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.
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. 🙂
Clicking this image will take you to the Historical Romance 40% off page where my book is listed. Use the code FEBSALE at check out for the discount.
Kobo has included Persuading Miss Mary in its February 40% off sale! So from now until Monday is a fantastic time to pick this book up if you are a Kobo reader. You must use the code FEBSALE at checkout to take advantage of the special pricing.
About the book:
Reginald Arthur Fitzwilliam, Viscount Westonbury, has never met a lady like Mary Bennet. Most debutants would be happy to have his attention, and who could blame them? He’s titled, wealthy, charming, and handsome — everything one could want for in a husband unless you’re Mary Bennet.
From their first meeting when she scolded him for his behaviour and made it perfectly clear that she did not care one jot for his title or fortune, Wes has known that Mary is no standard-order, ton-approved debutant. She is something far better. She is a lady who sees him for himself and not his accouterments.
However, there are two things that Mary Bennet absolutely despises — a flagrant disregard for the rules of propriety and disrespect, and Lord Westonbury, who has treated her sisters ill, embodies both. She would rather he ignored her, but sadly he seems bent on provoking her at every turn. It is, therefore, with trepidation that her father allows her to accompany her sister to town.
When Wes discovers that his mother is hosting Mary and her sister at Matlock House, he sets about the task of persuading Mary that he is not so bad as she thinks, for he would dearly love to court her. However, he will soon discover that even his charm is not going to be enough to sway her. She demands more than pretty words, which will require him to take a serious look at his life of pleasure and weigh it against those demands and his growing love for her. But can he make the necessary changes to prove his devotion, and if he can make them, will they be enough? Or will he always be found wanting in her eyes?
You may like to also know:
Persuading Miss Mary is book four in my Marrying Elizabeth series and was a Thursday’s Three Hundred weekly work in progress before it was published. Book 5 of that series is now posting on Thursdays.
