Similar to Kara Louise's excerpt from Pemberley Celebrations, this one also takes place during Darcy and Elizabeth's first Christmas season, making it all the more special and memorable! I hope you enjoy this kissing scene as much as I do! I just cannot help smiling through this entire scene! I'd love to hear your thoughts!
From Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One, chapter titled “Christmas at Pemberley” by Sharon Lathan
Christmas Eve dawned cold with ominous dark clouds threatening despite having dropped fresh snow in the night. All the guests were slow to rise, preferring to stay snuggled under warm blankets. As there were no particular plans for the morning hours, it mattered not. The Darcys, as host and hostess, strove to attend to their duties and so departed their chambers far earlier than they wished or had grown accustomed to. Darcy held Lizzy’s hand in the crook of his arm as they walked.
Abruptly Darcy stopped, causing Lizzy to collide with him, but prior to her uttering a sound, he propelled her backwards into an empty side corridor.
“What …” she began but he shushed her with a hiss and a finger to her lips.
“The Lathrops,” he whispered, pointing and cautiously sticking his head around the corner. Lizzy peered around his shoulder and stifled a laugh at the sight before her. At the bottom of the stairs, Mr. and Mrs. Lathrop had discovered one of the strategically positioned mistletoe balls, and were dutifully obliging the custom.
“What shall we do now?” Lizzy asked her husband with a grin. At roughly the same moment they looked upward and noted that they too were precisely under another mistletoe ornament.
“How many of these baubles did the maids fabricate, anyway?”
“I believe they were considering all the places the footmen frequent,” Lizzy said with a chuckle.
“Whatever the motivation, it is a ritual with historic dictates that we would be severely remiss to not observe,” Darcy stated firmly, capturing his wife’s mouth equally as firmly in an ardent kiss.
It must have been the day for espying lovers beneath mistletoe for Colonel Fitzwilliam’s chambers were down this very hallway and, with a chuckle, he ducked back into his room and busied himself until he deemed the corridor was clear.
*Excerpt provided by the author and used with author's permission
*Excerpt provided by the author and used with author's permission
***GIVEAWAY TIME***
The lovely Sharon Lathan has kindly offered ONE paperback copy of Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: The Two Shall Become One to one lucky commenter! (US Residents only) To enter, please leave a comment and fill out the Rafflecopter form! Good luck! =)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
From the Publisher:
It's Darcy and Elizabeth's wedding day, and the journey is just beginning as Jane Austen's beloved Pride and Prejudice characters embark on the greatest adventure of all: marriage and a life together filled with surprising passion, tender self-discovery, and the simple joys of every day.
As their love story unfolds in this most romantic of Jane Austen sequels, Darcy and Elizabeth reveal to each other how their relationship blossomed. From misunderstanding to perfect understanding and harmony, theirs is a marriage filled with romance, sensuality, and the beauty of a deep, abiding love.
Author Bio:
Sharon Lathan is a native Californian currently residing amid corn, cotton, and cows in the sunny San Joaquin Valley. She divides her time between being a homemaker, nurturing her own Mr. Darcy and two children, and working as a registered nurse in a Neonatal ICU. Throw in the cat, dog, and a ton of fish to complete the picture.
Sharon’s passion for Pride and Prejudice and then all things Jane began in 2005 upon seeing the movie version starring Kiera Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen. The burning desire to know what happened next sent her on a quest through online fanfiction and then ultimately into writing the story herself when she never found a sequel precisely matching her happily-ever-after vision. Now she has five complete novels, a novella, and a companion novel recounting Georgiana Darcy’s love story to her credit! Will it ever stop? Who knows, but she is having a fabulous time spinning the Darcy Saga!
Read It Now!
I'm such a sucker for a sweet Christmas scene. I haven't read anything by Sharon Lathan yet (gasp) but this will definitely be added to my to read pile. Thanks for the giveaway chance!
ReplyDeleteI'm a sucker for them too, Heather! :) I hope you find the opportunity to read Sharon's book! God luck in the giveaway! :)
DeleteGasp indeed, Heather! :-) Just kidding, of course. There are only so many hours in a day to read all the books we want to read, isn't that the sad truth. I am glad you enjoyed this little snippet though. Good luck on the giveaway!
DeleteOh, that is lovely! Love the footmen reference too. Nothing like a well-placed sprig of mistletoe to get the home-fires burning!
ReplyDeleteLOL, I think you are right Diana! I just chuckled at the footmen reference. It helps give readers a look at what went on when the Master and Mistress were not looking! :)
DeleteI cannot wait to read this book!!! One often wonders when your a Jane fan after the wedding day were did the marriage go? Thanks for a chance at winning this book
ReplyDeleteOh, yes! And Sharon does an excellent job of letting readers know exactly where the marriage went! *sigh* :) Best of luck in the giveaway!
DeleteI wondered the same, Krista! OK, I "wondered" to the point of obsession, I confess.... But now there is my vision of life after the wedding bells as a result, so I guess my obsession paid off. :-)
DeleteOh, so romantic! That made me smile :-)
ReplyDeleteHappy to bring a smile to your day, Ceri! I do just love this scene and never tire of reading it! :) I smile every time!!
DeleteOne can never smile enough, Ceri. Thanks for reading!
DeleteJakki, Thanks so much for sharing this excerpt! When I wrote it, oh so long ago, I loved the vision of sneaky maids catching handsome footmen unawares. LOL! Not, of course, that it would have taken the men too long to figure it out and probably find something that needed to be polished or repaired near a mistletoe ball. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you, Sharon for allowing me the privilege of posting this and for the wonderful giveaway!
DeleteHehe! I just LOVE the thought of maids and footmen "sneaking around" It is not often we are privy to their thoughts or actions. I simply cannot stop smiling when I think of their cunning ways.
That was one of my favorite parts of P&P200 at Austen Authors: when we were given scenes and POV from those we don't normally see!
Wonderful tease! Thanks for posting. I want to read MORE! :)
ReplyDeleteYou CAN read more, susied! Isn't that awesome? :-)
DeleteGood luck in the contest.
I love a god tease, susied! ;) thanks for stopping by! Good luck in the giveaway!
DeleteBut now Colonel Fitzwilliam needs someone to kiss! (me! me! *raises hand and bounces up and down*) I keep a mistletoe ball in my reticule at all times ;)
ReplyDeleteLove reading this excerpt again, as it's been a little while since I read The Saga. Not entering the giveaway, though, because I already have it.
Nice of you to volunteer to smooch with the Colonel, Monica. I think Lady Simone might take exception, however, and I would hate to see a girl cat-fight ensue!
DeleteThanks for stopping by. Merry Christmas!
You crack me up, Monica! What a great idea, keeping mistletoe in your reticule! Best to always be prepared! :)
DeleteI love the brief mention of Colonel Fitzwilliam. I have always been a Mr. Darcy fan, but once I read your Darcy Saga- I fell in love with the Colonel. Maybe one day we will read more about the adventures of Colonel Fitzwilliam and Simone!!
ReplyDeleteHi Kimberly! Oh, I just love it when authors further develop Colonel Fitzwilliam! I especially love when he and Darcy tease each other and their banter! :)
DeleteOh this is cute!!
ReplyDeleteI love the fact, that it was the maids wanting to catch some of the footmen under a mistletoe.
I hope it didn´t only help the Darcys and their guests with sneaking kisses from their desired person, but also the maids and footmen :D.
Me too, Katrin! Thanks for stopping by! :)
DeleteLoved this book! Thanks for sharing the excerpt. Col. Fitz, ah!
ReplyDeleteHi Sophia Rose! Mmm-hmm, Col. Fitz! ;)
DeleteOops! I entered the giveaway accidently (I don't live in the US|) :S Is that alright? Would you be able to remove my entries somehow? (Under Redrose15)
ReplyDeleteMaybe the footmen hung the mistletoe to catch the maids???? LOL So romantic. I can't believe that I don't have this one :( I just finished The Trouble With Mr. Darcy...LOVED! Thanks for a chance to win :)
ReplyDeleteI find it amusing that the footmen tried catching the maids and vice versa. :)
DeleteGood luck in the giveaway, JuneA!
I am sure this book holds a special place then, because it was the first one you read! :)
ReplyDeleteNo, problem, RedRose, I will take your name out of the drawing. Don't worry! There will be several international giveaways tis month as well! :)
Excellent scene as always
ReplyDeleteI agree to it being an excellent scene, Sara! Thanks for stopping by! :)
DeleteI was a big fan of pride and prejudice, and then I found your books by doing a search online for spin offs knowing that Lizzy and Darcy's store wasn't over. I love your books I just finished reading all your books for the 5th time, and every time I fall in love with the Darcys all over again. Cant wait for your next one.
ReplyDeleteWow, 5 times, Sabrina! Wonderful! I wish I had enough time to read some books that I really enjoy that many times, however, all the wonderful new books that come out kind of put a damper on that. ;/ I hope you enjoy The Passions of Dr. Darcy when it comes out as much as you enjoyed the others!
DeleteMr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: The Two Shall Become One is on my list to read. Would be wonderful to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteThanks, cmgren! I hope you enjoy the novel & best of luck in the giveaway! :)
DeleteLet us make your wedding exclusive. Mistletoe is a symbol of comfort, sterility, really like and, well, the hug. Seems to be like weddings Mistletoe to us! How can we provide the most perfect mistletoe to beauty your wedding and bring additional pleasure and fun to all? Below are a few ideas others have requested for in the last. If you have a exclusive idea, let us know and we'll see what we can do.
ReplyDelete