Georgiana’s story is soon to go live, and I thought you’d like a little taste of what’s to come. Yes, it’s a suspense with enough murder and mayhem to keep you on your toes. But it’s mostly a story of hope, love, and the strength of family.
Isn’t she beautiful?
Miss Darcy stood before him now, wearing an outrageously bold mask. The attention-seeking plumes contradicted her unassuming character, but she did not wilt in self-consciousness. She donned the impressive arrangement with a confidence that fanned the flames of his curiosity and admiration.
“There is an appalling lack of curtains in the ballroom,” Michael teased once Miss Bennet had departed with a dutiful (and awake) Mrs. Wiggins trailing behind her.
He offered Miss Darcy his arm, and his temperament lightened with the touch of her gloved hand.
“I had noticed,” she said. “However, given the height of my costume, I do not think even curtains would conceal me tonight.” She fingered a protruding feather, adding emphasis to her point.
Michael laughed, pleased with Miss Darcy’s ability to laugh at herself. She did not take herself too seriously.
It was difficult to hear over the buzz of the crowd, so he led her toward the gardens. “I admit to a great curiosity regarding your choice of mask. I never would have guessed you would choose such a … striking … headdress,” he said.
Miss Darcy sighed. “Sometimes the price of friendship is rather steep.”
So the headdress had not been her idea. His interest was piqued. “I should love to hear how that came about if you wish to tell it.” Please do, he thought while she considered.
Another sigh. Then finally, “I might as well. Were it not for Miss Bennet, I daresay I would not have come here at all tonight. However, one does what one can to add to others’ happiness … even at the cost of one’s comfort.”
“One does,” Michael agreed wholeheartedly, hoping she would continue.
“Then you understand my predicament. After so much exertion encouraging her spirits, you can imagine my reaction when Miss Bennet was saddened to see, on our way here, more than a few other ladies wearing the same mask. Unwilling to allow the coincidence to spoil her evening, I offered to trade with her. I should not have regretted it were nothing more than my own comfort affected, but as you experienced, she seized on the opportunity to switch identities entirely.”
“That explains her disappointment when I recognized you.”
“You did,” she said softly.
The gentleness in her tone warmed his cheeks.
Another sensation, one that had him straightening his posture and holding the arm she held further out from his side, made him look over his shoulder. Mr. Darcy’s steely gaze cooled Michael’s complexion like a blast of frigid air.
Right. He must not forget his place. Miss Darcy was kindness personified, and he would not flatter himself by adding more meaning to her words than she, in fact, spoke.
Michael cleared his throat and returned the conversation to Miss Bennet. “Surely she does not expect anyone of your acquaintance to be fooled by her act.”
“That will not keep her from trying,” Miss Darcy said with a smile, turning to face the ballroom once they reached the balustrade separating them from the dark gardens below.
There was no vanity or jealousy in Miss Darcy’s tone, and she bore the discomfort of which she spoke elegantly.
Clearing his throat again, Michael acknowledged, “Yes, Miss Bennet does seem like the sort of lady to make the best of any situation.” Would Miss Darcy resent his praise of another? Most ladies would.
“It is what I love most about her,” Miss Darcy said, her eyes softening as they searched the crowd for her friend.
The glow of sincere affection flattered her fair features more than the hundreds of candles casting their light from the ballroom chandeliers. Miss Darcy was as beautiful inside as she was in appearance.
Oh dear.
Michael felt himself in danger. He looked through the doors hoping to see Mr. Darcy’s stern stare fixed on him. That would interrupt the warmth spreading over Michael like liquid honey. Delicious and dangerous. He was powerless to resist her, his desire to know more about the fascinating woman as intense as the bright moon in the cloudless sky bathing them in its brilliance.
“Remarkable,” he muttered.
“That two complete opposites should be the best of friends? My brother would agree with you, Mr. Nelson,” she said.
That was not at all what he had meant with his comment, but he had no right to encourage affection when he had determined to keep his distance from the Darcys. After tonight. He had not seen the man with the scar since his call, and it was unlikely such a man would attempt to gain entry into an event where his presence would not be tolerated.
Just a couple more minutes. Just one more question. Just one more detail he could ponder after they parted ways.
Love is in the air!
I don’t know about you, but I’m cheering for Michael. Trouble is brewing, though, and the strength of their attachment will be put to the test.
Are you ready for more? Just 3 more days until the book goes live! Want your copy the second it goes live? Click here to pre order.
These two aren’t the Darcy children. They’re mine. Two little, mischievous bundles of Joy who got into my flour bin when I turned around long enough to put a loaf of bread into the oven. That was it folks. Five seconds…maybe less…was all they needed to bathe themselves in flour and spread it all over my living room.
Fortunately for everyone, my husband came home from work while I was still in stunned shock and wondering HOW?!? He grabbed the camera, then started cleaning with his two-year-old “helpers.” He’s a good, good man.
And I couldn’t help but wonder how Mr. Darcy would handle a troublesome tot?
So I did what any author would do. I gave him a toddler and a baby girl, and I watched with pen in hand.
Do you want to meet them?
Here’s a little snippet from my upcoming book: The Remarkable Miss Darcy, the fifth and final *sniff, sniff* novel in The Meryton Mysteries Series.
Young Ben, whose attention could not last the duration of Mr. Nelson’s story, no matter how riveting it was, escaped from William’s grasp. Leaning against Mr. Nelson’s leg, he tapped the gentleman on the shoulder politely.
Mr. Nelson did not try Ben’s patience by making him wait. Addressing the boy with all the dignity of a peer, he said, “I have gotten carried away, have I? I apologize, young man. Is there something you wish to add to the conversation? I should like to hear it very much.”
Ben beamed before his face went serious again. “Are you the toad with whom Auntie Lydia danced?”
Elizabeth gasped, “Bennet Beauregard!”
Lydia giggled uncontrollably.
Georgiana bit her lips together, covering her smile with her hand.
Mr. Nelson peered into the child’s earnest eyes, which were now a little uncertain after his mother’s chastisement. Reflecting Ben’s grave expression, Mr. Nelson said, “Ribbit!”
Georgiana clapped, and Ben climbed onto Mr. Nelson’s lap (whether he was wanted there or not).
It was the perfect answer. Laughter bounced off the merry walls, and when Baby Rose joined in the fun, they laughed all the more.
I want to thank my friends on Facebook for their help naming the young Darcys. I got so many wonderful ideas, it was difficult to choose. I put on my “Momma Means Business” voice and selected the one that I could best imagine Elizabeth using when she needed to get her son’s attention. As for the other name suggestions, they still made the book. They’re in the final chapters, and I hope you enjoy how they’ve been incorporated into the narrative.
You’re probably wondering what mischief Ben has gotten himself into, but I won’t spoil the fun here. The story is in its final editing stages and will be ready for you to read soon.
Eight years have gone by since the picture above was taken. Long enough for me to laugh in earnest about my babies’ antics…and to miss that phase of their lives. I suspect Mr. and Mrs. Darcy would have felt the same.
