I have written three stories that feature Anne as a heroine (so far), and while I have enjoyed fleshing her out in each of those stories, this one just might be my all-time favourite Anne. She is niave, foolish, willful, and every inch her mother’s daughter. It makes for a deviously fun story. And then, there is Alistair who is sensible and stable and so very much in love with Anne and all that she is (even is she does drive him to distraction at times). I hope you enjoy the little bit of story I am sharing below but please be aware that this excerpt is from near the end of the book, so it might contain a spoiler or two. Therefore, if you’ve never read Becoming Entangled, read the rest of this post at your own risk. 😉
Two days later, as Anne stood before her mirror, she carefully positioned her sleeve and gloves so that her mother would not see the bruise on her arm. It was not a large bruise, but Anne knew that it was large enough to cause her mother to inquire after it. She had sworn her cousin and his friend Mr. Bingley, as well as Jack, to silence about the joust at Angelo’s, and she had been careful to keep the paper from her mother’s notice both yesterday and today. She knew that her appearance at Angelo’s would not go unmentioned, especially after the display she had put on following her defeat of Alistair. Her cheeks flushed. It was rather exhilarating to behave so brazenly, but it was not something she planned to repeat or publish any further than it had already been circulated.
“Anne Catherine de Bourgh!” Lady Catherine said as she threw open the door to her daughter’s room.
Anne cringed at the tone of her mother’s voice.
“Lady Metcalfe has just made me aware of a rather shocking story.”
Drat! She had forgotten that Alistair’s mother might see the paper and share the story with her mother.
“What were you thinking? Going to a gentleman’s club and behaving like a…” she waved the paper she held in the air as she sought for the right word, though none seemed to come to her.
As Anne stood before her mirror, a smile spread across her face. She could not remember a single time in her life when her mother had been at a loss for words until now. There was a strange feeling of satisfaction that accompanied the knowledge.
“It was inappropriate,” Anne offered. “And I shall not do it again. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a wedding to attend.”
[from Becoming Entangled]
Oh my gosh. A Leenie story I haven’t read yet? What!? Oh my oh my I have to read this soon.
Okay. Swoon….I adore the painting above and everything about it. I looks like Mother and Grandmama looking on in the background not wanting to let their baby jewel go and yet knowing they have to. Even if they know it’s a good match. But the Bride. Oh yeah, bridal nerves. Looking around her familiar surrounding knowing it will be the last time it is considered her home. And wondering what’s coming in her near and distant future. And that dress. Oh my goodness that dress is drool-worthy. I’m a sucker for anything that has embroidery on it, especially clothing from the 18th through the 19th century…and early 20th. I could stare at that over and over again.
Wow, Leenie. You picked a winner for this week. I’m off to get Becoming Entangled or discover if I already have it tucked away in a collection. Gah!
Aren’t the details of this painting just fantastic? I, too, could look at it for hours (while stories about what might be happening flitted through my head. 🙂 )
I hope you enjoy Becoming Entangled 🙂
Oh, that picture. The more you look at it, the more you see. I couldn’t help but notice the reflection in the mirror. Apparently, this is a very wealthy family. I wonder if they are aristocracy or trade? Perhaps, a peer needed money to save his estate. Or she is marrying money in order to save her father. She doesn’t look all that thrilled. but rather resigned. I agree that grandmother and mother seem concerned. I assume the other girl is a sister perhaps.
That excerpt was so funny. Way to go Anne. Bless her heart. Her poor mother doesn’t know what to do with her. LOL! About time. Blessings, stay safe, and healthy. We have just had some fabulous weather and will probably send it your way. Beautiful.
Oh, yes! This picture is chock-full of goodness. I thought her mother and grandmother looked like they are talking about how well she looks while the sister is maybe wishing it was her getting married. 🙂 So many possibilities.
I’m glad you enjoyed the excerpt. This Anne was a lot of fun.