“Then I will bid you good night. Unless that is...Arlington would allow me the honour of escorting Miss Smith home.”
Arlington considered the situation for a moment. He had no exclusivity rights with Sophia. If Hopewell wanted a bite of the unimaginative, ignorant aspiring actress he discovered in a milliner’s shop, he was welcome to her. On Sophia’s side, he could little blame her.
Hopewell had no title but was an independent man of means. Arlington had learned ten years ago there seemed to be only one lady who could be interested in him despite wealth and titles. He had thought himself unable to give up his allowance and marry her as he wished. How did he repay her love and devotion? By having Claire banished to a damp cottage on the coast of Kent and dying of a fever. Now, he lived off investments of his own—refusing Matlock money—and it certainly was insufficient to buy women like Sophia the jewels they craved.
“As you please,” Arlington replied at last and said his goodbyes.
As he left the opera house, he noted the expression of interest of many of the ladies of Quality looking for lovers. They might condemn Sophia, but they traded their virtue for pleasure and money just as much as Sophia and her kind did. Then, there was the sort his brother had briefly been engaged to. They threw themselves at him for his name. Faithless creatures, the lot of them! No amount of begging from his mother to meet Lady Belinda Crenshaw—much accomplished, divinely beautiful and with twenty thousand pounds—could convince him to make a marry any more than he would consent to marry his cousin Anne. Their arranged marriage was the beginnings of all his problems.
Sometimes love needs a second chance.
Told against the backdrop of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy’s timeless love story, Renewed Hope continues the story of Sufficient Encouragement through the eyes of three couples experiencing love for the second time.
James Fitzwilliam may be the Viscount Arlington, but ten years ago he walked away from money and prestige to marry a servant girl against his family’s wishes. Unexpectedly, she died, and he has spent the time since trying to forget his loss. At last determining to marry with no hope of love, he settles on his cousin Anne de Bourgh – the very lady he cast aside years earlier.
Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam is a celebrated war hero and has loved only one woman. Her plot to use him to entrap his brother, the heir of a wealthy and powerful earl, crushed him in ways even battle could not. Years have passed, but the wounds remain. He knows better than to trust a lady again but is defenseless against the captivating Lady Belinda Crenshaw. Instead of proving faithless, she proves constant to the naval captain she loved who died at sea mere months ago. As Richard attempts to convince Lady Belinda to love again, his plans for retirement disappear.
Caroline Bingley has not always been mercenary and title grasping. Once upon a time, she was a naïve girl who fancied herself in love with a shopkeeper’s son with poor prospects due to the colour of his skin. When war broke out with France, he chose to prove his patriotism just as Caroline recognized her family would grieve over the match. Breaking the engagement nearly destroyed them both. Meeting Jacob Truman again could be the answer to all their dreams or their worst nightmares.
Coming July 2016!!
Pre-order now!
Author's Note
This story has been a work of fiction but rooted in very real historical events.
Luddite activity in manufacturing towns in the north of England picked up in November 1811 and escalated until around January 1813, although some attacks continued until 1816. A town called Huddersfield in West Riding of Yorkshire (now a defunct county) did see a Luddite attack but in April 1812. It is most famous for the assassination of the mill owner, William Horsfall, on April 28, 1812, but I based the incident in this book on an earlier encounter on April 11 at Rawfolds Mill, owned by William Cartwright. Knowing an attack was imminent, Cartwright had hired guards and several Cumberland militiamen defending the mill. The Dragoon unit known as the Queen's Bays, recently returned from the Continent, was only a few miles away, but the bell meant to alert them to the attack was not rung due to the rope breaking. A soldier did refuse to fire upon the Luddites and was referenced as cowardly in a Leeds newspaper article and was also sentenced to three hundred lashes, but only twenty-five were delivered, as Cartwright intervened—although by some accounts he had a reputation for cruelty.
On February 14, 1812, Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer Spencer Perceval, Home Secretary Richard Ryder, Attorney General Sir Vicary Gibbs, Solicitor General Sir Thomas Plomer, and three MPs from Nottinghamshire introduced a bill that made the crime of frame breaking a capital offence. It was considered an emergency endeavour and was rushed through the House of Lords, gained royal assent, and passed into law on March 20, 1812. While it passed with an overwhelming majority, there was some resistance. Most notably, Lord Byron's maiden speech in Parliament was in opposition.
Additionally, the fourth Earl Fitzwilliam truly was the Lord Lieutenant of the West Riding of Yorkshire Militia. As evidenced by Cartwright's use of the Cumberland Militia, the West Riding Militia was unavailable—having received orders to journey to Cork, Ireland. For the purpose of the story, I used the Derbyshire Militia, as many Austen historians have suggested that it was the Derbyshire Militia in Meryton. Some additionally suggested that Darcy's acquaintance with the officers was his reason for accepting Bingley's invitation to Netherfield and that he may have even served in the militia himself in the past.
Acknowledgments
To my author friends Elizabeth, Leenie, Rosie, and Zoe that always were willing to hold my hand, nothing can take your place in my heart. A special thanks to Anna Horner, my amazing editor, and my beta Jim. This story would not exist without Jane Grix, Aubrey Anderson and Melanie Schertz cold reading for me and encouraging me when I fretted over this book baby too much.
Thank you to the countless other people of the JAFF community who have inspired and encouraged me.
Last but not least I could never have written, let alone published, without the love and support of my beloved husband and babies!
About the Author
Rose Fairbanks hears book characters talk in her head. They whisper to her of a time when the sun never set on the British Empire. More than having a love story for the ages, these characters face struggles inspired by historical events such as market crashes, Napoleon, embargoes, Luddites, the Year Without a Summer and more. Merging historical research with the timelessness of Jane Austen, Rose currently has ten Pride and Prejudice variations published with several releases planned for 2016 as well as an original Regency Romance series in the works.
Rose proudly admits her Darcy obsession and addictions to reading, chocolate, and sweet tea. Always in the mood for a healthy debate, she also dearly loves to laugh. Having completed a BA in history in 2008, she plans to complete her master’s studies...someday. At the moment, having a career combining her life-long interest in history and research with her love for Jane Austen and the Regency Era consumes all of her professional time. When not writing or reading, Rose runs after her two young children, ignores housework, and profusely thanks her husband for doing all the dishes and laundry.
You can connect with Rose on Facebook, Twitter, and her blog: http://rosefairbanks.com
To join her email list for information about new releases and any other news, you can sign up here: http://eepurl.com/bmJHjn
Also by Rose Fairbanks
Mr. Darcy’s Kindness
Once Upon a December
Sisters Bewitched
Love Lasts Longest
A Sense of Obligation
No Cause to Repine
Undone Business
Letters from the Heart
The Gentleman’s Impertinent Daughter
Samples from Other Authors
Linda Cooper Thompson
Victoria Kincaid
Lia Fairchild
Bryce Anderson
Sample of The Laughter of Love
by Linda Thompson
Her Unforgettable Laugh Book #3
Coming Soon!
After the luncheon items had been packed away, the gentlemen, along with the three older children, moved to sit along the banks of the river, fishing rods in hand. Susan caught the first fish, but would not touch it to remove it from the hook. She quickly lost interest in the activity and moved to sit on the blanket with the rest of the ladies. All of the gentlemen had success with the fishing; however, Darcy had to let his get away to rescue Hugh before his fish pulled him into the river.
They placed the fish in the box with the empty crocks of lemonade and tea, and soon had everything and everyone loaded up ready for the return to Longbourn. As the wagon pulled up in front of the door, Mrs. Hill came running out calling Elizabeth’s name. “Oh, Miss Elizabeth, come quickly. I am so sorry! I do not know how she got in.” Elizabeth jumped from the wagon rather than wait her turn to be handed down, and she followed Mrs. Hill into the house and up the stairs to her room. When she looked in, Elizabeth saw the wardrobe doors open, clothes strewn about the room, and Margot on her hands and knees, gathering up pieces of fabric and lace.
“Margot, what on earth happened?” cried Elizabeth.
When Margot looked up, Elizabeth noticed the bandage on her forehead. “Oh, Miss Elizabeth, I am so sorry. Your wedding bonnet has been ruined beyond repair.”
By this time, everyone else had followed Elizabeth into the house and upstairs, only Kitty and the children were not present. Lydia hung to the back of the crowd with an odd look on her face.
“How did my bonnet become damaged?” asked Elizabeth with tears in her eyes.
“I am not really certain, Miss Elizabeth, I came into the room to return some mending. I found a lady pulling things out of your wardrobe and this all over the floor. When I called for help the woman shoved me and rushed out of the room.”
“Is that why your head is bandaged?” asked Lizzy concerned.
“Yes, miss.”
“Did you recognize the person?” asked Darcy.
“No, sir, I have never seen her before.”
“Mrs. Hill, did you all see anyone leaving the house?”
“We did see someone, Miss Lizzy, but she did not manage to get away.”
“Who was it that broke into my home, Mrs. Hill?” came the stern voice of Mr. Bennet.
“It was Mrs. Bennet, sir. We locked her in the storage room off the kitchen, sir,” said Mr. Hill nervously.
“Gentlemen, will you join me in my library as we talk with Mrs. Bennet?” Darcy and Bingley nodded. “Mr. Hill would you please bring Mrs. Bennet to my library.”
“Yes, sir.”
As the gentlemen departed to deal with the intruder, Elizabeth moved further into her bedroom and picked up pieces of her wedding bonnet. “What shall I do?” she asked the others in a voice thick with tears.
“This problem is quite easy to solve,” said Lady Matlock with authority. I will send an express to Madame Colette for a replacement.” She moved towards the writing desk in Elizabeth’s room and quickly wrote her letter. She prepared a second one to her daughter, asking that they stop to pick the item up before coming into Hertfordshire. “I will stop in Meryton on our way home to arrange for these to be sent.”
Elizabeth dismissed Margot to get some rest, and she and her sisters finished cleaning up the floor and returning the clothes to the wardrobe. Mrs. Gardiner went up to check on her children, while Lady Matlock and Georgiana descended the stairs to return to the carriage. After leaving word for the gentlemen with Mrs. Hill, the ladies departed in the carriage heading to the express office in Meryton.
*****
Mr. Hill brought Mrs. Bennet to the library door, knocking sharply. At Mr. Bennet’s call to enter, he opened the door and maneuvered Mrs. Bennet into the room, closing the door behind her. At Mr. Bennet’s request, he stayed outside the door to prevent her from leaving.
Mrs. Bennet glared at the men present, a look of loathing on her face.
“Would you care to explain why you broke into my house?” asked her husband.
“It is my home as well. I should be permitted to come and go as I please.”
“You gave up the right to live in this home with your disgraceful treatment of our second daughter,” said Mr. Bennet coldly.
“Oh, yes, your precious Lizzy. Heaven forbid that your darling girl should not get her way in every little thing,” sneered Mrs. Bennet.
“Lizzy gets no more special treatment from me than Lydia gets from you, and we were both wrong to show favoritism to any of the girls. We should have loved them all equally and encouraged what made each of them special,” said Mr. Bennet in a voice tinged with sadness.
Excerpt of The Secrets of Darcy and Elizabeth
Victoria Kincaid
In this Pride and Prejudice variation, a despondent Darcy travels to Paris in the hopes of forgetting the disastrous proposal at Hunsford. Paris is teeming with English visitors during a brief moment of peace in the Napoleonic Wars, but Darcy’s spirits don’t lift until he attends a ball and unexpectedly encounters…Elizabeth Bennet! Darcy seizes the opportunity to correct misunderstandings and initiate a courtship.
Their moment of peace is interrupted by the news that England has again declared war on France, and hundreds of English travelers must flee Paris immediately. Circumstances force Darcy and Elizabeth to escape on their own, despite the risk to her reputation. Even as they face dangers from street gangs and French soldiers, romantic feelings blossom during their flight to the coast. But then Elizabeth falls ill, and the French are arresting all the English men they can find….
When Elizabeth and Darcy finally return to England, their relationship has changed, and they face new crises. However, they have secrets they must conceal—even from their own families
Excerpt
Slumping into his chair, Darcy regarded Richard through half-closed eyes. “I can see you will not grant me any peace until I have revealed all.”
“Now you are talking some sense.”
Darcy grabbed the bottle of port from the table next to his cousin and quickly poured himself another glass, quelling Richard’s incipient protest with a glare. He would not tell the humiliating story without fortification. But after sipping his port, he fell silent, reluctant to relive the farce.
“Well?” Richard prompted.
“I…proposed to a woman and she turned me down….Something many a man has had to grapple with. Not much to tell actually.” He strove to keep his tone matter-of-fact and his voice steady.
“What?” Whatever Richard had expected, it was not that. He simply stared at Darcy. “You--?”
“Yes.” Darcy found his cousin’s shock oddly disturbing, as if it confirmed the enormity of his failure.
“I cannot believe it! All of London has been holding its breath waiting to see who you will marry. For eight years you have not favored a single woman. You have been leaving a trail of broken hearts in your wake—”
“I hardly think…”
Richard ignored his protest and barreled on. “She refused you? Who in the world would do that? Who did you propose to? A princess?”
“Believe it, there are women in England who do not care about my fortune. At least one. She refused me because she does not care for me.” She was right to do so, a voice in his head whispered.
“She does not like you? Darcy, who is this paragon who has seen through you?” Richard meant it as a light-hearted jest, but it struck Darcy to the quick. He scowled; that was exactly what Elizabeth had done.
“Does it matter?” The words came out almost as a groan. Darcy rubbed his face, realizing how tired he felt. Hopefully Richard would leave soon so he could stumble up to his bed chamber.
“Yes, because I am dying of curiosity.” Richard sat up straighter in his chair.
“I think I would rather let you perish.” Darcy no longer attempted to conceal his irritation.
“Wait, is this Miss
Bennet we are discussing?”
Darcy sighed. “Yes.”
“I noticed you were in a foul mood when we departed Rosings, but I believed that was because you wanted her but thought she was beneath you.” Richard’s teasing tone had disappeared, apparently he sensed how seriously Darcy took this situation.
“It appears I am beneath her.” Darcy gave a mirthless smile.
“Come, it cannot possibly be that dire. I know she found pleasure in matching wits with you at Rosings. What reasons did she give for her refusal?”
“I am proud, arrogant, and insensitive,” Darcy ticked the points off on his fingers. “Also, her opinion of my character was shaped by conversations with our great friend George Wickham….And….I helped persuade Bingley to separate himself from her sister.”
“That was her sister you told me about?” Richard groaned. “I am afraid I conveyed that information to Miss Bennet.” He appeared genuinely contrite.
Darcy waved this concern away. “I does not matter. No doubt she would have discovered it another way.”
“These do not seem to me to be insurmountable obstacles. You can explain the truth behind your dealings with Wickham and fix the situation with Bingley. Then you only need to be nicer to her…I know that will be the hardest part.” He gave Darcy a wicked grin, his teasing nature resurrecting itself.
Darcy stood and started pacing, rather unsteadily, on the carpet before his desk. “I already refuted Wickham’s lies in a letter to her. I also confessed my sins to Bingley two weeks ago. Hopefully he will forgive me someday.”
“That was well done,” Richard nodded approvingly. “Will he return to see the sister?”
Sufficient Encouragement: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (When Love Blooms Book 1) Page 31
