Music Monday: Jane Austen Couples, You and Me (Lifehouse)

Elizabeth laid a hand on her heart and reminded herself to breathe.  He had not been critiquing and criticizing her every movement?  “Miss Bingley holds no place in your heart?”

He chuckled.   “Only as the sister of a friend because she must.  I find her trying, at best.”

Elizabeth tilted her head.  Her brows were still furrowed.  Was there anything she had accurately deciphered about Mr. Darcy?

“There is only you,” he added, stepping just a half step closer to her.

She shook her head.  “I do not know you.”  She gave a half shrug. “I thought I did, but I do not.”

“What do you wish to know?” He clasped his hands behind his back to keep from touching her.

[from Discovering Mr. Darcy]

Published to YouTube by tori2103 on September 14, 2007.

Today, we have two excerpts that go with the song choice. The first, which is at the beginning of this post) is from a place in the story where the hero (Darcy) is finally getting an opportunity (given to him by his scheming aunt and cousin and a locked door) to explain himself to the heroine (Elizabeth). The second, which is at the end of this post) is from a place in the story when both the hero (Gabe) and the heroine (Mary Crawford) are starting to realize that there is only “You and Me” — she’s the only one for him, and he’s the one gentleman who Mary might actually be able to trust with her heart.

Before we get to that excerpt, however, let me tell you what I have been up to in my writing time this past week:

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I have begun getting my three Nature’s Fury and Delights short stories (novelettes) ready for publication as it just dawned on me one day that we are almost halfway through November and if I want these out before Christmas, I had better get a move on! 🙂 Time can sometimes slip away from me. 😀 I still have to make some decisions about how to publish and how to brand the covers and such, but the editing is about a third of the way completed.

We only have three posts of Delighting Mrs. Bennet left, and my brain is beginning to work on the story that will follow. I am also beginning to get posts ready for December as I’m taking a little break from the Marrying Elizabeth series and starting that again in January. I am also considering making some changes on the blog — but Thursday stories won’t go away. Wednesday and Monday things might or they might change. I really don’t know at this moment, but I thought I would give you an advance heads up on that. (It’s that time of year when you look back at what has happened and plan for the future. 🙂 )

And finally…drumroll please…I finished the first draft of Mary: To Protect Her Heart. I know there are a few things I need to go back and add in in the last portion of the book, but the story arc is done. It will just creep into novel territory as listed by Romance Writers of America, which is over 40,000 words. I do not have a publication date right now as I am behind on getting the book ready. I am expecting that instead of the end of this month it will be the beginning of next — which means there will be lots of Christmas time Leenie stories to read with this novel and three novelettes, right? 🙂 Sweet things are on their way!

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Now, on to…

AN EXCERPT FROM Mary: To Protect Her Heart: 

“What is in those casks?” Mary asked.

Some men were rolling a large barrel down the center of the warehouse.

“Rum,” Gabe replied. “And that cart has spices. They are stored on the second floor. That hoist will see them to their place. And that crate is being lowered to a waiting wagon for some merchant. It is likely filled with a variety of items.”

“It is all the world in one building.”

“Very nearly.” Gabe could not help but smile at her wonder at all she was seeing. “Do you prefer the boats or the warehouse?” He turned toward his desk.

“I cannot say,” Mary replied. “They are both of great interest. However, if I had to choose one…”

She had turned to look at him and was leaning against the window frame. Her lips pursed as she thought. He had never looked out toward the warehouse from his desk and seen such a lovely sight as she made.

“I would choose the warehouse.”

“What reasons do you have for your choice?”

She smiled. “That desk suits you.”

“How so?”

She shrugged and crossed to stand in front of him with the well-suited desk between them. Her finger ran lightly over the surface, causing Gabe to swallow as he watched it. It was such a light, cravable touch.

“It is a trifle imposing, unlikely to be carted off by less than three strong men, and I dare say you could place one of those large casks on the top of it and the floor would give way before this desk crumbled.” She looked up at him and smiled. “In other words, it seems rather trustworthy and honorable, much like the man standing behind it.”

Gabe stood for a full minute with not a thing to say. He could not think of the last time he had been rendered speechless by anyone. He may not have been able to speak, but his mouth had no trouble smiling in what felt like a foolish fashion. It was not as if he had never been praised before. He had. Many times. Some of those times had even been by a lady. However, there was something about hearing her, a lady who had very little reason to trust any man, calling him trustworthy and honorable that superseded any other moment of praise.

“I am flattered,” he managed to say at last.

Her smile grew. “I like that about you.”

“What precisely do you like?” She was causing his ability to reason to falter.

“You answer me honestly. Many men would have replied to such a description with some witty rejoinder or told me that a desk would most certainly not hold strong when a floor, which is built as solidly as this one is, would collapse. You have not once today spoken to me as a silly female.”

“Because you are not.” He was beginning to wish the sturdy desk would drop through the floor instead of standing between him and her — and it could take her sister with it. He would like nothing better than to be alone with her in this room right now.

“I would pick this warehouse because it is here and always will be,” she said returning to the original topic of discussion. “It will not shift and float away on a current.” She drew and released a breath. “And while it does have its rats and dust and aromas, it is tidy and well-organized. I like that.” Her eyes sparkled. “And it does not creak like a boat does as it bobs up and down beside the quay.”

He wondered if she was only speaking of his warehouse or if she were once again speaking of what she found appealing in a man. He could well imagine she would prefer a gentleman to be steady and unchanging. The admiral has been more like the ships he commanded – always prowling, looking for his next conquest.

~*~*~

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