Bonchurch Old Church (A. Heaton Cooper)

“Bonchurch Old Church, Near Ventor” (From the book Isle of Wight), painted by A. Heaton Cooper. 1908. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

“Lucy, I am here to offer comfort to you, not garner your praise.” He (Philip) chuckled.

“Passing on my father’s praise gives me comfort. It makes it seem less like he is gone.”

“Then, I shall attempt to receive his compliments graciously.” He leaned back and looked toward the grave next to which she had been kneeling. “You said you were sharing news with your father. Is it anything with which I could be of assistance?”

She tilted her head and gave him a searching look. She had promised her father that she would speak to each of the men on his list. However, she had intended to do so with her Aunt Tess present, not while alone in a churchyard.

[from And Then Love]


Willow Hall, book 1

View of Piccadilly c. 1809

 Rudolph Ackermann. View of Piccadilly from Hyde Park Corner Turnpike. The Repository of arts, literature, commerce, manufactures, fashions and politics, 1809.
Internet Archive Book Images, No restrictions, via Wikimedia Commons

He (Henry) whistled a jolly tune as he mounted his horse and made his way toward the park. A bit of fresh air, a good breakfast, and then one call. He pulled in a deep breath. His happiness was very close; he could almost feel it now. Constance had smiled at his admission of wanting to marry her. His chances were very good if he could get her brother to agree with him.

“Crawford!”

Henry turned toward the barouche that was coming toward him. “St. James,” he greeted with a tip of his hat.

The rather portly gentleman waved Henry over.

“How can I be of service, my lord?”

“You can learn to be discreet,” the man answered, scooting to the side of the carriage closest to Henry…

from Henry: To Prove Himself Worthy


Henry’s story is available both as a single title and as part of the Other Pens, Vol. 1: Henry, Charles, and Mary compilation.


Austenland – Only You (Emmy the Great)

Have you seen this movie? I, actually, have. It’s cute.

Today, I have paired this video with a couple of lines from a book where, because he is choosing Kitty against his father’s wishes, Colonel Fitzwilliam is left with not a lot.

I think the song and quote pair pretty well, don’t you?



I do adore this book. The colonel and Kitty are so sweet that they kind of are a #relationshipgoals sort of couple. LOL

His Inconvenient Choice is book three in my Choices series. And that heart in the graphic above and, currently, on the cover of the book is my visual inspiration for a pair of necklaces that play an important role in the series. Look for the necklace to be mentioned in book 1, book 3, and the epilogue at the end of book 4.


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Morning Dress for April 1801

From The Lady’s Monthly Museum. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

She looked at the faces which stared back at her in disbelief. “I am not fit for bedlam, if that is what you are thinking. I know it is a sudden turnabout, but a turnabout it is. I have made my choice and am moving forward. How is it you said it, Richard? The past is in the past? And that is where it shall stay.”

“And you are certain of this, Catherine?” questioned Lady Matlock. “You are not just taking the role expected of you for the sake of the family?”

“Good heavens, no!” Lady Catherine shook her head. “I have spent far too many years doing as the family expects. Is not a lady in her dotage allowed to do the unexpected? In three weeks, I shall hand over the care of Rosings to the younger set and shall begin to take my ease.”

[from Listen to Your Heart]


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Courting is a Pleasure (The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin)

Shall we start the week with a traditional Irish song and a story excerpt about a couple who is courting? (The courtship in the story turns out better than the one in the song. 🙂 )

The lines from Unravelling Mr. Darcy below are from when Darcy and Elizabeth meet after Rosings when Elizabeth and Jane are still at the Gardiners.



Darcy’s been given a second chance to win Elizabeth’s heart, and he’s not letting anything stop him from succeeding — not even his tightly wound pride.

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