As the last note faded, the room remained solemnly silent for three heartbeats before Edward stood and began applauding. Others soon followed his example.
Hazel graced him with a dazzling smile and made her way back to her seat.
“Magnificent,” Edward said as Hazel once again took her seat. “You were correct, Parkes,” he said to Harold. “I enjoyed that thoroughly.”
“There is not another with her talent,” boasted Harold.
“I would readily agree.” Edward enjoyed how Hazel’s cheeks grew rosy and how she attempted to hide a pleased smile.
There were yet three unfortunate ladies to sing. They were unfortunate because they had to follow Hazel’s performance, and Edward was certain there was not another lady in all of England, whether on stage or beside a hearth, who could have followed Hazel and not suffered for it.
He attempted to pay attention to each performance and greet its ending with enthusiasm, but he could not.
He had been to many such soirees as this at his grandmother’s request. At each one, he would smile and bow as required. He would congratulate and commend young ladies to earn a giggle or a blush. And each time he would return home to give a report to his grandmother about the number in attendance and which lady had piqued his interest. It was normally some young debutante that had seemed the prettiest and most amusing, but never had one of them caused him to feel so distracted as the lady beside him. It was a most unusual but not wholly unpleasant feeling – unsettling, perhaps, disquieting, most assuredly, but not distressing. In fact, it was in a way, extremely alluring.
[From “Reclaiming Her Heart”, a Short Story Sequel to Enticing Miss Darcy]Uploaded to YouTube by Brian Crain on October 15, 2013.
The above excerpt follows a few paragraphs that speak of how Hazel Parkes is singing a sad song that relates to her love story up to this point in her life. If you’re wondering who Edward is, he is Lord Matlock’s third son and the cousin who told Anne about ladies being allowed at Angelo’s (that was in Becoming Entangled). Hazel’s happy ending is included at the end of Enticing Miss Darcy.
I’m sure you can see the connection between the excerpt from “Reclaiming Her Heart” and the video, but the actual reason why I chose this piece of music to share today is that I have listened to it often.
Music, such as the piece above, is what I use to switch my brain from busy and stressed by so many things to a calmer state conducive to writing. 🙂 (This will not be new news to those who have read my Monday posts.) Brian Crain’s music is among my favourites for this switch over during very busy, stressful times — such as a week when I have a book release, I’m just settling into homeschooling, and I’m struggling to complete all the challenges I have laid out for myself in my new writing schedule for 2019. In other words, I turned to Brian Crain’s music many times this week. (I also listened to another favourite for this Peder B Helland a lot this week.)
So, what was I working on this past week?
Apple Blossoms (A Nature’s Fury and Delights Short Story/Novelette): This is an original sweet Regency romance which should be somewhere around 10,000 words when I am done. This week I dictated about 1500 words and several planning notes. I am amazed at how well dictation works for helping me figure out plot things. I could walk around my house talking or type out notes or cover sticky notes with ideas and it would not get me to where I want to be as quickly as talking to my computer and watching those words flow onto the page does. It’s strange but in an awesome way.
Roger’s Story (A Touches of Austen Story): I’ve managed to complete the first chapter. This week, I plan on scheduling that chapter to post on the blog in February. Then, I will attempt to get the second chapter written. Maybe I will even come up with a title so I can put that on the post I hope to schedule. Finger’s crossed on that – maybe I just need to talk it out with my computer. 🙂
Loving Lydia (The current Thursday’s Three Hundred Story): Another chapter has been scheduled on the blog, and one was written to be scheduled when I work on that story this Thursday. I reread/edit the previous week’s words before writing the new section of words. I’m certain I am biased, but the chapter I wrote this past Thursday was the cutest Lady Catherine puts up a stink scene! (Thanks, of course, to Dash.) It will be February before you get to read it. I am attempting to keep a few weeks ahead.
Tom: To Protect His Legacy (Other Pens, Mansfield Park, book 4): I started posting this one on Patreon this week. There are two chapters there for my patrons to read. I have made the first chapter of that story free to read by anyone who wants to read it over there. Writing wise, I only managed to write two chapters for that story this week. My goal was three so that’s why I say only two chapters. 🙂 I’m still hopeful that I will get this book done and published by the end of February, but I’m also thinking that, realistically, it might end up being early March.
Other things that got written: I have an Austen Author’s post tomorrow, January 15, 2019, and there will be a Friday Feature here on the blog this week. I dusted off an Austen Author’s post for that, and the book featured will be on sale everywhere for the weekend.
I think that’s it. 😀 Yes, I was exhausted by the end of the week, but it was a good “I feel accomplished” exhausted (even if it did sound a bit cranky around here by Saturday LOL). Of course, part of that tiredness on Saturday was due to staying up too late to reread a book I found when attempting to organize the Kindle app on my tablet.
And here is a peek at a few of the words I wrote this past week. This excerpt is from Tom: To Secure His Legacy:
“Oh, I had no particular reason for joining you other than Edwards offered.” Tom nodded his thanks for the glass of port which was placed before him.
“Bertram?”
“Eldridge,” Tom replied, replacing his glass on the table without so much as taking a sip and turning toward his friend.
“May I?” Robert asked, motioning to a chair.
“Of course,” Edwards replied.
Tom suspected that if they could fit twenty chairs at this table, Charles Edwards was the sort to fill them all and look to squeeze in a few extra.
“Do not tell Faith, I was here,” he whispered as he sat down. “She will say it was an unnecessary expense.” He looked at the other fellows. “Have you all met my sister?”
“Two of us are betrothed,” Edwards said. “But Linton here is looking for a wife.”
“I just said I was not,” Trefor Linton snapped. “Not that your sister is not worth considering,” he added quickly. “I have met her. Last year at a musicale, if I am remembering correctly.”
“I was not asking for that reason,” Robert said with a laugh.
“Does she play an instrument?” Tom asked.
“You do not know?” Edwards asked in surprise.
Tom shook his head. “Eldridge refused to introduce me to his sister until recently.” It was not precisely a formal introduction which he had received in Mr. Clarke’s office – more of a forced confession – but the others did not need to know that.
“I can understand that,” Linton muttered.
“As can I,” Tom agreed. “I would like to say I would not wish to introduce such a person as I was to my sisters, but I did. Therefore, I cannot claim to not do what I did.” He held up a hand. “I am not condemning anyone but myself with such a statement. I was not the brother my sisters needed.”
He would likely regret that all his life. Julia seemed happy enough with her husband, but Maria – well, perhaps one day he would be able to do something for her. However, first, he needed to get his financial affairs in order. Then, he might be able to convince his father that Maria could be accepted back into the family – at least, for a visit.
“Does your sister play an instrument?” Tom asked Robert.
“The piano,” Robert replied.
“She did not play the piano at that musicale,” Linton inserted. “She sang. I only remember because her voice is among the prettiest voices I have heard.”
“She does sing like an angel,” Robert admitted.
Tom’s eyebrows rose.
“And she is as pretty as her voice,” Robert muttered. “However, there is a touch of fire in her tongue – at least, there is for me. Not that I can blame her. I have been careless. But no more. I must mend my ways now that my inheritance has fallen to me.”
The table fell silent.
“It is not easy to come into one’s inheritance,” Linton admitted.
“Indeed, it is not,” Henry Crawford agreed. “I did not step into it gracefully. I fought it and ignored it for some time. However, thanks to Linton and his sister I am finally settling into it.”
“I am attempting to tend to mine now before my father passes it on to me,” Tom admitted as he swirled the contents of his glass. The right side of his mouth curled up as he considered the pretty lady who was assisting him. If all his teachers had been as beautiful as Miss Eldridge, he would have applied himself better to his studies.
“If you need help,” Linton offered, raising his glass in a small salute to Tom.
“Eldridge is helping me at present as is Durward, but I thank you for your offer.”
“Durward is the gentleman who is marrying Miss Crawford, is he not?” Linton asked.
“Yes,” Tom answered.
“And Eldridge is helping you as well?” There was a hint of skepticism in the man’s tone.
“My sister is,” Robert answered in a whisper, “but no one is to know that.” He gave each of his companions a pointed glare. “She lectures enough now. I do not wish for any further diatribes. Ladies with too much knowledge are not sought after and all that.” He waved his hand in the air and then blew out a breath. “And I would not wish to harm her chances. She deserves to find a good match.”
Tom could hear the love Robert had for his sister in his tone as he spoke, but then, Robert had always spoken well of his sister. That coupled with the way he had steadfastly refused to introduce her to any of his reprobate friends spoke loudly to how much he adored her.
“You may wish to send Bertram to me,” Linton said, placing his empty glass on the table and moving to rise. “My sister was allowed to help Crawford and look where that led.” Linton grinned in opposition to his words. “I must say she did an excellent job of improving him.”
“Indeed, she did,” Henry said.
“There is nothing to fear,” Tom assured them. “I do not intend to even entertain the idea of looking for a wife until I have my finances in order.”
Linton snorted in disbelief.
“Truly,” Tom replied.
“Well, I wish you well,” Linton answered.
~*~*~
KOBO AMAZON NOOK IBOOKS MAILING LIST PATREON SOCIETY6
That was a beautiful music video. I can see why you like it. I started relaxing immediately. I learned a hard lesson regarding my music choices for the classroom. It was reported that students preform and study better with classical music in the background. So, I pulled out my classical CDs and played them during individual work time. Unfortunately, when I played Tchaikovsky the place went to worms. Seriously, when I play certain works of his I usually had discipline problems. The chaos was instant. I never played his compositions again. Not sure what happened but it trashed my class. Research has shown that certain beats, timing and such are soothing. So, I suppose the opposite of that has the same effect. Lesson learned.
You have been busy. I’m glad to see the voice/dictation is beginning to give you some relieve from the computer. I love the excerpts. I see familiar characters interacting with the new works and it is soothing to see them make an appearance and give their approval to what is happening. It makes me smile to see them giving advice. Blessing on all your hard work. Take care.
I actually have trouble writing to some classical music because it can be distracting. I can see how Tchaikovsky would be one of those. It shows just how well the composers were at portraying and stirring emotions/feelings in their music. I have also used music in my classrooms in the past. I found that using songs such as the one shared today were very helpful not just for the students for focusing but it sure helped their teacher remain calm. LOL 😀
I’m excited to find that dictation can help me as it is. It is getting easier and less weird feeling the more I use it. I also am enjoying that I get to revisit some of the characters from previous stories. It really gives a sense of a world that they live in and the idea that their lives are continuing on past their focused story is comforting.
The music is very calming. I like how all the guys are talking about their sisters and trying to figure out who would be best for them to marry! I couldn’t image my brothers even thinking of this subject! How times have changed.
Three of the five gentlemen here are heads of their family due to the death of their fathers. The other two should be acting more like they are the upcoming head of family, but they haven’t always done that. Of course, in those days, they would be responsible to care for their sisters if the sisters did not marry, so finding a good situation for their sisters was important to them. I like the fact that these gentlemen are not just eager to get rid of their sisters. I like writing these sorts of strong family bonds — even if they are not perfect bonds but contain weaknesses and faults.