Tag: wordless wednesday

I sharing this adorable picture of children for this week's post since I think a good title for this week's chapter of Persuading Miss Mary would be an "Impish Lord and a Gaggle of Children." This week, Lord Westonbury invites himself along to the Gardiners for tea and meets the four Gardiner children. I also think it is interesting that the Mary in the portrait above becomes a countess. That seems fitting for our story, too. Doesn't it? :)

~*~*~

A maid stepped into the room. “The table is laid, ma’am.”

“Very good. We will be in straightaway.” She turned back to her guests. “We are taking tea with my children, and I never do that in here.” She rose. “They are just learning their manner, my lord,” she cautioned.

“I will do my best to remember mine,” he assured her as he followed her out of the room and down the hall to a modest-sized dining room. 

[from Persuading Miss Mary, Marrying Elizabeth book 4]

~*~*~

Confounding Caroline  ~  Delighting Mrs. Bennet ~ Loving Lydia

 MAILING LIST    PATREON

Ok, so Wes and Mary would not be eating in the kitchen, and this table might not be set for breakfast. But there are eggs in that bowl, and I love the dishes. :)

~*~*~

“Good morning, my lord.”

Wes turned his attention away from the window and, glancing toward Mary, gave a nod in greeting. He was only halfway through his cup of coffee and too caught up in his thoughts to speak. It was only early, but he had already been about some business and was contemplating his departure from Matlock House.

“Did you sleep well?”

Wes nodded as she poured milk into her tea and moved her spoon backward and forward.

“My apologies,” she said with a small grimace as her spoon clinked against the side of her cup.

[from Persuading Miss Mary, Marrying Elizabeth book 4]

~*~*~

Confounding Caroline  ~  Delighting Mrs. Bennet ~ Loving Lydia

 MAILING LIST    PATREON

 

I am sure this soiree is not a ball, but I thought it a good representation of the onlookers at a ball taking note of a particular couple taking the floor.

~*~*~

“Shall we cause a stir and take the floor first?”

“I would rather not,” Mary replied and then pressed her lips together. She really did need to learn to keep her thoughts in her head long enough to weigh them before speaking.

Lord Matlock chuckled. “I am afraid Miss Mary that if you are to be a member of this family, you will have to harden yourself to the idea of being worthy the notice of one and all on occasion. It is a danger of being tied to a titled gentleman.” He took her hand. “I do not dance as much as I once did so my taking the floor with you will be noted.” He bent his head in her direction and lowered his voice. “My wife is very good at carrying a point.”

[from Persuading Miss Mary, Marrying Elizabeth book 4]

~*~*~

Confounding Caroline  ~  Delighting Mrs. Bennet ~ Loving Lydia

 MAILING LIST    PATREON

 

I imagine the woman on the right as Mrs. Salter trying to look regal and above everyone.

~*~*~

Wes, who had only just finished his set of dances with Kitty and was making a tour of the ballroom before taking his leave to find his father and Richard in the card room, took a step closer to Mrs. Salter and the biddy the woman had been talking to at Almack’s when he first heard the name Lydia Bennet.

“And that is precisely why you do not want a second son as a match. Their livelihood is so tenuous.” Mrs. Salter lifted her chin and, as she waved her fan in front of her face, surveyed the ballroom with a regal air. “I have pointed out his brother the viscount to my Florence.” She smirked at her friend. “If that bit of fluff who was on his arm earlier can entice him to dance with her, I see no reason why my Florence cannot do so as well.”

[from Persuading Miss Mary, Marrying Elizabeth book 4]

~*~*~

Confounding Caroline  ~  Delighting Mrs. Bennet ~ Loving Lydia

 MAILING LIST    PATREON

The dresses in this image are obviously not Regency gowns, however, I think this gives a good representation of the busyness of the ball which Wes is attending.

~*~*~

“That young woman across the way. The one next to the silver-haired matron with the blue fan. She’s pretty, is she not?”

“Do not attempt to change the subject,” Langley grumbled but then added, “Yes, I do believe she is. I’ve never seen her before.”

“You should seek an introduction. I had thought to, but I have duties to perform tonight before I am allowed to sneak back to my bed. My blasted head keeps hurting.”

~*~*~

Confounding Caroline  ~  Delighting Mrs. Bennet ~ Loving Lydia

 MAILING LIST    PATREON    SOCIETY6