Good morning Candy! It’s truly a pleasure to be here with your readers at “So Little Time…” to share the first excerpt of my blog tour. When I selected the three excerpts for my tour, I wanted to share three very different excerpts to give my readers a sense for the story, as well as for the characters. Today I am sharing with your readers an excerpt that always brings a smile to my face, as I can easily imagine this conversation taking place between our dear couple.
I am curious to hear what words your readers use to describe this excerpt! Thank you for your support with my blog tour, as I certainly appreciate your time and efforts.
In this scene, we gain a small insight into Fitzwilliam Darcy the man, as he and Elizabeth have a conversation while stranded at Ashby Park, the estate of James Hamilton.
Excerpt
Conversation came easy speaking of books, music, and travel. Across the table, as candlelight danced across her animated face, Darcy could only imagine what an evening at Pemberley with her as his wife might be like.
“I have always longed to travel to Rome,” Miss Elizabeth said after the final course.
Darcy stood by her chair waiting to escort her to the music room. “Rome? Why Rome? I believed all young ladies wished to travel to Paris to shop and be seen.”
“But sir, have you yet to determine that I am not like all young ladies?” she asked with an impish grin. “My impertinence is legendary in Meryton.” Darcy struggled to control his impulse to brush a loose tendril from the nape of her neck.
“Oh, but I have, Miss Elizabeth, and I would not call it impertinence as much as spirit.” Elizabeth lowered her eyes, and he swallowed as she flushed with color from the rise of her bosom to her face. “Many of your sex speak only what they believe a man wishes to hear. But a man of character wants an equal, not solely in wealth and connections, but in intellect and sense. A powerful woman can lead a man to do great things."
Elizabeth sat down on the sofa and Mr. Darcy seemed to hesitate before taking the chair across from her in the music room. Soon after, Sarah entered the parlor and quickly took up her needle.
“We were speaking of my impertinence.” She arched her brow in challenge.
“That conversation we will save for another day,” he replied with a grin. “But why, Miss Bennet, would you wish to see Rome?”
“Oh, Rome. I have read books from Father’s library about its rise and fall. I would dearly love to see the Coliseum and works from the masters. History and culture, sir, are two of my passions. I am not a simple country maid from Hertfordshire, you know.”
“No, Miss Elizabeth. I would never imagine anything about you as simple.” Her laugh tinkled around the room as his baritone joined hers. “I can attest to the beauty of Rome and its people. My father took me there once when I was just a boy. I was but ten and we were at a crowded market on the way back to our hotel. We became separated and I wandered for half an hour looking for him.”
“Whatever did you do, sir?”
He sheepishly looked down tracing the pattern of the rug with the toe of his boot. “I did what any young boy in a foreign country would do. I sat down and began to cry. A little grandmother found me, swept me into her home and fed me. She sent her granddaughter to the post master who spoke some English and within five minutes, we were back at the hotel with my worried father standing out front talking to the local constable. That was the first time my father publicly embraced me,” he whispered. He seemed to be affected by the memory as he lowered his head to study his boots. She found herself turning to look out the window in the following silence.
“I apologize if I made you uncomfortable, Miss Bennet, with such maudlin remembrances.”
His nervous smile was met with her compassion. “Please, do not apologize to me. We—the weaker sex—welcome open demonstrations of paternal affection. However, not only the weaker sex needs affirmation from their parents.”
Attempting to lighten the pervading somber mood, she asked, “Might I play for you?”
“I would like that very much.”
A Lie Universally Hidden by Anngela Schroeder
Book Description:
“The engagement between them is of a peculiar kind. From their infancy, they have been intended for each other. It was the favorite wish of his mother…” —Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
Fitzwilliam Darcy was raised to never stray from the path set before him: ensure the continued prosperity of his estate, Pemberley, protect and educate his sister to become an accomplished woman, and marry the woman his mother chose for him—his cousin Anne de Bourgh. With a letter bearing his late mother’s signature, Darcy presumes his fate is sealed and prepares to wed one he does not love. However, his destiny begins to unravel when he glimpses a pair of fine eyes on a quiet, country road.
Elizabeth Bennet is the second daughter of a respectable though insignificant gentleman. She is flattered to have captured the attention of a local squire, a childhood friend, and everyone believes her path is secure—until a handsome, rich gentleman arrives at a neighboring estate. Happenstance begets the unlikely pair together, bridging a forbidden love long past a mere friendship.
In A Lie Universally Hidden, two of literature’s most beloved romance characters are destined to marry for fortune and obligation rather than love. How will Darcy and Elizabeth fulfill their true destiny under such circumstances? Shall honor, decorum, prudence—nay, a signed letter from the grave—forbid it?
A Lie Universally Hidden is a Regency Romance suitable for most audiences, teen and up.
Buy: Amazon
Add to Goodreads.
FTC Disclaimer: Link to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission. Thanks!
Author Biography
I have a degree in English with a concentration in British Literature and a Masters in Education. I love to travel, bake, and watch college football with my husband of 16 years and 3 rambunctious sons. My goal in life is to make not only my children, but also my students feel that they are loved, and to bring magic into everyone's world. My weaknesses are yellow cake with chocolate frosting, French bread with real butter, and my father's Arabic food, namely grape leaves, and falafel. I live in California where I dream of Disney adventures and trips across the pond.
Connect with Anngela Schroeder
Blog Tour Schedule
January 16/ My Jane Austen Book Club/Launch Post & Giveaway
January 17/ From Pemberley to Milton/ Book Review & Giveaway
January 18/ A Covent Garden Madame Gilflurt's Guide to Life/Guest Post
January 19/ So Little Time…/ Excerpt Post & Giveaway
January 20/ My Vices and Weaknesses/ Book Review & Giveaway
January 21/ Babblings of a Bookworm/ Book Review
January 22/ Just Jane 1813/ Excerpt Post
January 23/Austenesque Reviews/ Author Spotlight & Giveaway
January 24/ Obsessed with Mr. Darcy/ Book Review & Giveaway
January 25/ Every Savage Can Dance/Book Review & Giveaway
January 26 / Diary of an Eccentric/Book Review & Giveaway
January 27 / Austenesque Reviews/ Book Review & Giveaway
January 28/ My Kids Led Me Back to Pride and Prejudice/ Excerpt & Giveaway
January 29/ Savvy Verse & Wit/ Guest Post & Giveaway
* * * GIVEAWAY * * *
It's giveaway time! Anngela is generously giving away paperbacks and e-copies of her new book, A Lie Universally Hidden, and a paperback of Then Comes Winter!
- Two autographed paperback copies of A Lie Universally Hidden (US mailing addresses only).
- Two Kindle versions of A Lie Universally Hidden (Open to international winners).
- One autographed copy of Then Comes Winter (US Mailing address only).
- One autographed 5x7 of the A Lie Universally Hidden book cover (US mailing Address only).
- One prize per winner.
This is a group giveaway, and the winners will be picked at the end of the Blog Tour. To enter, fill in the Rafflecopter below.
Good luck!
Many thanks to Claudine Pepe of JustJane1813 for organizing this blog tour!
And a big THANK YOU to Anngela for her generous giveaway and wonderful excerpt! It was a pleasure to be part of her blog tour!
So, friends, what did you think of this excerpt?
Firstly, thanks for sharing the excerpt with us, Anngela. Now, how would I describe it? One word I use to describe snippets, excerpts, vignettes that make me go "Ahhh!" In a most satisfied way is "delicious" and that's definitely applicable here! It's also poignant given what I've read of the premise of this book so far. I'm also intrigued to know how Darcy and Elizabeth came to be stranded and apparently alone at Mr. Hamilton's estate.
ReplyDeleteOh, I agree, Anji! I want to know how Darcy and Elizabeth came to be at Mr. Hamilton's also! :)
DeleteI won't repeat what Anji said, but she said exactly what I wanted to say. Thanks for the giveaway.:)
ReplyDeleteHi, KateB! Ha! Yes, Anji said it all, didn't she?! :)
DeleteAnji usually does, doesn't she? :)
DeleteThanks for the excerpt and giveaway! I love the conversation between Darcy and Elizabeth and can't wait to read more. :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Daniela! Yes, it is intriguing! I need to read more myself!
Deletea sweet excerpt. Thanks for the giveaway
ReplyDeleteHey, Vesper! It is sweet. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThat was such a sweet excerpt!! Really looking forward to finding out more about the story and reading the book
ReplyDeleteHi, Priscilla! I hope you get a chance to read it soon!
DeleteWonderful excerpt. It leaves me curious. Curious to k ow how they got to this place and what is going to happen next. I am intrigued!
ReplyDeleteHey, BeckyC! I agree! I'm all curious to know how they came to be at Ashby Park, too!
DeleteI like seeing the evidence of a relationship develop- that they are learning about each other.
ReplyDeleteLoved the excerpt, thanks!
Hey, Sophia Rose! Ahhh, yes, they are learning about each other. Love seeing that!
DeleteThank you Candy, for supporting this tour. I'm glad you like the excerpt. It's a favorite of mine too!
ReplyDeleteLovely excerpt! I can't wait to read more about our dear couple! Reading about their encounters and conversations is always a pleasure. :)
ReplyDeleteAww, that was sweet! Darcy opening up about his father and admitting he cried. I'm wondering how they came to be trapped at Mr Hamilton's, and how long they'll remain there. They seem to be getting along quite well :)
ReplyDeleteAnngela, lovely excerpt! Congratulations.
ReplyDelete