Victoria Kincaid...Mr. Darcy to the Rescue

Available on Amazon

I am excited to have Victoria Kincaid visit again. She is talking to us about writing what you know and I certainly believe she does a good job of that. She mentions drawing somewhat on her own experiences when writing her latest, Mr. Darcy to the Rescue. I must admit, I hope her experience with a 'bad kiss' was not as repugnant as the one she wrote for dear Lizzy. The scene was described so well that I felt nauseous myself! Poor, poor Lizzy. Just wait until you read the blurb and the excerpt. I promise you will be wanting to read more of this book!

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“Write what you know” is one of those overused adages of writing that’s not immediately obviously
applicable in every situation.  For example, what if you write Jane Austen fan fiction?  I can do research on the Regency time period, but I don’t “know” it in the way that Austen did or in the way that I know life in the U.S. suburbs in 2015.  While there are many elements of Austen’s novels that are universal (otherwise they wouldn’t appeal to us), there are also many aspects that are foreign.  It’s hard to imagine an entire family’s reputation being threatened because one sister ran off with a man.  Or that it would be scandalous for an unmarried woman to accept a letter from a single man.

However, I do find myself digging into my own experiences and memories when I write my Pride and Prejudice variations—at least when it comes to writing about characters’ thoughts and feelings.  I would guess that the anxiety provoked by wondering what other people are thinking about you hasn’t changed in 200 years.  And the excited, giddy feeling of falling in love is probably essentially the same. 

I found myself using my experiences and reactions when I needed to describe Mr. Collins kissing Elizabeth in Mr. Darcy to the Rescue.  I had a hard time envisioning such a kiss since I find Collins so repugnant, and I knew the kiss itself would be an unpleasant experience for Elizabeth.  So, I drew on my memory of a bad kiss from high school.  The guy (my prom date) was a nice enough guy—not anything like Mr. Collins (except also a little nerdy)—but he had thin, wet lips and it was an unpleasant experience.  I remember thinking “It’s got to be better than this or other people wouldn’t be doing it.” Little did I know at the time that someday a fictional Regency parson would be kissing a gentleman’s daughter in the same way!

Fortunately bad kissing isn’t the only thing I know about, so my novels are full of emotions drawn from my own experiences.  And that is one of the brilliant things about Austen.  Yeah, I don’t have to worry about my cousin proposing to me (ew!) to keep my family from poverty.  But I have had the experience of being embarrassed by the bad dancing of my partner (yeah, the prom date).   I haven’t met anyone who thought highly of themselves just by virtue of belonging to the aristocracy, but I’ve met people whose pretentions were nearly as amusing as Lady Catherine’s.  Like Austen’s writing, human foibles are not only universal, but they transcend time. 

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Blurb:

When the irritating Mr. Collins proposes marriage, Elizabeth Bennet is prepared to refuse him, but then she learns that her father is ill. If Mr. Bennet dies, Collins will inherit Longbourn and her family will have nowhere to go.  Elizabeth accepts the proposal, telling herself she can be content as long as her family is secure.  If only she weren’t dreading the approaching wedding day…

Ever since leaving Hertfordshire, Mr. Darcy has been trying to forget his inconvenient attraction to Elizabeth.  News of her betrothal forces him to realize how devastating it would be to lose her.  He arrives at Longbourn intending to prevent the marriage, but discovers Elizabeth’s real opinion about his character. Then Darcy recognizes his true dilemma…

How can he rescue her when she doesn’t want him to? 

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Excerpt:

“I had a letter from Jane Bennet yesterday.”

These words, falling from the lips of Caroline Bingley, had the power to make Darcy’s gaze lurch in her direction.  Was that her intent?  The smirk forming on her lips suggested it might be.  He turned his gaze back to the fireplace.

Darcy had invited Bingley to tea at Darcy House, and the addition of Miss Bingley to the party had been an unwelcome surprise.  When she had followed her brother into the drawing room, Bingley had given Darcy a small, apologetic shrug.  Darcy was most concerned about her effect on Georgiana, who found Miss Bingley intimidating.  When would Bingley ever learn to gainsay his sister?

So far, however, the afternoon had proceeded smoothly.  Georgiana had not uttered a word, but at least had remained in the room.  Then Miss Bingley had proceeded to introduce this sensitive topic of conversation.

Charles Bingley was hardly less interested in his sister’s surprise announcement than Darcy.  He shifted in his chair and set down his tea cup.  “Ja-Miss Bennet wrote to you?  W-what news is there from Meryton?”  He made no attempt to sound casual. 

Enjoying the effect she had on her listeners, his sister leaned back in her chair and drawled, “They have had a good deal of rain over the past fortnight.”

Bingley rolled his eyes.  “Yes.  And?”

“Jane’s Aunt Phillips had a cold but seems to be improving.”  Miss Bingley’s smirk only widened.

Bingley made a frustrated noise.  “Is that all?”

Darcy could sympathize.  Her triumphant tone suggested she had news of great import, but perhaps she was simply teasing them.  Darcy settled back in his chair and took a sip of tea.

Caroline Bingley had been the only member of their party at Netherfield who had guessed about Darcy’s attraction to Elizabeth.  Three months before, he had left Hertfordshire determined to forget everything about Elizabeth Bennet but had found the task far more difficult than he anticipated.  Elizabeth haunted his days and nights without ceasing.  During the day, his thoughts turned to her: her musical laugh, teasing voice, light and pleasing figure.  At night, he struggled to sleep, and when he did, he dreamed of her.

Again and again, he had examined the problem but had always determined there was no other solution than to banish her from his thoughts.  So far, he had met with little success, and now this reminder from Miss Bingley only threatened to further disturb his equanimity.

Georgiana nibbled a biscuit, attempting to appear interested in a conversation about people she had never met.

“Caroline—”  Bingley’s voice held a note of warning.

Miss Bingley sighed dramatically as if extremely put out by her brother’s demands.  “Well… There was one item of interest.  One of Jane’s sisters is engaged to be married to that parson who is a cousin of theirs.”  Miss Bingley sneered, a singularly unattractive expression.

“Mr. Collins,” Darcy supplied.

“Yes, that is his name.”

Darcy’s chest compressed with anxiety, making it hard to breathe.  “Which sister?”

“The second.  Elizabeth.”  Miss Bingley slid him a look that could not be interpreted as anything less than triumphant.

It was now impossible for Darcy to breathe.  What had happened to the air in the room?

Elizabeth!  Engaged to that idiot?  Married to that fool for the rest of her life?  Going to his bed?  Bearing his children? 

No!  It was not possible.  Darcy needed to protest the impossibility of this pronouncement, refute it immediately, but nothing emerged from his mouth save a strangled gurgle.  Georgiana’s gaze shifted to him, wide-eyed with alarm.

Bingley, fortunately, had not lost his powers of speech.  “Engaged to Mr. Collins!  I thought she had more sense.”

“She does,” Darcy growled.  “There must be some error.”

Miss Bingley’s laugh held no actual mirth.  “Jane would hardly make such a mistake!” 

“The man is a fool!” Darcy expostulated.  “How could she accept him?”

Georgiana had plastered herself against the back of her chair, her eyes never leaving his face.  His outburst was out of character, he knew, but at the moment, he could not find the means to control himself.

“Now that I think of it,” Bingley said, “I do recall that Collins danced two dances with her at the Netherfield Ball.”

“Yes, he danced very ill!” Darcy said.

“Perhaps he had been courting her back then,” Bingley concluded.

Darcy closed his eyes and considered this.  The idiot parson had danced with Elizabeth and made a fool of himself.  He had tried to engage her in conversation, but Darcy had seen no signs of interest on her part.  Elizabeth had far too much sense.  She had been mortified when Collins had presumed to converse with Darcy without an introduction.  No, it was impossible.  How could she have accepted his hand?

When he opened his eyes, he noticed the gaze of everyone in the room upon him.  Damnation!  He too easily betrayed himself when it came to Elizabeth Bennet!

Taking a bite of a biscuit he had no interest in, Darcy attempted to appear more casual.  “Did Miss Bennet’s letter say when the wedding is to take place?” he asked, taking a sip of tea and attempting to calm the trembling in his hands.

“No.”  Miss Bingley’s tone was sharp.

Good Lord!  They could already be wed!  This thought constricted his throat, and he almost choked as he swallowed his biscuit.

“Miss Bennet did tell me that Longbourn is entailed away from the female line,” Bingley said.  “Mr. Collins will inherit it upon Mr. Bennet’s death.”

Blast!  Why had he not known that Longbourn was entailed?  It was a common enough practice.  He should have thought to inquire.  “I did not know,” Darcy murmured, now feeling faintly nauseous.

Mr. Collins must have resolved to choose a wife from among his cousins since he was to inherit their home.  And he did not select Jane because everyone believed she would marry Bingley….

Elizabeth would have accepted his offer for the good of her family.  He had not misjudged her powers of discernment after all.  She recognized the man’s stupidity but sacrificed her future happiness—all her future happiness—so her family would not have to leave their ancestral home.

For a moment Darcy feared he might be sick.  She would be married forever to man she could not love—or even respect.  What a horrible fate.

“So she accepted the proposal for the sake of her family?”  Georgiana entered the conversation for the first time.  Clearly Elizabeth’s dilemma had drawn his sister’s compassion.  At least Georgiana would never need to make such an awful choice, Darcy thought warmly.  Far better she died an old maid than marry such a man.

Bingley nodded.  “Yes, I believe so.”

“What a sacrifice to make!” Georgiana exclaimed.  “She must be an exceptional woman.”

Miss Bingley’s expression turned from triumphant to sour.

“She is indeed,” Darcy agreed while simultaneously wishing she were more selfish and less devoted to her family. 

And now she is lost to me.  Before I ever had her.  My Elizabeth is gone.

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Available on Amazon

Wow, what an excerpt! When I read this in the book, Chapter 2, I believe, I had to go on. I could not stop and didn't want to, either. I felt sorry for Darcy but loved his reactions too. I despised Carolyn but what else is new! Very well done, Victoria Kincaid. Thank you for sharing the excerpt and your post about writing what you know. You do the job admirably.

For you readers, Victoria is giving away one copy of her new release, Mr. Darcy to the Rescue. The giveaway is international and the lucky winner gets an eBook! Isn't that fantastic! Again, I thank you, Ms. Kincaid! Please leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway. We would love to hear your share in the conversation...maybe tell us about a bad kiss you experienced! The giveaway will end 23 August, 2015 at 11:59 PM. Please leave an email or other contact information should you be the randomly selected winner of Mr. Darcy to the Rescue! Good luck to all!