William, standing beside her, was so much like his father that Elizabeth caught her breath. He had all the dignity and assurance of the Darcys, and he seemed to be growing every day. He was surely half a head taller than he had been at the start of the holidays, and he was closer to being a young gentleman than a boy.
John, who was striding around the hall, checking the trunks with military precision to make sure that nothing had been forgotten, was still reassuringly boyish in looks. But the Egyptian adventure had increased his confidence, and he was a more capable and experienced boy than he had been before they had all set out.
The butler announced that the carriage was ready and Elizabeth embraced her oldest son, feeling him stiffen slightly as he allowed her embrace rather than enthusiastically returning it. She sighed, sorry that he was too old now for such shows of affection, and turned her attention to John. He saluted and then held out his hand for her to shake, but she ignored it and hugged him close, pleased to find that he returned her pressure. She kissed him on the cheek and then turned her attention to Laurence.
Laurence was still refreshingly impish and looking forward to going to school for the first time. He had spent the morning asking constantly if it was time to go, running up and down the stairs, and generally getting in everyone’s way—that is, when he was not whooping with delight and teasing Jane for being left behind.
Elizabeth gave him a hug, which he returned impatiently, and then stood back so that he could take his leave of his papa. He held out his hand in a grown-up fashion and Darcy shook it, but then Laurence launched himself at his papa and gave him a tight squeeze. Darcy picked him up and smiled into his eyes then set him on his feet again and gave him some last-minute fatherly advice.
And then it was time to go. They all went out to the carriage. The boys climbed in excitedly, Laurence riding on the box next to the coachman, while William and John climbed inside, and then they were off. Elizabeth and Darcy stood and waved until the carriage was lost to view.
Elizabeth stifled a sob as it turned the corner of the drive, and Darcy put his arm around her shoulders in silent sympathy. But the boys had been so happy that she could not be sorrowful for long. She put her arm around her husband’s waist and they went back inside, with their daughters beside them.
Beth sailed indoors with the grace of a swan, but it was Jane who caught Elizabeth’s eye. She was already more demure now that Laurence had gone. She was leading Meg by the hand, instead of running around and hollering as she would have been if Laurence had still been at home.
The girls were claimed by their governesses and Elizabeth and Darcy went into the drawing room.
As she looked around the familiar room, with its graceful furniture and its panoramic views of the glorious grounds, Elizabeth thought how lucky she was. She had a beautiful home, a wonderful family, many good neighbours, and a wide circle of friends. Her children were happy and growing up into fine men and women. And her husband… she looked at him with a lift of her heart. Her husband was the love of her life.
About the Authors
Bestselling author Amanda Grange was born in Yorkshire, England, and spent her teenage years reading Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer while also finding time to study music at Nottingham University. She has had over twenty novels published, including six Jane Austen retellings which look at events from the heroes’ points of view. Her short stories have appeared in a number of anthologies including The Mammoth Book of Regency Romance.
Woman magazine said of Mr. Darcy’s Diary: “Lots of fun, this is the tale behind the alpha male,” while The Washington Post called Mr. Knightley’s Diary “affectionate.” The Historical Novels Review made Captain Wentworth’s Diary an Editors’ Choice, remarking, “Amanda Grange has taken on the challenge of reworking a much loved romance and succeeds brilliantly.” Austenblog declared that Colonel Brandon’s Diary was “the best book yet in her series of heroes’ diaries” while Austenprose made Henry Tilney’s Diary a top ten pick for 2011. Her paranormal sequel to Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy, Vampyre, was nominated for the Jane Austen Awards.
Amanda Grange now lives in Cheshire, England. Please visit her website at www.amandagrange.com or follow her on Facebook.
Jacqueline Webb has published two acclaimed historical romances, The Scarlet Queen, set in Egypt and London, and Dragonsheart, set in London and Northern Africa. She is a French/English teacher. She lives in Merseyside, England, with her husband and two sons.
Wickham’s Diary
by Amanda Grange
Enter the clandestine world of the cold-hearted Wickham…
…in the pages of his private diary. Always aware of the inferiority of his social status compared to his friend Fitzwilliam Darcy, Wickham chases wealth and women in an attempt to attain the power he lusts for. But as Wickham gambles and cavorts his way through his funds, Darcy still comes out on top.
But now Wickham has found his chance to seduce the young Georgiana Darcy, which will finally secure the fortune—and the revenge—he’s always dreamed of…
“Grange, an obvious Jane Austen fan, has given an amusing and totally believable account of a wastrel’s life. Wickham’s Diary takes its place among her previous diaries of Jane Austen heroes.”—Historical Novels Review
“A short, fast read that is just plain enjoyable, double if you are an Austen fan to begin with!”—Fresh Fiction
For more Amanda Grange, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
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Mr. Darcy, Vampyre
by Amanda Grange
A test of love that will take them to hell and back…
My dearest Jane,
My hand is trembling as I write this letter. My nerves are in tatters and I am so altered that I believe you would not recognise me. The past two months have been a nightmarish whirl of strange and disturbing circumstances, and the future…
Jane, I am afraid.
It was all so different a few short months ago. When I awoke on my wedding morning, I thought myself the happiest woman alive…
“The romance and mystery in this story melded together perfectly… a real page-turner.”—Night Owl Romance Reviewer Top Pick
“Amanda Grange has crafted a clever homage to the Gothic novels that Jane Austen so enjoyed.”—AustenBlog
For more Amanda Grange, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
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Mr. Darcy’s Diary
by Amanda Grange
The only place Darcy could share his innermost feelings…
…was in the private pages of his diary. Torn between his sense of duty to his family name and his growing passion for Elizabeth Bennet, all he can do is struggle not to fall in love. A skillful and graceful imagining of the hero’s point of view in one of the most beloved and enduring love stories of all time.
“A gift to a new generation of Darcy fans and a treat for existing fans as well.”—Austenblog
What readers are saying:
“Brilliant, you could almost hear Darcy’s voice… I was so sad when it came to an end. I loved the visions she gave us of their married life.”
“Amanda Grange has perfectly captured all of Jane Austen’s clever wit and social observations to make Mr. Darcy’s Diary a must read for any fan.”
For more Amanda Grange, visit:
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Mr. Darcy’s Undoing
by Abigail Reynolds
What could possibly make a proper gentleman come completely undone?
What if Elizabeth Bennet accepte
d the proposal of another before she met Mr. Darcy again? In Abigail Reynolds’s bold and playful retelling of the Austen classic, a devastated Mr. Darcy must decide how far he is willing to go to win the woman he loves. Consumed by jealousy, he knows that winning her will throw them both into scandal and disgrace, but losing her is unbearable. Mr. Darcy is going to have to fight for his love, and his life…
“Abigail Reynolds offers a fanciful story, replete with anguish and raw emotion, exploring another possible road not taken by Jane Austen herself… an inventive, fiery, Regency romance.”—Austen Prose
“Abigail Reynolds, one of my favorite Austenesque authors, is a skilled storyteller, an ardent admirer of Jane Austen, and quite proficient at infusing a lot of emotion, tension, and passion into her stories!”—Austenesque Reviews
For more Abigail Reynolds, visit:
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Miss Darcy Falls in Love
by Sharon Lathan
The choice of a lifetime…
One young lady following her passion for music.
Two strong men locked in a bitter rivalry for her heart.
A journey of self-discovery, and a trap of her own making.
Georgiana Darcy is going to have to carve out her own destiny, however ill-equipped she may feel…
“The love, passion, and excellence of style, as well as the writer’s superior talent with words is sure to win her new fans or satisfy old fans with this one.”—Long and Short Reviews
“Lathan proves she is indeed a master at writing both Regency romance and Austen continuations. Miss Darcy Falls in Love positively oozes with yearning and sweet romance.”—Read All Over Reviews
For more Sharon Lathan, visit:
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The Plight of the Darcy Brothers
by Marsha Altman
Once again, it falls to Mr. Darcy to prevent a dreadful scandal…
Darcy and Elizabeth set off posthaste for the Continent to clear one of the Bennet sisters’ reputations (this time it’s Mary). But their madcap journey leads them to discover that the Darcy family has even deeper, darker secrets to hide. Meanwhile, back at Pemberley, the hapless Bingleys try to manage two unruly toddlers, and the ever-dastardly George Wickham arrives, determined to seize the Darcy fortune once and for all. Full of surprises, this lively Pride and Prejudice sequel plunges the Darcys and the Bingleys into a most delightful adventure.
“A charming tale of family and intrigue, along with a deft bit of comedy.”—Publishers Weekly
“I’ve read various Austen sequels, but this is the best so far.”—Historical Novel Review
For more Marsha Altman, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
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