Guest Post: Get Excited for Christine Combe's New Book, "A Promise of Forever" + Giveaway
Thank you for having me, Paige — I am so very happy to be stopping by today.
In this new Austenesque tale, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner are Elizabeth’s parents and she grows up happy and carefree in Lambton. At sixteen, Lizzy meets and falls in love with Fitzwilliam Darcy, future Master of Pemberley. The couple decides to elope but they are torn apart by their closest relatives, and when reunited must determine whether the pain of the years that have passed can be overcome to regain the love that was lost.
Now, to further intrigue you, here’s the second part of chapter one:
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“Lizzy, are you listening to me?”
Blinking, Elizabeth looked up from the book she hadn’t had much success in reading to find her mother gazing at her with some concern.
“I am sorry, Mamma, I did not hear you. What was your question?”
Marjorie Gardiner lifted an eyebrow in curiosity. “I asked after your plans for the day, but I see you are determined to spend it with your head in the clouds.”
Elizabeth felt an embarrassed flush fill her cheeks. “I am sorry, Mamma. I’ve a lot on my mind, I’m afraid. I cannot even concentrate on this book.”
As companion to Miss Darcy, Elizabeth was granted a whole day to herself once a week. Sunday was that day, and she always chose to spend it at home with her parents. Mr. Gardiner, her father, was the proprietor of the general store in Lambton, the village where he had met her mother. He had not cared for the occupation of his own father, but in that of his wife’s he had thrived, and when the ailing Mr. Jones had passed away, he took over management of the business. Mrs. Gardiner had been pleased by having no need to work, and so had dedicated herself to their only daughter’s education and the efficient management of her home.
Mr. Gardiner went into the store after church every week to inventory his stock—the store was closed, and without customers to tend to, he could get it done faster. He always said that he believed God would forgive him this small bit of labor on the Sabbath, for his efforts were done to give his family more of his time during the week. While Mrs. Gardiner worked on samplers, Elizabeth had intended to read, write letters…anything that might distract her from Darcy’s promise. He’d sworn a week ago that he would think of a way for them to be together, but he’d thus far come up with nothing. In fact, they’d hardly spoken since that day, which was unusual. Since she had accepted his attentions, Darcy had found a way to speak to her at least once every day.
She could not help but wonder if all their wanting was for naught…if she had been foolish to believe in him. After all, he was the son of a very rich man, and his uncle was an earl. Could she really trust that their walks together, their talk about books and music—their stolen kisses—would lead to a respectful marriage? Her, a paid companion, as the future Mistress of Pemberley?
Elizabeth was startled when her mother suddenly moved to sit beside her. Mrs. Gardiner took her hand and, looking intently into her eyes, said in a low voice, “Elizabeth, you know how much your father and I love you and want what is best for you. How much we dream of a better life for you than one of servitude. But dearest… I must caution you most strongly not to set your cap too high. Though it seems your father and the Darcys have been, I have not been blind to your admiration for young Mr. Darcy, nor his for you. I know you and he have engaged in assignations. But he is a Darcy and a Fitzwilliam, and it is a fool’s hope to believe in whatever promises he may have made to you. That boy will never marry you.”
Her mother knew. Of course, her mother knew—how could she not? The Gardiners had only two servants of their own, but those two were acquainted with several of those at Pemberley, the Darcys’ home, and their mistress often listened to their prattle when they thought her ignorant. Though they had endeavored to be secretive, Elizabeth knew there was no real way she and Darcy could have prevented their meetings from becoming known to someone—and it only took one bloody servant opening their mouth for the others to begin talking.
A sob lodged in her throat as tears pooled in her eyes. “Mamma, I love him,” she whispered.
Mrs. Gardiner smiled sadly as she lifted a hand to caress her cheek. “I do not doubt it, my girl, for he is a very fine young man. And with all my heart, I desperately wish it were possible for you to have your heart’s desire. I wish it were possible for him to be free to choose a tradesman’s daughter for a wife, but he cannot. Even if his feelings for you are genuine, the expectations of his family—the duty he owes to them, to his station… Young Mr. Darcy will never be allowed to lower himself to marrying his sister’s companion.”
The sob at last escaped, and Mrs. Gardiner drew Elizabeth to her as she began to cry. “What a fool I have been, Mamma,” she said tearfully. “I tried not to love him—did not even want to like him—but he… He has been so kind to me, so sweet, so generous… He told me he loves me, that he would find a way for us to be together, but you are right—there is no way. They’ll never allow it. I must love him in vain, and die a spinster with a broken heart.”
“Dearest, you are far too young to give up all hope of happiness,” her mother replied.
“But how can I hope to be happy, Mamma, when I shall be forced to see him every day?” Elizabeth cried. “I could not bear to see him take another to wife.”
Mrs. Gardiner drew a breath and released it slowly, then encouraged Elizabeth to sit straight and dry her tears. “I know you were honored to have been asked to be Miss Darcy’s companion—do not think your father and I ignorant of the distinction—but given the circumstances, I do think it would be best to get you away from Pemberley. Time apart from young Mr. Darcy will do its office in weakening the bond between you. You’ll both be able to move on and marry within your own spheres.”
“But where can I go, Mamma?”
“Your father has family we can beg the assistance of,” Mrs. Gardiner replied slowly.
Elizabeth’s eyes widened at this revelation. “Papa has family still living? Why have I never been told of them? Where are they—who are they?”
Mrs. Gardiner drew another deep breath and patted Elizabeth’s hand. “I know your father has told you that your grandfather Gardiner was an attorney, but what you may not know is that your father worked for a time as a clerk in his office alongside a friend of his, a Mr. Phillips—who, I believe, married one of your father’s sisters. But my husband found no satisfaction in law, so left home to seek his fortune by other means. It was some months after leaving that he found his way to Lambton and agreed to work for my father—and another year before my father would grant his blessing to Mr. Gardiner marrying me.”
“So I have an uncle and aunt called Mr. and Mrs. Phillips, and Papa has another sister?” Elizabeth asked.
Her mother nodded. “Your father is the eldest of them. Second is his sister Mrs. Phillips, and the youngest sister married fairly well to a gentleman called Bennet. I believe you’ve some cousins by the latter.”
“Goodness gracious! How can I have so many relations and not have known it all this time? Why did you and Papa never tell me of them?” Elizabeth wondered.
“Forgive us, dearest, for it was not from any intent to deceive that we said nothing,” said Mrs. Gardiner. “The truth is, though their relationship was good your father has not spoken with his siblings in several years—sadly, families sometimes lose touch with one another. And our lives have hardly been empty without their influence, dear. We both of us have several good friends.”
Elizabeth huffed but nodded acquiescence. “Very well, Mamma.” She paused, drawing a breath of her own; a few more tears fell as she regarded her mother, then said, “Do you really think going away is the best course?”
“I certainly do not want you to go, but yes, I think it will be for the best,” Mrs. Gardiner replied. “I know it will be hard for you, my love, but the only chance you have of being happy is to leave Pemberley and put this flirtation with Fitzwilliam Darcy behind you. I shall speak to your father about writing to his brother Bennet to ask if you may stay with his family for a time.”
As her mother embraced her, Elizabeth felt her heart crack into a countless number of pieces. She was giving up on Fitzwilliam Darcy, whom she loved most ardently. Who she had for many weeks believed was the only man who could ever make her happy.
***
Poor Lizzy — to be faced with the cold truth of the way things are! Tell me what you think in the comments below, and enter for a chance to win an ebook copy of A Promise of Forever, available for purchase from Amazon on Kindle — also in paperback and hardcover!
Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA
Contest open until January 25, 2022. Good luck!
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Christine, like many a JAFF author before her, is a long-time admirer of Jane Austen‘s work, and she hopes that her alternate versions are as enjoyable as the originals. She has plans to one day visit England and take a tour of all the grand country estates which have featured in film adaptations, and often dreams of owning one. Christine lives in Ohio and is already at work on her next book.
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Poor Elizabeth, I feel so badly for her.
ReplyDeleteYes, you definitely feel for her young heart!
DeleteI just remind myself that Lizzy Bennet is a resilient heroine who almost always gets her Happily Ever After!
ReplyDeleteYes indeed, and always does she end up with Darcy!
DeleteGosh, poor Lizzy! I can understand Mrs Gardiner's caution, but I feel for the daughter far more. It is so much like Lady Russell persuading Anne Elliot to give up Captain Wentworth, although under reversed circumstances. It sounds as if this will be a good book but with plenty of angst. Thank you for the excerpt and the chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteYou know, I never thought of the parallel between this and Lady Russell persuading Anne, but you're right! Good call there. And thank you for the kind words. Good luck in the drawing!
DeleteYou're perceptive to recognize a parallel with Persuasion, Jen! I agree about the angst. You know I'm all about the angst!
DeleteI wonder how much we'll see the the intervening 4 years in Meryton? And even though she gets sent away, she and FD obviously have the time to elope before she goes.
ReplyDeleteSo many possibilities!
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