The Child Blog Tour: Vignette + Giveaway

Happy Sunday, everyone! How has your weekend been? Good? Don't worry if it's not as you hope for as it will get better when you learn who our guest is. Have you guessed it yet? That's right, Jan Hahn is here on her third visit to My Love for Jane Austen. It's a privilege to again host the author of the newly published Pride and Prejudice variation called The Child. Take it away, Jan!

I'm so happy to visit My Love for Jane Austen today! If you've been following my blog tour, you may have heard there's a marriage of convenience in The Child. Elizabeth does not accept Darcy's proposal at first, but he's willing to wait. I wrote the following bit about her reluctance, but it ended up 'on the cutting room floor' as they say. One obvious difference between this scene and the book is the passage of three days before Elizabeth gives Darcy an answer to his proposal. In the book, she takes less than a day. Smart lady!

Vignette

       After I asked for Elizabeth's hand the second time, three days passed without an answer from her. She had requested time to consider, and I had been willing to oblige her. I would not press her, but when she was ready, I told her to send word by a servant and I would call at Longbourn.

       By the third day, my patience had flown out the window. Surely, any woman could make a decision in two and seventy hours. It was not as though I had declared my love for her or insisted she love me. We both knew this marriage was for the sake of the child. I offered the solution. Unless Elizabeth detested me ― and I no longer believed she did ― mine was the best proposal she would receive. Why would she not agree?

       At length, I could no longer pretend an interest in any activities at Netherfield Park. I ordered my horse saddled and galloped through the open gate. The countryside called to me, for I was no longer fit company for anyone but myself.

       As I reached the path that led to Oakham Mount I slowed my mount to a walk, but I did not enter the path. For the first time, I noticed a rough trail leading through the wood in the opposite direction. It appeared rarely travelled, but the worn-down grass indicated a faint track. I followed it for some way until I heard the splash of a waterfall. After dismounting, I led the horse through the trees whereupon I entered a clearing. Cascading water fell from a rocky cliff into a clear, deep pool of blue and green. An ancient shelf of stones lay above the pool, connecting the riverbank to the falls. Perched on the moss-covered stones and leaning toward the falling water with her hand outstretched, stood Elizabeth.

       I halted, fearing the noise of my arrival might startle her. Her stance was precarious, and I hesitated to call out lest she topple over into the pond. She wore a simple, white dress. The sun, dappled by the tree branches, danced over her hair and figure like fairy lights. I watched, enchanted, as again and again she cupped the water with her hand and brought it to her mouth to drink.

       At length, her thirst satisfied, she turned back. While lifting her arms to balance herself, she tripped lightly from stone to stone until she reached the grassy shore. She took but a step or two when she looked up and our eyes met.

       "Mr. Darcy! What are you doing here?"

       "Watching you."

       Her eyes widened. I looped my horse's reins over a branch near the pond so that he could drink and then crossed the space until I stood before her.

       "You caught me unawares," she murmured.

       "Forgive me for not announcing myself. I did not wish to alarm you and have you fall in the pool."

       She smiled slightly. "For that, I am grateful." She crossed in front of me and walked along the bank.

       "I had hoped to hear from you by now."

       She said nothing.

       "I trust you have considered my offer."

       She sighed. "I have done little else."

       My heart began to beat so loud I could hear it resounding in my ears. I took a deep breath. "And are you ready to give me an answer?"

       Instead of speaking, she turned and walked farther along the water's edge. Earlier she must have discarded her bonnet, for it lay on the ground. She knelt on the grass and picked it up, repeatedly smoothing the yellow ribbons as though the task was of utmost importance.

       I followed her, and after removing my hat, I sat down beside her and stared at the water glistening in the splashes of sunlight. We sat thus for some time until I could wait no longer.

       "Miss Bennet, from your lack of an answer, am I to assume once again that you are refusing my proposal of marriage? If you do me the courtesy of confirming my determination, I will never speak of the matter again."

       She lifted her head and turned to face me. "Forgive me if I have been discourteous. I have no desire to insult you, Mr. Darcy. You have been more than charitable. In truth, your generosity of spirit in offering marriage astounds me. I have hesitated to accept but for no other reason than fear."

       Fear! Was I that formidable? "I fail to understand. What have I done to make you fear me?"

       "Oh, it is not you I fear, but rather I am afraid for you."

       "For me?" Now, I was confused.

       "In years to come, I suspect you will regret having uttered such a rash offer. You not only ask to marry a woman you do not love, but you agree to rear a child that is not yours. I dread the day when you come to despise both Fan and me for ruining your life."

       I closed my eyes and eased the rigidity of my shoulders in relief. If only I could tell her she was the woman I had loved for almost three years! But I knew I could not. She did not love me, and I had sworn I would not renew those affectionate addresses again. But, oh, how I wished I could make her understand I had nothing to dread in marrying her, my beloved Elizabeth!

       I reached for her hand, and although I knew my actions surprised her, she did not pull away. "Do not fear the future. I have told you before, and I tell you again, this marriage is best ― for you, for your sisters...and for the child."

       "But what of you? How can it be best for you, sir?"

       I did not answer for a few moments. I was treading on dangerous ground. How could I make Elizabeth believe the marriage was best for me without revealing my feelings for her? I released her hand and rose, turning my back to her. I needed to measure my words with care.

       "It is time that I marry. Pemberley needs a mistress, and I need a wife, and eventually, a family. You will preside over my house with dignity and grace."

       "Surely, there are ladies of your acquaintance who are much more qualified to do so. I have no fortune. My family is in disgrace. And if we marry, your good name will be censured. It cannot be denied."

       I faced her and saw the distress on her countenance. "My family's name has been known for many, many years. In all that time, do you not think there has been at least a hint of scandal? Yours is not the first family to feel shame. People are imperfect; they make mistakes. But you and I can repair the damage done to your sisters. Let us embark upon this marriage with hope and trust in each other. Give me your hand and your acceptance. Say yes, Elizabeth."

       She had kept her eyes on mine without wavering, and she continued to do so as she held out her hand to me. Gently, I took it and helped her to stand. "What does your hand in mine mean?"

       "It means yes," she whispered.

       I wanted to shout! I wanted to sing, and I was no singer! I wanted to kiss her with all the love I had repressed for years! But I did none of those things. I simply raised her hand to my lips.

       And that was enough for now...

Book Blurb

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?

Book Links

Amazon  |  Amazon UK  |  Kindle  |  Kindle UK

Author Bio

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.

Author Links

Blog  |  Facebook  |  Facebook

Giveaway

Thank you for sharing this sweet and touching scene with us, Jahn. It's such a shame that you have to edit it out of the novel. Anyway, best of luck with the blog tour. My gratitude also goes to Claudine Pepe for kindly inviting me to join the tour. It is a joy and pleasure to work with you again.

Meryton Press is donating eight e-books of The Child throughout the tour so fill in the Rafflecopter form below to enter this international giveaway. You need to either tweet and/or leave a comment daily on each of the scheduled stops to increase your chances of winning. It is open until midnight ET on 4 April 2018.

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