Music Monday: A Good Day for Marrying You (Dave Barnes)

“It is not very old, is it?”

He shook his head. “No, it not much older than you.”

“Indeed? Is it very modern within?”

“I shall let you determine that.” He waved his hand toward the door which stood, waiting for them to enter, and smiled with a great deal of satisfaction at her exclamation upon entering just ahead of him.

“I believe she likes it,” Graeme muttered behind him.

“I would say you are correct.” And Walter was as delighted by that fact as Grace was by the flooring and the second door that separated the foyer from the interior of the house. He had hoped she would like his house, for he was beginning to hope quite seriously that it would one day also be hers.

[from Her Secret Beau, Touches of Austen Book 3]

Published to YouTube by Dave Barnes on Feb 10, 2015.

Tomorrow, Grace is going to finally get to see Walter’s townhouse, and they will get to spend a little bit of time alone together. Speaking of visiting houses, last Wednesday, I got to visit two Georgian Era houses, as well as a Victorian Era wool carding mill, while doing some exploring along the south shore of Nova Scotia with my husband. I will share some pictures from my exploring below.

First, let me give you a very short update on what is happening in my writing life. 

I wrote a chapter or so of Addie’s story. Then, I wrestled with the plot for a bit and wrote a possible portion of another chapter. I will have to reread it before determining if it will stay or go.

I also wrestled with the plot for Mary’s story and wrote out some clarifying notes after going over what I have already written. I think I am set to get back into that story this week.

It’s actually difficult for me to have so much time off during the writing of a story. I have been doing a good bit of rereading and re-establishing myself in the various stories I am writing. This week, my days off are coming to an end as my husband returns to work, and I start to establish my new no-teaching school year routine. Hopefully, the transition will go well, especially because I am behind on all my stories.

This week, I will also be getting A Dash of Darcy and Companions Cottage Collection 1 and all the individual titles relisted on all my other vendors since it is now no longer in Kindle Unlimited.

And that is all the writing-related news.

Now, let me share some pictures with you and tell you why I chose today’s song.

While we were driving here and there on Wednesday, I played my Whatever for Whenever Spotify playlist so that we’d have hours of no repeated songs.  The song above was one I stumbled across on Spotify this summer, and it had such a toe-tapping feel to it, I had to add it to my playlist. Well, we listened to it on Wednesday, and it was stuck in my head for several days. 😀 So I had to share the earworm with you. 😀 (And now that I have listened to it again while writing this post, I suppose it will be stuck in my head for a few more days.)

One interesting thing that caught my attention during our tour at Knaut-Rhuland house was that the first owner (Mr. Knaut) was a wealthy merchant, and the second owner (Mr. Rhuland) was a mariner and pirateer. Those facts put me in mind of Mr. Gardiner and Gabe from Mary: To Protect Her Heart.

And now, for an excerpt from Addie’s story. I’m a little reluctant to share too much from this story as there are several twists and turns I don’t want to spoil. However, I will take my chances with this longish excerpt. 🙂

AN EXCERPT FROM Addie: To Wager on Her Future: 

“You cannot ride as you are if we are to train this fellow properly.”

“What is wrong with the way I am riding?”

“It is not how he will be ridden in a race. He must grow accustomed to being ridden astride.”

“I have no other clothes or saddle, Mr. Eldridge.” He could not mean for her to use her current saddle and ride so. It was neither seemly nor safe.

“As always, my sister is prepared for that.” He smiled at her and shrugged, perhaps a bit sheepishly. “She is nearly always prepared for any eventuality. It is one of her great talents – as annoying as it might be at times.”

“What do you mean, she is prepared?”

“We have brought a saddle from Mansfield and some clothing – breeches, a shirt, and a jacket. Your own footwear will have to suffice. Faith was not sure the size of your foot.”

But she was certain of the size of the rest of her? Addie closed her mouth which had dropped open. “Where am I to change?” One did not take off her clothes and put on a new set in the middle of a field and to ride home and return seemed foolish.

“Among the trees over there.” He moved his horse a step closer to her as they drew near the group who had accompanied him. “Faith is also wearing breeches as a show of support.” His tone was gentle and soothing. “It is not the first time she has done so.”

“Truly?” Addie could not believe that a lady as beautiful and refined as Miss Eldridge had appeared to be would even consider wearing breeches.

“It made it less conspicuous for her to visit the stockbroker.”

Addie once again had to close her mouth which had insisted on popping open.

“Faith,” Mr. Eldridge called.

“I believe Miss Atwood could use your assistance in changing her costume while Bertram and I switch Damon’s saddle.” He had slid from his horse and was standing ready to help Addie dismount from hers.

He was being a trifle demanding, but at present, she did not mind so very much as her brain was not functioning as it should. Her mind was still attempting to wrap itself around her need to change and the fact that Miss Eldridge had visited a stockbroker while dressed in breeches.

Therefore, she allowed him to help her from her horse without a word of protest.

Goodness! He was stronger than his lean body suggested. But then, if he worked with horses, he would have to be strong, would he not? She nearly sighed. He could help her from her horse anytime he liked. Standing this close to him was sending a skittering of delight up her spine and warming her from the inside out.

“My brother should have mentioned this yesterday.” Miss Eldridge gave her brother a sharp look, and he stepped away from Addie. “However, I will forgive him of the oversight, seeing how Mr. Camden had taken him by surprise and all.” She wrapped an arm around Addie’s. “Miss Price is waiting for us. She assures me that she thinks the clothing will fit, and we have created a screen with a couple of sheets.”

Mr. Eldridge was not wrong. His sister seemed to be prepared for everything. Addie smiled. It was delightful to meet a lady with such a good mind. It made her feel a lot less odd than she normally did when surrounded by other females who seemed only capable of discussing stitching and the weather with an occasional comment about books or music thrown in to keep things interesting.

“Your brother said you visited a stockbroker,” Addie said as she slipped the breeches up her legs while still wearing her skirt. There might be a screen, but there was also a breeze causing the bottom of that screen to flutter.

Faith laughed lightly. “I am fascinated by numbers and how properly investing one’s funds can grow one’s worth.”

“I can understand that.” Addie stood waiting for Susan to help her unfasten her dress.

“Oh, Addie is very good with numbers,” Susan assured Miss Eldridge.

“I did not wear my stays,” Addie whispered as her dress slid to the ground and she stood in her stockings, breeches which fit a bit snugly but not unbearably so, and her chemise.

“I thought you would not,” Faith said with a grin. “I have a short chemise to go under your shirt and then, we must just make certain your jacket is buttoned where it needs to be.”

And they did. Addie was cleverly stuffed into the rest of her costume and declared perfect within moments. However, she was not certain how perfect she was. The jacket was not buttoning across her chest as easily as the one Faith wore. She pulled at the front of it, attempting to make the material not pucker.

“I will have to find a bigger size for tomorrow,” Miss Eldridge whispered. “My brother likely has one with which he can part – unless, of course, you prefer to bind your breasts. I am not as blessed in that area as you are.”

“These are your clothes?” Addie asked in surprise.

 Miss Eldridge nodded. “I like to ride unhindered by yards of material at times.”

“I used to ride in breeches but then I turned twelve and my father would not hear of it.”

“My brother would rather than I did not,” Miss Eldridge said with a laugh. “However, I can be rather stubborn, and he is more generous with me than he should be.”

“He seems very amiable.”

“Oh, he is.” She grasped one of Susan’s arms and one of Addie’s as they exited from behind their screen. “Do not tell him I said so, but while he is friendly to all, he is also a most loyal friend.”

“Why should we not tell him?” Susan asked.

“I do not wish for the praise to go to his head, especially since I am not finished scolding him for leaving Tom. Therefore, if I were to say he is a great friend while at the same time accusing him of deserting his friend, well, that just will not do.”

Addie chuckled. “Have you always had such a good relationship?”

“Oh, we argue constantly,” Miss Eldridge replied.

“But not to the point of injury,” Susan replied. “He cares a great deal for you.”

“And I for him, but he needs to be pushed at times. My mother made me promise to see him well-settled so that he would not idle away either his time or his estate. He has made great strides in improving himself, which is why I wish to be able to continue to remind him of his failure as needed.” She lowered her voice. “Never to his harm, but just to remind him of his desire to improve.”

“Now,” Miss Eldridge continued with a chuckle, “shall we see if he can remember how to train a horse when presented with you in breeches. He was rather taken with you the first time he saw you ride.”

“Oh, that will not do!” Addie’s cheeks burned. “This is too improper. We have only two weeks to do what needs to be done. I can ride astride in a dress.”

“No, the material will get in the way of what needs to be done. I should not have teased.”

“What do you think, Susan? Do I do as Miss Eldridge says or put my dress back on?”

“You cannot. You must do what is best for Mr. Eldridge. He cannot lose his horse.”

Leave it to Susan to bring things back into focus. They were attempting to save Mr. Eldridge’s horse or his thousand pounds.

“And call me Faith,” Miss Eldridge said to both Susan and Addie.

Addie nodded and looked down at her attire. “If you are certain…”

“Is her horse ready?” Faith called to Tom and Mr. Eldridge.

“Ye—” Mr. Eldridge did not form the full word as he turned and saw Addie.

“As I said, you look perfect,” Faith whispered. “Then, help her up,” she commanded her brother, who did as instructed with only a few stumbles while Tom looked excessively amused.

~*~*~

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