He would have to present himself empty-handed to Grace, and that fact did not sit well with him. He had promised to discover what he could, and he had done exactly that. Yet, the fact that all he could discover was nothing did not seem a fitting way to keep such a promise. Grace would want to know more. She was a curious, caring sort. In his opinion, she owed her sister little, but Grace’s heart would not see it that way. No matter how much she disagreed or disapproved of her sister, Grace would do what she could to protect her sister from harm.
He chuckled, causing his horse’s ears to twitch in his direction.
“I was just thinking about your new mistress,” he said to his horse. “She is a unique lady.”
The horse blew a breath through its lips.
“I tell you she is. You will understand once you meet her.”
[from Her Secret Beau, Touches of Austen book 3]Published to YouTube by Thad Fiscella – Topic on October 19, 2015.
The song selection this week is a bit of a play on words as I have read the story behind the writing of this song by the composer, and he was thinking of the beauty of God’s grace when he wrote it. Obviously, in the excerpt from tomorrow’s story above, Mr. Blakesley is thinking about the things which make Grace beautiful to him — not as it refers to her outer physical beauty but as it refers to her unique character — those things which make her, her. In that reflection, there is a hint of unmerited favour (aka grace) that makes up who Walter’s Grace is. So, being a teacher and a pastor’s daughter, I could likely draw that out into some sort of lesson, but I won’t. I’ll just let you ponder it and listen to this beautiful piece of music which has played nearly every day during my writing time this week.
During my writing time this week, my writing was focused on finishing Grace’s story. I’m almost there. I think one more chapter will do it (but then I thought that when I sat down to write the last chapter, so… LOL) It looks like both Mary’s and Grace’s stories will conclude during the first week of November.
My other focus this week was the final proofreading of Addie’s story so that I could get the preorder for it set up. That also required me to write a book description which is not always easy to do properly. Well, I was sick on Friday, the day I had scheduled to write it. I still pushed through and wrote one, but when I had some friends check it, it fell flat. Thankfully, my friends helped me with their critiques and suggestions and together, we came up with this description:
Whoever said nothing ventured, nothing gained never had her heart on the line… Adela Atwood grew up immersed in the world of horse breeding and racing. She comes from a family of risk-takers. Ignoring the usual rearing for a girl, her father allowed Addie to take the reins of her own destiny, and she has sat in life’s saddle ever since. Unfortunately, her brother is also a gambler and, unlike Addie, is no stranger to losing. This time, however, it is more than mere pounds at stake as Addie’s beloved horse and maybe even her brother’s life are caught up in the bargain. Robert Eldridge was also raised surrounded by horses. In fact, he is the owner of a stable of animals which have often placed well in the races at Newcastle. When his friend nearly died the previous year, he learned that sometimes when you gamble, you lose, and some things are more precious than money. With her father lying at death’s door and her brother facing a formidable adversary, Addie’s life is set on end. Robert, who is visiting the Atwood’s neighbors at Mansfield Park, feels compelled to offer his assistance in helping sort out the mess Addie’s brother has created. What should have been a simple scheme to rid the Atwoods of a problem, draws Robert in and places him in a precarious position that will require them to combine their talents if they hope to have a chance at success against their foe. However, Addie knows all too well that losses are part of the gamble. Many things are irreplaceable in life, but her heart would be the most precious thing of all to lose.
Addie: To Wager on Her Future is now available to preorder on Amazon. Advance Reader Copies will be going out this week to my mailing list after my Patreon subscribers get to read the last chapter and receive their copies of the book. I’ll also be working on getting the paperback finished and published (so that I can hopefully get both editions linked on one sales page before release day and maybe Amazon will have the page count corrected. Currently, it’s not correct.) I will also need to get the book added my blog. There are a lot of little things to do in the next week to prepare for when the book goes live on October 22, 2019.
Those little details will make this an exciting week as will the fact that Tom: To Secure His Future was accepted for a promotion (which goes out tomorrow to My Book Caves’ mailing list). Ahead of that mail out, I have marked the price to free from TODAY until 11:59 PDT on Wednesday, October 16, 2019. Make sure you grab your copy of this book if you don’t already have it. Robert Eldridge, the hero of Addie’s story, is the brother of the heroine in Tom’s story. So, you could read Tom’s story this week and immediately follow it with Addie’s next. 🙂
I think I have remembered everything that I needed to tell you all. Oh, except for this, for those of us in Canada:
Happy Thanksgiving!
Now, for an excerpt from Tom: To Secure His Legacy (which is free until Wednesday). This longish excerpt gives us a look at not only Tom and Faith but also Faith’s brother, Robert (who I mentioned above is the hero of Addie’s story).
“I have seen the error of my ways. However, I did not pay attention to my father’s instruction, and well, I am in need of assistance in learning how to secure my legacy, Miss Eldridge. I would be very grateful if you would help me.”
“I will need to consult my brother, of course.”
“Of course,” Tom replied just as the door opened and allowed the entrance of that brother.
“Close the door,” Miss Eldridge snapped at Robert.
“Your coffee,” Robert said, placing a cup before her and then turning to close the door. “I had not expected us to have company.” He smiled at Tom. “Not that the company is unpleasant. I am, in fact, most pleased to see you, Bertram. How is the leg?”
“It grows stronger. I think I shall be able to rid myself of this soon.” Tom lifted his cane.
“Hopefully,” Miss Eldridge muttered over her cup of coffee.
“What do you mean hopefully?” Tom asked.
Her eyes grew wide. “Did I say that aloud?”
“Yes, my dear sister, you did.”
Miss Eldridge sighed and put her cup of coffee on Mr. Clarke’s desk. “Some injuries never heal completely.”
“She is being practical,” Robert said with a roll of his eyes. “It is one of her most charming features.”
“Someone in this family ought to be practical.”
Tom wanted to chuckle at the look of disdain she leveled at her brother, who merely smiled, causing the look of disdain on his sister’s features to deepen. It seemed that these two only resembled each other in features but not temperaments. “Mr. Clarke has suggested I seek help with my finances from your sister.”
Robert chuckled and clapped Tom on the shoulder before taking a place leaning against the edge of a small cabinet. “She is good at it. However…”
Tom looked between glaring sister and taunting brother. “I should like to have her help me.”
“She is demanding,” Robert cautioned.
“I have already discovered that,” Tom replied with a grin. “I assure you that I have been thoroughly interrogated as to the sort of friend I am and my purpose in seeking help.”
Miss Eldridge gasped and touched each of her fingers on her right hand on the thumb of that hand as if counting as Robert laughed. She gave a further huff.
“I would not call a handful of questions a thorough interrogation.”
Her protest caused her brother to laugh harder.
“I cannot just trust my identity to anyone!” she cried in a louder voice. “It is bad enough that I, as a lady of means, am in this establishment, but to be here dressed as I am?” She stood and waved her hand down her person.
Bless Robert for having crossed the room before he infuriated his sister further so that she would have to turn toward him and away from Tom. Her back was as lovely as her front, especially since she was wearing breeches that fit exceptionally well. Not a curve was hidden by that article of clothing. The jacket, that bothersome mass of cloth, was not so obliging in revealing the feminine form beneath it.
“Yes, yes,” Robert said, calming some. “I know. You have already lectured me on that in the carriage.” He bent to look around his sister. “She is put out with me over my thoughtless extravagances. She does not believe that cockfights and horse races are good uses of funds.”
“Because they are not!” Miss Eldridge snapped.
“I was about to agree,” Robert retorted. “Why must you always think I am going to disagree with you?”
Miss Eldridge shrugged and unfortunately took a seat. “Because you usually do.” Her reply was soft, and to Tom, it seemed as if there was some pain in the admission.
“Only because you drive me to distraction,” Robert’s reply was soothing. Apparently, he also recognized that his sister was not merely angry. “And before you say it, I know I drive you to distraction as well.”
“You do.” Her lips curled upward in a small smile.
“But you love me anyway, just as I love you.” Robert winked at her.
“It might be too soon to remind me of my love for you.”
Robert laughed. “Very well. I shall refrain from saying anything similar until we are in the carriage?”
She shook her head.
“Home?” Robert adjusted.
She shrugged. “That depends on what Mr. Clarke’s reports look like.” She reached forward and drew a paper towards herself with a “May I?” for Mr. Clarke.
The man readily acceded.
“These are very good numbers,” she said after a quick perusal of the paper. “Do you have any investments in mind?” she asked Tom.
He shook his head. “I have been attempting to learn how this all works, and my friend Mr. Durward has suggested some ventures about which he knows.”
“Is he conservative?” Her question was asked eagerly as if she were truly interested.
“Excessively.”
“And trustworthy? Is he trustworthy?”
Tom smiled. There was no one as trustworthy as his friend Gabriel Durward. “He could not come with me today because he is at home recovering from injuries sustained while proving himself trustworthy to the lady whom he will soon call his wife.”
“He is marrying!” Mr. Clarke interjected.
Tom nodded. “He was accepted just this morning.”
“He will be wishing to make some changes to his investments, I would assume,” Mr. Clark scratched down a note. “One cannot afford to be too daring when he has a wife to consider.” He looked up at Miss Eldridge. “Not that Mr. Durward is daring. He is conservative, but he is aggressive. That might need to be tempered a wee mite.”
“He was injured?” Miss Eldridge questioned.
Tom nodded. “He nearly died.”
Her lovely blue eyes grew wide.
“It is a long story, but if you were to help me, I am certain we would have the time at some point for me to tell you the tale.”
Her eyes sparkled, and her lips pursed, surprising Tom. There was a bit of her teasing brother in her after all. “If I am to help you, I expect to be focused on our task, Mr. Bertram.”
“I would have it no other way, but mightn’t there be time to have a cup of tea between lectures?”
She smiled. “A cup of coffee or chocolate might be more tempting.” She lifted her cup to her lips.
“Whichever you wish.”
She closed her eyes as she savoured the sip of coffee she had just taken. Tom swallowed along with her. She was delectably tempting. It was no wonder Robert had never introduced her to any of his friends.
“Will you help me?”
Her eyes opened. “I suppose I shall.”
“We will call on you tomorrow,” Robert said.
Tom nodded his understanding of the raised brow which accompanied the statement. He would have to attempt to keep his admiration of Robert’s sister less obvious. However, he was not entirely certain it was possible.
~*~*~
Remember that Tom’s story is only free until 11:59 PM PST Wednesday, October 16, 2019. Clicking the image below will take you to your Kindle store. If you have already read and enjoyed Tom’s story, I’d love it if you would let others know by leaving a review.
Sorry I missed yesterday… my computer was in the shop and has to go back. I have it until the parts come in. It is held together with spit and gum and since I’m a bit red-neck, there might be some duck-tape there bouts, too… just saying. Oh, what beautiful music. I keep hitting replay. Sigh! I can’t wait to read how Walter and Grace resolve this. Oh, wait, today is Tuesday, I can read it now. See ya.
Sorry… missed saying Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends.
LOL I used to have a computer that had tape holding the screen together. 🙂 Sorry to hear your computer is needing repair, however.
Thanks, we had a lovely Thanksgiving at your house.