Welcome to the eleventh stop on the Aerendgast: The Lost History of Jane Austen Blog Tour, kindly brought to you by Jakki at
Leatherbound Reviews. I have enjoyed following the tour thus far, especially the reviews, as I am yet to read the book. Author
Rachel Berman has kindly shared an excerpt with us today along with a wonderful paperback giveaway, courtesy of
Meryton Press!
My heart always feels slightly melancholy that Jane did not have her fairytale ending, although I believe she must have gained much pleasure from the novels she wrote and I for that I will be eternally grateful!! I always love to see Jane Austen with her own Mr Darcy, therefore this excerpt is perfect!
Excerpt by Rachel Berman
I do love a proper
garden. There is something truly wonderful and even magical about making things
grow. As I tend to the potatoes, I relish the feeling of dirt passing through
my fingers. It is heavy and earthy, and so tangible and real. It makes me feel real
as well.
It has been one month
since my family quit Bath for Steventon. I never knew I could miss someone as
much as I miss him. I feel as though part of myself is gone, and I am left
empty. A thousand times a day, I think of something or see something or hear
something that I want him to know. But when I turn to speak, he is not there. I
wonder: if I did speak, could he hear me? My sister thinks I have gone mad.
Perhaps I have. I only know that I live half of a life until he is with me
again.
“Miss Jane Austen,
potato harvester extraordinaire.” I hear his voice teasing from behind me. I am
not startled. I have become used to hearing him talk to me. I know not if the
words are really his, wafting through time and space and into my ear, or if
they are of my own lonely creation. I continue with my potatoes.
“Are you not even
going to say hello? I have had quite a far journey, you know.”
I know better than to
turn around, but I cannot help myself. I do, and slowly stand, blinking my eyes
rapidly to ensure that I have not fallen asleep and am in the midst of some
beautiful dream. But he is here, in my garden, standing right in front of me.
Edward. Here.
Everything in me
melts, and spring comes early as I run into his arms, suddenly warm and whole
again—finally.
“You are really here?”
I ask.
“Yes, I am really
here.”
“Do not leave again.”
“You are the one who
left me, if I am not mistaken.”
We laugh. It is the
most wonderful feeling I can ever recall.
“Miss Austen,” Edward
says, moving me back slightly so we can look each other in the eye, “I have not
come all this way simply to help you with your potatoes.”
“Oh, no?” I smile.
“Why are you here then, Mr. Fulham?”
“I have spoken with
your parents, Miss Austen. Jane. I am here to ask you if you will marry me.”
I know Edward must be
desperate while waiting for an answer, but I cannot seem to speak. I have risen
up into the sky, above my body, and am watching myself unable to move.
“Jane? I…I know it
might seem sudden, but I have loved you since the first moment I saw you, most
ardently, and I cannot be apart from you any longer. Why waste more of my life
away from you? My family’s opinions are of no matter. It will not do. Jane,
marry me.”
“Yes,” is all I can
say as warm tears run down my cheeks, and I feel my smile beaming all the way
across the road. “Yes.”
So sweet!! Thank you for sharing
Rachel. Good luck with Aerendgast and I look forward to the rest of the blog tour!
Giveaway Time!!
Comment below, if you love to see Jane with a suitor of her own for a chance to win a paperback copy of Aerendgast: The Lost History of Jane Austen by Rachel Berman! The Giveaway is open internationally!! The Winner will be announced on 20th March 15.
The winner can contact me via the 'contact me' tab, located at the top of the blog.
Comment below for a chance to win.
Good luck Everyone!!!!
Blog Tour Schedule
