Hi friends! I’m thrilled to welcome  back author, Heather Moll to Austenesque Reviews today! ✨

As you may have seen, she has a new book that just released – Without Undue Pride. 👏🏼

And it is a very daring Pride and Prejudice variation that takes Elizabeth through war and widowhood! 😮

Heather is here to share an enticing excerpt from Without Undue Pride.  🙌🏼

We hope you enjoy! ☺️

~ Excerpt from Without Undue Pride ~

Thank you for the warm welcome! I’m here with an excerpt from my latest variation Without Undue Pride. Elizabeth has survived a war zone, but her opinion of men has not. Darcy is fulfilling a promise to his dead cousin to look after his widow. She’s struggling to claim custody of her unborn child and he feels morally obligated to help. Can a reluctant partnership become happily ever after? (Spoiler: of course it can!)

This scene sets up Elizabeth’s return to Longbourn in chapter 2. She’s escaped from war-torn Spain after her impulsive marriage to Colonel Fitzwilliam, who died on the battlefield. Elizabeth returns to Longbourn after she’s just run into her husband’s cousin, Mr. Darcy, who is visiting a newly married Jane and Bingley.

***

It was a grand surprise to everyone at Longbourn when the butler opened the door to find Mrs Fitzwilliam. Cries of surprise, of congratulations, of condolences overwhelmed her. Mary offered platitudes on mourning, Kitty asked a thousand questions about a baby Elizabeth had not felt move yet, and Lydia wondered why she did not just marry another soldier and stay in Spain.

“Well, Lizzy, I am sorry about Colonel Fitzwilliam. He was a charming man,” her father said when they were all settled in the drawing room. “I suppose you shall live here for the time being, since your rich relations do not want you.”

It was the truth, and it was not unexpected, but for the sake of her unborn child, it still hurt. “I have no need of them, Papa. Fitzwilliam had five thousand pounds in the Portsmouth bank, and there will be a widow’s pension too.”

“I would scream at those Fitzwilliams for not doing more,” said Mrs Bennet. “As though they would miss a few thousand a year for my girl. Perhaps you should write to them, Mr Bennet?”

Elizabeth could not help but lift her eyes. Her father had not even troubled himself to get her out of Spain. When had her father stirred to do anything like exertion for his daughters?

“What could I say? If their widowed daughter-in-law trapped in a war in a delicate condition could not convince them, I doubt a disapproving letter from me would shame them. Lizzy will remain here.”

“Of course she will stay here,” her mother cried. “She is not living on her own on only a few hundred a year. Besides, we must see her married again.”

Elizabeth gave an involuntary start. Marrying again was out of the question. She would never compromise her integrity and marry without affection. And she had learnt that by loving someone, you were always vulnerable.

“We will send her to town next winter after the baby is born, and she will do just as well the second time,” her mother went on. “The younger son of an earl! Perhaps her second husband will be the heir, if you can give her a little money?”

“I have none to give her, not with the way you spend on yourself and the other girls.”

Her countenance must have betrayed her distress because her father took her hand. “Now, now, Lizzy, I would never begrudge you some money for a new gown or things for the baby. You will always have a home here, and I daresay it is more comfortable than your billet in Cádiz.”

She tried to smile. After the battle, everything had fallen apart. Longbourn had physical comforts, but as she looked around at her family, it did not feel like home either. And once her father was dead, none of his daughters would have a home.

“I suppose it is too soon for grey, Lizzy,” her mother said. “But we bought plenty of fabric once we heard the news, and you need a new gown. I cannot imagine how you came home with only a single bag.”

“Because I sold everything I had to survive” was what she wanted to say. It was the truth, but it was neither helpful nor kind. They had no notion what it was like as a widow in the midst of war. Neither had she when she had first met Colonel Fitzwilliam and promised to follow him anywhere. Lizzy Bennet had been innocent and eager for adventure. Since then, she had learnt she could only rely on herself.

“Are you still sad, Lizzy?” Lydia asked, looking concerned. “It has been three months since he died. Let us all go to Meryton and buy you a new hat. We will have a grand time together to cheer you up.”

Kitty nodded her eager agreement, and Elizabeth let them think she shared their enthusiasm. Lydia and Kitty were fifteen and sixteen and had not seen the things she had seen. She was twenty and had met, married, and lost a husband in two months, was now due to have his child, and she was entirely alone.

“Hill,” cried her mother, ringing the bell. “We must send a note to Jane! You will enjoy Bingley,” she said, turning to her. “Such an amiable young man. His friend has been with them a fortnight.” Her mother frowned. “Silent man, but we must endure him.”

“I know Mr Darcy,” she murmured. There was no need to mention their meeting by the lane. His gentle consolation had been a greater kindness than anything her family had said about her loss.

“That is right,” said her father. “He is your cousin, after all.” He laughed. “Maybe he can convince the Fitzwilliams to give you a little money for the potential heir presumptive.”

Her family was well-intentioned but of no real solace to her, and the Fitzwilliams had been cruel. She would not rely on anyone other than herself, and she certainly did not expect Mr Darcy to intercede on her behalf.

Elizabeth might not expect Darcy’s help, but she’s going to get it. Elizabeth is a world-weary widow and Darcy is a swoony hero from the start. Without Undue Pride is out now!

Ooh poor Lizzy, she is so strong and resilient, but I feel her loneliness so much in this passage. I am glad to hear she has already felt some comforting kindness from Mr. Darcy... 🥰

Thank you so much for sharing, Heather! Congrats on your release of Without Undue Pride.

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