Blog Tour of “When we are married” by Caitlin Williams – Excerpt and Giveaway

Not many words from me today for When we are married as I want you to read first the book description and then we “chat”, here you have it:

Two sisters, one man. Someone’s heart is about to get broken.

Elizabeth Bennet quickly realises she has misjudged Mr Darcy. In Kent, she learns first impressions are not always accurate. His proposal is disastrous, insulting even, but when she reads his letter her heart begins to thaw, and her objections and prejudices start to melt away. Elizabeth decides to offer Mr Darcy a sliver of hope, an apology, and a second chance.

Yet when he begins to call at Gracechurch Street, determined to become a better man and humbled by Elizabeth’s reproofs, he unwittingly stirs the romantic hopes of another lady altogether.

Jane Bennet is bereft and confused, rejected by Charles Bingley. She is fearful of becoming an old maid and eager to fall in love with the very first gentleman who takes notice of her. Mr Darcy just happens to be everything her mother has wanted for her; rich and handsome, the perfect suitor.

Through crowded, industrious Cheapside, to the elegant ballrooms of Mayfair, Mr Darcy chases Elizabeth Bennet, unaware that the quiet unassuming girl who smiles too much, is fully intent on chasing him.

So… what do you think? The first thing it came to mind was:

Cat fight!! I cannot believe it! Jane, what are you doing?? but at the same time it is: “Ohh, you poor thing!” How on earth this is going to end well?!?! But I hope it does if not I will scream 😉 Lizzy and Jane cannot be at odds with each other, they are BFF apart from sisters. Well, let’s try to forget that part for a bit, my next question would be: how does Elizabeth offer a sliver of hope? because Darcy becomes a regular at Mr and Mrs Gardiner’s home…

Author: Caitlin Williams

Let me introduce the guilty person of this possible cat fight, Caitlin Williams. A really good author and a very nice person that I was glad to meet a few months ago. You may be surprised about her former job.

Caitlin Williams is the author of two novels, Ardently and the best-selling The Coming of Age of Elizabeth Bennet, both based on the characters from Pride and Prejudice. She’s a lifelong Austen devotee and lover of all things regency.

Originally from South London, Caitlin spent thirteen years as a detective in the Metropolitan Police, but is currently on a break from Scotland Yard so she can spend more time at home with her two children and write.
Follow Caitlin on: Facebook                 Goodreads              Austen Variations      Twitter

Here you can buy his latest book When we are married or her previous ones: Amazon UK  Amazon US  Amazon CA   Amazon ES (English version)  It is also available through KindleUnlimited.

Excerpt (enjoy!)

Her voice had given the impression of confidence, her reply had been laced with tartness, but as she moved away—still feeling Mr Darcy’s gaze upon her—Elizabeth’s spirits were in a flutter.

Why was she not angrier? No matter how solicitous and civil he was now—amongst the more personable and respectable members of her family—she could not forget how he had once derided and despised others she loved. His treatment of Jane, refusing to greet her when she had made her visit to the Hursts’, coupled with the deviousness he had shown in keeping Mr Bingley oblivious to her sister’s presence in Town; it all should have made him truly despicable in her eyes.

And yet…

And yet…oh, curse the man. His owning it so openly, so freely admitting to his faults, was horribly disarming and his teasing was so unexpected. “When we are married.” The audacity! As she neared the tea table she found herself tutting and smiling at the same time.

“You were speaking to Mr Darcy for a good long while, whatever about?” Jane asked.

Elizabeth blinked, thought quickly, and gave a blithe answer. “We found you to be a decent topic, dear heart. You are held by Mr Darcy in the highest esteem. You will never have a better compliment. I should treasure it. I doubt it is a regular habit of his to bestow such generous praise.”

“Lizzy,” Jane said, in a whisper. “Do you not see how he desires to make himself agreeable…to us all, I mean? I beg you not to be churlish. His manners have improved, I think, since Hertfordshire, though you will remember I never found them as reprehensible as you did.”

“But you find nothing or no-one reprehensible. I daresay you would find Genghis Khan an agreeable dinner companion.”

Jane was tight-lipped in response.

“Which is to your credit!’ Elizabeth exclaimed. “You know I jest and long to be as good as you. Sadly, it is not in my nature. I am my father’s daughter. Two parts cynical to one part obdurate.”

“Our family has not always shown itself to him in its best light. Let us make a good impression now.”

Bemused by Jane’s solemnity, Elizabeth shrugged. “I will try my best. I shall even take him over his coffee, as a gesture of goodwill. Will that smooth away the line which has appeared between your eyebrows?” She put a finger to her sister’s forehead.

Jane pushed away Elizabeth’s hand and pursed her lips. She then lifted the heavy silver coffee pot and carefully poured the thick black liquid into a delicate bone china cup, making it rattle gently against its saucer.

“Black, with one lump of sugar.” They both spoke at precisely the same time and then looked at one another in surprise.

Elizabeth laughed. “There is so little in the way of amusement at Rosings that even inconsequential nothings became of note. Mr Collins, you know, takes his tea with cream and three sugar lumps, which perhaps explains some of his rampant excitability.”

Jane gave her a smile in return but when Elizabeth held out her hand for the cup, all joy faded from her sister’s countenance.

“I will take it, Lizzy.”

“No, here comes our uncle, who looks desperately thirsty, you must pour for him. I will take this to Mr Darcy.”

Elizabeth reached for the beverage, but Jane pulled it quickly back, unbalancing the load. Although the saucer remained in her hand, the cup toppled, fell, and spun in mid-air before landing on the rug between their feet. The liquid was thrown up, splattering the hem of Jane’s gown. It miraculously avoided Elizabeth’s.

Jane gasped and cried out, drawing the attention of the whole room.

“Are you hurt?” Elizabeth asked at once, taking hold of her sister’s shaking wrist.

“No, no, I am well…it is just…” Jane tearfully broke off from them all. Everyone was rushing to her assistance, but she wrenched herself away and made for the door.

Elizabeth followed quickly, assuring her aunt Gardiner, who started to trail after them, that she would send for her if she was needed. Her aunt went back to the drawing room while Elizabeth caught up with Jane in the hallway, taking her wrist once again to make her stop. “Come now, what is all this? ’Tis a small accident. It will be forgotten in a trice.”

“I have made a fool of myself and it is ruined,” Jane said, choking back a sob, nodding towards the hem of her gown.

“No, our aunt’s maid will soak it and it will be as good as new. Are you sure you are not burnt?”

Jane shook her head and was far more emotional than the accident warranted. Tears fell, much to Elizabeth’s astonishment. “Jane, this is not like you. Let me help you change.”

“I can manage, Lizzy. Go back in please. Go back and amuse everybody, as you always do. Make them laugh and smile. You are so good at it. You will make them forget my clumsiness. I will be back presently.”

The more Elizabeth pleaded to be allowed to help, the more her sister put her off and so she reluctantly went back to the drawing room.

Upon her return, Mr Darcy got so quickly to his feet and asked after Jane’s welfare in such earnest tones, even going so far as to offer the services of his own physician, that Elizabeth could not help but be amused at his seriousness. She made a very serious face of her own. “I am afraid my sister has suffered the type of wound that no lady should ever have to bear. Imagine, if you will, what terrible pain accompanies the belief that a favourite gown is ruined forever.”

Mr Darcy continued to frown for the briefest of moments before fully understanding her. “My surgeon is good with a needle but probably unused to satin.”

They were both amused then, and Elizabeth found herself lingering in front of him, wondering if he would say anything else. It was difficult, while under the spell of his smile, to remember why she had ever disliked him. But she grew conscious when he said nothing further and continued to just look at her, unabashedly, unashamedly—did he not realise he was staring?

And, oh dear, was it possible she had been staring back?

Time to Give Away

Caitlin Williams is offering one ebook copy of When we are married to one of my readers. To participate on the giveaway you only have to comment on this post and I would like to know what you think about this book and the excerpt. To get an extra entry you can tweet and/or share this post on Facebook in public mode (one entry per day, please copy the link on the comments). All entries before the 3oth July will be counted, GMT time. I will do my best to have the winner published on the 30th or 31st of July.

Good luck and share the news of this great story!

If you cannot wait to see if you are the lucky one, here you can buy his latest book When we are married or her previous ones: Amazon UK  Amazon US  Amazon CA   Amazon ES (English version)  It is also available through KindleUnlimited.

Blog Tour Schedule

Have a look at these other blogs where you will fun very nice and interesting reviews and a very nice Guest Post by Meredith.

July 21 Austenesque Reviews / Guest Post Launch & Giveaway

July 22 Of Pens & Pages / Book Review & Giveaway

July 23 Just Jane 1813 / Book Review & Giveaway

July 24 More Agreeably Engaged /  Book Review & Giveaway

July 25 My Vices & Weaknesses / Excerpt Post & Giveaway

July 26 Babblings of a Bookworm / Book Review & Giveaway

July 27 From Pemberley to Milton / Book Review & Giveaway