It’s always a pleasure to have Rose Fairbanks as my guest, and today she comes bearing gifts: an excerpt from her latest Pride and Prejudice variation, Courtship at Rosings, and a giveaway! I really enjoyed this sweet Darcy and Elizabeth story, and I hope you all do as well. Please give her a warm welcome!
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Hello, readers! It’s always great to be on Diary of an Eccentric, and I regret that it’s been so long since I was last here. Courtship at Rosings was the first JAFF story I ever began. I hammered away at it for an afternoon, the words flying from my fingertips. After a few thousan words, I sat back and read, grimaced, closed the file, and promptly forgot about it for about five years. I stumbled across it earlier this year, and despite the extreme amount of editing needed, the concept intrigued me. It is low-angst, almost fluffy, but lured me in to ask my favorite question regarding Pride and Prejudice, “what if?”
I hope you enjoy this excerpt and participate in the giveaway!
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“I suppose I would always have viewed you with suspicion. Perhaps I would have imagined you to be a rake. Why else would you take a fancy to a country gentleman’s daughter with no money or connections?”
“Do you truly think so meanly of yourself?”
Elizabeth shrugged. “I do not know that I would persist in that way of thinking. Only it would be one thought which crossed my mind. I would not likely believe you admired me at all. Charlotte has argued the very thing, and I never saw it.”
“Perhaps if I had not attempted to hide it.”
“And what would your open admiration look like?” She arched one brow, a playful smile on her lips.
Darcy assessed her before replying. “I can be a very determined man, Elizabeth. If I openly courted you, then I would not stop until you were mine.”
Elizabeth beamed. “It is too bad you never had the opportunity. Something tells me that would have been a sight to behold.”
“May I begin again?”
“You are leaving for London tomorrow.”
“Yes, and you will be there in a few weeks.”
“I will be staying at Gracechurch Street.” Elizabeth lifted her chin and squared her shoulders. “I know you find my relations unworthy of your notice.”
“I would be pleased to meet them.”
“Would you really?”
“If it would secure your hand, then I would go through any matter of things.”
“I cannot be bought.” Elizabeth pulled away and began to walk off.
Darcy quickly caught up with her. “I do not mean that you can.”
“When I marry, it will be for great love. I will respect my husband. I will not be indebted to him or constantly reminded of the condescension he has shown me by rescuing me from my supposedly low and inferior state.”
Darcy caught Elizabeth’s hand. “Elizabeth, wait. I would be happy to meet them because they are your family and you love them. I wish to please you. I desire to show you that I am not so mean as you first believed and am correcting the faults in my character which you did justly assess. How else could I show you that?”
Elizabeth remained unconvinced and crossed her arms over her chest.
“If you would rather I wait to court you until you return to Longbourn, then I will. If you had hated the idea of my courtship, you would have said so. That can only mean that you are not set against me. I will not quit the field now.”
“And manipulating me into loving you is part of your design?”
“No. I wish to share a life with you and everything that means-all of your relations. You should meet mine as well. Together, we would form a family of equal parts yours and mine.”
“And your relations would approve of this match?”
“I really do not care.”
They were now in view of the parsonage, and Elizabeth saw the curtain of the front sitting room flutter. Discreetly gathering her hand in his, he squeezed it whilst staring into her dark eyes.
“I am yours to command. If you do not wish for me to court you, then tell me so at once. If, however, your feelings have changed, only tell me where and when I may next see you.”
Elizabeth took a long moment before replying. All the while, her heart hammered, and her head pounded. She felt as if she were about to jump off a cliff. “Very well, Mr. Darcy. I accept your offer of courtship. I will see you in a fortnight in London.” She turned and walked to the parsonage without a backward glance.
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About Courtship at Rosings
A man truly in love is a sight to behold.
Despite Fitzwilliam Darcy’s better judgment, he asks Elizabeth Bennet to marry him. Instead of retreating upon learning her heart, he decides to use everything in his power to woo her.
In Elizabeth’s mind, Darcy has always been haughty and arrogant. When he approaches her with humility and an apology on his lips, she can barely contain her astonishment. When he expresses his love, she is nearly incredulous. Realizing she has misunderstood the man, it only seems right to give their acquaintance another chance—even if that means accepting a courtship.
Of course, it would take a miracle to change Darcy from the last man in the world she would be willing to marry to the conqueror of her heart. Luckily, the Master of Pemberley can be quite the romantic. However, when Darcy goes missing, it will take more than Darcy’s charm to see these two finally united.
Courtship at Rosings is another delightful novella from the author of Mr. Darcy’s Compassion. If you have ever wanted to see Mr. Darcy romance Elizabeth, this book is for you! The perfect length to read before bed, it will ensure sweet dreams and a sigh-worthy experience. Download today!
Universal buy link: books2read.com/u/
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About the Author
Born in the wrong era, Rose Fairbanks has read nineteenth-century novels since childhood. Although she studied history, her transcript also contains every course in which she could discuss Jane Austen. Never having given up all-nighters for reading, Rose discovered her love for Historical Romance after reading Christi Caldwell’s Heart of a Duke Series.
After a financial downturn and her husband’s unemployment had threatened her ability to stay at home with their special needs child, Rose began writing the kinds of stories she had loved to read for so many years. Now, a best-selling author of Jane Austen-inspired stories, she also writes Regency Romance, Historical Fiction, Paranormal Romance, and Historical Fantasy.
Having completed a BA in history in 2008, she plans to finish her master’s studies someday. When not reading or writing, Rose runs after her two young children, ignores housework, and profusely thanks her husband for doing all the dishes and laundry. She is a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America and Romance Writers of America.
You can connect with Rose on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and her blog.
To join her email list for information about new releases and any other news, you can sign up here.
Facebook fans! Join Rose’s reading groups:
Jane Austen Re-Imaginings Series
Pride and Prejudice and Bluestockings
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Giveaway
Rose Fairbanks is offering two ebooks of Courtship at Rosings. You must enter through the Rafflecopter link Best of luck!
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Thank you, Rose, for being my guest today, and congratulations on your new release!
an earlier decision to be honest and ask to court her.. how lovely. I like this open Darcy.
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Thanks, Serena! He’s so swoony in this one!
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I’m always happy to read a new book of yours! I love in the blurb how you have almost a throwaway remark: “However, when Darcy goes missing”, and then nothing else about it! Very intriguing, you.
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The course of true love can’t be too smooth can it? 😀
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I love this concept! I very much look forward to reading this, thanks for sharing Thanks also for the chance to win a copy!
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Best of luck!
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Wonderful excerpt. I look forward to reading!
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Thanks! Best of luck!
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Congratulations on your book! Thanks for the giveaway!
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I read and enjoyed this book. Great excerpt and review here. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for your support!
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This is just my kind of story! Definitely adding this to my list 🙂
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I think you’ll love it! Best of luck in the giveaway!
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Love low angst! This should be perfect (although I’m a little worried about the ‘Darcy goes missing’ line?)
I do look forward to reading this so have added it to my list!
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It’s still really low angst. I think you’ll love it. Best of luck!
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Loved the excerpt! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
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Thanks! Best of luck!
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Another MUST read💕 Thank you for the chance of winning this giveaway.
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Thanks, Sharon! Best of luck!
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I LOVE P&P HEA. This one sounds like a great one as well.
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Thanks, Leslie! Good luck in the giveaway.
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“I am yours to command.” Swoon worthy indeed! Glad you decided to give this story another chance!
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Darcy is so swoony in this one! I’m glad I gave it another go too! You should have seen ALL THE RED when I was editing though!
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She’s going to be quite the challenge for him. 🙂 Enjoyed the excerpt!
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Thanks, Sophia. This Darcy is a man with a plan, though. 🙂
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Congratulations on this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
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Thanks! Best of luck!
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Anna, thank you for this post and for hosting this generous giveaway. I enjoyed reading the excerpt.
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Thanks for stopping by! Best of luck!
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Loved the excerpt and the premise. Darcy romancing Elizabeth, yes please.
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He’s quite sweet! Good luck in the giveaway!
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Thanks to Anna for hosting this excerpt and giveaway opportunity. Thanks to Rose for the generous giveaway. The excerpt was fun. I like it when D&E work things out between them. I want that page-time and look forward to them coming together and working out the problems that keep them apart.
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Glad you enjoyed the excerpt! Good luck in the giveaway!
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I love this honest discussioan, and Darcy’s determination. They finally communicate! I look forward to reading this.
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He is a very determined man! Good luck!
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Darcy is very determined! How can Elizabeth not court him. Thank you for the excerpt and giveaway.
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She is soon putty in his hands. What could go wrong? 😉 Best of luck in the giveaway!
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Thanks for the giveaway. ♥
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Best of luck!
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Great excerpt! I hope I get lucky in the giveaway!
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Thanks! Best of luck!
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This excerpt sounds like a fantastic read, Rose. I like this premise where Elizabeth is not judgemental and gives Darcy a chance to court her properly. Can’t wait to read this novella.
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