Fitzwilliam Darcy has always lived a life of duty and honor; his engagement to his cousin Anne de Bourgh fulfills the final wish of his deceased mother. His life is neatly in order to pursue these intentions when he meets Elizabeth Bennet; the one woman who turns his world upside down.Elizabeth is not indifferent to him, but her life is also on a divergent course. As she prepares to accept a betrothal from a suitor she esteems, she finds herself experiencing unexpected feelings. Yet knowing that Darcy and Anne are united by their love for one another, she attempts to put Darcy behind her. But why does she suspect that Darcy may have similar feelings for her, and if he does, can they really change the course of their future paths?
Anngela Schroeder, author of one Jane Austen variation and a contributing author to the Meryton Press anthology, “Then Comes Winter,” will tour the blogosphere starting from My Jane Austen Book Club today and until January 29, 2017, to share her latest book, A Lie Universally Hidden. Thirteen book bloggers, specializing in Austenesque fiction and romance stories, will share excerpts, guest posts, an interview with the author and book reviews from this highly awaited Austen-inspired novel.
I've got a very special guest post from Anngela Schroeder to launch the blog tour and the giveaway. Enjoy reading!
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Thank you, Maria Grazia, for inviting me to your blog to launch the tour for my book, A Lie Universally Hidden. It’s been great fun preparing for this tour and today I wanted to share with your readers an exclusive interview that I have with Miss Anne de Bourgh and Mr. James Hamilton. As two of England's most sought-after people, we appreciate that they are here today and taking the time to answers my readers’ questions. Miss Anne deBourgh of Rosings in Kent, is currently making plans to marry the most eligible man in England, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire Also, the young man who is courting the jewel of Hertfordshire, Miss Elizabeth Bennet: Mr. James Hamilton of Ashby Park. With their permission, we had our readers send in questions asking what they themselves would love to know about these fortunate individuals.
Before I begin with the questions, Miss de Bourgh, might I say what a pleasure it is to have you here? Anne : Thank you, Mrs. Schroeder. Mr. Hamilton, I appreciate that you could find the time within your busy schedule to also join us today, as I understand you have many constraints on your time running Ashby Park and making your own preparations for your future marriage. Hamilton : Thank you. It was no trouble at all.Miss de Bourgh, our first question comes from Joy King:
Anne De Bourgh
Joy : Miss de Bourgh, I sincerely appreciate your condescension in allowing us to query you in personal matters. I cannot believe you are doing this with your mother’s permission. My question to you is, what do you find most appealing about your cousin Darcy? Is it his tall stature, his broad shoulders, his kind heart, or Pemberley?Anne : In truth, Mrs. King, my mother is at Rosings, and I am accompanied by my cousin Richard this afternoon. My cousin Darcy is a wonderful man, who is always focused on his familial duties and numerous responsibilities. Yes, it is quite true that he is tall in stature, broad shouldered, and kind-hearted. However, I do not understand your specific question. What do I find appealing about him? He is my cousin. Yes, he is a handsome man, but I have never thought about it before, because certainly no one has ever asked me this question. I presume I should ask my mother before I answer you.Thank you, Miss de Bourgh. Now, Mr. Hamilton, if you are prepared to answer a question or two? Mrs. King’s question for you is as follows:
Mr James Hamilton
Mr. Hamilton, I am curious about your attraction to Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Was it her fine eyes that first caught your attention? Mr. Hamilton : Well, Mrs. King, I can honestly say I’ve never noticed her eyes before. I believe they are hazel, just like her sister Miss Jane Bennet’s eyes. But, I digress. I’ve known Miss Elizabeth Bennet since we were young children. My family has had a farm on the grounds of Longbourn for five decades. We played together as children, often climbing trees and skipping stones across the pond. It was, as I said, not her “fine” eyes that I first noticed, but that she always treated me as an equal, even though she was so far above me in her station. I, a mere laborer’s child, could never imagine securing her hand in marriage. But I knew if the opportunity ever came for me, I would secure her hand and make her my wife without any hesitation!Thank you, Mr. Hamilton, for your answers. Our next question comes from Miss Darcy Bennet, which holds no relation to the Bennets of Longbourn.Miss Darcy Bennet : I thank you for the honor of an audience and would like to ask you both the same question: What do you love and admire about your intended and what are your thoughts on your future in-laws?Mr. Hamilton : For me, I can honestly say that I admire Miss Elizabeth’s intellect, even when she has a tendency to be a little too outspoken. I am sure she will grow out of that behavior in time, as she sees how she should conduct herself in her position as my wife and the mistress of my estate. My future sisters all have their own spirited ways about them, with Miss Jane Bennet certainly being the most proper lady. My future father is a good man, although, if I might be speak honestly here… he’s slightly too lax in his duties to his daughters and to Longbourn. I hope Elizabeth appreciates how I will look to provide for her and her future happiness. My intended’s mother…well…well… she will live two hours from us, but I wouldn’t say this will be an easy distance. Two hours of travel, even on good roads can be a hindrance for frequent traveling. I will be most happy to see her at Christmastide.Anne : I admire my cousin’s sense of duty. He is a most attentive brother, and a generous and kind landowner. I, unfortunately, will not gain any in-laws, as my dearest Aunt and Uncle Darcy are no longer here with us. However, I will be gaining a sister in dear, sweet Georgiana; a girl who is so full of life and humor. It will be charming to spend so many hours enjoying her youthful zeal and strengthening our sisterly bond. Our next question comes from Glynis, who has a question of a rather personal nature. I hope this question doesn’t make you uncomfortable.Glynis : Miss de Bourgh, I would like to first ask why, if you love Darcy, would you expect him to marry you when you know you could never give him an heir for Pemberley? Also, did you have anything to do with the letter that supposedly was written by his mother, Lady Anne? Richard : I beg your pardon, madam, but I find your first question highly unpardonable, and I refuse to allow my dear cousin to answer any of the other questions too. Thank you for your time!Anne : Richard, I do not believe Glynis was attempting to be impertinent. She just seems to lack the breeding that either you or I were raised with throughout our upbringings. Glynis, I hope you understand that I am unable to answer your questions based on the impropriety of them. Also, please do pardon me for saying this, but your motivations, to me, seem mercenary at best. Please continue with the questions, Mrs. Schroeder. However, I must warn you that my dear cousin is already a little on edge and I advise you to pick your inquiries with more care and discretion.I thank you for your condescension, Miss de Bourgh, and I ask for your forgiveness. If I may direct an inquiry to Mr. Hamilton, I will allow you a moment to recover from this attack on your poor nerves.Anne : Yes, thank you.Very well then. Mr. Hamilton, Miss Patricia Finnegan has a question for you:Miss Patricia Finnegan : I would like to know more about you, sir. Are you a relation to the Hamiltons in America?Mr. Hamilton : I am aware that we had family that traveled to America from my father’s side of our family. However, as a result of the war in the 1700’s, we no longer keep in contact with these relations. They became quite the renegades against the crown and we cut our contact with them. I do, however, remember hearing that a distant cousin was in some type of a duel, but I am uncertain of the outcome of this unfortunate event.How adventuresome, Mr. Hamilton! Now Miss de Bourgh, we will end with a question from Carole in Canada. Carole : Miss deBourgh, I do not wish to offend you by asking such an impertinent question, but I am all curiosity! Did you have the watch that Mr. Darcy wears inscribed or did your mother insist on having it done in order for you to gift it to Mr. Darcy?Anne : I thank you for your questions, Carole in Canada. The watch is lovely, is it not? It is such a fine piece of jewelry and such a token of love. About your question, I…what was that, Richard? Oh, I believe you are correct, dear cousin. Miss Carole, my cousin has advised me that I would be divulging too much of the story if I answered your question. So, unfortunately, I must decline. And, I apologize Mrs. Schroeder, but Richard and I are expected at Lady Jersey’s for a tea.
Colonel Fitzwilliam
Of course, Miss de Bourgh. Thank you so much for gracing us with your presence. Colonel, please accept my best wishes for you as well. Mr. Hamilton : Mrs. Schroeder, I too, must depart. I have meeting with my steward to discuss some new drainage in the our fields, and I hate to be away from my darling Elizabeth for very long.Of course, I thank you for your time, and I wish you and your parties safe travels.And there you have it, my dear readers; a glimpse into the world of Miss Anne de Bourgh and Mr. James Hamilton, just mere weeks before their weddings! Would that we could trade places with both them, even for just mere minutes, how propitious we would be.__________________________________________________________
Book Description - A Lie Universally Hidden
“The engagement between them is of a peculiar kind. From their infancy, they have been intended for each other. It was the favorite wish of his mother…” —Pride and Prejudice, Jane AustenFitzwilliam Darcy was raised to never stray from the path set before him: ensure the continued prosperity of his estate, Pemberley, protect and educate his sister to become an accomplished woman, and marry the woman his mother chose for him—his cousin Anne de Bourgh. With a letter bearing his late mother’s signature, Darcy presumes his fate is sealed and prepares to wed one he does not love. However, his destiny begins to unravel when he glimpses a pair of fine eyes on a quiet, country road.Elizabeth Bennet is the second daughter of a respectable though insignificant gentleman. She is flattered to have captured the attention of a local squire, a childhood friend, and everyone believes her path is secure—until a handsome, rich gentleman arrives at a neighboring estate. Happenstance begets the unlikely pair together, bridging a forbidden love long past a mere friendship.In “A Lie Universally Hidden”, two of literature’s most beloved romance characters are destined to marry for fortune and obligation rather than love. How will Darcy and Elizabeth fulfill their true destiny under such circumstances? Shall honor, decorum, prudence—nay, a signed letter from the grave—forbid it?A Lie Universally Hidden is a Regency Romance suitable for most audiences, teen and up. __________________________________________________________Author Biography
I have a degree in English with a concentration in British Literature and a Masters in Education. I love to travel, bake, and watch college football with my husband of 16 years and 3 rambunctious sons. My goal in life is to make not only my children, but also my students feel that they are loved, and to bring magic into everyone's world. My weaknesses are yellow cake with chocolate frosting, French bread with real butter, and my father's Arabic food, namely grape leaves, and falafel. I live in California where I dream of Disney adventures and trips across the pond. Anngela Schroeder__________________________________________________________Giveaway
Anngela is giving away two autographed hard copies (US mailing addresses only), 2 kindle versions (Open to international winners), an autographed copy of Then Comes Winter (US mailing address only) and an autographed 5x7 of the A Lie Universally Hidden book cover.
