I haven’t done an excerpt in some time, so I thought today would be the perfect day for one. My new novella Bingley’s Indignation is scheduled for release next Thursday, February 8 on Kindle, with paperback and hardcover versions available. This story explores what might have changed had Charles Bingley taken offense upon learning that Darcy did not inform him of Jane’s presence in London, rather than forgiving him as was his wont. This particular excerpt relates a possible solution to Darcy and Elizabeth’s dilemma due to the interference of meddling, officious, and ultimately loving relations!

True to form, I don’t have a cover ready yet. That will be rectified in the next couple of days. For now, I hope you enjoy this excerpt!

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“Well, Madeleine, what do you think?”

“I think Mr. Darcy is as much in love with Lizzy as we saw in Derbyshire.”

Edward Gardiner chuckled, gazing back at his beloved wife, reflecting how fortunate he was to have her in his life. Gardiner had once heard a wise man say that a good woman was indispensable to any man who hoped to be a success—the years of his marriage had provided proof of the wisdom of that proverb. Madeleine was his partner in so many ways, that he wondered what he would do without her steady support. He was truly blessed to have her.

“Our first meeting convinced you of his feelings, as I recall.”

“It did,” replied his wife. “It was obvious from the first moment Mr. Darcy laid eyes on Lizzy that he, at least, knew what it was to love. Of Lizzy, however, I was not so certain.”

“Oh, aye,” replied Gardiner.

Set back on the comfortable sofa, Gardiner considered recent history with Lizzy. “Given the stories she told us of Mr. Darcy and her certainty the gentleman was complicit in Mr. Bingley’s failure to return to Hertfordshire, her disgust was plain. Yet, I thought I detected a little softening after she returned from Kent.”

“That there was,” said Mrs. Gardiner, “though only by degrees. Before she left, she was outspoken, unsurprising given her character, I suppose. More than once I heard her speak of the gentleman as if he had no redeeming qualities. After Kent, however, she had little to say of him.”

“That was an improvement,” said Gardiner gravely, provoking his wife to laughter.

“Aye, it was,” agreed she. “Then when we were in Derbyshire, Elizabeth was not eager to visit Pemberley, though I might have thought she was at least curious. It was only after learning the family was not in residence that she agreed to go at all.”

“What do you suppose that meant?” asked Gardiner, curious to hear his wife’s assessment.

“That she was uncomfortable with the notion of Mr. Darcy finding her there.”

“Yet, that is exactly what happened!”

“And Lizzy proved my supposition,” said Mrs. Gardiner. “That discomfort soon gave way to confusion, for Mr. Darcy welcomed us as if he were the most genial man in the world. I specifically remember asking her about it. Elizabeth insisted she was as astonished as I was and could not understand what had altered him, and she did not even notice when I challenged her on it.”

“That was when you first suspected,” said Gardiner.

“I could think of no other reason a man of Mr. Darcy’s stature would extend such a welcome to tourists in his home. If that did not teach me the lay of the land, the way he regarded her certainly did.”

“The man is a closed book,” said Mr. Gardiner. “Unless Lizzy is before him. Then it is as if his heart resides in his eyes.”

Madeleine agreed but did not respond at once. Gardiner indulged in thoughts of Derbyshire and his interactions with Mr. Darcy since then, noting that the man had proven himself to be much more than Lizzy had ever given him credit. Even Darcy’s agreement to meet at Gardiner’s place of business was more than most gentlemen of half the standing Mr. Darcy possessed would allow. Those men would profess friendship and accept his acquaintance for their own benefit but would not visit the establishment of a man of business.

“Then what do you make of Mr. Darcy’s assertion that he is not to return to Hertfordshire?” asked Gardiner after a moment of silence.

“I cannot say,” said Mrs. Gardiner. Turning, she regarded him and asked: “Do you suppose there is some trouble between Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley?”

“If there is, I cannot fathom the reason,” replied Gardiner after a moment’s thought.

“This business of Jane and Mr. Bingley’s separation?”

“Perhaps,” mused Gardiner. “For that, however, I put the blame more squarely on the shoulders of Mr. Bingley’s sisters than his friend.”

Madeleine shook her head, her dislike for the Bingley sisters apparent in that gesture. “With that, I cannot but agree. Miss Bingley, when she returned Jane’s visit after three weeks, was as insolent as any woman I have ever encountered. Had Jane not seen it for herself, I would have counseled her to give up all hope of friendship with the woman, to say nothing of her brother.”

“Do you suppose Darcy had something to do with it?”

“Unless he counseled Miss Bingley to do as she did, I cannot imagine what it might be.”

Gardiner nodded slowly. “That might offend Mr. Bingley, but I cannot imagine Darcy doing such a thing. He is as proper a man as I have ever met. Even if he disapproved of Jane—unlikely, given what we know of his affection for Elizabeth—I feel safe in asserting he would not advise her to behave with such contempt and impropriety. The question is, where does that leave us?”

“That I cannot say,” said Mrs. Gardiner. “What I can say is that Mr. Darcy appears dispirited and will not return to Hertfordshire, and Elizabeth has been unusually silent of late.”

“Oh?” asked Gardiner with some interest.

“It is nothing upon which I can put my finger,” replied his wife. “Lizzy is usually an excellent correspondent, but sometimes letters between us are sparse. Of late, however, I only had that one letter to ask me after Mr. Darcy’s involvement in this business with Lydia and Mr. Wickham. She did not even respond with her thoughts.”

“That is the very essence of love,” said Gardiner, shaking his head with amusement. “Mr. Darcy goes to such trouble to assist in the matter of Lydia, but he does not wish Elizabeth to know. Did he not swear Lydia to silence?”

“As much good as that did him,” replied Madeleine with a laugh. “That girl is incapable of discretion.”

“Now Lizzy knows as she should,” said Gardiner. “The question we must resolve is what are we to do on the matter?”

“For that, I ask you to leave it to me, Husband,” said Madeleine. “I shall handle everything.”

“Very well,” replied he. “Do you suppose Lizzy will wish to come to London?”

“Perhaps,” said Madeleine. “If nothing else, I suspect her curiosity will draw her here.”

“Then I shall ensure Darcy knows of our potential visitor.”

“I have a better notion, Husband,” replied Madeleine. “When I dispatch my letter, I will send it express. With any luck, she will reply before Mr. Darcy visits you. Then you can give him certain knowledge of our impending visitor.”

“That, my dear, is an excellent notion.”

With an exchanged look, the couple burst into laughter. Madeleine went at once to compose her letter, and Gardiner promised to find an express rider to take it to Longbourn the following morning. If Elizabeth followed suit, they would receive a reply the very next day. Gardiner found himself eager to witness how Darcy received the news, for if he was any judge of the matter, it would be most entertaining.

Of greater importance, they would assist their beloved niece in finding her happiness.