Hello, dear ones. For those who've been following Three Brides for Three Cousins, do not worry! I'm absolutely not abandoning that story or even putting it on hold. Work continues and I'm confident I'll have another chapter for you soon.
The thing is, I started the story that begins on the next screen before I started writing Three Brides. I even got three or four chapters in before I stopped and put it aside. Why'd I do that? Because the theme is darker than my previous work. One half of ODC and another character from Austen's original novel are trauma survivors, having spent a year in captivity enduring unspeakable things. I know such a plotline can be triggering to survivors of sexual assault and other traumas, and yes, I will admit that I worried no one would want to read the story which meant I wouldn't make any money with it.
But this story, which came from randomly wondering one day how Darcy would react if Elizabeth had been assaulted, has continued to sit in the back of my mind. Even while I was conjuring up all sorts of amusing things for Three Brides, I would think about what happens next in a story that is not just about healing of the heart, but healing of the soul. Be assured that there are absolutely NO descriptions of the violence suffered, only references. I'm writing about what happens once freedom is achieved. How they return to civilized society, their families, and how Darcy's patience and never-ending love heals Elizabeth's tortured soul.
I would love for every one of my followers to read the story and follow along on Elizabeth's journey back to herself, but I know that some of you may not be able to. I understand that. Despite the fact that not everyone may be able to read it, that some who do may not like it, the characters in this tale won't let me go without sharing their story.