Man Leading a Horse in Front of a Stable (John West Giles)

Man Leading a Horse in Front of a Stable. John West Giles, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

This picture seemed perfect to match with Her Heart’s Choice (book 4 in my Choices series). You see, the hero of that story, Alex, works with horses because they are his passion. He’s quite good at his job, and the stables which he oversees are some very, very fine stables.

He is also quite stubborn, which will serve him well since he insists on persuading Anne deBourgh to accept his offer of marriage this time around. (She refused it six years before this book starts.)

Anne, in this book, is her mother’s daughter (aka, determined to have her own way), somewhat immature due to her lack of socialization outside of Rosings Park, fearful of a marriage of unequal status (for her own very real reasons), and even somewhat petulant at times.

I fear she may be one of those characters “which no one but myself will much like” (as Austen says of Emma 😉 ). And I know that to be somewhat true as a few Booksprout reviewers withdrew from reviewing the book because they didn’t much like her.

For me, I knew her secrets. I knew why she was acting as she was. I hope that comes through in the story, but Anne is not going to reveal all very quickly. She hints at it though, and eventually, Alex picks up on it, but will it be in time to see his campaign to win the lady he loves succeed?

Below, is Chapter 5 which introduces Alex to Anne’s aunt, who is one of the guardians put in place to approve or disapprove of any gentleman who wishes to present an offer of marriage to Anne. (You’ll have to read book 3 in the series to understand why that is.)

Enjoy!

Continue reading Man Leading a Horse in Front of a Stable (John West Giles)

Le Bon Genre, 1817, No. 28 Atelier de Modistes

Le Bon Genre, 1817, No. 28 Atelier de Modistes. Rijksmuseum, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you have read No Other Choice (book 2 in the Choices series) you know that Colonel Fitzwilliam met Miss Kitty Bennet outside a milliner’s shop in Meryton. You’d also know that Kitty draws dress designs and occasionally sells them to Mrs. Havelston, who is a friend of Aunt Gardiner and a sought-after dressmaker.

That fact plays heavily into book 3, His Inconvenient Choice, and today, I’m plucking chapter 7 out of the book and sharing it here because it takes place outside of Mrs. Havelston’s shop and because it does a fine job (IMO lol) of both showing the desperate place the colonel is in and sharing the tone of the story.

For the curious (like me): There are twenty-three chapters in this book, so this is about a third of the way into the story.

Enjoy!

Continue reading Le Bon Genre, 1817, No. 28 Atelier de Modistes

Evening Dress, 1815 (Rudolph Ackermann)

Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Just before the excerpt from No Other Choice that I am sharing below, Mary was struggling to pick out the patterns she needed to have selected by her appointment time with Mrs. Havelston the following day. Lord Rycroft, Darcy’s cousin, took it upon himself to help her make her selections. Perhaps this gown in similar to one he selected. He did say that green would suit her.

So why didn’t I pair this image with the part right before it? Because I think this one, which does mention the book of patterns and is the first part of chapter four, shows how Lord Rycroft’s opinion of Miss Mary is shifting to something less like a friend and more towards a lady he loves. Not that he is aware of that just yet, and not that she has even stopped to consider him as an option. Perhaps if he could keep from insulting her, it might help?

Enjoy.

Continue reading Evening Dress, 1815 (Rudolph Ackermann)

Old Books (Catherine M. Wood)

Old Books by Catherine M. Wood (1857-1939), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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This painting has just so many interesting details! One could study it for quite some time… or at least, I could. 🙂 While I’m nearly certain there wouldn’t be any cluttered tables like this in the Netherfield library or any of those in houses owned by Mr. Darcy, I could see something like this in Mr. Bennet’s study – an assortment of all the interesting things he is studying – moving from one to another and back again. There’s also what appears to be a will in this painting, and I thought that was fitting for the book I’m highlighting in this post today.

At the beginning of Her Father’s Choice, Elizabeth and Darcy are very conveniently found together and alone in the library at Netherfield during Bingley’s ball by someone who is sure to spread what she has discovered to anyone who will listen and at a volume that will make it difficult for anyone not to hear her. There is no option for Darcy and Elizabeth but to marry. It is not an idea that is disagreeable to Darcy, but to Elizabeth, it’s quite disagreeable.

Despite her tears, she agrees that it must be done, and so our couples path to happily ever after together begins. Below is a look at what transpires between Darcy and Bingley in the library after Elizabeth has agreed to marry Darcy.

Enjoy!

Darcy paced the library as he waited for Bingley. He mulled Elizabeth’s words over in his mind. Not at all proud and exceedingly kind. She had seemed surprised to find him so.

“Am I proud?” he blurted as Bingley entered the room.

“Not improperly so.” Bingley removed his jacket and unbuttoned his waistcoat before lowering himself into a chair with a sigh. “Of course, people have to get to know you before they realize it.”

“What do you mean?” Darcy stopped in front of Bingley’s chair and looked down at him.

“Your serious expression and reserve can be misunderstood as being aloof and disdainful.”

Darcy pondered that for a moment. He could see how that could be. Not that being able to agree with a negative description of oneself made the description any more enjoyable to hear.

“Did you think I did not approve of Miss Elizabeth?”

Bingley laughed. “You did tell me she was not handsome enough to tempt you, a fact that, Miss Bennet assures me, her sister knows.”

“I may have been wrong about her.”

Bingley laughed again. “Well, I should hope so. One does not wish to find himself married to a lady who is merely tolerable and not tempting.”

“No,” said Darcy, shaking his head. “Miss Bennet. She quite possibly likes you.” He sat in a chair and leaned his head back looking up at the ceiling. “I was wrong about Miss Elizabeth as well. She is quite handsome.” He scrubbed his face. “However, she finds me proud and was surprised that I could be kind.”

“That does not bode well for a marriage,” said Bingley, studying his friend. It was rare to see Darcy so distraught. “So, there was no secret assignation as implied?”

Darcy groaned. “No. I read a book, and Miss Elizabeth read a book. I sat here, and she was across the room. There was nothing worthy of scandal that happened in here tonight.”

“But her aunt saw you together.”

“I was just leaving the room when Mrs. Philips came in in search of Miss Elizabeth. She pushed past me into the room and saw Miss Elizabeth putting on her slippers and smoothing her skirt…as any lady would do after sitting for an extended period of time.” He sighed. “Before I could stop her, she was off calling for Mr. Bennet, as I am sure you and all your guests heard.” He rested an arm across his eyes. “A brief discussion followed between myself and Mr. Bennet and then between Mr. Bennet and Miss Elizabeth.” He drew a deep breath. “She wept at the thought of marrying me, Bingley. She wept.”

Bingley could feel the pain in his friend’s voice. “Do you love her?”

“I did not realize it until this evening, but yes, I believe I do love her.”

“Then show her the man who is my friend. If you displayed him more often, I would not be able to claim so many angels, for they would be tripping over their slippers to be with you.”

Darcy laughed lightly. Bingley always knew how best to distill a complex situation down to something dashed simple. “Are you saying you find me irresistible, Bingley?”

Bingley laughed loudly. “No! No! I am merely suggesting you could be irresistible to women if you would show your true self to them.” He continued laughing. “Of course, you really only need one lady to find you irresistible.”

“Yes, one lady who must marry me, but presently, I fear, does not even like me very much.”

Bingley rose. “You need sleep; though, I doubt you will get much.”

Darcy stood with him. “I believe you are right.” He followed Bingley to the door. “I am to meet tomorrow afternoon with Mr. Bennet to discuss particulars of the marriage agreement. I have asked Miss Elizabeth to take a walk with me, and she has consented. I told her I would bring you with me so that you could keep Miss Bennet company.”

Bingley turned to look at Darcy. “You agree Miss Bennet likes me?”

“I believe you could be right, but my opinion on matters feminine seems to be sadly lacking, so I would put more confidence in your own feelings than in mine.”

“But you believe it is possible?”

“Yes, Bingley, I do.”

“So,” Bingley said as they entered the hall, “I was right, and you, the great counselor and guide, were wrong?”

“Bingley,” Darcy growled, “have a care. I have had a rather trying night.”

“Not as trying as mine is about to be,” Bingley said as he saw his sister Caroline approaching.

“Good night. You will understand if I leave you now,” Darcy said as he nodded to Caroline and took the stairs to his room two at a time before either Bingley could say anything to him.

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View of Bartlett’s Buildings in Holborn by Thomas Hosmer Shepherd

Thomas Hosmer Shepherd, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Well, here’s a rare occurrence these days — a Wednesday post! As I was getting chapter 3 ready to share, this picture popped into my head. I had seen it way back when I was researching things for His Inconvenient Choice, and I simply could not post tomorrow’s chapter without sharing this image with you. Here’s a little snippet from that chapter to go with the image:

The next morning, after a less than restful night of sleep, Richard stood in front of number eight Bartlett’s Buildings and checked the slip of paper in his hand once again to make sure he had arrived where he was supposed to be. It was a tidy little lane of houses, well-cared for, and quite respectable looking. It seemed as if it would be a perfectly acceptable place to live.

He raised his hand, rapped on the door, and waited. There was a shuffling inside, and then a friendly looking man with a quick smile and spectacles perched on his end of his nose opened the door.

[from His Inconvenient Choice]