Hi friends!!

How excited am I to welcome back the lovely Jennifer Redlarczyk to Austenesque Reviews! 🙌🏼

And guess what…she has a new book that just released! ✨

Yes, you heard that right! 😄

Jennifer’s newest Pride and Prejudice variation, More Than Convenience, tells the story of a Mr. Darcy who had a marriage of convenience and an Elizabeth Bennet who is contemplating one. 👰🏻‍♀️

Jennifer is here to share an excerpt from More Than Convenience. 📖

We hope you enjoy! 🤗

Meredith, I am thrilled to be back here on the blog with my new book, More Than Convenience. Another London season has begun and Fitzwilliam Darcy, a wealthy widower from Derbyshire, is no longer in mourning. After an unhappy marriage of convenience with his now-deceased cousin, Anne de Bourgh, he holds little hope of ever marrying for love. Arriving in Town, he is determined, however, to find a new mother for his four-year-old child.

Elizabeth Bennet had pledged never to marry except for the deepest love. Due to her father’s recent illness, however, she has had little choice but to embrace practicality and join her Gardiner relations in Town with the goal of finding a husband.

Although Darcy and Elizabeth were introduced by a mutual friend, each has reservations about pursuing a courtship. Facing a compromise, will their budding friendship collapse under pressure or will their relationship become More Than Convenience?

Please enjoy an excerpt from Chapter One ~ An Unfortunate Beginning

Hatchards

As always, Elizabeth felt as though she were entering another world when she slipped through the front door of Hatchards and into its welcoming establishment of the written word. So many people and so many, many books all in one delightful place! Inhaling deeply, the smell of leather and old wood seemed to permeate her being, creating a feeling of endless delight.

How could such a place be so wondrous? And yet it was. A slight giggle escaped her lips as she left her aunt’s maid at the front of the shop and began to circle around the perimeter of the room, methodically taking note of every section. Today Elizabeth was drawn to the area marked poetry, where she began to peruse the outer shelf of books in earnest. How shall I ever decide? Before leaving Longbourn, Papa had given her ten pounds to spend on necessities while she was in Town. Thus far, not a single shilling was spent on what she called frivolity. Instead it had been reserved for the purchase of books.

Unknown to Elizabeth, a gentleman of some means stood ensconced at the back of those same stacks. Whenever he was in Town, not a week went by when Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy did not make a trip to Hatchards to purchase more books for his personal library collections. Neither Pemberley’s offerings nor his library at Darcy House in Town were to be neglected.

Today, however, the young man’s thoughts were far away in Kent with his sweet child, where he spent the weekend as often as he could. Just before dawn he had left Anna with her grandmother, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, while he returned to London to resume his search for a suitable wife who would become her new mother. Reaching for the small miniature which he always kept in his pocket, William smiled to himself as he studied her precious face. In appearance Anna Darcy looked nothing like her mother and could have easily been the twin of his sister Georgiana at the same age. His little one with long blond, wavy locks and large blue eyes had the sweetest disposition. Having turned four years of age on the second of March, Anna was a happy child who could charm William out of his most dour mood with one of her endearing smiles and a kiss to his cheek.

“Papa, Papa,” she had said putting her little arms about his neck and nuzzling her head into his chest only yesterday. “Please do not be gone too long, Papa. Dolly and I shall miss you. While you and Aunt Georgie are away, I will have no one to sing to me and tell me new stories. I cannot ask Nurse because her voice is scratchy and her songs do not sound pretty. She is good at reading stories from our books, but she never makes up new ones like you do.”

“Sweet one, I promise you I will come and see you as often as I can, and when I am finished with my business in Town, you and I shall meet Aunt Georgie at the seaside and have a lovely time. Would you like that?”

“Yes, Papa. Dolly and I would like that very much.”

Although he was saddened to be parted from his little Anna, it was far better for her to be in the country at this time of year as he continued his search for a wife in earnest. At least, that is what he had told himself when he agreed to his mother-in-law’s suggestions. As it was, he had been absent earlier in the season while getting Anna settled at Rosings Park and taking Georgiana on to the de Bourgh cottage at Ramsgate, where she would spend several weeks studying with a notable master who was residing there with family for most of the summer.

Now that it was early June, however, William was beginning to wonder if there would be enough time to find a woman who might meet his needs before Parliament adjourned at the end of July and the season came to a standstill. If he succeeded in finding a suitable wife, Anna need not grow up without a woman’s influence, as Georgiana did following Lady Anne’s death. He wanted his daughter to have a mother, and he desperately wanted a son. With those objectives in mind, William had determinedly entered this year’s marriage mart, hoping to be successful in his search. He therefore routinely left his cards, made his calls and had accepted countless invitations to events sponsored by prominent families who had eligible daughters.

Thus far, most women he had met were mainly interested in his wealth and position in society and would not make a good mother for Anna or a proper sister to Georgiana. Frustrated, William let out a huff and abruptly snapped shut the book he had been holding, thrusting it back on the shelf. Turning to leave, he was startled when he nearly collided with his cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam.

“Richard, what the deuce are you doing here?!”

“And hello to you, too, Cousin.” He chuckled, taking William’s protest in stride while holding up a copy of the latest War Journal. “As you can see, I happen to be here at Hatchards doing my father’s bidding and noticed you standing in the poetry section.”

William did not return his greeting, but instead gave him a pointed scowl.

“My, we are rather unpleasant today, are we not?”

“Richard, I am in no mood for your humour. I actually came here this afternoon with the intention of keeping my own counsel for a few hours. If you would be kind enough to oblige me, I would greatly appreciate it.”

“Ah, let me guess. Your mind is back in Kent and you are not as eager as you should be to resume your pursuit of beautiful young ladies who are yet available this season.”

“I would rather not discuss it,” William replied with annoyance.

“Cheer up. From what Mother says, there is still plenty of new blood for you to discover. From all reports next week’s charity ball is the talk of every gathering and there will be many eligible young ladies in attendance. Why, it is probably only second in popularity to the Prince Regent’s Grand Fête later this month.”

“So I have surmised.”

Smirking, he said, “According to Mother, some of her favourites will be in attendance.”

“Dare I ask who you are referring to?” William said impassively.

“Why, Mother’s god-daughter, Eleanor Deming and her younger sister Eliza, of course. No doubt there are countless others to consider, including the beautiful and talented Lady Clarissa Ashbourne, whose forty thousand pounds is not to be discounted. I hear she has not yet entered into a courtship.” Richard wiggled his eyebrows, attempting to make light of William’s doldrums. “Lady Clarissa was at Matlock House last week for dinner. Too bad you were unavailable; she is absolutely delightful.”

“I grant you she is very pleasant to look at, and plays divinely, but if truth be told, her conversation is lacking.”

“Conversation?!” Richard looked at William as though he had taken leave of his senses. “Darcy, the woman is perfectly amiable. Perhaps I should accompany you on your next outing and lend my expertise when it comes to beautiful, eligible women.”

“Richard, you may keep your counsel. I do well enough on my own.”

“If you say so,” he shrugged. “Nevertheless, I must admit I am curious to see the Deming sisters. With my commitment to the Crown, I have missed them on several occasions. Why, I do not believe I have seen them since my mother’s house party the summer before I left for Portugal. At that time they were quite lively, as I recall.” He chuckled. “Well, at least the younger sister was.”

“For my part I found them barely tolerable. The elder sister simpered and mooned about while the younger was incorrigible with her teasing and silly pranks. I mean no offense to your mother, but I hardly look forward to renewing the acquaintance.

“Cousin, the Deming sisters were but schoolgirls at the time. Miss Deming was quite lovely, and I found nothing objectionable in her demeanour.”

“She smiled too much.”

Richard laughed out loud at William’s feeble objection. “You are hopeless. As far as I am concerned, no woman ever smiles too much. Heavens! That is what they were made for, why, to please! I suppose Miss Eliza was a bit insolent, but I never took offense. Mother and Lady Deming have been friends for years, and with Lord Deming’s death the sisters have not been in society for some time. By the way, Mother is expecting us to step forward at her charity ball and has already placed our names on the sisters’ dance cards, not to mention several others.”

“Hrumph.”

“Mother also says Lady Deming’s relations from Hertfordshire will be coming to Town next week and will be in attendance. Apparently, two of her nieces are quite lovely and have been here since the end of April. For your information, rumour has it that both women have very sizeable dowries.”

Standing on the other side of the bookshelf, Elizabeth nearly choked when she heard this proclamation with regard to herself and Jane. Sizeable dowries, indeed! This must be Eliza’s doing with her not so subtle effort to find us husbands. Just wait until I confront her. That girl is positively worse than Lydia when it comes to spreading falsehoods.”

“I doubt if you are aware, but I have heard that your friend Bingley has become enamoured with the elder cousin, a Miss Jane Benton or something of the sort.” He chuckled in amusement. “I hear that bets are being taken at Whites as to when he will propose to his newest angel.”

William’s frown was telling. “Richard, her name is Bennet and tying himself to that woman does not bode well for Bingley, not in the least.”

“How so?”

“While I have yet to meet the women, as I understand it, the Bennet sisters are the eldest of five and have come from an estate that is entailed away from the female line. Contrary to what you heard, I have it on good authority that their portion is very small. Their father has been ill for some time and apparently the sisters came to Town in search of husbands.”

“I see. Now that does shed some unfavourable light on Bingley’s angel.”

“In my opinion, this situation could spell disaster for my lovesick friend should he suddenly find himself married and supporting a gaggle of women. Bingley has enough to contend with while attempting to leave behind his roots in Trade and secure his standing in our society along with that of his sister. As we both know, Bingley’s head is too easily turned by a pretty face. Perhaps I had best speak with him before things advance too far and he makes a commitment he will later regret.”

Elizabeth gasped at this proclamation, quickly covering her mouth and hoping that the gentlemen did not hear her—especially the disagreeable one with the deep voice. As the men continued to talk, Elizabeth knew she should ignore their conversation and walk away, but she could not bring herself to do so as her dearest sister was mentioned yet again, along with more speculation about her family’s situation. And to think, the one called Richard is the son of Lady Eleanor, a woman whom I admire and respect.

Squaring her shoulders and clutching her book firmly in her hands, she determinedly stepped around the end of the stacks so that she could clearly see who she was addressing. Arching an angry brow, Elizabeth stared with disgust at the two gentlemen.

“In-suf-fer-able!” she pointedly hissed, emphasising each syllable of her exclamation. “How dare you?! Why, the two of you are worse than old gossiping women.”

“You were listening to our conversation,” William stated, his face firmly fixed with an unpleasing scowl.

“How could I not hear when you each spoke loud enough for the whole of Piccadilly to take note?”

Colonel Fitzwilliam, clearly embarrassed, was quick to step forward. “Madam, forgive….”

Putting up her hand, she cut him off. Continuing to speak quietly, yet forcefully she said, “You need not apologise, sir. Your silence, along with that of your disagreeable cousin, would be a blessing. Believe me, I have heard quite enough. As for the charity ball, I plan to be in attendance. Let it be known here and now that I would not condescend to dance with either of you if you were the last men in all of England. Nor do I care to make your acquaintance if we should be so unfortunate as to be introduced at any other function during the rest of the season. Good day.”

Holding her head high and turning with indignation, Elizabeth walked straight to the front of the bookshop where Mrs. Gardiner was now waiting with her maid. As soon as she completed her transaction, the three women were on their way.

Stunned, Richard finally let out a low whistle and remarked, “Well, it seems the young lady was not pleased with our conversation.”

“She decidedly was not,” William grumbled as he watched the women leave the bookshop.

“I do not have a good feeling about this. Have you any idea who the lovely woman with the sharp tongue was? She looked vaguely familiar.”

“I most certainly do.” William answered curtly. “If I am not mistaken, I believe we have done quite an admirable job of insulting the sister of your mother’s goddaughter, Miss Eliza Deming.”

***

PS In case you are wondering, Elizabeth’s father and Lady Deming are twins. Eliza and Elizabeth happened to be born within a week of each other and bear a remarkable physical resemblance, though they are nothing alike in personality.

Mr. Darcy as a girl dad is the sweetest thing!! 🎀

I’m intrigued by the Deming sisters! I think they will be wonderful new additions. 😄

I love how Elizabeth gave such a well-deserved set-down… 👏🏼

 

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GIVEAWAY TIME!

Today Jennifer brings with her some lovely prizes for me to give away in celebration of her new release!!  5️⃣ ebooks of More Than Convenience for me to give away to some lucky winners!!! Whoop whoop! 

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

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

• This giveaway ends November 14th!