Darcy vs. Bennet...Victoria Kincaid

Available at Amazon

Victoria Kincaid is back to visit with us about her latest novel, Darcy vs. Bennet. This book has an intriguing premise and I hope you will enjoy Ms. Kincaid's thoughts, the exerpt and the blurb as much as I did. I do find the concept presented interesting and I am eager to explore it further. Victoria Kincaid, it is with much pleasure that I welcome you back to More Agreeably Engaged. 

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When I set out to write Darcy vs. Bennet, my concept was Romeo and Juliet meets Pride and Prejudice.  Elizabeth and Darcy are kept apart by a feud between their families—initiated by a longstanding dispute between their fathers.  For this idea to work I needed Darcy’s father to be alive, so he could insist on and continue the feud.  I didn’t set out to make him the villain of the book, but it turns out he was.  He is manipulative, snobbish, and universally disliked. 

Another thing I didn’t anticipate was the effect the elder Darcy’s presence had on his son.  We are so accustomed to viewing Darcy as the master of his destiny that it was very intriguing to create one who had his behavior questioned and curtailed by his father.  At one point Darcy worries about the possibility that his father might cut off his allowance and must think about how to earn a living.  Raising such an problem created some truly unique issues.  In Jane Austen fan fiction we see Darcy face numerous obstacles, but we rarely see him confronting the prospect of losing his income.  A poor Darcy?  It’s almost unthinkable!

The prospect of losing his fortune made me, as the author, think about how the character of Darcy would face such circumstances.  In my vision of Darcy, he would be a bit thrown by the idea (No horse?  No valet?), but is determined to rise to the occasion.  Darcy has such a strong character and good work ethic that I cannot believe that even such dire circumstances would keep him down for long.

Does he, in fact, lose his fortune in Darcy vs. Bennet?  Read the book and find out!

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Excerpt:

Mrs. Bennet was breathless and red-faced.  “Mr. Bennet!  The most terrible thing has happened!”

Her husband raised a skeptical eyebrow.  “Has the cost of lace increased again?  Or has Lydia lost a ribbon from her dress?”

At least Elizabeth’s mother had the presence of mind to pull her husband to the side before she whispered to him.  “It is far worse.  Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy is here!  He is Mr. Bingley’s friend.”

The color drained quickly from her father’s face.  “Mr. Darcy from Derbyshire?”  His wife nodded vigorously. 

“We cannot escape the introduction!” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. 

“We should leave at once,” Elizabeth suggested, her eyes darting around the room, alert for any sign of Mr. Darcy.  If she departed immediately, perhaps she could avoid him for the rest of his time in Hertfordshire.

Mr. Bennet humphed.  “No.  I will not be rousted from a gathering in my own town by that man’s son.  We will simply avoid him.”

Inwardly, Elizabeth quailed at these words.  It was all very well for her father to make a stand, but encountering Mr. Darcy would cause more than unpleasantness for her.  At a gathering of this size, she could not avoid him all night.  “Papa, I have a headache.  Might I return home—?”

“Oh, oh!  I should warn Lydia and Kitty!” her mother interrupted.  “They must stay away from that horrid man.”  She turned to Mary.  “Fetch them immediately!”  Then her horrified eyes met her husband’s.  “Jane is dancing with his friend!  What should we do?”

Mr. Bennet rubbed a hand over his mouth.  “Mr. Bingley is unlikely to mistreat Jane at a public assembly—even if he is a friend of a Darcy.”

“Everything was going so well with Mr. Bingley!” her mother wailed.

Mary returned with a sulky Lydia and Kitty in tow.  Mrs. Bennet whispered the dire news to them.

  

They squealed in horror although their reaction seemed more excited than distressed. 

Realizing the set had concluded, Elizabeth went in search of Jane.  Her sister was red-cheeked and glowing with excitement.  “Mr. Bingley is the most amiable man of my acquaintance, Lizzy!  He is everything a gentleman should be.”  Oh, how Elizabeth wished she did not need to deliver such dreadful news!

“About Mr. Bingley—”  Elizabeth caught her sister’s arm and guided her toward their parents.  Jane’s attention was caught by something, and she glanced back over her shoulder.  “Mr. Bingley is bringing his friend to meet us!” she exclaimed.  “That is very good of him.”

Elizabeth could barely hear for the pounding of blood in her ears.  Escape was the only option.  “I must leave—”  She released Jane’s arm, looking wildly about.  Why were all the doors so far away?

But her well-meaning sister took her hand.  “Lizzy, you are very pale.  Are you ill—?”  Elizabeth pulled her hand from Jane’s grasp, but it was too late.

The sound of Mr. Bingley’s voice behind her made Elizabeth shudder.  “There they are!  May I present Miss Jane Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet?

”

Too late.  She was trapped.

Jane gazed beatifically at Mr. Bingley while Elizabeth turned around slowly.  And found herself staring straight into the face of Mr. Darcy.

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Blurb:

Elizabeth Bennet is drawn to a handsome, mysterious man she meets at a masquerade ball. However, she gives up all hope for a future with him when she learns he is the son of George Darcy, the man who ruined her father’s life.  Despite her father’s demand that she avoid the younger Darcy, when he appears in Hertfordshire Elizabeth cannot stop thinking about him, or seeking him out, or welcoming his kisses….

Fitzwilliam Darcy has struggled to carve out a life independent from his father’s vindictive temperament and domineering ways, although the elder Darcy still controls the purse strings.  After meeting Elizabeth Bennet, Darcy cannot imagine marrying anyone else, even though his father despises her family.  More than anything he wants to make her his wife, but doing so would mean sacrificing everything else….   

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Can you imagine Mr. Darcy without a fortune? I cannot but the idea certainly is entertaining, especially as to how it would change the plot! I will read and find out! What are your thoughts on this concept and the Bennet & Darcy feud? Let us know in your comments. 

Thank you, Victoria Kincaid for stopping by today and for offering my readers their choice of either a paperback copy or an eBook copy of Darcy vs. Bennet.  There is one up for grabs, reader's choice and the giveaway is international! We appreciate your generous giveaway. Ms. Kincaid. As always, please leave me your contact info so I may reach you. I would hate for you to miss out because I could not find you! :) This giveaway will end at 11:59 PM on the 25th of April. Good luck to all and best wishes to Victoria Kincaid on this latest release.