Novelette – Leenie Brown

She is tolerable… (C.E. Brock Illustration)

C. E. Brock, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Isn’t this a lovely book illustration? I thought it would go well with the story excerpt I want to share today…

Have you ever wondered what was going through Mr. Darcy’s head when he made his infamous slighting remark at the Meryton assembly? Have you ever wondered how things might have changed if he had been turned around and forced to say what he said while looking directly at Elizabeth while he said it?

Well, I have. 🙂 And that is exactly the questions that sparked From Tolerable to Lovely in my mind. It’s a short tale with only four chapters, and it’s free for followers to read on Ream this month. (And if I get it up there before Wednesday, on Patreon as well.)

Below is how the story begins – with Darcy’s thoughts and then his getting turned about. I’ll let you read the rest of the tale to see how he proceeds once he’s facing her. I’ve put links to both Ream and Patreon at the end of the story.

Enjoy!

Pride and Prejudice Illustration by C.E. Brock

Charles Edmund Brock (1870-1938), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

On Friday, I have a new Teatime Tales story publishing called An Accomplished Lady (of the Best Sort). So I thought I’d share a little teaser from the story with you today.

You should know that it is a story that is told completely from Bingley’s point of view as he attempts to make his best friend realize that Miss Elizabeth is his friend’s perfect match. And, I’m sure when you read the excerpt, you will know both the setting place and time (as it relates to the timeline of P&P) and why I chose the above image for today’s post.

Enjoy!

A Summer Shower (Charles Edward Perugini)

Three young women standing under a tree to stay out of the rain. — FER96213 A Summer Shower, 1888 (oil on canvas) by Perugini, Charles Edward (1839-1918); 115.6×76.5 cm; Ferens Art Gallery, Hull Museums, UK; English, out of copyright. via Charles Edward Perugini, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

When I was scrolling through pictures on Wikimedia today, I came across this one and my mind immediately went to the scene below for Morning Mist — even if in that scene there are only two young ladies standing under a tree during a rain shower. 🙂

Morning Mist is one of my Nature’s Fury and Delights novelettes. This one, as you will see, is a variation on Sense and Sensibility. In this short, six-chapter variation, which tells how Marianne falls in love with the colonel, Marianne meets Colonel Brandon before she meets Mr. Willoughby, and she meets him in just the sort of setting to make her imagine him as a brave and noble knight. So, by the time she and her younger sister Margaret meet Mr. Willoughby, the colonel has already taken up a place of admiration in Marianne’s mind.

Heart-Shaped Scenic Card

Heart-Shaped Vintage Card from olddesignshop.com

The colonel had exceptional taste — likely in all things. How could he not if he could name a bird so well, like music, and recite poetry?

“About Colonel Brandon,” their mother prompted when Marianne did not continue speaking. “How did he come to be at our gate?”

Marianne lifted her eyes from the sheet of music on her lap. She would have to imagine how the colonel might sound singing this piece later when there were not so many inquisitive people around to interrupt her musings.

[from Morning Mist one of the novelettes included in Thunder, Mist, and Frost: Nature’s Fury and Delights Anthology 1]

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Parting Glass (Máiréad Nesbitt and Tim Janis)

Before the beginning of the story Hope at Dawn, Nicholas and Kathleen, the hero and heroine, were separated by her father and brother because they did not find Nicholas, a banker, to be good enough for the daughter of an earl. Now, Kathleen is returning to England from a tragic time away in Ireland.

Today’s excerpt is the beginning of a letter Nicholas gave to Kathleen before she left, begging her to wait for him. Despite having little hope, Nicholas has been waiting for her, but has he waited in vain?

Hope at Dawn is one of four sweet Regency novelettes in First Blooms and Second Chances: Nature’s Fury and Delights Anthology 2.

This anthology, along with the first one, are both now just $1.99 (USD, EUR, GBP) / $2.99 (CAD, NZD, AUD), with all other currencies also reduced.

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