Music Monday: My Heart Will Go On, 2Cellos

This week as I was writing, I shared this video with my Dash of Darcy Readers group on Facebook and told them that it might just be the song I shared on Monday on my blog.  And here it is. 🙂 Along with this video, I shared the following line from what I had been writing that evening:

“I could never forget you, even without these things,” he said to Anne. “You will always be in my heart. I may not have loved you as well as I should have, but I did love you.”  [Doesn’t it go well with the song?]

I’m not sharing the scene in which you will find that line today. Instead, I am sharing the scene that follows immediately after it. However, that scene starts on a similar melancholy note. So, the song choice still seems to fit well.

But first, I must update you on the release of Enticing Miss Darcy. I have just uploaded the ebook files and set a release date of March 15, 2018. I made the decision to push the date out a week because there are some things I would like to do before the book releases and rushing it just to hit the deadline I had set was not going to be conducive to getting those things done. [And my back is doing better. It’s not 100% yet, but it is much improved. I have also figured out how to get work things done with some modifications. 😉 Now, I ‘m just trying to play catch up.]

And now for…

AN EXCERPT FROM Mr. Darcy’s Comfort: 

[one note about what is happening here before you dive in: Anne has died and her body is laying in a sitting room where people are taking turns watching over her as was the custom. Her funeral is just over a day away.]

“How are you?”

Darcy turned his head away from looking at the prospect outside the window and toward his uncle who had come to stand near him.

“She liked seeing the sheep in the fields.”

A hand grasped his shoulder firmly. “We will all miss her, but yours was of a particular relationship, and what I wish to know is how you are doing? And I do not mean are you well.”  He nodded toward the chairs at the end of the room not next to where Anne presently lay. “Come. There is a window over here where we can overlook nature as we speak.”

Darcy followed his uncle to the other side of the small room. 

“Someone will be here to relieve you soon,” Lord Matlock added. “Then we can retire to your room where you can rest. I would not have you relapsing.” 

Darcy fought to hide a yawn. He was tired, and his body ached. A rest would be most welcome. The discussion he would have to have with his uncle was perhaps not as welcome.  However, it could not be put off. A betrothal had come to an end. Rosings’ future had to be decided as did his own. He shook his head. “It is too much,” he muttered.

His uncle’s replying smile was understanding. “There is time to deal with all that needs doing.” His brows flicked upward. “Most is done.” He sank into a chair while Darcy stood near the window. “I had a great deal of time to do some arranging and to write to Sir Louis’ solicitor. I expect his response soon. But we can discuss that later. I first would like to know how you are accepting your new-found freedom.”

Darcy sighed. Freedom?

“You were bound by duty, and now you are not,” his uncle added in response to Darcy’s sigh. “You are now free to choose a bride. How does that sit with you?”

“I do not know.” Darcy turned to look toward Anne. “She would have released me from my promise.”

“I know. Richard told me.”

“Yes, he told me, too. As did her journal.”

“And you would have stood by your promise come hell or high water.”

Darcy shrugged.

“You were both nearly too noble at times.”

Darcy turned startled eyes to his uncle.

“There are times when denying one’s wishes and desires is not best. Such as when pledging yourself to another in marriage when your heart is engaged elsewhere. I know it is not perhaps the most popular belief of my peers, but I do think each gentleman and lady should strive to find felicity in marriage if possible. And happiness cannot truly be achieved when there is regret standing in the way.”  Lord Matlock blew out a breath and dug out his handkerchief. “You fulfilled your promise to your mother and to Anne.  She knew love. You loved her well.  Just as your mother wished. And you were faithful to Anne until death parted you.”

Darcy shook his head. He had not been truly faithful. He had considered Elizabeth before Anne had died.

“I know about the young lady in Hertfordshire.”

“You do?”

His uncle nodded.  “A pretty young lady with a will of iron and a keen mind but with little money and a few ties to trade.”

His uncle, much like Richard, was not one to mince words. Darcy appreciated that about Lord Matlock. “Then you know I was writing to Richard when he arrived?”

“Yes. You were conflicted. You had a duty to complete and yet your heart betrayed you and made you question.” He rose as a maid entered.  “Come. Anne will be watched over.”

Darcy nodded but instead of following his uncle out of the room immediately, he first crossed to Anne, and told her softly that he would return at least once more before they must part forever. Then, he followed his uncle from the room.

~*~*~

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