Wordless Wednesday – Page 2

Off to the Honeymoon (Frederick Morgan)

And so we come to the end of our month of wedding pictures. I thought that this one was a good way to close off the month. 🙂 The short excerpt below is from the very beginning of a honeymoon for Darcy and Elizabeth and is from the epilogue of For Peace of Mind.

“And then there is my impression of you.” He kissed her lightly on the forehead. “It has never wavered. Your eyes still enchant me, your laugh and smile are still bewitching, and your figure still tempts me beyond all rational thought.”

He bent his head and kissed her softly.

“You remain now as you were then, the loveliest of all women.”

[from For Peace of Mind]

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*For Peace of Mind* can be purchased as a standalone novel or as part of *Darcy And…* a bundle of five Pride and Prejudice variations.

Le mariage (Julie Delance-Feurgard)

Le mariage (1884) Julie Delance-Feurgard, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

I could not pass up pairing this image with the excerpt below because there is some confusion involved and likely lots of whispering amongst those in the church waiting for a wedding to begin. 🙂 Although this excerpt is from near the end of A Very Mary Christmas, I don’t think it contains too many spoilers. In fact, it will likely raise more questions than it will answer. 😉

“Mr. Bennet,” said Whit just as everyone took their places at the front of the church. Mary watched, curiosity suffusing her, as her father nodded and, after whispering something to Mr. Darcy that made Mr. Darcy smile broadly, left his place and went to have a whispered conversation first with Mr. Whittemore and then Mr. Hammond, who could not contain his shock, no matter how he attempted to school his features. Then at the conclusion of the discussion, Nicholas rose, and with Whit and Fred trailing behind, slowly made his way to a side room at the front of the sanctuary.

“Mary,” her father stood before her. “Come.” He took her hand and led her toward the same room where Mr. Hammond had gone. “All will be well,” he assured her.

Mary glanced over her shoulder as she walked. “Why is Mr. Darcy coming with us?”

“Mr. Whittemore might need his assistance,” replied her father with a chuckle.

“I am very confused.” Surely, they were not to discuss Mr. Hammond’s decision now when her sisters stood at the front of the church and the few family and friends who had gathered awaited the ceremony.

She glanced at Jane and Elizabeth. Jane was dabbing at her eyes again as she had been all morning. Tears of happiness she had said. Elizabeth was smiling as if she understood what was happening, and she probably did since Mr. Darcy was somehow involved.

[from A Very Mary Christmas]

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The Wedding Dress (Carl Herpfer)

Das Brautkleid , Carl Herpfer (1836-1897), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

I have written three stories that feature Anne as a heroine (so far), and while I have enjoyed fleshing her out in each of those stories, this one just might be my all-time favourite Anne. She is niave, foolish, willful, and every inch her mother’s daughter. It makes for a deviously fun story. And then, there is Alistair who is sensible and stable and so very much in love with Anne and all that she is (even is she does drive him to distraction at times). I hope you enjoy the little bit of story I am sharing below but please be aware that this excerpt is from near the end of the book, so it might contain a spoiler or two. Therefore, if you’ve never read Becoming Entangled, read the rest of this post at your own risk. 😉

Two days later, as Anne stood before her mirror, she carefully positioned her sleeve and gloves so that her mother would not see the bruise on her arm. It was not a large bruise, but Anne knew that it was large enough to cause her mother to inquire after it. She had sworn her cousin and his friend Mr. Bingley, as well as Jack, to silence about the joust at Angelo’s, and she had been careful to keep the paper from her mother’s notice both yesterday and today. She knew that her appearance at Angelo’s would not go unmentioned, especially after the display she had put on following her defeat of Alistair. Her cheeks flushed. It was rather exhilarating to behave so brazenly, but it was not something she planned to repeat or publish any further than it had already been circulated.

“Anne Catherine de Bourgh!” Lady Catherine said as she threw open the door to her daughter’s room.

Anne cringed at the tone of her mother’s voice.

“Lady Metcalfe has just made me aware of a rather shocking story.”

Drat! She had forgotten that Alistair’s mother might see the paper and share the story with her mother.

“What were you thinking? Going to a gentleman’s club and behaving like a…” she waved the paper she held in the air as she sought for the right word, though none seemed to come to her.

As Anne stood before her mirror, a smile spread across her face. She could not remember a single time in her life when her mother had been at a loss for words until now. There was a strange feeling of satisfaction that accompanied the knowledge.

“It was inappropriate,” Anne offered. “And I shall not do it again. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a wedding to attend.”

[from Becoming Entangled]

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Wedding in the Photographer’s Studio (Pascal Dagnan-Bouveret)

Une noce chez le photographe, c.1879, Pascal Dagnan-Bouveret. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Below are the final paragraphs of Listen To Your Heart. If you don’t want to see the ending before reading the rest of the book, look away now. 😉

Anne’s stomach did a little flip as she reached the bottom of the stairs, and they faced the door to the drawing room where Mr. Collins and Richard, as well as a few assembled guests, awaited her.

“Are you well?” asked Darcy, noticing her pause.

She nodded, a smile suffusing her face. “I have never been better.” She waited while her mother slipped into the room and took her place next to Mr. Cranfield. Then it was time for her to join Richard in front of the garden doors where he stood propped on his crutches with Mr. Collins. She pulled back slightly on Darcy’s arm. He looked at her, his brows furrowed.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For helping me find my own happiness.”

“You’re welcome, but I did very little to assist you.” He looked at her face and then Richard’s. “Happiness often follows when you listen.”

“Listen?” She looked up at him in confusion. “To what?”

He smiled at her and tipped his head toward Richard. “To your heart,” he said as he began leading her into the room. “Always, listen to your heart.”

[from Listen to Your Heart]

Listen to Your Heart can be found in Darcy And… A Pride and Prejudice Variations Collection, which is on sale for the month of June.

A Wedding Reception (George Cain)

“Eine Hochzeitsfeier unter dem Direktorium” Georges Cain, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

She (Lydia) tipped her head as she smiled up at him. Tears hung on her lashes. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“For what?” he (Marcus) asked.

“For loving me.” She blinked rapidly to keep the tears in their place.

“How could I not,” he pulled her closer and kissed her forehead. “Are you certain you cannot desert our guests even for a few moments? I should very much like to kiss my wife.”

She giggled. “I think we might be able to slip into the garden for a few moments.” She arched a brow. “I know which paths are not well lit.”

“Have I told you how brilliant you are, Mrs. Dobney?” he asked as he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and led her onto the terrace.

“No, I do not believe you have,” she replied. “Down this path.” She pulled him off to the right and around a corner behind a bush.

He pulled her into his embrace. “You, Mrs. Dobney, are brilliant.”

She smiled. “Not many have ever called me that.”

“I suppose not everyone can be as wise as I,” he tilted her chin up and looked into her eyes. “If they saw what I see, they would agree.”

“Are you going to kiss me?”

“Are you eager to return?” he teased, caressing her cheek with his thumb.

She shook her head. “No, just to be kissed.”

[from the epilogue to the Willow Hall series by Leenie Brown]