Interior of the billiard room at Lupton House, Devonshire, designed by George Wrightwick for Sir J.B.Y. Buller. Artist listed as Reid Turner. Date 1838. Metropolitan Museum of Art / CC0. Via Wikimedia Commons.
~*~*~
“…I do not wish to speak to you about courting her.”
Darcy leaned against the table with his cue resting against his chest and his arms folded around it. “You do not?”
“No, quite the opposite.”
“I am not sure I understand.”
Not since he had been taken to task by his father over the moving of his brother’s clothing which had led to Edmund’s forced betrothal, had Alfred witnessed such an intimidating look as the furrowed brow and scowl Darcy was currently wearing. Alfred had made it a goal to not be put in such a position again if it could at all be helped, and until this moment, he had succeeded.
[from Protecting Miss Darcy, Marrying Elizabeth book 6]
The Terrace, Brockenhurst House, George Samuel Elgood / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
~*~*~
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]
The Betrothed, Charles-Louis Muller (1815–1892) [Public domain] via Wikimedia Commons
~*~*~
“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.
~*~*~
…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. 🙂
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.”
