Confidences, Frédéric Soulacroix [Public domain] via Wikimedia
~*~*~
Georgiana turned toward her friend. A little flutter of anxiety flitted through her breast. “I overheard him talking to Wes.” She crossed to sit next to her friend. “That is what I wished to speak to you about because something I heard troubled me.”
“What did you hear?” Kitty’s eyes were large with concern. “He did not lie to me about loving me, did he?”
Georgiana grasped Kitty’s hands. “No, I am certain he loves you since he has offered for you–“
“You know about that?” Kitty asked in surprise.
“It was part of what I overheard. It seems he is most anxious for you to accept him. Your hesitance to do so is where the troublesome bit lies.”
A Conversation Overheard, Charles Joshua Chaplin [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons
A conversation is not overheard in this chapter. In fact, Kitty is listening and hoping to hear some conversation so that she knows she can enter the library safely. Hmmm. I wonder who is in Netherfield’s library. [Hint: If Lydia is there, that must mean that others in the Fitzwilliam family might also have arrived at Netherfield. ;)]
~*~*~
Kitty had only taken two steps into Netherfield’s library before turning around and darting out of the room. She stood near the partially open door and listened for the sound of voices to indicate that entering might be safe. She placed her hands, which were cool, on her cheeks to keep them from growing too warm.
“What are you doing? Are you eavesdropping?” Lydia whispered as she came to stand next to Kitty.
“Yes,” Kitty replied.
“Have you heard anything of interest?” Lydia leaned toward the door to the library. Her brow furrowed. “I do not hear anything. Is there someone in there?”
PUBLISHED TO YOUTUBE BY THE TENORS VEVO ON OCTOBER 7, 2015.
When I heard this song a couple of weeks ago, a short scene from Listen to Your Heart sprang to mind. It’s only a few paragraphs long and comes at the end of Chapter 14. Because this is nearing the end of the book (the novel has 17 chapters) and, therefore, contains spoilers, and because it is a rather long chapter, I have only excerpted a portion of the beginning of the chapter, then indicated a break with three dots and continued with the short but sweet reunion between Cranfield and Lady Catherine. Hopefully, I have kept the most critical spoilers from appearing here, but as always, read at your own risk. (And remember, this book is on sale everywhere for 99c or so until February 15, 2020.)
Listen to Your Heart, Chapter 14 Excerpt
“Cranfield.” Lord Matlock clapped the man on the shoulder in a welcoming fashion as he entered the dower house. “A word, if you do not mind.” Noting the look of suspicion on the man’s face, he added, “A friendly word.” He chuckled. “My wife constantly reminds me I need to spend time on small talk and pleasantries. She says neglecting them makes people uneasy.”
“She would be right.” The right side of Cranfield’s mouth curved up into a half smile.
“My apologies.” Lord Matlock motioned for Cranfield to enter the room ahead of him before turning to Bingley and Darcy. “I believe you will find your ladies, as well as the rest of the guests, in the garden.” Bingley took a step toward the sitting room, but Lord Matlock held up his hand and lowered his voice. “You have nothing to fear, my boy. I have a family apology to make, and I believe a reunion would be better in private.”
“Right,” agreed Bingley and followed Darcy toward the garden.
Lord Matlock closed the door gently. “My father was wrong.”
Cranfield gave a small snort of laughter. “You do not circle a topic, do you?”
Courtship, Edmund Leighton (1903) [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons
Do you remember how Persuading Miss Mary ended with Kitty and Lorcan being discovered kissing in the music room? Well, Kitty, who loves music, has not been able to enjoy playing nearly as much as she did before that fateful day and could not bring herself to play the piece of music she had been playing on that day — until now when there is a possible courtship on the horizon.
~*~*~
Mary,
When you are sharing all that Jane has written with our sisters, would you be so kind as to share my eager anticipation of Georgiana’s arrival with her? There is so much I wish to discuss with her. Also, tell her that I have promised myself to practice our duet most faithfully until her arrival.
Give
my love to my sisters. It will be lovely for us all to be together again.
PUBLISHED TO YOUTUBE BY HOME FREE ON OCTOBER 19, 2018.
By the end of the excerpt below, Richard is feeling as upbeat and free as today’s song choice — and it is all thanks to the lady standing with him. This is a proposal scene, and as you can see from the header below, it happens in chapter 5. That seems a bit soon, now doesn’t it? Let’s just say that by the scene right after this (as in the second half of this chapter) that happy, upbeat, free feeling is about to get burst in a most distressing fashion. But for now, let’s just focus on the happy, ok?
Sometime later that day, after the sun was gone and the darkness of night had fallen, Richard stood before the Gardiners’ home, waiting to be allowed entry. He did not wait long, for the door was opened nearly before the sound of his knock had faded. Giving his name along with his hat and coat to the servant, he again waited, this time in the hall, to be introduced. He took note of his surroundings with an eager eye. This was the home of a well-to-do merchant, and as such, it was the sort of living arrangements he might hope to one day have for himself.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam, a pleasure to see you, sir. A pleasure.” Mr. Gardiner greeted him with a firm handshake and motioned for him to have a seat. “Dinner will be served shortly. Might I offer you a drink while you wait? A bit of wine perhaps?”
“My husband prides himself on his wine selections, Colonel,” said Mrs. Gardiner with a laugh. “It would do you well to enjoy it.”
“Then I shall,” said Richard, taking a seat near Kitty, who smiled and gave a brief greeting.
“My wife and niece tell me that you are thinking of stepping down from the first circles of society to join my realm.” Mr. Gardiner handed Richard a glass of wine. “I shall refill it for your supper. No need to sip like a lady, so to speak,” he said with a wink.
