Confidences, Frédéric Soulacroix [Public domain] via Wikimedia
~*~*~
Georgiana turned toward her friend. A little flutter of anxiety flitted through her breast. “I overheard him talking to Wes.” She crossed to sit next to her friend. “That is what I wished to speak to you about because something I heard troubled me.”
“What did you hear?” Kitty’s eyes were large with concern. “He did not lie to me about loving me, did he?”
Georgiana grasped Kitty’s hands. “No, I am certain he loves you since he has offered for you–“
“You know about that?” Kitty asked in surprise.
“It was part of what I overheard. It seems he is most anxious for you to accept him. Your hesitance to do so is where the troublesome bit lies.”
PUBLISHED TO YOUTUBE BY MOZART GROUP ON MARCH 1, 2018.
My older sister shared this humorous video with me a couple of weeks ago, and I thought it would be a fun one to share on the Monday after Valentine’s Day. 🙂 I also thought it would be fun to pair it with a story with a very different Darcy who, having had his proposal refused and been granted a second chance, is working very diligently to unravel his pride and impress a woman. And today, I am giving you a full chapter just so you can properly meet Darcy’s grandmother and be just as delighted with his change in demeanor as she is. : )
Perhaps you might. Remembering Elizabeth’s words from yesterday made Darcy smile as he accepted a cup of tea from his aunt, Lady Matlock. He shrugged in response to the questioning look Richard shot him and turned his attention to his tea.
“I hear Mrs. Anderson’s daughter has refused another suitor,” said Lady Matlock, peering over the teapot and looking at Darcy with a raised brow. “She is a pretty thing. Her taste in gowns is exquisite, and she dances very well.”
Richard guffawed. “That is the fatal shot, Mother dear. Darcy does not care if a lady can dance well, for he intends not to dance more than absolutely required. “
His mother turned to him with a smile. “But you adore dancing, and she is generously dowered.”
Darcy chuckled at the widening of Richard’s eyes and slackening of his mouth.
“I do not adore dancing,” he said stiffly. “I just tolerate it better than Darcy, and so it appears I adore it.”
Welcome to the weekend. 🙂 There’s a lot of news this week. So, grab a cup of something refreshing or warming and settle in for a few minutes of reading. (There’s a link to a preview of a new story in one of the sections below — cleverly hidden under the heading Story Preview. 😀 )
Writing Life
This week did not progress as I had expected it to because we got snow on three days, and on two of those days, it was enough to require shoveling / snowblowing. That activity really cut into my productivity as it took time and used muscles that were not used to that sort of usage. LOL The snowblower is new, and this week was the first time I have used it. However, I still managed to write one chapter for two of my stories:
Matching Mr. Darcy (the bright new shiny story I told you about last week)
Cherishing Kitty (This is the one that did not get a new chapter as I think that the last chapter I wrote for it, might actually be the end and the next chapter is the beginning of Georgiana’s story. This calls for a reread and a think before moving on.)
His Irreplaceable Belle
Publishing News
The following titles are now available in Kindle Unlimited and will remain there until May 13, 2020.
The following titles will be returning to all vendors this upcoming week. They are in Kindle Unlimited until Sunday, February 16, 2020. So I can start the “returning to other vendors” process on Monday.
A Conversation Overheard, Charles Joshua Chaplin [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons
A conversation is not overheard in this chapter. In fact, Kitty is listening and hoping to hear some conversation so that she knows she can enter the library safely. Hmmm. I wonder who is in Netherfield’s library. [Hint: If Lydia is there, that must mean that others in the Fitzwilliam family might also have arrived at Netherfield. ;)]
~*~*~
Kitty had only taken two steps into Netherfield’s library before turning around and darting out of the room. She stood near the partially open door and listened for the sound of voices to indicate that entering might be safe. She placed her hands, which were cool, on her cheeks to keep them from growing too warm.
“What are you doing? Are you eavesdropping?” Lydia whispered as she came to stand next to Kitty.
“Yes,” Kitty replied.
“Have you heard anything of interest?” Lydia leaned toward the door to the library. Her brow furrowed. “I do not hear anything. Is there someone in there?”
PUBLISHED TO YOUTUBE BY THE TENORS VEVO ON OCTOBER 7, 2015.
When I heard this song a couple of weeks ago, a short scene from Listen to Your Heart sprang to mind. It’s only a few paragraphs long and comes at the end of Chapter 14. Because this is nearing the end of the book (the novel has 17 chapters) and, therefore, contains spoilers, and because it is a rather long chapter, I have only excerpted a portion of the beginning of the chapter, then indicated a break with three dots and continued with the short but sweet reunion between Cranfield and Lady Catherine. Hopefully, I have kept the most critical spoilers from appearing here, but as always, read at your own risk. (And remember, this book is on sale everywhere for 99c or so until February 15, 2020.)
Listen to Your Heart, Chapter 14 Excerpt
“Cranfield.” Lord Matlock clapped the man on the shoulder in a welcoming fashion as he entered the dower house. “A word, if you do not mind.” Noting the look of suspicion on the man’s face, he added, “A friendly word.” He chuckled. “My wife constantly reminds me I need to spend time on small talk and pleasantries. She says neglecting them makes people uneasy.”
“She would be right.” The right side of Cranfield’s mouth curved up into a half smile.
“My apologies.” Lord Matlock motioned for Cranfield to enter the room ahead of him before turning to Bingley and Darcy. “I believe you will find your ladies, as well as the rest of the guests, in the garden.” Bingley took a step toward the sitting room, but Lord Matlock held up his hand and lowered his voice. “You have nothing to fear, my boy. I have a family apology to make, and I believe a reunion would be better in private.”
“Right,” agreed Bingley and followed Darcy toward the garden.
Lord Matlock closed the door gently. “My father was wrong.”
Cranfield gave a small snort of laughter. “You do not circle a topic, do you?”
