Sweet Regency Romance – Page 19

The Mistletoe Bough (Francis Wheatley)

That was a step too far, and Caroline could not contain her anger any longer.

“How dare you,” she spat. “Who placed you in a position to reprimand me on anything?” She stepped closer to him, her eyes narrowing.

“No one,” he replied. “Just me.” He left his place of repose against the door and matched her advance with a step of his own. Did she always smell of oranges and spice? The scent fit her.

She lifted a brow. “Why?”

He blew out a breath. “I’ll be hanged if I know.” He had attempted to keep his thoughts to himself, but for some reason he felt compelled to see her improve, to reach her potential. It was likely that glimpse of her thoughtful, quiet nature at breakfast which had done it.

She shook her head in bewilderment. He was making little sense. How could he not know why he thought it his place to admonish her?

He stepped to the side so that the door was free, but he once again caught her arm as she moved past him. Pulling her close, he whispered, “You are a beautiful, accomplished young woman who does not need to belittle others to make herself look better.”

Then, before he could do something foolish like make use of the kissing bough which hung just in front of the door, he released her.

[from One Winter’s Eve]

*One Winter’s Eve* can be found either as a single title or as part of *Darcy Family Holiday, Volume 1*, which is currently on sale (until the end of July).

Antonio Vivaldi’s Estate / Storm by 40 Fingers

Can you really do a list of “summer” songs without hitting Vivaldi once? 🙂 I don’t think so. 🙂

I typed in “Vivaldi Summer” in the search box on YouTube last week, and this was the video that caught my eye in the results. I’ve never heard this group before and decided to give them a listen. I like their version of this song, so here is Presto (Storm) from Vivaldi’s Estate (Summer) – the Four Seasons as arranged and played by 40 Fingers.

To go with today’s video, I have another excerpt from Sketches and Secrets of Summer. I have almost completed my read-through. Then, it will leave my hands and come under the scrutiny of others before it returns to me for the final going through before publication in August.

The excerpt below is from chapter two where Stuart and Mary first meet each other. It is the first of many times when they will argue. While this exchange is more like a gentle shower while the sun is shining, not all the clouds in this story are so light.

Darcy Family Holidays, Volume 1 (books 1-3) is reduced in price until the end of July.

The Library at Dingestow (Charlotte Bosanquet)

For July, I am going to do the Wednesday post theme differently. Instead of picking a particular sort or topic of images to share, I am going to pick a series of books to feature. This month, I’m choosing the Darcy Family Holidays series for two reasons. First, it is the book bundle I have on sale this month so it’s a great time to pick it up if you haven’t already added it to your collection. And second, book four in this series will be published in August, and I’d like to spend some time celebrating the series as I am deep in editing and publishing details. 🙂

We’ll start with book 1, Two Days before Christmas.

I chose this image because the rather long excerpt below is of a conversation that takes place in a library.

Brush and watercolor and pen and black ink over graphite, c1840. *The Library at Dingestow*, Charlotte Bosanquet (1790 – 1852). Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

“Am I being a fool?”

Richard shook his head. “No.”

Darcy looked at him, hoping that his cousin would elaborate on his reply.

“What can I tell you that you do not already know?”

“Her family is ridiculous,” Darcy said.

“And so is Aunt Catherine.”

“Her father’s estate is mismanaged.”

“That is not Miss Elizabeth’s doing,” Richard replied with a smile. “Her father has an estate; that is the relevant point — she is a gentleman’s daughter.”

“But she has little to bring with her to a marriage.”

“Besides herself,” Richard countered. “Is Pemberley in need of funds?”

“No, but she will likely bring her younger sisters with her — all three of them, hoping to be thrown into the paths of wealthy gentlemen. Silly younger sisters.” Darcy shook his head at the thought.

Richard grimaced. “That could be a problem, but is it great enough to require that you give up Miss Elizabeth to another?”

Darcy scrubbed his face again. “No. I have argued all these points over and over, and the answer is always the same.”

Richard cocked a brow. “A fool does not put so much thought into a decision, does he?”

Darcy shook his head. “I suppose not.”

“Then marry her. Claim some happiness for yourself.”

“Darcy, I had heard you were here,” Lord Matlock said as he entered the library through the door that led to his study. “To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?” He tipped his head and surveyed Darcy from head to toe just as Richard had done.

“He’s getting married,” Richard replied.

[from Two Days Before Christmas]

Get *Darcy Family Holidays, Volume 1 (books 1-3*) for $2.99 until the end of July.

Summer (Brian Crain)

I think I need a sign that says “Gone Editing” for this month. I have come to the end of the manuscript for Sketches and Secrets of Summer, and that means it is time to start editing and getting all the things done for publishing. I expect the release day for this book to be in early August. (Stay tuned for the exact date and preorder info.)

Since I will be editing and getting Sketches ready for publication this month, July’s Music Monday story excerpts will all be from that book! And since this book is set in the summer (and it is currently summer in my part of the world), the theme for our music selections this month is “Summertime.” We’re starting July’s theme this week with a song that often plays while I am writing or editing and has the perfect title to get us started on our summery theme. 🙂

Now, here is your first peek at Sketches and Secrets of Summer (Darcy Family Holidays, book 4):

And here’s a little info about the story:

Stuart Alford is the romantic hero of this story. He is a second-born son who has unexpectedly inherited his family’s estate and his older brother’s children. Aaron is Stuart’s younger brother and holds the living at Kympton, which means this story is set in Derbyshire.

While you are waiting for *Sketches* to publish, why not give the first three books in this series a read (or reread 😉 )? If you don’t already have these titles, they are on sale in this bundle for the month of July. Just click the image above to find all the stores where this book is available.

Titles in this compilation are *Two Days Before Christmas, One Winter’s Eve,* and *A Scandal in Springtime*.

MAILING LIST PATREON

Le mariage (Julie Delance-Feurgard)

Le mariage (1884) Julie Delance-Feurgard, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

I could not pass up pairing this image with the excerpt below because there is some confusion involved and likely lots of whispering amongst those in the church waiting for a wedding to begin. 🙂 Although this excerpt is from near the end of A Very Mary Christmas, I don’t think it contains too many spoilers. In fact, it will likely raise more questions than it will answer. 😉

“Mr. Bennet,” said Whit just as everyone took their places at the front of the church. Mary watched, curiosity suffusing her, as her father nodded and, after whispering something to Mr. Darcy that made Mr. Darcy smile broadly, left his place and went to have a whispered conversation first with Mr. Whittemore and then Mr. Hammond, who could not contain his shock, no matter how he attempted to school his features. Then at the conclusion of the discussion, Nicholas rose, and with Whit and Fred trailing behind, slowly made his way to a side room at the front of the sanctuary.

“Mary,” her father stood before her. “Come.” He took her hand and led her toward the same room where Mr. Hammond had gone. “All will be well,” he assured her.

Mary glanced over her shoulder as she walked. “Why is Mr. Darcy coming with us?”

“Mr. Whittemore might need his assistance,” replied her father with a chuckle.

“I am very confused.” Surely, they were not to discuss Mr. Hammond’s decision now when her sisters stood at the front of the church and the few family and friends who had gathered awaited the ceremony.

She glanced at Jane and Elizabeth. Jane was dabbing at her eyes again as she had been all morning. Tears of happiness she had said. Elizabeth was smiling as if she understood what was happening, and she probably did since Mr. Darcy was somehow involved.

[from A Very Mary Christmas]

MAILING LIST PATREON