Intentions and Mishaps & What Happens in Between

Happy news! I’m excited to share my new release, Intentions and Mishaps.

Just in case you’re wondering how this charming tale might be categorized—is it a variation or a sequel? It’s more of a sequel, as all preceding events remain exactly as presented in canon. Think of it as a glimpse into Darcy and Elizabeth’s life as husband and wife. And as it is a novella, it offers a quick romantic escape—perfect for when you need one.

Book Description

Unbeknown to each other, Darcy and Elizabeth are determined to make their first Valentine’s Day as husband and wife unforgettable. Alas, the hands of fate cannot help but intrude. What happens when good intentions and a litany of mishaps collide? Will their first Valentine’s Day be remembered as a series of misfortunes, or will they discover that the simplest pleasures linger longest in the heart?

For a sneak peek, I’m sharing not one but two snippets.

The first is inspired by this passage from Pride and Prejudice:

Pemberley was now Georgiana’s home; and the attachment of the sisters was exactly what Darcy had hoped to see. They were able to love each other even as well as they intended. Georgiana had the highest opinion in the world of Elizabeth; though at first she often listened with an astonishment bordering on alarm at her lively, sportive, manner of talking to her brother. He, who had always inspired in herself a respect which almost overcame her affection, she now saw the object of open pleasantry. Her mind received knowledge which had never before fallen in her way. By Elizabeth’s instructions, she began to comprehend that a woman may take liberties with her husband which a brother will not always allow in a sister more than ten years younger than himself.

Enjoy!

The sound of the door opening drew their attention, and Elizabeth entered the room. Darcy rose at once, his countenance brightening. Elizabeth paused mid-step, a knowing smile on her lips as she took in the scene.

“Brother,” Georgiana began, her spirits rising to playfulness, “I do not recall you standing when I entered the room.”

Darcy’s lips belied his true sentiments, but the rest of his expression remained perfectly unamused by his sister’s observation.

“Indeed,” Elizabeth agreed, moving to take the seat beside Georgiana, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Why is that?”

Georgiana laughed, emboldened by Elizabeth’s participation. “Yes, why is that?” she pressed, her teasing uncharacteristically bold.

Darcy regarded them both with the air of a man who knew he was outmatched. “You are a pair of incorrigible young ladies,” he said at last, which was sufficient encouragement for the two.

The playful banter continued with Darcy suffering their mischievous jests with dignified tolerance, far from how he might have endured such treatment during the early days of his acquaintance with Elizabeth.

Elizabeth, for her part, could not help but recall Georgiana’s earlier observations from the days when she first came to live with Darcy and her at Pemberley. The younger woman had marveled at Elizabeth’s ease in teasing Darcy so freely—a skill Elizabeth had reminded her was the unique privilege of a wife.

Upon deciding it was time to bring their jovial taunts to an end, Darcy consulted his watch and stood. “I fear it is time we part, if we are to prepare for dinner.”

Both ladies rose as well, Georgiana nodding in agreement. “I suppose we must,” she said, her voice that of reluctant acceptance.

They moved toward the door together, but when Georgiana stepped out into the hall, Darcy gently touched Elizabeth’s arm, silently urging her to remain.

Hmm. Is Darcy hoping for some private intercourse with his wife, or does he have another motive in mind? They are newlyweds, after all, with all that entails.

Speaking of motives, what could bring Lady Catherine to visit the Darcys in London during the height of the season? Whatever her reason, we all know she intends to carry her point.

Here’s the inspiring passage from Pride and Prejudice for the second excerpt:

Lady Catherine was extremely indignant on the marriage of her nephew; and as she gave way to all the genuine frankness of her character in her reply to the letter which announced its arrangement, she sent him language so very abusive, especially of Elizabeth, that for some time all intercourse was at an end. But at length, by Elizabeth’s persuasion, he was prevailed on to overlook the offence, and seek a reconciliation; and, after a little further resistance on the part of his aunt, her resentment gave way, either to her affection for him, or her curiosity to see how his wife conducted herself…

With such an inducement as this, all I can say is I hope you’ll enjoy this excerpt.

Looking up, Darcy was surprised to see his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, enter his study, especially since he had instructed his butler that he was not to be disturbed. Not that such a directive had ever succeeded in dissuading her ladyship from her purposes. After greeting her in the usual way and subsequently telling her as much, he asked, “How can I be of service to you, Lady Catherine?”

She reared her regal head. “I beg your pardon, Nephew? Is this how you welcome an esteemed member of your own family? I daresay I have never regarded you with such cool civility, as though your presence were no more than that of an indifferent acquaintance.” She let out an unladylike snort. “Although I ought not to be surprised, given that you married so far beneath yourself as to be considered laughable,” her ladyship uttered in disdain.

“No doubt, the shades of Pemberley were thoroughly polluted at Christmas, when you were forced to endure the entire lot of your sordid new connections.”

“Lady Catherine!” he exclaimed in a tone signaling his displeasure and his lack of patience.

With a haughty, bordering on indifferent air, she threw a quick glance about the room. “Where is she?”

He narrowed his dark, brooding eyes. “If you are referring to my wife, surely you do not expect her to be hovering in the corners of the room?”

She struck the armrest of the chair with her palm. “Nephew, I did not travel all this way to endure your insolence.”

He breathed in deeply and released his breath just as quickly. “My wife is not here at the moment. She is away.”

Her ladyship scoffed. “If I know anything about her, it is that she is likely in Cheapside. From what I have discerned, she spends a prodigious amount of time in that god-forsaken part of town. Not that it comes as a surprise to me—like to like, as I always say.”

Darcy stiffened, though he took care not to let his aunt notice.

This is no time for such distractions, he considered. Still, how abominably Lady Catherine had treated Elizabeth could not help but intrude. He recalled her insufferable condescension upon first meeting Elizabeth at Rosings, the barely concealed disdain with which she had spoken of her family and connections. Then there was her presumptuous confrontation at Longbourn, demanding assurances that Elizabeth would refuse any proposal he might offer. Worst of all, her bold and impertinent reply to the letter announcing their engagement still echoed in his mind—a tirade that dismissed Elizabeth as wholly unworthy of her nephew and insulted their union as a disgrace to the Darcy name. It was a litany of affronts so egregious that, if not for Elizabeth’s influence over him, he would not so willingly cast them aside.

“I had hoped you had given up all your resentment toward Elizabeth, but if that is not the case, then you can rid yourself of the notion that we shall visit you in Kent at Easter.”

“That sounds very much like a threat!”

So, will her ladyship have her way, or will Darcy have his own way of dealing with the uninvited visitor?

Have your share in the conversation in the comments below.

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Thank you for joining me in celebrating this story—it’s one I hold close to my heart!

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Giveaway Time!

What’s a new release without a giveaway contest? The prize is a $5 Amazon gift card. One winner will be selected and must be able to redeem the gift card on Amazon.com. The alternative prize is a $10 coupon code for use on my Author Store.

Hurry! The contest ends Tuesday, February 11^th.

Answer the question below for your chance of winning:

Which scene are you most excited about? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Or just say something to let me know you stopped by!