Blog Tour: Suddenly Mrs Darcy by Jenetta James

Today I am pleased to be part of the blog tour for the lovely Jenetta James' release, Suddenly Mrs Darcy. My thanks must also go to Jakki of Leatherbound Reviews for asking me to be part of this tour. We are to be treated to an extract today! I also am able to offer you a giveaway - details at the end of this post! 

" Elizabeth Bennet never imagined her own parents would force her to marry a virtual stranger. But when Mrs. Bennet accuses Fitzwilliam Darcy of compromising her daughter, that is exactly the outcome. Trapped in a seemingly loveless marriage and far from home, she grows suspicious of her new husband’s heart and further, suspects he is hiding a great secret. Is there even a chance at love given the happenstance of their hasty marriage?"

 

Extract from Chapter 13

I hardly felt Mr Darcy’s hand upon mine as he assisted me out of the carriage. My mind was in chaos, and I could find no way forward but to focus on a stream of seemingly inconsequential things. My eyes moved from my slippered feet treading on the iron steps of the carriage to the tapered railings around my uncle’s front door and I listened to the calls of an urchin selling wares in the street behind me. I could not look at my husband. But as I lifted my hand to the great brass doorknocker, I heard him speak to James: “Yes, Queen Anne’s Gate.” He saw that the door of my uncle’s home had been opened to me and nodded. With no further show of interest, and seemingly eager to get away, he closed the door of the carriage and was gone.

I was undone, and I knew it. Clouds of horrors roared up in my mind. I thought of the shame that he brought on me, of how I loved him, and how little I could reach him. By the time my uncle’s butler announced me, I had decided.

“Aunt, I am so sorry; I know I am only just arrived, but I must reach my husband on a matter that cannot be delayed. I have not an instant to lose. But Mr Darcy has the carriage, so may I borrow yours? I shall have it back to you very shortly—within a couple of hours at the most.”

Aunt Gardiner’s concern was writ upon her face, but she thought I was a sensible girl and so, I believe, assumed I had a sensible reason for my escapade. “Why yes, of course. But, Lizzy, is there really cause to leave directly? Surely, we can send a message to Mr Darcy. Must you go yourself? I shall travel with you.”

“No, no, Aunt. There is no need for that, and I would not dream of imposing. No, there is nothing to worry about, but it is an urgent matter. I hope you will forgive me for postponing our tea.”

With little further ado, I was in my uncle’s carriage, whistling through the narrow streets. What I should do when I got there, I hardly knew, but I was full of righteous indignation, and though I could not say it to him, I was full of love—spurned, unreciprocated, unplanned, tormented love. Streets of tall houses seemed to unfold in all directions; the city noise of bartering men and clattering wheels hung in the air. How could it be so loud? Would I ever hear silence again? I sat forward in the seat of the carriage as if I wereatop a horse, and I knew that, if I paused or stopped, I might lose my courage. When we arrived in Queen Anne’s Gate, I realised I knew not which house I was looking for and was suddenly near collapse with frustration. Our carriage sitting outside a big black door, however, gave Mr Darcy away; almost within one breath, I knocked on it, and I was admitted.

My slippers tapped along a black and white tiled floor as a wigged footman led me forwards. The hush of the interior was a shock after the hum of the street and the banging chaos of my mind. Strange clocks ticked, doors creaked, and within a moment, the footman before me stood aside, announcing, almost to my own surprise, “Mrs Darcy.”

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Author Bio:

Jenetta James is a lawyer, writer, mother and taker-on of too much. She grew up in Cambridge and read history at Oxford University where she was a scholar and president of the Oxford University History Society. After graduating, she took to the law and now practises full time as a barrister. Over the years she has lived in France, Hungary and Trinidad as well as her native England. Jenetta currently lives in London with her husband and children where she enjoys reading, laughing and playing with Lego. Suddenly Mrs Darcy is her first novel.

 

 

 

 

 

Links:

Blog: http://jenettajames.merytonpress.com

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JenettaJames

 

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenettajameswriter?fref=ts

 

 

***GIVEAWAY***

  

As I mentioned above, I am very lucky to be able to offer a giveaway of one paperback copy, open internationally. 

To enter please leave a comment below and include your email address so that I can contact the randomly selected winner.

The giveaway will end on the 8th of May, and I will be in contact with the winner and will pass on the details to Meryton Press who will end out your book to you.

Good luck! 

My thanks again goes to Jenetta for this extract and to Jakki for setting up this tour. 

I wish Jenetta all the best with this release as well as any stories in the future!


Your affectionate friend,