Hello, my friends! Christine Combe has just released Volume Two of The Husbands of Elizabeth Bennet book series, and she's here today with an excerpt from the book! Please give her a warm welcome!
Greetings, fellow Austenians! I’m so excited to be visiting So Little Time again today! Candy has graciously allowed me to take over the blog for a day to talk to you about my duet of novels, The Husbands of Elizabeth Bennet. Volume One was released in September of 2023 and Volume Two released just two weeks ago!
The Husbands of Elizabeth Bennet, Volume One
by Christine Combe
Elizabeth Bennet has seen many things on her rambles through the countryside, but never an overturned carriage. It is immediately clear that the cause was no accident, and when she helps save the life of the driver — who is soon revealed to be a marquess in disguise — she has no idea that her life from that point will never be the same again.
Henry Faulkner, the Marquess of Stashwick, is a man that knows what he wants — and he wants Elizabeth. In light of multiple attempts on his life, who cares what the ton will think of his choice? While he recovers from the latest attack at Longbourn, and with none of the scruples shown by a certain inhabitant of nearby Netherfield, Henry wastes no time in charming his way into Elizabeth’s heart.
In accepting Lord Stashwick’s proposal, Elizabeth is suddenly thrust into the heart of London’s social elite. With Henry’s sister as her mentor, she takes the first steps toward building a reputation worthy of admiration and respect ... but not everyone she meets is pleased with the idea of the daughter of a country squire rising so high.
Can two people from different social classes build a life together when danger still lurks around the corner? And what is a certain gentleman from Derbyshire to do when he’s forced to admit that he may have squandered forever his only chance at happiness — especially given Elizabeth’s shining success in the very circle of society to which he had hesitated to elevate her…
The Husbands of Elizabeth Bennet, Volume Two
by Christine Combe
Nine years after a marquess miraculously fell in love with Elizabeth Bennet, the worst that could happen did, and she was left to raise four little ones on her own. A year after Henry’s death, she is as little prepared to return to high society as she was to enter it when they married, but a reminder of her responsibilities to her rank and her children helps her courage rise to take the first steps.
Fitzwilliam Darcy sadly lost his wife in childbirth a year after they married, and he has raised his daughter alone at Pemberley for the last six years. One of his noble aunts entices him to make the journey to London to share in the bonds of family, while another claims it is past time he found his little girl a mother and sired and heir—and Lady Catherine de Bourgh has decided that the right woman to fill the role is none other than Elizabeth.
Darcy and Elizabeth are brought together by their family connexion, and love for their children leads to their spending time together. Although he sees that the years have only enhanced her beauty and she sees that he is a changed man from the one she knew in Meryton, neither is thinking of marriage—certainly not to each other! But matchmaking is the business of the London social Season, and innocent visits to each other’s homes leads to speculation that they are courting in secret.
Can the return of unrequited love help Darcy heal Elizabeth’s broken heart? Or will Elizabeth’s determination to remain a widow keep them apart forever?
Oh, I do hope the blurbs intrigue you! Now, how about a sneaky peek at a dinner scene in volume two, where Elizabeth has to deal with Lady Catherine’s nosiness in a manner similar to canon…
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When the earl entered the room with Lady Catherine in tow, Elizabeth noted a distinct rise in tension, as though the others were expecting something to happen—or were afraid it would. She could not help but wonder if it had anything to do with what had made Adelaide cry. Had Lady Catherine said something that upset her? It must have been her because Elizabeth knew that Adelaide adored her uncle.
Lord Disley offered her his arm when dinner was announced, and though she had become used to being first on most occasions, it sometimes still made Elizabeth blush to have precedence over so many. When all the family were on their feet, Lady Disley announced that seating would be informal, and everyone could sit where they liked. As the large party began to file out of the room, Lady Catherine muttered, “How is the distinction of rank to be preserved when guests are given leave to sit where they like?”
“In a mixed party, Aunt,” said Lord Rowarth, “it certainly does well to adhere to formal seating. But we are an informal family gathering.”
Elizabeth decided she wished to sit by Henry’s sister, so chose the seat to Lady Disley’s left. Adelaide quickly claimed the seat to her aunt’s right, with Cate sitting on Elizabeth’s left. The other ladies took the remaining seats beside each other, putting all the women at one end of the table and the men to the other.
This arrangement would suit Lord Disley, Elizabeth thought with some amusement, as she knew the earl found talk of ladies’ pursuits inane and boring, as most men did. The seating suited Elizabeth as well, as the mothers could then chatter away about their children and the men could talk about sport to their hearts’ content.
After Grace was said and soup was served, Lady Catherine—who sat four places down and across the table from Elizabeth—called down to her, “Lady Stashwick, your eldest daughter is nine now, is she not?”
Elizabeth paused, her spoon halfway to her lips. She lowered it as she looked to the lady and replied, “She is, yes, as is my son Harry; they are twins.”
“Does your daughter play an instrument?” asked Lady Catherine.
“Yes. Isabella plays the harp,” Elizabeth replied.
“And she is remarkably talented for one so young,” spoke up Lady Disley. “Have you still a harp in the music room at Stashwick House, Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth nodded. “Indeed. You may recall that when Isabella took to the instrument, Henry made certain she would never be in want of one to play and purchased a harp for both the castle and the house in town.”
“I should call again and ask her to play for us,” said Lady Disley with a smile. “It has been too long since I have heard her.”
As Elizabeth parted her lips to agree with her sentiment, Lady Catherine said, “Does your younger daughter play, Lady Stashwick?”
“Not at all, Lady Catherine,” Elizabeth replied. “Margaret has a month still before she is four years old—she is hardly of an age to be learning an instrument, though she has shown an interest in the pianoforte.”
“Then you must engage a music master for her, if the one that teaches Lady Isabella does not know both the harp and the piano,” insisted Lady Catherine. “That she has shown an interest is proof enough that she is ready to learn.”
“I believe that as Lady Stashwick is her mother, madam,” said Darcy, “she is in the best place from which to judge if Lady Margaret is ready to begin learning an instrument.”
Elizabeth glanced down the table at Darcy, who sat to his uncle’s left, and found a frown upon his features. He seemed almost angry with his aunt for the impertinence of her queries, and she could not but find it both strange and generous of him to be vexed on her behalf.
“I remind you, my lady,” Darcy went on, “that my own daughter is two years older than Lady Margaret, and she has yet to begin playing an instrument. I surmise that Lady Stashwick has taken the same approach as I have done and is allowing her children to develop their interests at their own pace rather than imposing upon them.”
Elizabeth caught Darcy’s eye and smiled at him. “I thank you, Mr. Darcy,” said she. “You are correct—I have chosen not to force any of my children to study those subjects in which they show no real interest, save those which are true necessities. At present, Meg likes to play on the pianoforte because she likes the different noises it makes, but she has yet to show any real interest in learning to play.”
Darcy returned her smile and inclined his head, while Lady Catherine lifted her chin and sniffed. “I meant no offence, of course. I merely wished to share my opinion on the subject. Do any of your children draw, Lady Stashwick?”
Suppressing the urge to groan, Elizabeth took a spoonful of her soup before she replied, “My three eldest draw, yes. Harry’s particular interest is landscapes and Tom likes to draw buildings. Isabella is particularly gifted at portraits. Margaret does not draw, but she likes to color the simple pictures her brothers and sister draw for her. Tom is also considering taking up an instrument but has yet to decide between the pianoforte or the violin.”
“If I may interject an opinion on the subject,” said Lord Rowarth, “I would recommend the violin. My eldest son, as you know, asked to learn and I have not regretted letting him. He is very accomplished. And my daughter Emma plays the lyre.”
Elizabeth grinned. “Then perhaps Tom should learn the pianoforte instead. We would then have ourselves the beginnings of a family orchestra.”
“What a delightful notion, Lady Stashwick!” said Georgiana cheerfully.
***
What a dinner conversation! Lady Catherine will always be Lady Catherine, lol, even when Elizabeth outranks her.
If you liked this excerpt, I hope you will consider purchasing a copy of both novels. Both volumes of The Husbands of Elizabeth Bennet are now available from Amazon in eBook, paperback, and hardcover editions, and is also available to read in Kindle Unlimited!
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About the Author
admirer of Jane Austen's work, and she hopes that her alternate versions are as enjoyable as the originals. She has plans to one day visit England and take a tour of all the grand country estates which have featured in film adaptations, and often dreams of owning one. Christine lives in Ohio and is already at work on her next book.
Connect with Christine Combe
Blog: All That They Desire • Facebook • E-mail: authorchristinecombe@gmail.com
Purchase Links
FTC Disclaimer: Links to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. I will receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase a book through the link provided. Thanks!
Christine, congratulations on the release of both books and thanks so much for sharing an excerpt with us!
Friends, what do you think? Do you like variations where Elizabeth is married to someone other than Darcy? I think it's interesting that because of the marriage, Elizabeth is now on equal grounds with Darcy. We'd love to hear your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below!
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