Greetings, readers! I’m very happy to welcome Author Melissa Anne to Austenesque Reviews today.

I’m extra excited about Melissa’s visit because it is her first visit to my blog! 🙌🏼

And even though Melissa only started publishing her first Austenesque work in April of this year – she already has  5️⃣  titles released! 🤩

Melissa is here today to share an excerpt from Hearts Entwined – which is a Pride and Prejudice variation where Mr. Darcy is a second son. I love exploring this type of premise! It sounds like there are some other interesting character deviations as well. 😊

We hope you enjoy!

Happy Holidays, Austen fans. I am so glad to have the opportunity for my first-ever guest posting. Thank you, Meredith, for this opportunity.

I started writing little bits and pieces of stories over a year ago, and this year, while my husband was spending long hours away from home at work during tax season, I worked up the nerve to a) finish a story, b) post it on a fanfic site, and c) actually learn enough about KDP to self-publish. I have been amazed at how my books have been received since publishing the first one in April, and I managed to finish an additional four stories – three full-length novels and one novella. Not only that, but one has already become an audiobook, narrated by none other than Stevie Zimmerman, and two more, including my latest, are in the works.

This is an excerpt from my newest novel, Hearts Entwined. It features a younger version of both Elizabeth and Darcy, and a Darcy who is a second son. They are introduced by her Uncle Gardiner, who has helped Darcy invest the funds he inherited from his father. In this book, Lady Anne is still alive, and his elder brother, George, is the master of Pemberley. This chapter tells about their first meeting on an outing to the theatre. Just for fun, it also includes a scene between Elizabeth and Caroline Bingley where Caroline attempts to make herself more important than she is, and Elizabeth puts her in her place.

I liked writing this story about an Elizabeth and Darcy who were less affected by Pride and Prejudice. It also features a nasty Jane and Mrs. Bennet, although Jane does manage to redeem herself to a large extent in the end. Additionally, Lydia and Kitty prove less brainless than they appear in canon. I do hope you enjoy!

Excerpt from Hearts Entwined

**** Chapter 2 *****

When Darcy looked up after greeting Mrs. Gardiner, he was immediately tongue-tied. The girl standing in front of him was a beauty. She was grinning at whatever her aunt had said on the final step, and when she looked up at him, he was struck by her sparkling green eyes and was utterly lost.

“My friend, I would like to introduce you to my niece,” Gardiner boomed with a knowing wink at his wife. “This is Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire. Elizabeth, this is my investor and friend, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, lately of London.”

She curtsied, and he bowed, and both acknowledged the greetings shyly. “I have heard we have you to thank for our invitation to the theatre tonight, Mr. Darcy,” she began. “I reread The Tempest this week in anticipation of this evening.”

“It is a story I have always enjoyed,” Darcy acknowledged. “I prefer Shakespeare’s histories myself, but the comedies seem to have a broader appeal for performances.”

She laughed, a light tinkling laugh, and immediately, he imagined listening to that sound for a lifetime. “I have read Shakespeare’s histories as well, and I agree the comedies are far more entertaining,” she retorted. “However, I am unsurprised a barrister would prefer the histories.”

He arched an eyebrow at her. “Why is that?” he asked.

“Well, if I am to believe my father, all men of the law are humourless individuals who would prefer scowling to laughing. I believe he bases this on my uncle Phillips, who usually only comes around to scold him for something or another,” Elizabeth teased.

“Lizzy,” her aunt gently scolded.

Elizabeth immediately dropped her eyes. “I am sorry, Aunt, I … I forgot myself in my excitement about attending the theatre. Mr. Darcy, I did not mean to be impertinent. Well, perhaps I did, but hopefully, I did not offend.”

He laughed. “I did not take offence, Miss Bennet. In fact, I might have been surprised had you not said something impertinent. Your reputation precedes you, madam.”

Elizabeth started at the appellation. “Oh, I suppose here in London, I am Miss Bennet. I am so used to hearing the name for Jane, not myself.”

Darcy looked at her, asking for an explanation.

“My elder sister, sir. I am the second of five daughters and usually go by Miss Elizabeth,” she told him.

His hesitation was evident as if he grappled with what to say next. In the end, he decided on a different approach. “Might I escort you to the carriage, Miss Elizabeth?” She gently rested her hand on his extended arm, causing a jolt to surge between them upon contact. They exchanged startled glances, which transformed into a slight smile, before following the Gardiners to the awaiting coach. Once inside, the conversation revolved around the play they were about to watch, and Elizabeth found genuine pleasure in Mr. Darcy’s company.

As she entered the theatre on the gentleman’s arm, she felt many eyes upon her as they made their way through the lobby. He acknowledged a few greetings, as did the Gardiners, but they steadily made their way toward the stairs leading them toward their box. Leading Elizabeth toward a seat, he helped her settle before taking the chair to her right, giving him a view of not just the stage but of her. He adjusted his seat slightly so his leg was almost touching her skirt, wanting to maintain some connection with the enchanting woman.

“So, Miss Bennet,” he murmured. “Tell me more about yourself. You obviously are familiar with Shakespeare; do you read only the Bard, or do you also have other favourites?”

She grinned up at him. “I have many favourites, Mr. Darcy, and in various types and genres. I am an avid reader, and my mother frequently complains about the time I spend in my father’s library. I have read nearly everything in his small little book room. I persuaded Papa to teach me just enough Greek to make a mangled mess of reading The Odyssey a few years ago. Since then, I have not attempted anything else in Greek, but I still read everything I can get my hands on. My father was most impressed last year when I read an agricultural text and suggested an improvement on the estate to increase its yields.”

Darcy studied her for a moment. “That is impressive,” he replied. “I have rarely met a female interested in estate management and crop yields.”

Elizabeth laughed merrily. “I have been told frequently such interests make me unmarriageable, but I cannot seem to silence this desire for knowledge I have. I told you I read everything I could, much to my mother’s dismay.”

Darcy scoffed. “While I admit, some men do prefer a foolish wife, I am not one of them. I cannot imagine sitting across the dinner table night after night with a woman who has nothing to say or with whom I share nothing in common,” he stated.

“You want a partner,” she said simply.

He nodded, and their gazes held for several moments. Suddenly, the lights began to lower, and they forced their attention to the stage.

While watching the performance, Darcy also watched her. Her hands were in her lap, but he watched her twist her gloves as she observed the happenings on the stage. Slowly, he reached over and covered her hand with one of his. She glanced over at him, and once again, their eyes caught and locked as he again brought her hand to his lips and placed a lingering kiss upon it. He lowered it but did not release it, and their joined hands hung between them until the first intermission.

His actions flustered Elizabeth, and she had spent much of the performance with her cheeks hotly flushed. Despite this, she was pleased by the attention paid to her by the gentleman. She could scarcely pay attention to the performance as her mind raced. “My aunt and uncle admire the man,” she pondered, “and they would not do so if he had a reputation as a rake, would they? They would not condone a flirtation, which means the attention he is paying must be genuine, does it not?” She had been serious when she had told him of her mother’s observation she would never marry, as she was too ‘unladylike and plain’ ever to attract a man. “Mr. Darcy is such a handsome man. Perhaps he is not particularly well off since he is a second son. Still, he is a member of a prominent family, and he appears to be doing well for himself, given his relationship with my uncle. We are there this very night to celebrate the success of a mutual investment, and of course, a London barrister could easily support himself and perhaps a wife on his income.” Elizabeth sighed audibly, scolding herself inwardly at the direction of her thoughts, causing Darcy to look over at her and offer a reassuring smile; all the while, his own mind was working equally as rapidly.

“She is young,” he thought, “but clearly well-read and intelligent. Her uncle praises her to the skies whenever he speaks of her. And she is beautiful; I cannot deny I am attracted to her. She is the daughter of a gentleman, and so am I. Would she consider marrying a barrister? A second son? She says she never considered marriage, as her mother declared her ‘unmarriageable’—what kind of mother would say something like that of such a lovely young woman? My investments have provided me with a good income, and I could support her well enough. I need to speak with her uncle—to see what he says about the family and if he feels her father would accept my suit. My suit? What am I thinking? I have only just been called to the bar and had not thought to consider marriage for at least several years. I will be five and twenty next month and had not thought to marry before thirty. But will she still be available then? And would I really want to ask her to wait that long? Do I want to wait?”

Both were lost in these thoughts, paying little attention to the stage but relishing the physical link between them. When the lights began to come back up, they quickly released their hands, losing the connection, and looked at the other to smile shyly. A few words were exchanged, and the decision was made not to leave the box. A few acquaintances of Darcy and the Gardiners dropped in to visit and were introduced to the dark-haired beauty. One of these was a great friend of Darcy, along with his sister, who was annoyed at the ‘interloper’ in the Darcy box.

Darcy and Charles Bingley had become friends at Cambridge, and his younger sister, Caroline, did all she could to forward the friendship. While she would prefer to marry higher, she wanted to keep Mr. Darcy available to her just in case she had to settle and did not appreciate his keeping company with another woman.

To Darcy’s mind, Caroline Bingley was the worst sort of social climber and fortune hunter. She quite literally clung to him when they were in company, and he despised being clung to. This evening, she was hampered from doing so by Elizabeth’s presence by his side. When she entered his box, Darcy deliberately stood with the wall to one side and Elizabeth slightly in front of him to the other, effectively blocking Miss Bingley from taking his arm. Somehow, Elizabeth also seemed conscious of this and did not move despite the other lady’s apparent attempts to replace her.

After the introductions, Caroline Bingley attempted to insert herself between Mr. Darcy and the chit by calling attention to her superior breeding. “Miss Eliza, was it?” she sneered.

“As my elder sister is not present, I believe the correct form of address is Miss Bennet, Miss Bingley, or would you prefer I address you similarly and call you Miss Caro?” Elizabeth inquired pertly. “I was educated at home, Miss Bingley, as are many gentlemen’s daughters, particularly among the landed gentry. And you, where were you educated that you are unaware of this?”

Darcy and Bingley bit back the guffaws that were threatening to be released. Darcy tolerated her only because of his friendship with her brother. Bingley had been behind Darcy in school, but the two had become friends there, and that friendship had lasted. However, his younger sister had been a constant thorn in Darcy’s side as she had attempted to get her claws into him to raise her status or get a deeper connection to Pemberley. She wanted the heir but would settle for the second son.

Due to her frustration, her reply was no doubt sharper than it ought to have been. “No one of worth is educated at home, Miss Eliza.”

“I have rarely heard a more foolish statement,” came a male voice. “Neither of my sisters left home to attend school—my parents felt it was best to keep my sisters at home and hire a governess and masters as necessary.”

Miss Bingley sneered at the interloper. “And just who are your parents, sir?” she bit out.

“Travis,” Darcy greeted the newcomer. “How are you? I have not seen you in some time.”

“I am well, Darcy,” he said. “Will you introduce me to your guests?”

“Viscount Travis, allow me to introduce you to Edward Gardiner and his wife,” Darcy began. “Mr. Gardiner is the gentleman I told you about at the club last week. He is a useful connection, and I think you would do well to know him better. They are accompanied by their niece, Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire.” He indicated the dark-haired beauty beside him, and Travis noted how Darcy’s voice had changed slightly when he spoke of her. He bowed slightly in response to the lady’s curtseys. “You know Bingley, I believe, from Cambridge; this is his sister. Mr and Mrs Gardiner, Miss Bennet, I am pleased to introduce you to my good friend Viscount Travis.” All in the box took note of Miss Bingley’s exclusion.

Her exclusion mortified Miss Bingley, but fortunately, the bell rang, indicating the next act would start soon. “Travis, let me know when we can meet, and Bingley, send your card around when you are available to join me at the club,” Darcy said as their guests departed. The others made their farewells, but Miss Bingley spoke to no one. Only when she was in the corridor did she quietly request her brother cut their evening short and take her home.

The rest of the evening passed quietly enough. Elizabeth deliberately placed her hand where Darcy could retake it once the lights lowered, and to her supreme delight, he did so. The evening was over too soon, and Elizabeth was confident she had never enjoyed a performance more.

Although she enjoyed the performance, it was the end of the evening she dwelt on most. As Darcy helped Elizabeth from the carriage and escorted her inside the house, he briefly slowed their steps, keeping her behind her relatives so he could speak privately.

“Miss Bennet,” he began, “might I … might I call on you?”

“Yes,” she breathed. “Yes, I would welcome your call.”

“Good,” he replied. “Tomorrow?”

“It is past midnight, Mr. Darcy,” she retorted. “Do you mean later today, or must I wait an entire day until you come?”

“Today, then,” he said. “I do not want to wait long either, Miss Bennet.”

“Then, yes, I would be happy to receive your call later today, Mr. Darcy,” she replied

How I love seeing Caroline Bingley mortified. I wonder if she will create any more drama… 😄

It is so lovely to see Darcy and Elizabeth have such an amicable beginning! I’m curious to meet his older brother and Lady Anne.

~ About Melissa ~

My life has taken a few twists and turns—I started as a newspaper reporter and moved 500 miles from home just after college for a job. I spent a few years doing that before I met and married my husband – nearly 19 years ago – and soon quit the job as a reporter and became a teacher. I taught English to middle school and then high school students, and now I teach teachers.

I was always a reader, and after reading a few hundred variations of Pride and Prejudice, I began to realize that I could do that and started writing some of my ideas. I have a folder full of different starts, and in April of 2023 took the first steps toward self-publishing. I hope to continue writing, and while it may not replace my day job any time soon, I do enjoy the creative outlet.

My husband and I have three children, and we presently live in Northwest Georgia, although Tennessee will always be my home.

Sign up for my newsletter here and get a copy of my Short Story, “The Man Cold”, which is loosely based on Pride and Prejudice.

~~~

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Today, Melissa brings with her TWO ebook copies + ONE audiobook copy (available soon) of her new novel, Hearts Entwined for me to giveaway to THREE lucky winners!

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

• This giveaway is open worldwide (audiobook for US + UK residents).  Thank you, Melissa!
• This giveaway ends December 27th!