This week as I was writing, I shared this video with my Dash of Darcy Readers group on Facebook and told them that it might just be the song I shared on Monday on my blog. And here it is. 🙂 Along with this video, I shared the following line from what I had been writing that evening:
“I could never forget you, even without these things,” he said to Anne. “You will always be in my heart. I may not have loved you as well as I should have, but I did love you.” [Doesn’t it go well with the song?]
I’m not sharing the scene in which you will find that line today. Instead, I am sharing the scene that follows immediately after it. However, that scene starts on a similar melancholy note. So, the song choice still seems to fit well.
But first, I must update you on the release of Enticing Miss Darcy. I have just uploaded the ebook files and set a release date of March 15, 2018. I made the decision to push the date out a week because there are some things I would like to do before the book releases and rushing it just to hit the deadline I had set was not going to be conducive to getting those things done. [And my back is doing better. It’s not 100% yet, but it is much improved. I have also figured out how to get work things done with some modifications. 😉 Now, I ‘m just trying to play catch up.]
In my reading this week, I found this interesting article about circulating libraries in the Regency Era on Jane Austen’s World. Luckily, the site allows for reblogging, so I can share a snippet and link along with a picture. (I love pictures! 🙂 ) As I read, I was reminded of some of our modern subscription services as well as our bookshops and libraries that are more than just places to read and acquire books.
Circulating libraries in the 18th and 19th century were associated with leisure, and were found in cities and towns with a population of 2,000 and upward. They were as much of an attraction in wea…
Jószef Arpád Koppay [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
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“Perhaps it is because, as I have heard tell, you flirted with him in Brighton and then travelled with him for several days.” He folded his arms across his chest in an attempt to avoid seeing any more of her than her face when he looked down. She rolled her large hazel eyes at him and pursed her lovely lips, causing him to swallow once again.
YirumaVEVO. “Yiruma, (이루마) – Kiss the Rain.” YouTube, 09 Feb. 2012.
THE LINK BETWEEN MUSIC AND STORY:
I admit the song and story link this week is a bit of a stretch. It has been raining and there is rain in the story excerpt below, so I went looking for a song about rain. While I think that the most appropriate song for this excerpt would be Rain, Rain Go Away, I chose to go with the song above which is beautiful and is now part of my Music to Write By playlist.
FYI: This song does have lyrics that are rather sad. If you would like to see a video with the lyrics to assuage your curiosity (like I had to) here is a link:
Alex paced the length of the green sitting room at Brownlow’s townhouse. Then, he peered through the window before turning and pacing the length in the opposite direction. “Blasted rain,” he muttered for the fourteenth time in the last half hour. There would be no riding in the park and no sitting on the step at Matlock House today. And at present, he did not know where she would be this evening. He had hoped to discover that bit of information when he saw her at the park.
“Blasted rain.” He inhaled deeply and rapidly and then exhaled just as quickly, as he turned to make yet another circuit of the sitting room.
“It is not necessary to wear holes in one’s boots before purchasing a new pair,” said Rycroft coming into the room. “Brownlow will be along soon.” He took a seat near the window. “I have come to learn that you are in town to marry my cousin.” He tossed his right leg over his left knee.
Alex stopped his pacing, tilted his head, and gave Rycroft an appraising look. “That is the plan if the rain ever stops.”
“Ah, yes, rain will put a damper on outdoor plans such as riding?” Rycroft raised a brow and steepled his fingers together in front of him. He smiled as he achieved the full attention of the man who was still wearing a path along the length of the room. “My uncle.” He chuckled. “And my mother. They seem to like you. I can’t imagine there is much more that I need to know about you that my uncle has not already told me. He does not shower praise to earn friends. He only speaks highly of those he deems worthy. It seems you are worthy.” Rycroft shifted slightly in his chair. “I almost feel jealous, for I do not believe I have ever earned such accolades as you have.”
Alex shook his head. “I do not know why he feels I deserve them.”
“You saved his horse,” Jonathan said from the corner and then turned his attention back to his book. “And your as upstanding as any man ever was, which is one of the reasons so many of us stand with you even when we do not agree with you. You are annoyingly correct.” He muttered the last bit in a tone that was very close to a growl.
“Have you met Mr. Lester?” Alex asked Rycroft.
“Not officially, but my uncle could not speak of you without speaking of him. You, Mr. Lester, also seem to hold my uncle’s good opinion.”
Jonathan inclined his head in acceptance. “That is Madoch’s fault,” he said with a smile, “as is most of the good fortune I have met in my life.” He stood, placed his book on the table, and bowed. “Jonathan Lester at your service, Lord Rycroft.”
“Please,” Rycroft waved the man back to his chair, “I do not stand on ceremony among friends, and since my uncle has spoken so highly of you both, I intend for us to be friends, unless there is an objection.”
“You will get none from me,” said Alex, finally taking a seat.
“Which means you will also get no objection from me.” Jonathan picked up his book again and ignored the pointed glare that Alex was giving him. “Not that I would have objected if I had been able to form my own opinion.”
“Read your book before I sack you.” Alex growled.
Jonathan chuckled and opened his book. “That is not possible. I am invaluable, you know.”
“Read your book,” Alex growled again.
Rycroft eyed the two. He had learned that one employed the other but that before that they had been best of friends and inseparable. According to his uncle, Madoch was the man with the grand ideas and Lester the one with the skills to assist in seeing them accomplished.
“Would you care for a game?” Madoch motioned to the chess set at the far end of the room. “I admit to being unable to sit unoccupied for any great length of time.”
“Especially when there is a plan that is being thwarted by rain,” Jonathan added from behind his book.
Madoch sighed. “Especially then.”
“You remind me of my cousin,” said Rycroft rising from his chair. “It was one thing at which I could best him. Richard and I use to challenge Darcy to a game of sitting. We would pick a place and an object to observe and then see who could hold their position the longest. I never won — Richard always did — but I also never lost. Darcy was always the first to quit the field claiming he had something that needed his attention.” Rycroft arranged his pieces on the board. “However, place a book or a tiring pile of estate papers before him, and he will out sit me every time.” He chuckled. “This is one game in which I hesitate to ever accept his challenge.”
