Bei der Tanzprobe (at the Dance Recital) by Leopold Schmutzler

Bei der Tanzprobe (at the Dance Recital), signiert Leopold Schmutzler, Öl auf Leinwand. Leopold Schmutzler, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

If you would like to listen to this post, you can do so on YouTube at this link.

Today, I’ve a Story Connections post that is a bit different than most, because I’ve got some book news to share before I get to the picture and a story excerpt part of the post.

You see, I have a new book available for pre-order, but there is a short window of time, during which you can get the book early and for free. All you have to do is be subscribed to one of my reader communities, whether on Patreon, Substack, or my blog.

If you are already a subscriber to one of those places, you should have received an email, or a notification via an app, on either Friday or Saturday with a link to where you could download a copy of None So Accomplished as Mary. It’s the sequel to How to Marry an Accomplished Lady, and it is part of my Sweet Extras collection.

Sweet Extras are always offered as free downloads to my reader community for a period of time before the release of the book. This time, you have until March 31 to download your copy.

So, if you missed that email, or if you’d like to subscribe to one of my reader communities, you can find that post here: on my blog under the Subscribers Only Post menu option, on Substack in the Substack chat, or on Patreon in the eBook Downloads Collection. You have just over half a week left before the download link expires.

If you prefer to purchase your books from a favourite eBook retailer, you can pre-order None So Accomplished as Mary here. Release day is April 4, 2025.

If you’ve already read the book and are the book rating and reviewing sort, early reviews/ratings can be placed on the book’s Bookbub page here or on Goodreads here.

Just one more thing before we get to the picture and excerpt part.

None So Accomplished as Mary is best enjoyed when read AFTER you’ve read How to Marry an Accomplished Lady, which is in my Sweet Possibilities collection. And that story is best enjoyed AFTER you’ve read An Accomplished Lady (of the best sort), which is a Teatime Tale.

In case you need to pick up either of those previous books, I’ve added a 50% off coupon on them at Smashwords until April 5, 2025. The coupon will be applied automatically at checkout. You can find How to Marry… here, and An Accomplished Lady… here.

Are you still with me? 🙂 I know. That’s a lot of info, but now, let’s look at that painting.

I selected this image because, as you will see, None So Accomplished as Mary begins at a ball, and the ladies in the painting are preparing for a ball and having a fabulously fun time. That attitude matches with this book perfectly, since it continues the light-hearted, feel-good romance mood established in the two preceding books in this trio.

In this story, Colonel Fitzwilliam is dead set against knowingly falling prey to a matchmakers scheme. However, that doesn’t mean he can’t unknowingly be captured by a bit of cunning and a tantalizing riddle to solve.

The chapter below takes place just as such an entertaining journey to happily ever after for Mary and the colonel is about to begin.

Enjoy!

Vauxhall on a Gala Night (Richard Phillips c.1804)

If you would like to listen to this post, you can do so on YouTube at this link.

Image extracted from page 503 of *Modern London; being the history and present state of the British Metropolis. Illustrated with numerous copper plates*, by Richard Phillips. Picture dated as published June 11, 1804. Original held and digitised by the British Library. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Unravelling Mr. Darcy, along with it’s sequels: Becoming Entangled and Enticing Miss Darcy, are fun Regency romps. The sort of stories where romcom meets Austen.

In Unravelling Mr. Darcy, the first story in this trilogy, Darcy is given a second chance to win Elizabeth’s good opinion before he even leaves the parsonage at Hunsford, and he’s not going to let anything get in his way of success. Not even his tightly wound pride.

The scene that I’m sharing today, and have paired with the drawing of a “Gala Night at Vauxhall” by Richard Phillips, is from the second half of the book, and it is set in Vauxhall — a pleasure garden that often appears in Regency romances.

All sorts of scandals seem to happen there in other Regency romances and, even in this one, there’s mention of a scandal that resulted in a couple marrying.

However, our dear couple will not fall victim to scandal. Be that as it may, that does not mean their appearance at Vauxhall will not find its way into the paper for reasons you will see in the following excerpt.

An Excerpt from Chapter 7 of Unravelling Mr. Darcy

Elizabeth placed her hand on Darcy’s arm and allowed him to escort her from their supper box and toward one of the numerous paths in Vauxhall Gardens. The vast number of people that filled the supper boxes and paths was astonishing, and then when the torches were lit, and the orchestra was playing while waiters scurried back and forth making certain that all in attendance were happy, it was nearly overwhelming. She had heard stories of this place, but until now, she had never truly imagined its grandeur.

Darcy drew Elizabeth closer to his side as they strolled. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Immensely.”

Darcy smiled at how the word was more breathed than spoken. “I had wondered. You have been rather quiet.”

She looked up at him. “I am awestruck by my surroundings. There is nothing quite like this in Hertfordshire.”

“Most assuredly,” he agreed with a chuckle.

“I am surprised you would venture into this vast sea of humanity,” she teased. “Our little assembly with its gathered throng was a great trial to you.”

He saw her lips twitch, and he waited for her to complete her tease before he refuted her.

“Perhaps,” she said, cocking a brow in a rather beguilingly impertinent fashion, “that is because the residents in the country are unwashed savages.”

“Oh, indeed they are,” he replied with a smile. “I have it on the greatest authority.”

Her eyes grew wide. “Do tell,” she prompted.

He leaned his head near her ear and whispered, “Miss Bingley.”

Elizabeth laughed.

“I assure you it is true because her sister verified the fact and some rude man lent his voice to the assessment if I am not mistaken.” He bent toward her ear once again. “You will forgive me for such ungentlemanly behaviour, will you not? I am attempting to improve my ways.”

There was such contrition in his whispered words that she gave his arm a small squeeze and readily bestowed her pardon. Mr. Darcy had over the last four days been the perfect gentleman. Both her aunt and uncle had been duly impressed by his manners. According to Aunt Gardiner, there was nothing of grandeur about him, save for the way he carried himself when walking. However, it was not deemed arrogant but rather dignified. Aunt Gardiner had spoken at some length of how of anyone she had met, Mr. Darcy was justified in thinking of himself in lofty ideals since she had seen his estate and knew many of his tenants. The man was of no small fortune, and he was, to her knowledge, always just in his dealing with tradesmen in Lambton. Bills were not left unpaid, and even lowly delivery boys were given a nod when he saw that they were doing their work well.

Elizabeth had heard enough arguments in Darcy’s favour to settle her more firmly in her new belief of his being among the best of men. Then, having observed him in her uncle’s home as well as when she and Jane had gone to Darcy House to have tea with his grandmother and Georgiana, she was beyond convinced of her correctness in viewing him in such a light. So convinced was she of his noble character that she allowed her heart to be open to his declaration to her, and though it was little more than a fortnight since that horrid evening in the parsonage, she found herself quite certain that should he offer for her again, she would accept with alacrity. For her heart spoke of love, though her mind had yet to fully comprehend it.

Darcy stopped to greet an acquaintance and introduced Elizabeth to them as well as Bingley and Jane, who followed close behind.

“I say, Darcy,” said Bingley before they began walking again, “it will likely be noted in the paper that you were seen in Vauxhall with a lady on your arm.”

Darcy shrugged. “They had best describe her as beautiful,” he said with a grin.

Bingley chortled. “I seem to have misplaced my friend whose greatest desire was to shun all of society.”

“He is not misplaced.” Darcy raised a brow at Bingley. “He has, it seems, found his good sense in a rather forceful fashion.”

Bingley chuckled. “Yes, I dare say your appearance will also make the society page.”

“Have you no pity for him at all?” Elizabeth asked in feigned disbelief.

“Not a jot,” Bingley declared.

At the time of this post, this set of books are enrolled in the Kindle Unlimited program and, therefore, only available at Amazon. Find links for them on the book page of my website @ leeniebrown.com/books

Orchard Skies (Thad Fiscella)

Today, I’m pairing a beautiful piece of music that is aptly named with the first few paragraphs of my novelette Apple Blossoms and Whispering Hearts. This is what we call the meet-cute in romance writing. AKA when the hero and heroine meet.

Thomas is a bachelor who struggles with social interactions – especially when they are with ladies. He’s a bit unsure of himself and sees himself as not very much of a “prize.”

Clara is a widow with an energetic young daughter. She thinks she’s had her one chance at happily ever after.

Enjoy!

P.S. Apple Blossoms and Whispering Hearts is the Patreon free read this month. You only have to be signed up as a member to read it. No subscription required. It’s also one of the stories in First Blooms and Second Chances, the second collection of Nature’s Fury and Delights that is on sale all this month for $2.99 USD (with all other currencies also reduced). Regular price is $5.99 USD.

Interior of the billiard room at Lupton House, Devonshire.

If you would like to listen to this post, you can do so on YouTube at this link.

I’ve used this image before for a story connection (or two), but I have several scenes in various books that happen in a billiard room and this room is such a pretty one.

The story scene this time is the first scene in With the Colonel’s Help which takes place directly after he returns from a walk at Rosings during which he had come upon Elizabeth and attempted to show his cousin in a good light by telling her how Darcy helped his friend avoid a poor match.

As we all know, he failed to make Darcy look good, and in this scene, he’s just starting to realize the mess he has made of things in his attempt to help.

Enjoy!

Chapter 1

The sun shone bright and warm on Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam as he stood before Rosings. He turned and looked back in the direction from whence he had come. The slow but persistent twisting of his stomach continued its work in making him feel very uneasy. There was something not right in how Miss Elizabeth Bennet had responded to his information regarding his cousin Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.

He took off his hat and ran a hand through his hair. The story he had told had been told with an intent to promote his cousin — for it was a viable example of the caring sort of friend Darcy was. However, Richard had the distinct impression that his comments had, in fact, done just the opposite.

What Ifs by Kane Brown (A Musical Story Connection)

One evening, as I was pushing a lawnmower around my backyard, around seven years ago when I was writing Mary: To Protect Her Heart, this song came on the radio station I was listening to as I mowed.

As I listened to its lyrics, I knew that this was the song for Mary’s story.

Why? Because life had been tough for her in some ways – the ways that would make a lady think that men weren’t to be trusted, the ways that skewed a lady’s ideas and expectations of marriage.

Because of that, she was going to need a hero that broke the mold.

At this point in my writing, I hadn’t yet conceptualized Mr. Gabriel Durward as he appears in the story, but that moment with the lawnmower and this song was the beginning of that process.

There is an element of trust that accompanies accepting love from someone and giving it in return. One individual places their trust in another that either the love will not be taken away and so it is safe to accept it, or they place their trust in the fact that the person to whom they are offering their love will not disrespect it, crush it, misuse it, or reject it.

In the excerpt below, Mary Crawford is just at the beginning of possibly trusting Gabe with her heart.

In this portion of the story, we see part of why Mary is so reluctant to trust freely, and we hear Mr. Durward tell her for a second time that he will not let her take on water, which is his way of saying he’ll never hurt her and his way of asking for her trust.

As you read, I hope you can see how the what if questions in the lyrics of the song apply to Mary and Gabe.

Enjoy!

“To get to what I wished to discuss with you. I am a man of business, and I like to know in advance to whom I should speak regarding agreements. I know that you and Miss Crawford lived with your uncle, but neither of you do any longer. Therefore, should the admiration I have for your sister flourish into something that seems to be lasting, should I call on you or the admiral — or Dr. Grant because she is residing with him.”

Mary’s eyes grew wide. She had only just met Mr. Durward, and he was thinking of marriage? She had not even had time to make her desires known to him. She smiled. He was choosing her without persuasion of any sort. It was a novel feeling.

Henry grimaced. “She was handed over to me by the admiral when we left him.”

“It was an ugly scene?” Gabe inquired.

“Nothing was ever pleasant with the admiral,” Mary answered.

Henry shook his head. “What he said was reprehensible. Even in my former iteration, I knew it to be.”

Mary lifted her chin and pushed down the hurt that rose as she remembered her uncle’s words. “He had no use for housing a lady who could not possibly repay him in any satisfactory fashion.”

“He said that?” Margaret cried. “You never told me that.”

“I could not,” Mary answered softly. It hurt her to be so easily discarded then, and the pain of such a thing had not faded in the time she had been away from him. It should not have surprised her that he cared so little for her since he was so unfeeling toward his own wife, but it did.

Gabe wore the same expression as the one Mary had seen him wear when addressing Lady St. James. He was offended, and her heart thrilled a small amount as she realized that, presently, he was not offended on his own account but on her behalf. Perhaps. Just perhaps, she had found a gentleman whom she could trust with her heart.

“I will not say what I think of such a man while in polite company.” Gabe shook his head and blew out a breath as if struggling to contain his displeasure. Then, he smiled a small, kind smile at Mary and said, “I am very sorry you had to endure that. No lady should be so treated.”

Mary ducked her head as she thanked him. If she kept looking at his earnest, concerned-filled dark eyes, she would not be able to keep her tears where they belonged.

Had she ever felt so treasured? She was positive she never had. She could easily lose her heart to Mr. Durward, but she mustn’t. Not yet. Not until she knew that she could trust him completely. She would not willingly present her heart to any gentleman, no matter how kind and charming he appeared, and allow it to be crushed.

“Then if or when the time should come, I will call on you,” Gabe said to Henry.

“I would appreciate that,” Henry replied. “However, I am certain Dr. Grant’s permission could be sought in my stead. He would not let any harm come to my sister. Of that, I am certain.” Henry shifted positions, becoming even more comfortably positioned. “Now, tell me about you. I have heard that you have only lived in England for a few years.”

Gabe nodded. “I was born in India and lived there my entire life until I set foot on that first company ship. Then, my world expanded, and I was given the opportunity to see many places, including London.”

“And of all the places you saw, you chose to live here?” Henry asked. “I would think that there would be many more interesting places in the world in which to take up residence than London.”

Gabe shook his head. “I took one look at her on that first foggy, dreary day and knew I would return. I could have chosen another colony in which to set up my business, but no other port spoke to me as this one did.” He shrugged. “I do not know why exactly. Perhaps it was because the company is here, and so I wished to position myself as one of its rivals, set to take up what, I believe, it is destined to lose at some point in the none too distant future. Perhaps it was something else – the history, the architecture, the vibrance, or the idea that the heart of the empire beats from here. It could have been a dozen reasons I suppose. I have not paused to ferret them out. I only know that by the end of the short time that I was here, I knew I would come back. This was where I was meant to be.”

“Do you always make such quick decisions?” Margaret asked.

Gabe shook his head. “Not always, but I do not attempt to take too long in deliberations either. If one is not quick to decide things, one might lose out on a very profitable venture or place his money where it cannot possibly make him a return.” He chuckled. “I sound like a rather boring old fellow. Tom tells me I need to find something other than business upon which to think. I have always thought he was wrong, but I am not so certain any longer.”

“Have you been to the theatre?” Henry asked.

“No, I have not been. Tom has managed to get me to attend various soirees, and I do enjoy touring the museum and the occasional ride through a park, but I must admit I have not attended a play – though I have read a great number of them.”

“Then, I will secure an invitation for you and Mary to join myself and some friends one night.”

Mary shook her head. He could not mean she was to attend a play with Miss Linton.

“Miss Linton is a forgiving sort of lady,” Henry assured her before she had even spoken. “Mrs. Kendrick, Mrs. Barrett, and Mr. Linton might be less so, but is it not right that you prove yourself changed to them?”

Sit in a box with people toward whom she had behaved so dreadfully? The thought was perhaps the most terrifying one Mary had ever had to ponder. Mr. Edwards had been so cutting in his remarks to her at that ball. She was not entirely sure she was up to playing such a role.

“I would be delighted to join you if Miss Crawford will join me.”

Mary knew that Mr. Durward could see the fear she felt when she looked at him in surprise, for his eyes were filled with concern.

“Please,” he said softly. “I shall not let you take on water, Miss Crawford.”

Mary sucked in a breath and expelled it. How could she do anything other than grant him his wish when he was so gallantly offering his protection while looking at her with that intense, caring expression that caused her to shiver? “Very well. I shall do my penance.”

Her agreement settled the matter, and it was decided that soon, perhaps in a day or two, they would all attend a play.