John Eyre Blog Tour ~ Spotlight

 Hello, my friends! Today, I'm spotlighting Mimi Mathews' new book, John Eyre: A Tale of Darkness and Shadow. This book looks incredible! I love a dark gothic tale and this retelling/mash-up sounds like a must-read!

“One of the most moving, suspenseful, innovative and remarkable retellings of a classic in the history of, well, ever... Every page is sheer rapture as [Matthews] moulds popular source material into a spell-binding creation so wholly her own.”— Rachel McMillan, bestselling author of The London Restoration

John Eyre

A Tale of Darkness and Shadow

by Mimi Matthews

BOOK DESCRIPTION 

Yorkshire, 1843. When disgraced former schoolmaster John Eyre arrives at Thornfield Hall to take up a position as tutor to two peculiar young boys, he enters a world unlike any he's ever known. Darkness abounds, punctuated by odd bumps in the night, strange creatures on the moor, and a sinister silver mist that never seems to dissipate. And at the center of it all, John's new employer—a widow as alluring as she is mysterious. 

Sixteen months earlier, heiress Bertha Mason embarked on the journey of a lifetime. Marriage wasn't on her itinerary, but on meeting the enigmatic Edward Rochester, she's powerless to resist his preternatural charm. In letters and journal entries, she records the story of their rapidly disintegrating life together, and of her gradual realization that Mr. Rochester isn't quite the man he appears to be. In fact, he may not be a man at all. 

From a cliff-top fortress on the Black Sea coast to an isolated estate in rural England, John and Bertha contend with secrets, danger, and the eternal struggle between light and darkness. Can they help each other vanquish the demons of the past? Or are some evils simply too powerful to conquer?

 

Buy: Amazon (paid link) • Barnes & Noble • Book Depository • Bookshop

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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!

About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews writes both
historical nonfiction and award-winning proper Regency and Victorian romances. Her novels have received starred reviews in Library Journal and Publishers Weekly, and her articles have been featured on the Victorian Web, the Journal of Victorian Culture, and in syndication at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes a Sheltie, and two Siamese cats.

Connect to Mimi Matthews

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Pinterest • BookBub • Goodreads

Follow the Tour!

Join the virtual book tour of JOHN EYRE: A TALE OF DARKNESS AND SHADOW, Mimi Matthews’ highly acclaimed Bronte-inspired Gothic romance, July 12-25, 2021. Thirty-five popular online influencers specializing in historical fiction, Gothic romance, and paranormal fiction will join in the celebration of its release with an interview, spotlights, exclusive excerpt, and reviews of this new Victorian-era novel set in Yorkshire, England. 

July 12 The Caffeinated Bibliophile (review)

July 12 Syrie James (review)

July 12 Austenprose—A Jane Austen Blog (review)

July 13 Bronte Blog (interview)

July 13 Laura's Reviews (review)

July 13 All-of-a-Kind Mom (spotlight)

July 14 Gwendalyn's Books (review)

July 14 Austenesque Reviews (review)

July 15 Bookworm Lisa (review)

July 15 Nurse Bookie (review)

July 16 Savvy Verse and Wit (excerpt) 

July 16 The Lit Bitch (review)

July 17 My Bookish Bliss (review)

July 17 From the TBR Pile (review)

July 18 Rosanne E. Lortz (review)

July 18 Books, Teacups, & Reviews (review)

July 19 The Secret Victorianist (review)

July 19 Christian Chick's Thoughts (review)

July 19 The Gothic Library (review)

July 20 Getting Your Read On (review)

July 20 The Silver Petticoat Review (review)

July 20 Lu Reviews Books (review)

July 21 Scuffed Slippers and Wormy Books (spotlight)

July 21 The Green Mockingbird (review)

July 22 Unabridged Chick (review)

July 22 A Darn Good Read (review)

July 23 Kathleen Flynn (review)

July 23 So Little Time… (spotlight)

July 23 The Calico Critic (review)

July 24 The Bronte Babe (review)

July 24 Probably at the Library (review)

July 24 Impressions in Ink (review)

July 25 From Pemberley to Milton (review)

July 25 Vesper's Place (review)

July 25 Cup of Tea with that Book Please (review)

Many thanks to Laurel Ann Nattress of Austenprose for including me in this book tour!

Congratulations to Mimi Matthews on the release of John Eyre! 

So, friends, do you want to read this story as much as I do? Let me know in the comments! Thanks!

Outmatched Blog Tour! ~ Excerpt

Hello, my friends! I’m delighted to be part of the Outmatched Blog Tour! Jayne Bamber has a lovely excerpt for you to read. I hope you enjoy it! 

Outmatched
An Austen Vagary
by Jayne Bamber

“It seems you must disoblige one of your children, Sir Thomas, and you must be the chooser of the pain inflicted. Your son disinherited, or your daughter married to an imbecile she cannot love.” 

When Sir Thomas Bertram returns home to Mansfield after his year in Antigua, he expects respite from his many troubles, in the bosom of his family. Instead he is met with blackmail, collusion, and the ominous threat of scandal. 

When Mrs. Margaret Dashwood takes her daughters from Norland to Barton Park, she carries with her a secret hope that they might someday return, though she is not yet ready to pay the price for it. 

A mutual connection bent on manipulation and revenge sets the stage for heartbreak, intrigue, and plenty of surprises as the worlds of Sense & Sensibility and Mansfield Park collide. Alliances shift along the way as familiar characters, bound by family ties, descend on Norland Park. There everyone has their own agenda, and constant peril looms as a large party of relations all scheme to outwit, out-maneuver, and outmatch their opponents. 

Elinor & Marianne Dashwood, Maria Bertram, Fanny Price, and Mary Crawford forge new friendships and alliances amidst the chaos of conspiracy, romance, redemption and self-discovery, the likes of which Norland Park has never seen before.

Excerpt

     Much as he had done for the past three days, Mr. Crawford wasted no time in recommending himself to Fanny, who endeavored to bear it all with better cheer than she had previously done. Though her friends were not near enough to assist her, Fanny was bolstered by Maria seeming to bear her no ill will, and something about Edmund’s continued solemnity on her other side seemed to arouse in Fanny some little courage. She would speak with Mr. Crawford, learn from it as she had promised, and really attempt to enjoy herself. In short, she would act in her own interests regardless of what anybody else was doing. 

     She had only to offer Mr. Crawford a warm smile before he was paying her compliments. “How well you look tonight, Fanny,” he whispered to her. “I must say in particular your hair is very handsomely arranged. My sister chose well for me, I think, in the rose pins.”

     “Chose for you?” Fanny beheld him in some surprise, more scandalized by his hints than his use of her Christian name. “The pins….”

     He smirked and gave a roguish wink. “I am often indulging my sister when she has a mind for shopping – a few pounds here and there – but today my generosity came with a request,” he whispered. “Today the gift must be for you, for I had understood it to be your day. I left the exact choosing to Mary, and specified only some manner of flowers, for I believe you are blossoming beautifully.”

     Fanny blushed, but willed herself not to look away. “I ought to return these to your sister.”

     “No indeed! I know you are too kind to ever wish to wound anybody, as surely you would my sister if you returned the hair pins. She was far too delighted with the plan when we spoke this morning.”

     “I am sure she would not be offended if I explained….”

     “I see I have embarrassed you, Miss Price, and I am sorry for it, though the sight of you wearing my gift shall not cease to please me. I only wish,” he said softly, brushing the side of his hand against hers as he reached for his wine, “I only wish that you might think as kindly of me as I do you. I do not ask for gifts, of course. Only a chance.”

     Feeling her face was now very hot, Fanny finally turned away from Mr. Crawford to collect her thoughts. Across the table, her Aunt Margaret was making every effort to ignore Mr. Crawford’s indiscreet overtures, and speaking with her head fully turned toward Cousin Marianne. On Fanny’s other side, Edmund was also turned away from her, quite engrossed in conversation with their cousin Elinor. It crossed Fanny’s mind that this may portend more than just Edmund’s wish for Fanny to speak to Mr. Crawford, though she pushed the thought away and turned back to her new admirer. 

     Mr. Crawford leaned forward as he caught her eye. “I promise I shall be good, Fanny. I shall pass the rest of the meal without causing you to blush so very prettily. Indeed, I know just how to accomplish it, for you must speak to me. I am sure of giving no offense by merely listening in rapt attention.”

     Fanny laughed in spite of herself. “Really, Mr. Crawford!”

     “If I shock you, you must know you quite surprise me. Perhaps you have never met anybody so very wicked, but I have never met anyone so gentle and good. It is just what my sister says, too. But, I have had her account of the day – I should like to hear yours.”

     Fanny caught Mrs. Jennings’ eye from down the table. The old widow raised a glass of wine to her with a knowing wink, which Fanny acknowledged with a slight nod before bolstering her confidence to speak to Mr. Crawford of her day in the village. It grew easier as she went on, for he really did listen with great attention, and she had naught but good to say, which could not be difficult. 

     Mr. Crawford held her eye and made all the appropriate looks by way of response as Fanny described her excursion and the pleasure she took in Mrs. Jennings’ and Miss Crawford’s friendship. Fanny realized she had become rather animated in her speech, for she had been happier today than any other occasion she could recall. 

     “I believe you have spoken more just now than you have since the entire time I have known you,” Mr. Crawford said when she finished recounting her day. “Well, as pleased as I am to hear you pleased, I am sure I could listen to you all night. You have the voice of an angel, Fanny. We really ought to have had you acting more with us.”

     “Oh, dear, no! What care I for the playing of parts when I am still learning to be myself?” Fanny blushed again and abruptly set her wine back down on the table. 

     “I see,” he whispered. “Who is Fanny Price? How am I to know, if you do not? But perhaps we may discover it together.”

     Fanny was sure he should not be speaking to her in such a way at the dinner table, regardless of the dedicated effort her relations seemed to be making to not notice it. She made little reply, and was relieved when Mrs. Dashwood rose a few minutes later to lead the ladies into the drawing room.

     In the drawing room, Fanny sought out her Cousin Elinor, who appeared a little under the weather, but had managed to draw Edmund out in conversation more than Miss Crawford and Fanny herself had managed in recent weeks. Fanny was on the verge of inquiring about her conversation with Edmund, when she hesitated. It occurred to Fanny that she did not wish to know. Edmund had made it clear he could not return her feelings, and had not chosen to confide whatever else bothered him; Fanny resolved to leave it, for she had concerns of her own to attend to. 

     She sat at some remove from the others and sipped at some Madeira to calm her nerves; she picked up a book she had started some days ago. She did not attend it very faithfully, for her thoughts were stored with a turbulent excitement about Mr. Crawford. His manners were much the same, but how improved her own had been, for after a while she had forgotten to be nervous at all in speaking!

     And yet he had been so forward, and still given no account for his sudden change. Fanny wished to enjoy herself, as Mrs. Jennings had urged, but she would not be a fool. Though she had exerted herself at dinner to please and be pleased, Fanny felt she could do no more for the present without feeling too great a responsibility in encouraging him outright.

     Instead she resolved to read. The rest of the ladies had broken into groups: Lady Bertram and Julia were getting along famously, Mary Crawford was whispering with Marianne, and Maria was fairly sniping as Mrs. Jennings chattered at Mrs. Rushworth and Aunt Margaret. Knowing her company could scarcely be missed Fanny remained engrossed in Paradise Lost until the gentlemen joined them.

     Edmund came first by a quarter hour, but Fanny would not betray the loss of interest in her book, as she surreptitiously observed him approach Elinor directly. Fanny dared at glance at Mary Crawford, but that lady appeared utterly indifferent to what gave Fanny such a pang in her heart. She attempted to think of her book, but turned the pages having scarcely read them, and was utterly wretched. 

     What cruel trick was it, that she should care for a man she could not have, but she could not care for, or even trust, the handsome man who was pursuing her? At length Mr. Crawford interrupted her misery when the rest of the gentlemen returned. He walked past Maria and muttered something with a scowl before approaching Fanny at the far end of the room.

     “You seek to hide, Miss Price, but that cannot be. You are just as fetching here in the corner as anywhere else.”

     “I am not hiding – merely reading.”

     Mr. Crawford gestured for the book, and as Fanny handed it over, he examined the cover. “Ah, Milton. I ought to have known your taste to be impeccable.” He leafed through the book, and finally stopped and began to read aloud.

     “In solitude, what happiness, who can enjoy alone, or all enjoying, what contentment find? Thus I presumptuous; and the vision bright, as with a smile more brightened, thus replied: what callst thou solitude, is not the Earth with various living creatures, and the air replenished, and all these at thy command, to come and play before thee?”

     He returned the book to her with a charming smile, and Fanny could see what he was about. “What happiness in solitude, indeed! What contentment could you have, Miss Price, when I might come and play before thee?”

     “A pretty turn of words,” she replied. “And yet I think surely you do play, for I cannot think you serious.”

     Mr. Crawford arched an eyebrow and leaned back in the seat across from her. “You must believe me to be so – I approached you with no other purpose. I am entirely serious, and if I do not fully understand the text, I shall rely on you to edify me.”

     Fanny eyed him nervously, certain there was some second meaning to his words. Determined to do her best, she turned a few more pages and began to read back to him. 

     “But if much converse perhaps thee satiate, to short absence I could yield. For solitude sometimes is best society, and short regiment offers sweet resume. But other doubt possesses me, lest harm befall thee severed from me, for thou knows what has been warned us, what malicious foe envying our happiness, and of his own despairing, seeks to work us woe and shame, by sly assault….”


     Mr. Crawford’s eyes sparkled with mischief as he nodded to her. “As ever, your musical voice delights me – as to the rest, perhaps I must beg some clarity, Miss Price. And mercy, too, for I am but a novice in this study.”

Buy: Amazon
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Many thanks to Jayne Bamber for visiting and sharing an excerpt from her new book, Outmatched: A Mansfield Park/Sense & Sensibility Vagary! This mash-up sounds intriguing! Congratulations, Jayne! 


So, friends, what are your thoughts? I think a mash-up between Mansfield Park and Sense & Sensibility sounds incredible! I like that Fanny is cousins with Elinor and Marianne! I also love the cover! 

What Are You Reading? ~ Dec. 18th, 2019

* * Post contains affiliate links. * *

What are you Reading?  Let me know what your current read is, what you recently finished reading, and what you plan on reading next! 

Happy Wednesday, friends! Next week is Christmas! Wow! That happened fast! I have all my gifts purchased and almost all wrapped. How about you? 


Current Read

I just started reading The Reluctant Midwife* by Patricia Harman. I love watching the series Call the Midwife, so I thought I might enjoy this. I'm looking forward to getting into it. So far, I think I'm going to like it!






Recently Finished

I recently finished A Wreath of Snow: A Victorian Christmas Novella* by Liz Curtis Higgs. It was a lovely Christmas story of forgiveness. I enjoyed it. 4 stars.

I also finished reading Girl in the Blue Coat* by Monica Hesse. It's 1943 and the Germans, who now occupy Amsterdam, are tightening down on rations. Hanneke finds items for people on the black market. It's illegal, but not too dangerous. Then one of her customers asks for help finding a girl that she was hiding from the Nazi's. She doesn't want to take on the job but also finds she can't say no either. Soon Hanneke finds herself pulled into the resistance and into more than she bargained for. I really enjoy this story. 4 stars. 

 And I finished reading North by Northanger* by Rebecca H. Jamison. It was a cute mash-up or nods to North by Northwest and Northanger Abbey. Set in present-day, the main character, Eva Morland, loves vintage clothing and old movies. Eva is mistaken for someone else and gets kidnapped by some criminals. After she escapes no one believes her. Now not only are the criminals after her but the police too!  The only person who believes her is Grant Tilney, a man she has just met! It's a fun story that did remind me of an old movie. 3.5 stars. 



What's next? 

I'm not sure what's next! I'm going to be with family for Christmas, so I may not read much. But I will let you know!

*Disclaimer: Links 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!  

I hope you all enjoy the upcoming holidays! I'll most likely take a break from blogging for the next couple of weeks. I do have a post up for tomorrow, so look out for that! 

Happy Holidays!

Happier in Her Friends Than Relations Blog Tour ~ Guest Post with Jayne Bamber & Giveaway!

Hello, my friends! I'm excited to share this post with you! I have a new-to-me author visiting today, Jayne Bamber. She's here with her new book, Happier in Her Friends Than Relations.

Be sure to read to the bottom of the page. There's a link to Rafflecopter for a chance to win an ecopy of Happier in Her Friends Than Relations!

Sisters & Misters

By Jayne Bamber, Author of Happier in Her Friends Than Relations

I’m excited to be here and share a little bit of background on my new release, Happier in Her Friends Than Relations. The novel is a mash-up of two of my favorite Jane Austen novels, Pride & Prejudice and Sense & Sensibility. Both of these classics are built not only on romance, but on the theme of sisterhood, and it is no different in my re-telling. The story focuses primarily on Elizabeth Bennet and Marianne Dashwood, now Marianne Brandon, but their sisters, as well as the sisters of Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, and Richard Fitzwilliam play a pivotal role in driving this story. 

This post will contain a few vague spoilers to acquaint you with the characters, for those of you that haven’t read the books or seen the movies in a while. A lot of the storyline are different, and a few of the characters are too!

The Sisters…

The Bennet sisters are portrayed by Jane Austen as fairly diverse amongst themselves. Jane, the eldest, is perfection personified, Elizabeth is almost as pretty and far more clever, Mary is bookish and moral, Kitty is thoughtless, and Lydia is spoiled and man-crazy. In Happier in Her Friends Than Relations, Elizabeth remains the same witty heroine we all love, though her sisters are portrayed somewhat differently.

Two of the more frequently ignored younger sisters are given a larger role to play: Mary and Kitty both remain much as they have always been, but are finally paid more attention and provided a chance to grow, while Lydia’s role is diminished (until the sequel!). 

Jane is the most drastically altered sister, and it’s a change I am especially proud of. I show a side of her that has never been seen before: after years of constant praise from her mother, and her inability to wed a rich gentleman, Jane has become a bitter narcissist bent on sabotaging her sisters. 

The Dashwood sisters are more true to their original portrayal in my variation. Sensible Elinor – now Mrs. Ferrars – and bold young Margaret take a back seat to Marianne, who, three years after her marriage, is very much the same emotional drama queen, though perhaps a little wiser. 

Just as in the original, Mr. Darcy’s ingenue sister Georgiana plays a role, first with the outcome of her folly in Ramsgate affecting her brother’s relationship with Elizabeth, and next with her own desire to help the situation. Of course, I put on my twist on things in Happier, with surprising results.

Mr. Bingley’s social-climbing sister Caroline, presented in this variation as his twin (his evil twin!), sets off a chain of events beginning with dissuading her brother from renting Netherfield, leading to a very different first meeting for Mr. Bingley and the Bennets.

I have also given Colonel Fitzwilliam – elevated, in my tale, to the role of viscount – a sister, Lady Rebecca (fan-casted in my head as the fabulous Jenna Coleman). Lady Rebecca is a brash, outspoken, and fearless socialite who befriends both Elizabeth and Marianne, and helps them both achieve their Happily Ever After, though her methods may be a bit unconventional.

The Misters…

It would be an Austen fanfic without some single gentlemen in possession of large fortunes! Though there’s lots of angst along the way, there’s more than one HEA. 

Mr. Darcy is more brooding than ever in Happier. The fallout of Georgiana’s folly in Ramsgate has led to shocking consequences for their family, and a series of tragedies in both his life and Elizabeth’s make it seem as though fate is determined to keep them apart.

Charles Bingley is likewise even more spineless in Happier. Easily manipulated by his sister, he first abandons his plan to lease Netherfield, and then abandons Elizabeth after a short-lived romance between the two.

I’ve upgraded Richard Fitzwilliam from Colonel to Viscount, but he’s still Mr. Darcy’s fiercest ally and number one wingman, when he’s not being wonderfully snarky. He’s a bit more helpful in Happier then in Pride & Prejudice, and he also finds a love interest of his own!

One of Austen’s most charming villains, George Wickham, makes an appearance in Happier in Her Friends Than Relations. This time he has more up his sleeve than just seduction – what could possibly go wrong?

Mr. Collins isn’t exactly a villain, per se, but he’s not Prince Charming either. In Pride & Prejudice he wants to marry one of the Bennet sisters, and in Happier there are fewer obstacles to keep him from getting what he wants….

I’ve written in several original characters to keep things interesting, and characters from Emma, Mansfield Park, and Sanditon make appearances as well. 

Happier in Her Friends Than Relations
By Jayne Bamber

In this angsty fusion of two of Jane Austen’s most beloved novels, Pride & Prejudice and Sense & Sensibility, the actions of their sisters cause challenging chain reactions for one of literature’s most celebrated couples....  

Fitzwilliam Darcy is faced with a family crisis of epic proportions after the fallout of his sister Georgiana’s ill-fated elopement in Ramsgate, while his friend Charles Bingley is persuaded to abandon his scheme of renting Netherfield Park.  

Elizabeth Bennet journeys to London to recover her spirits, after Jane’s unexpected marriage changes the sisters’ relationship forever, and the consolation of the Gardiners proves insufficient.  

The bonds of friendship offer Elizabeth a lifeline after a series of tragic events causes her to fear for her future. The support she receives from her new neighbor Marianne Brandon, and snarky socialite Lady Rebecca Fitzwilliam prove she is truly happier in her friends than relations.

Find out the rest of the story by purchasing your copy of Happier in Her Friends Than Relations, available on Kindle now!

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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!


~*~

In the excerpt below, we catch a glimpse of Lizzy’s ill-fated romance with Mr. Bingley, the cumulative result of Caroline and Georgiana’s actions prior to the opening of the story. In this scene, Elizabeth has had her second first glimpse of Mr. Darcy, having forgotten her first one, and can’t resist flirting from afar….


     Lady Helen and Mrs. Gardiner turned their attention to obtaining refreshments. Elizabeth looked around and caught Mr. Bingley’s eye; he smiled brightly, clearly eager to join her. She began to wonder if her uncle had perversely distracted the young man for the amusement of seeing him squirm a bit.  
     
     Just then, Lord Hartley took advantage of her aunt’s distraction to lean in close to Elizabeth, and teasingly whispered, “I daresay my friend will be wildly jealous at seeing me address you thus, Miss Bennet, but I felt obliged to do what I can to discomfit him a little, since he seemed rather oblivious to your apparent interest in another of our party.” 
     
     Though his comment was made in good humor, Elizabeth was utterly mortified, and felt herself blushing a deep shade of pink. Lady Rebecca, sensing her friend’s embarrassment, hissed at her brother, “Richard, really!” 
   
     The viscount appeared chagrined, smiling ruefully at Elizabeth as he addressed his sister, “Truly, Rebecca, I am quite put out. I had hoped that once cousin Darcy married, I would get my fair share of attention from the ladies, and it breaks my heart to see that it is not so. Handsome devil, I cannot see how Bingley regards him so very well.” 
     
     Though Rebecca rolled her eyes and gave a great huff of exaggerated indignation, Elizabeth schooled her countenance and offered the viscount what she hoped was a serene smile. He kindly meant to put her on her guard—the attractive gentleman was a married man, hence his dismay at her flirtatious gesture. Moreover, he was an intimate friend of Mr. Bingley, making her momentary interest in him even more inappropriate. It was clever and generous of the viscount to disguise his admonishment so playfully, and Elizabeth felt all the gentility of his effort. “I certainly understand your sentiments, sir,” she replied. 

     Lady Rebecca sighed. “Poor Darcy!” 

     Darcy, Elizabeth furrowed her brow at hearing the name repeated. It was vaguely familiar, just as his face had seemed. 

     “Miss Bennet!” Elizabeth turned to find Mr. Bingley approaching, just as Mrs. Gardiner and Lady Helen rejoined the conversation. “How are you ladies enjoying the performance this evening?” Mr. Bingley’s eyes never left Elizabeth’s as he took his place at her side.  

     Elizabeth flushed with pleasure as she watched him take in her appearance. It was clear he liked her very much. Is he in love with me? Is this what it is like to fall in love? She returned Mr. Bingley’s amorous gaze, trying to sort out what she was feeling. Oblivious to her companions and the silence that had fallen over them, Elizabeth returned Mr. Bingley’s smile, until at last they both began to laugh.  

     Mrs. Gardiner softly cleared her throat. “I believe we are enjoying it very well, indeed,” she replied to Mr. Bingley’s unanswered question. 

     Elizabeth looked back at her aunt. “Oh, yes. I like it very much. The music is simply breathtaking.” 

     “Yes, yes indeed,” Mr. Bingley replied, still grinning at Elizabeth. “Caroline says it is far more refined than seeing a play—but I own I much prefer plays. Saves me the trouble of reading them. Not that I should like to read music, either. That is—I cannot imagine how all you accomplished young ladies manage it.” 

     Lady Rebecca pursed her lips to keep from laughing and gave Elizabeth a playful wink. “Are you possessed of such accomplishments, Elizabeth? I will own I comprehend a great deal in my idea of an accomplished woman.” 

     Elizabeth smirked saucily. “I do play and sing a little, but very ill, I assure you. Of reading plays I have had better success, for I am fond of reading everything my father’s library has to offer. Dare I ask if I have satisfied your requirements?” 

     “It is indeed an accomplishment to improve one’s mind through extensive reading,” Lady Rebecca observed with a tone of great mirth. “However, I find the greater accomplishment to be that of endeavoring to exert one’s influence over those who do not have a taste for such things.” Here she gave Mr. Bingley an arch look, and he responded with a jovial laugh. 

     Mr. Gardiner clapped his young friend on the shoulder. “Come round for dinner some time, if ever you should like to be influenced, young man. I daresay my Lizzy shall make short work of it.” 

     Elizabeth turned away in sudden embarrassment at her uncle’s straightforwardness. She looked to her aunt for assistance, but Mrs. Gardiner merely gave her hand a gentle squeeze and smiled cheerfully at her. Before she knew it, Mr. Bingley had accepted her uncle’s invitation and settled on Saturday next. Her uncle seemed hesitant to presume too much in inviting the Fitzwilliams, but Mr. Bingley adroitly suggested that he should give a dinner for them all the week after that. Not to be outdone, Lady Rebecca announced that she would be happy to hostess at her brother’s house in Belgrave Square, and would send round her invitations as well.  

     The conversation continued in such a manner until it was time to return to their box for the second act, and Elizabeth was equal parts relieved and disappointed when the time came to separate from Mr. Bingley and his friends. Was love supposed to be such a discomfiting mixture of embarrassment and delight?  

~*~

Thanks for joining me on the fourth stop of my blog tour, and a special shout-out to those of you who have been following Happier since the days of posting on AHA and AO3! As a thank-you for all the wonderful support I’ve received, I have started a give-away, and will be selecting a winner after each post on the blog tour! See the full schedule for the blog tour below, and click here to follow me on Facebook for updates on the sequel, coming soon!

Many thanks to Jayne Bamber for stopping by So Little Time... today!

Friends, what did you think? Ooh, I'm not sure I like an evil Jane, but I'm very intrigued by Lady Rebecca! Did any of the other character changes stand out to you? 

Don't forget to click here if you would like to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway to win an ecopy of Happier in Her Friends than Relations! Good luck!