February 14, 2026
Happy Valentine’s Day!
I have started writing my next Leenie Brown book! Just barely started, but it is started. This book will be Lydia’s story for my Darcy Family Holidays series.
I spent a day, about two weeks ago, just chatting with ChatGPT about the premise and possible plot for the book. I know – AI *gasp*! But truly, it was so helpful to have a non-human entity to plague with my questions and thoughts, and to disagree with and re-direct. I get a bit argumentative when I’m trying to figure things out before I start a story, and I feel bad for my friends that have to put up with that. 🙂 I also feel bad if I take their time and then go a completely different way. (Which happens around 90% of the time, if not more.)
As I said I found chatting with Chat helpful and will take from it what I want and leave the rest. (It’s just a tool after all.)
One thing that it helped me clarify was how I see the main characters. I had vague ideas that got distilled out into workable ideas and even have a paragraph for each character that I can re-read to myself before I begin writing each week – until the main characters are cemented in my mind. These paragraphs are comprised of all the details I fed into Chat – basic details in list form, a few sentences about things, and even a couple of sample chapters I had written. So, it’s still all me doing the creative bits. Chat just helped me get them organized.
Let me show you what Chat wrote based on my ideas for Lydia’s character:
Lydia-in-motion
Lydia Bennet never quite stood still long enough to be instructed. By the time a direction reached its sensible conclusion, she had already gathered the interesting part of it and was halfway toward discovery, perfectly certain that whatever remained would sort itself out. She spoke as she moved, thought as she spoke, and assumed—quite reasonably, in her own estimation—that the world was inclined toward enjoyment if one only met it with sufficient confidence. Consequences were not ignored so much as postponed, for Lydia trusted that charm, good intentions, and a willingness to laugh would smooth over most difficulties. It often did. When it did not, she was sincerely surprised—but never ashamed to try again.
This is exactly how *I* saw Lydia. Chat just put it in a helpful reminder format.
And now… let me share a little snippet from chapter one with you that shows you how this character paragraph translates into Lydia on the page. (This is currently how the story begins. It’s the first 800 or so words.)
Lydia Bennet clapped a hand on her bonnet and lifted her face to the sun as she drew in a deep breath of salty air. How different things smelled at the seaside! It was as if a kettle of fish were boiling far off in the distance and the fragrance of it was wafting by on the wind. It was different and yet lovely.
The distinctly different smelling wind once again tried to tug her hat from her head.
“Hat pins,” she said aloud. “Strong hat pins. Perhaps with seashells attached to them.” That is what this sort of place required. Strong ties on bonnets and hat pins that could withstand the nearly constant breeze that seemed to not approve of a lady’s head remaining covered.
She turned to make sure her uncle had heard her suggestion, but he was not there. In his place, she found his business associate, Mr. Waller. He would do. He bought and sold things just like her uncle did.
“If you open a store here, you should sell hat pins.”
“I am not planning to open a store here,” he said with a sigh.
“I still do not see why not.” They had discussed the possibility several times on their journey down the Thames on the boat from which they had just disembarked. “You said that you were thinking of transporting goods and people and were unsure of any other possibilities. I maintain most firmly that it only makes sense to have a place to sell the goods you transport.” She looked around her. Margate looked like a fine place to start a store. There were people of all stripes moving here and there. Surely the ladies of the area needed someone to bring them all the best goods just like ladies in London did.
Again, he sighed. He did that a lot when she was talking to him. Perhaps he thought it was off-putting. It was too bad for him that she was not easily daunted. Hat pins of the highest quality and prettiest composition were important commodities. She would not be turned away from her duty to her fellow women.
“I imagine they have a place to buy hat pins somewhere along the high street.” He was looking over her head toward the water as if he did not want to be standing here talking to her.
“But will they be of an acceptable quality?” It was dreadfully important that they were.
“I am sure they will be.” His tone was longsuffering and a touch distracted sounding.
She arched an eyebrow and huffed softly. “Will they be of a quality that would sit among the goods at Durward, Waller, and Eldridge?” That was what his store in London was called. And what a beautiful store it was with its shelves and cases of fine wares. “I believe that is the true question, and one that we can only discover by finding a store and comparing them to what I know to be high quality.” The row of buildings facing the water looked like a promising place to find out what she needed to know to prove her point.
“Miss Bennet,” Mr. Waller said, as he hurried alongside her, “you might wish to approve your excursion with your aunt and uncle before undertaking it.”
Lydia stopped her march. “I do suppose you are correct.”
“I know I am,” he muttered. This was followed by some other indistinguishable grumble that sounded a lot like disapproval of pretty girls who loved baubles.
Lydia smiled. It was pleasant to know he thought she was pretty. It meant he was not completely without sense, even if he did insist on refusing to listen to her excellent ideas.
What he needed was a wife to soften his edges. Of course, he did not agree with that thought either. But surely a man as handsome as the one beside her – who was presently waving to her uncle – could not be single forever. That was nearly as laughable as a beautiful lady like her sister Jane – or herself – being a spinster. These things just did not happen in a proper world. At least, she hoped they did not. Jane was married, so there was no worry there. However, her own prospects for such success had not yet materialized.
“Lydia, you must stay with us,” her uncle scolded as he reached where she and Mr. Waller were. “Thank you, Ben, for your services in seeing that my niece was not unaccompanied.” This was paired with a rather pointed look at Lydia.
“Do you suppose they have beautiful and strong hat pins in one of those stores over there?” Lydia asked. As if she was going to admit to having, once again, taken a misstep. Lectures were not pleasant, and she should know. How many had she endured in her life? It really was not her fault that her thoughts flew faster than they could be properly considered but not so fast that she could not act on them, now, was it?
I’m quite excited to see where Lydia and Ben lead me as I work my way through the story. As you may be able to tell, this is a grumpy/sunshine pairing, and the tone will be light and fun but not without some depth.
So, now that you’ve heard the most exciting part of my news (A new book is started at last!), let’s jump into the rest of my book news. Warning: I have a lot of it this month!
In Book News…
Because February is the shortest month of the year, I wanted to highlight my novelette collections – Nature’s Fury and Delights in particular, with a nod to my Teatime Tales collection.
Nature’s Fury and Delights are quick reads where some element of nature played a part in the inspiration for the story and in some cases, features as a side character in the story.
Thunder is one story where the title element instigates the meet-cute for Darcy and Elizabeth. It is my only Nature’s Fury and Delights story that is a Pride and Prejudice variation.
This month Thunder is reduced in price to $0.99 USD, CAD, AUD, NZD, GBP, EUR, with all other currencies also reduced. Or download it as part of your paid Patreon membership. Thunder is also the free read on Patreon this month for free followers.
Apple Blossoms and Whispering Hearts, a sweet Regency romance novelette, is a second download for paid Patreon members this month.
To highlight my Teatime Tales collection of novelettes and to work on increasing the size of our reader community, I’m giving one of them away for free from now until February 28 to anyone who joins one of my reader communities. If you’re already a subscriber to one of them (Patreon, Substack, or my blog), you should have received an email with a link to download your copy of The Beginning of Prudence yesterday.
My Teatime Tales are all Pride and Prejudice variation stories about how Darcy and Elizabeth get together told from various character points of view. The Beginning of Prudence is told completely from Darcy’s point of view.
Find out more about the three reader community options and pick which one fits you best at leeniebrown.com/subscribe. After subscribing, you will get an email with a link for where to download The Beginning of Prudence, except on my blog, where you’ll just gain access to the Subcribers Only area and can find a link to download the book there.
While I am on the topic of subscribing to reader communities… I’d like to remind you that the JAFF giveaway hosted by Amanda Kai, ends today, February 14, 2026.
Of course, in either of these cases (signing up for my eBook freebie or Amanda’s giveaway) you can unsubscribe at any time.
One last thing —
In Audiobook News…
I believe today is the day that ElevenReader changes how my books in their library can be accessed. They should now be part of their subscription listening program.
You can still find me on ElevenReader here https://bit.ly/LeenieBooks-11R but my books will now only be accessible to those with subscriptions. After today, I’ll look into whether I can offer them as a one-time purchase price (which will match my eBook prices) in addition to offering them to subscribers. I just couldn’t find a way to do that before today.
And, as of yesterday, we are up to chapter 11 of Two Days Before Christmas on YouTube. There is only one chapter of this story left to share next Friday. Then, I’ll post the full audiobook the following week on YouTube.
HOWEVER, if you’re a $2 or more patron, the full audiobook is now available for download in the Audiobooks to Keep collection. I will be publishing it elsewhere early in March.
SOMETHING NEW TO READ.
Are you still here? This has been a long one!
There’s just one more thing to share with you – the conclusion of this Harriet and the Colonel story. (I do think there may be one more story to share for this couple since they are not yet married. Maybe I’ll have that started by next month.)
Please remember that there are sections where previous chapters from this story can be read on whichever platform you subscribe to.
- On my blog, look for Harriet and the Colonel in the menu options.
- On Substack, look for the Harriet and the Colonel section on the home page.
- On Patreon, look for The Colonel’s Lady in the collections tab.
Chapter 5 (part 2)
Several hours later, as the sun was just beginning to rise above the horizon, Richard settled once more into a chair in the small library at Lillesley House. The culprits had been rounded up and would soon be dealt with. The great house had been just as imposing as Richard had imagined it would be, and he now knew exactly who was at the helm of their organization.
“Thank you.” Lillesley broke the silence in the room. Richard settled further back into his chair. Lillesley was not speaking to him. This was for his sister.
“Me?” Harriet asked.
Lillesley nodded. “For finding that note and for being willing to put yourself in harm’s way for all of us.” He leaned his head back on his chair. It was a clear sign that he was bone weary. A yawn overtook him as if it had heard Richard’s thoughts.
And then, the blasted thing made its way around the room, causing both Harriet and him to yawn as well.
“I have misjudged you,” her brother continued. “I mean I always knew you were bright and fearless, but you are my sister.” He held up a hand. “No, I did not misjudge you because you are a girl.” He rolled his head so that he could give her a glare and a smirk because he had refuted her protest before she could make it.
Richard chuckled silently at Harriet’s huff in reply to his expression and words.
“You are my sister. My youngest sister. And I did not know how to hold you as that once Andrew’s role as oldest brother and heir fell to me. I knew how to play with you when we were young. I knew how to tease and torment you. I knew how to watch out for you to a degree, but I had never been so solely responsible for you as I was once Andrew died.”
Another yawn worked through him and then, the rest of them. “I could not bear the thought of losing yet another person I loved. Especially since she was now my responsibility. The business in which I find myself is dangerous. Richard’s life is no less fought with risk. How could I willingly place you in a place where harm could come to you from no fault of your own?”
He chuckled. “That is rather ridiculous to think about after recent events. Harm would not know better how to contain you than I did. You have always danced with peril to some extent. Sneaking here and there. Listening to what you were not meant to hear. Spying on your brothers and their friends. You would drive a normal man to distraction with your antics. I am glad you made me see reason about where your future happiness lies.”
He sat up straight and leaned toward her. “However, in the future, if you need me to see reason, plant yourself in my study until I have listened. Do NOT find some intrigue to pursue to prove your point.”
Harriet nodded. “I will.” She breathed and looked as if she was going to add more, but his upheld hand forestalled her.
He shared a look with Richard. Apparently, they were going to broach what they had been told now. It was likely for the best. This way Harriet would have time to consider it before they next met.
“You are part of our inner circle now,” Lillesley said. “It has been decreed by my superior.”
Indeed, the man had been rightly impressed by her quick mind and willingness to insert herself into the situation to help save a maid.
“That does not mean,” Lillesley continued, “that you will be given all the details about everything, nor does it mean that you will be given missions. It means, you may help in whatever capacity that both Richard and I deem acceptable.”
“We will not put you on the shelf and refuse to let you help,” Richard inserted. “You are just too precious to risk – even as much as we did tonight.” He took her hand in his. He knew she hated that he and her brother wanted to cosset her in safety.
“It was necessary,” Harriet protested.
“You are not wrong,” Richard agreed, which earned him a smile. “And you were allowed to assist because you were needed – even though I hated to see you there.” Allowing her to take part in their mission had been as hard for him as he now knew it had been for Darcy to allow Elizabeth and Georgiana to confront Wickham at Oxford Cottage. It had been hard, but it had made sense and had been necessary.
“But that is how we move forward. We use your strengths from a safe location and only move you into more precarious places when it is absolutely necessary.” His hold on her hand tightened. Every life ever entrusted to his care or command had been important to him, but hers? Well, that was a weight of responsibility that felt nearly too great to carry. “This arrangement will, of course, need to be revisited when we have children.”
Her brother cleared his throat and rose from his chair. “I am going to bed. We can begin all the preparations for your wedding once we have all slept. I will trust you to not be too long in seeking your own repose, Fitzwilliam.” There was an edge to the words that made it sound more like a command than a suggestion.
Richard gave him a bow of his head in acceptance of the directive. “I will see that your sister is on her way to her room in five minutes and that I am on my way to my home in six.” He had also stood and pulled Harriet to her feet with him since he was still holding her hand.
“In that case, allow me to wish you a good day instead of good night as that part of the day is swiftly fading – much like I am.” And with that he took his leave of them.
“My dearest Harriet,” Richard said as he drew her into his arms and held her against him. “You are my heart for I do believe mine would cease to beat without you.” He claimed her lips with his and attempted to drink his fill of her while pouring all the love he held for her into his kiss.
Breaking their kiss, he began to hum a tune that was familiar to her. It was the piano piece he had been playing a year ago in the music room at her sister’s soiree.
She rested her head against his chest as they swayed to the song he hummed. This was peace and tranquility. This was home. Here. With his lady in his arms.
She lifted her head and looked up at him as the melody came to an end. He kissed her once more.
And then, after he had seen her reach the top of the stairs, he stepped out into a city of shopkeepers and servants, of grand houses and tenements, that was just coming to life as he made his way home to find his repose.
(The End… for now)
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Thank you so much for being my readers! Have a lovely weekend!
<3 Leenie
