New JAFF release and a Giveaway and Excerpt for Her Affections and Wishes
House party? Parlor games? No Wickham? Darcy and Elizabeth get together early?
Her Affections and Wishes is out now and is set at Woodcote Park a month after Hunsford. Neither one is thrilled to be there—until they learn the other is also staying.
Below is an excerpt from when Darcy finally has a chance to talk to Elizabeth alone when they both find themselves at Woodcote Park. They're at an assembly where Darcy has danced every dance and finally gathered the courage to ask Elizabeth to dance with him.
When the dance brought them together again, she said, “I must tell you, I did not know you were invited to Woodcote Park. Your aunt thought she was doing me a favour by sending me along with Lady Metcalfe.”
“A favour?” he repeated. Lady Catherine did like to be of use, and be thanked for it, but Elizabeth did not know Lady Metcalfe or Mrs Tessier.
Elizabeth turned pink. “She hoped I would benefit from a wider acquaintance with the sort of people who attend the races, given how narrow my circle is and how many sisters I have.”
She meant Lady Catherine wanted her to find a husband, and what better opportunity than at a place where thousands of men would spend a week? There was some irony in their being at the same place, of course, given how lately he wanted to marry Elizabeth and how his aunt wanted him married to Anne—and how Elizabeth wanted to be married to anyone but him.
“In any event,” she said in a flustered tone whilst he mused in silence, “I would not have come if I had known you were invited. I would not wish to distress you.”
“I am not sorry to find you here,” he breathed.
They were now at the bottom, and the air between them felt heavy as she searched his eyes. “I must thank you for asking me to dance,” she finally said. “I know you are not fond of dancing at assemblies.”
There was a hint of archness in her voice that caught his notice. Did she know he had not wanted to be introduced to her in Meryton? She had said at Hunsford that from the first moment of their acquaintance that he had been arrogant, selfish, and conceited. The remembrance of his slight seemed to amuse her, but how could it not also have wounded her?
“I am not fond of dancing with strangers, but I am now taking the trouble to practise. However, you are no longer a stranger.”
She did not look affronted, only a little nervous. “I am glad to put all the awkwardness of this first meeting behind us. If you can smile and dance with me before the others, you can tolerate me for a week in the same house.”
“Tolerate you? Do you think I hate you?” he asked in some surprise. “I can only wonder at your hating me after…”
“Oh. No, no, I…” She took a calming breath and said in a whisper, “I can think of your former regard with gratitude, and forgive the…”
His heart raced. There was nothing “former” about his feelings, but he could not say that. Not when he knew she did not return them.
“The offensiveness of its expression?” he finished. “I am exceedingly sorry, Miss Bennet.”
She was too embarrassed to do more than nod, but the dance was now finished and he looked for Lady Metcalfe. He finally saw her coming from the stairs with Mr Travers. As he led Elizabeth over to them, he wondered where they had gone. She was a negligent chaperon, but perhaps she was only indifferent to Elizabeth whilst giving Julia the privacy to flirt at her leisure.
Before they reached Lady Metcalfe, he thanked Elizabeth for the dance and added, “If you will permit me, I will do what I can this week to earn your good opinion.”
He knew enough of her character that if she wanted nothing to do with him, she would say so to his face. However, although Lady Metcalfe and Mr Travers were near, she gave him a soft smile and nodded.
It was not an indifferent smile, but it was not one to encourage his hopes to anything more than her not hating him. It spoke to her generous character. He had not even endeavoured to please her when he asked to marry her, yet she did not hate him.
But could she ever love him?
Things will turn around real fast for Darcy, and he definitely has reason to hope that Elizabeth will like him. She's already well on her way to liking him, but there are other people at Woodcote Park looking to make a match.
This is a full-length, kissing only, JAFF Pride and Prejudice variation set after Hunsford.
Goodies Giveaway
One winner will get a signed paperback copy of Her Affections and Wishes, bookish pencils, and a love token they can give to someone just like Darcy gave to Elizabeth that reads "Always know how much I love you."
The giveaway is open through Friday, September 18 at midnight EST. Entrants must leave a comment on one of the blogs to enter. Winner must answer within 24 hours to accept their prize or another winner will be chosen. The contest is open worldwide.
Leave a comment and enter the giveaway! What do you think of variations where they get together early? How about stories with no Wickham? You can also visit Austenesque Reviews and From Pemberley to Milton for more chances to win.
I love when they realize they're attracted, but I don't want them together too soon.
No need to count me since I won a prize recently.
I’m ok when they get together early as long as they have some obstacles to overcome together, Look forward to learning more about this villain.
I love when they get together early or at least both realize their feelings towards each other early and there's a lot of flirting and maybe some kisses. I love new villians!
I tend to prefer when Darcy & Elizabeth don't get together too early, because I like a bit of a "chase" but I also don't like it if there is too much angst along the way because of too many misunderstandings. Not having Wickham sounds like a bonus!
I love it when Darcy and Elizabeth get together early but have to deal with obstacles. Having another villain that is not Wickham is refreshing. I found the Metcalfe mother and daughter extremely rude at first and later horrible.