Her Heart’s Choice – Leenie Brown

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

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!

Tonnelle de Rosier (Anna De Weert)

Tonnelle de Rosier by Anna De Weert. 1920.
Attribution: Cafedelyon, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Anne gasped, and her lips trembled as tears sprang to her eyes at the sight of him.

Lady Sophia stood and after a quick word of greeting and a whispered comment to Alex, left the two alone. Alex took the place on the bench which had just been vacated by Anne’s aunt.

“You came,” Anne whispered.

from Her Heart’s Choice

MAILING LIST PATREON

Riding Stables of Royal Pavilion, 1826

There is no Thursday’s 300 chapter tomorrow, so today’s visual inspiration goes along with Her Heart’s Choice, Choices (book 4). The hero, Madoch, is keeping a secret from the heroine, Anne, and this is from the scene where she discovers that secret.

“In case you were wondering, I will not marry a man with a mistress, nor will I become one.”

Blackmoore laughed. “I would not attempt to suggest such. I felt the way Madoch protected you the last time we met, and I have endured his glares all evening.” He shook his head as he continued to chuckle. “No, no, he is not someone with whom I wish to tangle. I fear I would not win.”

The comment surprised Anne. “I beg your pardon, but I do not understand your meaning. What exactly makes a man who cares for horses someone who must be feared?” Alex was not a small or retiring man, but he was not a brute either. How he could inspire such a reaction in a gentleman who was his superior in rank was beyond her comprehension.

Blackmoore laughed once again. “His connections, my dear, his connections. It is not that he cares for horses but for whose horses he cares.”

Find the Choices Series at your favourite retailer.

Music Monday: This I Promise You (Ronan Keating)

Published to YouTube by ronankeatingofficial

Today’s song choice is being paired with an excerpt from Her Heart’s Choice where Anne finally realizes what Alex has been promising her all along, and she can see her forever right there in front of her. However, will it be a realization which is just a little too late?

Her Heart’s Choice, Chapter 9 Excerpt

Mary stood between Rycroft and Kitty, waiting to welcome her new cousin and friend. “I am so happy to see you, Anne. I have wished for a visit from you, but Lady Sophia tells me you have been very busy with interviews.”

“I have,” Anne leaned close to Mary, “but it has not been enjoyable. They are all rather dull. I would much rather spend time with you and your sisters.”

Mary smiled and pulled Anne into an embrace. “Tomorrow, you must join us at the museum.”

“I would like that.” Anne felt a sigh of relief pass through her that she would not be subjected to yet another round of dull interviews.

Kitty took Anne’s hand. “You have not yet met our sister Lydia. I can assure you that our visit will be anything but dull with her along.”

Mary chuckled. “She has improved in the last month, but she is still Lydia.” A rather loud giggle was heard from the drawing room. “That is she. Lydia is rarely quiet. Come.” She wrapped her arm around Anne’s, ignoring the look of displeasure from her husband at being displaced by his cousin. “I will introduce you. Everyone else is here, so we are just beginning with some wine in the drawing room while we wait for our meal to be ready.”

“Georgiana was allowed to come,” said Kitty, “since we did not wish the men to outnumber the ladies.”

“Samuel invited some friends.” There was a hint of concern in Mary’s voice. “There was one he did not wish to invite, but things have changed, and it really could not be helped.”

Anne stopped walking. They were just outside the door to the drawing room, and she could clearly hear Alex’s voice. “And who might these guests be?” she asked, turning toward Rycroft.

Wordless Wednesday: Drawing Room, St James’s

By Thomas Rowlandson (1756–1827) and Augustus Charles Pugin (1762–1832) (after) John Bluck (fl. 1791–1819), Joseph Constantine Stadler (fl. 1780–1812), Thomas Sutherland (1785–1838), J. Hill, and Harraden (aquatint engravers)[1] [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

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Which character in one of my books has ties to St. James’s? Anne is about to find out. [The book title is listed below the excerpt.]

Anne snorted again. “Have you dismissed your mistress?”

He (Blackmoore) gave one sharp nod. “For now, at least. Whether it stays that way or not has yet to be seen.”

Anne shook her head and rolled her eyes. At least, he would not be her problem. “How considerate of you,” she said dryly.

He shrugged. “I did say that I might not be reformed.”

“In case you were wondering, I will not marry a man with a mistress, nor will I become one.”

Blackmoore laughed once again. “His connections, my dear, his connections. It is not that he cares for horses but for whose horses he cares.”

[from Her Heart’s Choice]

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