Hello, dear readers! Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Bronwen Chisholm to Diary of an Eccentric for the first time, to celebrate the release of her new Pride and Prejudice variation, Mrs. Collins’ Lover. I hope you are as intrigued by this excerpt as I am! Please give her a warm welcome:
****
Hello Readers! Thank you, Anna, for hosting me today. I am beyond tickled to spend time getting to know you. My favorite part of the JAFF world is the wonderful people you get to meet.
As many of you know, I am releasing my sixth Pride and Prejudice variation … TODAY!! Mrs. Collins’ Lover has been a work of the heart, which means it took much longer than normal. So, without further ado, I will share the blurb and … not quite an excerpt. This is actually a scene which is in the book, but told from a different perspective. Originally, it was included, but had to go during editing.
Elizabeth Bennet was raised with a strong belief and faith in God’s plan for her life. She knew He had a plan, even if the details were hidden from her. But, when placed in an untenable situation, she turned instead to the arms of a man to find brief moments of joy. Finally, when able to realize the happiness which was always intended for her, the weight of her guilt over her past sins convinces her of her unworthiness. Only through reconciliation with the Lover of her soul can she truly fulfill the life He planned for her. But first, she must forgive herself in order to find redemption.
Remember: In order to be redeemed, there must be sin. This story is intended for mature audiences.
Trigger Warning: There are incidents of abuse in this story.
****
Mary Bennet drew her shawl tighter about her as she looked across Longbourn’s fields. There was no sight of her sister and she feared she knew where Lizzy had gone. Releasing a heavy sigh, she began walking toward Oakham Mount, dragging her feet as her mind wandered over what she had observed for the past few days.
With so many visitors to Longbourn due to Jane’s wedding, Mrs. Bennet had decided Lizzy and her husband would have to share a room. No one anticipated the man’s displeasure over the situation. Uncle and Aunt Gardiner always shared a room, even if it was not necessary. Elizabeth had attempted to smooth his ruffled feathers by suggesting she share a room with Jane, but the man demanded she share with Mary instead.
Though surprised by this, Mary had quickly agreed as she missed her older sister dearly. It was not until Lizzy had left in January that Mary realized how much she had done at Longbourn and how they all depended upon her. It was Lizzy who visited the tenants weekly and Lizzy who calmed tempers. Jane might be better at nursing injured feelings, but Lizzy provided the incentive to bring the parties together once more and promote healing. For weeks after her departure to Hunsford, the entire household felt as though it stood on its head.
The previous evening, after the last guest had finally left and everyone began to retire, Mary suggested Elizabeth move into Jane’s room. Her sister had demurred, saying she would be there for only two more nights and she had no desire to move everything now unless it was Mary’s preference. Having no objection, the sisters readied for bed and the candles were extinguished soon after.
Mary lay in silence staring into the night and waiting. About half an hour later, she heard the first soft sniffling. It had been the same every night. When Elizabeth thought Mary was asleep, she would release her tears. Mary had watched her sister during the day, and noticed Jane doing the same. The remainder of their family seemed to avoid the practice as though they did not want to know. Elizabeth was thinner and her eyes had a haunted look. Only when the Netherfield party joined them did she show any signs of her prior self, but even then she was extremely guarded and spoke little.
This morning, Elizabeth had slipped from their room very early. Mary knew her sister’s love of long walks and decided not to say anything, but when Lizzy had not returned in half an hour, she decided she would go out to meet her, hoping to be a buffer should Mr. Collins be displeased as he always seemed to be.
She had not meant to walk the entire way to Oakham Mount. Indeed, she was not normally fond of walking. However, the morning was lovely, and something seemed to spur her forward. She was about to enter the clearing at the top of the mount when she heard the voices. Mary stopped, uncertain what to do, until she realized she could hear what was being said.
“Has he hit you again?”
Mary gasped as Elizabeth responded in the negative. Mr. Collins struck Lizzy? She shook her head as her anger grew toward the man her sister had been forced to marry, before she listened again. She knew it was wrong, but Lizzy would never confess any of this to her otherwise. Their words became muffled and she moved that she might be better able to hear or possibly see them. It was then she realized they shared an intimate embrace.
A hand flew to her mouth as she stared disbelievingly. Elizabeth would never act the harlot. And with Mr. Darcy no less? She turned away, careful not to make a sound, though she doubted they would notice. She knew she should leave; it would be mortifying if they found her there, but she was torn between what she knew of her sister and Lizzy’s actions. After an internal struggle, she finally crept slowly back up the path and hid once more.
“I will not abandon you … rightful Mrs. Darcy … Elizabeth, you were meant to be mine.” Mr. Darcy’s words were muffled by the wind or his attentions to her sister.
“… he never dies? … lost my soul truly is …”
Hearing her sister’s words, realizing Elizabeth knew how wrong her actions were; Mary suddenly felt the impropriety of her own and left as quietly as she could. Once she was far enough from them, she walked quickly to put more distance between her and the couple. She had no desire to see their loving embraces. There was a time she would have taken her sister to task for her actions, but now her heart simply broke for Elizabeth. Married to such a man as Mr. Collins and loved by Mr. Darcy … Mary shook her head. Once she was far enough past the split in the road, she took a seat upon a stile and waited. Her heart was torn and, for the first time in her life, she questioned her convictions.
****
Poor Mary. Known by most JAFF readers as the righteous sister – to be confronted with her sister’s downfall. I think you will be proud of how she handles the situation.
And now, a GIVEAWAY! Just make a comment on this blog (with your email address) and Anna will pick 1 lucky winner to receive an ebook copy of Mrs. Collins’ Lover. The giveaway will be open through Sunday, August 18, 2019. Good luck! And I hope you enjoyed our visit as much as I did. I can’t wait to read your comments.
Bronwen Chisholm began her writing career working on suspense romance, but finally became a published author with her Pride and Prejudice variations. She takes great pleasure in searching for potential “plot twists” and finding the way back to a happy ending.
Her love of writing has led her to several writing groups, and she is currently serving as the vice president of the Riverside Writers and organizes the Riverside Young Writers.
For more information, visit her at www.bronwenchisholm.com.
****
Follow the Blog Tour
7/31 Austen Authors
8/9 Babblings of a Bookworm
8/10 Diary of an Eccentric
8/12 From Pemberley to Milton
8/14 More Agreeably Engaged
8/17 My Love for Jane Austen
Loved the blurb! Poor Elizabeth…poor Mary, too. I can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
LikeLike
Thank you! Good luck!
LikeLike
How torn Mary and especially Elizabeth are…I am very moved by just this small excerpt. Look forward to reading more . Thank you for a chance at the giveaway.
LikeLike
Thank you! Good luck!
LikeLike
I remember this scene when it was posted so it will be interesting to see how it is in the actual book. Poor Elizabeth and poor Darcy, she suffering so much married to Collins and he suffering being unable to resolve the matter!.
LikeLike
I think the hardest thing for a man is to see the woman he loves in pain of any type. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the final book.
LikeLike
Glad to read Mary’s POV, I’m glad she now knows and hope she supports her sister.
LikeLike
Forgot to include my email, jadseah4[at]yahoo[dot]com
LikeLike
I think you will be pleased – Mary is everything you would want in a supportive sister.
LikeLike
Such sad circumstances, I hope you won’t allow D&E to suffer for too long. I hope Mr. Collins will get what he deserves and leaves Elizabeth a widow.
LikeLike
Not wanting to give anything away, I will say that those who have read it were satisfied with Mr. Collins’ comeuppance.
LikeLike
Oh my. Poor Darcy and poor Elizabeth. That scene made me want to cry. Congratulations on your new release.
LikeLike
Thank you! I will warn you to keep tissues handy while reading. I was a basket case at times while writing it. 😉
LikeLike
With Mary being my favourite Bennet I am glad that she is taking time to think about the situation
meikleblog(at)gmail(dot)com
LikeLike
Vesper, I know you will love Mary’s role in this story.
LikeLike
Looking forward to this variation. Congratulations
Cherringtonmb at sbcglobal dot net
LikeLike
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it.
LikeLike
I am definitely looking forward to reading this book. The premise is one I have not read before. odara7rox(at)rcn(dot)com Thanks for a chance to win it. Best of luck with its release.
LikeLike
Thank you! Good luck!
LikeLike
Mary has observed a scene that has touched her heart in an unexpected manner. Her unwillingness to give Elizabeth a lesson in morality proves that she is more compassionate than the other siblings and parents who refuse to acknowledge Elizabeth ‘s suffering. I would love a copy of this book! Jbrand3039@gmail.com
LikeLike
Thank you! Mary has truly matured since Elizabeth’s wedding. Her growth was so satisfying to write. Good luck!
LikeLike
I loved this scene! I feel bad for Mary, but especially for Elizabeth stuck in an awe full marriage when both she and Mr. Darcy know they love each other. My email is cyndyhenry1@gmail.com.
LikeLike
Thank you! Don’t worry, there is a HEA. Good luck.
LikeLike
Loved the cover. I just wish it won’t be long before EB can resolve her issues. Hard to think ODC will suffer that long. I know it will be hard for EB to accept such a fate (being Mrs C and being unfaithful).
Thank you for the execrpt and the chance to win a copy.
LikeLike
Thank you! It is a difficult time, but I promise an HEA. Good luck!
LikeLike
I am shocked like Mary to learn that Mr. Collins strikes Elizabeth. I wonder if Elizabeth ‘s virtue is still in place?
LikeLike
Mr. Collins is a real jerk in this story. (I might have to redeem him in some way in a future book after what I did to him in this one.) Thank you for commenting!
LikeLike
Read this story on line and enjoyed every word. Did you really delete this scene from the final book? Love how you portray Mary… Looking forward to the chance to win the book!
LikeLike
Thank you! I did – there were too many different points of view so I narrowed it down to just Elizabeth and Darcy. I also removed some scenes from Jane and Richard’s viewpoints. I hated to do it, and I think Jane is bit more villainized because of it, but neither Elizabeth nor Darcy were there so they had to go.
Good luck!
LikeLike
This will be a difficult story for me as I have strong convictions against adultery, but also against being forced to marry against one’s will (and especially to this vey evil version of Mr. Collins) – not to mention the horrible practice of domestic abuse. But I’m thinking of making an exception for the sake of this redemption story.
LikeLike
I understand and was wary when writing it because I know people do have strong feelings about this. I am not in anyway condoning adultery, but no one is perfect and the most devout can slip. The road back is the true story.
Please remember there are mature scenes, but I would love for you to give it a chance. The redemption is definitely worth it.
LikeLike
I think I read somewhere that Mrs. Collins’ Lover will not feature adultery themes as an easy way out for Elizabeth. Is that true, Bronwen? I wouldn’t want that situation for her no matter what as she and Darcy are one of my favourite couple. It’s just isn’t her nature to cheat her husband. I’m looking forward to the creative way you dispose of Mr Collins so that she can be free of her tormentor.
LikeLike
Dear me, I always forget to include my email address. Thanks.
evangelineace2020(at)yahoo(dot)com
LikeLike
I’m sorry, but there is adultery in this book. This is, at its heart, a redemption story so there must be sin. I hope that I have set it up to show how an individual, even one raised in a strong Christian home, can fall when they take their eye off God. That said, the real HEA, in my mind, is when they return to His loving fold.
LikeLike
This sounds like it has some great potential. I’d love to see how Mary handles this.
LikeLike
Thank you! I will be honest, this is probably my favorite version of Mary that I wrote ( and I love Mary in Mistress Mary and the General).
LikeLike
Thanks, everyone! I’m so happy you all stopped by to check out Bronwen’s new book!
The winner is Vesper! Congrats and happy reading!
LikeLike
Congratulations, Vesper! Check your e-mail.
LikeLike