Hi friends! Happy Friday!

It is such a treat to welcome back author Amy D’Orazio to Austenesque Reviews today! 😊

Amy just celebrated the release of her newest book – An Error of Fancy – yesterday! ✨

Today Amy stops by to share an enticing excerpt from An Error of Fancy  and an exciting giveaway opportunity!  

We hope you enjoy! 

~ Book Description ~

It feels like the end of all I have ever known.

ELIZABETH BENNET DOES NOT EXPECT on a fine April morning in the gardens of Rosings Park, to have her entire world utterly destroyed by a letter. But Jane’s few desperate lines change everything, and when Mr Darcy comes upon her pale and trembling in the Hunsford parsonage later that evening, Elizabeth must choose between her pride and the only man who can help her most beloved sister.

JANE IS IN LONDON, DESPERATELY FACING not only her own ruination but that of her entire family, Elizabeth included. The only solution is to find Mr Bingley—who has forgotten her very existence—and make him marry her. And the only person who can do that is Mr Darcy whom Elizabeth has spent the last six months despising.

THROWN TOGETHER WITH A COMMON GOAL a peculiar sort of courtship ensues: a carriage journey through a spring dawn; brandy at Gracechurch Street; a walk through Cheapside with the world at its worst; a duel threatened and a proverbial dragon, against all odds, slain. Darcy offers Elizabeth everything—his name, his protection, and his love—and she, who does not yet love him, must decide whether her overwhelming gratitude can become something greater.

But beneath the crisis that brought them together lies a secret neither of them knows. And when the truth emerges on what should be the happiest day of both Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s lives, they will discover that the foundation of their marriage is not what they thought it was.

An Error of Fancy is a Pride and Prejudice Variation.

~ Excerpt from An Error of Fancy ~

Darcy received Bingley the next day as a parson might receive the penitent. A sheaf of papers was produced and examined, and his nod given to show approval. “It seems all that remains is to ask the lady, then,” he said, and Bingley nodded.

“Will you attend me to Gracechurch Street?” Bingley asked, a small note of uncertainty in his voice.

“I shall,” Darcy agreed.

“And Darcy, will you…will you stand up with me?”

After a beat, Darcy nodded slowly. “Yes, I will.”

It was not half an hour later that they presented themselves at the Gardiners’ door. Mrs Gardiner had been obliged to go out, Mrs Miller informed him; Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet would receive the two men in the parlour.

When he had returned Elizabeth to Gracechurch Street the night prior, he had told her that she might expect them in the late afternoon; and so it was. She and Jane were seated by the fireplace, away from the sofa by the window that she generally favoured. She will be mine, he thought, hugging the delicious notion to himself. He wondered if she had shared the news with her sister or her aunt. He hoped she had; there was a small part of him that still mistrusted his own joy.

Her eyes were trained on Bingley when the two men entered. When she turned her attention to Darcy, he saw it—relief that he had come with his friend and gratitude towards him for doing so. One day he hoped and prayed for far more than gratitude, but for now, gratitude would do.

He walked to the window and stood with his back to it, watching as his friend took the fore. He had thought, after reflection the night prior, that Bingley would manage it tolerably. He had underestimated the degree to which Bingley’s eloquence, which was considerable in ordinary social intercourse, abandoned him entirely under conditions of emotional distress. He listened quietly as Bingley stuttered and stumbled and asked after Miss Bennet’s health.

“She has been ill, Mr Bingley,” said Elizabeth, a note of soft disdain in her voice. “As I am certain you can see.”

“Y-yes,” Bingley agreed, flushing red. “Yes, and I am sorry to see it.”

A moment too late, Miss Bennet said, “Thank you.”

There was a pained silence.

“A-and I am sorry for things…for the other things…I daresay you comprehend how things…well.” Bingley rubbed his hand on the back of his neck. “Perhaps, Miss Elizabeth, you would be so good as to—”

“In fact, no, I will not,” she said, to Darcy’s surprise. “You are clearly finding it difficult to come to the point, sir, so perhaps we might ease the way with a bit of honesty.”

“Honesty?” Bingley echoed.

“Yes,” she said firmly. “I know, and Jane knows, that you do not wish to do what it is you are about to do. A delayed sense of responsibility, enforced not by your own conscience but by the gentlemanly honour of your friend, has compelled you forth. For now it is enough, but I trust you will understand me when I tell you that I do expect that you will be a faithful, loyal, and loving husband and a most excellent father.”

“I will,” Bingley said quickly.

“You must.” She leant forwards then, and upon her face came nothing less than pure fire, burning fury for what the last months had done to her and to her most beloved sister. Bingley drew back, clearly seeing it for himself as well. “Because if you do not, Mr Bingley, Mr Darcy’s pistol will be the least of your concerns. I will be upon you with the rage of Lyssa. I will poison your soup and infect your small clothes with lice. I will pour honey on that damnable rod of yours and toss you on an anthill. In other words, I will settle things in the manner of a vengeful sister, not a gentleman, and you, sir, will pray for the charm of a bullet’s escape.”

Darcy swallowed and tried not to laugh. Bingley appeared nothing short of terrified, and Elizabeth had never looked more beautiful. Again, the wonder of it struck him. She will be mine.

“I-I promise to you, most earnestly, that I shall be an excellent husband and father,” said Bingley. “You need never worry on that score.”

“I am delighted that we understand one another.” She smiled prettily and rose to her feet. “I shall join Mr Darcy by the window and permit you some privacy to ask your question.”

Brava, Lizzy! I love seeing her be a “fearsome thing to behold!” 😄

This premise seems to explore a very unique Jane and Mr. Bingley storyline…I’m curious to see how it all plays out… 📖

Thank you so much for sharing, Amy! Congrats on your lovely new release! 🙌🏼

~~~

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

In conjunction with Amy’s lovely visit, Quills & Quartos is giving away  copies of An Error of Fancy 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 June 30th.