Category: Wordless Wednesday

I am sure this soiree is not a ball, but I thought it a good representation of the onlookers at a ball taking note of a particular couple taking the floor.

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“Shall we cause a stir and take the floor first?”

“I would rather not,” Mary replied and then pressed her lips together. She really did need to learn to keep her thoughts in her head long enough to weigh them before speaking.

Lord Matlock chuckled. “I am afraid Miss Mary that if you are to be a member of this family, you will have to harden yourself to the idea of being worthy the notice of one and all on occasion. It is a danger of being tied to a titled gentleman.” He took her hand. “I do not dance as much as I once did so my taking the floor with you will be noted.” He bent his head in her direction and lowered his voice. “My wife is very good at carrying a point.”

[from Persuading Miss Mary, Marrying Elizabeth book 4]

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Confounding Caroline  ~  Delighting Mrs. Bennet ~ Loving Lydia

 MAILING LIST    PATREON

 

I imagine the woman on the right as Mrs. Salter trying to look regal and above everyone.

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Wes, who had only just finished his set of dances with Kitty and was making a tour of the ballroom before taking his leave to find his father and Richard in the card room, took a step closer to Mrs. Salter and the biddy the woman had been talking to at Almack’s when he first heard the name Lydia Bennet.

“And that is precisely why you do not want a second son as a match. Their livelihood is so tenuous.” Mrs. Salter lifted her chin and, as she waved her fan in front of her face, surveyed the ballroom with a regal air. “I have pointed out his brother the viscount to my Florence.” She smirked at her friend. “If that bit of fluff who was on his arm earlier can entice him to dance with her, I see no reason why my Florence cannot do so as well.”

[from Persuading Miss Mary, Marrying Elizabeth book 4]

~*~*~

Confounding Caroline  ~  Delighting Mrs. Bennet ~ Loving Lydia

 MAILING LIST    PATREON

The dresses in this image are obviously not Regency gowns, however, I think this gives a good representation of the busyness of the ball which Wes is attending.

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“That young woman across the way. The one next to the silver-haired matron with the blue fan. She’s pretty, is she not?”

“Do not attempt to change the subject,” Langley grumbled but then added, “Yes, I do believe she is. I’ve never seen her before.”

“You should seek an introduction. I had thought to, but I have duties to perform tonight before I am allowed to sneak back to my bed. My blasted head keeps hurting.”

~*~*~

Confounding Caroline  ~  Delighting Mrs. Bennet ~ Loving Lydia

 MAILING LIST    PATREON    SOCIETY6

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I thought these images went well together and with this chapter as we are in a library and it appears Wes is taking his father's advice. While his father's advice was not the same as in the letter above, I did think the subject of that letter was appropriate for this story, don't you? I also wonder if Mr. Richard John Uniacke wrote his advice to his son at that desk or not. :)

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“Please, grant me your friendship so that I can prove to you that I am a better man than Wickham.”

Her left brow once again arched skeptically.

“I have not been to Sally’s since before I arrived in Hertfordshire.”

She had not expected him to share such information with her. It was startling and caused her cheeks to flush.

“I know it is not proper to discuss such things,” he said before she could inform him that he should not be sharing such things with her.

[from Persuading Miss Mary, book 4 in the Marrying Elizabeth Series]

~*~*~

Confounding Caroline  ~  Delighting Mrs. Bennet ~ Loving Lydia

 MAILING LIST    PATREON    SOCIETY6

Can't you just imagine Lady Matlock doting on her little boys, and they returning the love and giving her kisses? I'm thinking Wes would be happy to be less well-loved in this chapter. ;)

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“You are not leaving.” Lord Matlock stood in front of Wes’s door the following morning, blocking Wes’s path. “Your horse has been returned to the stable. Your mother will not be persuaded to let you leave until you are completely well, and I will not be persuaded to go against her in this.”

Wes sat down on the edge of his bed. His father was actually forbidding him from leaving Matlock House? That was new. He had expected his mother to be put out with him for leaving before she declared he was well enough to do so but not his father.

[from Persuading Miss Mary, book 4 in the Marrying Elizabeth Series]

~*~*~

Confounding Caroline  ~  Delighting Mrs. Bennet ~ Loving Lydia

 MAILING LIST    PATREON    SOCIETY6