“Finding You – Piano, String Quartet, Brass and Choir – by Gareth J. Rubery (Available at ITunes).” YouTube. 31 Dec. 2015.
THE LINK BETWEEN MUSIC AND STORY:
This week, I spent much of my writing time working on editing. As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I am planning to publish my first two Thursday Three Hundred stories. I have enjoyed spending time with these stories again…adding details and refining sentences. As I was working, I, as is my habit, had instrumental music playing in the background. Much of this music was familiar as I have played it many times while writing, but some of the music was new. One of the new pieces by a composure, who is new to me, is the one above. I think this piece of music fits rather well with this story as it is sweet, but there is a bit of trouble that must be overcome…and the title of the song is perfect. Philip and Lucy have known each other for years, but it is through the events of this story that Philip, in particular, “finds” Lucy.
As you may notice, if you look in the Thursday’s Three Hundred category of the menu, this story and the accompanying story Hope at Dawn have been removed from the blog in preparation for publication. If you should wish to read the story while waiting for the book to be available, I will be posting it on DarcyandLizzy.com (registration is required).
Or if you sign up for my newsletter, you will receive a password that can be used to read an online Advance Reader Copy of this story.
EXCERPT FROM And Then Love:
The rain had only started to fall lightly as the parishioners began to file out of the small church in Kympton. The migration of people from pew to door was a slow one as each took a moment to comment on Mr. Dobney’s sermon and to congratulate him on his upcoming marriage.
Rather than joining the numbers that lined the aisle, Lucy remained seated near the front of the church but turned so that she might watch the man she would soon call husband. He smiled and laughed. He ruffled the hair of children and shook the hands of their fathers. He had always greeted people with such ease and welcome — as if he had always known them. She rested an elbow on the back of the pew and her head lightly on her hand as she watched him nodded and tap his lip with a finger before replying to Mr. Evans. She knew from the actions that he was giving some bit of advice, for he never did so without at least a moment’s thought. Even as children, he had been the one to which the others had looked to for guidance, and he had provided it without ever making one of them feel as if they were lacking in any way.
She smiled as he leaned his tall frame down to speak close to Mrs. Walcroft’s ear. Others might have raised their voice to talk to the woman, but he never did. Philip was cautious not to injure the dignity of others, no matter their age or frailties. It was something she had always admired about him; however, not all had found the trait admirable. In fact, there were those who at one time had thought it a weakness and had teased Philip relentlessly.
It was not the only thing about which Philip had been teased. He had been gangly as a young man. His arms and legs seemed to grow rapidly, much more rapidly than his ability to use them with grace and dignity. He had also been rather skinny until he had gone away to college. However, during those years, his body had finally righted itself. He had not added another inch to his height, and he was no longer skinny. She ducked her head as she felt a bit of colour creeping into cheeks when she realized just how fine he now appeared to her. He was still taller than most, but his clothes no longer hung on him. She turned her mind away from admiring how his jacket now stretched across his back and wrapped snuggly around arms that were well-muscled and strong.
Lucy rested a gloved finger on her lips. She had chosen him for his admirable character, but since that kiss two days ago… She swallowed and rose from her seat. This was not the place to be contemplating fine figures or kisses. However, she could not resist taking one more look at Philip before she ducked out the side door. She pulled her wrap about her and dashed to stand under a well-leaved tree. She leaned against the tree and closed her eyes, filling her lungs with air that was washed clean by the falling rain. Expelling it, she opened her eyes and searched for things to occupy her thoughts other than Philip and that kiss. She was certain it was quite improper for her to have enjoyed it so. Indeed, in the moments when she was not applying herself to one task or another, it often crept into her mind. She gave herself a little shake and began watching the horses and carriages travelling along the road and the people who hurried along on foot. Despite the inclement weather, the church had been full. Even Philip’s patron had been in attendance today, but knowing what day it was, she had expected him to be there. He never missed his mother’s birthday. He had returned from town just yesterday, she had heard a couple of ladies behind her say.
Her eyes wandered across the churchyard. Ah, there he was, kneeling on the damp ground, brushing away whatever traces of dirt might have accumulated on his mother’s name. She understood his need to be there. Once a year, she, too, would visit her mother’s grave, flowers in hand, words of love and thankfulness on her lips. She sighed. She would be making that journey twice a year now.
“Lucy,” said Philip as he approached, “why are you standing out here in the rain? You will catch a chill.”
Lucy glanced at Philip and gave him a small smile. “I felt a need for some air, and I knew you would not be long. Is Mr. Harker ready?”
Philip smiled and shook his head. “But, he will be soon. He only had two more people with whom he wished to speak.”
“So, a quarter hour?” Lucy asked with a laugh. Mr. Harker was not known for the brevity of his conversations.
“If we are so fortunate,” said Philip. He offered her his arm and nodded toward the churchyard. “Do you wish to visit your father?”
She smiled up at him and nodded as she wound her arm through his, stepping in close so that the umbrella might shield them both from the majority of the rain that was now steadily falling.
A picture of strolling just like this after every service formed unbidden in his mind and a sense of peace and comfort washed over him. He shook his head. His reaction to her continued to amaze him. He had definitely felt a certain amount of friendship with her for many years. Her loyalty, as well as her honesty, had always impressed him. It was something he had treasured about his friendship with her. In fact, he had treasured it so much that she, though she did not know it, had been one of the few people he had ever asked for advice. Then, when she had proposed the idea of marriage, he had felt a certain amount of duty to her ─ a responsibility to see her safe and well-cared-for ─ much as he had when they were young and his mother had assigned him to look out for Mary Ellen and Lucy. But then, he had kissed her, and that had set off a full range of new and wholly unexpected emotions. And now, with her here walking next to him…
“Is something troubling you?” They stood before her father’s grave but instead of leaving his arm and attending to whatever bit of information she wished to speak to her father, she stood, holding his arm firmly and looking up at him in concern. “You look rather pensive and perhaps a bit puzzled.”
“I was just thinking about our future,” he said looking down at her.
“And it makes you draw your brows together and frown?”
He laughed lightly. “I do that when I am thinking especially hard. It does not mean the topic of consideration is unpleasant.”
