Twenty Unopened Letters Jigsaw Puzzle (from Finally Mrs. Darcy)

Below is an image that I found on Deposit Photos that I thought would pair well with Finally Mrs. Darcy since a stack of unopened letters has been keeping Darcy company for five years. Just below the photo is a few lines from chapter 6 where those letters make an appearance.

I also thought that it would be fun to make this image into a jigsaw puzzle. You can solve the puzzle by clicking on the link below the excerpt.

You might also like to know that Finally Mrs. Darcy is on sale for just $0.99* until the end of October. It is also one of the two Ebooks to Keep for my $2 or more Patreon subscribers. Click here to go to my book promotions page of my website for a links and more info.

Enjoy!

(*That’s $0.99 USD, AUD, NZD, CAD, EUR, GBP, with all other currencies also reduced and at multiple eBook retailers.)

Pink and white roses with vintage books, old-fashioned letters, and an antique key. — *Image was purchased from Deposit Photos.*

“There are twenty,” Darcy said as he spread them out on the desk. “All addressed to you. None opened.” He chose the letter from the bottom of the pile…

“Do you have any idea what is contained within this?” He broke the seal. “I suspect it is very much the same as what you have written to your wife – a plea for forgiveness, a begging that things might be restored…

Five years,” he said softly, “is much longer than two days.”

(from Finally Mrs. Darcy)

Solve the puzzle here

Finally, Mrs. Darcy by Leenie Brown, with the tagline “Finally, she was his Mrs. Darcy” over pink and cream roses. — *Finally Mrs. Darcy* is only $0.99 until the end of October 2026 or included as one of your two eBooks to Keep if you are a $2 or more Patreon member. Links and more details can be found on the Book Promotions page.

Bei der Tanzprobe (at the Dance Recital) by Leopold Schmutzler

Bei der Tanzprobe (at the Dance Recital), signiert Leopold Schmutzler, Öl auf Leinwand. Leopold Schmutzler, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

If you would like to listen to this post, you can do so on YouTube at this link.

Today, I’ve a Story Connections post that is a bit different than most, because I’ve got some book news to share before I get to the picture and a story excerpt part of the post.

You see, I have a new book available for pre-order, but there is a short window of time, during which you can get the book early and for free. All you have to do is be subscribed to one of my reader communities, whether on Patreon, Substack, or my blog.

If you are already a subscriber to one of those places, you should have received an email, or a notification via an app, on either Friday or Saturday with a link to where you could download a copy of None So Accomplished as Mary. It’s the sequel to How to Marry an Accomplished Lady, and it is part of my Sweet Extras collection.

Sweet Extras are always offered as free downloads to my reader community for a period of time before the release of the book. This time, you have until March 31 to download your copy.

So, if you missed that email, or if you’d like to subscribe to one of my reader communities, you can find that post here: on my blog under the Subscribers Only Post menu option, on Substack in the Substack chat, or on Patreon in the eBook Downloads Collection. You have just over half a week left before the download link expires.

If you prefer to purchase your books from a favourite eBook retailer, you can pre-order None So Accomplished as Mary here. Release day is April 4, 2025.

If you’ve already read the book and are the book rating and reviewing sort, early reviews/ratings can be placed on the book’s Bookbub page here or on Goodreads here.

Just one more thing before we get to the picture and excerpt part.

None So Accomplished as Mary is best enjoyed when read AFTER you’ve read How to Marry an Accomplished Lady, which is in my Sweet Possibilities collection. And that story is best enjoyed AFTER you’ve read An Accomplished Lady (of the best sort), which is a Teatime Tale.

In case you need to pick up either of those previous books, I’ve added a 50% off coupon on them at Smashwords until April 5, 2025. The coupon will be applied automatically at checkout. You can find How to Marry… here, and An Accomplished Lady… here.

Are you still with me? 🙂 I know. That’s a lot of info, but now, let’s look at that painting.

I selected this image because, as you will see, None So Accomplished as Mary begins at a ball, and the ladies in the painting are preparing for a ball and having a fabulously fun time. That attitude matches with this book perfectly, since it continues the light-hearted, feel-good romance mood established in the two preceding books in this trio.

In this story, Colonel Fitzwilliam is dead set against knowingly falling prey to a matchmakers scheme. However, that doesn’t mean he can’t unknowingly be captured by a bit of cunning and a tantalizing riddle to solve.

The chapter below takes place just as such an entertaining journey to happily ever after for Mary and the colonel is about to begin.

Enjoy!

Vauxhall on a Gala Night (Richard Phillips c.1804)

If you would like to listen to this post, you can do so on YouTube at this link.

Image extracted from page 503 of *Modern London; being the history and present state of the British Metropolis. Illustrated with numerous copper plates*, by Richard Phillips. Picture dated as published June 11, 1804. Original held and digitised by the British Library. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Unravelling Mr. Darcy, along with it’s sequels: Becoming Entangled and Enticing Miss Darcy, are fun Regency romps. The sort of stories where romcom meets Austen.

In Unravelling Mr. Darcy, the first story in this trilogy, Darcy is given a second chance to win Elizabeth’s good opinion before he even leaves the parsonage at Hunsford, and he’s not going to let anything get in his way of success. Not even his tightly wound pride.

The scene that I’m sharing today, and have paired with the drawing of a “Gala Night at Vauxhall” by Richard Phillips, is from the second half of the book, and it is set in Vauxhall — a pleasure garden that often appears in Regency romances.

All sorts of scandals seem to happen there in other Regency romances and, even in this one, there’s mention of a scandal that resulted in a couple marrying.

However, our dear couple will not fall victim to scandal. Be that as it may, that does not mean their appearance at Vauxhall will not find its way into the paper for reasons you will see in the following excerpt.

An Excerpt from Chapter 7 of Unravelling Mr. Darcy

Elizabeth placed her hand on Darcy’s arm and allowed him to escort her from their supper box and toward one of the numerous paths in Vauxhall Gardens. The vast number of people that filled the supper boxes and paths was astonishing, and then when the torches were lit, and the orchestra was playing while waiters scurried back and forth making certain that all in attendance were happy, it was nearly overwhelming. She had heard stories of this place, but until now, she had never truly imagined its grandeur.

Darcy drew Elizabeth closer to his side as they strolled. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Immensely.”

Darcy smiled at how the word was more breathed than spoken. “I had wondered. You have been rather quiet.”

She looked up at him. “I am awestruck by my surroundings. There is nothing quite like this in Hertfordshire.”

“Most assuredly,” he agreed with a chuckle.

“I am surprised you would venture into this vast sea of humanity,” she teased. “Our little assembly with its gathered throng was a great trial to you.”

He saw her lips twitch, and he waited for her to complete her tease before he refuted her.

“Perhaps,” she said, cocking a brow in a rather beguilingly impertinent fashion, “that is because the residents in the country are unwashed savages.”

“Oh, indeed they are,” he replied with a smile. “I have it on the greatest authority.”

Her eyes grew wide. “Do tell,” she prompted.

He leaned his head near her ear and whispered, “Miss Bingley.”

Elizabeth laughed.

“I assure you it is true because her sister verified the fact and some rude man lent his voice to the assessment if I am not mistaken.” He bent toward her ear once again. “You will forgive me for such ungentlemanly behaviour, will you not? I am attempting to improve my ways.”

There was such contrition in his whispered words that she gave his arm a small squeeze and readily bestowed her pardon. Mr. Darcy had over the last four days been the perfect gentleman. Both her aunt and uncle had been duly impressed by his manners. According to Aunt Gardiner, there was nothing of grandeur about him, save for the way he carried himself when walking. However, it was not deemed arrogant but rather dignified. Aunt Gardiner had spoken at some length of how of anyone she had met, Mr. Darcy was justified in thinking of himself in lofty ideals since she had seen his estate and knew many of his tenants. The man was of no small fortune, and he was, to her knowledge, always just in his dealing with tradesmen in Lambton. Bills were not left unpaid, and even lowly delivery boys were given a nod when he saw that they were doing their work well.

Elizabeth had heard enough arguments in Darcy’s favour to settle her more firmly in her new belief of his being among the best of men. Then, having observed him in her uncle’s home as well as when she and Jane had gone to Darcy House to have tea with his grandmother and Georgiana, she was beyond convinced of her correctness in viewing him in such a light. So convinced was she of his noble character that she allowed her heart to be open to his declaration to her, and though it was little more than a fortnight since that horrid evening in the parsonage, she found herself quite certain that should he offer for her again, she would accept with alacrity. For her heart spoke of love, though her mind had yet to fully comprehend it.

Darcy stopped to greet an acquaintance and introduced Elizabeth to them as well as Bingley and Jane, who followed close behind.

“I say, Darcy,” said Bingley before they began walking again, “it will likely be noted in the paper that you were seen in Vauxhall with a lady on your arm.”

Darcy shrugged. “They had best describe her as beautiful,” he said with a grin.

Bingley chortled. “I seem to have misplaced my friend whose greatest desire was to shun all of society.”

“He is not misplaced.” Darcy raised a brow at Bingley. “He has, it seems, found his good sense in a rather forceful fashion.”

Bingley chuckled. “Yes, I dare say your appearance will also make the society page.”

“Have you no pity for him at all?” Elizabeth asked in feigned disbelief.

“Not a jot,” Bingley declared.

At the time of this post, this set of books are enrolled in the Kindle Unlimited program and, therefore, only available at Amazon. Find links for them on the book page of my website @ leeniebrown.com/books

Orchard Skies (Thad Fiscella)

Today, I’m pairing a beautiful piece of music that is aptly named with the first few paragraphs of my novelette Apple Blossoms and Whispering Hearts. This is what we call the meet-cute in romance writing. AKA when the hero and heroine meet.

Thomas is a bachelor who struggles with social interactions – especially when they are with ladies. He’s a bit unsure of himself and sees himself as not very much of a “prize.”

Clara is a widow with an energetic young daughter. She thinks she’s had her one chance at happily ever after.

Enjoy!

P.S. Apple Blossoms and Whispering Hearts is the Patreon free read this month. You only have to be signed up as a member to read it. No subscription required. It’s also one of the stories in First Blooms and Second Chances, the second collection of Nature’s Fury and Delights that is on sale all this month for $2.99 USD (with all other currencies also reduced). Regular price is $5.99 USD.

Interior of the billiard room at Lupton House, Devonshire.

If you would like to listen to this post, you can do so on YouTube at this link.

I’ve used this image before for a story connection (or two), but I have several scenes in various books that happen in a billiard room and this room is such a pretty one.

The story scene this time is the first scene in With the Colonel’s Help which takes place directly after he returns from a walk at Rosings during which he had come upon Elizabeth and attempted to show his cousin in a good light by telling her how Darcy helped his friend avoid a poor match.

As we all know, he failed to make Darcy look good, and in this scene, he’s just starting to realize the mess he has made of things in his attempt to help.

Enjoy!

Chapter 1

The sun shone bright and warm on Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam as he stood before Rosings. He turned and looked back in the direction from whence he had come. The slow but persistent twisting of his stomach continued its work in making him feel very uneasy. There was something not right in how Miss Elizabeth Bennet had responded to his information regarding his cousin Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

He took off his hat and ran a hand through his hair. The story he had told had been told with an intent to promote his cousin — for it was a viable example of the caring sort of friend Darcy was. However, Richard had the distinct impression that his comments had, in fact, done just the opposite.