This has been a bit of a stressful week on the publication front. The Kindle version of Her Father’s Choice is still not available in the Kindle store despite being published a week ago. Something has gone wrong in the technical realm and after many emails to Amazon, their technical people are looking into the issue. They have told me that I should have an answer by the end of day November 12. However, the ebook is available at Kobo and the print version is available on Amazon.
I have not yet figured out how best to share my books here after they are published. So, for now, I will include an excerpt of the chapter below which will be followed by a link which for the next week will take you to the rest of the chapter. However, at the end of the week, this chapter will become unavailable and the next one will become available.
Chapter 4
Lady Sophia tapped her toe as she waited in the sitting room with Georgiana at Darcy House. “He should expect me to be early. I always am.” She straightened her sleeve. “I am curious to meet the lady who has finally captured your brother.”
“Captured would be the proper word for it,” said Richard entering the room and giving first his aunt a kiss and then Georgiana. “I did not realize you were coming today, Georgiana.”
Georgiana pursed her lips and looked at her aunt. “I was not supposed to come.”
“An omission made in error, I am sure.”
Georgiana looked at her aunt doubtfully. “My brother does not make errors of omission. He is the most fastidious correspondent.”
“Ah, well, your brother does not get married every day, either.” She smiled and raised her brows, which combined with the twinkle in her eye, made her look very impertinent. “He will see his error as soon as I have explained it to him.” She patted Georgiana’s hand reassuringly before turning to Richard. “Now, tell me why captured is the proper word.”
“It seems – ” began Richard.
“That I am the topic of gossip within my own home,” finished Darcy as he entered the room and gave Richard a stern look. “Georgiana! It is a surprise to see you.” He placed a kiss on his sister’s cheek while giving a questioning look to his aunt.
This past week has been a busy one. I have done some writing, but I have spent much of my writing time editing and publishing Her Father’s Choice, which means I have no story connection for this week’s music selection. So, since there is no story connection, I thought we could enjoy these clips of stories set to music. 🙂 Have a great Monday!
“Kiss Me – Period Dramas.” YouTube. Created and uploaded to YouTube by Maggie Peters, 29 Jan. 2013.
I have great news on the publishing front. Her Father’s Choice is currently available on Kobo and in progress on Kindle and as a print book. I am just waiting for KDP to complete its review and publishing process and for a physical proof copy of the cover in order to finish the publication process.
Now, I do like to make my work available to be read for free for those who do not have the budget to buy books as often as they might like. However, once the book is published, I cannot leave up much of the book on my site (there are rules about this). So, I am posting a chapter today, but taking down the previous chapters and reviewing my options to still make the story available and meet contract regulations.
Continuing on that theme…While I do understand the lack of budget for books (find myself there often) and I do have a commitment to providing free reading material (I love my readers!), I also pay my bills from the money made on book sales. So, I appreciate all those who show me their support through reading and commenting (such a great motivation) and through purchasing and/or sharing about my books. (Remember, you can follow me on Facebook and Twitter.)
Now, on to the story…
Chapter 3
(Excerpt)
Elizabeth stood looking out the front window of her uncle’s house in Gracechurch Street, watching Darcy’s coach make its way through the early evening traffic. She pulled in her lip and bit it softly as she considered the man within the coach. As she had promised Jane two days ago, she had questioned everything about him. Yesterday, she had questioned him in regards to his attention to his tenants and his staff. She had asked him of his father and of his steward. She had even dared to ask about his supposed betrothal to his cousin. He had patiently borne all her inquiries. She was beginning to run out of questions about his character, which left her in a very uncomfortable state, for she knew that she must also examine her own character, a character that seemed wanting, having so misjudged Mr. Darcy, a character which had fallen easy prey to the pretty words of a charmer. She sighed.
Mrs. Gardiner placed an arm around Elizabeth’s shoulders. “He seems very pleasant.”
“A right proper gentleman,” agreed her uncle.
“Not at all as you described,” said her aunt softly.
Elizabeth’s shoulders lifted slightly and then dropped. “I may have misjudged him.” She turned sad eyes to her aunt. “I do not know who he is. I was so sure I knew, but I do not.”
“Ah, my dear. Something tells me you know more than you will allow yourself to admit.” Mrs. Gardiner turned Elizabeth away from the window. “We should get you and Mary installed in your room.” She led Elizabeth from the room and started up the stairs. “You will, of course, have to share your story of how you became betrothed to a man you were so set against. I have had your father’s version, but I would like to hear yours.” She turned to the right at the top of the stairs and opened the second door on her left. “Your uncle has brought home some lovely laces and a few pieces of silk he thought you might like. I have to say, your uncle has an excellent eye for colour. You would look lovely in all of them, so you shall have a dress from each. Mrs. Havelston has lent me her book of fashions. She knows how much you dislike spending hours in her shop choosing fabrics and patterns, and our time is limited.”
Elizabeth sat heavily on the bed while Mary opened a trunk and began the task of unpacking. “It is all too much.”
“Are you indeed your mother’s daughter?” Mrs. Gardiner crossed her arms and gave Elizabeth an amused but quizzical look.
A small laugh escaped Mary. “She has been for three days now.”
Elizabeth gasped.
“You have been a ball of nerves ever since the ball,” explained Mary.
“I am being forced to marry a man I barely know because my aunt created a scene. You would not be a picture of serenity either if it were you.”
Mary shrugged. “Perhaps I would be as distraught as you if I were to be forced to marry a wealthy, handsome gentleman who obviously cared for me, but I rather doubt it.” Mary hung a gown in the wardrobe. “Mr. Darcy is not so very bad. You could have to marry Mr. Collins.”
This is such a fun, rousing song that I thought it would be appropriate for the end of one book and the beginning of another since both of those feelings of accomplishment and possibilities, as well as the busyness of publishing, are exhilarating. Her Father’s Choice is complete, and I am working on getting it published. But, I have also started the next book, and below the video, I have included an excerpt from what might become part of the first chapter of that novella.
“All of Me (Jon Schmidt) – ThePianoGuys.” YouTube. Uploaded to YouTube, 3 Oct. 2011, ThePianoGuys.
Excerpt from No Other Choice by Leenie Brown
Lord Samuel Rycroft blinked and looked at his mother as if he was unable to understand what she had said. He took of his hat and placed it on the table in the entry way at Netherfield. “Pardon me?”
“I said we will depart for town when Miss Mary arrives.” His mother made her way back into the sitting room and peered out the window. “There is no need to fear. She knows I am always early.”
“I am still not understanding why we must wait for Miss Mary.”
“Good morning, Georgiana,” said Lady Sophia. “Did you have something to eat, my dear?”
“Yes, thank you.” Georgiana took a seat near the window so that she could see the drive. “I cannot wait for Miss Mary to arrive. It will be ever so pleasant to have her company.””
“Company?” Lord Rycroft’s brows drew together. “Surely, we must not wait for you to finish a visit before leaving.”
Georgiana laughed. “A visit? At this time of the morning? I think not, cousin. She is to travel with us.”
Lady Sophia sighed at her son’s still puzzled expression. “She is coming to stay with me. Georgiana will soon be able to return to her brother, and I do not wish to be lonely.” She smoothed her skirt over her legs. With her eyes lowered as they were she could not see his expression, which was her intent, but she could see his toe start to tap as the silence in the room grew. She looked up at him with a smile and then turned to look out the window.
“A project, Mother?” It was not unlike his mother to take on a less fortunate lady and help her to find a husband.
“No, not a project, a friend.” She turned back to look at him. “I do like to have company of the female sort, and if they happen to be of the young marriageable age and in need of some assistance, it makes me feel useful. It has been all arranged. Miss Mary will travel with us today and stay the week. We will visit the shops and arrange for her orders. Then she will return home with her aunt and uncle for Christmas and will return in the new year to participate in the season.”
“A project.” He ran his hands through his hair and shook his head. “And I am supposed to pay for this project?”
Lady Sophia crossed her arms. “Miss Mary is not a project. She is a friend and a guest of mine.”
“Aunt,” said Georgiana softly.
Lord Rycroft sighed. “And you shall require me to attend all of the functions you select?”
“Well,” said Lady Sophia ignoring Georgiana’s second soft call, “we shall need an escort, and you need to attend anyway if we ever expect to find you a wife.”
“We do not need to find me a wife. I can do that on my own.” He hated being reminded of his duty to the title and his need to marry. He had been looking, but there were not any young ladies who interested him. They were all so agreeable, so biddable, so boring.
“You have done a poor job of it thus far, my son.” Lady Sophia cocked her head to the side and gave him a stern look. “If you will remember, I gave you until this season to sort it out for yourself. Now, I will assist you. The deadline has passed for you to continue on without my interference.”
“Fine.” His eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched slightly. “I shall trot about with you and your project, Miss Mary, but I shall make my own decision.” He stiffened as he heard a gasp from the doorway behind him.
“Miss Mary,” Georgiana greeted Mary as excitedly as she could in an effort to counteract her cousin’s words. “I have been anxiously awaiting your arrival.”
Mary smiled as she always did when her father or mother or younger sisters said something insulting. It was not as if she was not well-prepared for handling such situations.
Her Father’s Choice is complete (for now) and off to a couple of readers to begin the polishing process, which means it is time to start considering the next story. The next one, tentatively titled No Other Choice is Mary’s quest to find a happily ever after. She’s a good girl…prone to pontificate and lecture but good. Hopefully, she will find what she is looking for without too much trouble along the way. (I have a longish excerpt from the end of my current book below that begins to set up what might happen in the next book.)
“Good Girl- Carrie Underwood Lyrics.” YouTube. Video created for and uploaded to YouTube by Heartlandlover74395, 23 Feb. 2012.
From No Other Choice:
“Mrs. Bennet,” said Lady Sophia as she took Mrs. Bennet’s arm. “This is a fine fete. One of the best I have attended, and I am not given to meaningless flattery.” Together, the two ladies walked toward the far end of the room where the piano had been placed. Georgiana and Mary were seated comfortably at it taking turns playing. “My niece will no doubt be returning to her brother’s home as soon as he and Mrs. Darcy are settled, and I shall be quite alone.”
“But do you not have a son?” asked Mrs. Bennet.
“I do,” said Lady Sophia, “but he is often gone to our estate and when he is in town he has his friends and clubs. He is not inattentive, mind you, but he is not the sort to sit about and stitch with his mother.”
“I would be surprised if any gentleman were the sort to do so,” said Mrs. Bennet in surprise.
“Precisely,” said Lady Sophia. She watched Mary turn the pages for Georgiana. It was a friendship she was glad to see and wished to nurture for the sake of both young ladies. “I was wondering if I might be so bold as to ask that you allow me the company of one of your daughters. I have the means by which to sponsor a young lady for a season and Miss Mary is such a delight.”
“Mary?” Mrs.Bennet looked at Mary as if never having seen the girl before. “Mary is a delight?”
“Indeed, I find her so, but I am not typical.” said Lady Sophia.
“You would like to give my Mary a season in town?” The excitement was building in Mrs. Bennet’s voice.
“Yes, Mrs. Bennet, I would, and as a Countess and the mother of the Earl Rycroft, I can guarantee she would be given the greatest opportunities to meet and mingle with many eligible young gentlemen.” She smiled and whispered. ” You may find yourself with three married daughters before any of the others have even one; although, I cannot guarantee it will happen, I do think with a bit of specific training ─ which I can arrange ─ she will take quite well. You may even find she has more than one offer.”
“Oh, my lady, you do us a great honor. I would be delighted to allow Mary to stay with you for the season.” Mrs. Bennet’s fan fluttered with the excitement of it all.
“Very good,” said Lady Sophia. “I am elated to know I shall have such excellent company.”
Mary had not meant to be listening, but being close to where her mother and Lady Sophia were talking, she had heard the majority of the conversation. She was to go to town for the season?
“Oh, Mary,” whispered Georgiana,”I shall be so glad to have you near. Is it not exciting?”
Mary nodded, a sense of freedom welled within her.
“Of what are we conversing about in whispers, dear cousin,” said Lord Rycroft drawing a chair near them.
Mary lifted a brow in disapproval. “It is not polite to ask about another’s private conversations.”
“I do apologize, Miss Mary, but you both looked so delighted, I found myself overcome by curiosity.” It was not the first apology he had offered her, and he suspected it would not be last. He had offended her, and true to what Darcy had said, a Bennet lady did not forgive an offense readily. She had said she accepted the apology, but her manners still said otherwise. “Would it be impolite of me to request that you play that last song once again? I rather enjoyed it.”
She gave him a wary look. “Some might find it repetitive to listen to the same piece twice in a row.” She took her music from the instrument. “I shall play it, but not until after I have had a moment to walk about and partake of a glass of punch.” She rose and dipped a quick curtsey. “If you will excuse me.”
“Did you offend her?” asked Georgiana turning toward her cousin.
“Why do you ask?” He said stretching his legs out in front of him.
“Because she was rather cross.” Georgiana crossed her arms and scowled at him.
“I may have said something as a jest that she found offensive, but I have apologized. She is just unwilling to forgive.”
“Hmph,” huffed Georgiana. She spread her music out on the piano and began to play. “Since you have driven her away, you will need to pay attention so that you might turn the pages for me.”
This has been a bit of a stressful week on the publication front. The Kindle version of Her Father’s Choice is still not available in the Kindle store despite being published a week ago. Something has gone wrong in the technical realm and after many emails to Amazon, their technical people are looking into the issue. They have told me that I should have an answer by the end of day November 12. However, the ebook is available at Kobo and the print version is available on Amazon.