ’ate to lose it.”

“Since I shall soon be your mistress, I believe Mr. Darcy would want you to grant my request.”

At length, Dan gave me a curt nod. “Very well, miss. When the master gave me the letter for you on Monday night, ’e looked like ’e always does. But when I returned Tuesday, ’e wasn’t dressed proper-like. I swear ’e…well…’e ’ad to be in ’is cups.”

Fitzwilliam—drunk? I had never imagined he might be a heavy drinker. “Is it common for Mr. Darcy to be…inebriated?”

“No, miss. I was right shocked. I ain’t never seen ’im that way. Then late last night, when ’e gave me the letter I brought today, ’e looked sober but not well—like ’e ’adn’t slept. That’s all I know.”

“I appreciate this information.”

He nodded.

I left the kitchen and ambled to my room with Dan’s words revolving in my head. What did it mean? I sat at my desk and attempted to complete my letter for Fitzwilliam but failed to compose more than a few sentences. I set down my pen. A letter would not suffice—I had to see him.

After stowing my writing materials, I went downstairs and knocked on the door to the study. “Papa, it is Lizzy. May I come in?”

“Enter.”

I strode in and slipped into my customary chair. “Good morning.”

“Good morning, my dear.” My father took a final glance at his ledger-book before closing it. “I presume you had a pleasant walk today.”

“Yes, I took the path to the lake, and I spotted a marten.”

“Did you?” His pupils flared. “It has been years since I have seen one of those elusive creatures. Of course, it is rare for me to leave the house before seven these days.”

“May I stay with the Gardiners for a few days? My aunt has said that I am welcome at any time.” My words rushed out.

“This is sudden.” Papa peered at me over his reading glasses for a moment before removing them and setting them aside. He rested his clasped hands upon his desk. “When do you propose leaving?”

“Well…I prefer to depart today.”

“I presume Mr. Darcy will not return to Hertfordshire as soon as he had planned.”

“No. I received a letter from him this morning. He will be delayed for at least a few more days.”

Papa’s brows lifted. “There must be another reason for your urgency.”

I tensed. I had better confide in him—I needed his approval. “I learnt from the messenger that Mr. Darcy did not look well yesterday. I am certain something is wrong. If I stay here, I shall fret day and night until he returns. I must see him.”

“Hmm.” Papa rubbed his brow.

“Please, may I go?” I glanced at the bracket clock. “If you cannot spare the carriage that long, I have time to catch the post in Meryton.”

“As it happens, I am at my leisure today. I shall take you to London, and we shall call upon the Gardiners. If it is convenient for them, you may remain for a few days. If not, you will return home with me this evening. Either way, we shall meet with your Mr. Darcy.”

I leaped from the chair and ran round the desk to embrace him. “Oh, Papa, thank you!”

“You are welcome. This may be my last opportunity to travel with you before your wedding, so I should be a dunderhead not to take advantage of it.”

Ooh there is so much I am curious about! Why is Mr. Darcy consoling himself with drink? What is the nature of Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s relationship – is it fully amicable? are both in love? What about this Darcy secret….what could it be? 🤨

~ Book Description ~

Will a dire family secret lead to Fitzwilliam Darcy’s ruin?

Darcy’s heartfelt conversation with Miss Elizabeth Bennet leads to their engagement. But just when his future could not appear brighter, a dreadful revelation casts a cloud of gloom over him, threatening his hopes and plans.

And when an ominous shadow of suspicion falls upon his beloved sister, Georgiana, Darcy is compelled to determine the truth. Does her angelic countenance conceal a deviant, even dangerous, nature?

In this Pride and Prejudice variation, Darcy and Elizabeth face several grim obstacles, including the sudden death of a family member. Will these challenges drive them apart?

The Darcy Secret contains adult situations with themes of violence and a graphic description of a fox hunt.

 

~~~

~ Connect with Kelly ~

Facebook   ❧   Twitter   ❧   Blog   ❧    Goodreads    ❧    Instagram    ❧    TikTok

~ About Kelly ~

Award-winning author Kelly Miller is a native Californian and Anglophile, who made her first visit to England in 2019. When not pondering a plot point or a turn of phrase, she can be found playing the piano, singing, or walking her dogs. Kelly resides in Silicon Valley with her husband, daughter, and their pets.

The Darcy Secret is her seventh published book. The first six are:

Death Takes a Holiday at Pemberley, a Pride and Prejudice Regency romantic variation with a touch of fantasy. Winner: Royal Dragonfly Book Awards and Indies Today Book Awards; Finalist: International Book Awards and Book Excellence Awards

Mr. Darcy’s Perfect Match, a Pride and Prejudice Regency romantic variation. Recommended Read: Author Shout Reader Ready Awards

Accusing Mr. Darcy, a Pride and Prejudice Regency romantic mystery. Winner: Firebird Book Awards and Queer Indie Awards-Ally Division; Recommended Read: Author Shout Reader Ready Awards; Finalist: Wishing Shelf Book Awards and Chanticleer International Book Awards

A Consuming Love, a Pride and Prejudice Regency romantic novella. Winner: Royal Dragonfly Book Awards; Recommended Read: Author Shout Reader Ready Awards

Captive Hearts, a Persuasion Regency romantic variation. Winner: Chanticleer International Book Awards, Royal Dragonfly Book Awards and Incipere Awards; Top Pick: Author Shout Reader Ready Awards; Red Ribbon Winner: Wishing Shelf Book Awards; Runner-Up: Indies Today Book Awards

A Dutiful Son, a Pride and Prejudice Regency romantic variation and Amazon #1 Best Seller.

~~~

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Kelly Miller is generously giving away 2️⃣ ebook copies and 1️⃣ paperback copy (available for US residents) of The Darcy Secret in conjunction with her visit today!  

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

• This giveaway is open worldwide (paperback for US residents only).  Thank you, Kelly!
• This giveaway ends June 19th!