Shall we start the week with a traditional Irish song and a story excerpt about a couple who is courting? (The courtship in the story turns out better than the one in the song. 🙂 )
The lines from Unravelling Mr. Darcy below are from when Darcy and Elizabeth meet after Rosings when Elizabeth and Jane are still at the Gardiners.
He had not had much in the way of wealth and worldly possessions when they had first met, but she had known, to the depths of her soul, that it was only a temporary state for him. She had always believed he would be a great success, and from what she had seen today and had heard since she arrived in Bath, her assessment had been correct. He was a success and would continue to be so.
Oh, to be a part of his life and cheer him on to further greatness as his wife! Her heart still cried for what had been lost. It ached with its desire to be the lady at his side. But how could she be? Why would a gentleman who had been so wronged ever wish to be tied to the very family who had threatened to deny him of his profession?
[from His Irreplaceable Belle]
Here’s something a little different for today’s musical selection — a harp solo. 🙂 I have a couple of books where the harp is mentioned, but today, I’m going with a line from a book where the heroine actually plays the harp — because that’s how Jane Austen wrote her. 🙂 I’m talking, of course, about Mary Crawford.
The lines below are from the first time Mr. Durward calls on Mary at her sister’s home.
Mary: To Protect Her Heart is book 3 in my Other Pens series, and, as the title suggests, is where Mary Crawford finally finds her own happily ever after.
Not a fan of Mary Crawford in Mansfield Park? Neither am I. However, this Mary — well, she’s gotten the Leenie treatment and you might just find yourself rooting for her.
The colonel had exceptional taste — likely in all things. How could he not if he could name a bird so well, like music, and recite poetry?
“About Colonel Brandon,” their mother prompted when Marianne did not continue speaking. “How did he come to be at our gate?”
Marianne lifted her eyes from the sheet of music on her lap. She would have to imagine how the colonel might sound singing this piece later when there were not so many inquisitive people around to interrupt her musings.
[from Morning Mist one of the novelettes included in Thunder, Mist, and Frost: Nature’s Fury and Delights Anthology 1]
Before the beginning of the story Hope at Dawn, Nicholas and Kathleen, the hero and heroine, were separated by her father and brother because they did not find Nicholas, a banker, to be good enough for the daughter of an earl. Now, Kathleen is returning to England from a tragic time away in Ireland.
Today’s excerpt is the beginning of a letter Nicholas gave to Kathleen before she left, begging her to wait for him. Despite having little hope, Nicholas has been waiting for her, but has he waited in vain?
Hope at Dawn is one of four sweet Regency novelettes in First Blooms and Second Chances: Nature’s Fury and Delights Anthology 2.
This anthology, along with the first one, are both now just $1.99 (USD, EUR, GBP) / $2.99 (CAD, NZD, AUD), with all other currencies also reduced.
