Hello Maria Grazia and thank you for welcoming me back! Readers’ reception of Rebellion at Longbourn has been very favorable so far, and I hope your readers will enjoy the excerpt below. It takes place when Darcy visits Longbourn after a two-year absence. He has been away and only recently learned that Collins took possession of the estate.
“Oh yes!” Charlotte’s expression softened as it always
did when she discussed her son. “His
name is Robert, and he…” Mr. Darcy had unwittingly hit on the only subject that
would make Charlotte Collins garrulous, but he seemed quite content to listen
to her enumerate her son’s amazing achievements, among them: holding up his
head, rolling over, smiling, and growing two teeth.
As Charlotte
spoke, Elizabeth suddenly realized Mr. Darcy was staring at her hands. As the weather grew warmer, she had not troubled
herself to don gloves after working in the kitchen. But her bare hands were red and chafed,
bearing callouses and blisters—the unmistakable signs of labor. They were not the hands of a young lady. Elizabeth flushed and fought the urge to hide
her hands under the folds of her gown.
There is nothing I
might do now, she consoled herself. He has noticed and is unlikely to
forget. The damage is done.
Why should I care
what he thinks of me anyway? He is wholly unconnected to me and my
life.
