Hope for Mr. Darcy – Character Interview & Giveaway

Hello dear readers,

How are you today? I am incredibly happy today, in fact I’m as happy as I could be to be hosting Jeanna Ellsworth on her first post for the launch of Hope for Mr. Darcy which was released two days ago.

Hope for Mr. Darcy is the first volume of the Hope Series Trilogy, a Regency variation series based on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

This trilogy promises hope and will always light our way through the darkness of unrequited love, but eventually bringing tremendously gratifying outcomes for our three favorite characters: Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Georgiana Darcy.

I’m looking forward to read this book as Mrs. Ellsworth previous books are amongst some of my favorites, namely Mr. Darcy’s Promise that I have recently reviewed.

 

I hope you get as enthusiastic about it as I am after reading the book blurb and getting to know it’s main character a little better. That’s right everyone, Mr. Darcy himself visited from Pemberley to Milton and allowed me to ask him some questions.

Let me remind you that he came to visit just after he had been refused by Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and I might have been a bit impertinent for his taste, so his temper might not have been very tempered at the time. In fact, he had to leave and return a little later to finish the interview. But I won’t take your precious time anymore, I will leave you to read the interview and see for yourselves the state a man who has just been refused finds himself in.

 

 

***Book Blurb***

 

Still shaken from his horrible proposal, Elizabeth Bennet falls ill at the Rosings Parsonage upon reading Fitzwilliam Darcy’s letter. In her increasingly delirious state, unfathomable influences inspire her to write an impulsive response. The letter gives Mr. Darcy hope in a way that nothing else could.

As her illness progresses, Darcy is there at her side, crossing boundaries he has never crossed, declaring things he has never declared. A unique experience bridges them over their earlier misunderstandings, and they start to work out their differences. That is, until Elizabeth begins to recover.

Suddenly, Elizabeth is left alone to wonder what exactly occurred between the two of them in her dreamlike state. And for the first time since meeting the man from Pemberley, she finds herself hoping for Mr. Darcy to return and rekindle what once was.

 

 

***Interview with Mr. Darcy***

 

Welcome to From Pemberley to Milton Mr. Darcy!

It’s an honor to have you here sir, especially as I’ve been told this is a particularly hard time for you. I don’t mean to intrude, but I can’t resist the temptation to ask. What is it like to find your soul mate, or what some people call your touchstone, your one in five billion, and lose it before she was even yours to lose?

There really are no words to describe the torment. It is as if you truly have nothing and never did, nor will you ever have anything of value again. I am Fitzwilliam Darcy, a gentleman raised without needs. I have never had a desire long enough to know how to define it. But Elizabeth, pardon me, Miss Elizabeth––I still have a hard time thinking of her in any other way but intimately––she . . . she changed that for me forever. The only need I have ever had, the only thirst that has ever tortured me, will never be quenched.

 

I am sorry for being so frank, but why give up so easily? Fitzwilliam Darcy is not a quitter. Where there is love, there is hope. How far will you chase that hope and turn it into reality?

Hope? Ha! Pardon me, a gentleman should never scoff like that. Do be serious! My reaction to that question makes me just shake my head in disbelief. You think I should try again? I was refused! I haven’t been refused anything! Not in all my eight and twenty years . . . Nothing . . . ever.

 

Are you well, Mr. Darcy? You sighed just now and stopped talking. Would you like some wine?

Oh, yes, actually, no. What I mean is, no, I do not need wine, and yes, I am well, strangely so. Forgive me. I allowed myself to ponder that question a bit more. The idea that I might have a chance, and truly, if the chance was one in a million, I have to admit I would take it! How odd this feeling is. Hope.

 

You are smiling, sir. But you did not answer the question. How far would you go?

Well, for starters, my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, just told me she was ill. He has been begging me to go see her at the parsonage. It was only this morning that I gave her the letter in the grove. I needed a minute to consider it before I answered him. I remember thinking, could I really be in her presence so soon after she refused me? The wound is still raw, so terribly raw. You have to understand that. But, I have to admit, I am considering it. I tend to journal my thoughts sometimes. Would you like to hear my exact thoughts from that moment?

 

Of course. What a privilege.

 

Just to explain, it is easier to write in the third person. I do not know why, but it helps me. These are my thoughts: “What did Richard mean that she was ill? Ill like one of those headaches ladies employ when they want to be left alone? Yes, surely that was it. “The last man in the world . . .” He had to distance himself emotionally from anything that had to do with Miss Elizabeth. He had no choice. He could ill afford to demonstrate any interest in her welfare. Even if he were still desperately interested. More than anything, he wanted to know whether his letter had helped to refute the two accusations she had spat at him yesterday. But was there really any hope of that? No. There was no hope; not for Mr. Darcy.”

 

There is no hope for Mr. Darcy? Might I parrot your sentiments from a moment ago; do be serious! Are you worthy of her if you are not willing to fight for her? What kind of man would give up hope?

I am sure what I said was not what you were expecting. I suppose we all have suffered some disappointment today, I know I have. Perhaps we should end this. I hate to say it, but this has been a very difficult interview. I suppose you see a prideful man too. I truly thought I had been sufficiently humbled yesterday when miss Elizabeth refused me. Yet, your probing, your sword of honesty has been a direct hit. I am being interviewed, questioned in every way, and the impertinence is quite foreign for me. Ha, well, perhaps not so foreign.

 

Why did you just chuckle? What is so humorous?

Do you mind if I postpone the rest of the interview? I find my mind is not engaged at the moment, at least not with you. I find a small rector’s cottage on the northeast corner of my aunt’s property has completely overtaken my mind. I shall return.

 

*****

 

Welcome back, Mr. Darcy. Oh my, I do not believe I have seen you smile so charmingly. It is late, but I see you have returned from the parsonage. But from the look in your eyes, you are ready to burst forthwith. Do not let me stop you.

Thank you Mrs. Deodato. You are absolutely correct! I did it! I went and saw her! And although feverish, and perhaps a little delusional, something was there.

––Something to hope for? Oh dear, forgive me, I did not mean to make you emotional. Here is a fresh handkerchief.

Yes, you took the words right out of my mouth. As miniscule as it sounds, there was something there. It can only be described as hope. It was amazing, truly unbelievable. She fell asleep shortly after we talked, for she is truly ill, but then this happened. May I share again what I have written?

 

If you do not, you will have several disappointed people.

Thanks you. After she fell asleep on the chaise, while we were waiting for the apothecary to come, this happened: “Darcy slipped his hand into hers just as her eyes closed peacefully. Colonel Fitzwilliam handed him a cool washcloth, and Darcy wiped her brow with it again and again. After a few minutes, her breathing slowed, and it was clear she had fallen asleep.

Darcy took a deep breath. These last moments with her had been the most pleasant interaction he had ever had with her. She was confused and feverish, but she had been kind and concerned about him. And for the first time, he had been honest and open with her. He had nearly forgotten anyone else was in the room.

Just then, as if determined to not be forgotten, Colonel Fitzwilliam loudly cleared his throat and curiously eyed Darcy’s hand clasping Elizabeth’s. The expression on his face spoke silent volumes. Darcy suspected that his cousin knew the whole truth now, and that irritated him somewhat. But that was Richard’s way. He investigated and searched out answers much like a lawyer who twisted and turned his witnesses until the truth burst forthwith in an onslaught. Yes, Richard wanted him to lay his cards out on the table. But this wasn’t any card game. His very heart was lying on a chaise, with new beads of sweat on her brow, gently reaching out to him with her tiny limp hand. He didn’t have time to explain himself to Richard.

He wiped her brow again and rubbed the cloth along her forearms down to the hand that he held. Every brush of the cloth seemed to calm her. She gently squeezed his hand. Whatever was ailing her, she seemed to find comfort with him there holding her hand. He could do that much. He would be happy to do whatever she desired. With a pang of anxiety, he paused with the cloth and wondered just how delirious she was. Was he taking liberties with her? Her words from yesterday still stung . . . “the last man in the world I could ever be prevailed upon to marry.” He heard Mrs. Collins pass by on her way to the front door, welcoming the apothecary. He leaned down and kissed the back of her hand and then folded her arm against her chest and reluctantly left it there.

Ever so quietly, he heard Elizabeth whispering in her sleep, “Mr. Darcy, do not leave me . . .”

 

What powerful prose. I can only imagine how light your heart felt with her asking you to stay. I am afraid our time is almost up. I want to thank you for your private feelings you have shared with us today. Is there anything else you would like to share with us before we end?

Most definitely. You cannot be more shocked than I was, but, Miss Elizabeth responded to the letter from this morning. She wrote me a letter in return! It is far too personal to include in this interview, but I will share my reaction after I read it. Allow me to share one more excerpt, if I may. “Darcy sat back and relaxed a bit. It was a good letter; it offered him a bit of peace. There was much to be thankful for. He folded the letter and took the lantern and stood up. As he walked to Rosings, his step had a bounce to it. His eyes saw all the many paths that he and Elizabeth had walked over the last few weeks. Each moment that he had found her on her walk, he had never once imagined that she thought ill of him. But she did. At least back then. He smiled slightly. But perhaps she felt differently now.

He reminded himself that she was feverish and confused, and that her kindness and civility towards him might not represent how she truly felt. But the letter still affected him, even more powerfully than holding her limp hand or cradling her sleepy head on his shoulder.

For the first time since yesterday, he felt hope.”

 

How did you do it? Few people have the strength of constitution to independently draw the line for themselves between defeat and perseverance. Did Elizabeth’s letter really affect you that intensely?

Most definitely. I cannot say more. It has been a long, taxing day. Thank you for pushing me in this direction. She is worth fighting for. She is my love, my life, the love of my life.

 

Wow, that just left me speechless. I won’t take more of your time Mr. Darcy! Thank you so much for visiting From Pemberley to Milton, and good luck with winning Miss Elizabeth’s heart!

A good friend of mine, Miss Dana Scully, once said something I believe is adequate for you at this time, and I would advise you to remember it: Maybe there is hope…

 

I hope you have enjoyed this interview and that it has piqued your interest, if it has, you can always find Hope for Mr. Darcy at:

Amazon.com – Hope for Mr. Darcy

Amazon.co.uk – Hope For Mr. Darcy (Hope Series Trilogy Book 1)

Amazon.fr – Hope For Mr. Darcy (Hope Series Trilogy Book 1) (English Edition)

 

***It’s giveaway time***

 

Mrs. Ellsworth would like to celebrate the release of Hope for Mr. Darcy by offering one copy to one lucky reader at From Pemberley to Milton. The giveaway is international and the winner may chose a paperback or an eBook copy.

Leave a comment on this post and share your thoughts on Hope for Mr. Darcy with us until the 8^th of May and stop by on the 9^th to see who was the winner.