I’m delighted to welcome Cassandra Grafton back to Diary of an Eccentric. Today she will be sharing an excerpt from A Quest for Mr. Darcy, which will be released tomorrow, and a very generous giveaway that fans of Jane Austen and Mr. Darcy will not want to miss!
First, here’s the blurb for A Quest for Mr. Darcy:
Fitzwilliam Darcy is on a quest. Convinced he is over his foolish infatuation with Elizabeth Bennet, he returns from a year of travelling with a plan, both to protect the estate of which he is guardian and to ensure his sister’s happiness: he intends to do his duty and secure a wife at the earliest opportunity.
Duty; a path from which Darcy knows he should never have been diverted. Duty was safe and nothing would persuade him from it a second time.
Soon restored to his home in Derbyshire, Darcy puts his quest in motion, preparing to welcome guests from Town, one of whom is the suitably eligible young lady he has earmarked as his future wife.
But what of the Bennets of Longbourn? What befell them in Darcy’s absence from England? And what of the new tenants on his estate named Bennet? Is his path fated to cross with Elizabeth’s once more?
With the addition of his friend, Bingley’s, mischievous twin younger sisters, letters from a stranger and a shadowy figure lurking in the grounds of Pemberley, Darcy’s life is about to be turned upside down
Can he remain steady to his purpose, or will his carefully laid plans soon be in tatters as the rigid protection he has placed around his heart begins to falter?
Check out A Quest for Mr. Darcy on Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Kobo
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Please enjoy this excerpt from A Quest for Mr. Darcy, courtesy of Cassandra Grafton
‘As you can see from the story blurb, Darcy has been travelling for a year and is now back in London set upon his quest to find a wife. This excerpt is from Chapter Three.’ ~ Cassandra
Chapter Three
Once he had broken his fast the following morning, Darcy repaired to his study where he found it difficult to settle, eyeing the small pile of still unopened post on his blotter unenthusiastically. His gaze drifted to the silver salver beside it. He had been back little more than four and twenty hours before calling cards were being handed in by those anxious to reinstate their connection with him. Lifting the card on the top, he studied the embossed name thoughtfully, then turned it over to read the few words penned on the reverse.
Latimer was keen to see him, and Darcy suspected the purpose behind his prompt presentation of his card: his daughter must remain unshackled. But then, what did it signify? Was this not precisely what he sought?
Fitzwilliam had the right of it. He was a single man in want of a wife. Miss Latimer would suffice as well as any other – was she not well educated, of impeccable lineage and with nothing but the common civilities to say for herself? Yes; she would suit him very well.
Darcy dropped Latimer’s card onto the desk and began sifting through the post to determine if any might warrant his attention, but just then a quick rap came on the door as Bingley’s head peered around it, and Darcy happily tossed the letter aside and got to his feet.
‘Good morning, Darcy! I cannot tell you how splendid it is to see you behind your desk once more.’ Bingley came to shake the proffered hand, beaming widely. ‘Pagett will berate me, for in my eagerness to see you I dodged around his stately progress!’
Darcy laughed, waving his friend into a seat. ‘You look in fine spirits. Are you well?’
Bingley leaned back in his seat, crossing his legs at the ankles. ‘I shall not complain; though I would berate the length of your absence. You were missed beyond measure, and it is not only I who delights in your return. It was merely a spark of ingenuity which permitted my escape from Hurst’s house without Caroline attached to my coat tails.’
So Miss Bingley remained at home. Darcy almost shrugged. Though he had forsaken love, he was not quite so desperate!
‘We have much to catch up on, Bingley. Will you join us, take up your usual rooms?’
There was silence for a moment and then, to Darcy’s surprise, his friend leapt from his seat and walked over to the window.
Darcy frowned. ‘There is no obligation – do not feel under duress.’
Bingley swung around. ‘No – no, it is nothing of the sort. I am merely—‘ he ran a hand through his unruly hair.
‘You wished to speak to me – you are troubled?’
Bingley’s air was unusually serious. ‘I have long reflected in your absence on the correct direction to follow – yet always I desired your counsel, and thus my deliberations have come to nothing.’ He waved a hand at the painting of Pemberley above the mantel as he walked back across the room. ‘I have been considering my estate. I am a poor tenant of it. Should I give it up?’
‘And what then? You were determined to purchase and not leave it to the next generation.’
‘Indeed, I was.’ Bingley sank back into his chair. ‘I did like Netherfield, very much. But I do wonder if its attraction was enhanced by the local populace.’
Darcy shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He had long owned responsibility for separating his friend from Elizabeth’s sister, though he had kept it to himself. ‘Then, perhaps,’ he hesitated, unsure of his motive. ‘Should you not relinquish the lease, seek an establishment elsewhere?’
‘Well, there is the rub of it.’ Bingley ran a hand through his hair again. ‘I must now consider my sisters’ needs; all of my sisters’ needs. I have deliberated long and hard, yet I fail to reach a conclusion which delivers satisfaction for all.’
Darcy leaned back in his seat, eyeing his friend’s conflicted countenance. ‘Tell me.’
Bingley sighed. ‘Well, here it is: the twins have completed their formal education under their governess and are presently awaiting entrance into the same seminary Louisa and Caroline attended in London, where they will duly receive the finishing touches to their accomplishments.’ He laughed ruefully. ‘Though I believe they will present a greater challenge to their tutors than my other sisters!’
Darcy smiled. He had heard sufficient tales from Bingley of the twins’ exploits to understand he made no exaggeration.
‘So,’ his friend continued, ‘they will be here in Town whilst being tutored and thus residing in Grosvenor Street during the holidays. The former is what feeds my disquiet; the latter does likewise to my sisters.’
‘How so?’
Bingley released a slow breath. ‘I am reluctant to place Olivia and Viola in an establishment renowned for turning young girls into what my other sisters have become. I cannot bear to think of their merry natures being crushed or their joy of life constrained into oppressive formality, though I suppose it is almost inevitable.’
With Bingley’s countenance expressive of his concern, Darcy knew not what to say by way of comfort.
‘But can you imagine, Darcy, how the thought of having the twins in their home for any duration is being received by the Hursts and Caroline, let alone my younger sisters themselves?’
‘And Netherfield? Should you return and take up residence, it is conveniently situated for Town and the perfect home for the girls when not being prepared for the demands of formal society. But what of Julia? She is full young yet, is she not?’
‘Indeed.’ Bingley nodded. ‘She will return to Scarborough to complete her formal education at home, by which time I am certain Cousin Margaret will be well once more. As for Netherfield, though it would serve the twins well when they are not under tuition, Caroline would, as a consequence, have to return to run the household. I am certain you can imagine how they all feel on such a matter!’
Darcy comprehended his friend’s difficulty. Though he had rarely been in company with the twins, Miss Bingley had made no secret of her dislike for her younger half-sisters when they had made a brief appearance at Netherfield, and she frequently complained of them to her brother in Darcy’s presence. As for Miss Bingley’s liking or otherwise for Hertfordshire, he doubted it had undergone much alteration since she left with such obvious satisfaction in the year eleven.
‘The stability of a home with you at Netherfield must be preferable for the younger girls, and being cooped up together in a town house in London is unlikely to satisfy any of the family. In Hertfordshire there are ample opportunities to partake of the country pursuits. Would not the size of the property secure Miss Bingley some solitude?’
Bingley threw his friend a keen glance. ‘Caroline could allocate a part of the house to the twins and keep to as many other rooms as she wished, you mean?’
Precisely. Darcy shook his head. ‘Not at all.’
Bingley sat up slowly in his seat. ‘I do not know if it will answer, but it does offer a more palatable solution than we have at present. Besides, I do wonder…’ he met Darcy’s gaze. ‘I do think I ought to pay a visit… to Netherfield.’ He fixed his friend with a determined stare. ‘I can avoid it no longer; I must speak of it. You recall the Bennet family and my tendresse for the eldest daughter?’
Tension began to seep into Darcy’s shoulders, but he refused to pay it any mind, waiting for Bingley to continue.
‘Well, then. I will own I fear bringing unease upon the lady. You said Miss Bennet was indifferent to me. My removing myself from the neighbourhood must have brought considerable relief. If I now return, will she fear I might renew my attentions?’
Darcy stirred in his seat again. ‘You assume she remains at home. It is nigh on two years since your brief sojourn in Hertfordshire. The lady may well have found an establishment.’
Bingley slumped back in his seat, his skin paling. Was it as Darcy had feared? Did his friend remain affected, even after all this time?
Yet he, Darcy, had recovered from his foolish admiration for the lady’s sister, had he not, and had sworn to think on her no more? Thus, the sooner his friend made a decision, the better for all.
‘Then shall we not go directly?’
Bingley looked startled. ‘Now? This very day?’
‘Why ever not?’ Darcy glanced at the clock on the mantel. ‘It is a ride of but a few hours and the weather holds fair. We could stay overnight, assess the estate on the morrow, and be gone from the neighbourhood within four and twenty hours. If you are at leisure?’
Bingley got to his feet. ‘I am at leisure all too often, my friend; all too often!’
Returning to Hertfordshire had never been part of Darcy’s expectation but he got to his feet determined. The sooner the visit was paid, the better, and what finer evidence was there to prove his distance this past year had been the effective cure for putting the past firmly where it belonged?
~o0o~
Shepherding Bingley into action took longer than Darcy had foreseen, and they had barely reached Hertfordshire before dusk fell. They passed what remained of the evening in a small sitting room, having been served a hastily prepared dish of soup by one of two custodian servants, their conversation touching on many things pertaining to the house and the twins, but never on the family who lived but three miles across the parkland.
The following morning dawned clear and bright, and Darcy took the opportunity to walk out into the grounds. The air was fresh and the prospect pleasing as he approached the area of woodland forming the boundary between the park and the lane as it wound its way towards Meryton.
Reaching the far wall, Darcy leaned on the stone stile and stared thoughtfully into the distance. The spectre of Elizabeth hovered in the air, taunting and tantalising – out of reach yet ever present. He had not anticipated it here at Netherfield, and though he did not welcome it, he had no power to expunge it. He stood even now at the very spot where he had met her on the morning she sought news of her sister’s health, and she appeared before him as clearly as though it were yesterday.
Darcy released a frustrated breath. ‘Be gone,’ he muttered, turning away from the boundary wall. He needed to concentrate on their reason for being there, and to ensure their departure today was timely.
He walked back across the parkland, his eye now fixed upon the house. It had a pleasing aspect and was in excellent condition for a property leased out since it had been built but five and twenty years ago. Should Bingley retain it; purchase it, even, and make a much-needed home for himself and his younger sisters, or should he give it up?
This morning would perhaps bring a solution. They had agreed to ride out and tour the park and the remainder of the estate and, determined to hasten a decision so he could remove himself swiftly from the memories curling around him like ever thickening wisps of smoke, Darcy picked up his pace and returned to the house.
~o0o~
Some hours later, Darcy and Bingley turned their mounts away from the furthest boundary of the estate and began to ride back towards the house. Their tour of the land had been somewhat circuitous, with any foray in the direction of the Bennets’ home neatly avoided.
Yet, as they made their way along the lane and neared Netherfield once more, Darcy realised they were perilously close to Longbourn.
‘I say, Darcy,’ Bingley hailed his friend as they reached a junction in the road which would determine their course.
Darcy turned in the saddle. ‘You wish to make a call.’
Bingley would attribute the disinclination in his voice to an entirely inaccurate cause, but it suited his purpose. His reluctance to truly test his mettle in Elizabeth’s company was his concern alone — should she even remain at home.
Bingley drew his mount to a halt next to Darcy. ‘You will not accompany me. I understand. Yet I wish to call and pay my respects. When I went away in the year eleven, I took no proper leave of the family. I do not intend to make Miss Bennet-’ he hesitated. ‘Should Miss Bennet remain at home, I have no desire to make her uncomfortable, but I do feel duty – and honour – bound to do what I could not back then.’
Darcy shifted in his saddle. ‘As you wish. You may have my support if you so desire, but if you would prefer to attend alone…’ he hesitated. ‘I was never well received by any of the family.’
Bingley threw him an unreadable glance. ‘I think it was fairly reciprocal, old man.’
Darcy acknowledged the hit. ‘Then if you will excuse me, I shall continue on to Netherfield and await your return.’
With a touch of his hat, Bingley turned his mount, branched left at the junction and set off at a canter towards the gates to Longbourn.
For a moment, Darcy watched his friend. Why this sudden and irrational urge to follow him? With a tug at the reins, he turned his mount to the right. This was no time for self-indulgence. Staying away would clearly answer for Elizabeth and her family having an easier time of it during Bingley’s visit. His friend had the right of it; he, Darcy, had displayed no inclination for the company of the family in the past, and they none for his, and the sentiment was unlikely to have undergone any alteration in his absence.
~o0o~
Darcy returned to the house quite out of countenance but reluctant to own it. No resurgence of memories would be permitted to undermine the newly-found peace he had acquired; yet he could feel himself weakening and was gaining a devil of an ache in his brow from attempting to prevent it. The sooner Bingley returned and they headed back to Town the better. Any qualms he suffered over what news his friend might bring of Elizabeth and her present marital status he rigidly silenced. What was it to him anyway?
Barely had he set foot in the entrance hall, having returned to the house through the boot room, when he came face to face with a middle-aged woman who let out a shriek.
‘Oh, my dear sir! Such a fright you did give me!’
‘Forgive me, madam.’ It was Bingley’s former housekeeper, and Darcy racked his memory for a name. He could not recall exchanging a single word with her during his earlier stay – he had left such pleasures to his friend and his sisters.
‘Mr Bingley wished to visit the house for a brief period. We will be returning to Town directly, and thus he felt no need to recall the household servants.’
The woman before him looked disapproving. ‘All the same, sir, I would have appreciated the opportunity to ensure the provision of adequate meals and a warm fireplace by which to sit. The house is cold from lack of use.’
Could she not leave him in peace to indulge his aching head? ‘Perhaps you could address your concerns to Mr Bingley on his return from Longbourn.’
The woman paled visibly, a hand shooting to her throat. ‘Oh dear! Oh dear me!’
Darcy was intrigued despite himself. ‘What is it? What ails you – here, perhaps you should be seated.’
He waved the housekeeper onto a nearby settle, and she all but fell onto it.
‘Oh, Mr Darcy, sir!’ Clearly, she had a better recall of names than he. ‘This is no way for the master to find out.’
An icy hand took hold of Darcy. ‘Find out what, madam?’
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Connect with Cassandra Grafton via Blog | Facebook | Twitter
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Giveaway
Cass is generously offering an assortment of goodies to one lucky reader: an ebook or paperback (winner’s choice) of A Quest for Mr. Darcy, an ‘I’d Rather Be at Pemberley’ mirror, a ‘Mrs. Darcy’ badge, a set of 20 Jane Austen bookplates, and a silver Jane Austen silhouette charm, all in an ‘I’d Rather Be at Pemberley’ tote bag!
This giveaway is open internationally. To enter, please leave a comment with your email address and tell us, now that you’ve had a peek, what makes you most excited about reading this book.
This giveaway will close on Thursday, June 29, 2017. The winner will be chosen randomly and announced in the comments section of this post. Good luck!
Thank you so much, Cass, for sharing the fantastic excerpt and giveaway! I can’t wait to find out what happens next, and hope you’ll visit again soon!
Oh boy! I knew Cassandra was working on this one and the hints I saw now and then had me interested. But wow!!! I was so into that excerpt that I am definitely ready for more. 🙂
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So happy you are keen for more, Sophia! ❤
Good luck in the draw!
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Heavens! What on earth has happened at Longbourn? And just how many sisters does Bingley have? I can see his point about not wanting the younger ones to turn out like Louisa and Caroline.
Well something drastic needs to happen to stop Darcy from doing his ‘duty’ as he needs to marry Elizabeth. I can’t wait to find out what it is.
Thank you for sharing this excerpt and for the generous giveaway.
glyniswhitelegg (at) gmail (dot) com
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Good luck in the draw, Glynis!
I hope you enjoy the story when it comes out!
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Thank you for the amazing chapter read.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
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So pleased you enjoyed it, Mary!
Good luck in the draw!
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Thank you so much for hosting me today, Anna! ❤ Much appreciated!
(No need to enter me in the draw – tee hee!!!!) 😀
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I am so lazy with leaving my email so gotta buckle down now so I have a chance
booksforlife01 at gmail dot com
Well duh, obvi it is the tennant named Bennet things! 😀 That is what I wanna know
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LOL, blodeuedd!
Good luck in the draw!
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What I am most excited to see is how both Darcy and Bingley meet their true lady loves and end up with their HEA’s. And what would that be without the trials and angst they encounter and surmount along the way.
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Forgot to leave my email:
skamper25 at gmail dot com
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I’m hoping the trials and angst are up to scratch, Debbie!
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I watched this story unfold on Cass’ blog and each chapter was eagerly anticipated and savored. I can’t wait to read the final edition and dive into the story all over again. I usually wait a year between re-reads, but not this time. I am so excited to hop back into this story
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Aww, thank you, Lauren! ❤️
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As I haven’t been following the story on Cassandra’s blog, I am intrigued about the fate of the Bennets. What drove them to be a tenant in Derbyshire? It leaves me clamming to know more! Thanks for sharing this delightful excerpt.
evangelineace2020(at)yahoo(dot)com
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Answers will be duly provided, Luthien! Good luck in the draw!
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Very interesting. Will have to add this to my to be read listbb
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I hope you will give it a try! Don’t forget to leave your email address to enter the draw!
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Very intriguing excerpt! I wonder whether Cassandra chose to write her story with Hunsford confession taking place or without such. Because in the latter case Mr.Bingley might be welcomed in Longbourn by Jane Collins…Oh, dear…
Thank you, ladies, for this post, very interesting excerpt and more than generous giveaway!
oloore(at)gmail(dot)com
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Yes, everything happened in the story as per the book until the summer after Hunsford. 😎
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I want to know what happen at Longbourn – has Collins thrown them out?
meikleblog(at)gmail(dot)com
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I think you need to read it then, Vesper! lol 😜
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OMG! You are too cruel!! I must know what happened. OMG! To leave us in wonder… whew. Most excellent!! What fun. Please add me to the list of those panting for the give-a-way. Blessings on the launch of your book. I look forward to reading it. OMG!
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Thank you so much! Don’t forget to add your email to be entered in the draw!
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Oops! jwgarrett13 [at] hotmail [dot] com
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Oh, you can’t leave me hanging! What has happened to the Bennet family? 😮
Great excerpt! Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!
Pamh5230 (at) yahoo (dot) com
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Glad you enjoyed it, Pam! Good luck in the draw!
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Great excerpt, especially the cliffhanger at the end. What has happened, does it have to do with their neighbors the Bennets? I am excited about the addition of Viola and Olivia and look forward to seeing the mischief they cause. jadseah4 (at) yahoo
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Mischief you will definitely see, darcybennett! Good luck in the draw!
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The most interesting part of this wonderful story is the extent that Darcy takes to escape his feelings. Even when he returns, his thoughts never stray far from Elizabeth. Such a futile attempt to deny his feelings . The battle within himself at pemberly is epic!
Congrats Cass on a job well done.
Carolchoyt at yahoo dot com
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Thank you so much, Carol! Good luck in the draw!
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Thanks for this captivating and wonderful giveaway and post. I am wondering what happens next.
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So glad you enjoyed it, Anne!
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Oh my! Wonderful excerpt! You definitely have my attention!
Cherringtonmb at sbcglobal dot net
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So happy you enjoyed it, Becky! ❤️
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I love Cass’s story!! Got to follow the blog through its entirety and absolutely love her continued development of the original characters and their story lines. Each new character brought in did not feel like a nee addition but that they have always been apart of the Darcy/Bennett’s story. Can’t wait to have my own copy.
Amashmore2006@gmail.com
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Aww, thank you so much for your kind words! Good luck!
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Hello, I am very interested in Darcy’s
Duty, versus his Quest! It sounds
rather involved; and I want to see what
circumstances are waiting for him.
Will he fulfill his quests or not?
Many thanks, Cindi
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Well, Cindi, I do enjoy giving Darcy a few challenges to overcome so I hope you enjoy reading them!
Don’t forget to leave an email address for the giveaway!
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I love how Darcy and Bingley are featured here; from my first P&P read, through countless successive ones, and all the movies, I have been touched by their relationship. That, and many other things, whet my appetite for this treat. The primary draw for me is how much I adored “The Particular Charm of Miss Jane Austen,” by Cass and Ada Bright. So good! Thank you for the lovely opportunity! Karylee
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That’s so kind, Karylee! 😘 I hope you enjoy Darcy and Bingley as they go forward in this story!
Don’t forget to give your email address to enter the giveaway!
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my email (forgot, in my original comment – thnx, Cass)…
karyleebm@gmail.com
thank you!
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This author is an automatic download for me. It could be titled “phonebook” and I’d buy it.
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I’m torn between 😘😘😘 and 😂😂😂 Christina! Don’t forget to leave an email addy to enter the giveaway!
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I’m delighted to learn of a new release by this author. I believe I’ve read all her previously-written P&P variations and look forward to reading this one as well. I know I’d relish reading a copy I’ve won. Thanks for the giveaway.
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Thank you for the lovely words, Betty! You need to leave your email address in the comments to be entered in the draw!
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Oh, my! You left us with quite a cliffhanger! Now I need to know what has happened! Thanks for the chance to win a copy! canapple7 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Congrats on this new book, Cassandra!
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Thank you, Candy! Good luck in the draw!
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Oh!! What a fantastic way to end the excerpt! Just enough information to whet the reader’s appetite with a sprinkling of mystery and intrigue!
What has befallen our beloved characters at Longbourn? There must be something amiss,perhaps the premature death of Mr Bennet or is it the fact that the family are now in disgrace,in the eyes of Meryton society,due to Lydia’s elopement?
So many possibilities!!! Yes! A fantastic story,one I’m definitely looking forward to reading! Cheers for such a great post! 😉
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So many possibilities, Mary! 😉
Thanks for commenting and good luck in the draw!
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I am so looking forward to reading this – even though I already know how it ends! It’s a great story! ssawyerss(at)aim(dot)com
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I hope you enjoy it again, Suzanne! Good luck in the draw!
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I’ve been waiting for this one to be released so I can pick it up! I didn’t follow it as Cass posted it on line, but after reading the blurb, I got so excited! I’d love to win a copy!
zinger393@gmail.com
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I hope you enjoy it when you read it, Leah! Good luck!
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Congratulations! I remember this chapter well! I can’t wait to read the complete story without waiting for the next to be posted!! Thank you for the generous giveaway! I definitely have room for the ‘heavy’ tome on my bookshelf!
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Thank you, Carole! LOL – it will definitely be heavy!! 😉
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[…] Many thanks to everyone who participated in the giveaway. There is currently one running over at Diary of an Eccentric, where there is an excerpt from the novel and a chance to win a free book and some Jane Austen goodies. You can find it here. […]
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Hmm interesting premises! I have to say I’m looking forward to Darcy suffering from his own pride (I’m evil and I love angst). Would love to read it. priscillateh@live.hk
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Good luck in the draw, Priscilla! I hope you will give it a try even if you don’t win!
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I haven’t been following on the blog because I like to read the whole story at once. And I can’t wait to jump into this intriguing tale! sandisue12@yahoo.com
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I hope you enjoy it when you do read it, Sandra!
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I want to find out what happened to the Bennets after Darcy left England! savvyverseandwit at gmail
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I hope you approve when you read it! Good luck in the draw!
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Like so many others, I read this when it was posted as a serial. What a wonderful, and wonderfully different, story. I’m looking forward to seeing how much rewriting has been done to make it even better! TeaGuide.net at gmail dot com
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I managed to cut 12,000 redundant words, Janis, but I’m not sure it will seem that different – although the pacing will be better! 😘
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Very interesting. I would love to read the whole Book.
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Good luck in the draw, Fawn (love the name, by the way!)
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Wow! That was some excerpt! I really hope everyone is ok at Longbourn. Poor Mr. Bingley. I cannot wait to read this book…, What about the Bennets on Darcy’s estate? What is Darcy going to do? So many questions! Thanks for the amazing giveaway. kimpru1 (at) aol .com
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So pleased you liked the excerpt, Kim! Good luck in the draw!
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As one of Cass’s avid followers for six months as this story was posted online, I can say that this excerpt has ended on a trademark cliffie! I loved the story then and the edited version is just as good, if not better. As Cass says, the pacing is better, slightly tighter I’d say, but “In essentials, I believe, it is very much what it ever was.” I maybe slightly misquoting a famous author there!
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Thank you for your wonderful support throughout, Anji!
So pleased you find the pacing better in the released version! lol re the quote!
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OMG! Desperately hanging onto the edge of the cliff. Must know if Mr. Bennet’s demise and/or Lydia being Lydia is responsible for the Bennets’ changed circumstances. Or could it be something else entirely?
This is a must read. Please enter me into the giveaway. 50of47 at flo123(at)usa(dot)com.
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LOL Florence! Let’s hope you win a copy so you can come safely down off that cliff!
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[…] is as easy as leaving a comment on the relevant blog post, and you can find the first here at Diary of an Eccentric, where you can also read an excerpt from the story. Closing date for […]
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I really enjoyed reading this novel. I can’t wait to read it again!
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Lovely to hear, Lauren! Good luck!
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I look forward to getting my own copy of this book having read it online already! I found it compelling and something I could read again and again.
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Aww, thank you, Lynette. Good luck in the draw!
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I was lucky enough to read this as Cass posted her chapters online. It is awesome!!! Bought it the first day we could preorder. Buy it-you won’t be disappointed!
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Thank you so much for the kind words. ❤️
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Loved this story so much, and I’m crossing my fingers for a chance to win an e-copy!! Thank you, Cassandra!! 😀
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Good luck in the draw,Susanne!
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I love this story and what I like most is that their is a second chance for both Darcy and Lizzy. I would love a book book if my name is picked. jenred88@yahoolcom
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Now how did I misspell yahoo????
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LOL! Good luck in the draw, Jen!
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Pick me! Pick me! Haha… love this excerpt! What a tease😁 Love this set up. Can’t wait to find out what happened to the Bennett’s!
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LOL! Good luck in the draw!
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And you left us hanging, at such a moment. 😦 Oh dear, you know how to tease, Cass. 😉 Congratulations on the book t=release, and thanks for the generous giveaway. 🙂
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Thank you, Kate!
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I’m so excited about the release of Cassandra’s new book! I’ve been following online as the chapters are released and it’s been wonderful. I still want the real deal in my personal library so I hope I’m lucky (fingers and toes crossed). Thanks for the giveaway! Toni
navarro.antonia.L@gmail.com
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Good luck in the draw, Toni!!!
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I’d love to be entered into this giveaway! This one looks like a gem, and the introduction of new characters is always a treat. I’m heathery83 at gmail dot com
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Hope you enjoy the read, Heather!
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Thanks to everyone who stopped by to check out the excerpt. What a fantastic response!
The winner of the giveaway is Vesper! Congrats and happy reading, and enjoy all the fabulous Austen goodies! 🙂
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Congratulations to Vesper, and thank you to everyone who took the time to read the excerpt and to Anna for hosting me! ❤
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My pleasure!
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Congratulations Vesper!
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Congratulations Vesper, you’re in for a real treat!
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Heartiest congrats,Vesper!! 🎉☺️
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