Tag: Music Monday

This is such a fun, rousing song that I thought it would be appropriate for the end of one book and the beginning of another since both of those feelings of accomplishment and possibilities, as well as the busyness of publishing, are exhilarating. Her Father’s Choice is complete, and I am working on getting it published. But, I have also started the next book, and below the video, I have included an excerpt from what might become part of the first chapter of that novella.

“All of Me (Jon Schmidt) – ThePianoGuys.” YouTube. Uploaded to YouTube, 3 Oct. 2011, ThePianoGuys.

Excerpt from No Other Choice by Leenie Brown

Lord Samuel Rycroft blinked and looked at his mother as if he was unable to understand what she had said. He took of his hat and placed it on the table in the entry way at Netherfield. “Pardon me?”

“I said we will depart for town when Miss Mary arrives.”  His mother made her way back into the sitting room and peered out the window.  “There is no need to fear.  She knows I am always early.”

“I am still not understanding why we must wait for Miss Mary.”

“Good morning, Georgiana,” said Lady Sophia.  “Did you have something to eat, my dear?”

“Yes, thank you.” Georgiana took a seat near the window so that she could see the drive.  “I cannot wait for Miss Mary to arrive. It will be ever so pleasant to have her company.””

“Company?” Lord Rycroft’s brows drew together.  “Surely, we must not wait for you to finish a visit before leaving.”

Georgiana laughed.  “A visit?  At this time of the morning?  I think not, cousin.  She is to travel with us.”

Lady Sophia sighed at her son’s still puzzled expression.  “She is coming to stay with me. Georgiana will soon be able to return to her brother, and I do not wish to be lonely.”  She smoothed her skirt over her legs.  With her eyes lowered as they were she could not see his expression, which was her intent, but she could see his toe start to tap as the silence in the room grew.  She looked up at him with a smile and then turned to look out the window.

“A project, Mother?”  It was not unlike his mother to take on a less fortunate lady and help her to find a husband.

“No, not a project, a friend.”   She turned back to look at him.  “I do like to have company of the female sort, and if they happen to be of the young marriageable age and in need of some assistance, it makes me feel useful. It has been all arranged.  Miss Mary will travel with us today and stay the week.  We will visit the shops and arrange for her orders. Then she will return home with her aunt and uncle for Christmas and will return in the new year to participate in the season.”

“A project.”  He ran his hands through his hair and shook his head.  “And I am supposed to pay for this project?”

Lady Sophia crossed her arms.  “Miss Mary is not a project.  She is a friend and a guest of mine.”

“Aunt,” said Georgiana softly.

Lord Rycroft sighed.  “And you shall require me to attend all of the functions you select?”

“Well,” said Lady Sophia ignoring Georgiana’s second soft call, “we shall need an escort, and you need to attend anyway if we ever expect to find you a wife.”

“We do not need to find me a wife.  I can do that on my own.”  He hated being reminded of his duty to the title and his need to marry.  He had been looking, but there were not any young ladies who interested him.  They were all so agreeable, so biddable, so boring.

“You have done a poor job of it thus far, my son.”  Lady Sophia cocked her head to the side and gave him a stern look.  “If you will remember, I gave you until this season to sort it out for yourself. Now, I will assist you.  The deadline has passed for you to continue on without my interference.”

“Fine.”  His eyes narrowed and his jaw clenched slightly.  “I shall trot about with you and your project, Miss Mary, but I shall make my own decision.”  He stiffened as he heard a gasp from the doorway behind him.

“Miss Mary,” Georgiana greeted Mary as excitedly as she could in an effort to counteract her cousin’s words.  “I have been anxiously awaiting your arrival.”

Mary smiled as she always did when her father or mother or younger sisters said something insulting.  It was not as if she was not well-prepared for handling such situations.

Her Father’s Choice is complete (for now) and off to a couple of readers to begin the polishing process, which means it is time to start considering the next story. The next one, tentatively titled No Other Choice is Mary’s quest to find a happily ever after.  She’s a good girl…prone to pontificate and lecture but good.  Hopefully, she will find what she is looking for without too much trouble along the way.  (I have a longish excerpt from the end of my current book below that begins to set up what might happen in the next book.)

“Good Girl- Carrie Underwood Lyrics.” YouTube. Video created for and uploaded to YouTube by Heartlandlover74395, 23 Feb. 2012.

From No Other Choice:

“Mrs. Bennet,” said Lady Sophia as she took Mrs. Bennet’s arm.  “This is a fine fete.  One of the best I have attended, and I am not given to meaningless flattery.” Together, the two ladies walked toward the far end of the room where the piano had been placed.  Georgiana and Mary were seated comfortably at it taking turns playing.  “My niece will no doubt be returning to her brother’s home as soon as he and Mrs. Darcy are settled, and I shall be quite alone.”

“But do you not have a son?” asked Mrs. Bennet.

“I do,” said Lady Sophia, “but he is often gone to our estate and when he is in town he has his friends and clubs.  He is not inattentive, mind you, but he is not the sort to sit about and stitch with his mother.”

“I would be surprised if any gentleman were the sort to do so,” said Mrs. Bennet in surprise.

“Precisely,” said Lady Sophia.  She watched Mary turn the pages for Georgiana.  It was a friendship she was glad to see and wished to nurture for the sake of both young ladies.  “I was wondering if I might be so bold as to ask that you allow me the company of one of your daughters. I have the means by which to sponsor a young lady for a season and Miss Mary is such a delight.”

“Mary?” Mrs.Bennet looked at Mary as if never having seen the girl before.  “Mary is a delight?”

“Indeed, I find her so, but I am not typical.” said Lady Sophia.

“You would like to give my Mary a season in town?”  The excitement was building in Mrs. Bennet’s voice.

“Yes, Mrs. Bennet, I would, and as a Countess and the mother of the Earl Rycroft, I can guarantee she would be given the greatest opportunities to meet and mingle with many eligible young gentlemen.”  She smiled and whispered.  ” You may find yourself with three married daughters before any of the others have even one; although, I cannot guarantee it will happen, I do think with a bit of specific training ─ which I can arrange ─ she will take quite well.  You may even find she has more than one offer.”

“Oh, my lady, you do us a great honor.  I would be delighted to allow Mary to stay with you for the season.” Mrs. Bennet’s fan fluttered with the excitement of it all.

“Very good,” said Lady Sophia.  “I am elated to know I shall have such excellent company.”

Mary had not meant to be listening, but being close to where her mother and Lady Sophia were talking, she had heard the majority of the conversation.  She was to go to town for the season?

“Oh, Mary,” whispered Georgiana,”I shall be so glad to have you near. Is it not exciting?”

Mary nodded, a sense of freedom welled within her.

“Of what are we conversing about in whispers, dear cousin,” said Lord Rycroft drawing a chair near them.

Mary lifted a brow in disapproval.  “It is not polite to ask about another’s private conversations.”

“I do apologize, Miss Mary, but you both looked so delighted, I found myself overcome by curiosity.”  It was not the first apology he had offered her, and he suspected it would not be last.  He had offended her, and true to what Darcy had said, a Bennet lady did not forgive an offense readily.  She had said she accepted the apology, but her manners still said otherwise.  “Would it be impolite of me to request that you play that last song once again? I rather enjoyed it.”

She gave him a wary look.  “Some might find it repetitive to listen to the same piece twice in a row.”  She took her music from the instrument.  “I shall play it, but not until after I have had a moment to walk about and partake of a glass of punch.”  She rose and dipped a quick curtsey. “If you will excuse me.”

“Did you offend her?” asked Georgiana turning toward her cousin.

“Why do you ask?” He said stretching his legs out in front of him.

“Because she was rather cross.”  Georgiana crossed her arms and scowled at him.

“I may have said something as a jest that she found offensive, but I have apologized.  She is just unwilling to forgive.”

“Hmph,” huffed Georgiana.  She spread her music out on the piano and began to play. “Since you have driven her away, you will need to pay attention so that you might turn the pages for me.”

While writing, I often have a YouTube Music to Write By playlist that will repeat over and over in the background through my headset. Sometimes, like this week, I search out new instrumental music to add to the list.  Today’s video has found its way onto my list.  I enjoy Brian Crain’s music, and this video…well, it has distracted me from writing with its prettiness, so, of course, I had to share it with you.  Enjoy!

“BRIAN CRAIN – Pastel Garden, Piano and Light.” YouTube. Video Created and uploaded by Andreea Petcu. March 2, 2013

So what was I writing this week while this song was playing? A couple of confrontations and this one important realization.

From Her Father’s Choice (my current work in rough progress 🙂 ):

Elizabeth settled into the seat and attempted to listen to the conversation around her, but her mind kept wandering back to the conversation with Miss Ivison and Miss Pearce. She had felt a need to defend herself, but it was not what truly inspired her to speak as she had. What was it about Mr. Darcy that made her feel a need to see that he was well and that his name was not harmed?

“Oh!” Her hand flew to her mouth and her eyes grew wide as understanding dawned on her.

“Are you well?” asked Lady Sophia.

Elizabeth smiled brightly. “I am well. I was merely woolgathering.” She now saw her dislike for those two women and Miss Bingley for what it was. Mr. Darcy had touched her heart, and she was jealous.

Mary looked at her doubtfully. “Are you certain you are well, Lizzy?”

Elizabeth nodded. “I am well. Very, very well.” And, she added to herself, quite possibly in love.