Hi friends! Did you see the exciting news last week? ✨

Author Victoria Kincaid has just released a new book – Darcy and Elizabeth’s Charade!! 🥳

It’s been 3 years since we celebrated a new release from this beloved and prolific author – her most recent book, Spells and Shadows, was full of magic and mystery. 🤹🏻

And her new book sounds like it will be about a shared deception and a secret engagement… 💍

Victoria is stopping by to celebrate the release of Darcy and Elizabeth’s Charade! with an excerpt and giveaway! We hope you enjoy!  

Thank you for having me to visit. It’s a pleasure to be back!  Darcy and Elizabeth’s Charade is a new Pride and Prejudice variation in which ODC have a fake engagement. Some of my favorite romances use fake romance/fake engagement tropes. I’ve been thinking of a fake engagement plot for Darcy and Elizabeth for a while and finally found a scenario that works for them. It was so much fun to write, and I hope readers find it as much fun to read. Below is an excerpt from the beginning of the book when Elizabeth is trying to avoid the dastardly Viscount Harwood without offending him.

~ Book Description ~

When his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, insists that Mr. Darcy marry her daughter, he suggests he is secretly engaged. While escaping an unwanted persistent suitor, Elizabeth Bennet claims to have a secret fiancé. But when Darcy and Elizabeth meet in the garden at a London ball, their secrets converge and they decide to embark on a pretend engagement.

Darcy appreciates his false fiancée’s beauty and wit, regretting she does not have the connections and social standing he needs in a wife. However, as their charade progresses and their “engagement” becomes more public, he starts to have feelings for her that he must conceal.

Elizabeth never planned to marry after witnessing her parents’ less-than-successful union. She simply enjoys exploring London in Darcy’s company. He is handsome and a loyal friend, but they come from different worlds. She cannot expect more than friendship from him, even if she secretly wants more.

When circumstances threaten to separate them forever, both Elizabeth and Darcy must confront their true feelings for each other—and discover if their charade of love is actually the truth.

~ Excerpt from Darcy and Elizabeth’s Charade ~

“What amazingly good fortune to encounter you here!” The viscount’s smile was acquisitive.

Elizabeth mustered a semblance of a smile. “Your Lordship.” She curtsied. “I was just returning to the ballroom.”

“But you just departed from the ballroom.” He raised an eyebrow.

Elizabeth managed not to wince. What can I say to put him off? “Actually…I am waiting for someone.” He might avoid proposing if he expected witnesses.

The viscount frowned. “Who?”

Yes, who would she be awaiting? And why meet them outside? She would not arrange an assignation with her sister or Lady Sterling, and she was barely acquainted with anyone else at the ball.

Mr. Collins? Ugh.

The dark fury on the viscount’s countenance suggested he supposed her to be meeting a man—in secret.

How inappropriate. What a brilliant idea.

“My…fiancé.” The words escaped her mouth before she really considered them.

The viscount’s head jerked back. “You are engaged? Why did I not know?”

Yes. Why? Unless Elizabeth were betrothed to a footman, her mother would have trumpeted the news to the neighborhood. She looked away from him, holding herself very still. “It is…a sec-secret engagement. H-His family does not approve.”

His expression grew slightly less suspicious. The idea was plausible at least. Most wealthy families would be quite agitated if their son wed a woman with almost no dowry and little social standing.

Her behavior needed to reflect this implausible fantasy. Well, she had always been skilled at amateur theatricals. She covered her mouth with a gloved hand. “Oh! I should not have told you!” She cast her eyes downward as if in shame. “But I was so amazed to discover you here, it just burst from me! He will be angry.”

The viscount’s lips pressed together. He did not believe her ruse. “What is his name? Perhaps I know the man.”

“I cannot tell you. Please understand, Your Lordship,” She hated how her voice had taken on a shrill note.

The man closed the distance between them, sauntering in an unhurried way. Elizabeth backed up until she collided with a tree trunk.

“I must insist on knowing his name,” he said silkily. “I know all of the ton. I can tell you if his intentions are honorable, or if he is just a rakehell. Your parents would want me to have a care for you and your reputation.” He stalked closer. “Or perhaps this man does not exist.”

There were only a few inches of space between them. His breath was hot on her cheeks. Elizabeth licked dry lips and noticed he followed the movement. If he suspected her of lying to him, he might avenge himself on her family. Why proclaim such a stupid lie?

The French door behind the viscount clattered open, and the light from the house silhouetted a man’s shadow. Someone was exiting the ballroom into the garden.

She could not discern the man’s features and did not know his age. But she was desperate. He could be a scarred, elderly hunchback. Elizabeth slid from around the viscount and ran toward the silhouette. “My dear! At last, you have arrived!”

Goodness! I sound like a heroine in a gothic novel. But Viscount Harwood probably expects women to be overwrought. 

Elizabeth threw her arms around the strange man. He was tall, but she hit him with such force that he rocked back from the impact. He held his body rigidly against hers, but he did not push her away. Was that a sign of chivalry or lechery?

Standing on tiptoes, she whispered in the man’s ear, “Please help me escape the viscount!” Hopefully, he was not one of the viscount’s friends.

His posture remained rigid, but he curved one arm around her protectively. Thank heavens!Perhaps she was fortunate enough to find someone who also enjoyed amateur theatricals—or at least possessed a good sense of humor.

Or perhaps not. He frowned at her like a puzzle that needed to be solved.

The man was impeccably clothed. His coat fit like a glove and his waistcoat was embroidered in an intricate pattern with golden thread. His cravat was tied in an complex knot that Elizabeth could not name. Every piece of his wardrobe was pristine. He obviously paid his valet well.

Why would a man this high in the instep be inclined to help her? He might be protecting her out of chivalry, but such a wealthy man might fear a plot of entrapment. Yet, she had no choice but to continue the charade.

“Do not be angry with me, darling!” she said in a carrying voice. “The viscount took me quite by surprise, and I accidentally told him about our secret understanding.”

“Did you?” The man’s voice was deep and a little husky.

He turned his head so that the light from the ballroom fell upon it. Oh. Fortune had granted her a rather handsome rescuer. He had dark, wavy hair and regular, patrician features. His eyes sparkled with intelligence. Not that it mattered. She could be equally “engaged” to a man with a weak chin or protruding ears, but it did render her attachment more credible.

However, his mien would be more attractive if he did not scowl. Was it provoked by the current situation or was it his customary expression?

“I am sure he will hold our secret in confidence. Will you not, sir?” She turned toward the viscount, showing hopefulness on her face that they both knew was completely unwarranted.

The viscount stalked closer to them, glaring at the man she had embraced. “Darcy? Is what she says true?”

Elizabeth held her breath.

“It is.” The man sounded as if he could not conceive of someone doubting her. “But you understand why it must remain a secret.”

Inwardly, Elizabeth sighed in relief. At least it appeared that her rescuer was not already married. And now she knew his name was Mr. Darcy. Or was it Lord Darcy? What if she had importuned a duke? Somehow, importuning nobility was even more inappropriate. Elizabeth was suddenly lightheaded. Was this actually happening?

The viscount sneered. “Naturally. She has no connections. Your family would never accept her. Where did you first encounter her?”

Mr. Darcy’s posture somehow became even more proper, an impressive feat indeed. “That is hardly your business, Harwood.” His voice was dismissive. He must indeed be an exceedingly wealthy man or of high rank. It took some audacity to utter such words to a viscount.

Mr. Darcy glanced down at Elizabeth. “We must speak before I am missed.” When the viscount did not move, he gave him a haughty stare. “If you will excuse us.”

Wow…way to save a damsel in distress, Mr. Darcy… I quite approve!! 🎩

Elizabeth is quite lucky for his timely rescue – she was in a desperate situation. I wonder what the viscount will do now… 😯

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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Today, Victoria brings with her ONE Ebook copy of Darcy and Elizabeth’s Charade for me to give away to ONE lucky winner!

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

• This giveaway is open worldwide.  Thank you, Victoria!
• This giveaway ends October 31st!