Hi friends! Happy Friday!

As you may have already seen the lovely Amy D’Orazio had a new book come out this week – Done for the Best!! ✨

It is a Pride and Prejudice variation that includes some exciting elements – a memory loss inducing accident, an assumed engagement, and a abhorrent deception. 😮

Doesn’t that sound fascinating? I cannot wait to read it! 🙌🏼

Amy is stopping by today to share an excerpt from Done for the Best!  📖

We hope you enjoy!! 🤗

While Darcy waited for Elizabeth to arrive, he looked around him at the room where he had been received only once before—the morning he had come upon her alone, the other ladies having gone to the village. It was the back parlour, a smaller, less formal space but very neatly furnished and comfortable. Most importantly, it was not the scene of his ill-fated addresses, and for that he was most grateful.

What would he say to her? She had no remembrance of him—but how to say, ‘By the bye, you despise me, but I love you.’ Perhaps they might begin anew?

Shortly thereafter, he heard them in the hall, Elizabeth saying, “Charlotte, I assure you, I can walk,” just before the door creaked open and the ladies entered.

She was beautiful in her renascent state. Pale, as would be expected, and thinner, but the delicacy only enhanced her loveliness to him. She had grey shadows of fatigue beneath her eyes, and her hair was very simply done—a plait wound up and pinned—but she was walking, even if she needed to lean heavily upon her friend to do it.

He moved to assist them, but Mrs Collins quickly had her situated on a small but comfortable-looking sofa, so he contented himself with bringing over a little footstool. Mrs Collins gave him a quick, grateful smile, but Elizabeth only looked a little dazed.

“I brought your blanket,” Mrs Collins said while he returned to his position by the mantel.

“I am not cold, thank you.”

“Pray, put the blanket over your legs, at least. The last thing we need at present is for you to take a chill.”

“I assure you, I am far more apt to break into a sweat than to take a chill.” While she spoke, Elizabeth’s eyes had moved away from her friend and fixed upon Darcy. He felt pinned, like a moth to a tray, as her eyes roved over his countenance. He smiled at her, but she did not smile back. She seemed frightened and uncertain, despite her firm words to her friend.

He cleared his throat lightly. “The rain we had yesterday has made it exceedingly damp today, and likely you should have the blanket to ward off any chill.”

This earned him a searching look from her, followed by a small smile. “Very well.”

Mrs Collins busily exchanged Elizabeth’s shawl—which she deemed too thin—for her own which was thicker. Throughout her friend’s fussing and fretting, Elizabeth sent quick, darting glances in Darcy’s direction, examining him it seemed.

“Charlotte, I daresay I am swaddled enough.”

Mrs Collins gave the shawl one final tweak over Elizabeth’s shoulders. “Shall I send for some tea?”

Elizabeth, in a low voice, said to her friend, “No, I do not want tea, I just wish to speak to Mr Darcy, if you please.”

“I will leave shortly; I only wish to see to your comfort.”

“I am comfortable, I promise you. Please?”

Mrs Collins sighed and said, “Very well.” She cast one last glance between them and then left, leaving the door slightly ajar. The sudden stillness of the room was alarming. Darcy felt his heart pound, wondering what he should say, but Elizabeth spoke first.

“Thank you.” Tears had welled up in her eyes. “Thank you for the…the doctor. I was so frightened when he brought out his jar and…and I simply could not bear the thought of it, of enduring such a thing. Thrice a day, he said! I did not see how I would bear it even once!”

“Shh,” he said, trying to soothe her as he joined her on the sofa. “Of course, think nothing of that. But we must get some food in you, something nourishing. Otherwise, he and his jar might come back tomorrow, and I fear I have exhausted all my persuasive charms upon him today.”

This made her laugh, a tinkling, unpractised sound, even as she wiped away one of the tears which had fallen. “My trouble is that everything sounds so…so disgusting. I try to imagine eating something, and it just feels like my throat closes.”

He thought for a moment. “Mrs Reynolds, my housekeeper, used to feed me bread soaked in tea when I was ill. It…it just sort of melts away in your mouth. Could you manage that?”

She smiled at him, genuine and warm. “I think I could, yes.”

He rose and went to the bell; Mrs Collins herself replied to the summons. He explained quickly what was needed, and she went off to see it prepared for her friend, obvious relief in her eyes. Darcy then returned to Elizabeth.

“I must tell you, sir, I have searched my mind, very diligently, and alas I must say I truly have no recollection of you.” She offered an apologetic smile to him. “The only thing I could summon up was…”

She paused, an enchanting pink blush rising on her cheeks. More quietly, she said, “I seem to recall you saying that you ‘ardently admired and loved’ me. When I heard you speaking to Dr Hughes outside of my bedchamber, the sound of your voice seemed to stir that recollection. Is it faithful…that memory?”

“Um.” He swallowed. “Yes, that memory is true. I did say those words to you… And I do…I do love you. It has been dreadful these past weeks, being fearful for your safety. I…the thought that you might not…”

He stopped, unable to go on. He turned his head away from her but turned back, startled, upon feeling her gentle touch on his shoulder.

She was smiling, beguiling and playful. “But I did. So those fears, terrifying as they might have been, were unfounded. I am hale and whole.”

He found himself smiling back. She was intoxicating, her delicate bewilderment slowly ebbing away, leaving an ease and friendliness that was everything he had ever imagined and more. “I do not think that as yet we can declare you hale, but you are as lovely as ever.”

*Swoon* I’m completely charmed. I love Mr. Darcy’s gentleness and affection. And Elizabeth is adorable.

~~~

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

In conjunction with Amy’s lovely visit, Quills & Quartos is giving away 3️⃣ copies (winner’s choice of ebook or audiobook*) of  to 3️⃣ lucky readers of this blog. *audiobook coming soon

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

• This giveaway is open worldwide.  Thank you, Quills and Quartos!
• This giveaway ends May 30th.