Category: Wordless Wednesday

I wanted to share this picture of a pretty lady, but one who could very easily blend into the background depending on how she is dressed, for a few reasons today. First, it could represent Mary, who sees herself as nothing exceptional but Wes sees as beautiful. Second, because of the lady's ability to fade into the background as just one of many threads in the tapestry of life, it could be representative of all the ladies Mary wishes to see respected. And third, because her wide eyes observing all she see is representative of how, in this chapter of our story, Wes begins to see things from a different perspective -- through the eyes of a woman.

~*~*~

She was not just another pretty face in a light-coloured gown who lined the walls with the other hopeful debutants waiting, eagerly, to be selected by the likes of him. Mary was more than that. She knew her mind. She knew what she wanted. And she was not going to be swayed by all the charm, money, or titles in the world to give up that which she held to as important. She was the prettiest immovable force he had ever met.

[from Persuading Miss Mary, Marrying Elizabeth book 4]

~*~*~

Confounding Caroline  ~  Delighting Mrs. Bennet ~ Loving Lydia

 MAILING LIST    PATREON

I'm not sure what kind of pie that is in the painting above, but it looks like a lovely meat pie to me. Perfect as part of an evening meal. :) I wonder if they were serving meat pie at the dinner mentioned in the excerpt below? Of course, the real question is what has Lady Matlock said to Mary?

~*~*~

Lord Westonbury was not at dinner.

The fact should have put Mary’s mind at ease since she would not have to look at him while unsettling thoughts from what his mother had said scurried around her mind, bumping into this memory and that.

It was a very quiet dinner for Mary. She said barely a word and attended to only a few more than she spoke. No one seemed to do much more than cast a questioning look her way. Not one person pressed her to join a conversation. They gave her time and space to ponder.

[from Persuading Miss Mary, Marrying Elizabeth book 4]

~*~*~

Confounding Caroline  ~  Delighting Mrs. Bennet ~ Loving Lydia

 MAILING LIST    PATREON

The bit of conversation below takes place while Colonel Fitzwilliam, Lydia, Lord Westonbury, and Mary are out for a drive in the park.

~*~*~

“I am certain my sister and your brother did not agree to come on this drive so that you could spend the whole time flattering me for who knows what purpose.”

“I do not mind,” Lydia interrupted. “I would find it delightful to hear what Lord Westonbury finds pleasing about you.”

“No, you would not.” Mary gave her sister a pointed look. Lydia was wearing that secret smile of hers which never led to anything good. She might be maturing, but her desire to poke her nose in where it did not belong seemed to be unchanged.

[from Persuading Miss Mary, Marrying Elizabeth book 4]

~*~*~

Confounding Caroline  ~  Delighting Mrs. Bennet ~ Loving Lydia

 MAILING LIST    PATREON

I sharing this adorable picture of children for this week's post since I think a good title for this week's chapter of Persuading Miss Mary would be an "Impish Lord and a Gaggle of Children." This week, Lord Westonbury invites himself along to the Gardiners for tea and meets the four Gardiner children. I also think it is interesting that the Mary in the portrait above becomes a countess. That seems fitting for our story, too. Doesn't it? :)

~*~*~

A maid stepped into the room. “The table is laid, ma’am.”

“Very good. We will be in straightaway.” She turned back to her guests. “We are taking tea with my children, and I never do that in here.” She rose. “They are just learning their manner, my lord,” she cautioned.

“I will do my best to remember mine,” he assured her as he followed her out of the room and down the hall to a modest-sized dining room. 

[from Persuading Miss Mary, Marrying Elizabeth book 4]

~*~*~

Confounding Caroline  ~  Delighting Mrs. Bennet ~ Loving Lydia

 MAILING LIST    PATREON

Ok, so Wes and Mary would not be eating in the kitchen, and this table might not be set for breakfast. But there are eggs in that bowl, and I love the dishes. :)

~*~*~

“Good morning, my lord.”

Wes turned his attention away from the window and, glancing toward Mary, gave a nod in greeting. He was only halfway through his cup of coffee and too caught up in his thoughts to speak. It was only early, but he had already been about some business and was contemplating his departure from Matlock House.

“Did you sleep well?”

Wes nodded as she poured milk into her tea and moved her spoon backward and forward.

“My apologies,” she said with a small grimace as her spoon clinked against the side of her cup.

[from Persuading Miss Mary, Marrying Elizabeth book 4]

~*~*~

Confounding Caroline  ~  Delighting Mrs. Bennet ~ Loving Lydia

 MAILING LIST    PATREON