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Music Monday: I Like You (Ben Rector)

This was one of those songs that I just happened upon while doing some random listening and the dishes. The line in this song “I like you walking next to me” made me think of the scene from And Then Love that I am sharing below. At this point in the story, neither Philip or Lucy has figured out that they might more than like each other — although Darcy seems to see it. 🙂

And Then Love, Chapter 3

The rain had only started to fall lightly as the parishioners began to file out of the small church in Kympton. The migration of people from pew to door was a slow one as each took a moment to comment on Mr. Dobney’s sermon and to congratulate him on his upcoming marriage.

Rather than joining the numbers that lined the aisle, Lucy remained seated near the front of the church but turned so that she might watch the man she would soon call husband. He smiled and laughed. He ruffled the hair of children and shook the hands of their fathers. He had always greeted people with such ease and welcome — as if he had always known them.

She rested an elbow on the back of the pew and her head lightly on her hand as she watched him nod his head and tap his lip with a finger before replying to Mr. Evans. She knew from the actions that he was giving some bit of advice, for he never did so without at least a moment’s thought. Even when they were children, he had been the one to whom the others had looked to for guidance, and he had provided it without ever making one of them feel as if they were lacking in any way.

She smiled as he leaned his tall frame down to speak closely into Mrs. Walcroft’s ear. Others might have raised their voice to talk to the woman, but he never did. Philip was cautious not to injure the dignity of others, no matter their age or frailties. It was something she had always admired about him; however, not all had found the trait admirable. In fact, there were those who, at one time, had thought it a weakness and had teased Philip relentlessly.

It was not the only thing about which Philip had been teased. He had been gangly as a young man. His arms and legs seemed to grow rapidly, much more rapidly than his ability to use them with grace and dignity. He had also been rather skinny until he had gone away to college. However, during those years, his body had finally righted itself. He had not added another inch to his height, and he was no longer skinny.

She ducked her head as she felt a bit of colour creeping into cheeks when she realized just how fine he now appeared to her. He was still taller than most, but his clothes no longer hung on him. She turned her mind away from admiring how his jacket now stretched across his back and wrapped snuggly around arms that were well-muscled and strong.

Lucy rested a gloved finger on her lips. She had chosen him for his admirable character, but since that kiss two days ago…

She swallowed and rose from her seat. This was not the place to be contemplating fine figures or kisses. However, she could not resist taking one more look at Philip before she ducked out the side door.

Continue reading Music Monday: I Like You (Ben Rector)

The Leap-Saturday Broadsheet

Happy Leap Day! What a wonderful present to wake up to — an extra Saturday. 🙂 Here’s a look at what I have been up to during this last week of February 2020.

Writing News

So far (as of Friday evening), this has been an excellent writing week. I have put the new routine of rereading one day and writing the next into place, and it seems to be working quite well. I feel a lot less stressed over “getting it all done,” which has been wonderful to feel more relaxed. I think, depending on how today goes, I might actually get more written this week than I had initially thought I would. It’s always such a better feeling to be on top of things than trying to catch up. 🙂 It’s amazing what can happen when you embrace, rather than fight, the way your mind wishes to work. 🙂 

Here is what I have written so far this week: 

Continue reading The Leap-Saturday Broadsheet

A Pretty Tea Tray, Prescott House Museum

Photo taken by Leenie Brown at Prescott House Museum, Summer 2016.

Prescott House, located in Starrs Point, Nova Scotia, was built by Charles Prescott as the centerpiece to his estate, Acacia Grove, between the years 1811 and 1816. After falling into disrepair, the house was purchased by a great-granddaughter of Charles Prescott and restored in the 1930s. The interior is furnished to reflect the 19th century. This tea tray was part of a lovely display in one of the rooms. I love the pink dishes and the (fake) fruit tarts. (Isn’t it just so cheery looking?) The fruit is representative of just some of the sweet produce grown at Acacia Grove. Prescott is known for his contributions to Nova Scotia’s apple industry, and (fun fact) that is why the hero of my story “Apple Blossoms” (found in First Blooms and Second Chances) is named as he is. But that has nothing to do with our story for tomorrow. Tomorrow, in chapter 12 of Marrying Elizabeth book 5, as you can see in the excerpt below, there is an invitation to take tea with the Darcys, and that is why I decided to share this photo today.

~*~*~

…Sobering, but only slightly, Richard took a sip of his coffee. “My message for you, Lori, is, and once, again, I am quoting my brother for he insisted I deliver it word for word as he said it, ‘Everyone has returned to town, and Miss Kitty seems most anxious to see you. Call on her directly, and then come to dinner in Brook Street to inform me of your happy news. Bring Young Alfred.’

And my cousin Georgiana would like for me to make certain that you know that she, her brother, and Elizabeth would be delighted if Mr. Alfred Langley would join them for tea while you are driving with Kitty.”

“And this could not be sent to me by way of a note?”

Richard shook his head. “I am to carry your reply to Georgie – so she can be prepared for tea, and to Lady Westonbury – so dinner can be planned appropriately.”

“That could be accomplished through a note.”

Richard smirked. “According to Westonbury, the mail service is so very unreliable these days…”

[from Marrying Elizabeth book 5]

I wonder why Georgiana wants Alfred to visit? Any ideas? Guess we will find out in a chapter or two from now. 🙂

~*~*~

Marrying Elizabeth, books 1-4

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Music Monday: Single Man (High Valley)

PUBLISHED TO YOUTUBE BY HIGH VALLEY ON APRIL 29, 2019

I love this song, and I love this group’s music. Before you press play, you might want to know that the video, in my opinion, tells a lovely, but sad, story.

Now on to the reason I am sharing this song today. Every time I hear this play on the radio or my Spotify playlist, it always brings to mind the stories I have written where the “bad boy” finds his life of chasing a good time is just not as fulling as it once was.

And do you know which bad boy pops to mind first? Charles Edwards, the hero of Charles: To Discover His Purpose. That’s probably because he’s the most unapologetic about his roguish behaviour when the story starts. In fact, his whole purpose of hanging around the heroine, Evelyn, when the story begins is so that he can steal a kiss from her. Of course, this being a romance, you know he’s going to figure out that he wants a whole lot more than a kiss.

In the chapter I am sharing from that story today, Charles is still just that single man looking for a good time.

Charles: To Discover His Purpose, Ch. 3

Charles breathed a sigh of relief as he entered the saloon on his way to the Lintons’ box. It had been a challenge to squeeze past people without being noticed too much.

“Edwards.” His long-time friend, Trefor Linton, drew up beside him. “You are not invisible no matter how you turn your collar or duck your head.” There was a hint of a laugh in his friend’s voice. “I have heard three young ladies tittering as you passed them.”

“I imagine I look a fright to them.”

“No,” said Constance, making her presence behind Charles known. “They seem to be in awe of your noble deed.”

Charles stopped and turned. “Are you certain?”

Continue reading Music Monday: Single Man (High Valley)

The Saturday Broadsheet: Just one more chapter…

Those four words are soooo dangerous! I have a dreadful time stopping anywhere before the end of a book — I always have. These four words played a part in what I did and did not get done this week. 🙂

Writing Life

Due, in part, to some poor choices on my part 😉 — see the info about reading past my bedtime at the bottom of this newsletter — I got less written this week than I had wanted.

The other part of the not getting as much done as wanted is that with all the things I am doing this year and things I have been learning about and experimenting with, I am finding my writing process is shifting somewhat. I used to reread what was written the day before and then jump right into the new chapter.

Continue reading The Saturday Broadsheet: Just one more chapter…