An Interior with a Curtained Bed Alcove; Unknown Artist; ca 1853; Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons
I really doubt that Wes's room was either this small or this full of furniture, but the bed is close enough to the door for Wes to listen to a conversation just outside that door -- a conversation that starts like this:
~*~*~
“Oh, Mr. Darcy!”
Wes opened one eye and peeked at the door to his room which was partially open. Was that Darcy at the door?
“Good day, Miss Lydia. How might I be of service?”
Apparently, Darcy was at the door. Wes groaned and rubbed his aching head. Two days in bed and the blasted thing still hurt – despite his mother’s best attempts to do him in with potions from the apothecary.
“I was wondering if you had any friends.”
Wes chuckled at Miss Lydia’s inquiry. He’d give anything to see Darcy attempt to not look offended at such a comment.
[from Persuading Miss Mary, book 4 in the Marrying Elizabeth Series]
“Do you know,” Walter continued as Grace took a seat on the bench, “that this was my favourite place when I was just a lad and came to visit my grandparents.”
“Was it really?” Grace smiled and ran a hand over the bit of slab next to her where he was about to sit. “It is a lovely bench, and the aspect from here is delightful.” She leaned toward him when he finally took a seat. “I am particularly fond of arched garden gates, and you can see the gate between the hedges quite perfectly from here. I imagine that the gate is even more delightful when all the flowers are in bloom.”
“It is,” Walter agreed. “And when the tree behind us is laden with leaves, there is something very cozy feeling about this place, almost as if one could hide here, which I must say, I have.”
“You have hidden here?”
Walter nodded. “When I was just a boy of about six, I used to curl into a ball under this very bench when playing hide-and-go-seek. Every time.” He gave her a sheepish grin. “I would not advise using the same hiding place over and over if one has been found in it. It is the surest way to lose a game.”
[from Her Secret Beau, Touches of Austen Book 3]
Published to YouTube by Simply Three on February 27, 2014
Published to YouTube by SaraBethie on January 16, 2014
The top video is an instrumental piece and has been on my Music to Write By playlist for a long time — it was the first song added to that list. 🙂 The bottom video includes lyrics and is one of the videos on my Music Meets Movies playlist.
I thought the song was good for tomorrow’s chapter of Walter and Grace’s story as they are in the garden alone and in a special place in that garden. Hopefully, you will get a chance to read that chapter tomorrow — it’s a good one. (But then, aren’t they all? Well, not all of them include almost-kisses.)
There is also an Austen Authors post of mine you can read tomorrow. It’s more pictures than words 🙂 I’m sharing pictures from some of my summer fun, and I am hosting a giveaway as well.
Deux Soeurs (Two Sisters), William-Adolphe Bouguereau, 1901. [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons
The relationship between sisters sure does go through changes as they grow up. Mary and Lydia's relationship is shifting in this story -- especially in Chapter 7 from where the excerpt below is taken. It's a bit of a role reversal as the little sister is stepping up to care for the big sister.
~*~*~
Lydia threw her arms around Mary and pulled her into a tight hug. “Oh, Mary! Being alone in the middle must be dreadful! How you must suffer for it. I will not allow it to be any longer,” she said, and then, she did something she had not done since they were both very young. She kissed Mary’s cheek.
[from Persuading Miss Mary, book 4 in the Marrying Elizabeth Series]
“No, do not turn your head,” Mr. Blakesley scolded as he once again sat in the drawing room at Erondale two days later — this time without Mr. Norman and with a screen and drawing paper in front of him.
“But I wish to see what you are doing,” Grace replied.
“I am taking your likeness, and I am not very accomplished. Therefore, I beg of you, stay still, or I shall not be responsible for your face looking more like an apple that has been trampled by a herd of pigs than the pretty shape that it is.”
“Are you truly so bad?” Grace peeked around the screen.
Truth be told, she did not care what the drawing on the paper looked like. She was far more interested in seeing his face while he sketched, and if that screen was not in the way, she could also see how his mouth moved and eyes narrowed as he shifted his head while studying her. The thought of a gentleman such as Mr. Blakesley studying her likeness so intently was both unsettling in a nervous sort of fashion and exhilarating in a rapid heartbeat that made one smile and sigh sort of fashion.
“You have ruined it.” Mr. Blakesley favoured her with a scowl. She was certain she had never met a gentleman who looked so dashing when he scowled.
[from Her Secret Beau, Touches of Austen Book 3]
Published to YouTube by anickamilujefilm on February 18, 2012
I have used this video before on a Monday. However, it had been over a year since I did so I thought it would be fine to use it again. 🙂 I was writing a Dash of Darcy Companion story when I used it last time. Therefore, today, I will share an excerpt from that book at the end of this post as I am not quite far enough along in my current work in progress to share from it. Continue reading Music Monday: Falling for You (Northanger Abbey)
Pearson Scott Foresman [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons.
Isn't this a smart looking carriage? I am certain there must be vehicles equal to this one in the park when Wes goes out for a ride and meets Darcy in chapter 6, from which the excerpt below is taken.
~*~*~
“I had not thought to see you out driving,” Wes said to Darcy.
“Ah, but I have sisters and a wife who must see and be seen.”
“It is not a very good day for it,” Wes commented, looking at the darkening clouds.
“But the canopy can be put into place quickly,” Darcy assured him. “You, on the other hand, will be fortunate to arrive home without being thoroughly soaked.”
“I think I can manage a bit of a drenching.”
[from Persuading Miss Mary, book 4 in the Marrying Elizabeth Series]
