I am thrilled today to be part of the blog tour for Jan Hahn's release, The Child. My thanks also goes to Claudine Pepe for inviting me to take part.
Will
Darcy ever grow to love a child he never wanted?
In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Fitzwilliam Darcy’s
proposal to Elizabeth Bennet at Hunsford is disastrous. In Jan Hahn’s The Child, Darcy flees England soon
afterward, striving to overcome his longing for her. Upon his return two years
later―while standing on the steps of St. George’s Church in Hanover Square―he
spies the very woman he has vowed to forget. But who is the child holding her
hand?
Darcy soon discovers
that Elizabeth and her family are suffering the effects of a devastating
scandal. His efforts to help the woman he still loves only worsen her family’s
plight. His misguided pride entangles him in a web of falsehood, fateful
alliances, and danger.
Will Elizabeth be able
to forgive Darcy for his good intentions gone awry? And what effect will the
child have on Darcy’s hopes to win Elizabeth’s love?
I’m delighted to end my blog tour with you, dear
Sophie, a true proficient in all things Austen! Thank you for hosting me. In
Chapter Eleven of The Child, Darcy and
Elizabeth finally kiss for the first time. Theirs is a marriage of convenience
because of the child, and they are married in name only. While forced to share
a chamber while visiting Netherfield, they have grown closer but have yet to
consummate the marriage. Since the story is written from Darcy’s viewpoint, I
thought you might like to hear how Elizabeth described that fateful first kiss
in this little scene that’s not included in the book.
"As we left the
nursery, I glanced at Mr. Darcy and he rewarded me with a smile. I was glad to return
the expression. For the first time in weeks, I felt happy. Not only had Mr. Darcy
deigned to help me put the little one to bed, but he had held her on his lap.
His words had been kind and helpful, for the most part. He had lost his temper only
once when Fan would not obey me, but at my signal, he had tempered his tone to
one the child would accept. He had even attempted to converse with her. What a
scene! I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. A month ago, I had doubted
he would ever reach the point where he could tolerate Fan for more than a few
moments. Tonight, he had talked to her!
We reached the
door to the chamber we shared, and Mr. Darcy looked unsure, as though he should
leave me there and rejoin Mr. Bingley and his sisters in the drawing room. I
knew he was doing it for my sake. He had been more than generous in providing
me time alone to undress and slip safely under the covers before he came to bed
each night. If not for his kindness, I knew not how we could have put up with the
awkward sleeping arrangements Mr. Bingley had thrust upon us. Of course, he had
no idea we were married in name only.
I was thankful that
Mr. Darcy elected to keep our private situation just that―private. As far as I
knew, he had told no one of our agreement. I wished I could tell him how
considerate I deemed him, especially when he pretended we cared for each other in
the presence of Caroline and Louisa. He would not see me humiliated before them,
and his thoughtful behavior had caused my esteem for him to grow.
Most
likely, it is not easy for him to do so, I thought. He has been more than patient with me.
Perhaps, I should offer some like indulgence to him.
“Shall you come
in, sir? It is late to rejoin the others this evening, is it not?”
“Very well,” he
said, following me to the sitting area of the chamber.
I offered him
sherry and poured the drinks, all the time wondering if I dared broach the
subject I contemplated. He had been so amiable, attending Fan in the nursery.
Surely, I could extend some compassion in return. But how? And what? Would he
consider any encouragement I extended as a request for more than I desired?
“You are
elsewhere, Elizabeth. Are you well?” He stood by the fireplace after stirring
the coals.
“Perfectly well,
sir,” I said, fussing with the ribbons hanging from my dress. “I…I want you to
know that I am grateful for your attentions to Fan this evening. I know it is
not your nature to spend time with a child. I would like to…to repay you in
some small manner.”
He frowned. “Repay
me? There is no need.”
“I did not mean
repay…I―” What a goose I was! Floundering about, searching for words.
“What do you
mean, Elizabeth? What is it about the child you would have me know?”
“It is not about
the child. It is about me.”
He raised his
eyebrows and stared at me as though he did not understand. And why should he?
I, who could make conversation with a wooden post, could not say what I wished
to him.
“What may I do
for you, Elizabeth?” He moved to my side, and the room suddenly felt far too
warm.
“I want to do
something for you!” The words burst forth before I could contain them.
“And what is it
you would you do for me?” He appeared lost, as lost as he did when trying to interpret
Fan’s gibberish.
I turned away,
pressing my lips together. Perhaps I could speak clearly if I did not face him.
“We have been married some weeks now, and I know men have…that is, you have…needs
that you have denied. I want you to know I am trying, sir.” I felt the blush
cover my cheeks. No doubt, I would soon turn bright red.
He cleared his
throat. “I would not impose upon you, not until you are ready.”
“I…I thought,
perchance, if we began slowly, we might show some small…affection one toward
the other.”
He blinked as
though I had startled him. “Affection? Slowly? Yes, yes, I can do that.” His
words rushed forth in a jumble.
Dear
God, what have I done? He wants me more than I feared! I
could say nothing. I walked away from him, twisting the ribbons on my dress
into a wrinkled mess.
“Might I dare suggest
we start with a kiss, Elizabeth? Or do I ask too much?”
“A kiss?” My
voice shook, and the tone sounded like that of a child thinking she was in
trouble. I heard his steps as he crossed the room and stood behind me. His
scent was all about me, and I found it most pleasant. My hands began to shake.
Why had I done this? I had no idea how to kiss a man, certainly not a man like Mr.
Darcy.
“A simple
goodnight kiss,” he whispered. “Nothing more.”
I felt his hands
on my arms as he turned me around to face him. I could not breathe. I could not
look at him. I could not stop trembling. I felt his finger on my chin as he raised
my face. I could not meet his eyes.
“Elizabeth?”
I sensed him growing
closer, his head lowering toward mine. I raised my eyes to see his mouth coming
towards me. And then it happened. Mr. Darcy’s lips touched mine ever so tenderly,
and my eyes closed. I felt myself leaning towards him. And then it was over.
“Goodnight,
Elizabeth,” he whispered.
I gasped! His
eyes blinked several times as though he had been insulted. What had I done? Did
he think I had not enjoyed his kiss? No, he must not think that. Say something, you ninny! I could not find
the words.
“Goodnight,” I whispered
and fled into my boudoir, closing the door behind me."
Award-winning writer Jan Hahn is the author of five
Austen-inspired novels. She studied music at the University of Texas, but
discovered her true love was a combination of journalism and literature. Her
first book, An Arranged Marriage, was published in 2011, followed by The
Journey, The Secret Betrothal, A Peculiar Connection, and The Child.
The anthology, The Darcy Monologues, contains her short story entitled Without
Affection. She agrees with Mr. Darcy’s words in Pride and Prejudice:
‘A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from
love to matrimony in a moment.’
Jan is a member of JASNA, lives in Texas, has five children and a
gaggle of grandchildren.
Contact Links:
Buy Links:
*** Giveaway ***
8 eBooks of The Child are being
given away by Meryton Press and the giveaway is open to international readers. This
giveaway is open to entries from midnight ET on March 21 – until midnight ET on
April 4, 2018.
Readers may enter the
drawing by tweeting once each day and by commenting daily on a blog post or
review that has a giveaway attached to this tour. Entrants must provide the
name of the blog where they commented.
Each winner will be
randomly selected by Rafflecopter and the giveaway is international. Each
entrant is eligible to win one eBook.
For bloggers hosting a
giveaway, paste one of the following Rafflecopter links into your blog. If you
do not have GA by your date and want to participate, please include the
Rafflecopter in your post. Reviews may include a GA.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The
Child Tour Schedule
