My most recent release, A lot of Pride and some Prejudice, has stirred some interest among Regency romance lovers, and I must confess I was a bit surprised. It's not that I didn't believe in it, but rather felt very scared that I have not managed to capture the essence of that time period...The first reviews and the general feedback was unexpected and so motivational...Thank you Judith Post for a very useful feedback, like always. The romance between Portia and Lord Salisbury has sparked a strong emotional interest among the readers and, some of them, even asked me why the ending was...the way it was (I don't want to spoil it for you). And I answered them that I really wanted everything to be believable. I hope you'll agree with me that it's a good reason. If you want a flavor of A lot of pride and some prejudice, that can be downloaded here >>http://amzn.to/19IbwFQ, I have put a fragment for you to consider.A lot of pride and some prejudice (fragment) - “My dear miss Clairon I am mortified, I cannot explain how such an abominable mistake could have been produced. Please allow me to apologize profusely, I intend to take drastic measures for this unforgivable negligence. Lord Salisbury was indeed very mortified, since the luggage of his guest, Miss Clairon, had been misplaced, and the old governess was purple with embarrassment. Lord Salisburry was ceaselessly waving his short chubby arms like he was trying to express the magnitude of his regret, yet Miss Clairon seemed to be unmoved. Through the peephole of the dining room’s door, Portia was observing with tremendous amusement the entire commotion from the hall, when she suddenly realized that she was not alone. She turned around in a startling rush and she saw a tall, imposing man observing her with an amused expression on his face,. There was no reproof in his eyes, just a cheerful flicker of extreme diversion. When he spoke, his voice was kind and his tone excessively polite. - Were you listening at the door, Madame, or were you looking through the peephole? - I am sorry, sir…I was… Portia couldn’t find her words, her face colored with embarrassment. The gentleman kept smiling at her, vastly enjoying her moment of discomfort. - Do not worry, I promise I won’t share your indiscretion with anyone. You must be the new bride…miss Thorpe, am I right? She finally lifted her eyes from the ground and answered defiantly: - And who might you be, sir? You should have made your presence known… - Indeed I should …I am Phillip Salisbury, and I shall soon have the honor of being your future brother in law. So, you see, you must not feel uneasy, for this is a family matter… - I wasn’t spying on anyone, sir, I was merely trying to find the dining room….you have such a big house, one could get lost in it. - I am sure you have…Let us not quarrel about that, miss Thorpe, I would rather enjoy the opportunity to get to know each other and surely to have the privilege of hearing you play, my brother says you are a most extraordinary piano player. - I fear he has exaggerated my talents, Lord Salisbury. May I ask when shall I have the honor of meeting Miss Salisbury, I hear she shares my enthusiasm when it comes to music and I would exceedingly cherish a musical companion… - She keeps to her room for the moment, she has a frightful cold and I am afraid we shall not have the privilege of seeing her today. Did you make any plans for your wedding, miss Thorpe? I hear my brother wishes to get married in the family chapel near Portsmouth, I am sure it will agree with you…although the family mausoleum is dreadfully near… - I was not aware…I did not have the chance to explore any plans, but I am sure we have enough time to consider… - One more week until the happy event, one might see it as being too soon… - Indeed too soon. - Portia lowered her eyes, for fear he might observe her sadness, but he seemed too much preoccupied analyzing her hands.” - I don’t see an engagement ring on your finger, Miss Thorpe, was my brother so careless as to overlook such a crucial detail? Portia smiled and hid her hands behind her back in a childish impulse. - It was my mistake, Lord Salisbury, for I have forgotten it at home, back in Bedfordshire, it is my fault indeed… - One might suspect that you dislike the ring, miss Thorpe. - No indeed I do not, it is the most glorious piece of jewelry I have ever laid my eyes on.
- Then my brother is a very lucky man, he has secured your affection along with your admiration for his taste in jewelry, he must be a happy man indeed. Pray, do tell me, do you know each other long?”.
