The Terrace, Brockenhurst House, George Samuel Elgood / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
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Georgiana looked first to her right and then her left. They could take one of the diverging paths, continue on as they had been, or return to the house. She dropped Mr. Langley’s arm and turned to look behind her. Retreating would be the most comfortable course for she was familiar with it. It did not hold any uncertainty, but it was surrounded by the ghosts of the past. Those secrets begged her to return to their embrace.
“I can trust you, can I not?” she asked after stooping to pick a flower and turning back toward him.
[from Protecting Miss Darcy, Marrying Elizabeth book 6]
PUBLISHED TO YOUTUBE BY RONANKEATINGOFFICIAL ON FEB 26, 2020.
It is the chorus of this song that made me think of the story from which I am sharing today. This story is a short novella that starts with an accepted offer of marriage that has been years waiting to be given. The reason for those five long years of separation for our dear couple…well, read the first chapter and you’ll find out. 😉
Elizabeth took in the splendor of the ballroom. It was far grander than she had ever experienced. The walls were decorated with portraits and landscapes, one standing alongside the next with others over and below them. Four large chandeliers twinkled, their brilliance reflected in several mirrors that hung amongst the paintings. Down the length of the room to her left, doors opened into the house, while on her right were grand doors framed by pillars and heavy drapes leading into the garden. At the far end of the room, a small group of musicians was pausing between dances, and on the floor, only a few chalk flowers remained distinguishable. She no longer felt overdressed, though, she did still feel strange wearing colour after so long in mourning clothes.
“Come, my dear.” Her uncle, Gareth Amberly, took her elbow. “There are people to meet.”
Elizabeth put a smile on her face and nodded. At one time, she had enjoyed meeting people. It had been amusing to watch their interactions and make judgments about their character, but that was before she had discovered how very little she knew about judging character.
They had stopped about halfway down the length of the left side of the ballroom. Her uncle lifted onto his toes, stretching his neck this way and that as if searching for someone in particular. Inwardly, Elizabeth sighed and turned to admire a painting of a young woman with a small child on her lap and another standing just behind her shoulder.
Uncle Gareth had been eagerly talking about this ball for a fortnight. He was worse than Lydia for excitement and equaled her mother for chatter about this or that gentleman. She tilted her head and wistfully examined the face of the young child. No matter how she might long for a family of her own, Uncle Gareth was far more eager to see her remarried than she was.
Although her time in town had helped her spirits to lift enough to allow a small glimmer of hope that happiness might be possible, she truly had no desire to marry again…unless… She shook her head. That was hopeless. She had had her chance and squandered it. She was certain that Mr. Darcy had married long ago and to someone more acceptable than she.
PUBLISHED TO YOUTUBE ON JULY 18, 2012 BY THE PIANO GUYS.
Isn’t this video fun to watch? I love how they use so many different parts of the piano. I’m pairing it with a chapter from No Other Choice (Choices, book 2). In this chapter, Georgiana helps Mary see herself through eyes other than her own.
Reminder: The Choices Series compilation ebook is currently on sale for $2.99 USD at all vendors and with all currencies reduced. The price will go back up to full price on Sunday, March 15, 2020. Because that is just a great price, all the links in this post will take you to the bundle.
Knowing that Lord Rycroft had mentioned the previous evening that he would be riding in the morning, Mary entered the breakfast room the next morning without worrying about whether he would be there or not. She had managed a full day without once giving in to her desire to lecture, and he had seemed rather contrite in all his actions toward her after he left the music room. It was as if he was trying to prove to her that he was not the oaf he continually claimed to be. It was quite unsettling to have him behaving so well. It made it difficult for her to maintain her resolve to avoid him, for he was pleasant company. Relieved that the breakfast room was indeed all hers, she filled her cup with tea and began to toast her bread.
“Ah, good,” said Rycroft as he entered the room. “Is Georgiana awake?”
“Are you not riding?” Mary turned her bread trying to focus on it rather than the man who was disturbing her quiet breakfast.
“I have, and I will.” He took a piece of bread and placed it on a toasting fork before joining her at the hearth. “You said you did not ride well. We should remedy that.”
“Today?” Mary’s eyes grew wide in surprise, and she nearly forgot to turn her bread again.
He nodded. “Did you have other plans?”
“We are going to the museum to draw this afternoon, but I had no plans other than to practice or read this morning.” And she had planned on avoiding him again today.
The Betrothed, Charles-Louis Muller (1815–1892) [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons
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“You look lovely,” Georgiana said upon entering Kitty’s room at Darcy House. “Is this the dress you wore the first day you went driving with Mr. Langley?”
“It is. Do you think it is foolish for me to wish to wear it? I had thought it might be better to begin again in a completely new dress, but he said he remembered this one when he helped me get my ribbon back from Oliver that day.” She straightened a sleeve that did not need straightening. Her stomach was all aflutter, and her heart would not remain calm. Today, she would promise herself to a gentleman whom she loved – if he was still willing to wait for her. She turned to examine her hair in the mirror. “He said he likes green and that it was a becoming colour on me.”
Georgiana grasped Kitty’s shoulders from behind and rested her head on one of them so that she was looking into the mirror with and at Kitty. “It is not foolish,” she said with a small laugh. “I cannot believe that my friend will soon be betrothed.”
Photo taken by Leenie Brown at Prescott House Museum, Summer 2016.
Prescott House, located in Starrs Point, Nova Scotia, was built by Charles Prescott as the centerpiece to his estate, Acacia Grove, between the years 1811 and 1816. After falling into disrepair, the house was purchased by a great-granddaughter of Charles Prescott and restored in the 1930s. The interior is furnished to reflect the 19th century. This tea tray was part of a lovely display in one of the rooms. I love the pink dishes and the (fake) fruit tarts. (Isn’t it just so cheery looking?) The fruit is representative of just some of the sweet produce grown at Acacia Grove. Prescott is known for his contributions to Nova Scotia’s apple industry, and (fun fact) that is why the hero of my story “Apple Blossoms” (found in First Blooms and Second Chances) is named as he is. But that has nothing to do with our story for tomorrow. Tomorrow, in chapter 12 of Marrying Elizabeth book 5, as you can see in the excerpt below, there is an invitation to take tea with the Darcys, and that is why I decided to share this photo today.
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…Sobering, but only slightly, Richard took a sip of his coffee. “My message for you, Lori, is, and once, again, I am quoting my brother for he insisted I deliver it word for word as he said it, ‘Everyone has returned to town, and Miss Kitty seems most anxious to see you. Call on her directly, and then come to dinner in Brook Street to inform me of your happy news. Bring Young Alfred.’
And my cousin Georgiana would like for me to make certain that you know that she, her brother, and Elizabeth would be delighted if Mr. Alfred Langley would join them for tea while you are driving with Kitty.”
“And this could not be sent to me by way of a note?”
Richard shook his head. “I am to carry your reply to Georgie – so she can be prepared for tea, and to Lady Westonbury – so dinner can be planned appropriately.”
“That could be accomplished through a note.”
Richard smirked. “According to Westonbury, the mail service is so very unreliable these days…”
[from Marrying Elizabeth book 5]
I wonder why Georgiana wants Alfred to visit? Any ideas? Guess we will find out in a chapter or two from now. 🙂
