'More To Love' by Robin Helm ~ Excerpt & Giveaway!

Hello, friends! Robin Helm stops by here today with a very lovely excerpt from her new book, More to Love! I hope you enjoy it!

Happy news! Robin is also offering one of my readers a chance to win an e-copy of More to Love! Details are at the bottom of the page!

More to Love
by Robin Helm

"She is tolerable, I suppose, but there is rather too much of her to tempt me."

Overhearing Mr. Darcy’s rude dismissal of her shocks and mortifies Elizabeth Bennet to the core.

She is living her worst fear, and it galvanizes her into action.

Soon, the gentleman cannot keep his eyes from her, but can she forgive his thoughtless judgment of her appearance and character?

Especially since he faces a worthy competitor for her attention?

Who will win the lady's hand, along with the right to love her through thick or thin?

Excerpt

The gentleman replied gently. “They both received what they wanted from marriage. That is the modern way, you know. Very few wealthy gentlemen or ladies marry for love.”

“Would you?” Her voice was a whisper as she glanced behind her.

Darcy looked puzzled. “Would I marry for love?”
“Yes.”

He raised his eyebrows. I have not thought of it. Would I want a woman to marry me for my wealth or station in life but not love me? I do not think so.

He shook his head. “I would not marry without it.”

“But you require more.”

Darcy observed the stubborn set of her jaw. You will not like my answer, but I will always be truthful with you.

“I have familial obligations which I cannot ignore.” He frowned. What an unusual conversation. “What of you? Would you marry a poor man for love?”

She sighed. “I have no thoughts of matrimony at all, Mr. Darcy. I refuse to marry unless my groom and I mutually love one another. From what I have seen in the world, with the exception of my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, there are very few love matches.”

Elizabeth laughed. “Shall I make a good governess? Or perhaps a companion for an elderly lady? One widow might be easier to manage than six children.”

You will choose a life of servitude rather than marry a man who could provide you with comfort? You laugh, but you know you will have almost nothing when your father dies. You must not refuse an offer that could provide for your welfare. Your spirit will die in such cold confinement.

And yet, his heart wrenched within him at the thought of her married to another man.

The door opened, and they both looked towards the sound.

Mr. Bingley entered, followed closely by Mr. Beckett.

Elizabeth closed the book and rose to her feet. “I must go as well. Jane asked not to be disturbed, for she wishes to sleep. Shall I see you both at dinner?”

“Most certainly,” answered Mr. Bingley. “We came to fetch you and make sure Darcy has everything he requires.”

I would rather she would eat with me, but I cannot detain her. Darcy stifled a yawn. “Perhaps you could bring me a tray after you dine, Bingley. I would like some tea for my throat.”

“I shall send something up with your man while we eat, for Beckett and I hope to hear Miss Elizabeth perform tonight. My sisters and brother will join us for dinner; Caroline and Louisa have already agreed to play for the party. We shall visit you again afterward.”

Elizabeth’s smile faded. “I think I must return to Jane after we dine, Mr. Bingley. I would not wish to leave her alone for too long. Your sisters are quite able to entertain you and Mr. Beckett.”

Darcy noticed Beckett’s expression. He seems to be disappointed. Did he look forward to an evening with Elizabeth?

He had never thought of Beckett as anything other than his physician. Now he studied the man’s face and figure. He is certainly handsome in a way that ladies would appreciate, and he was born a gentleman, though a second son. Odd that he refused a commission in the military or a vocation in the Church, instead choosing to be a physician.

The gentleman sighed. Without a doubt, Bingley’s sisters think he is worthy of their attentions. Otherwise, they would remain in their rooms.

Darcy took comfort in the knowledge that Elizabeth would return to her sister’s chambers following the meal.

She had the chance to spend the evening with Beckett, and she refused. He smirked.

The physician touched Elizabeth’s arm. “Miss Elizabeth,” he began earnestly, “I shall go with you to check on Miss Bennet after we dine. If she still sleeps soundly, will you agree to play for us? I have so looked forward to hearing you, for Bingley told me he has rarely heard anything else that pleased him so much.”

Elizabeth blushed and turned her face up to his with a sweet smile. “I do not enjoy performing in company, sir, but since you have so kindly looked after my sister, I will play for you if she still sleeps when our meal is over. ’Tis the very least I can do, for you have asked nothing else of us.”

Watching the scene play out, Darcy clenched his jaw.

The young physician held out his arm to her, and she accepted it.

As Mr. Beckett led her from the room, Mr. Bingley looked at Mr. Darcy and grinned.

“They make a lovely couple, do they not, Darcy?” he whispered before he followed them and closed the door. “He would be an excellent match for her.”

Darcy glared at the ceiling. Lovely, indeed. Perhaps she will not be in service after all. She will marry Beckett and have a dozen golden children, for he looks as if he loves her already. Why would he not?

The thought should have made him happy, for he truly wished Elizabeth to be loved by a good man and well set up in life.

I admit I want to be the good man she loves. I want to take care of her and our children. Our dark-haired, dark-eyed children, playing on the grounds at Pemberley. I would teach my sons to fish and ride and my daughters to gather flowers for their mother. I would take them into Lambton to meet the townspeople, like my father did Georgiana and me. They would gather around Elizabeth and me as we read them stories. I could push them in the swing that hangs from that big oak tree.

He mourned the children he would never have with her as he turned his face to the wall. Georgiana will marry and move away, and I will be alone.

Though Darcy knew Elizabeth was unsuitable for him in every way that mattered to his family, he longed to feel the silk of her thick hair sliding through his fingers, to bask in the warmth of her smile, to see her green eyes flash, to learn what interested her, and to share her secrets.


“I love her,” he whispered aloud, unable to suppress it any longer. “But I can never marry her.”

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About the Author

Robin Helm's books reflect her love of music, as well as her fascination with the paranormal and science fiction.

Her latest publication is More to Love, (Darcy comments on Elizabeth's weight). Previously published works include The Guardian Trilogy: Guardian, SoulFire, and Legacy (Darcy is Elizabeth's guardian angel), the Yours by Design series Accidentally Yours, Sincerely Yours, and Forever Yours (Fitzwilliam Darcy switches places in time with his descendant, Will Darcy), and Understanding Elizabeth (Regency Romance).

Mrs. Helm is also featured in a series of anthologies with several other like-minded authors. A Very Austen Christmas has been a Best Seller on Amazon in several categories. A Very Austen Valentine was released on December 29, 2018. A Very Austen Romance is being planned for December 2019.

She lives in South Carolina and adores her husband, two married daughters, and three grandchildren.


Connect with Robin Helm
Amazon Author Page • Beyond Austen • Twitter • Facebook • Instagram • Goodreads Author Page • Blog • Austen Anthologies FB page



* * * GIVEAWAY * * *
It's giveaway time! Robin is generously giving away one e-copy of More to Love to one of my readers!! Yay! To enter, please, fill out the Rafflecopter below.

• One person will win an e-copy of More to Love.
• To enter, fill out the Rafflecopter below.
• Rafflecopter will randomly select the winner.
• Open Internationally from Amazon US.
• Last day to enter the giveaway is Feb. 25, 2019, at 11:59 PM Pacific time.

Good Luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway



Many thanks to Robin for visiting us today with a lovely excerpt and for having a giveaway with me! ❤️

Oh, my! Poor Darcy! That last line, "I love her"..."But I can never marry her." broke my heart! I can't wait to read the rest!

What about you? What did you think?