Hi friends! Happy Monday. I am excited to welcome back author L.L. Diamond to Austenesque Reviews today. 🙌🏼

L.L. Diamond has 25+ Pride and Prejudice inspired  titles to her name and would you believe she just added another earlier this month? 😮

Her latest release –  The Unexpected Heir –  sounds like it involves some fantasy elements and a pre-arranged betrothal between Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth! ✨ 

Sounds spellbinding….doesn’t? 😄

Leslie is here to share an excerpt from The Unexpected Heir. We hope you enjoy! 🤗

~ Book Description ~

Elizabeth Bennet has a secret that will shock the magical world.

While most ladies in her world have talents, a singular ability, and hold no other power, Elizabeth is the first female since Niniane, the Lady of the Lake, to wield magic as freely as any male heir. Many would covet her power, which is why her father and his friend forged a magical contract to protect Elizabeth even she comes of marriageable age. Elizabeth, however, has no wish for an arranged marriage, yet could she truly be in as much danger as her father has implied? All she wants is to wander with her white stag, Herne, in Oakham Forest and visit the stone circle in its midst, but the altar within the circle vibrates in a manner it has never done before. Surely, the behaviour of the altar is altered for a reason, yet what could it be? Could the visitors at Netherfield be the cause by changing the balance of magic in Meryton or could the vibration be a warning of what is to come?

When Fitzwilliam Darcy journeys to Hertfordshire before the autumn equinox, his intention is not only to visit his friend Charles Bingley, but to also see his betrothed, Elizabeth, for the first time with his own eyes. Even though he has seen visions of her over the years and is certain of their future together, he offers her a choice in whether to marry him or not. After all, he does not desire an unwilling bride.

Meanwhile, a vision in the stone circle’s altar gives a glimpse of their shared future as well as an evil bent on destroying the descendent of Merlin. As Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth race to learn as much as they can about this mage, will they discover how to defeat this foe before it can carry forth its scheme or will the mysterious evil somehow defeat the unexpected heir?

~ Excerpt from The Unexpected Heir ~

Elizabeth watched her betrothed walk across the room to the refreshment table. Fitzwilliam was surely the most handsome man she had ever seen. He was tall and broad shouldered but trim. When he wore his buckskin breeches, which he was unfortunately not wearing this evening, his legs appeared muscled from his hours on horseback. Her stomach always fluttered when he turned those clear blue eyes at her, particularly when he was attempting to convey his sincerity. He would lean closer, his cedar scent tickling her nose, while he spoke in those low tones that rumbled through her. What could she say? She was enamoured of her future husband.

He never disparaged her magic because she was a lady, and he seemed to take pride in her accomplishments. How many gentlemen would have accepted her as she was? They had yet to discover how people would respond to her position as the heir. How unfortunate she could not inherit Longbourn to retain it with Bennet blood! They may have been magical communities, but they were subject to the laws of the crown. The monarchy had lost their belief and their magic after the last of the Tudor monarchs.

“You appear deep in thought, Miss Elizabeth.”

Her attention jolted to Mr. Wickham who now sat beside her. When had he done so? She shifted as far to the edge of the window seat as possible. His mere proximity made the fine hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

“I am merely waiting for Mr. Darcy to return with some punch. Are you enjoying my aunt’s card party?”

He smiled and glanced back at Miss King. “I have been made to feel welcome.”

“Then I am glad.” She kept her hands clasped in her lap and made an effort to keep her expression neutral. She would reveal naught if she could help it!

“Are you?” he asked. “Then you do not believe Darcy’s slander of me?”

“Slander?”

“Darcy has told lies of me since we were children. He could not bear that I was his father’s favourite and has exacted his revenge well. I have lost friends and those I cared for like family. Does that seem fair to you?” As he began to speak, a bitter taste formed at the tip of her tongue and began to spread.

“Mr. Wickham, the Darcy and Bennet families have been friends for generations. I first made your acquaintance yesterday, so I can hardly say I know you. In fact, your approaching me as such and speaking of your personal matters is hardly proper, particularly when you are speaking of my betrothed.”

“Why are you here, Wickham?”

At Fitzwilliam’s voice, she stood and accepted a glass of punch with one hand while the other slipped into the crook of his arm. “I am certain Mr. Wickham was invited as a member of the militia and nothing more, is that not correct, sir?”

The man rose, his smile slipping back into place in a manner that sent a shudder up Elizabeth’s spine and caused the bitter taste upon her tongue to become overpowering. He had been attempting to poison her opinion of Fitzwilliam, but he had not used his full ability until now. She had taken a draught that revealed a persuasive tongue before they departed for tonight’s party. Her father had never attempted the mixture, but she could now attest the potion was successful. The foul taste in her mouth was evidence of its efficacy.

She swallowed down a gag. “Mr. Darcy, if you would accompany me outside for a moment; I am a bit ill all of a sudden.”

Before she had finished the sentence, Fitzwilliam was hastening her towards the door. No sooner had they stepped outside than the cool air brought her some relief. One or two others milled about in the garden, likely seeking air as well.

She stepped over to an oak tree and leaned against the trunk in case she cast up her accounts.

Her betrothed took the cup of punch from her hand, but she snatched it back. “Wait! That may be of aid.” She took a sip and let the sweet liquid coat her tongue.

“If you are nauseous, the spirits in the punch are the last thing you should be drinking.”

She shook her head. “I am merely suffering from the effect of the revulsion potion I drank this evening. Mr. Wickham attempted to bewitch me while he spoke of you slandering him. I first noticed the foul taste in my mouth then. His smile when you confronted him was enough to make me heave.”

“Did you not understand how the potion worked?”

“I read the grammar from cover to cover two days ago, and I re-read the portion on the potion before I brewed it yesterday. Nothing in the text speaks of the taste becoming stronger or even overwhelming as the person enchanting you continues.”

The more of the punch she consumed and the longer she was away from Mr. Wickham, the more her nausea subsided. She had only taken a sip of the draught, and the results had exceeded her expectations. She was fortunate she had not taken more.

“Did the potion itself taste bad?” asked Fitzwilliam.

“No, it was actually rather tasteless.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “How much did you make?”

“A small cauldron-full, but I did not consume all of it.” Why was he asking her so many questions?

“What did you do with the excess?”

She pulled open her reticule and held up a small bottle of green liquid. “I brought some in the event I needed to take more.”

With a wide grin, he lifted her hand and placed a loud kiss on the back. “What if we pour it in the punch?”

Her chin hitched back a hair. “But no one will know why they are suddenly ill or have a rotten taste in their mouth.”

“No, but the effect does render his charm ineffective, does it not?” He took the bottle.

She gave a start. “You are right. I was never swayed to believe his tale.”

He grabbed her hand and brought her back inside. She slid her hand to his elbow, so they were more proper when they entered her aunt’s small drawing room. The Gouldings’ son was spooning punch into a cup, but as soon as he hurried back to Maria Lucas, Fitzwilliam stepped up to the bowl and uncorked the bottle.

At that moment, Lydia guffawed at something Mr. Denny said, and the entire room looked in that direction. When Elizabeth returned her attention to the bowl, Fitzwilliam had already poured half in the punch. The second half drained quickly, and he re-corked the bottle and slipped it into her hand.

While she returned the empty bottle to her reticule, he took the ladle and swirled the contents before pouring a fresh cup that he handed to her. His eyes shifted towards Lydia, and Elizabeth could not help but grin. Fitzwilliam could scheme when necessary!

She moved to stand behind her sister and bent forward to place the cup next to her. “Here, Lyddie. I thought you might be thirsty.” Elizabeth held her breath. Had she gone too far using Lydia’s childhood nickname?

“La! I am parched,” said Lydia. She drank down the entirety and set the glass back on the table. It was all Elizabeth could do not to let her breath out in a rush. Lydia drank it! Now to see if Wickham would approach her or share his lies with others.

She and Fitzwilliam returned to the window seat while the remainder of guests continued to mill about or play cards. Mr. Wickham returned to Miss King for a time before fetching her a glass of punch. Fitzwilliam’s breathing paused as the lady took a drink from the glass. She then sipped while she and Mr. Wickham spoke. After almost ten minutes, Miss King turned a violent shade of green, shoved the empty glass into his hands, and dashed for the door. Her uncle noted her abrupt departure and made to follow. Meanwhile, Mr. Wickham was left holding the glass with his forehead furrowed.

The shaking of Fitzwilliam’s shoulders could be seen out of the corner of her eye, and she had to press her own lips together to keep from laughing at the picture before them. Mr. Wickham had no idea what had just happened.

As the night wore on, Mr. Wickham attempted to talk to others, and it was obvious whenever he attempted to use his ability. Anyone who he hoped to charm would first smack their lips then wrinkle their nose. Most seemed to excuse themselves to speak with someone else, but one or two made their way outside for a few moments before returning. They usually sought out someone new to converse with. Miss King never returned.

“It never occurred to me that he could vary the intensity of his enchantment,” said Fitzwilliam softly.

She gave a light laugh. “I should feel some remorse for making poor Miss King sick, but I cannot.”

“If she stays away from him because of our efforts, then the potion in the punch was worth it.”

“But we do not know how long the potion remains effective. If he calls on her tomorrow, she may not have the same response.” Each solution had a certain amount of time it worked at full potency. After, it might not produce the desired response or only have partial results depending upon how much time had passed since it was consumed.

“As much as we want to protect everyone, we cannot. Your brilliant efforts tonight helped ensure most of our friends could not listen to Wickham’s lies. I am fortunate that I shall soon call you wife.”

She had never before so wished to be alone with Fitzwilliam. If no one else was around, she would kiss him senseless. What other way could she show her appreciation for his sweet words?

 

What a brilliant way to outsmart Wickham and his vitriol!! 👏🏼

Also, I absolutely love how besotted Elizabeth is with Mr. Darcy! 🥰

~ Connect with Leslie ~

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~ About Leslie ~

L.L. Diamond is more commonly known as Leslie to her friends, Mom to her three kids, and servant to her three cats. A native of Louisiana, she has been a wanderer for the past 20 years, living in Mississippi, California, Texas, New Mexico, Nebraska, England, and Missouri before settling in Maryland.

One day, Leslie may decide what she wants to do when she grows up, but for now, she enjoys writing the stories that live in her head and coaching age group swimming. She has degrees in biology and studio art, certifications to coach swimming in the United States and Britain, and numerous fitness certifications. Leslie is also a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America. Her accomplishments include drawing, watercolor, and playing flute and piano, but much like Pride and Prejudice’s Elizabeth Bennet, she is always in need of practice!

 

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The Unexpected Heir is available in ebook and paperback now! 

 

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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

In conjunction with her visit today, Leslie brings with her  1️⃣ ebook copy of The Unexpected Heir for me to give away to one lucky reader!

 

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

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

• This giveaway ends July 28th!