Darcy vs. Bennet Excerpt & Giveaway

Hello everyone,

In the beginning of the week I published an interview with Victoria Kincaid where she talks a little about her recent released novel Darcy vs Bennet. Today I’m happy to share with you the blurb and a small excerpt of the book to entice your reading appetite.

I hope you like this excerpt, and don’t forget, by commenting this post you increase your chances of winning one of 2 e-books Victoria Kincaid is offering.

For more information on the giveaway, please check the author interview.

 

***Book Blurb***

 

Elizabeth Bennet is drawn to a handsome, mysterious man she meets at a masquerade ball. However, she gives up all hope for a future with him when she learns he is the son of George Darcy, the man who ruined her father’s life. Despite her father’s demand that she avoid the younger Darcy, when he appears in Hertfordshire Elizabeth cannot stop thinking about him, or seeking him out, or welcoming his kisses….

Fitzwilliam Darcy has struggled to carve out a life independent from his father’s vindictive temperament and domineering ways, although the elder Darcy still controls the purse strings. After meeting Elizabeth Bennet, Darcy cannot imagine marrying anyone else, even though his father despises her family. More than anything he wants to make her his wife, but doing so would mean sacrificing everything else….

 

***Excerpt***

 

Darcy and Elizabeth meet at a masquerade ball. Elizabeth is crashing the ball with a friend and so does not want to reveal her identity.

 

At the end of the dance, William bowed, and Elizabeth curtsied to him. When their eyes met, she could not stifle a gasp. His gaze was so intense that she thought she might go up in flames just from his eyes. He feels it as well. But in the next moment, he glanced into the crowd, and she could not be sure of what she had seen.

He took her hand and led her out toward the edge of the veranda where there was fewer people and cooler air. They stood by the balustrade, catching the evening breezes. “Thank you for the dance.” William was a little breathless. “It was most enjoyable.”

“Thank you for asking me. You are an excellent dancer!” She could not help smiling at him.

But his face was solemn, almost as if he was concentrating on something. Without taking his eyes from hers, he slowly brought her hand to his lips and kissed it, lingering far longer than was strictly polite. A shiver shot through Elizabeth’s entire body. He did not relinquish his hold; he turned her hand over and bent his head to gently kiss her palm. Thank goodness I am wearing gloves. If he were kissing my skin, I might burst into flames!

“I must see you again, fair Elizabeth.” he breathed. “Where can I find you so I might obtain permission from your father to court you?” His head was still bent over her hand, but he glanced up through his lashes.

Elizabeth could not quite stifle the thrill of excitement at the thought of being courted by a man such as this. But she forced herself to ignore the sensation. “I am afraid it is impossible, sir.”

He straightened, regarding her with a frown. “Are you promised to another?” His voice had a new hoarseness.

“No, but—we are from different worlds.”

The lines on his forehead deepened. “You are a gentleman’s daughter?”

“Yes, yes, of course.” She cast about for a reason that would not reveal her identity. “I am not from Sussex.”

“Neither am I,” he responded promptly. “My family has an estate in Derbyshire. Where do you reside?”

She opened her mouth to say “Hertfordshire” and only just remembered that she should not reveal anything. It was all too easy to forget herself in this man’s presence!

“It matters not. It is in every way impossible. I am sorry.”

He appeared so crestfallen that Elizabeth considered revealing the true reasons they could not meet again. But if the Berwicks discovered that Louisa Green and her friend had insinuated themselves into the ball, it would be a great scandal, risking both women’s reputations—and likely earning William’s disgust as well. It was best if she departed while he still thought well of her.

This is my fault! I was too enamored of the masquerade, and now I have disappointed William. She needed to find Louisa and depart immediately.

A glance over the balustrade to the garden below revealed a glimpse of Louisa’s blue dress. She could collect her friend and be gone before the next set started. But William must not notice them leaving the estate.

Inspiration struck. “The dancing has made me very thirsty. Could you possibly obtain a glass of lemonade for me?”

He frowned, but she gave him her best imploring look. “Certainly, but I am not finished with this subject. I will convince you somehow.” He turned and walked briskly toward the crush surrounding the lemonade table.

Elizabeth hated her small deception, but it was necessary. It also relieved her of the burden of bidding goodbye to William. She could pretend she might see him again.