I’m happy to welcome Heather Moll back to Diary of an Eccentric today to celebrate her latest release, Two More Days at Netherfield. Heather is here to share an excerpt, which I hope you all enjoy as much as I did. Please give her a warm welcome!
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Hello Anna and thank you for hosting me again at Diary of an Eccentric! I’m very excited to share an excerpt from Two More Days at Netherfield with you and your lovely readers. One of the results of Elizabeth and Jane’s extended stay is a developing friendship between Darcy and Elizabeth. By the time Elizabeth leaves, they both realize that they have faults in their judgment in behavior that they have to work on. In this excerpt—on the Monday after they would have gone home in canon—they are walking to Meryton to mail letters and are discussing Darcy’s improving behavior.
“As much as I am loath to continue on a path of pride and conceit, I am unsure as to how to amend my behaviour.”
“You strike me as the sort of man who, once he arrives at a decision, is already in possession of the force of will to carry it out.”
“It is not a matter of will, but a matter of the appropriate action. I have no talent with the sort of amiability I ought to present when speaking with those I have never seen before.”
“I do not play the piano in the talented manner that I see many women do. I have always supposed it to be my own fault because I would not take the trouble of practising.”
Darcy smiled. “You are perfectly right.”
“Yes, you shall prove a delightful friend; tell me I am right, and your worth will be invaluable.” Darcy resigned himself to being laughed at. “You shall have to practice being engaging and courteous to those who are unfamiliar to you.”
“For the sake of argument, let us assume that there are people one suffers to meet who are unpleasant, whose presence is undesirable for no other reason than they are tiresome. It would be deceitful for me to imply I wish to further the conversation or the acquaintance.”
She was silent for just long enough for Darcy to mistakenly assume he had won his point. “If you find someone so tiresome such that you cannot hold a brief yet polite conversation, I am of the opinion the fault lies with you.”
His own conduct was once again before him. There was much to blame in it, but he had little he could say. They fell into companionable silence as they completed their errand. Darcy proved himself capable of possessing an obliging nature as Elizabeth made a point to look in every shop window they passed. Darcy suspected he was being punished.
“No doubt you are grateful we have not crossed the threshold of any of these shops,” she teased. “I am tempted by everything I see, and I am always very long at a purchase.”
“I do not believe it, but by all means, let us go inside. Do you desire a new bonnet? There is one in the next window; it is not pretty, but you might as well buy it as not.”
Elizabeth turned from the window displaying the dreadful hat, her eyes full of mirth. “I concede! I could never buy an ugly bonnet, even for the gratification of having you carry it. Let us return to Netherfield.”
He gratefully led them in the opposite way down the street and observed a man on the other side take notice of Elizabeth.
“Is that gentleman known to you?”
“That is Mr Denny; he is also known to you. You have dined with him along with the other officers.”
“Their conversation is all the same; I hardly know one from the other.”
“Let us greet him. This is a perfect opportunity for you to practice.”
Darcy resisted his natural disinclination. They crossed the street, and Mr Denny bowed. “Good day.”
Elizabeth remained silent. She adjusted her grip on her reticule and lightly touched his arm, and Darcy knew she expected him to reply. Behave in a gentlemanlike manner.
He touched his hat. “Good day, Mr Denny. I trust you are well?”
“Yes, thank you. I was in town; I have just alighted from my carriage at the posting inn.”
Darcy silently begged Elizabeth to speak, but he would not be granted a reprieve. What would I say if this were an influential, titled gentleman from my club? “I trust your business was conducted to your satisfaction?”
“Indeed it was, how kind of you to inquire. Also, I renewed my acquaintance with a gentleman who, I am happy to say, has accepted a commission in our corps. May I make him known to you?” Elizabeth nodded. “He is there, leaving the inn.” Mr Denny looked over Darcy and Elizabeth’s shoulders, raising his arm to beckon his friend.
“You need to overcome your reserve to be agreeable, but I applaud your first effort,” Elizabeth whispered.
“I shall never share your enjoyment of company, particularly of an unknown person,” he murmured.
“You need not fear; we are not meeting a single lady who will set her cap on you. We are meeting a gentleman who is to join the militia; how is there any harm in that?”
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About Two More Days at Netherfield
While her sister Jane is ill at Netherfield, Elizabeth Bennet overhears Miss Bingley and the proud Mr Darcy discussing his admiration of Elizabeth and her fine eyes. Not sure what to think of his praise after all of their previous disagreements, and more flattered than she wants to admit, Elizabeth teases him for the disparaging remark he made about her at the Meryton Assembly. Darcy is then forced to reconsider his opinion of a woman who has truly bewitched him more than any other.
The result of this unintended eavesdropping leads to confrontations and apologies on both sides and, eventually, the beginnings of a friendship between Darcy and Elizabeth. Their warming acquaintance impacts the courtship of Darcy’s friend and Elizabeth’s sister, the jealous temper of Miss Bingley, and even the behavior of Mr. Wickham after he arrives in Meryton.
How are the events of the winter drastically affected by the Bennet sisters choosing to spend two more days at Netherfield?
Buy on Amazon
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About the Author
Heather Moll is an avid reader of mysteries and biographies with a master’s in information science. She found Jane Austen later than she should have and made up for lost time by devouring Austen’s letters and unpublished works, joining JASNA, and spending too much time researching the Regency era. She is the author of Two More Days at Netherfield and His Choice of a Wife. She lives with her husband and son and struggles to balance all of the important things, like whether to clean the house or write. Connect with her on Facebook, Goodreads, Instagram, and Twitter.
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Giveaway
Quills & Quartos Publishing is giving away one ebook at each blog stop of the Two More Days at Netherfield blog tour. All you need to do to enter the giveaway is comment on this blog post, and Quills & Quartos will randomly choose one random winner after February 21. So, make sure you join in the conversation! Good luck!
Thank you, Heather, for being my guest today, and congratulations on your new release!
Great excerpt! Well done.
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thank you!
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Thanks for hosting me today, Anna!
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This was such a good read. I wish everyone luck in the giveaway!
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thank you for reading it Serena!
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They are well on their way to understanding each other. But the next scene mist be interesting for Darcy to be introduced to Wickham with Elizabeth beside him.
Thanks for giveaway.
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Oh, it’ll be very, very interesting. Critical, even! Thanks for commenting and good luck in the giveaway!
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Oh my! Elizabeth will first meet Wickham while in company with Darcy! I wonder how that as well as Darcy’s attentions to Mr Denny will affect the story?
Can’t wait for more so thank you for sharing this excerpt.
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This altered meeting will have a big impact on how things unfold! I’m so glad it has you curious for more 🙂 Thanks for commenting!
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I read and enjoyed this book. I, too, recommend it.
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I appreciate your support Sheila!
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I really enjoyed this excerpt! This is on my to be read list for sure 🙂
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Thanks Brigid! So glad you liked it 🙂
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So just at the wrong moment for Darcy Wickham arrives
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Or maybe the right moment…? Thanks for reading!
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Oh my, I think practice is about to become true torture.
This story sounds charming and I can’t wait to read it all.
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Poor Darcy couldn’t have a worst person to have to pretend to be nice to. Thanks for commenting!
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Wonderful excerpt. You have me quite intrigued. Congratulations on your release. I can’t wait to read!!!
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I’m glad you’re intrigued 🙂 Thanks for your well wishes and good luck in the giveaway!
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And is that gentleman Mr. Wickham? It will be interesting to see how they greet each other and what Elizabeth sees since she has a new view of Darcy. Thank you for the excerpt and giveaway.
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It sure is Mr Wickham! What Elizabeth sees–and what Wickham sees–will change how the story unfolds. Good luck in the giveaway 🙂
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Enjoyed the excerpt!
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Thank you!
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Great story! Congratulations Heather on your second release!
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Thank you for your support Jen!
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Great story and terrific writing! Like ripples in a pond, the little changes spread outward to bigger ones. Very entertaining!
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Thanks so much for your kind words. Ripples in a pond is a perfect description for what happens in Two More Days at Netherfield 🙂
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Ohhh, wonder if a certain GW will come to meet them. Thank you for excerpt. I find it a little funny, EB very vocal about taking peasure putting FD to work and making him practice interacting with strangers.
Thank you for the giveaway
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Thank you! Not only is she vocal in how much she enjoys making him do it, but Darcy actual takes her words to heart and does it. Too bad the worst human being imaginable is about to join them 😉
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Sorry I am late! But I just love the dialogue between them! I feel you have captured them both beautifully! Thank you for a chance at the giveaway!
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The party is still going so you’re not late 🙂 Thanks for saying hi! Best of luck in the giveaway.
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[…] February 10 Diary of an Eccentric […]
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Wonderful excerpt …and if I am correct about which gentleman it is Sparks may beging to fly. This shall be interesting…looking forward to reading this book.
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I’m sure you’re right about the man they’re about to meet. I’m glad it piqued your interest 🙂
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“Where is the harm in that?” Where, indeed? :)))
Dear oh dear!
Can’t wait to read what happens next.
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No harm at all, right? What’s the worst that could happen? 😉
Thanks so much!
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