Austen-Inspired – Page 15

Vauxhall on a Gala Night (Richard Phillips c.1804)

Image extracted from page 503 of *Modern London; being the history and present state of the British Metropolis. Illustrated with numerous copper plates*, by Richard Phillips. Picture dated as published June 11, 1804. Original held and digitised by the British Library. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Elizabeth placed her hand on Darcy’s arm and allowed him to escort her from their supper box and toward one of the numerous paths in Vauxhall Gardens. The vast number of people that filled the supper boxes and paths was astonishing, and then when the torches were lit, and the orchestra was playing while waiters scurried back and forth making certain that all in attendance were happy, it was nearly overwhelming. She had heard stories of this place, but until now, she had never truly imagined its grandeur.

Darcy drew Elizabeth closer to his side as they strolled. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Immensely.”

[from Unravelling Mr. Darcy]

The ebook edition of Unravelling Mr. Darcy is on sale everywhere for 99¢ USD, CAD, EUR, GBP, NZD, AUD, with all other currencies also reduced, until March 31, 2021.

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Heartland (Celtic Thunder)

Because St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in March, I thought that this month would be a good month to feature some Celtic music on Mondays.

I’m pairing today’s song with a story where the father of the hero surely would have cried out to be saved from the waters of the Irish Sea. Unfortunately, he was not. (That’s a sad note to start the month on isn’t it? Sorry. The song, however, is much more upbeat than this quote. So, there’s that. 🙂 )

At All Costs is book four and the conclusion of my Willow Hall series. The hero of this story, who lost his father at sea, is perhaps my most-favorite Bingley. Bingley is not the only gentleman who finds his happily ever after in this book. The colonel is also so fortunate. Bingley and Richard work together on a few things in this book.

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Good Manners Book Ad (c.1890)

This is a black and white clip art version of the image in the ad below. The ad is said to have been from 1890. I found both images on olddesignshop.com.

Rycroft drew in a deep breath and released it as Georgiana took his arm. She looked up at him with a brow raised and a scolding look. “Do not,” he said.

“Do not what?” She fluttered her lashes and smiled sweetly.

“You know very well, but since I must clarify, do not chide me. I know I have insulted her once again and must apologize, although I doubt she will forgive me.”

Georgiana hugged his arm tightly. “She will if you are sincere. Miss Mary is quite agreeable and sweet.”

[from No Other Choice]

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The Surprise (A Collection of Valentines Ancient and Modern, c. 1876)

From the book *The Quiver of Love: A Collection of Valentines Ancient and Modern*, a collection of love poems published in 1876, illustrated by Walter Crane and Kate Greenaway (source)
. The illustration was created for “The Surprise”, a translation of a German poem by Heinrich Heine (source: Google Play eBook edition page 44, 45)
. It reads:

THE SURPRISE
I dreamt I saw you yesternight,
And claspt my hands about your eyes,
Nor dared to venture in your sight
Until you pardoned the surprise.
So take my letter, Valentine,
My name and mission quickly guess —
I fear to offer word or sign;
I wait until you whisper “Yes.”

(Public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

“You knew she was behind me?” There was a bit of venom in Darcy’s whisper.

Fisticuff might not happen in the garden, but Bingley was not certain he was going to survive this bit of trickery without some damage to his person.

[from Mr. Bingley Plans a Ball]

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From This Moment On (Shania Twain)

Let’s begin our week with a love song and story pairing, shall we? The moment in the story I’m pairing with this song has been a long time in coming. Both Darcy and Elizabeth wanted this moment to happen five years earlier than it did, but in this variation of their story, it did not happen that way.

The snippet below is from the proposal that happens in chapter one. Yes, you read that correctly. They are going to start this story out with a proposal and then work their way through the reason they had to wait five years for this moment.

Finally Mrs. Darcy is the first book in my Dash of Darcy and Companions Collection and is a stand-alone short and sweet novella.

It is currently free in ebook format at all retailers.

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