Hello fellow readers!
Another self published author, another collection of short stories and another edition to the ever growing list, of Jane Austen Fan Fiction literature! Therefore I am delighted to welcome Renée Beyea, author of 'A Fine Stout Love and other stories'.
I would also like to thank Jakki at Leatherbound reviews for her participation in organising another great Blog Tour, for us all to enjoy!
Thank
you, Tamara, for hosting me at My Kids Led Me Back to Pride and Prejudice and participating
in the blog tour for A Fine Stout Love
and Other Stories. Each excerpt stop on the tour features an excerpt from a
different story. Today’s comes from “Eden Unashamed,” the fifth and final story
in the collection. Blending both comedy and substance, this tale recounts the
misadventures and impact of Darcy’s love poem for his betrothed as it passes
through the hands of every Bennet prior to reaching Elizabeth. Although the
overall story is narrated by Darcy, this particular scene is told from Kitty’s
point of view. Enjoy!
***
Mrs.
Bennet wrapped the satin ribbon over the crown of the bonnet. Holding it with
one hand on each side of the brim, she straightened her arms and twisted the
bonnet first one way and then the other, examining it from each angle. “Yes, I
think that will do very nicely.” Her eyes roved the table for a moment. “Kitty,
my sewing basket, please. We will just tack this down.”
Kitty
sighed and retrieved the basket from its usual post next to her mother’s
armchair. With Mary at her books, Kitty was left to occupy their mother. The
presence of her eldest sisters to interrupt the incessant soliloquies would
have made it more bearable, but the gentlemen had arrived before Mamma came
down. Both seemed excessively desirous of a private audience with their
intended and swept Jane and Elizabeth from the room to gad about the shrubbery.
Kitty
longed for some excitement and was sure to find it, if only her parents would
allow her to accept her newlywed sister’s invitation. But her father became
positively churlish if she dared to mention visiting Mrs. Lydia Wickham in
Newcastle. Taking her place as the youngest in the household was not fulfilling
Kitty’s expectations.
She
cleared a space on the table, lifted the basket lid, and began rummaging
through the disarray.
But
what was this? Kitty withdrew and opened what appeared to be a folded blank
paper. The half-sheet was extravagant when a quarter would have done for so few
words. She started reading and gasped. A hand flew to her mouth, but her eyes
flew even faster across the lines.
“Oh
my,” she tittered, “oh my!”
“What?”
asked her mother, snatching the paper from her hands.
“I
cannot imagine that it was for you to read,” Kitty said.
“What
can you mean? It was in my sewing basket. Of course it is for me.” Mrs. Bennet extended
the paper in the same manner as she had the bonnet and squinted. “My, but the
hand is rather small. Fetch my spectacles, dear.”
Kitty
did so with reluctance and then attempted to read over her mother’s shoulder
while Mrs. Bennet adjusted the glasses on her nose.
“Oh,
goodness,” Mrs. Bennet said. “Oh, that sly man! Why…” She waved the paper to
cool her cheeks, which were ruddy with a deepening flush. “Why, I cannot think
when your father last left me a love note.”
“Surely
you do not think it is from father?” Kitty could not imagine her father having
ever written love letters to her mother.
“Well,
of course I do. Who else would it be from? Shame on you, to think some other
man would be leaving me love notes in my basket.” She waggled a finger.
“But
the writing is not Papa’s.”
“That
does not signify. He is so fond of a joke, I daresay he had someone copy it out
for him. Lizzy might have done it. She is that clever with a pen, although I
cannot quite approve, considering.”
“Really,
Mamma, do you not think it might be from either Mr. Bingley or Mr. Darcy?”
Kitty would have read it again, if her mother were not brandishing it like an
errant lace tucker.
“And
why would either of them be leaving me verses in my basket? Sometimes I think
your father is right. How can you be so silly?” She reread the poem, shifting
about to keep it from Kitty’s eyes, and pressed it to her bosom with one hand
while fanning her face with the other. “Oh, oh, but my heart is all atremble. I
am feeling quite dizzy. My salts, my salts, Kitty, in my reticule.”
Kitty
departed on the errand in resignation, rolling her eyes as she left the room.
If her mother would wear a pocket or an apron as did Mary that she might have
her books about her, then her mother might have her salts at hand whenever she
wished, instead of inconveniencing daughters and servants.
Although,
in this instance Kitty could hardly blame her mother for a nervous attack. The
verses were rather… she searched for an accurate word and dissolved in giggles.
Well, excessively romantic to be sure. The idea that her father, who preferred
to tease and trifle with his wife, would have made the effort to compose them,
let alone had the inclination, was not only incredible but vaguely repellent.
This required another reading.
Oh, yes please Kitty, another reading! I need to know what was written and by who, the pros and cons of an excerpt!
Thank you Renée, I always enjoy reading excerpts & getting a small glimpse into a book I have not read.
Good Luck in the Giveaway everyone!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Discover
what happens when Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy meet fancy and fantasy
in this novella-length ensemble of Regency stories.
- What if two inexplicable trails of words led to the
Meryton churchyard on the same blustery morning?
- What if Darcy stumbled across suggestive lines of
verse following Elizabeth’s stay at Netherfield?
- What if a rumored engagement so thoroughly shocked
Lady Catherine that she could not interfere?
- What if Elizabeth learned the last man she would
ever marry was the only man she could marry?
- What if every Bennet family member read the love
poem Darcy intended only for his bride?
With all
the intimacy and lyricism of a chamber concert, these five whimsical shorts
will inspire the heart, prompt a smile, and entice readers to many happy
returns.
BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE
5/15:
Excerpt & Giveaway at Best Sellers and Best Stellars
5/16: Review
& Giveaway at Margie’s Must Reads
As always I delight in hearing your thoughts!
