Hi friends! You may remember two months ago we shared the beautiful cover reveal for Lucy C. Milton’s debut release – A Maid of No Consequence. 🤩

Well, now the wait is over. A Maid of No Consequence is officially released and available. ✨

And it sounds like such an interesting Pride and Prejudice variation as it takes place many years later and has reduced Elizabeth’s circumstances to that of being a servant! 🧹

Lucy is here to share another excerpt from her newly published release – A Maid of No Consequence. 

We hope you enjoy! 🤗

~ Book Description ~

After five years and a drastic change in circumstance, can love find its way back to mend broken hearts?

Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy has loved Miss Elizabeth Bennet since he saw her arrive at Netherfield Park to care for her ailing sister Jane. Alas, his proposal in Hunsford parsonage leads to an acrimonious parting and he is left heartbroken and bereft, with no hope of ever seeing her again.

Elizabeth Bennet quickly leaves Kent after receiving devastating and life-altering news but not without leaving a letter replying to his. Alas her letter goes missing, leaving her to believe he could never forgive her for their bitter exchange.

Five long years later, a serendipitous meeting puts Elizabeth in Darcy’s path once again. Elizabeth’s situation has changed dramatically, and the divide between them has widened even more dramatically. Darcy’s love for her is unaltered, and he vows to never lose her again. But grief and reduced circumstances have changed Elizabeth. Can she trust him enough to allow him to help her? And can she trust her own heart enough to acknowledge that he loves her still?

A MAID OF NO CONSEQUENCE is a variation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. It is a low angst, high-romance journey where love rekindles with surprising fervor, proving that the heart’s desires can triumph over any obstacle.

~ An Excerpt from A Maid of No Consequence ~

The look of shock on Mr Darcy’s face was something Elizabeth had never quite seen before, although now that she thought of it, there may have been some similar look of utter confusion when she had turned down his offer of marriage.

“Mr Darcy. Sir.” Even in her discomfort and embarrassment, there was no forgetting she was but a servant, even lower in status than she was when he had proposed to her.

“What is the meaning of this?” he asked, sounding confused. “What are you doing here?”

“Pray do not concern yourself with–” Attempting to rise, she moaned at the bolt of pain that shot through her ankle and kept her on the ground.

The disbelief on his face softening, he reached his hand towards her. “If you would permit me, I wish to help you, Miss Bennet.”

“I am no longer Miss Bennet.” Elizabeth looked at him straight in the eye. She wanted to appear brave, or at least unaffected, but was betrayed by an errant tear that slid down her cheek.

Mr Darcy pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and offered it to her; a finely embroidered FD was stitched on the corner of the pristine white cloth. The ridiculousness of it all—the fine linen square held by the elegant gentleman as she sprawled on the ground in maids’ attire—was almost too much to bear, and before she could bring herself to take it, Elizabeth began to laugh. And she continued laughing, trying unsuccessfully to stop.

When she gained control of herself, she looked up to see a slight grin on his handsome face. He bent down and again urged her to take his proffered handkerchief. Hesitantly, Elizabeth reached for it before thoroughly soiling the linen with mud as she wiped her face and hands. A moment later, clenching the cloth tightly, she resolved to end the conversation as quickly as she could. “Thank you for your kindness, sir. But I must be getting inside before I am missed.” She tried to rise but again pain shot through her ankle, and she sank to the ground.

“Let me find someone to help you. Are your family within?” Mr Darcy reached down to pull her up, supporting her while putting his hand carefully around her waist. It was highly improper and yet so very chivalrous.

Elizabeth allowed herself to put her head on his shoulder, just momentarily, before remembering herself. “Sir, I am well, if you would just lead me towards the door.”

They were interrupted by the appearance of Reggie, the groom, at the door. “Eliza? What happened? We thought we heard a yell!”

“No need to worry, I am well.” Elizabeth put on a brave smile. Above her, she heard Billy’s father call to him, and then looked up to see the concerned young boy looking over the railing. Remembering he had taken a tumble himself, she asked, “Billy, are you injured?”

“I am well, miss, thank you.”

“Reggie will bring you the sweets from Cook.” She looked around for the wrapped sweets she had for him, now scattered on the ground where she had inadvertently tossed them during her fall.

“I will retrieve them.” Mr Darcy gestured to Reggie to come help her.

Reggie took hold of Elizabeth’s arm and guided her towards the servants’ door, while Mr Darcy ascended the stairs, taking the sweets to the young boy waiting above. She heard him ask, “You are unhurt?”

Billy affirmed he was well, and she heard Mr Brumsley relay his thanks to Mr Darcy.

With Reggie’s help, Elizabeth reached the door in time to turn slightly and see that Mr Darcy had followed them and now stood frowning at the servant’s door.

“Miss Bennet, pray who lives here?”

Supported by the door frame, she turned to Reggie. “I can stand on my own, thank you. I will be in shortly.” He nodded, and after giving Mr Darcy an assessing look, slowly retreated into the house.

Mr Darcy stepped closer; his frown had softened slightly. In a lowered voice, he asked, “Why are you dressed as a servant?”

She inhaled deeply before admitting, “Because that is what I am.”

“You are a gentleman’s daughter!”

“Maybe once. But no longer.”

“I do not understand. What has happened?”

Elizabeth quickly looked behind her, then to Mr Darcy once again. Against her better judgment, she said, “If you want to know all, Mr Darcy, I will tell you. Tomorrow is my half day. I shall be at Hyde Park tomorrow at half past one, near the Cheesecake House. Look for the bench by the crooked tree.”

Before he had a chance to respond, a familiar shrill voice sounded from inside the house. “Eliza! Where are Humphrey’s shoes? You have been dawdling again!”

Elizabeth glanced behind her, and then back at Mr Darcy. “You must go,” she whispered before quickly stepping inside and closing the door.

The shocking nature of this encounter for each of them is so palpable. 😮

I absolutely love that Elizabeth is open to meeting with Mr. Darcy and telling him what happened. 👏🏼

That a great way for things to progress… 👍🏼

Wishing you the very best on your debut release, Lucy! 🎉

Thank you for sharing!

~~~

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

In conjunction with Lucy’s lovely visit, Quills & Quartos is giving away 3️⃣ copies of A Maid of No Consequence to 3️⃣ lucky readers of this blog. 

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

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