Pride and Prejudice Variation – Page 18

Music Monday: I Remember You (The Tenors)

PUBLISHED TO YOUTUBE BY THE TENORS VEVO ON OCTOBER 7, 2015.

When I heard this song a couple of weeks ago, a short scene from Listen to Your Heart sprang to mind. It’s only a few paragraphs long and comes at the end of Chapter 14. Because this is nearing the end of the book (the novel has 17 chapters) and, therefore, contains spoilers, and because it is a rather long chapter, I have only excerpted a portion of the beginning of the chapter, then indicated a break with three dots and continued with the short but sweet reunion between Cranfield and Lady Catherine. Hopefully, I have kept the most critical spoilers from appearing here, but as always, read at your own risk. (And remember, this book is on sale everywhere for 99c or so until February 15, 2020.)

Listen to Your Heart, Chapter 14 Excerpt

“Cranfield.” Lord Matlock clapped the man on the shoulder in a welcoming fashion as he entered the dower house. “A word, if you do not mind.” Noting the look of suspicion on the man’s face, he added, “A friendly word.” He chuckled. “My wife constantly reminds me I need to spend time on small talk and pleasantries. She says neglecting them makes people uneasy.”

“She would be right.” The right side of Cranfield’s mouth curved up into a half smile.

“My apologies.” Lord Matlock motioned for Cranfield to enter the room ahead of him before turning to Bingley and Darcy. “I believe you will find your ladies, as well as the rest of the guests, in the garden.” Bingley took a step toward the sitting room, but Lord Matlock held up his hand and lowered his voice. “You have nothing to fear, my boy. I have a family apology to make, and I believe a reunion would be better in private.”

“Right,” agreed Bingley and followed Darcy toward the garden.

Lord Matlock closed the door gently. “My father was wrong.”

Cranfield gave a small snort of laughter. “You do not circle a topic, do you?”

Courtship (Edmund Blair Leighton)

Courtship, Edmund Leighton (1903) [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons

Do you remember how Persuading Miss Mary ended with Kitty and Lorcan being discovered kissing in the music room? Well, Kitty, who loves music, has not been able to enjoy playing nearly as much as she did before that fateful day and could not bring herself to play the piece of music she had been playing on that day — until now when there is a possible courtship on the horizon.

~*~*~

Mary,

When you are sharing all that Jane has written with our sisters, would you be so kind as to share my eager anticipation of Georgiana’s arrival with her? There is so much I wish to discuss with her. Also, tell her that I have promised myself to practice our duet most faithfully until her arrival.

Give my love to my sisters. It will be lovely for us all to be together again.

Kitty

[from Marrying Elizabeth book 5]

~*~*~

Marrying Elizabeth, books 1-4

MAILING LIST PATREON

Music Monday: Niall Horan – Finally Free (Home Free Cover)

PUBLISHED TO YOUTUBE BY HOME FREE ON OCTOBER 19, 2018.

By the end of the excerpt below, Richard is feeling as upbeat and free as today’s song choice — and it is all thanks to the lady standing with him. This is a proposal scene, and as you can see from the header below, it happens in chapter 5. That seems a bit soon, now doesn’t it? Let’s just say that by the scene right after this (as in the second half of this chapter) that happy, upbeat, free feeling is about to get burst in a most distressing fashion. But for now, let’s just focus on the happy, ok?

His Inconvenient Choice, Chapter 5

Sometime later that day, after the sun was gone and the darkness of night had fallen, Richard stood before the Gardiners’ home, waiting to be allowed entry. He did not wait long, for the door was opened nearly before the sound of his knock had faded. Giving his name along with his hat and coat to the servant, he again waited, this time in the hall, to be introduced. He took note of his surroundings with an eager eye. This was the home of a well-to-do merchant, and as such, it was the sort of living arrangements he might hope to one day have for himself.

“Colonel Fitzwilliam, a pleasure to see you, sir. A pleasure.” Mr. Gardiner greeted him with a firm handshake and motioned for him to have a seat. “Dinner will be served shortly. Might I offer you a drink while you wait? A bit of wine perhaps?”

“My husband prides himself on his wine selections, Colonel,” said Mrs. Gardiner with a laugh. “It would do you well to enjoy it.”

“Then I shall,” said Richard, taking a seat near Kitty, who smiled and gave a brief greeting.

“My wife and niece tell me that you are thinking of stepping down from the first circles of society to join my realm.” Mr. Gardiner handed Richard a glass of wine. “I shall refill it for your supper. No need to sip like a lady, so to speak,” he said with a wink.

Listen to Your Heart on Sale until February 15, 2020

Below is information about an ebook that I have on sale from now until February 15, 2020. Click the image below or one of the other links in this post to see all the stores were Listen to Your Heart can be purchased.

*Listen to Your Heart* will be $0.99 from February 1-15, 2020.
This sale is across all sales channels and in all regions of the world with all currencies being reduced.

~*~*~

About the Book:

Anne de Bourgh has never had a coming-out. She has never had a season. In fact, she has never had a suitor. But, according to her mother, she has always had a future husband. Although Anne desires to marry, she does not wish to marry her mother’s choice, and he does not wish to marry her.

With no other options and the prime of her youth slipping away, Anne’s view of her future is bleak. However, when she finds some papers hidden in her father’s study, that view, in the light of his wishes, changes. Her declaration to follow her heart and choose her own future causes discord and forces secrets to be revealed.

Get your copy of Listen to Your Heart here.

And a Short Excerpt from Listen to Your Heart:

“Oh, thank heavens, you are here.” Anne stopped pacing as Richard entered her sitting room. “I was certain that Mother was going to get here before you. Whatever took you so long? Did Darcy not tell you I needed you? Did you not remember that you were to leave Darcy alone with Miss Bennet?”

Richard slowly poured himself a drink and sauntered to the window before replying. “I came as quickly as I was able. I needed to ensure our taciturn cousin and the lovely Miss Bennet had a topic for conversation.”

Anne groaned. “I would ask what the topic is, but I fear I do not have time to calm myself before my mother appears.”

“I do not know why you do not place more faith in my tactics. I am a trained colonel in His Majesty’s army. I have led many campaigns.”

Anne sighed. “And did all your men return ─ unharmed?”

“Of course not!” Richard scoffed as he took a seat. “The goal is to limit casualties, but it is nigh unto impossible to come away completely unscathed.” He stretched his legs out in front of him and crossed his ankles. “My numbers for casualties were always low ─ well within acceptable limits.”

“And what is the acceptable limit for the battle which might be playing out in my garden?”

Dandies of 1831 (Journal des Dames et des Modes)

Newest Paris dandy’s fashion, 1831. Redingote closed with brandebourgs, top hat. Woollen tailcoat, satin waistcoat with flowery borders, cashmere trousers (and a bicorne). Journal des Dames et des Modes, 1831, Glatisant [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons

These dandies could be going to their club, could they not be? Lorcan and Alfred are spending some time at a club and meeting up with a friend in this chapter.

~*~*~

“You have not come to see me.” A none-to-pleased Lord Westonbury took the seat across from him.

“How did you know I was in town?” Lorcan had not told anyone that he was returning – mainly because he had not wished for Kitty to know, but also because he was in no hurry to see his blissfully married friend and hear the lecture that he knew he would receive.

“How indeed? I did not even know you had left town until you had been gone a week.” His friend’s left eyebrow cocked. “And the mail service must be especially poor at present for I received no letter.”

[from Marrying Elizabeth book 5]

~*~*~

Marrying Elizabeth, books 1-4

MAILING LIST PATREON