Hi readers! I’m so very excited to host the lovely Lory Lilian for a big celebratory visit! Lory has 2️⃣ things she is celebrating – she just released a new book a few days ago – To the Advantage of Both. And that book just happens to be her 20th Austenesque release! 🤗 Not only has Lory published 20 books – she has also been reading JAFF for 20 years too! 😮 So 20 is a special number for Lory!!
Major congrats on your 20th release, Lory! Thank you so much for visiting and sharing an excerpt from To the Advantage of Both with us today! 🙌🏼
~ Excerpt from To the Advantage of Both ~
She only had to go round one bend and she would be at Longbourn’s gate. She crossed to the other side of the road, but in the middle of it, she halted at the sound of hoofs. She hurried to step away to avoid the galloping horse, but in doing so, her feet slipped, and she almost lost her balance. Almost. She managed to grab a tree and stay upright, while the rider approached.
She knew it was him. She felt it inside her, moments before her eyes proved it to her. He dismounted, took a step forwards, then stopped, looking at her. Waiting.
“Mr Darcy!”
“Miss Bennet…forgive me for disturbing you. I only wish to know if you are hurt, and then I shall leave you immediately.”
“I am not hurt…”
“Very well, then,” he replied, turning to his horse.
“Were you visiting my father?” she continued.
“No…merely out for a ride. Please do not worry, I shall not bother you again. Send your father my best regards.”
“Mr Darcy!” she called him, and he looked at her, waiting again. She took a step towards him.
“You are not bothering me, sir…I am glad I met you…I want to apologise if I offended you yesterday. It was certainly not my intention.”
“I have no right to be offended by a genuine refusal 0f an unwanted proposal, Miss Bennet. In fact, your honesty is laudable.”
“You are very kind.”
“No, I am not. We both know that. I am perhaps arrogant, as you claimed a while ago, and resentful, as I admitted on the same occasion. I am trying to correct these flaws, but my success is still far away.”
“Mr Darcy, I can feel your resentment,” she said, taking another step. “And I can feel you are upset with me…perhaps offended too. I expected you to not conceal your feelings.”
“I am sorry not to fulfil your expectations, Miss Bennet. The truth is, I have concealed my feelings for quite some time now. Another thing I am ashamed of.”
“You have nothing to be ashamed of, Mr Darcy. You are too severe on yourself. You are too ready to assume blame that does not belong to you and too ready to sacrifice yourself for the benefit of others.”
“I cannot understand what sacrifice you mean, but my actions are not worthy of such a word. It is less hurtful to know your opinion of me is poor and you dislike me than to hear you expressing praise I do not deserve.”
“No sacrifice? You were ready to change your life for the mere desire of righting a wrong which was not yours to remedy. You allowed Mr Wickham’s deceptions to force you to offer for a woman you did not even like enough to dance with and whom you have only just begun to know. A woman with whom you can hardly agree on anything and of whom your entire family would disapprove.”
“You are wrong, Miss Bennet. You are assuming the reason behind my proposal and my feelings in regard to it. But you are far from the truth, I assure you.”
She became anxious, and her voice trembled, while he remained frowning, unmoved.
“You are wrong too, Mr Darcy. My opinion of you is not low. If I once disliked you, that changed long ago. It was not my dislike that caused me to refuse you. In fact, it was quite the opposite.”
With that, she stopped, as her wildly racing heart warned her that she had said too much.
It was a moment too late, though, as he was staring at her intently, as though struggling to understand her declaration. And he finally took a step towards her.
“Miss Bennet, may I ask… We both claim the other is wrong. I wonder which of us is right?”
He sounded timid, and a lump in her throat kept her from replying.
“I do not know, Mr Darcy…”
“I know this conversation may become even more tiresome for you, and I do not want to force you to continue it…but perhaps we could…it would be a pity to…”
He seemed uncertain of his words and his gestures. He looked at her but did not lock eyes. He looked nothing like the arrogant Mr Darcy — the confident gentleman capable of solving problems.
Their tentative conversation sounded silly, and under different circumstances, they would have been amused to listen to it. But at that moment, the tension and the strain of doing and saying what was right became a burden that affected their wit.
“You are not forcing me, sir…I believe we should discuss…and I have not thanked you for taking care of my father and bringing him home after the ball…”
“No thanks are needed. He feels better, I hope?”
“He is still sleeping. At least he was when I left home.”
“Has the apothecary been called?”
“Yes. Last night. He said there is no reason for immediate concern.”
“I fear my hastiness in…presenting my proposal upset him…distressed him…I should have been more considerate…”
“You are doing it again, Mr Darcy,” she said.
“I am doing what?” he asked with concern.
“You are blaming yourself. My father felt unwell a few days ago. I cannot deny that the dreadful circumstances added to his anxiety. And probably after talking to you, and to me, his discomfort increased last night.”
“May I be of some help?” he asked, still timid.
“No, but your concern is appreciated.”
Elizabeth felt nervous and eager to open the subject that had caused their torment — the one over which both claimed the other was wrong. She hoped he would do it, but he seemed equally lost as to how to continue. She gulped a few times and breathed deeply, hoping he could not hear the beating of her heart.
“Mr Darcy, we still do not know which of us was right or wrong, do we? Should we not clarify it?”
“I hoped we would…”
“You said earlier that I was wrong in assuming the reason for your proposal.”
“Yes…and you said I was wrong in presuming why you refused it.”
“I am sorry for interrupting you yesterday. I know I should have kept my calm and allowed you to present your reasons. I am aware you were only trying to resolve a dreadful situation in the best possible way. But I am sure you realise that forced marriage is an error and will cause more damage than help.”
As she spoke, her voice became stronger and more decided. She found the power to express herself and continued to do so.
“I said you were wrong because I have the best opinion of you, and I value your friendship. I rejected your proposal because I knew it was not what you wanted. And I wish you all the best, truly.”
He looked somehow more at ease; his countenance brightened, his eyes locked with hers, and his voice was warmer when he replied.
“Miss Bennet, I shall take the liberty of asking a question which is highly improper and might make me lose your good opinion again. But, as hard as that might be, I cannot allow myself not to address it.”
“Please ask,” she said, curious and anxious.
“If the scandal did not exist…if there was nothing to force your decision, would you still reject my proposal?”
She was stunned, gazing at him, her eyes captured by his.
“But…if not for the scandal, would the proposal have taken place? You said you had not even considered it until yesterday,” she finally whispered.
“It was an unfortunate choice of words. What I meant — and I intended to say — was that, if not for the scandal and the need to protect you, I would not have considered proposing to you yesterday…in such haste and in such an improper manner.”
Squeeeee! I love everything about this excerpt – the tension, the open conversation, the clearing up of misunderstandings, all the emotions it makes the reader feel! Love, love, love! ❤️ I can’t wait to find out what Elizabeth says next! 🥰
Thank you for sharing such a tempting excerpt, Lory! I wish you all the best with your new release – To the Advantage of Both! Congrats again on book #20!!!
~ Book Description ~
To the Advantage of Both is a romantic Regency Pride and Prejudice variation that features well-known characters and situations as well as new appearances and unexpected twists of the plot.
Author’s note: There are several situations describing intimate interactions between characters and other sensitive subjects recommended for a mature audience only. These are mentioned but not detailed, violent, or vulgar.
The story begins a week before the Netherfield ball, after Elizabeth and Jane have spent several days at Netherfield, Mr Collins and Mr Wickham have arrived on the scene, and Darcy has already fallen in love with Elizabeth. She, on the other hand, is ignorant of Darcy’s admiration and partial to the charming Mr Wickham and the misfortunes he has suffered.
While taking one of her usual solitary walks between Meryton and Netherfield, Elizabeth meets a gentleman who seems lost, and she directs him to Netherfield — his stated destination. The unexpected guest is Admiral Thomas Andrew Pembroke, who is Lady Matlock’s brother as well as an old friend of the Darcys.
The admiral is outspoken — more used to battles than to diplomacy. He is a great friend and protector of Darcy but also his severest critic. He is a good judge of character and sees worthiness even where fortune and connections are lacking; therefore he immediately approves of Elizabeth and Jane and befriends Mr Bennet.
Several visits to Longbourn help Darcy to improve his opinion of the Bennets and to regard Elizabeth not just as a woman he admires from afar but someone who might be his match in every way.
Elizabeth is also offered the opportunity to observe Darcy in a new light, to see more of his true nature, especially when he offers his assistance in a situation that reveals his kind heart.
During the Netherfield ball, some distressing circumstances occur, leading to gossip that could affect their names and reputations.
Elizabeth and Darcy must make a decision that will affect their lives forever. While they are not on equal ground in terms of wealth, family connections, or feelings for each other, their decision is mutual — an agreement made with honesty and commitment on both sides to make the best of what they have been dealt.
Admiral Pembroke is a supportive and affectionate friend to both, but he has his own past — a painful one, full of regrets and sorrow — a past closely connected to the Darcys.
When that past is brought into the present by malicious interference, Darcy will find himself in danger of losing everything he has ever known, loved, and cherished his entire life.
With Elizabeth by his side, they both will need all the strength of their minds and characters to build their lives together, while struggling to accept the consequences of others’ actions.
Although their marriage begins as an arranged one, necessitated by outside intervention, it will soon be filled with care, respect, and friendship growing into true, deep, ardent love, which is very much to the advantage of both.
Author’s note 2: Chapter 28 contains a romantic and rather explicit description of the marriage consummation, but this part can be skipped by readers who prefer it without altering the quality of the story.
~~~
GIVEAWAY TIME!!!
Today Lory is offering a chance for TWO lucky readers to win an ebook their choice from any of her available ebook titles (winner’s choice!) 🙌🏼
To enter this giveaway, please leave a comment, question, or some love for Lory!
- This giveaway is open worldwide. Thank you, Lory!
- This giveaway ends August 8th!
Can’t wait to read your new book!
Thank you! 🙂 Hope you will enjoy it!
What a completely fabulous excerpt! I love that Darcy and Elizabeth manage to talk to each other and clear up any misunderstandings! This is the type of story I especially love, where ODC deal with problems and worries as a couple. I’m really looking forward to reading it all. Thank you.
Hi Glynis! Thanks so much for the comment and constant support! Hope you will like the story. Sending hugs.
Great snippet, now I’m off to download the book from KU. If it’s half as good as Lory’s other stories, it’s bound to be a winner.
Thanks for giving us the chance to win an ebook from many titles.
Sarah – thank you for your kind comment! Hope you will enjoy the book and wish you good luck in the giveaway.
So excited to read this one. Sounds fabulous by the excerpt!
Thanks ! Hope you will enjoy it. 🙂
I was just reading a sample of Lory Lilian’s, The Painting, when Meredith’s latest blog post popped up. This newest is available through KU and I can’t ignore the lovely nudge to enjoy it first! Congratulations on your 20th publication, Ms. Lilian! So many of your memorable books have been among my favorite JAFF for many a year❤️
Deborah – thank you so, so much for your sweet comment! I am glad you enjoy my books and please know that such comments are keeping my muse alive 🙂
I am interested to see what preceded this exchange. Thank you for the excerpt and giveaway. Congrats and best wishes on the new release!
Thanks so much for the comment. Hope you will read the book and enjoy it. Good luck with the giveaway.
Oooooo, loved the excerpt! So, so good! Thank for the chance to win the book. I’d love to read it!
Glad you enjoyed it, Pam. I wish you good luck with the giveaway!
Wonderful excerpt and wonderful giveaway! Thanks gals! AND Best wishes with all of your endeavors Lory!
Thank you so much, Jenn!
If this excerpt showed anything, is that Lory became proficient in wicked teasing! Normal, she is practicing it for 20 years!
Great excerpt though, and I am dying to know what was before and what ensues!!
Ha ha – I am trying! I look forward to you reading the book and letting me know what you think. I know you are not shy with your opinions! lol Hugs and thanks.
I really enjoyed the excerpt! Thank you for the giveaway – I will keep my fingers crossed.
Wishing you all the best luck with the giveaway!
Lory Lillian, Love it!, I can’t wait to read it…and will more than likely add the paperback to my collection.
Thanks so much! The paper should be out within a week.
Congratulations on your 20th book release!
denise
Thank you so much, Denise!
I lovedthis excerpt! I am always so happy when you have a new book for us! Looking forward to it!
Thanks for your sweet comment! Good luck with the giveaway, hope you will read the book and enjoy it!
Looking forward to reading the new book! Rainy Days is probably my favorite book.
Awwww – how sweet of you! So glad you have old RD on your favorites list! I hope you will enjoy this one too.
I’m absolutely hooked! Cannot wait to read your newest! Love all of your other works and I know I will love this one too.
Thank you so very much! After you read the book, please let me know what you think of it. 🙂 Best luck with the giveaway.
Good luck with the release. I borrowed this from KU so will be reading it.
Sheila – thank you so much! Please know I very appreciate your long, insightful and objective reviews and always take your feedback into consideration!
Congrats on your 20th release!
Thank you!
Always love a new book, and this one sounds exciting. Thanks
Thanks for the comment and good luck with the giveaway!
Congratulations on your new book. I look forward to reading it.
Thank you! Good luck with the giveaway.
I’m looking forward to reading your new book. I have several others and enjoyed all.
I am very glad to hear that. Hope you will read and enjoy this one too. Good luck with the giveaway.
Your excerpt got my heart thumping so I had better read your book to calm myself down!
Ha ha – how sweet of you to say that. If you read it, hope you enjoyed it 🙂
I loved that excerpt… heavy sigh. Fan points. Whew! I am running out of fans and Gorilla Glue to fix them. If I break it again, you will owe me a fan, Lory. Seriously!
Thanks Meredith for hosting this exciting excerpt and giveaway. Thanks to Lory for sharing and thanks to the publisher for offering such a generous giveaway. If my name is drawn, I want the book featured today, ‘To The Advantage of Both.’ Yep, that would make my day.
Lory, I wish you all manner of success on this launch [and on my birthday, no less]. Blessings.
Happy belated birthday ! Sending you hugs and best wishes! Many thanks for the comment and good luck with the giveaway.
Just went through my Kindle library and I have every one of Lory Lilian’s books—including her most recent one which I read the day it came out! Needless to say I’m a huge fan. Hers are the books I’ve found myself rereading often over the years as well. She never disappoints. Thank you and congratulations!
Dear Christine, how very sweet of you to say that! I cannot thank you enough! I had some issues with this book and your comment is a real comfort. Glad to know you read it and enjoyed. If you win the giveaway and already own all my books, I will send you as a gift the next one 🙂
The excerpt sounds engaging, as others have mentioned I love how open ODC are becoming with their communication with one another. 20 JAFFs! That’s amazing! I actually haven’t read any yet by this author; I’ve been a bit hesitant due to the “mature” content disclaimers does anyone have a recommendation of which of her books I should start with that perhaps is “clean?” Thanks! And congrats to the author again on this milestone
Hi Kaidi. Thank you for the comment and “nice meeting you.” Some of my books are only for a mature audience indeed: Rainy days + Rainbow Promise, Remembrance of the Past, His Uncle’s Favourite, Sketching Mr Darcy + all Hot Mush series (they have the label on the cover). The rest are either perfectly clean or only have the last chapter more explicit and those scenes can be skipped without affecting the story (this is the case with this last one too). On each of of my books there are clear warnings in this regard. Hope you will find some to enjoy.
Congratulations on your new book!!! I have had this on my radar since I first noticed it on Amazon’s recommendations for me. As I downloaded multiple books prior to my vacation, I’ll wait until I’ve read those, maybe I’ll be a lucky winner .
Thank you for your comment! Wishing you best luck with the giveaway, hope you will read the book and enjoy it!
Hi Kaidi. Thank you for the comment and “nice meeting you.” 🙂 Some of my books are only for a mature audience indeed: Rainy days + Rainbow Promise, Remembrance of the Past, His Uncle’s Favourite, Sketching Mr Darcy + all Hot Mush series (they have the label on the cover). The rest are either perfectly clean or only have the last chapter more explicit and those scenes can be skipped without affecting the story (this is the case with this last one too). On each of of my books there are clear warnings in this regard. Hope you will find some to enjoy.
Looking forward to having time to read this. Love all of Lory’s stories.
Brenda – thank you so much! I hope you know it 🙂
What an interesting plot! I love your stories and I hope to be able to get this one
Thank you for your kind comment and I wish you good luck with the giveaway! I hope you will read and enjoy it.
Congratulations! That is impressive – 20 books! I have enjoyed your books and the excerpt of this one certainly grabs my attention. I would have to say, I would love to read ‘Mistress of All’ too!
Carole, good luck with the giveaway! If you win, you may chose any ebook you want! Until then, all my books – The Mistress of All included – are available in KU.
Wow, what a great part to tease us with. I can’t wait to read the rest. Added it to my wishlist!
I am glad you liked the excerpt, hope you will read the book and enjoy it. Good luck with the giveaway,
Well now. This DOES sound interesting. So far my favorite book of Lory Lillian has been Sketching Mr Darcy. I am curious about this one now.
Shannon, glad you enjoyed the excerpt. This one has also a part of arranged marriage, but it is not as long (nor as hot LOL) as Sketching 🙂 Hope you will read and enjoy it though.
Great excerpt, thanks for sharing!
Thank you for the comment, I am glad you liked it.
WooHoo a Lory Lilian new release! I’ve been waiting for this. I LOVE your books! Yours I have in paperback form. I did pull some up on KU for an audio (re-read) while doing chores but print will always be my favorite. Now I can add another to my library! The fluff! The angst! The excellent writing. Yep, definitely in my top 5 favored JAFF authors. OH! I can’t forget your contribution to the Darcy Monologues. That one is on Audible with the talented Harry Frost narrating.
So excited.
Dear Chris, thank you so, so much for your lively and enthusiastic comment. 🙂 You really made my day (my weekend lol). Perhaps you saw on FB, I had some issues with this book (which I hope to be solved, eventually) so your post is even more appreciated! 🙂 Good luck with the giveaway!
Sounds like a lot is going to happen! Can’t wait to read it!
Good guess 🙂 Good luck with the giveaway, hope you will read the book and enjoy it.
A wonderful excerpt! I would love to read more!
Thank you! Glad you liked it and hope you will read the entire book. Good luck with the giveaway!
What a wonderful excerpt from the book. The twist of words in who did what will make an excellent read. The humor shown in this little bit, is it through the story? Dies the plot have little twist within so it’s hard to get to HEA?
Congratulations on a new book, I will definitely be buying this!!
Marsha, so happy you liked the excerpt and noticed the little twits of words! Yes, there is humour through the entire story (as well as quite enough angst!), with the addition of a new character – an Admiral. The marriage will take place as E & D agreed upon (caused by a scandal) but there are still several twists and obstacle till the final HEA. 😉
This sounds like a fabulous story with some mystery. The excerpt is intriguing; I’m hoping this is early in the story and that my favorite couple get together without much fuss and bother and fight the world together. Congrats on publishing another tale and on the number 20!
Thanks for the comment, I am glad you liked the excerpt. It happens about half in the story, after a scandal and is actually the second proposal (the first one took place a day prior). They will get married – as E&D agreed during that early morning meeting – but there are still some unexpected twists of the plot they will have to overcome together. 😉
Congratulations on your 20th Anniversary and 20th book. I have enjoyed all of them. This new book has a new variation plot, and I am very intrigued. Elizabeth and Darcy seem to never be able to read each other. Love the introduction of an older male friend for Darcy. Book sounds great! Thank you for the excerpt and giveaway.
Thank you for your kind words, Eva, and for reading my books. 🙂 I am so glad to know your enjoyed them. Yeap, keeping E & D in misunderstandings is one of the things we love in JAFF lol. I tried to allow them have a little bit of clarification before they agreed to marry 🙂 Good luck with the giveaway!
Oh wow! this is so well written. I can hardly wait to read it.
Thank you! Good luck with the giveaway!
Oh my. This excerpt has really grabbed my attention! They are both so unsure, and the possible compromise has them both trying to protect themselves and each other. I am intrigued by Admiral Pembroke and what role he will be playing in the book.
I am glad you liked this “private encounter scene”. Yes, they are both unsure – and I think you noticed from the text that this was a second proposal, after she just refused the first one 🙂 Even more embarrassing lol Thank you for the comment and good luck with the giveaway!
This is SO exciting – have been an LL fan for so many years and still have her books on my shelf – great re-reads! Congratulations, Lori, on this new one – can’t wait to read!
Awww – what a sweet comment! Thank you so very much! Sending you lots of hugs! Hope you will read this book and enjoy it too.
Thank you for the lovely excerpt. I love that Elizabeth and Darcy are actually trying to communicate with one another regardless of propriety. One good conversation can ease tensions immensely! Congratulations on your 20th book!
And thank you for your comment! 🙂 I always try to make E & D communicate to each other but very often they do not fully follow my direction 🙂 🙂 🙂 Good luck with the giveaway!
Congratulations Lory on your 20th book release. I didn’t realize you had so many novels. I have Sketching Mr. Darcy and Rainy Days and enjoyed both. I look forward to reading more from you. –Leslie
Dear Leslie, Yes, I do have lots of books, but not quite so many, considering I have wrote them in 20 years lol. There are many jaff authors who have 20 books in 3 years, but I cannot be so proficient. Perhaps I need to practice more LOL. If you enjoyed Rainy Days, i would recommend you to read the sequel too- The Rainbow Promise. Just be aware that is very steamy 🙂 ALL my books are in KU; also, if you win this giveaway you may chose any of them as a prize. Good luck!
Oh, that excerpt! Sigh….. Just fabulous. Congratulations Lory, on your 20th book release. That is an amazing accomplishment. I love your stories so much. I too love to reread many of your books. The new covers for those that you have updated are all beautiful. I’m looking forward to reading your newest so much, and will, very very soon. All the best in everything you do. Blessings.
Dear Michelle – thank you for your sweet comment and for your constant support – it is very much appreciated! I hope you will enjoy the new book, too. Sending you hugs and wishing you best of luck.
Terrific excerpt. I look forward to reading this.
Thank you! Very glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Sorry for joining late to the party. Heartiest congratulations to Lory on her big achievement! I hope you continue to pen more P&P stories for us to love and enjoy. The premise of your new release sounds fabulous and I can’t wait to read it.