Hi friends! Happy Friday!

I’m so excited to welcome back the super busy and wonderfully prolific Amy D’Orazio!

If you remember, Amy was here just two weeks ago with another new release she co-authored with Jessie Lewis… 📕

Amy is over here making us all look so unproductive! 😄

In the midst of all her busyness, Amy is stopping by today to share an excerpt from ! 

We hope you enjoy! 

~ Book Description ~

When Mr Darcy discovers Elizabeth Bennet’s true feelings, he’s grateful the ill-fated proposal he had planned to make in Kent was stopped. But as the London Season drags on, he realizes the truth: he cannot be happy without her. Determined to become the man worthy of her regard, he returns to Hertfordshire with a singular purpose—to win her heart.

If only it were that simple. Darcy has indeed reformed himself, tempering his pride and learning humility, but Elizabeth’s wounded feelings and lingering resentment cannot be overcome in a day. Just as she begins to see the changes in him and tentatively accept his friendship, a host of new obstacles emerge to test them both.

Meddling relations with their own agendas interfere at the worst possible moments. Well-meaning friends offer advice that only complicates matters further. Most troublesome of all is a rival suitor—charming, persistent, and determined to claim Elizabeth for himself—who seems to appear whenever Darcy and Elizabeth draw close.

Yet Darcy perseveres, and slowly, painfully, Elizabeth’s heart begins to soften. Just when happiness seems within their grasp and all misunderstandings appear resolved, malicious gossip begins to circulate about Elizabeth’s character and reputation. The whispers threaten not only her standing in society but Darcy’s as well, forcing them both to confront an agonizing question: can their love survive such a scandal, or will propriety and duty destroy their chance at a future together forever?

Officious Interference is a low angst novel length Pride and Prejudice variation. Set in the regency era, this tale is an enemies to lovers second chance romance that includes a love triangle and a scandalous elopement. The content is closed-door.

Enemies to lovers romance – pining/unrequited love – interference of meddling friends and relatives- class differences – false accusations, gossip, scandal – ruined reputation – jealous friend/villain – love triangle

~ Excerpt from Officious Interference ~

Elizabeth could not imagine what had possessed Mr Darcy to behave as he had at the card table. Another sort of lady might have developed expectations of him for such attention. How odd that he should be so forward!

Casting her eye towards Miss Bingley, however, Elizabeth thought she understood it. He was alone at Netherfield with Mr Bingley and his sister, and no doubt Miss Bingley believed it was for her that he came. Likely he wished to show her that she ought not to have designs on him.

His actions on the conclusion of their card game could only confirm this. While Miss Bingley was in conversation with Sir James, Mr Darcy rose, saying, “Miss Elizabeth, would you allow me to retrieve a drink for you?”

She nodded and rose as well, and they moved towards the refreshment table.

“They seem to get along very well,” he said as they went.

“Miss Bingley and Sir James?” Elizabeth considered that a moment. “Perhaps so.”

Sir James needed a wealthy bride—he had mentioned planned renovations of his country house which would be helped along by a wife’s dowry—but he was such a kind man, she could not bear to see him attached to a lady who was…not. Perhaps Miss Bingley’s disposition will improve once she is married.

Mrs Goddard came to Elizabeth almost as soon as she put a glass of wine to her lips. “Miss Elizabeth, I believe I must entreat you with a request for some music this evening.”

“There are so many here far more talented than I am.” Elizabeth smiled at the lady. “And for a certainty, they are all better practised.”

“But I have thought nearly incessantly of the song you sang so beautifully last week when you were here—was it Thursday?—and I would so love to hear it again.”

“I do not believe I rightly remember what I sang.” Elizabeth smiled again, this time more apologetically, hoping that her hostess would have someone else perform.

Mrs Goddard laughed lightly and addressed Mr Darcy. “I am fortunate that Miss Elizabeth does not begin to refuse invitations to my parties. With so little in the way of musical talent here, we are unrelenting in our demands of her. That is likely why she is unable to determine exactly which song I mean—we have imposed upon her so often, there are quite a few possibilities.”

“Miss Elizabeth is a charming performer,” Mr Darcy replied. “I have rarely heard anything which gave me greater pleasure than it does to hear her.”

Discomfiture burst out of her in a bubbling laugh. “After such flattery, sir, I can do nothing but disappoint!”

“You could never disappoint me,” he replied with quiet ardour. It made her cease laughing at once, though a prickling hot blush rose in its stead. He held a steady, dark gaze on her, and she was powerless for a moment, locked within it.

Clearing her throat, she turned to Mrs Goddard and began humming little pieces of songs she knew, hoping to discover which the lady most desired to hear. As they spoke, Mr Darcy refilled her wine for her. He seemed disinclined to leave, which further discomposed her. My playing will be worse than ever if this continues.

The song having been identified, Mrs Goddard moved away and Elizabeth thanked Mr Darcy for the wine, turning in the direction of the instrument. He further surprised her then, saying, “I will turn the pages for you.”

“That is unneeded,” she said. “They do not have the music here, but happily it is a song I know by heart.”

“But they will undoubtedly prevail upon you to play another, and in that case, I will be ready to assist you.”

With a nod she assented. What choice did she have, really? Mr Darcy truly was behaving so very oddly! It seemed he was going to great lengths to keep Miss Bingley at bay.

I love how Elizabeth is interpretting Mr. Darcy’s interest as him just trying to prove a disinclination for Miss Bingley! 😄

We will have to see what she thinks when Mr. Darcy gets bolder… 🥰

~~~

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

In conjunction with Amy’s lovely visit, Quills & Quartos is giving away  copies of Officious Interference to  lucky readers of this blog. 

 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 February 28th.