Hidden Hearts is available again!
Earlier this year, I pulled all of my backlist except Restored and The Secrets of Donwell Abbey off sale. I have enjoyed writing Christian Fiction so much, that I really want to put all my books into that genre. For most of my books (even the ones that had steamy scenes) there are definite themes of grace and forgiveness and other Christian attributes. I always felt like I had to almost erase those qualities—like I couldn’t write about them openly. So, I’ve felt called to go back and take off the varnish and expose the faith that has always been there.
Hidden Hearts, first in the Mayhem and Scandal Collection, is the first one finished. This story began as a short story prompt inspired by a blog post from 2018. I had found something wacky—a manmade shell grotto built in the late 1700s in Hertfordshire, England. My writing prompt was imagining a group outing for the cast of Pride and Prejudice like Emma’s outing to Box Hill. Darcy and Elizabeth wind up in a cave together and then the ceiling falls in. They are unharmed but trapped together!
The scene ended there but in early 2021, I circled back to the idea. What emerged was a story with a secret crush, unrequited love, a compromise, a fake engagement, and a lovely subplot with Mary and Colonel Fitzwilliam.
The yearning in this one is *chef’s kiss.*
I have made a few changes, enhancing the natural faith that Darcy and Elizabeth had in the original. The theme of divine providence orchestrating their lives is no longer subtle and I love it even more this way.
If you have previously purchased Hidden Hearts, you should be able to get the updated version by syncing your device.
Keep reading for the blurb and an excerpt. The download link is at the bottom!
Blurb
They agreed to a fake engagement to save her reputation—but who will save their hearts?
The last thing Fitzwilliam Darcy wants is more time with the Bennet family—especially when Elizabeth Bennet ignites a war in his heart between pride and longing. A week under the same roof has convinced him of one thing: he needs distance. But when a friend volunteers him for an outing to a nearby cavern, Darcy agrees out of duty—unaware that God is leading him somewhere far deeper than stone walls.
Elizabeth Bennet has guarded a secret since Mr. Darcy’s arrival—a burden that has shaken her carefully managed world. When a family excursion leads them both to the same secluded area, she finds herself unexpectedly—and unwillingly—alone with the very man she’s tried to avoid.
As the cave collapses, burying them in darkness, walls come down in more ways than one. And when rescue comes, so does scandal. To protect Elizabeth’s name, they agree to a false engagement. But every passing day makes the pretense harder to maintain—and every hidden truth threatens to undo them.
Were their circumstances a cruel accident—or a divine design?
Hidden Hearts is a Regency romance rich in longing, layered with wit, and lit by the hope of God's perfect plan. Sometimes, the greatest rescue begins when all seems lost.
Excerpt
“Talking will only add to our thirst, but I would speak to you on a few matters.”
“Very well. May we walk a little? My limbs are very stiff and crave movement.”
Darcy agreed and allowed her to set a slow pace around the circular chamber. “I spent much of the night thinking of a solution to your predicament. You say the gentleman you admire does not know of your attachment. Do you think he could be persuaded to overlook a broken betrothal?”
“I … I am unsure,” Elizabeth said. “I do not understand.”
“I suggest we announce an engagement. However, we would not marry right away. Instead, we attempt to secure matches for your sisters. After they are safely attached, I will break our arrangement. Then, if he has any sense about him, he will understand that you only accepted me for the sake of your sisters and overlook the issue. As far as society is concerned, you will be blameless.”
“I would hate for you to be thought less of because of me, Fitzwilliam!”
“I have endured more abuse for worse reasons. Unfortunately, some will congratulate me for being a cad. If you remember, Wickham has not been shy about slandering my name. People will readily believe it, and a man’s reputation is not as fragile as a woman’s. However, you did not answer my question.” Darcy paused as he fought for control to not betray his true feelings. “This gentleman, do you think he would overlook a broken engagement?”
“I believe he would if he loved me. He is the most honourable man I have ever met, and I know he loves without reserve.”
“He is fortunate to have your loyalty. If he only knew how precious that was, he would be a fool to not love you in return,” Darcy said quietly, trying to conceal his emotions. “You say he does not know of your admiration? Why is that? You are not reserved.”
Elizabeth guffawed. “No, I have never been accused of that. I have been afraid he would never consider me. Many would say that the difference in our stations is too extreme, and I am grasping.”
“Is he a peer, then?”
“No, he is a gentleman.”
“You are a gentleman’s daughter and therefore equal.” Why had it taken him so long to consider it thus? Perhaps if he had courted her for the last several weeks, she would now be his.
“Yes, but I have relatives in trade and a silly family.”
Darcy ceased walking and said with intense feeling, “A man does not think of that when he is in love, Elizabeth.”
“Maybe not, but I can hardly make him love me. I will not undertake any sort of art to trick or beguile him. He must love me for me or not be mine at all.”
“What sort of man is he?” Darcy asked as they resumed walking. The movement helped keep his mind off the squeezing in his heart. What man could help but love her?
“I have already told you that he is honourable and loving. He is kind and can be gracious when he wishes to be. He has very loyal friends, and his tenants and servants all praise him highly. Family ties are important to him.”
Did Darcy expect that she would love anyone less worthy? On the contrary, she deserved the absolute best. “A fine man, indeed. However, it hardly tells me how we might turn his thoughts to you. What made you love him, not just esteem him?”
Elizabeth was quiet for several minutes, and Darcy asked himself the same question. Could he explain why he loved Elizabeth? He hardly knew; he only understood that he did, and no one else had ever touched his heart.
At last, Elizabeth answered. “It must sound ridiculous to someone who has never experienced this. I cannot explain why I love him so. He is indeed honourable and good. However, many men are thus and have never stirred my heart. It is as though something in me recognises him as what completes me—yet it is not all selfish. Or at least, I hope it is not. I hope that I have given him some peace and happiness in return. It happened all at once, yet not for the first time we met, and when I was least expecting it. Suddenly, I knew that I loved him, and there could never be another.”
He stopped in awe as she had managed to capture his precise thoughts, just as she had about Pemberley.
She turned to look him in the eye. “I suppose that did not answer your question, but it is the best I can do. I appreciate the gesture, and you are a truly kind friend, but I would prefer we speak on another topic.”
“May I ask his name?” Darcy had resigned himself to hating the paragon forever but believed the identity might reveal pertinent information. Meryton was a close-knit community, and she had never had a season in town. As he was not a merchant acquaintance of her uncle, he must be a local gentleman, but Darcy could not comprehend who.
Elizabeth whirled around and marched on. A terrible suspicion arose in his breast as she refused to answer him. He reached her in a long stride, gently catching her by the hand.
“His name, Elizabeth.”
She adamantly shook her head, panic washing over her features.
“Is it … is it Bingley?” he finished in a whisper. Inwardly, he prayed that it was anyone but his dearest friend. Darcy would have to give him up. He could not bear to witness Bingley wed Elizabeth.
Elizabeth’s eyes welled in tears for a moment, and then her brows rose, alarm overtaking her countenance. “Did you hear that?”
“What? I hear nothing.” Then, Darcy heard a scraping sound and a distant voice. “I think I do hear it!”
“We are saved,” Elizabeth said without excitement.
“So, we are.” Pain threatened to clog Darcy’s throat. After a moment, he forced out an audible prayer. “Thank you, God, for deliverance.”
“Thank you, Lord,” Elizabeth echoed.
They should be elated at the prospect of rescue and freedom. However, all Darcy could do was mourn the impending separation.
“Lizzy! Darcy!” Mr Bennet’s voice grew closer.
“This is the last chamber,” Bingley called. “They must be in here.”
“I pray they are alive,” Bennet said.
“We must answer them.” A tear streaked down Elizabeth’s cheek.
Darcy silently whisked it away with his thumb before cupping a hand around his mouth to amplify his voice. “We are here! We live!”
“Mr Darcy? Thank God!” Mr Bennet cried. “Is Lizzy safe?”
“I—I am well, Papa!”
“Stand back,” Bingley shouted through the rocks. “We have miners that will get you out. They say it should not take long, but there is a risk of another collapse.”
“Yes, we understand!” Darcy called.
He still held Elizabeth’s hand, and together, they stepped back from the pile. For ten minutes, they stood in thrall as they heard whack after pounding whack of sledgehammers and pickaxes against the mortar pile. Then, finally, a small opening emerged. After being reassured, once more, that Darcy and Elizabeth were well and directed to stand back, Mr Bennet allowed the workers to continue. Darcy held tightly to Elizabeth’s hand until the very last moment when he knew he must relinquish her to her father.
Bennet was the first one through. After embracing Elizabeth and seeing for himself that she was mostly unharmed, he gave Darcy a hearty handshake and thanked him for assisting his daughter. He also assured Elizabeth that no one else was injured by the collapse. It had affected only the east side of the grotto, and the others had stayed together in the west chamber at the time. A greater reunion would have to wait until they were above ground. Mrs Montagu, the owner of the estate the grotto stood on, met them at the exit, profusely apologising for the fiasco and demanding that they rest at her home for at least one night. Only after Elizabeth was whisked away from him and enveloped by her eldest sister did Darcy realise she never answered his question.