Hi friends! Happy Monday!

The lovely Summer Hanford is visiting Austenesque Reviews today to talk about her lovely new Pride and Prejudice variation – Mr. Darcy’s Bookshop.

Having just read the prequel to this book – The Adventures of Miss Anne de Bough and the preview chapter to Mr. Darcy’s Bookshop, I’m so eager for this inventive and very unique story!

Summer is here to share an excerpt from Mr. Darcy’s Bookshop! We hope you enjoy!

~ Chapter 2 from Mr. Darcy’s Bookshop ~

Though rainclouds threatened, Elizabeth set out from Longbourn very early, Jane at her side, to walk before breakfast. Their cousin, Mr. Collins, had arrived only four days ago, but Elizabeth had already come to understand him well enough to know he intended to propose to Jane. As, when the sad day came that their father left them, Mr. Collins would inherit their home, his proposal must be taken seriously. If issued to Elizabeth’s too kind older sister, he would receive a yes. Jane would never put her happiness above securing the future security of her mother and four younger sisters.

But Elizabeth would. She would put any of their happiness above the deed of wedding their odious, sycophantic cousin. She simply would not let Jane be wasted on such a dreadful man, or go to his home in Kent to endure this Sir Lewis and Miss de Bourgh he went on and on about. They sounded even worse than he was, a supposition bolstered by Sir Lewis’s willingness to give Mr. Collins a living.

Once she and Jane were far from the house, walking the narrow line of green between forest and field, Elizabeth announced, “I have written to our aunt and requested she remove you to London immediately. As I sent the letter yesterday, I have every hope Uncle Gardiner’s carriage could arrive as soon as tomorrow. My wording was that strong.”

Jane cast her a startled glance. “You have written to Aunt Gardiner and asked her to invite me to visit?”

“I have.”

“But why? It is not appropriate to be so demanding, and you did not even ask if I wish to go. It’s nearly December. Will I return from this visit you have orchestrated in time to celebrate Christmas with our family?”

“It is my intention that you remain in London until the danger posed by Mr. Collins is past.”

Jane shook her head, her lovely features pulled downward in confusion. “What danger posed by Mr. Collins?”

Elizabeth halted, bringing Jane up short, and turned to her. “Oh Jane. Can you not see it? He means to propose to you.”

Her eyes went wide and a hand flew to her cheek, which paled. “He does? How do you know?”

“Because he’s been on and on about how Sir Lewis and Miss de Bourgh do not agree with entailing inheritance away from females and that the obvious solution is for one of us to wed him so that we are not, perforce, cast out when Papa dies.”

Jane nodded. “Well, yes, but I assume, with his interests and temperament, he will ask Mary. She is attentive to him and enjoys his readings. She encourages him. I have not.”

Elizabeth smiled, for it was part of Jane’s charm that she did not comprehend how beautiful she was. “You encourage him simply by being you. Every man who looks upon you is encouraged. You cannot help it.”

Jane twined her fingers, thoughtful. Slowly, she said, “If Mr. Collins wishes to take me to wife, I daresay I must accept.”

All was as Elizabeth had feared. “You most certainly must not. You will not be married to a gentleman who has not one agreeable quality, who has neither manner nor sense to recommend him.”

“But Lizzy, think of Mama, and you, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia. If I marry our cousin, none of us need worry again. We will be looked after, should Papa leave us.”

“Our father is in fine health. There is every chance you will meet some wonderful, handsome, wealthy gentleman and he will fall hopelessly in love with you, and you will secure our futures and your happiness, all at once.”

Jane’s smile was sad. “Is there? I concede as to the quality of Papa’s health, but not to your estimation of my chances to find a husband. I am two and twenty and no gentleman has looked on me that way since I was fifteen.”

“Yes,” Eilzabeth exclaimed. “And that was in London, visiting the Gardiners.” She made a sweeping gesture, encompassing the neat fields, low rock walls, and line of trees. “There are no men here to fall in love with you. In London, there will be, and it is high time you went.”

“But Aunt and Uncle Gardiner have their own children to care for.”

“None of our cousins are old enough to be thinking about marriage, let alone out. They have time to do this for you, Jane. I am certain they will be happy to. I explained everything to Aunt Gardiner in my letter.”

Jane pursed her lips, thinking. “Mr. Collins is a perfectly amiable gentleman.”

“Jane, even you cannot truly think that,” Elizabeth exclaimed. “He is a conceited, pompous, narrow-minded, silly man. You know he is, as well as I do; and you must feel, as well as I do, that the woman who marries him cannot have a proper way of thinking.”

Jane gave her a quelling look. “You are too harsh, Lizzy, but it is true I do not hold any affection for him beyond a cousinly concern. I would…I would prefer not to marry him.” She nodded along to her words as she spoke. “Yes. It may be that your solution is best. If Aunt Gardiner comes, and if Mr. Collins doesn’t propose before I depart, all will be well.”

“I will ensure he does not,” Elizabeth said firmly.

Jane gave her a small, bemused smile at that, and turned to resume their walk.

“But you must try not to converse with him, or smile at him,” Elizabeth continued.

Jane halted and turned back. “I cannot be rude to our cousin. That would be unpardonable.”

“Please, do your best. This is very important. I shudder to think of the life you would have with that man and his vaunted patron, Sir Lewis de Bourgh.”

“You are being dramatic.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “I do not believe so.” She looped an arm through Jane’s. “And even if I am, you must humor me in this. For if seeming amiable to our cousin will displease me, and seeming unamiable will displease him, you must choose who you wish to displease least, and it must be me. He is our cousin, but I am your sister and dearest friend, and have been for many years.”

Jane sighed as they started walking. “You are very correct, as you well know. If I cannot make all happy, I strive to create the least unhappiness possible.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Yes. I do know.”

They walked on, Elizabeth undoing the consternation caused by her manipulations by recounting a nonsensical report passed from their Aunt Phillips to Kitty and Lydia, and from them to her, about two members of the local militia stationed in the nearby village of Meryton who were vying for the affections of the innkeeper’s daughter.

After walking for some time, they returned to Longbourn to find the family at breakfast. Elizabeth could think of no reasonable way to keep Jane from joining them. More than that, Elizabeth had roused her appetite with their walk and very much wished to dine, so they removed their outerwear and joined the others.

“Cousin Jane,” Mr. Collins said, standing to greet her. “I have saved you this place by me.”

“Oh no.” Elizabeth circled the table to take the seat. “Jane doesn’t care to sit here.” She gestured Jane to the remaining open chair, across the table and down from Mr. Collins.

Mr. Collins stared at Elizabeth in surprise. With a worried glance at Mrs. Bennet, Jane sat. From his end of the table, Mr. Bennet peered over the top of his paper, his amused gaze settling on Elizabeth. Kitty and Lydia exchanged knowing looks.

“I have seen Jane sit there many times,” their mother said. “What are you on about, Elizabeth? Give Jane your place this instance.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “There is a draft here. It gives Jane a chill.”

Mr. Collins retook his seat, frowning. “A chill is a trifling matter. That’s what Sir Lewis de Bourgh says. He would know. He has raised a strapping daughter.”

“I don’t feel a draft,” Mary, their middle sister, said from her place across from Mr. Collins.

“Well, I do,” Elizabeth said firmly.

“Me too,” Lydia pronounced. She gave a dramatic, obviously fake shiver.

“And me,” Kitty said, and promptly sneezed.

“You see?” Elizabeth gestured to Kitty. “The draft is making Kitty sneeze.”

“But she’s sitting by Jane, not you,” Mary protested.

From her end of the table, Mrs. Bennet glared at Elizabeth. “There is no draft in this room, nor any other in Longbourn, and Jane is not susceptible to drafts, nor will you have Mr. Collins believing she is. I demand you vacate that seat this instance, Elizabeth.”

“Can we not have peace at the breakfast table?” Mr. Bennet drawled. He lowered his paper. “I forbid anyone to vacate any seat until they have eaten their fill. Now, if it is not too much trouble, a little calm discourse is in order while I read the paper.” He hoisted the page again, cutting him off from his wife’s angry scrutiny.

“Mr. Collins,” Mrs. Bennet said, turning to the gentleman. “Were you not saying only moments ago that you admire the embroidery on these napkins? Jane’s work, I assure you. She is very skilled with a needle and would add such delicate and tasteful touches to a husband’s home.”

Jane angled her face to her plate, to which she’d yet to add any food, her cheeks pink.

Mr. Collins turned to her, opening his mouth to speak.

Elizabeth plucked up her napkin. “I daresay we each embroidered several, not only Jane. Please pass the rolls, Mr. Collins.”

“Immediately, fair cousin,” Mr. Collins replied before turning to address Mrs. Bennet. “Sir Lewis de Bourgh believes the introduction of napkins to the English table pure frivolity. Sir Lewis is very knowledgeable about which trends of the fashionable are mere flights of fancy and which will endure. Napkins, he advises me, are a trend that will quickly fade, crafted by the importers of New World cotton to rob the wealthy.” He smiled at Jane. “But I daresay my fair cousin could easily turn her needle to worthwhile pursuits, rather than frivolity.”

“I am not so certain,” Elizabeth said, taking the rolls from Mary, who handed them across the table to her. “Jane adores embroidering napkins. I have often heard her say that she prefers nothing more and would be loath to turn her needle to any other task.”

“Jane has never said such a thing.” Mrs. Bennet let out a huff. “Really, Elizabeth, you are quite contrary this morning. You must not have taken a long enough walk.”

“No, I must not have, Mama. Tomorrow, Jane and I will walk for longer.” Elizabeth would stay out of doors with Jane all day, every day, until their cousin departed, if that was what it took to keep her from Mr. Collins’ clutches.

Mr. Bennet’s paper rattled and Elizabeth wondered if, hidden behind it, her father laughed.

Breakfast continued in this manner, Elizabeth quite enjoying her role, though Jane’s obvious discomfort dampened her glee. Mrs. Bennet and Mary glowered at her as she parried attempts at conversation between Mr. Collins and Jane, but Kitty and Lydia spent much of the meal exchanging looks and giggling. Though Elizabeth could not see her father behind his newspaper, she had no doubt of his amusement. After breakfast, Elizabeth immediately reminded her mother that Mrs. Bennet had recommended she take a longer walk, and hurried Jane away before anyone could raise a cry to join them.

They did not return until nearly two, Jane pleading exhaustion and hunger. Elizabeth owned up to both as well, and gave a silent prayer that Mrs. Gardiner would heed her cry for assistance. They returned to Longbourn a touch bedraggled and quite tired, the entrance hall feeling surprisingly warm after hours in the crisp November air. Jane released an audible sigh of relief as she unclasped her cloak.

“There you are,” Mrs. Bennet said brightly, appearing from the front parlor. “Jane, Mr. Collins has been waiting for you quite dedicatedly. He wishes a word.”

Jane cast Elizabeth a panicked look, her hands freezing in the act of removing her cloak.

Elizabeth stepped in front of her taller sister. “Mama, Jane is exhausted, and look at her. Her hem is all mud and her hair is windblown. She must go up immediately and set herself right.”

“Mr. Collins will not mind. He has said many times that he admires a young lady who has a vigorous love of nature and a strong constitution, like Miss de Bourgh.”

“But Jane has neither.” Elizabeth gestured vaguely behind her. “Look at how nature has affected her. She is wilted.”

Mrs. Bennet’s gaze narrowed dangerously. “You seem quite lively still, Elizabeth. Perhaps I will suggest to Mr. Collins that you are precisely the sort of young lady Sir Lewis would laud.”

A shock of worry went through Elizabeth, but maybe she should encourage her mother’s threat? Unlike Jane, she would have no qualms about refusing their cousin, no matter how much security his hand offered her mother and siblings. She squared her shoulders, met her mother’s gaze and said, “Perhaps you should.”

Confusion stole the burgeoning triumph from Mrs. Bennet’s eyes. “I should?”

“If that is what you deem best, Mama, who am I to gainsay you?”

Mrs. Bennet’s lids scrunched together once more, but this time to form a look of confusion.

“I am afraid reports to Mr. Collins on either Jane’s or Elizabeth’s tolerance of the outdoors must be curtailed,” Mr. Bennet said from the hall leading to his library.

Elizabeth whirled. She took in the missive her father held with hope.

“How is that, Mr. Bennet?” Mrs. Bennet asked. “Speak plainly, please, for Mr. Collins waits in the front parlor and either Jane or Elizabeth is going in. I care not which.”

“Your motherly affection is touching, my dear, but the answer is neither. Both must go pack for London.”

“Both?” Elizabeth blurted, gratitude welling in her.

“For London?” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed.

“Yes. I have here a letter from their Uncle Gardiner so urgently requesting their addition to his household that I have decided to send them immediately. Within the hour. I ordered the carriage made ready.”

“But…but…” Mrs. Bennet sputtered. Gathering herself up, she said, “This late in the day? Surely, they’d better leave tomorrow.”

“They will depart before three and arrive in time for dinner.”

“But the carriage,” Mrs. Bennet protested. “By the time the horses rest, there will be no time for a return trip tonight.”

“I will pay for accommodations overnight.”

“I promised to join Lady Lucas for tea tomorrow.”

“I am certain the carriage will be back by then, my dear.” Mr. Bennet turned to where Elizabeth still stood before Jane. “Go make ready. There’s not a moment to spare.”

“Yes, Papa,” Elizabeth said. Whirling, she grabbed Jane’s arm, and her cloak when it slipped free, and bustled her sister up the steps to the sound of their mother launching into a tirade. Before she disappeared upstairs, Elizabeth looked back once to mouth, ‘thank you,’ over Mrs. Bennet’s head to her father. Mr. Bennet winked.

Mr. Bennet, Elizabeth, and the Gardiners saving the day! I cannot wait to see Jane’s and Elizabeth’s adventures in London – especially if and when they visit a certain bookish establishment and meet the proprietor… 📚❤️

Thank you so much for sharing this excerpt, Summer! I wish you all the best with your release of Mr. Darcy’s Bookshop! 🤗

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You can PREORDER Mr. Darcy’s Bookshop now – release date is January 22nd!

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~ Connect with Summer ~

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~ About Summer ~

Summer Hanford writes gripping Epic Fantasy, swashbuckling Historical Romance, and best-selling Pride and Prejudice retellings. She lives in the Finger Lakes Region of New York with her husband and compulsory, deliberately spoiled, cats. The newest addition to their household, an energetic setter-shepherd mix, is (still) not appreciated by the cats but is well loved by the humans.

While Summer’s education is in Experimental Psychology and Behavioral Neurology, her true passion has always been writing. As a child growing up on a dairy farm, she built castles made of hay and wielded swords made of fence posts. She is passionate about gardening, travel, and organizing her closet. Nothing pleases her more than a row of tops broken down by sleeve length and ordered by color, hung on corresponding hangers…except working on her latest novel.

For more about Summer, visit www.summerhanford.com.

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GIVEAWAY TIME!!

Today Summer brings with her a lovely prize to give away! One lucky commenter on this post will win a copy of Mr. Darcy’s Bookshop – paperback or ebook (winner’s choice!) 

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

• This giveaway is open worldwide.  Thank you, Summer!

• This giveaway ends January 22nd!