Wordless Wednesday: Claude Monet, Gardenway
Category: Uncategorized
Merry Christmas!
Her Father’s Choice, Chapter 5, Now Available to Read
The next chapter of this story is available to read and will remain available until next Saturday. And good news came this week, Her Father’s Choice is now available for purchase at both Kobo and Amazon.
CHAPTER 5
Two days later, Richard entered Darcy’s study, a paper in his hand and a piece of wood under his arm.
Darcy looked up briefly from his papers. “Did you lose your way to the workshop?”
Richard took a seat in front of Darcy’s desk and placed the diagram of a jewelry box on top of the papers Darcy was reviewing. “Will she like it?”
“It is lovely,” said Darcy.
“Yes, I know, but will Miss Elizabeth like it?” He pointed to the design to be carved in the top. “Is this a flower she would appreciate?”
Darcy shrugged. “I cannot be certain, but it does seem to be something she would like. I have never thought to ask her which flowers she prefers.”
Richard drummed his fingers on the desktop.
Suddenly, a thought occurred to Darcy. “She said her room was decorated as if she had done it herself. There are some pieces of yours in there. Remember?”
“Quite right!” Richard stood and snatched the diagram from Darcy. “Do you mind if I borrow one? I can follow the pattern from before but add a few distinguishing features.” He was nearly at the door before Darcy could reply that the idea was excellent.
The door opened as Richard reached for the handle.
“Father.” Richard nodded to the man who stood behind Mr. Daniels.
Lord Matlock looked at the wood Richard held under his arm and then, with a raised brow and a pointed look, said, “Colonel.”
“For another year, my lord, and not a day longer,” said Richard as he pushed past his father.
Glancing quickly at the clock on the mantel, Darcy rose to greet his uncle. He knew that in less than an hour, his aunt, who had insisted on being seen in town with Elizabeth would be arriving for tea, and Georgiana, Elizabeth, and Mary would be with her. He did not wish for his uncle to still be here when they arrived, but he doubted that any interview would be short in duration.
“You are still allowing my son to use your workshop?” Lord Matlock waved the butler away.
No, this was not going to be short or pleasant. “I am.”
“I do wish you would not encourage his foolish notions.”
Darcy waited for his uncle to be seated before taking his own. “Perhaps I encourage it because I do not see it as a foolish notion. Women stitch and net. I do not see why a gentleman cannot carve and join wood.”
“It is not done is why. And to compare a man’s pursuits to that of a lady.” He shook his head. “Preposterous! But I am not here about that foolishness. I am here about a completely separate but equally concerning piece of news that I have had from my sister, Sophia.”
Her Father’s Choice, Chapter 4
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.
Her Father’s Choice, Publishing News and Chapter 3
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.”