Letters of the Heart – Excerpt & Giveaway

Good Afternoon everyone,

Today I’m closing the Blog Tour for Kay Bea’s recently released Letters From the Heart and I hope you have followed it because I some very interesting posts out there. I’ve also seen a lot of good reviews on Amazon which means this book promises to be a good one! It’s on my TBR pile and I do hope I have the time to read it, until then I’ll have to settle for excerpts such as the one we are sharing here at From Pemberley to Milton. I hope you like this one 🙂

 

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November 26, 1812
Pemberley, Derbyshire

Dear Richard,

I can scarce believe it has been only one year since I danced with her at Netherfield. Forgive me; I have attempted to follow your advice and not dwell overmuch on the past, but on this day, I cannot help but think of how different things might have been.

I was enchanted that evening. I can still close my eyes and recall her scent of lavender, contemplate her grace as she danced, and see every expression of her magnificent eyes. They sparkled with merriment as she spoke with her friends, burned with shame when she watched her younger sisters, and flashed with anger when she spoke to me. Every look spoke of her passion and loyalty, and I was lost. I was terrified and I ran the next day. The day I left was the very day Miss Elizabeth declined Collins’s first proposal. Had I been there, I would like to think I would have declared myself immediately. But, perhaps not. I had not yet learnt to be humble or to consider how I might please a woman worthy of being pleased.

Enough. I shall be maudlin no longer. I can give you no excuse to spend Christmastide torturing me. Georgiana and I shall arrive at Ashford Lodge on December 10. Georgie wishes to have some time with your parents before the arrival of our Kent relations. I have had a letter from Anne; she intends to introduce her mother to Mr Addison whilst we are all together. She has contrived, with the apparent cooperation of your own dear mother, to have Mr Addison and his sister invited for a visit of several days. The Addisons seem to have many friends in the area and, in what I am certain is no coincidence, they will be spending Christmas with a family residing not ten-miles from Ashford. You may wish to bring your sword as it might be required to defend Mr Addison from our aunt. Lady Catherine is an enigma to me. She is very much as she ever was in her fundamental nature: demanding, unyielding, and imperious. Yet, in the matter of Miss Elizabeth, she has been exceedingly useful and has acted with naught but kindness to that lady. It confounds the mind. I shall not question it as I am told that Miss Elizabeth’s general condition is much improved. The relief this news brought to that lady’s father can only be imagined.

’Tis unfortunate your Lady Amelia cannot join the family party. I suspect her father would be more amenable to the arrangements if you would formalise the nature of your understanding. As you have not spoken to either of them of your intentions, you cannot be truly surprised at her family’s reluctance. Perhaps your courage will be found amongst the gifts this year.

Your cousin,
Fitzwilliam Darcy

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November 26, 1812
Hunsford Cottage, Kent

Dear Jane,

Was it only one year ago that we danced with our friends at Netherfield? So very much has changed since then. I wonder, if I had not been so hasty to judge Mr Darcy, whether things might have been different. But it is no matter now. I can scarce believe I shall be an aunt in just a short time. You and my brother will make wonderful parents. I do wish Mama would give you some peace. I would suggest you appeal to our father, but after so long a marriage, I do not think he will begin to check her behaviour now. I was happy to hear from Mary that Lydia is learning to play so well and that Kitty continues to improve in drawing. Indeed, it sounds as though Miss Darcy made quite the impression on our little family in the weeks she was visiting you at Netherfield. Perhaps the newfound peace will have some influence on Mama as well.

Life in Kent continues on rather quietly. Lady Catherine sends her coach daily that I might continue my friendship with Anne. I have been assigned my own rooms at Rosings as there are times when Anne feels she cannot part with me and begs that I remain overnight. Lady Catherine keeps Mr Collins busy with the various needs of the parish. Between his increased responsibilities and my new duties to Anne, it frequently happens that I do not see my husband more than once or twice a week. I find I can well bear the separation.

I confess I dread the coming holiday, for Lady Catherine and Anne will travel to Ashford Lodge for a month complete, and I shall find myself quite desolate without them or my dear family for company. We shall make a very small party, just Mr Collins and myself. Perhaps I should invite some distinguished family of the parish to join us. I shall speak to Lady Catherine first as my cousin will never fail to do her bidding.

Please give my brother and sisters and father my love. As to our mother—and do not think I have ignored your entreaties in this department—I have not yet learned to forgive her. I do not know that I ever shall. I know you do not approve of that sentiment, but I cannot help myself. Our father was ill, but he was not dying, and she very well knew it. To force me into my present circumstance was unconscionable. Please do not ask me to pardon the woman who has been responsible for ruining all my hopes. I am at last finding some measure of contentment here, but it is not due in any part to that lady.

Wishing you every joy.

Love,
Elizabeth Collins

 

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The death of one’s spirit should come with a great deal of noise: weeping and wailing, if not thunder or the roar of a fire. Elizabeth could not have imagined a spirit forced into darkness by something so mundane as the scratch of pen on paper. Elizabeth Bennet has been certain of many things in her life; her place in society, the love of her family, her ability to choose her own future, and her ability to accurately judge the character of those she meets. Three days after the Netherfield Ball, a near tragedy shakes that foundation and in the weeks that follow, Elizabeth learns that nothing is certain. Compelled by circumstance and her mother’s will, Elizabeth is condemned to marry her father’s heir, Mr William Collins. Isolated from everyone she knows and loves, Elizabeth is faced with a dark and difficult future. Unaware of the changes that have occurred in his absence, Fitzwilliam Darcy returns to Hertfordshire determined to right his wrongs and prove himself worthy of Elizabeth’s love. When he learns he is too late to secure his happiness, Darcy determines he will express his love for Elizabeth the only way he can – by protecting her younger sisters as well as he would his own. Old bonds are strengthened, family ties are severed, and unlikely allies emerge as each of them struggles to make sense of the changes they face.Can happiness be found when it seems all hope is lost?

This novella is a variation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and as such contains her characters as well as those of the author’s creation.

 

 

 

You can find Letters of The Heart at:

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

 

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Kay Bea is an administrative assistant and Jane Austen lover living in Kansas City with her husband of twenty-five years, her mother-in-law, and her fur kids. She has written several short stories and drabbles on fanfiction.net as “I Found My Mr. Darcy” and on A Happy Assembly as MrsDarcy2032.

Kay grew up in Wyoming, enjoyed a two-year adventure in Maryland, and now calls Missouri home. When she isn’t writing, Kay enjoys photography, cooking, and spending time with her adult children and three granddaughters.

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We have just closed the blog tour for Letters of the Heart, but you can still read all the guest posts and excerpts that were shared in the other blogs. In case you’ve missed them, here is the list of blogs involved in this tour:

 

Tuesday, September 3: My Jane Austen Book Club

Wednesday, September 4: Austenesque Reviews

Thursday, September 5: My Vices & Weaknesses

Friday, September 6: Calico Critic

Monday, September 9: Babblings of a Bookworm

Tuesday, September 10: Savvy Verse & Wit

Wednesday, September 11: Margie’s Must Reads

Thursday, September 12: From Pemberley to Milton

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Quills and Quartos is offering a generous giveaway of a $50 Amazon Gift Card for one lucky reader who comments  on any of the blog tour stops. To be eligible, just comment on any of the blog tour stops, and fear not, one need not visit all the stops (one point per stop and comment), however, it does increase your chances of winning by earning more entry points.

The giveaway is open until the 19th so you still have time to to check out all the posts and increase yoru chances of winning 🙂

Good Luck Everyone!

 

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