Author: Leenie Brown

Leenie Brown fell in love with Jane Austen's works when she first read Sense and Sensibility followed immediately by Pride and Prejudice in her early teens. As the second of five daughters and an avid reader, she has always loved to see where her imagination takes her and to play with and write about the characters she meets along the way. In 2013, these two loves collided when she stumbled upon the world of Jane Austen Fan Fiction. A year later, in 2014, she began writing her own Austen-inspired stories and began publishing them in 2015. Leenie lives in Nova Scotia, Canada with her two teenage boys and her very own Mr. Brown (a wonderful mix of all the best of Darcy, Bingley and Edmund with healthy dose of the teasing Mr. Tillney and just a dash of the scolding Mr. Knightley).

Music Monday: Spring Waltz, Yiruma

“♥Spring Waltz -YIRUMA♥.” Video created for and uploaded to YouTube by Andreea Petcu, 25 Feb. 2012.

THE LINK BETWEEN MUSIC AND STORY: 

Spring is here! I am enjoying the extra hours of sunlight and looking forward to soon leaving the heavy jackets behind.  I love how everything begins to feel fresh and new after the grayness of winter.  Since spring is a time of newness, I decided that this week I would share an excerpt from my story where a new character (and a possible new love interest for Anne) is introduced.

EXCERPT FROM Her Heart’s Choice: 

Anne gave a quick glance at her aunt as Lady Sophia returned to the sitting room.  The last caller of the day, Sir Hugh, sat beside her.  She wondered at the length of time her aunt had been gone from the room. Surely she was not in conversation with Alex for so long a period of time.  She would have to make it plain to her aunt that Mr. Madoch was not an acceptable suitor as soon as she finished with Sir Hugh ─ she glanced at the papers in her lap ─ Mattingly.  She tilted her head to the side.  Lady Anne Mattingly.  Yes, it sounded acceptable.  She turned her attention to the papers once again.  He was not wealthy beyond measure, but he was solvent and substantially so.  She flipped through the papers, looking at his holdings and financial records.  Then, she sat them aside in the stack that was slowly building on the table next to her.  She looked carefully at the gentleman before her. He was not plain. In fact, his face was very like a chiselled marble.  He held himself with dignity under her scrutiny and merely smiled.  That could be a weakness, she noted.  He might be far too self-assured to be pleasant. She leaned forward feigning a need to fix something on her shoe.

“It is such an annoyance when one’s slip catches on one’s dress.”  She had inhaled deeply as she had reached for her foot.  He smelled very pleasant.  She marked off good hygiene on her mental list.  So far, he seemed a very likely candidate.  “Sir Hugh,” she said situating herself back in a proper upright position.  “You are a knight, is that correct?”

“It is, Miss de Bourgh.”  He waited for her next question.  Then, as she simply held his gaze, he determined that she might want a further explanation of his title.  “There was a matter of some money owed that was forgiven and as a sign of gratitude, the title was bestowed.”

“You gamble?” That would be a sad thing, she was beginning to like looking at him and his voice was very pleasant. Continue reading Music Monday: Spring Waltz, Yiruma


Music Monday: Il Divo – Regresa a Mi (Unbreak My Heart)

“Il Divo – Regresa a Mi (Unbreak My Heart).” YouTube. 24 Oct. 2009.

THE LINK BETWEEN MUSIC AND STORY:

The song in this video is on the playlist I was listening to this weekend while doing some cleaning and while my phone was in my pocket, I managed to hit repeat and listened to it three times before I was able to reset it!  I didn’t mind really, since I do love the song. During the second or third time through, I started thinking that this would be a good song to go with the portion of story below.  I’m not sure if there really needs to be much explanation to link the song about a broken heart and the story excerpt that contains a rather cruel refusal.

EXCERPT FROM Her Heart’s Choice: 

Lady Sophia’s eyes grew wide as understanding dawn on her.  “You love her?  But how?”

Alex released his breath quickly.  “My father’s estate is in Kent, near Rosings.” He paused, not sure how much of himself he should reveal.

“This family is good at keeping secrets,” said Lady Sophia casting a quick glance at her brother.

“Aye,” agreed the admiral, “from the world and each other.” He winked at his sister.  It had only been a few weeks since she had revealed her secret.  She had no way of knowing that keeping that particular secret would cause him pain, and so he did not hold her accountable.  His brother, who had forced the secret to be kept, he held very accountable.

“You will agree that not a word of my situation will be shared with Miss de Bourgh?”

“Not a word,” Lady Sophia agreed.

“You will allow her to walk away from me if that is her choice?”

Lady Sophia sighed.  “Unless in doing so she will be utterly miserable.”  She shook her head.  “I cannot allow that.”  She smiled reassuringly at him.  “Perhaps the knowledge I gain from your tale will assist me in knowing how best to help.”

“My sister, the matchmaker,” said the admiral as he waved his hand toward his sister with a flourish.   “She’ll not rest, my boy, until things have been arranged to best advantage.”

Alex could not help the chuckle that escaped him .  “Very well.  I shall tell you.”   For the next ten minutes, Alex told of his interest in the stables at Rosings and of the young girl of fourteen, who had sneaked in to the stables in search of a fast horse, one that was fast enough to cause her memories to float away on the wind.

Alex saw the red rims of her eyes and heard the soft sniffle as the groom readied a steady mare. 

“He is not fast enough.” 

“He is the only horse you are allowed, miss,” explained the stable master.  “I’ll not risk my position or your life. I dare say I risk enough allowing you to ride when your mother is unaware.” He gave Anne a stern look.   

Anne huffed.  She pulled her arms more tightly about her waist.  She  must keep that hurt inside until the air was rushing past her and drying her tears without leaving a trace.  She stood silently shifting from foot to foot and watching a cat swish his tale back and forth as he sat perched on a stool. 

“Henry will ride with you.”  The stable master took the reins from the groom and led the horse out to where the steps had been put in place to help Anne in mounting the mare.  “Alex,”  he called over his shoulder, “you may also attend Miss de Bourgh.  It will give you the chance you have been wanting to see our horses in action.  I will be interested t o hear what you have to say about their quality when you return.” 

Anne looked at the young man, who was leaning against  the side of the stable. 

“Miss de Bourgh,” the stable master stood ready to assist her in mounting.  “That is the younger Mr. Madoch,” he explained. 

Anne’s brows furrowed.  She had seen him at church and knew well enough who he was. What she did not know was why he was here in Rosings’ stables.  Continue reading Music Monday: Il Divo – Regresa a Mi (Unbreak My Heart)