Sneak Peek: Letter to Georgiana
My first novella is officially available for pre-order on Amazon, something that still feels surreal to say out loud.
I’ll admit, I’m not the biggest fan of marketing or self-promotion, but sharing stories is the part I love, so here’s a preview of the one that started it all.
Letter to Georgiana is a sweet Pride and Prejudice variation that begins with a simple mistake:
What if Mr. Darcy, in a moment of rare vulnerability, accidentally sent a private letter to his sister… instead of keeping it hidden?
A letter confessing his hopes, his dreams and his feelings for Elizabeth Bennet.
Naturally, Georgiana reads it as a declaration of engagement. Excited and determined to meet her future sister-in-law, she pulls Colonel Fitzwilliam into a spontaneous trip to Netherfield Park.
What follows? A flustered Mr. Darcy, a gleeful younger sister, a meddling older cousin… and a situation that quickly spirals into delightful chaos.
Saturday, the 16th of November
Darcy sat alone in Netherfield’s library, ostensibly writing to his sister. In truth, he was hiding from Miss Bingley, and perhaps, though he would never admit it, from Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Or rather, he was hoping she might appear, though he had spent the better part of an hour insisting to himself that he wasn’t.
As was his custom, he wrote two letters: the first an honest account, for his own eyes only; the second, a far more temperate version, suitable for the sensibilities of his gentle sister.
In this first draft, his pen moved more freely:
It is the fourth day since Miss Elizabeth Bennet arrived at Netherfield to attend to her sister. You would admire her, Georgiana, how she deftly navigates Miss Bingley’s provocations with wit so fine that the lady herself scarcely knows she has been bested. There is an ease in her manner, a liveliness of mind, that I cannot help but find captivating. Indeed, I have begun to picture her at Pemberley—at my side. I believe she would be the dearest sister to you, and her spirited nature might help both of us engage more easily in society.
He paused after writing this, his brow furrowed. This was absurd, he thought. Entirely improper. And yet, his hand continued. Line by line, he detailed the charms of a woman he was supposed to find beneath his notice.
He had just finished when the library door opened.
Miss Elizabeth entered.
Darcy stiffened, caught between alarm and something close to anticipation.
Without thinking, he folded the letter and sealed it hastily, a reflex, rather than his usual habit of burning such indiscretions. He stood to greet her with a carefully measured bow.
"Miss Elizabeth," he said, striving for composure he did not feel.
"Mr. Darcy," she replied, her voice steady but not without amusement.
She moved to the shelves, selected a book with casual deliberation, and took a seat near the window, closer to him than he might have preferred, had he any true desire to be left undisturbed.
He returned to his chair and opened a book at random, feigning interest in its pages. Still, he could not help glancing at her every few minutes, as if her very presence unbalanced the air in the room.
Half an hour passed in silence, charged with glances neither acknowledged nor returned. When Bingley entered to request Darcy’s assistance with estate matters, he was almost grateful for the interruption.
Almost.
In his distraction, he removed the sealed letter from his pocket and, by habit, placed it on the silver tray beside the fireplace with the outgoing post. Then, forgetting it entirely, he followed Bingley from the room.
It was not until two days later that he realized his mistake.
A letter had arrived from Georgiana.
Dear William,
I knew it. I knew you felt more than you ever said.
William! I have read your letter a dozen times already and I am unable to stop smiling. You cannot imagine how excited I am to learn of my future sister!
Miss Elizabeth sounds utterly delightful and perfect for you. Finally, someone to challenge you, to make you laugh, to make you happy.
And you are not marrying Miss Bingley! Thank God. I do not care if that is unkind, I am so very relieved.
I have written to Richard, and we are coming to Netherfield! I want to see her with my own eyes. Do not try to stop me.
Oh William, I am so happy. You do not know how long it has been since I felt this way.
You have given me something to hope for again. I am going to have a sister!
Your very, very excited,
Georgiana
He stared at the letter, his breath catching. Each word blurred before his eyes, but its meaning rang loud and clear.
How had she—
And then it struck him.
Good God.
He had sent the wrong letter.
That letter—that letter—was never meant to be seen.
What was to be done?
Georgiana’s bliss shone through every line, a brightness he had not seen in her since before Ramsgate. How could he bring himself to disappoint her now?
He sank into the chair, the letter limp in his hand. Had his own heart betrayed him, revealing, through ink and accident, what he dared not admit even in thought?
Or—God help him—because he secretly wished for nothing more?
Thanks for reading! I hope this little preview sparked your curiosity and that you’ll enjoy discovering the full story soon.