IT IS ON ITS WAY!!! The release of Where There’s a FitzWILLiam Darcy, There’s a Way is scheduled for Monday, September 10. The premise behind the story is Mr. Bennet has passed from a heart attack, which, ironically, occurred on the same day as Darcy’s failed proposal at Hunsford Cottage. Darcy has time to shove his letter of explanation in Elizabeth’s hands before Charlotte Collins delivers the express sent by Elizabeth’s family, demanding her immediate return to Longbourn. She rushes away to pack to return home, leaving Darcy  to feel foolish for worrying whether she will accept his version of his involvement in Bingley’s separation from Jane and in Wickham’s tales of woe. He thinks never to see Elizabeth Bennet again. However, his aunt decides Darcy would be the perfect person to travel to Hertfordshire to assure Mr. Collins’s interests in Longbourn. The story involves Darcy taking an inventory of what must remain at Longbourn and what the Bennets may take with them when they vacate Longbourn, putting him in an awkward position, but his duty to Collins also allows Elizabeth to observe a different side of Fitzwilliam Darcy—a man of honor and loyalty. Will this allow them finally to come together or will Elizabeth’s reduced circumstances and her pride keep them apart? How can Darcy prove himself as the man she requires in her life when he is, literally, in a position to name which of her father’s books stay at Longbourn and which she can keep to foster memories of her father? 

Inheritance was a tricky situation during the Regency, especially for a woman and her daughters. Women rarely inherited property. Remember Mr. Bennet’s warning to his family: “When I am dead, (Collins) may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases.” A woman could inherit “personal” belongings such as, furniture, jewelry, clothing, moveable goods, etc. But that does not mean a woman could NOT inherit real property (meaning land, or what we now call “real estate”). After the death of a person owning property, an accounting of all the belongings within a household occurred—to compare what was previously recorded as being part of the inheritance and what was still available or what had been added since the last accounting. William Savage, who has a fabulous blog called Pen and Pension, wrote a recent article about “The Wealth of an 18th Century Butcher,” in which he listed all the items belonging to a butcher in Kent during the reign of Queen Anne. I will quote just a bit from the piece of what a man of trade owned. After reading these minute details, imagine an accounting of all Pemberley held, and then think upon Longbourn. How many books did Mr. Bennet own? What about the silver? The furniture? The sheets and pillow coats? Clocks? Persian rugs? Mrs. Bennet’s jewelry? Or the ribbons Kitty and Lydia shared? Knick-Knacks and What Nots? Quite a task. 

Take, for example, this inventory of the goods of a local butcher in Kent, one Thomas Burwash, who died in 1705. It begins like this:

Ane Inventary of all and singular the goods & chattels and credits of Thomas Burwash, late of the parish of Gillingham in the County of Kent, Butcher, deceased taken & appraised the 24th day of Aprill Anno Domini 1705 by Mathew Tilden of Gillingham aforesaid, yeoman, and John King of the same yeoman as ffolloweth vizt:

These are two local tenant farmers and were presumably either the executors of the butcher’s will or friends. They are going to go through Thomas Burwash’s house, room by room, listing what they found and assigning it a value for the purpose of obtaining probate from the consistory court of the diocese.

Inpri[mi]s (First) in the Best Chamber
his wearing apparel, purse with money: xx li (£20.00)

Item one ffeather Bedd and all its ffurniture: v li (£5.00)

Item 3 Chests and a base of drawers: i s vj d (1s 6d)

Item ½ a doz. of Leather Chaires: ix s (9s)

Item One looking glass and some Earthen ware: v s (5s)
Item 20 pair of sheets and 10 paire of pillow Coates: iv li xv s (£4 15s)
Item three Dozen of Napkins and Towells: i li ix s (£1 9s)

Now, enjoy this excerpt from Where There’s a FitzWILLiam Darcy, There’s a Way. 

ELIZABETH BENNET’s world has turned upon its head. Not only is her family about to be banished to the hedgerows after her father’s sudden death, but Mr. Darcy has appeared upon Longbourn’s threshold, not to renew his proposal, as she first feared, but, rather, to serve as Mr. Collins’s agent in taking an accounting of Longbourn’s “treasures” before her father’s cousin steals away all her memories of the place.

FITZWILLIAM DARCY certainly has no desire to encounter Elizabeth Bennet again so soon after her mordant refusal of his hand in marriage, but when his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, strikes a bargain in which her ladyship agrees to provide his Cousin Anne a London Season if Darcy will become Mr. Collins’s agent in Hertfordshire, Darcy accepts in hopes he can convince Miss Elizabeth to think better of him than she, obviously, does. Yet, how can he persuade the woman to recognize his inherent sense of honor, when his inventory of Longbourn’s entailed land and real properties announces the date she and her family will be homeless?

The eBook is available from these outlets: 

Kindle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H69N1P1/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536421253&sr=8-1&keywords=Where+There%27s+a+Fitzwilliam+Darcy

Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/where-there-s-a-fitzwilliam-darcy-there-s-a-way

Nook https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/where-theres-a-fitzwilliam-darcy-theres-a-way-regina-jeffers/1129490646?ean=2940161708804

Chapter One

Chapter One

“I certainly will not return to Hertfordshire,” Fitzwilliam Darcy groused. “And most definitely not on Mr. Collins’s behalf.” The idea of seeing Elizabeth Bennet again so soon after her refusal of his hand was not to be fathomed.

He had been with her when Mrs. Collins had come running to bring Miss Elizabeth an express from Longbourn. Only moments earlier, he had met Elizabeth at the gate where the grove edged the park and placed his letter of explanation in her hands. He had wanted more time to study her sweet countenance—time to memorize every feature to cherish when he considered giving his heart to another, but he had no more said, “I have been walking the grove some time in the hope of meeting you. Will you do me the honor of reading that letter?” before another called to her.

In what appeared to be panic, Miss Elizabeth had stuffed his letter into a pocket of her pelisse and turned away from him. “Pardon,” she murmured before moving off in the direction of the lane, which led further from the turnpike road. With nothing else to do, he had presented her retreating form a slight bow, before turning again into the plantation without a proper farewell between them. It was only through his cousin that he had learned the express had come from Miss Mary Bennet, delivering the news of their father’s passing. The Collinses had received a similar letter from Sir William Lucas. Darcy had immediately extended an offer of his traveling coach for her journey, and his cousin had personally seen her off to Hertfordshire, while all Darcy could do was to stare out the window in the direction of Hunsford Cottage and say a private prayer for the quick healing of her heart.

He wished he had been in a position to rush to the Collinses’ cottage and offer Miss Elizabeth his comfort—to hold her until she had spent her tears and to whisper words of assurance that he would see to her care and her protection. However, he did not have the right, for he was the last man in the world whom she could ever be prevailed upon to marry.

“There is no one else,” Lady Catherine’s shrill voice dragged him from his musings. “Even if there was a decent inn in Meryton, and Mr. Collins assures me there is not, I cannot go. It would not be proper. Mr. Collins is my rector, not my relation. Moreover, I must interview those who wish to replace him. I cannot rush off to assure myself the Bennets do not take more from the estate than is their due.”

“Should that not be Mr. Collins’s responsibility? To secure his inheritance? Certainly the Bennets have an executor of the estate in place,” he remarked with disinterest in anything but Elizabeth Bennet’s welfare. “The man has inherited the property. He should be the one counting the silverware and examining the household books.” Darcy did not think he could bear viewing Miss Elizabeth brought low. He seriously doubted Mr. Bennet had dutifully provided for his family.

“Collins has agreed to stay on until I can find a replacement; therefore, I have promised to protect his interests in Hertfordshire,” his aunt said in that matter-of-fact tone she often employed.

Darcy shook his head, refusing to give in. “I still do not see how any of this becomes my burden.”

He waited. Counted to ten and ten more. Waited for his aunt to rap her cane upon the floor to express her displeasure. Waited for her outrage. Instead, she responded in what sounded of calmness, a fact that set Darcy’s equilibrium off balance. “You are correct: Collins is not your responsibility, but Anne is.”

Darcy’s frown deepened. It would be necessary for him to proceed cautiously, guarding his words, until he knew his aunt’s intent. When Lady Catherine spoke of Anne and him in the same sentence, he knew something was afoot. “How has Anne become my charge? If something were to happen to you, Matlock would assist his niece. Moreover, Anne is of age. My cousin may name her way if she so chooses.”

“Your idealism is your weakness, Darcy,” his aunt responded with a challenging lift of her eyebrows. “You believe Anne can find her way without a man to guide her.”

“I will not entertain this conversation again,” he said stubbornly. “I adore Anne, but I will not marry her. We would not suit.”

“So says my daughter.” His aunt’s sudden change of heart had Darcy’s every nerve on alert. “Anne has begged for a Season, but I have been reluctant to agree. However, I might be persuaded to alter my opinion if—”

“If what?” Darcy demanded. Lady Catherine’s gestures and features were too amiable for Darcy to know ease.

“As you well know,” she began again in what sounded of reasonable tones, “I am most attentive to my duties.” Darcy resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “I have made a promise to Mr. Collins to see him well situated in Hertfordshire.” In other words, his Aunt Catherine wished to brag to all those under her tutelage of her assisting Collins. “However, aiding my current rector, while employing his replacement would consume too much of my time. I could not oversee Anne’s entrance into society. Matlock’s countess has offered to introduce Anne at several events, but anyone who knows my sister-in-marriage knows she was never the most attentive mother. How can I expect Lady Matlock to tend to Anne’s delicate nature? I am one of the few people who know my daughter’s frangible side.”

As realization dawned, Darcy’s eyes narrowed. “You mean to make me the thief who steals away Anne’s opportunity for a Season,” he accused.

“Certainly not,” she protested, but Darcy noted the shift of her shoulders, as if Lady Catherine assumed an enviable position. “Anne is sensible enough to realize Mr. Collins’s future must take priority over a few balls and afternoon teas. After all, my daughter possesses no one depending upon her for his support. She has not known a day of labor.”

As much as Darcy despised his aunt’s manipulations, a part of him admired how easily she had assaulted his sense of honor. Lady Catherine knew he was incapable of denying those he loved, and he was excessively fond of his sickly cousin. “Yet I would imagine if I chose to oversee Collins’s interest, say for a month, you would feel comfortable in allowing Anne to claim a husband, who is not me.” He stressed the facts upon which they must still come to an agreement, for they both knew he would relent in such a matter. If Anne was not successful during the Season, he did not want Lady Catherine again to take up her pleas for him to marry his cousin.

“Naturally,” she agreed readily, having won her concessions. “Without worrying over Collins’s inheritance, I would have more time to devote to Anne’s comportment. It is not my wish to have my daughter leave me, but in the natural order of things, I possess no choice, but I consider it my duty to make certain a man who sees her only as an heiress does not turn her head.”

Darcy held his tongue. He understood Lady Catherine completely: His aunt wished Anne to marry a man her ladyship could control, just as she controlled Mr. Collins and all her tenants. Otherwise, the gentleman could banish her to one of the other properties, which were part of the De Bourgh inheritance, or to the dower house.

His aunt continued. Their negotiation was not over. “I would assume your cousin will require more than a month to claim success in Society.”

“Six weeks maximum,” Darcy bargained. “I have my own estate to which to attend. Naturally, you and Anne are welcome to spend longer in London, but you must have a replacement for Mr. Collins by that time or else your rector must name another to act in his stead. He has a father-in-marriage who has been knighted by the King. Sir William Lucas can assume the duties, or you might suggest another to Collins. I am certain your man of business could successfully oblige you.” The idea of spending more than a few weeks in the neighborhood with Elizabeth Bennet, especially as Wickham was still part of the Meryton militia, shook Darcy to his core. But perhaps his presence in Hertfordshire could convince Elizabeth she had judged him harshly. Although he knew there was no hope for them, he would prefer not to leave her thinking poorly of his character. “More importantly,” he emphasized, “I insist Anne should remain in the Capital long enough to discover a gentleman to her liking.”

“I suppose I can conduct my interviews while in London,” his aunt observed. Darcy instantly knew such was her intent all along. “And although Anne will know disappointment at losing your attention, she will recover. The newness of a Season should resolve any lingering doubts.”

Darcy wondered if Anne would be permitted truly to experience life in London, but all he could do would be to provide his cousin the opportunity to discover someone who would cherish her for herself. He would speak to his uncle and ask Lord Matlock to intervene with his sister once Lady Catherine and Anne arrived in London. Perhaps the earl could “encourage’ several suitors to seek out Anne.

“Then instruct Mr. Collins to draft a letter naming me as his agent. Also ask him to provide me copies of any correspondence he has received from Mr. Bennet’s man of business or his solicitor since it became known that he was the heir to Longbourn. Meanwhile, I will contact Mr. Bingley regarding the use of Netherfield Park. You are correct: The inn in Meryton could only be termed as mediocre at best.” In addition, I am less likely to encounter Wickham if I am not in the village, he thought. “I must see to Colonel Fitzwilliam’s return to Town. I assume you do not intend to travel to London in the next few days.”

“Certainly not,” his aunt declared. “It shall take a sennight, at least, before we can depart. There is so much to do. Appointments for fittings. Making arrangements to stay at Matlock House or to let a house. Making inquiries of a suitable replacement for Mr. Collins.”

“In that case, perhaps Collins could forward me the necessary papers to Darcy House. Bingley should still be in Town, and I can speak both to him about the availability of Netherfield Park and to Matlock upon your behalf when I return Fitzwilliam to his duties.”

“You mean to depart so soon?” she questioned.

“Mr. Farrin should return with my coach later this evening,” he explained. “I will set a course for London tomorrow. Now if you will pardon me, I have much to accomplish.” Darcy did not wait for his aunt’s acknowledgement. His decision made, he anticipated the opportunity to look again upon Elizabeth Bennet. He had presented her his letter. Surely sometime between yesterday morning’s encounter and next week, when he would arrive in Hertfordshire, Miss Elizabeth would recognize something of his worth.

Leave a comment below to be a part of the giveaway of two eBooks of Where There’s a FitzWILLiam Darcy, There’s a Way. The prizes will be awarded after the book’s release on September 10, 2018. The giveaway ends Tuesday, September 11.