A Most Natural Consequence Excerpt and Giveaway
- Heather Moll
- 18 hours ago
- 5 min read
I'm excited that A Most Natural Consequence came out last week! Scroll for an excerpt from this forced marriage scenario where they agree to work together to make their marriage a success... and deal with a villainous Wickham and fall in love at the same time.
They’re trying to navigate an unexpected marriage. But blackmail, lies, and their own insecurities could wreck their happily ever after…
Elizabeth is in Ramsgate with her mother and Kitty and Lydia at the same time as Darcy, Wickham, and Georgiana.
Below is an excerpt from when Lydia has run off with Wickham from Ramsgate and Elizabeth is alone and desperate for someone to help recover her. She's learned from Darcy that Wickham might not be what he seems and wants to convince her mother that
Her mother sniffled into a handkerchief. “At least she will be married. She will write to us when it has taken place.”
“But Mr Darcy says Wickham has no money at all. His choice is disinterested at least, for he knows my father can give her nothing.” Horror and anxiety washed over her. “Mamma, what if he does not intend to marry her?”
“Of course he will,” her mother cried. “Such a charming man could never act like a villain.”
After what Darcy hinted at, she feared he could. But how was Lydia to be found before anyone knew she was gone? Her hands shook and she could scarcely breathe. Her mother would not act; she wanted her daughter married at any cost. She had no one to help her bring Lydia home before her reputation was lost or she was forced to preserve that reputation with an imprudent marriage.
The door to the breakfast room opened, and the maid showed in Darcy. To his credit, he took in the room and looked immediately as though he wished to quit it.
“I, I am sorry to intrude. I was looking for my sister. I thought to meet Georgiana for breakfast, but she was not home. Her maid said she and Mrs Younge were gone for the day but did not know where. I thought perhaps she came here to talk over the evening with her friends, but I can see…”
He could see they were in the midst of some disaster, but only bowed and wished them a good day. But there was no one else who could advise her. She did not expect consolation, but Darcy might know something of Wickham’s movements and know how to proceed. She sprang to the door and shut it, keeping the maid outside and drawing Darcy apart from her mother and Kitty.
Hopefully, her inclination to trust him proved right. “My youngest sister has eloped—has thrown herself into the power of Mr Wickham.”
He blew out a breath and gave her a grave look. “And what has been attempted to recover her?”
She sighed in relief. This is what she needed, someone decisive and with equanimity, someone not inclined to inaction or panic. “They were off sometime near dawn, and she was not noticed missing until nine. We just learnt of it before you came in. We are anxious to be assured the marriage will take place—”
A shadow crossed his eyes, and the ember of hope in her heart burnt out. “You do not think that he will marry her.”
Her mother must have heard, because she wailed. She wished Jane was here to comfort her. Elizabeth had to act; there was no time for tears, even though she felt them welling in her eyes.
“I am sorry,” Darcy said, “but there is reason to fear they are not gone to Scotland. But I can go to the coaching inn and trace their progress to London.”
Before she could thank him, Kitty said, “Lydia was never at the coaching inn.” Kitty was now eager to be helpful. “They left Ramsgate separately. Wickham told her to walk to Margate, to the Royal Hotel, and he would meet her at six, but she was to wait in case he could not get away when he wished. They could not be seen leaving Ramsgate together, you know.”
“He made her walk six miles, carrying a bag in the dark, alone?” Darcy mused aloud. “And she still wanted to marry him?”
If she did not direct her thoughts on protecting Lydia, she might laugh at his being appalled at the disrespectful manner of Wickham’s elopement plans. If Darcy ever ran off with a woman, he would place the ladder under her window himself. She wanted to laugh, but it was not funny. She was only overwrought, and her emotions ran wild. Thank goodness Darcy was here.
“Of course she did,” said her mother. “Lydia wants to be married, and Wickham must marry her. Oh, Mr Darcy, will you follow them and make them marry?”
What a mortifying entreaty. Elizabeth expected him to refuse. But when he turned from her mother, he whispered to her, “Do you agree recovering her and returning her to her friends is for the best?” She nodded, and so he announced to her mother, “I can trace them easily to London and see if they stayed there or went on to Scotland.”
“They could have stayed in town to marry privately?”
Darcy shook his head. “I think he used your daughter to fund his escape from Ramsgate. I am certain he has debts to shopkeepers and debts of honour, and he will leave Miss Lydia and ultimately marry someone with a fortune.”
Mrs Bennet cried again. “That cannot be true! You must follow them and make certain they marry!”
Elizabeth clutched his hand. He looked at her in complete surprise, but did not draw away. “I have to recover Lydia before she is ruined. Please, Mr Darcy. I have no right to ask you, but he cannot support her and you have concerns about his character and—” Her voice caught. “And I have no one else to help me.”
“I should have—I truly did not think he would do such a thing.” He suddenly looked weary. “You need not ask because I offer my help in finding her. Are we in agreement that no matter what your mother says, the goal is to prevent her marriage and recover her before anyone knows she is gone?” She agreed. “We can find her, but how do we conceal her leaving Ramsgate?”
His use of “we” struck her. She no longer felt alone in this dreadful situation. She would not have chosen Darcy to help her, but now that he was here, the state no longer felt out of control.
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What do you think of forced marriage romances? What is Wickham up to here in Ramsgate? How do you think Darcy will help?
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