Dear readers,

What will you do when a shameless woman is vying for your husband or boyfriend’s attention? In my latest novel, The Spinster’s Vow: A Spicy Retelling of Mrs. Darcy’s Journey to Love, Elizabeth Bennet was confronted with this situation:

***

“Darcy, what a surprise!” Lord Martin came forward and shook Fitzwilliam’s hand with vigour. “And who is this lovely lady? Are you indulging in…”

My husband’s mouth thinned and he introduced me immediately. “This is my wife. Elizabeth, this is Lord Nolland’s grandson Lord Martin.”

I curtseyed and extended my hand. The young lord took it and bestowed a kiss, with his eyes gazing at me. Although there was nothing improper about the kiss, I could see Fitzwilliam’s displeasure.

“Magnifique! I must get to know you better, Mrs. Darcy, for any woman who can catch the elusive Mr. Darcy is worth knowing.”

“You exaggerate, Lord Martin,” I replied. “But I am delighted to make your acquaintance. I have heard much about you from Lord Nolland. But you are very wrong. My husband is not a fish, to be caught.”

Lord Martin laughed out loud. “I hope the old goat has not said anything bad about me,” He rubbed his hands. “He is always very severe with me.”

He was being rude, seemingly forgetting the tall red-haired lady by his side, although the woman had been looking my husband up and down with curiosity. “And will you do us the honour of introducing your companion?” I asked.

“Oh, I see! Where are my manners?” Lord Martin smacked his hand on his forehead. “Well reprimanded. Mrs. Darcy, this is Amelie Dubois, an aspiring French opera singer on vacation here. Amelie, this is Fitzwilliam Darcy, with ten-thousands a year. His estate of Pemberley in Derbyshire – you do know where Derbyshire is, yes? – is some ten miles around. And, as you heard, this witty lady is his new wife.”

I was furious, and was certain that my husband was, too. Lord Martin was smirking and jesting about the Darcy legacy without a care, in front of this unknown woman. Her eyes lit up, quite literally, upon hearing the dandy’s description. She batted her pretty eyelashes so rapidly that I feared they would fall off, and her cherry-red lips tucked up in a seductive pout. Then she rearranged her stance, thrust out her bosom, which threatened to fall out of her thin, semi-transparent day dress, and posed most provocatively toward Fitzwilliam.

I did not need such a shameless woman to be around us for the next two weeks. And she would be sleeping under the same roof!

***

And Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy had not yet consummated their marriage as they were forced into the marriage. I hope she wouldn’t scratch the eyes of Ms Dubois out. What do you think will happen? Please comment below to have a chance to win a copy of The Spinster’s Vow in paperback format. Competition is open to worldwide reader and will end on 31 January 2012. Good luck!

Do come and visit me at www.enidwilson.com and here is the book blurb:

What if Mr. Bennet went missing and the Bennet women had to leave Longbourn? In this intriguing refashioning of Jane Austen’s classic, Mr. Darcy meets a melancholic but spirited Elizabeth Bennet who has vowed to remain a spinster until she finds her father. A debauchery at a masquerade forces the couple to marry.

Will Elizabeth resent Mr. Darcy’s arrogance, which forced her to break her vow? Will she find her father, with his help? This sexy and inventive Pride and Prejudice what-if story, set just after the Napoleonic Wars, takes the perennial favorite in a new direction with captivating plot twists and passionate romance.

And thank you to Kim and Romance Junkies for having me! Hugs from hot and wet Sydney.