tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83178101059150572722024-03-12T20:22:31.550-05:00Sue Barr Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.comBlogger317125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8317810105915057272.post-90073706660382889052023-11-21T04:00:00.004-06:002023-11-21T04:00:00.143-06:00Tidbit Tuesday ~ Did we just hear Wickham choke?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEGWKjxOiV1IiUWXxVEVtEuzFD9eK3CxK8qEBYSsVBqugzLZRfcvmOIy5Sl3X0CGa39bPZmYVVTNZD5wrTTIDmciwMooVXKjFx6HjYNIrmUsl2ldE_PhZ0ZZLDILvEOCYRU7-pXTBOyH_7jWxMCLvp0O1RboxQLQMy-rzHTsbwNzdMAmjCI4TEHBMlls/s1004/TidbitTuesday%2020231121.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="1004" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEGWKjxOiV1IiUWXxVEVtEuzFD9eK3CxK8qEBYSsVBqugzLZRfcvmOIy5Sl3X0CGa39bPZmYVVTNZD5wrTTIDmciwMooVXKjFx6HjYNIrmUsl2ldE_PhZ0ZZLDILvEOCYRU7-pXTBOyH_7jWxMCLvp0O1RboxQLQMy-rzHTsbwNzdMAmjCI4TEHBMlls/w640-h376/TidbitTuesday%2020231121.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>Today's excerpt is from my Work In Progress - <b><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Wager.</span></i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">~~~ooo0ooo~~~</span></i></p><p style="text-align: left;">The officers of the ___shire Militia, also in attendance, presented themselves in a favorable light with polite manners and gentlemanlike behavior. Not much time had passed before Mr. Wickham, a handsome, congenial man to whom almost every female eye was turned, asked for introductions to the ladies of Longbourn and immediately fell into an agreeable conversation with them. Elizabeth was not surprised by this request, nor when the gentleman’s attention became more focused on her eldest sister. Jane’s beauty was a beacon of light that called many to make her acquaintance, but few withstood the pointed questions the sisters had learned to ask in order to determine if a gentleman was worth their attention.</p><p>The first thing Elizabeth determined was that flattery, coupled with a winsome smile, was Mr. Wickham’s secret weapon. She surmised even the commonest, dullest, most threadbare topic might be rendered interesting by the speaker's skill.</p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>How many young girls have fallen for your charm</i></span>? she wondered. An elevated brow directed toward her eldest sister, who returned her silent query with a slight, elegant shrug of her shoulder, told Elizabeth that Jane was also leery of the officer.</p><p>Barely any time had passed before Elizabeth tired of his prattle and decided to begin what she and Jane jokingly called <i><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Inquisition</span></i>. Over the next quarter hour, they discovered his father had been a steward of a vast estate in Derbyshire, and the master of that same estate was also his godfather. What surprised them most was learning Mr. Wickham’s godfather had ensured his godson received a gentleman’s education, sending him to the best private schools, including Cambridge alongside his own son. More questioning revealed the dapper officer had, for a brief time, entertained the thought of being a barrister.</p><p>“I found the law was not to my liking,” Wickham said in a firm voice. “I am an active person and could not bear the thought of being tied to a desk for all hours of the day.”</p><p>“Forgive me for being indelicate, but given the great education you received, what enticed you to join the militia at this stage of your life?” Elizabeth asked when he paused for breath.</p><p>“It was the prospect of constant and good society which was my chief inducement,’’ he began. “I knew it to be a most respectable, agreeable corps, and my friend Denny tempted me farther by his account of their present quarters, and the very great attentions and excellent acquaintance Meryton had procured them.”</p><p>“Thank you, sir,” Jane said in her calm, serene manner. “On behalf of the citizens of Meryton, we hope you will enjoy our society, small and unvaried as it may seem.”</p><p>Elizabeth inherently knew her sister referred to Mr. Bingley’s sister’s lamentations of lack of good company in Hertfordshire. </p><p>“Society, I own, is necessary to me. A military life is not what I was intended for, but circumstances have now made it eligible. The church ought to have been my profession. I was brought up for the church, and should at this time have been in possession of a most valuable living, had it pleased the son of my deceased godfather.’’</p><p>“Indeed!’’</p><p>“Yes, the late Mr. Darcy bequeathed me the next presentation of the best living in his gift. He was my godfather, and excessively attached to me. I cannot do justice to his kindness. He meant to provide for me amply, and thought he had done it; but when the living fell, it was given elsewhere.”</p><p>Both Elizabeth’s and Jane’s eyes widened at his mentioning the name of Darcy, but Mr. Wickham did not notice as his attention became riveted on some guests who entered the room. His face paled and Elizabeth turned to see who had generated such a response to find herself looking directly at Mr. Darcy, whose own face was flushed an angry red.</p><p>Wickham turned to face the sisters. His eyes flicked every which way, as though looking for an escape, his upper lip dotted with a thin sheen of perspiration.</p><p>“Pray, excuse me. I must find my friend Denny and make plans for tomorrow’s drill exercise.”</p><p>Elizabeth shot out her hand and latched onto Mr. Wickham’s left arm, forestalling his exit.</p><p>“May I assume your godfather’s son is none other than Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy?”</p><p>“Yes.”</p><p>Wickham attempted to slither from her grip but she held firm.</p><p>“Well then, how fortuitous that we are here with you now, in front of all these guests.”</p><p>“How so?” Wickham asked, shuffling as though to hide behind her because Darcy was bearing down on them with the speed of a violent summer storm.</p><p>“We must decry your terrible treatment and have Mr. Darcy fulfill his father’s dearest wish.” Elizabeth tightened her hold. “If nothing else, he must give you the pecuniary value of the living. It is only right and just.”</p><p>“That is not necessary, Miss Elizabeth. I have learned to forgive and forget.”</p><p>By this time, Darcy had reached them. He towered over Wickham, his fists clenching and unclenching. He was – Elizabeth thought with a small <i><span style="font-family: georgia;">frisson </span></i>of awareness – quite magnificent.</p><p>“I invite you to join me outside, Wickham.”</p><p>“I am here with my compatriots, Darcy. I have no need to leave the party at this juncture.”</p><p>Elizabeth dared to engage the glowering bear.</p><p>“We are so glad you arrived when you did, Mr. Darcy,” she began.</p><p>“You are?” he asked without once removing his gaze from Wickham.</p><p>“Most assuredly, for Mr. Wickham shared with us how he was unjustly kept from receiving a living your father, his godfather, had promised to him.”</p><p>“Is that so?”</p><p>“Yes. He was very clear in <i><span style="font-family: georgia;">most </span></i>details when telling us <i><span style="font-family: georgia;">his </span></i>version of events.”</p><p>Upon hearing the inflections in Elizabeth’s voice, Darcy cut her a quick glance. She was able to wink with either eye and as one side of her face was concealed from Mr. Wickham, she used the left eye to do that very service. Mayhap it was her imagination, but she thought Mr. Darcy’s shoulders physically relaxed. By this time, the viscount and Bingley had joined them.</p><p>“Did you inform these fine ladies that in lieu of the living, you asked for and received three thousand pounds, on top of the one thousand pounds settled on you by my father at the time of his death?” Darcy asked, his voice as hard as peaks of Derbyshire.</p><p>“You arrived before I had a chance to share that part of history.”</p><p>“To be fair,” Elizabeth interjected, the imp of mischief settled firmly on her shoulders. “Mr. Wickham did inform us he had been brought up for the church and having received a Cambridge education I am certain he must have used those funds toward receiving holy orders.”</p><p>“I truly must leave. I see my fellow officers waving me over.”</p><p>Elizabeth released her hold and Wickham tugged down his new red tunic before giving all of them a polite half-bow. He turned to leave but halted midstride when Mr. Darcy spoke again.</p><p>“I shall give your regards to my cousin when I write him tonight,” Darcy said, his tone almost conversational. “Richard is most anxious to make your reacquaintance. You should know he was exceedingly upset that we had just missed you by a few days this past summer.”</p><p>Elizabeth thought Mr. Wickham was about to faint, and found it very interesting that the gentleman bypassed all his fellow officers and fled the house completely without saying farewell to anyone.</p><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">~~~ooo0ooo~~~</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrZTvb9wm6rulURotZKxmlSIfTVH55lktAoVvAxrfSQA3TBRJQ4T5j79F_olQfiAzcFP28HgnKXKH3HRw2jyMf35XcCiaOuQNvEcBwA4OGDB1vcO5t16G9YvCkFMGsF0MW23UHdKV9miwDmH-3Wy9XiWxkY9OUGnW9Q9W_3Cc-HhG3rPefSt7zTUdfZ8/s265/Always%20With%20Love.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="265" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrZTvb9wm6rulURotZKxmlSIfTVH55lktAoVvAxrfSQA3TBRJQ4T5j79F_olQfiAzcFP28HgnKXKH3HRw2jyMf35XcCiaOuQNvEcBwA4OGDB1vcO5t16G9YvCkFMGsF0MW23UHdKV9miwDmH-3Wy9XiWxkY9OUGnW9Q9W_3Cc-HhG3rPefSt7zTUdfZ8/s1600/Always%20With%20Love.png" width="265" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhZXTReg_41iRWiOGXOefSvk0st0pE3Ju9xPt9mdD8d78gd6-YPY2DgjR0jUjDnDICQXhlgtV6x-RkRTPhQhBlpAVDeNeXZob3PWED4u8Bp8UVSTs841MiJMbPAVFBoM3wy3m8r1hnXOR-Vudt5MK-dI9KsxSJgccZxf_t9fqdfQzLBAkqIMwrWygFOQ/s214/temp%20SB.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="106" data-original-width="214" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhZXTReg_41iRWiOGXOefSvk0st0pE3Ju9xPt9mdD8d78gd6-YPY2DgjR0jUjDnDICQXhlgtV6x-RkRTPhQhBlpAVDeNeXZob3PWED4u8Bp8UVSTs841MiJMbPAVFBoM3wy3m8r1hnXOR-Vudt5MK-dI9KsxSJgccZxf_t9fqdfQzLBAkqIMwrWygFOQ/w145-h72/temp%20SB.png" width="145" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div>Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8317810105915057272.post-9510562111817763252023-11-05T09:11:00.005-06:002023-11-20T09:19:54.508-06:00Snippet Sunday ~ Twin Tentacles of Doom<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNmwOXGguoxrxhXgX_LQmvUrAhS8st7lXzdmY64ULahtVcUNbgDM5ULYkasNbzOn-zSPYTpwj3Oug5QgR4HmIpdfmQDlC-IGPz0NDBeJS93PyGXxixcCGD-2biE-zohSndtLP0HJaE300fL-R9sCWKIt_18x_qAL6pptrXy1MEQk6zMEvT84O4dysMow/s1004/Snippet%20Sunday%2020231105.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="1004" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNmwOXGguoxrxhXgX_LQmvUrAhS8st7lXzdmY64ULahtVcUNbgDM5ULYkasNbzOn-zSPYTpwj3Oug5QgR4HmIpdfmQDlC-IGPz0NDBeJS93PyGXxixcCGD-2biE-zohSndtLP0HJaE300fL-R9sCWKIt_18x_qAL6pptrXy1MEQk6zMEvT84O4dysMow/w640-h376/Snippet%20Sunday%2020231105.png" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></p><p>Sometimes when writing, I surprise myself. In writing this next scene, little did I know I was about to gift the Bingley sisters with a new moniker to proclaim as their own. This snippet is from my Work In Progress, <i><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Wager</span></i>.</p><p><b><i>EXCERPT</i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><a name="_Hlk148335331"><span lang="EN-US">“I understand you have family
here in Meryton, Miss Hamilton.”<o:p></o:p></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“I do,” Jane
replied. “My mother’s sister is married to Mr. Phillips.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“How lovely,
and is Mr. Phillips busy with his little shop?” Miss Bingley asked before
raising her fingers to hide a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“My uncle is an
attorney. He is the one who negotiated the lease your brother signed to rent
Netherfield Park.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Miss Bingley
pursed her lips at being reminded they did not own the estate where she rested
her head at night but rented it from another. Regardless of this annoyance, she
continued with her line of questioning, solidifying Elizabeth’s belief she had
a nefarious purpose for the unexpected invitation to tea.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Does this same
uncle have his own estate?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“His eldest
brother inherited the family estate in Surrey.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Our dear Uncle
Phillips is a second son,” Elizabeth interjected, not wanting Jane to reveal
their beloved uncle’s father was a baron. “He chose to follow the law instead
of taking orders, which brought him to our corner of Hertfordshire.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“A choice Aunt Martha
is very glad of,” Mary added before she took a small bite of her cake.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Your other
uncle,” Caroline continued as though neither Elizabeth nor Mary had spoken. “He
is in trade, yes?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Jane nodded in
the affirmative.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Our uncle is
very successful. He and his wife live in London.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“In Cheapside,
I heard.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Near
Cheapside, on Gracechurch Street.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“I imagine he
lives there in order to keep a watchful eye on his <i>property</i>,” Miss
Bingley tittered and slid a sly glance toward Mrs. Hurst.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Elizabeth’s
anger began to simmer. What was supposed to be a pleasant tea had turned into
an inquisition where the perpetrator believed she had all the answers and only
wished to humiliate her guests.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Speaking of
property, remind me again Miss Bingley,” Elizabeth began with false sweetness.
“In which county we can find your father’s estate?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">She would have
gone further, but Jane laid a warning hand on her forearm. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Enough,
Lizzy,” she said in a soft undertone.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">An odd sound
came from Mary and both turned their attention toward her.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Jane,” she
said in a small voice. “I do not feel well.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Mary then
doubled over and struck her head hard enough on the floor to render her
unconscious. Both Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst emitted tiny screams.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Miss Bingley, is
there any fish in these cakes?” Jane demanded as she hurried to Mary’s side,
gently lifting her sister’s head to rest on her lap.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“How would I
know?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Please find
out if there was.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Miss Bingley
continued to gape and cast panicked glances toward her eldest sister. Mrs.
Hurst seemed to grasp the gravity of the situation and hurried to the bell
pull. Only when a footman stepped into the room did Miss Bingley snap out of
her stupor.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“You there,”
she demanded and pointed at the footmen. “Have Mrs. Nickers attend us and send
a maid to ask the cook what was in the cakes she sent up for our tea.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The footman cast
a quick glance at Mary lying on Jane's lap before hurrying from the room.
Elizabeth heard Mrs. Hurst murmur to her sister, “Her name is Mrs. Nicholls.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Oh, who cares.
She is just a housekeeper.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">At that moment,
the butler entered the room. Most likely to investigate why some of the ladies
had screamed.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“What may I do
to help, Ma’am,” he queried, addressing Jane, not Miss Bingley.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Send Jeremy
for Mr. Jones, he is the fastest rider of all the footmen. Tell him Miss Bennet
is having one of her reactions and we need him post haste.” The butler turned
to do her bidding, stopping when Jane called out again. “Cardston, after that,
please find Mrs. <i>Nicholls</i> and tell her I need water for drinking as well
as to wipe Mary’s face, it will help cool and relax her.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Cardston
withdrew to do her bidding, completely ignoring the gaping mouth of his
temporary mistress.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Who do you
think you are, to order about our servants as if they are your own?” Miss
Bingley demanded. “It is not as though your sister is dying.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Jane’s eyes
flashed with anger upon hearing such a callous comment. Elizabeth was not at
all surprised by her sister’s reaction. She and Jane could and did withstand
the barbs and insults of ignorant people, but woe betide the person who
attacked her family. Fortunately, for Miss Bingley, Mary stirred and her eyes
fluttered.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Relax, dearest,”
Jane soothed as she gently stroked her sister’s cheek. “You hit your head on
the floor and were rendered unconscious.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Jane…”
Whatever it was that Mary wished to say would never be known because she
promptly rolled to her side and vomited onto the carpet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The outraged
gasps of Miss Bingley would sustain Elizabeth for days, but only after her
sister recovered. Any further outbursts were stymied by the arrival of Mrs.
Nicholls, who bustled into the room with a couple of maids, bringing water and
clean rags.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Thank you,
Mrs. Nicholls,” Jane said, overriding any comment Miss Bingley or Mrs. Hurst
may have made. “Prepare the green guest room for Mary and have Cardston direct
Mr. Jones there when he arrives.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Right away,
La−, Miss Hamilton.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Who are you to
give orders to my servants?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“I have neither
the time nor the inclination to answer your questions, Miss Bingley.” Jane
caressed Mary’s brow with tender affection. “My sister’s recovery is my only
priority.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Although she
wished to lend comment, Elizabeth stayed quiet. This was Jane’s fight, not
hers. Two hours later, an exhausted Mary lay sleeping in one of the guest rooms
after a thorough examination by Mr. Jones. Fortunately, she had only taken a
bite of one small cake.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Will she be
able to come home tomorrow, Mr. Jones?” Jane asked, her attention riveted to
the still form of her sister lying in the bed. Elizabeth sat by the side of the
bed, holding Mary’s hand in hers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Miss Hamilton,
your sister has suffered one of her <i>Idiosyncrasy’s</i>. It is as I told you when
she had her last spasmodic symptom, her body reacts in a different manner to
some foods. The last time it was lobster. Do we know what she ingested today?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Miss Bingley learned
some of the cakes had crab in them,” Elizabeth offered in reply.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Ahh…this is
good to know. It seems Miss Bennet must avoid ingesting any type of fish.” Mr.
Jones paused, as if in deep thought. “Has she ever reacted to lake trout?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Not that I am
aware of,” Jane said. “We have trout regularly during the summer months. My Uncle
Gardiner is an avid angler and loves to fish our stream, allowing us to enjoy
the spoils of his labor.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Fascinating.
It seems Miss Bennet only reacts to oceanic species of shellfish,” Mr. Jones
murmured. “I will write one of my friends in Town and see if he has any further
insight into these types of maladies.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“So, Mary can
come home tomorrow?” Jane asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“As far as her
reaction to food, she is fine. However, she struck her head quite hard, which
is the reason she became violently ill. She must rest quietly, and it is
imperative she is awakened every four hours.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“I shall stay
with her, Jane,” Elizabeth offered.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Are you certain?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“After your
little dust-up with Miss Bingley, I believe a strategic retreat is called for you to regroup your serenity.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Once Mary rested quietly, the remaining sisters returned to the drawing room. Jane to
say her goodbyes to Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, and Elizabeth to see her
safely off and confer with their hostess about what Mr. Jones had requested
regarding food and drink for Mary. The doors to the drawing room remained
partially open and the strident tones of Miss Bingley clearly carried into the
hall.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“What did Miss
Hamilton mean? Ordering our servants around like this was her own home. I
declare those Bennet sisters are the main reason I wish to quit this horrible
place.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Quick footsteps
could be heard and a low murmur from Mrs. Hurst.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“I do not care,
Louisa. They are below us, practically dirt farmers with two impoverished
step-daughters and their estate entailed away. We must get Charles away from
Miss Hamilton. She will drag him down into the mud with her and ruin my chances
of making a successful marriage.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Elizabeth not
only felt Jane stiffen but saw her draw back her shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Do nothing you
will regret later, Jane,” she cautioned. “Words may pierce our pride and sting
our memories but they cannot change who we are and the life we will lead once
Trenton comes home.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“While our lives will alter when our brother returns in a few short weeks, I
am tired of the snide remarks and underhanded comments that perpetually spring
forth from Mr. Bingley’s sisters.” Jane turned cerulean blue eyes toward her sister
and smiled wide enough to crinkle their corners. “I believe it is time for those
two <i>ladies</i> to be schooled in proper etiquette.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“As you know,
there is no love lost between Miss Bingley and me, and in most circumstances, I
would wholeheartedly agree, but – think on this – if you reveal our rank, are
you prepared for <i>that</i> woman and her sister to grovel and toady for your
attention.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Now that I am
aware of their true sentiments, I have no desire to acknowledge them in any
form.” She paused and her expression turned thoughtful. “Unless I continue to
accept Mr. Bingley’s attentions.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Is his
affection worth the <span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>twin tentacles of doom</i></span> waiting for us in the next room?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“I confess I am
uncertain.” Jane took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I suppose we shall
find out over the next few weeks.”</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZi0JDx9ZaswDx95SITWn_mabEStj6YQquO7rfoQhz4_ZnvImyx6KNQ6fYAy_T9V9RTH4dimK5yv7hNncyfTsCpIC4lxbLBC9rNpNBd5gfokfFpCmQnsQhtHFx1sWJErBFfxkvRpehXUBlFuC5dvZ2pOzCnFGuHoayLV5iNZ8FlS27BUvaLjC_R7BBuQ/s265/Always%20With%20Love.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="265" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZi0JDx9ZaswDx95SITWn_mabEStj6YQquO7rfoQhz4_ZnvImyx6KNQ6fYAy_T9V9RTH4dimK5yv7hNncyfTsCpIC4lxbLBC9rNpNBd5gfokfFpCmQnsQhtHFx1sWJErBFfxkvRpehXUBlFuC5dvZ2pOzCnFGuHoayLV5iNZ8FlS27BUvaLjC_R7BBuQ/s1600/Always%20With%20Love.png" width="265" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ac0Yl_2Oi2hnOeLmMHvvbv_SMWLh_7Jopk37eOV_s8z-owIRuQbNl-RwPZoW-PfXf7t9TxBswaTJ1ua733HYN5MXvsoSKAacpY0656kS7yjJ9XVaT-TLTq9yTjvCyjPDqfJmeicCectD18XcaX0P7xejrZhxR_L_AlbtwdqY2EtiIjKch0A4NsOS7ak/s214/temp%20SB.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="106" data-original-width="214" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Ac0Yl_2Oi2hnOeLmMHvvbv_SMWLh_7Jopk37eOV_s8z-owIRuQbNl-RwPZoW-PfXf7t9TxBswaTJ1ua733HYN5MXvsoSKAacpY0656kS7yjJ9XVaT-TLTq9yTjvCyjPDqfJmeicCectD18XcaX0P7xejrZhxR_L_AlbtwdqY2EtiIjKch0A4NsOS7ak/w145-h72/temp%20SB.png" width="145" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8317810105915057272.post-80440581789772700052023-10-01T09:35:00.002-05:002023-11-20T09:20:36.952-06:00Snippet Sunday ~ I hope you choose the liquid punch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0RJ0POFT3FT176ktX2rMQ5cfS4PfcD-RamCJBS2cC4jC3FO-WttpNV0Kj-oc5qT3GTa8cvHkEvhINK9a29oxe0ttMw6DkDi7UG_cIFSfEOth5YODGHeH9zpvQ8CD6-ZpRqmQAzuu884QzDCB1LmMp5KS55ulouNl4lQkptsGEhrVDmeFsYVc0ZTHkfY/s1004/Snippet%20Sunday%2020231001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="1004" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0RJ0POFT3FT176ktX2rMQ5cfS4PfcD-RamCJBS2cC4jC3FO-WttpNV0Kj-oc5qT3GTa8cvHkEvhINK9a29oxe0ttMw6DkDi7UG_cIFSfEOth5YODGHeH9zpvQ8CD6-ZpRqmQAzuu884QzDCB1LmMp5KS55ulouNl4lQkptsGEhrVDmeFsYVc0ZTHkfY/w640-h376/Snippet%20Sunday%2020231001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>During this banter, Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary continued to the main drawingroom, quickly finding Charlotte, and joining her to catch up on all the latest news from Meryton. They had barely taken their seats when Mr. Bingley and Viscount Ashton joined them.</p><p>Jane had been uniformly silent about her two beaux. The viscount usually made an appearance at Longbourn in the morning, often joining them for breakfast. Mr. Bingley attended whenever anyone from Netherfield came for tea. It was during these visits Mr. Darcy also came tither and politely sat with Elizabeth, much to Miss Bingley’s chagrin.</p><p>Her musings were interrupted by a gasp from Jane, who laughed softly and tapped the viscount sharply on his forearm with her fan. The embers of Elizabeth’s sense of humor were stoked as she watched Mr. Bingley come to a slow realization his hunting field hosted another predator. Mr. Darcy showed no reaction, solidifying Elizabeth’s belief he was fully aware his cousin had been beating a path to Longbourn’s door.</p><p>She wondered why he did not join the viscount. Surely, if Viscount Ashton could lay claim to a familial connection – the reason he gave for his first surprising arrival just as they sat down to breakfast – then so could Mr. Darcy. He was as much a part of her father’s family as the viscount. His great-aunt, Lady Minerva Fitzwilliam-Hamilton, was her and Jane’s grandmother.</p><p>Awareness shivered across the back of her neck and she slowly turned to find the gaze of Mr. Darcy resting on their group. It would be foolhardy to imagine his attention was focused solely on her, even though he intimated as much at the assembly. Perhaps he was bored and she and Jane, along with the viscount, were the only people of rank he felt he could associate with.</p><p>Her brow furrowed.</p><p>That line of reasoning did not hold water as the taciturn gentleman was a good friend to Mr. Bingley. Granted, Mr. Bingley was very wealthy, but still… his roots were deep in trade. Her inner conflict was put into abeyance when Mr. Darcy joined them.</p><p>“Good evening, Miss Hamilton, Miss Elizabeth.”</p><p>“Good evening, Mr. Darcy,” she and Jane said in perfect unison.</p><p>Mr. Darcy turned to Mary.</p><p>“Pardon me, Miss Bennet. I did not see you. My cousin blocked you from my view.” He gave her a polite half-bow. “Good evening to you, Miss Bennet.”</p><p>Mary smiled in her own shy way and returned the greeting before saying, “I am going to ask Charlotte if she minds me playing some music in the background before we dine.”</p><p>“That would be lovely,” Elizabeth enthused. “I do hope you play the piece you have been working on this week.”</p><p>Mary ducked her head at her sister’s praise.</p><p>“I am not prepared to play that piece in public. Mayhap on our next gathering.”</p><p>“You enjoy playing the pianoforte, Miss Bennet?” Mr. Darcy asked.</p><p>“I do.”</p><p>“My sister, Georgiana, also loves to play that instrument. Have you had any instruction from one of the masters?”</p><p>“Papa invited Senor Giovanni to Longbourn last Autumn. He came for a few weeks to assess my ability and then I stayed with our aunt and uncle in town to further my instruction from him.”</p><p>Mr. Darcy’s eyebrows rose upon hearing the name of Mary’s music master.</p><p>“Senor Giovanni? My sister has longed to be tutored by him. You must have a rare talent, Miss Bennet. He is very particular in his choice of students.”</p><p>“I am aware and very humbled. He inspires me to work hard.”</p><p>“And, her diligence has benefited us,” Elizabeth added. “Our family is treated to a concerto nearly every day.”</p><p>“I must make an effort to attend one of these impromptu musicales,” Mr. Darcy teased, never removing his gaze from Elizabeth.</p><p>She blinked and lowered her eyes to study the pattern of Lady Lucas’s rug. Confused by his sometimes cold then sometimes warm manners, she decided to take each day as it presented itself and look no further. Today saw a congenial Darcy at her side. Tomorrow he may revert to the gentleman who had no time, nor patience for the citizens of Meryton.</p><p>It was exasperating, these attempts to discern his moods. She was beginning to believe it easier when she thoroughly disliked him. Black and white. No gray areas to blur the lines, especially when he smiled, as he was at this very moment.</p><p>Vexing man!</p><p>Then…, with the smallest of touches, his hand brushed hers. Her startled gaze flew to his face, surprised to notice his full attention seemed to be focused completely on Jane and Mr. Bingley. Had she imagined the feather-like graze of his fingers? She, too, turned her attention to their small group when the back of her hand was brushed again. Immediately, she looked down and caught him ‘red-handed,’ so to speak.</p><p>With a subtle flick of her wrist, she took her fan and tapped him smartly on the fingers, while clearing her throat at the same time so no one would hear the soft ‘whack’ of her fan.</p><p>“Miss Elizabeth,” Mr. Darcy said, not missing a beat. “Would you care for a glass of punch?”</p><p>She leveled a stern look, reminiscent of her first governess in his direction. He had the grace to gift her a small smile, confirming he was very aware of his flirtatious behavior.</p><p>“A glass of punch would be welcome. Thank you.”</p><p>“Allow me to escort you to the refreshment table. Then you may choose which punch you prefer.” As they walked away, her hand lightly resting on his forearm, he said in a low voice only she could hear. “I hope you choose the liquid punch and not a solid left hook to my jaw.”</p><p>She could not help herself; she laughed out loud. What was she to do with this most frustrating man?</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieq5HrxNhh3DAsDJUy4iRCnmtjaVQ3vslH7uUXcxDP4LcvZlrUWRJSe46t3qwuK1JsPCO_odtGbKV6uthrPZYWfL2wXR4NTq_H2Mfe6cWDRimO4i1AV9sprxUAh5_396NWgZ6H4xns_YOXdBB714jEk_R79Gk0RzsHzkhzQhvg_akNzj9yaTLxkQnEESQ/s265/Always%20With%20Love.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="265" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieq5HrxNhh3DAsDJUy4iRCnmtjaVQ3vslH7uUXcxDP4LcvZlrUWRJSe46t3qwuK1JsPCO_odtGbKV6uthrPZYWfL2wXR4NTq_H2Mfe6cWDRimO4i1AV9sprxUAh5_396NWgZ6H4xns_YOXdBB714jEk_R79Gk0RzsHzkhzQhvg_akNzj9yaTLxkQnEESQ/s1600/Always%20With%20Love.png" width="265" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaggmlqyP9S-_Cuvx_38kdFGq3ISKLlb6ScCsQwRmD6l7SwMcsN0TYouxpErR-hXStd4FZ1WoTpg4RdQnZghl22SGkvsiJ1kONnOw6wamNR1mr1eCjkNaEL_lF8uS2_gRM75hemHRdP_-Th5V_V4gydDzNd43qsd5ByOZY4GCb3p7aY6N4P9pCN4KmSI/s214/temp%20SB.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="106" data-original-width="214" height="68" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaggmlqyP9S-_Cuvx_38kdFGq3ISKLlb6ScCsQwRmD6l7SwMcsN0TYouxpErR-hXStd4FZ1WoTpg4RdQnZghl22SGkvsiJ1kONnOw6wamNR1mr1eCjkNaEL_lF8uS2_gRM75hemHRdP_-Th5V_V4gydDzNd43qsd5ByOZY4GCb3p7aY6N4P9pCN4KmSI/w137-h68/temp%20SB.png" width="137" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8317810105915057272.post-12129004823795162892023-08-21T23:11:00.002-05:002023-11-20T09:21:07.455-06:00Tidbit Tuesday - You require watching<p> From my current Work in Progress ~ <i><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Wager</span></b></i></p><p><i><b></b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nqlgpbiTSGE52f6ZjX9dsrqKb14YvyyAZ3zy6NnuhPu6ag6WkAZF18c3GxX6QBvdD6znTk2Oiml4sBABqnJ0aDRojcbXUmnkY1Zo14OEz8rXr1gvtkjdxlhhvGHccXw4vgOknX8O-_mIjoDRRGz2lIk4O-4bTThn8Hrah07oTtZmpXXiQqAOTrennvI/s1004/TidbitTuesday%2020230822.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="1004" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nqlgpbiTSGE52f6ZjX9dsrqKb14YvyyAZ3zy6NnuhPu6ag6WkAZF18c3GxX6QBvdD6znTk2Oiml4sBABqnJ0aDRojcbXUmnkY1Zo14OEz8rXr1gvtkjdxlhhvGHccXw4vgOknX8O-_mIjoDRRGz2lIk4O-4bTThn8Hrah07oTtZmpXXiQqAOTrennvI/w640-h376/TidbitTuesday%2020230822.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></i></div><i><b><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b></i><p></p><p>Lydia leaped to her feet, grabbed Maria Lucas by the hand and tugged her out of the room, followed by a giggling Kitty.</p><p>“Your Lydia is so full of energy, Mrs. Bennet.”</p><p>“She is. Mr. Bennet and I have found a good school for her and Kitty. There just isn’t enough here to keep her occupied and we all know the wicked one will find work for idle hands.”</p><p>“Your Lydia would not do anything bad.”</p><p>“Not intentionally,” Mamma said before taking a sip of her tea. “But, with the expectation of the ____shire militia quartering here in Meryton, I am not willing to place her in the way of temptation. She is at that age where she will see romance in everything, even if a gentleman sneezes, she will think it is because he is trying to gain her attention.”</p><p>“I think we all were silly when we were younger,” Lady Lucas said then smiled wide. “Do you remember when Mr. Goodman’s nephew came to visit when we were about five and ten?”</p><p>“I do. I very nearly died when he smiled at me at church.”</p><p>Elizabeth and Jane looked at one another with wide eyes. They had never heard Mamma reminisce about anything before she had wed their father. At times, they forgot their mother had been a young girl whose heart fluttered upon seeing a handsome man, or boy.</p><p>“But no one was more handsome than Colonel… oh dear, what was his name?” Lady Lucas asked her longtime friend. “He rode in front of his men when the militia came to town the following year.”</p><p>“Colonel Miller.”</p><p>“Yes, Colonel Miller.” Lady Lucas closed her eyes and sighed deeply. “He sat his horse very well. Very well, indeed.”</p><p>She cracked open her eye and looked at Mamma, who blushed slightly before they both laughed heartily.</p><p>“Martha Whitby Lucas, you are a naughty woman.” Mamma cut a quick glance toward her three daughters who watched, their mouths slightly agape. “We were young girls who thought all officers were handsome and charming and Colonel Miller was everything a gentleman and an officer ought to be.”</p><p>“Sadly,” Lady Lucas brought pulled out a handkerchief, and pretended to wipe away a tear, “He was happily married and broke our tender hearts.”</p><p>“My heart was not too broken, as Mr. Hamilton had just arrived at Longbourn and soon, all I saw was him.”</p><p>“That is true. He was a lovely man and now you are blessed with another wonderful man. Mr. Bennet still thinks the sun and moon revolve around your whims and fancies.”</p><p>‘He is a good man, and I love him dearly.”</p><p>“I am glad to hear that, my dear,” Papa said upon entering the room, the Netherfield party following behind. “I am too old to find this Colonel Miller and challenge him to a duel.”</p><p>“Oh, Mr. Bennet!” Mamma said with a gasp. “You will make our guests think you are a terrible rogue with talk like that.”</p><p>“No, they will think I am a man who still finds his wife pretty enough to protect from other rakes and scoundrels.” Papa kissed her on the cheek and then turned to look at the male guests from Netherfield. “You have been warned, gentlemen. Mrs. Bennet is my lady fair.”</p><p>To Elizabeth’s surprise, it was Mr. Darcy who responded.</p><p>“I concede the field to you, sir.”</p><p>“You require watching, I think,” Papa mused out loud. “Do you play chess, Mr. Darcy?”</p><p>“I do.”</p><p>“Come tomorrow and we shall enjoy a game of strategy.”</p><p>“Shall we also play chess?”</p><p>Papa laughed outright.</p><p>“Oh yes, you definitely require watching.” Papa turned to Mary. “Will you ask Hill to bring in some more tea? I am certain Mr. Bingley and his guests would enjoy that new blend your uncle from town sent us last week.”</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mKmQWVes1KzOpOShPnYTdbhYD1iv-crTlHH18G2giJ2Vej2RnsnLulXY_MXIqT-511gHRQxyNVYP-C23xCIqWj7VawFCbD1m2Dcm_ly2brbr1KcHWIGbBai4NxD_7xsggPqj61fHauq-63NTV-wGDS0q31U7xE6BoqAxB1efTPvU8JjMi3oZPbXv3vU/s265/Always%20With%20Love.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="265" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mKmQWVes1KzOpOShPnYTdbhYD1iv-crTlHH18G2giJ2Vej2RnsnLulXY_MXIqT-511gHRQxyNVYP-C23xCIqWj7VawFCbD1m2Dcm_ly2brbr1KcHWIGbBai4NxD_7xsggPqj61fHauq-63NTV-wGDS0q31U7xE6BoqAxB1efTPvU8JjMi3oZPbXv3vU/s1600/Always%20With%20Love.png" width="265" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAhjya3egVV3xKcnuCVxdee0J6_bE6kYDixzuqrCDC4viPkfXD-E85JS4C1nGgBaKCa-2AmS0FdXp8NQmN0cBrqI37AZukqez1xFlhEnwcqI6apOrp1SCSN8lmkfTVF8bjoBK4W97mjx5SC9ACsIclgTLoxOdB9IseZ2U2snu9cAaZGHyIKlAq8F4mB4/s214/temp%20SB.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="106" data-original-width="214" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAhjya3egVV3xKcnuCVxdee0J6_bE6kYDixzuqrCDC4viPkfXD-E85JS4C1nGgBaKCa-2AmS0FdXp8NQmN0cBrqI37AZukqez1xFlhEnwcqI6apOrp1SCSN8lmkfTVF8bjoBK4W97mjx5SC9ACsIclgTLoxOdB9IseZ2U2snu9cAaZGHyIKlAq8F4mB4/w145-h72/temp%20SB.png" width="145" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div>Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8317810105915057272.post-58989182283755687382023-08-06T13:16:00.003-05:002023-11-20T09:21:29.789-06:00Deleted Scene ~ We did a very bad thing<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbav9afmU6IzvhlGuukO8iNtQNv-PyfbL_ucGlUtJcNpOVEJRjbUtd2xs1C0rqXynWZrkah1NYeoReczuFCQ6fsN9_wYb4gcNVW0IBPLtMXognyUQqb_nY72PPp0syAC1Th92l9sZDO7vuC_PMfpDqq3e4uTWtY0YNYvtFEZXWfJcFMmLpXtCC18u90M/s1004/Deleted%20Scene%2020230806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="1004" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbav9afmU6IzvhlGuukO8iNtQNv-PyfbL_ucGlUtJcNpOVEJRjbUtd2xs1C0rqXynWZrkah1NYeoReczuFCQ6fsN9_wYb4gcNVW0IBPLtMXognyUQqb_nY72PPp0syAC1Th92l9sZDO7vuC_PMfpDqq3e4uTWtY0YNYvtFEZXWfJcFMmLpXtCC18u90M/w640-h376/Deleted%20Scene%2020230806.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />If you have read <b><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Longbourn's Angels</span></i></b>, you are aware Mrs. Bennet knew of Elizabeth and Jane's friendship with the Duke of Belmont's family. However... the first draft had everyone keeping this tidbit from her and at the end of the book, at Jane's wedding to the Earl of Holcomb, everything comes to a head.<p></p><p>We start with Mrs. Frances Bennet's introduction to the duke at Jane's wedding breakfast.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>~~~</i></b></p><blockquote><p>"I am pleased to meet you. I am certain Lord Holcomb is glad you attended his wedding."</p><p>"We did not come as the earl's guest, Mrs. Bennet. We came in honor of Jane," the duke said.</p><p>"Not the earl?" Fanny looked to Elizabeth. "How can that be? We are not friends with any peers."</p><p>She saw Elizabeth glance at the duke's family and after a slight nod from his grace, Elizabeth led her mother away a few steps.</p><p>"Jane and I have known the duke's family for over eleven years."</p><p>"You and Jane? Eleven years!" Fanny could not help herself, her voice rose with each staccato sentence. "How? Why was I not told?"</p><p>During all this, Elizabeth had been steadily removing her from the room and down the hall toward her husband's study.</p><p>"Mamma, I will explain all. We will have some privacy in Papa's study."</p><p>They entered the room and Fanny marched to her husband's desk and turned to face her daughter, her hands fisted against her hips.</p><p>"Please explain to me how it is that a duke's family has honored my eldest daughter in such a manner, and I do not even know their names."</p><p>She listened as Elizabeth explained how she had saved the duke's daughter and how the friendship with Lady Susannah grew from there. When she went on to explain she and Jane had visited the duke's estate every summer, Fanny thought her heart would break. That her family thought her so capricious and fickle, they could not even tell her of this, was a blow to her self-esteem. What else had they kept from her? Was she even a part of this family? Would they even notice her gone if she ran away as Lydia had?</p><p>When her middle daughter had finished relaying all the pertinent information, Fanny was silent for a moment, absorbing it all and not liking how it made her feel. She finally sighed deeply and stepped past her daughter to exit the room.</p><p>"Thank you, Elizabeth. Please excuse me, I have guests to attend."</p><p>For the rest of the day, she behaved as an exquisite hostess, shattering any preconceived notion others may have held for her. Through it all, she conversed, listened, and advised – and spoke not one word to her family, other than to Jane when she and Henry made to depart on their wedding trip. Fanny kissed her eldest daughter on the cheek and said, her tone earnest, "I wish you every happiness and will pray your husband treats you with the respect you so richly deserve."</p><p>Later in the day, given the studied looks her husband kept shooting in her direction, she knew a conversation was to take place. She managed to avoid him until all the guests were gone, save Mr. Darcy who lingered in the drawing room with Elizabeth and her brothers.</p><p>"Fanny, might I have a word with you – in my study?"</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>~~~</i></b></p><p>They traversed the hall side by side and after he had opened the door and allowed her to precede him, Thomas moved to take one of the chairs near the fireplace. With a wave of his hand, he invited her to also take a seat, which she did. Silence stretched between them, becoming more awkward the longer they sat. She gave a start when the clock struck the half hour.</p><p>"Elizabeth told me she explained her relationship with the Duke of Belmont," he finally said, breaking the strained silence. "Have you nothing to say? Any questions?"</p><p>"Why?"</p><p>"Because the duke was so very grateful to Lizzy for saving his daughter's life."</p><p>"No. Why was I not told?"</p><p>Thomas pinched the bridge of his nose. A habit he had formed from childhood, indicating acute frustration, or an unwillingness to speak the unvarnished truth, no matter how much it hurt.</p><p>"It was done in an attempt to keep gossip at bay."</p><p>"Gossip. What gossip?"</p><p>"You and I both know that whatever you know, your sister Margaret knows as well." Thomas fell back in his chair and waved his hand in the direction of Mrs. Phillips' house, over a mile away. “She would never have kept this secret, and both Jane and Lizzy did not want our neighbors to treat them differently. They are good girls, Fanny. You did a marvelous job raising them. No one can take that from you, and because of your kindness and love, our girls will have a wonderful life. Do not let this overshadow the joy of this day.”</p><p>“Mr. Bennet, I am well aware our girls are everything that is lovely. You still should have told me. If you had asked, I would never have spoken a word of it.” She blinked rapidly, a feeble attempt to delay her tears. “I did not realize how low I had fallen in your esteem.”</p><p>“Fanny, that is not true.”</p><p>“No?” She straightened and drew back her shoulders. Her chin lifted in defiance, reminding him where their daughters had learned dignity. “I shall not trouble you further, Husband, with my flights of fancy. Let no one ever say Frances Bennet does not learn from her mistakes.”</p><p>She stood and gave her husband a full curtsy and after a quick pivot on her heel, quit the room. Bennet let out a heartfelt sigh. That had been badly done. Trite apologies would not soothe his wife’s hurt feelings. They had kept this secret from her for no other reason than they thought her silly, and it also fed his capricious sense of humor. The advice his own respected father had shared with him the night before he wed Fanny came to mind. He had come to Thomas’ room, Holy Bible in hand, and read from Proverbs.</p><p>Bennet reached for that same Bible, laying safely on the bookshelf behind him, and turned to the familiar passage. Tears filled his eyes as he read through the chapter, halting on the verses which he chastised himself for forgetting.</p><p></p><blockquote><i> The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. </i></blockquote><p></p><p>Fanny was a good and virtuous wife and she had trusted him, but that trust had not been returned. Not in things that mattered other than faithfulness. He had made her look the fool. He closed the book and clasped his hands on the cover, bowing his head. He asked forgiveness from his Lord, then asked for guidance on how to approach his wife. After a good half hour, he blew out the candles and ascended the stairs. He knocked lightly on his wife’s bedchamber door and his heart melted when she cracked it open, revealing big blue eyes, red-rimmed from crying.</p><p>“Ahhh, Fanny. I am so sorry. Can you find it in your heart to forgive a foolish man?”</p><p>She said not a word but left the door open before returning to a chair near the fireplace. He closed the door behind him and did not leave the room until late the next morning.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>~~~</i></b></p><p>"Your father and mother have not yet come down to break their fast?"</p><p>Darcy paced the family parlor, shooting glances at the door in hopes Elizabeth's father would miraculously appear. He finally had gotten her to say she would marry him and now he was being stonewalled in trying to approach her father for his consent and blessing. Granted, the family had been very busy with the wedding, but… surely things would revert to normal now that all the bustle had died down.</p><p>"We have not seen Mamma or Papa since late yesterday when Jane and Henry departed." Elizabeth began to wring her hands and joined him in pacing. "I told Mamma how and why we knew the Duke of Belmont and I do not think she took the news well."</p><p>"Your mother did not know the duke's family? How many years have you been friends with his daughter?"</p><p>"Over eleven years."</p><p>"Eleven…" he paused in thought. "Your mother must have been very hurt over this."</p><p>"She did not give the appearance of being hurt."</p><p>Darcy cut Elizabeth a hard glance.</p><p>"I watched your mother most carefully and what I thought was nervous energy I now realize was a woman holding everything together to keep others from seeing her anger."</p><p>"Anger?"</p><p>Darcy snagged Elizabeth's hand and tugged her toward the couch. After they sat, he faced her.</p><p>"Think about it this way. Let us assume Jane never once told you about Lord Holcomb and continued to see him, be courted by him, and accept his proposal without once taking you into her confidence. Then, by telling half-truths, she convinced you to attend church on a Tuesday morning, whereupon you find all your family and friends gathered to celebrate her marriage. How would you feel about that?"</p><p>"First of all—"</p><p>"No, my love. Accept the premise exactly as I presented it."</p><p>"Very well, I would be very hurt she had not trusted me enough to share her good news."</p><p>"Multiply that deception by eleven and a half years. Can you now understand why your mother is hurt?"</p><p>Tears filled his love's eyes.</p><p>"We did a very bad thing to Mamma."</p><p>"Yes, so what are we going to do about this?"</p><p>"Beg forgiveness, over and over until she accepts."</p><p>"Good starting point, but I do not think that is enough."</p></blockquote><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigW7Qi6jyhFaxNFcwOMCg_PScH1VCuaXXzec5WLOkQawxD3dwxkIwy8NkEuYFBeQfXKa7OWvuc_zInmh-WcdgJDcNmlYxQ6sQdLEAUTHJIIjm3g8u972kMn56-szgb88g6GECcWpkjFmFj9zoorAvokSYtNuC48KwSc90reW-s7zCQS7YNoy0slK2z3dg/s265/Always%20With%20Love.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="265" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigW7Qi6jyhFaxNFcwOMCg_PScH1VCuaXXzec5WLOkQawxD3dwxkIwy8NkEuYFBeQfXKa7OWvuc_zInmh-WcdgJDcNmlYxQ6sQdLEAUTHJIIjm3g8u972kMn56-szgb88g6GECcWpkjFmFj9zoorAvokSYtNuC48KwSc90reW-s7zCQS7YNoy0slK2z3dg/s1600/Always%20With%20Love.png" width="265" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8317810105915057272.post-6176492110336198372023-06-23T10:47:00.013-05:002023-06-25T11:29:07.344-05:00Friday Kiss ~ June 23<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJkhVKoCfqBwDasUR-UBr5UAYac1S0BkVRrFdrVROUnmUApmCFc0pG8NH4R8NUg35dwEQwBw5SS2-1eUUHMZKmYQ2PR4ESy_Gw5nMVK0Fze_fbokKjfMajrktZgPy-Z-TJetXG5y9kY9L3A7dqhzTO3ClLS8G1I3_61XEGn_DdJskWwJXyJQQRbHt9KE/s1004/Friday%20Kiss%2020230623.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="1004" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJkhVKoCfqBwDasUR-UBr5UAYac1S0BkVRrFdrVROUnmUApmCFc0pG8NH4R8NUg35dwEQwBw5SS2-1eUUHMZKmYQ2PR4ESy_Gw5nMVK0Fze_fbokKjfMajrktZgPy-Z-TJetXG5y9kY9L3A7dqhzTO3ClLS8G1I3_61XEGn_DdJskWwJXyJQQRbHt9KE/w640-h376/Friday%20Kiss%2020230623.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/fridaykiss?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZW8cY889cSWigBJOQzel0usO827VkHplNuuXDMzOzY0xrkHltMAobRiwWlaBxEqg3frDc0UmYbS3a1-9aCM3A3ejoGxWQhjC_yBMnv_NqaO-K-yuSZLS4_Fb7rW7MrVfud2jAFfp4Wjj0g1taZvHflBXbhVtNUeqwR-l7bxVSv8qg&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#FridayKiss</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> ~ This week's word is LIKE</span></span><div><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span><p></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">His uncle stared at the ceiling, seemingly deep in thought. “Were you not leery something <b><i><u>like</u></i></b> this might happen when she asked you to join her outside?”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“She did not request my presence, I followed,” he explained. “I thought she would catch a chill.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>Uncle Robert snapped his attention to him.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">“You followed her.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was a statement, not a question.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Yes.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">His uncle began to laugh. Brow furrowed, Darcy could only watch and wonder what was going on in his uncle’s mind. Finally, the earl stood and held out his hand. Surprised, Darcy put down his drink and accepted the handshake.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I wish you well in your marriage, Darcy,” he said before exiting the room. “You are going to need it.”</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Compromise & Consequence</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Available exclusively on Amazon <span><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/kindleunlimited?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZW8cY889cSWigBJOQzel0usO827VkHplNuuXDMzOzY0xrkHltMAobRiwWlaBxEqg3frDc0UmYbS3a1-9aCM3A3ejoGxWQhjC_yBMnv_NqaO-K-yuSZLS4_Fb7rW7MrVfud2jAFfp4Wjj0g1taZvHflBXbhVtNUeqwR-l7bxVSv8qg&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#KindleUnlimited</a></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09G1STQMG?fbclid=IwAR3-F-4dtO5FO3sXOScZ9tNNWWF6ftNpTO-a2fOIYE1Gh2LLwhtttQYmkU4" rel="nofollow noreferrer" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09G1STQMG</a></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/jaff?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZW8cY889cSWigBJOQzel0usO827VkHplNuuXDMzOzY0xrkHltMAobRiwWlaBxEqg3frDc0UmYbS3a1-9aCM3A3ejoGxWQhjC_yBMnv_NqaO-K-yuSZLS4_Fb7rW7MrVfud2jAFfp4Wjj0g1taZvHflBXbhVtNUeqwR-l7bxVSv8qg&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#JAFF</a></span> <span><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/bestseller?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZW8cY889cSWigBJOQzel0usO827VkHplNuuXDMzOzY0xrkHltMAobRiwWlaBxEqg3frDc0UmYbS3a1-9aCM3A3ejoGxWQhjC_yBMnv_NqaO-K-yuSZLS4_Fb7rW7MrVfud2jAFfp4Wjj0g1taZvHflBXbhVtNUeqwR-l7bxVSv8qg&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#Bestseller</a></span></span></div></div></div>Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8317810105915057272.post-83877948243462741652023-06-20T10:50:00.018-05:002023-11-20T09:21:58.123-06:00Tidbit Tuesday ~ The cut direct!<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KcqpIpdLsmibkshcX-L_ky5jKwMPU-1Y1NxOAPsdHOY3cGZPki3xcAu-JW2eUUqD6Fn3_UK7gwJc3qfVyUpWV92aN2ur-xV10RNWrPwjWlmi_oHUSrSg3bKCrtGGP1ESUm5EK92XcLpZiNwnS-LWJwmSRMfwMrxC_Oq2Lu_hbHgKjku1RzWcDS1rO5M/s1004/Tidbit%20Tuesday%2020200620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="1004" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KcqpIpdLsmibkshcX-L_ky5jKwMPU-1Y1NxOAPsdHOY3cGZPki3xcAu-JW2eUUqD6Fn3_UK7gwJc3qfVyUpWV92aN2ur-xV10RNWrPwjWlmi_oHUSrSg3bKCrtGGP1ESUm5EK92XcLpZiNwnS-LWJwmSRMfwMrxC_Oq2Lu_hbHgKjku1RzWcDS1rO5M/w640-h376/Tidbit%20Tuesday%2020200620.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />#TidbitTuesday <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">is from my current work in progress ~ The Wager</span></span><p></p><div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What if... Mr. Darcy insults our intrepid heroine Elizabeth and the tables were turned on the taciturn gentleman?</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">First, the image above is of Trenton Hamilton, the Earl of Tiverton, and his sisters, Lady Jane Hamilton and Lady Elizabeth Hamilton.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>First, the insult:</b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Elizabeth Hamilton followed her Aunt Sarah, Lady Courtland, into the crowded ballroom. Fascinated by the sheer number of candles used to illuminate the room, she was not paying attention and bumped into the back of a tall, broad-shouldered gentleman. About to apologize when he half-turned and stared her down, the words stuck in her throat for two reasons, the first being he was absolutely the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on. The second was because the look he bestowed upon her could have frozen over the Thames River in the middle of July.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Must I now expect every brash young woman to throw herself at me before the dancing has even begun?" he asked his equally tall companion, disdain dripping from every syllable.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The other gentleman looked at Elizabeth and said, "You could not ask for a prettier trap to be caught in, Darcy. Shall I seek an introduction?"</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The man, Darcy, gave her a hard, sideways glance.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"She is tolerable I suppose, if one has a preference for ordinary garden flowers, but she is not handsome enough to warrant an introduction."</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"I say, that is most unkind. You have no idea who this young lady is."</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"And I have no desire to learn her name or antecedents. Let us remove ourselves from this crush. I have already had more than I can stand of this company." </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><b>And now, the fallout. Enjoy</b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Uncle John half turned and held his hand out to Elizabeth. She took it and allowed herself to be brought forward. "Have you met our niece, Elizabeth?"</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"No, I have not had the pleasure…"</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A flicker of disgust first crossed his face upon seeing her, then he paled when he realized she was the niece of Lord and Lady Courtland, not some lowborn girl he could dismiss.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Fitzwilliam Darcy, I present to you, Lady Elizabeth Hamilton."</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mr. Darcy quickly recovered and gave her a polite half-bow.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Lady Elizabeth."</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">She waited for him to straighten and look her in the eye. When she was certain she had his undivided attention, she turned her back on the gentleman. Upon hearing the soft gasp from her aunt, she almost relented and turned to greet him properly, but then his words, 'she is not handsome enough to warrant an introduction,' echoed in her memory and her courage rose.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Elizabeth, what is the meaning of this?"</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Uncle John demanded an explanation.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Your horticulturally minded acquaintance does not believe us poor garden variety flowers warrant introductions."</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Before any of them could utter another word, she turned on her heel and quit the room.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Fitzwilliam Darcy, what have you done?!"</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>~~~~</b></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He has a very big trench to climb out of once he removes his foot from his mouth.</span></div></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This work in progress will not be available until early Autumn.</span> </span></p>Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8317810105915057272.post-71177903860922098492023-06-19T10:56:00.006-05:002023-06-25T11:04:20.501-05:00Funday Monday<div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;"><span style="border-color: initial; border-style: initial; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-width: initial; text-align: inherit;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/fundaymonday?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZXnoLpBqdDcy39klDpwbyMtdaNpYq9qtfT6czlo27n3ULYe7Bon5r42dgLiQ6fhvGXJ7TmO0XLcM3h0bDRxT9h0CIdIaJjsvNZyrxOL9y3Kg8Faqyq7BVrfggoPDBN_xFwzJ6mFnnL6h4W-vH7KxEE5AgrRDJrtlbgipr_xe7uLTQ&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"></a></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; text-align: center;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/fundaymonday?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZXnoLpBqdDcy39klDpwbyMtdaNpYq9qtfT6czlo27n3ULYe7Bon5r42dgLiQ6fhvGXJ7TmO0XLcM3h0bDRxT9h0CIdIaJjsvNZyrxOL9y3Kg8Faqyq7BVrfggoPDBN_xFwzJ6mFnnL6h4W-vH7KxEE5AgrRDJrtlbgipr_xe7uLTQ&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGpmtr2Mlk6hm9DjErqAMj8-o-9ovG_0SDbRPRk-NSuKaDc4fcjKmFNbdn6VSqKL1BjgHy355Xj8LRwHWdeORxy_bn2895HJETayc7sOvWLxM7ZCldkVf_mgwDpfbbl4nFZOFNZC2P6Mhg9hBzenHA5izB-00P5mCcSup-NXeawx0BrMei1X5lZw1clw/s1004/Manic%20Monday%2020230619.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="1004" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGpmtr2Mlk6hm9DjErqAMj8-o-9ovG_0SDbRPRk-NSuKaDc4fcjKmFNbdn6VSqKL1BjgHy355Xj8LRwHWdeORxy_bn2895HJETayc7sOvWLxM7ZCldkVf_mgwDpfbbl4nFZOFNZC2P6Mhg9hBzenHA5izB-00P5mCcSup-NXeawx0BrMei1X5lZw1clw/w640-h376/Manic%20Monday%2020230619.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span>#fundaymonday</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">, courtesy of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit;">"It is a rule with me, that a person who can write a long letter, with ease, cannot write ill."</span></blockquote></div></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"That will not do for a compliment to Darcy, Caroline," cried her brother -- "because he does not write with ease. He studies too much for words of four syllables. --Do not you, Darcy?"</span></span></blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><p></p>Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8317810105915057272.post-43851694315188789152023-06-16T10:59:00.008-05:002023-06-25T11:32:53.802-05:00Friday Kiss ~ June 16<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid33n_Gbsc7ARNXdeUwZHEMFElPvgaWeuibamvpApYForDRHQWB7pfG9jYbTM7mVd8ucV40iJfPRiW0wccbNgl34k4YnW-Baql66d6zB8M4nyE1YWybkuDoTM8FCDStgILEDjAtyFzz4Aa6UbAMwFOswiDiJQB48eZZB_ezqr_DS5E_lr_pRP5PlB7deQ/s1004/Friday%20Kiss%2020230616.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="1004" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid33n_Gbsc7ARNXdeUwZHEMFElPvgaWeuibamvpApYForDRHQWB7pfG9jYbTM7mVd8ucV40iJfPRiW0wccbNgl34k4YnW-Baql66d6zB8M4nyE1YWybkuDoTM8FCDStgILEDjAtyFzz4Aa6UbAMwFOswiDiJQB48eZZB_ezqr_DS5E_lr_pRP5PlB7deQ/w640-h376/Friday%20Kiss%2020230616.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">#FridayKiss <span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Today's word is LIFE</span></span><p></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This scene is from Compromise & Consequence.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Although my actions belied my words, I now know the first time I beheld you my heart was lost forever, and, fool that I was, I fought to push those feelings away. I love you, Elizabeth Darcy. You have bewitched me body and soul. Never will you ever hear me say a word against you or your family. You love them and because of that, I will always treasure them in my heart, for through their love and <span><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span>care, your character was formed. And I love your character almost as much as I love your form, your vivaciousness, your laugh, and your fine eyes.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Goodness, Mr. Darcy,” she teased with a slight smile. “When you put your mind to it, you can be quite charming. Are you sure you would rather not have a reset of our beginning and find a wife who would not give you so much heartache and turmoil?”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“No!”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“No?”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Absolutely not! If none of this happened, I would still be miserable and in want of a wife.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“You cannot be sure of that.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“All my adult <b><i><u>life</u></i></b> I have searched for a woman like you and if I had not accepted the invitation from Bingley to come to Hertfordshire, I most assuredly would still be a single man, haunting one crowded ballroom after another, seeking the other half of my heart.”</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px;"><br /></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/kindleunlimited?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZUNvS1UYUP0VZ-mHtVx_wy-LNl3WFHY3LbKqzB30st1wcuxMPIt4nGbNHDm8mRvNg3Kfz-sP_L6e_bWHT5dcRNLklpXXYnUztriFWguxohtjsed2jUj-6MEDQ0szhZWzWtGwlo08IPfDcEFhJBSQ35bMJ0RybHArTBYYSHnkDpXUA&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#KindleUnlimited</a></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/amazon?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZUNvS1UYUP0VZ-mHtVx_wy-LNl3WFHY3LbKqzB30st1wcuxMPIt4nGbNHDm8mRvNg3Kfz-sP_L6e_bWHT5dcRNLklpXXYnUztriFWguxohtjsed2jUj-6MEDQ0szhZWzWtGwlo08IPfDcEFhJBSQ35bMJ0RybHArTBYYSHnkDpXUA&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#Amazon</a></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/jaff?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZUNvS1UYUP0VZ-mHtVx_wy-LNl3WFHY3LbKqzB30st1wcuxMPIt4nGbNHDm8mRvNg3Kfz-sP_L6e_bWHT5dcRNLklpXXYnUztriFWguxohtjsed2jUj-6MEDQ0szhZWzWtGwlo08IPfDcEFhJBSQ35bMJ0RybHArTBYYSHnkDpXUA&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#JAFF</a></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/regencyromance?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZUNvS1UYUP0VZ-mHtVx_wy-LNl3WFHY3LbKqzB30st1wcuxMPIt4nGbNHDm8mRvNg3Kfz-sP_L6e_bWHT5dcRNLklpXXYnUztriFWguxohtjsed2jUj-6MEDQ0szhZWzWtGwlo08IPfDcEFhJBSQ35bMJ0RybHArTBYYSHnkDpXUA&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#regencyromance</a></span></div></div><p><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB09G1STQMG%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3vwUROVc6icS5zEWsF08VTqGoJx8-mQONSkUbbLY653R_JY0bVwWbKK34&h=AT3kA0Hj70Qz91SAixLIGehNHNZwz8nP1IrZpcDlZTwGRlzZVz06YQX-xjZ_Ipokcml73Ao8p6MRrI-8T5807DeEdflibsT-u8TGqUAcl7ou_TBhHQ4fOQAz377H_Qg2gpNk&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT3mFf7wPMe8IdwhZjJIjTRuI5V5wxgpkIRxr-HmhjssVnkP5GYUdNWdpqyYpMt4k_8yYIZ1SxpHzS4uZ4L7EzK5CY1_RoXeiPXNpIsl8TlmrC1A3fctwoqpEbS4FGNhd18mM3xckxQOdrSaTJH1WUrcInEww4fdt_BkGa-HtQ9ws2vfEGs" rel="nofollow noreferrer" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; white-space-collapse: preserve;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09G1STQMG</a> </p>Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8317810105915057272.post-60443350264814417162023-06-11T11:10:00.001-05:002023-06-25T11:14:01.062-05:00Snippet Sunday ~ June 11<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBy9QR8mEft-W2uYy32WSYSRGlHrhaHCpgdCEOM9JgWdyZ0dIBX9V8KviYn9AOd93m-ycu2RWOewpsKD-D4_alvf_G5hkPVBJEkLt1Td_Sxzl3xYuDTCe2C3GCRrNAj9jYghEMFoEyQwYugxyaun0x2z51Bx0OBDNQngcIsjCjvnZSk6fsW8yRQXI5TE/s1004/Snippet%20Sunday%2020230611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="1004" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPBy9QR8mEft-W2uYy32WSYSRGlHrhaHCpgdCEOM9JgWdyZ0dIBX9V8KviYn9AOd93m-ycu2RWOewpsKD-D4_alvf_G5hkPVBJEkLt1Td_Sxzl3xYuDTCe2C3GCRrNAj9jYghEMFoEyQwYugxyaun0x2z51Bx0OBDNQngcIsjCjvnZSk6fsW8yRQXI5TE/w640-h376/Snippet%20Sunday%2020230611.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">#SnippetSunday </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/jaff?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZWdKGJftOUPEbs_UrbAgd0u3mTx_VDcBl4O55uWfGbJPJFjOWuKazwO51ryhjYZL7pkFmhzDNPLyW_vqLUKcggyDl6b_lChaEIv97tu7wELPOPMiXPJ09ts8xS2TfcJF51gA2NCQAwrGQ1_jh0T6_isbojcHuMpEhA_vAwP5uwaBw&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#JAFF</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/alternateuniverse?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZWdKGJftOUPEbs_UrbAgd0u3mTx_VDcBl4O55uWfGbJPJFjOWuKazwO51ryhjYZL7pkFmhzDNPLyW_vqLUKcggyDl6b_lChaEIv97tu7wELPOPMiXPJ09ts8xS2TfcJF51gA2NCQAwrGQ1_jh0T6_isbojcHuMpEhA_vAwP5uwaBw&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#alternateuniverse</a></span></span><p></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Available exclusive with <a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/kindleunlimited?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZWdKGJftOUPEbs_UrbAgd0u3mTx_VDcBl4O55uWfGbJPJFjOWuKazwO51ryhjYZL7pkFmhzDNPLyW_vqLUKcggyDl6b_lChaEIv97tu7wELPOPMiXPJ09ts8xS2TfcJF51gA2NCQAwrGQ1_jh0T6_isbojcHuMpEhA_vAwP5uwaBw&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#KindleUnlimited</a></span></div><div dir="auto"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg" href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HYP8ST7?fbclid=IwAR3it0I2l3KzyaheTiCtFpsuBjRmUMTD6AtlN7XE8AOwVG4EVmCY7AYn2Qs" rel="nofollow noreferrer" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HYP8ST7</span></a></div></div>Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8317810105915057272.post-88240710911095649582023-06-04T11:14:00.002-05:002023-06-25T11:16:16.999-05:00Snippet Sunday ~ June 4<div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYkRnTyqd3HXMyfLMet9IUiCutw7lvsQai6kSyUls21fUW1i4IzmCehvnYnlumhLK_yHVSd1mffG5cb8hEtaKkRMLxZES3Xu9Kqlh4hgap-5wLgM9WIiEDli8iDqkzjphNewDYX82nTM96PK8_gyW0xB-mXEa3any7_B4ZnI8_Gpaj0sr8OIne5dCEY4/s1004/Sunday%20Snippet%2020230603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="1004" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioYkRnTyqd3HXMyfLMet9IUiCutw7lvsQai6kSyUls21fUW1i4IzmCehvnYnlumhLK_yHVSd1mffG5cb8hEtaKkRMLxZES3Xu9Kqlh4hgap-5wLgM9WIiEDli8iDqkzjphNewDYX82nTM96PK8_gyW0xB-mXEa3any7_B4ZnI8_Gpaj0sr8OIne5dCEY4/w640-h376/Sunday%20Snippet%2020230603.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />"You will raise her as one of your own?" </span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The tall, robust gentleman held the hand of the child who had celebrated her fourth birthday a few days ago. She bounced on her toes, anxious to find her favorite person in the whole world and show her the new dolly Papa had given her prior to their coming to uncle’s house.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“She <a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>will want for nothing, but are you sure you wish to take this step?”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Since Isabella’s passing, I cannot bear the empty rooms any longer. I see her in every corner. I hear her laughter and turn to find myself alone with nothing but memories.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“But, what of your daughter? Should you not stay and guide her in life? She will have no memory of either parent if you resume your command in the Navy. We might not see you for years!”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I promise to write letters, and mail them from every port of call.” He looked down at his precious girl, who looked so much like her mother his heart ached. “My solicitors have all the proper documentation if… well, if the inconceivable happens. She has been well provided for. Her grandfather has promised to stay in touch. If you need anything, do not hesitate to write to him.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was the closest he would come to admitting his life was taking a dangerous turn, where death was expected sooner rather than later, but he could not remain in the home he and his wife had purchased to raise their family.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“You know as well as I that correspondence from Spain is painfully slow, even worse, given the current political state. Regardless, I will send regular updates on her upbringing. Of that, you have my word.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The gentleman released his daughter’s hand in order to pick her up and hug her tight.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Be a good girl for Uncle Thomas, Elizabeth. Papa has to go and sail a boat for the King.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Cannot the King sail his own boat?” the precocious four-year-old asked.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“The King trusts me to take care of his biggest boat. It is called a ship, and your Papa is the captain. Can you give me the best kiss you have ever given before I go?”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Yes!” The child threw her arms around her Papa’s neck and favored him with a loud kiss on his bewhiskered cheek. Then, sensing things as only children can, she lowered her head onto his shoulder, the dolly hanging from her hand behind his back. “I will miss you ever so much, Papa. Almost as much as I miss Mamma.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I will miss you as well, my darling girl.” Tears welled up in his eyes and he lowered her to the ground, giving her shoulder a soft squeeze. “Go see Jane. I am sure she will want to see your new doll and help you unpack that enormous trunk.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I will show her Lizzy Izzy.” The little girl turned to skip toward the house. With one foot on the stone portico, she turned and said, “I love you, Papa.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“And I love you, my Elizabeth Rose.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That was the last Elizabeth Bennet saw of her father.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Available in <a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/kindleunlimited?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZX6ESBSEzMl5Tp4Z1i0KRwuCTZtYuLIxHIpmk850pRa7NFpeNLONny2ZqvjxXhNvOvvjEuIDNpt73exoKmMpwaGmcok-kVvIBX9tLBGaqzJMgt1aYuiEveKDrAv9n4ZO1JFvTNw2WAvLM996Uw2lI2bvlr4tPNlI65N9w_v5XveMw&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#KindleUnlimited</a></span></div></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB09G1STQMG%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1Kg35olRl99-8HOa5CJ43TIsGDf0Td5iOYqqOlfrEZ3DzcG0hAJ8V9Kq8&h=AT0dXX-AZ0NYNtattTfV5pyCnlOmsIGTHgOMWg6o1eCI8o-B-GCBIkEnsffvYf9_VgMn0AsnFpKJ1GkfypeRK6St6GxZBkbKWJZqvF-0LYZs3w1LpADzP0bxKDhlHnLayoFG&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT3e088wm7dME1C5ZFb-Tc4fUSnqfjjHXYazjM3xamEvWPMikkWhF29yeQmoII2a-2VF9axVeIDvkE5Y4KhOUR1Vs0rQT-yS0AK983VCXzJzOBmctrpt6Y5fz0wQBiujmmUQZdTRi4C1m2ZpcDtAcnET-sbD6BDHZrIVWITfnFkPbn1lB9s" rel="nofollow noreferrer" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; white-space-collapse: preserve;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09G1STQMG</a> </span></p>Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8317810105915057272.post-61576678904658767032023-06-02T11:16:00.007-05:002023-06-25T11:30:49.724-05:00Friday Kiss ~ June 2<div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6DEuCK61oisLNLNIFNvVJDA2bmW-QGzF8vSYIVEwTcfJrekMoODZDooAwtQQHuStDxpot1y8U660C1c_wNv0LbLaYa7Rd9dPWGOIVyZKy8t5zK1HbP7YeNouakUOrBKrC6BhrTYgPhbLCjKZZ1Fvn23SgzXzePJRt4Kt_NzvNdyspZ6If49yccbQpbo/s1004/Friday's%20Kiss%2020230602.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="1004" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6DEuCK61oisLNLNIFNvVJDA2bmW-QGzF8vSYIVEwTcfJrekMoODZDooAwtQQHuStDxpot1y8U660C1c_wNv0LbLaYa7Rd9dPWGOIVyZKy8t5zK1HbP7YeNouakUOrBKrC6BhrTYgPhbLCjKZZ1Fvn23SgzXzePJRt4Kt_NzvNdyspZ6If49yccbQpbo/w640-h376/Friday's%20Kiss%2020230602.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Today's word for <a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/fridaykiss?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZU-K_Gf42pmMTnVj7GOcnzpl2tsvUvAwF2ZBduWYeUxIHStxLB5qM1fuq5hHPDfi6hWN788L_6eBX8ZIxMF64t9gX_bQpEYbN9cYG9He8R5dXIZMSitELa3hlyXdUu6A0TJD037xzkCqX7n8YEXcAP_y3WiI3T9Kk0Uwul1G5FVAQ&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#FridayKiss</a> is 'tangle'.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On the groom's side of the chapel were the earl's former in-laws, Lord and Lady Sunderland, who sat with a very excited Lady Cassandra. Mrs. Bennet’s heart swelled with love when she saw Lord Holcomb’s daughter. She was such a polite and adorable child, yet filled with a nervous kind of energy. In some ways, she resembled Elizabeth when she was younger; always questioning and curious. Mrs. Bennet couldn’t count the number of times she <a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>wished for nightfall to find some peace from the endless questions like, ‘Why does a cricket’s leg bend backward?’ or ‘How do clouds stay afloat?’ Even when Mrs. Bennet checked on her children before bed, she often found Elizabeth in a tangle of sheets, still exploring in her sleep. The man who married her would need lots of patience to quell her curiosity. She blushed a little at the thought of how her husband had calmed her nerves when they first were married.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Fanny looked at Lord Holcomb – Henry – waiting patiently near the altar for his bride. At the time of Mr. Bingley’s defection, she had despaired of her Jane ever finding happiness, but now that she’d met the earl, Fanny could not even begin to imagine her eldest daughter married to anyone else. Henry was faithful and true and valued Jane for more than her beauty, something Fanny had erroneously thought was the only valuable asset her daughter owned. Fortunately, the earl had seen beyond the physical and sought the woman beneath the skin.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Standing next to Henry was Mr. Darcy. Now, this was something Fanny had not expected. She knew the earl had lost almost all his immediate family to an influenza outbreak a few years ago, so there was no brother to stand with him. She reasoned, however, if Mr. Darcy’s courtship with Elizabeth progressed further, the two men would become brothers through marriage, which created its own perfect symmetry.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mrs. Bennet assessed the proud mien of Mr. Darcy. No one could deny the gentleman’s attractive appearance, but his prideful bearing was, at times, difficult to overlook. Would he have the capacity and patience to handle Elizabeth’s unparalleled enthusiasm for life? When she posed this question after being informed of their courtship, Mr. Bennet assured her if their daughter accepted a marriage proposal, she would have a very content life. Her husband explained Elizabeth’s <i>joie de vivre</i> was precisely what the man from Derbyshire needed to soften his somber disposition. Fanny suddenly chuckled and hoped the fastidious man did not mind <b><i><u>tangled</u></i></b> bed cloths.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The church door opened and Elizabeth entered to begin the procession. Fanny happened to catch sight of Mr. Darcy’s expression upon seeing her second daughter walk down the aisle and sighed with satisfaction. He would not mind <b><i><u>tangled</u></i></b> sheets at all.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Available in Kindle Unlimited</span></div></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0C3Z56FYG%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3ZcmdrgiRNeSdpggczCNhURGl8sW209J5xyeVzscAqaBLzfbx7TnAy-0I&h=AT0bPxLI9V9zGQKdzQAZTWcbbMikGx32FjUBcMIxq2RwjUe6LjiIoTwtZ25BYwU4thiJZpUI8ddekyRGqmsZ0sFKR60luxWOScqcq5xcJuc2THImMBBa5UDtF-_rugFJYjCH&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT1f-WEi-eUNV6q18voRxzTMlPw3lxusRHHaKlDLXP5jPi5jjtQVM0DoN34_a2G26vw8yUOz8kfXyb833B74zlI2qwrfp9H0iHQvv2K-TfHJoPl44q1lgCCtqc9R27Cq8i7ubrSVs6-dARu5iDtzCV6bkHgXRg8vlSob7vVZuQUoJBbjCh8" rel="nofollow noreferrer" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; white-space-collapse: preserve;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C3Z56FYG</a> </span></p>Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8317810105915057272.post-20535579901004888922023-05-26T11:19:00.001-05:002023-06-25T11:21:57.118-05:00Friday Kiss ~ May 26<div class="xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3gOba6F9vvaIgs6lBZzqPu0C8tXwvqzqfoydfhnazm53lU0YkiQB0bjT0jNTwMbIU1kyv5XcHoxm8AA3Xvgo6QEZvbEZ1NxW_AUT4qHBdZT3f_VfdrDJ5YGGbK_s9oEqaD4tFGNI_CrqaPQ9avZfOUMFp9GWM9p53fWC4Z-Mm_KWmZKyF8Eqava92gc/s1004/Friday's%20Kiss%2020230526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="1004" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3gOba6F9vvaIgs6lBZzqPu0C8tXwvqzqfoydfhnazm53lU0YkiQB0bjT0jNTwMbIU1kyv5XcHoxm8AA3Xvgo6QEZvbEZ1NxW_AUT4qHBdZT3f_VfdrDJ5YGGbK_s9oEqaD4tFGNI_CrqaPQ9avZfOUMFp9GWM9p53fWC4Z-Mm_KWmZKyF8Eqava92gc/w640-h376/Friday's%20Kiss%2020230526.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />#FridayKiss is from An Unwitting Compromise. This week's word is 'image'.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bennet laced his fingers over his stomach and stared at Darcy.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I still do not like you, Mr. Darcy. You were proud and disdainful when here last believing that you were above those who have little beauty and no fashion and should receive neither your attention nor pleasure. I believe those were your words after meeting us at the Assembly, were they not, sir?”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I <a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>cannot recall saying those exact words,” Darcy said through stiff lips.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Of course, you do. It is a reflection of your base nature. After you left, some of the servants from Netherfield regaled our servants with your little quips and observations. I have written them down in my journal.” He tapped a ledger on his desk. “My favorite is when speaking of my Lizzy and her proclaimed beauty, I believe you said, ‘She a beauty? I would as soon call her mother a wit.’ Ring any bells?”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He absolutely did say something along those lines and felt a fresh wave of shame wash over him. To think at one time this was how he viewed Elizabeth and her family made him ill.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Your other insult was not so secretive. Everyone in Meryton knew my Lizzy was not handsome enough to tempt you. That to dance with a young lady who had been slighted by other gentlemen would be a punishment. Do you care for me to continue with how you perceived our quaint, rustic village?”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“No, you have said quite enough, Mr. Bennet.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Having his words tossed back in his face was like having a mirror shoved before his face. A mirror that reflected what was in a person’s true heart, and his likeness had shown a demon from hell. It shocked him to the core. When had his pride become so great, he thought himself above so many good and honest people?</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“So, you see, Mr. Darcy. I do not like you. One heartfelt apology does not negate the <u style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">image</u> you projected to us poor, ill-educated savages.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“No, sir. It does not.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“However, I will accept your apologies.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Thank you.” Darcy rose to leave, inherently knowing their meeting was over. About to exit the room, Bennet called after him.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Tell your faithful follower if he ever comes to his senses, he need not apologize. Not that I expect him to. He seems to be a feckless young man, led about the nose by his willful sister. However, I would ensure your sister stays away from him as he might break her heart. I have been told by Elizabeth that she is as gentle as my Jane and they are the ones he seems to prey upon.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All Darcy could do was nod and take his leave.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/jaff?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZWEurACBv5_Xl8hjNImwPTXOjDztuvCZzTm-sM-PxmmVQb3a3nDwvfFTmMHMj9EY4jYJJ8NssXdUL_o2lVq05_V0cGWkmmiBPNXTCdsMFXm11cDeB-Gby_0-NMQNBAVPrs41dpKk9msso0VkiL1HeIgr8L5x_ECss0rjgDSUWGkvg&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#JAFF</a> <a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1qq9wsj xo1l8bm" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/kindleunlimited?__eep__=6&__cft__[0]=AZWEurACBv5_Xl8hjNImwPTXOjDztuvCZzTm-sM-PxmmVQb3a3nDwvfFTmMHMj9EY4jYJJ8NssXdUL_o2lVq05_V0cGWkmmiBPNXTCdsMFXm11cDeB-Gby_0-NMQNBAVPrs41dpKk9msso0VkiL1HeIgr8L5x_ECss0rjgDSUWGkvg&__tn__=*NK-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; background-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation;" tabindex="0">#KindleUnlimited</a> </span></div></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a class="x1i10hfl xjbqb8w x6umtig x1b1mbwd xaqea5y xav7gou x9f619 x1ypdohk xt0psk2 xe8uvvx xdj266r x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x16tdsg8 x1hl2dhg xggy1nq x1a2a7pz xt0b8zv x1fey0fg" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0946BNLZY%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1F0-DJVvIfGDwDBI-drFZ4QKDqr2qu3E5DnTIv-vHoTd8qjRNMsmeMUac&h=AT0OBTXTIw4ksMs1NKR67eZyGEd-2b-5xOxSRKczM8H06mRNMY5_FsOhLmLfxNirBzLoNmaDvnmXjkIgsjhDki31w99Qdm4VVHiKYmEQ-lPdMUSVGJ-pM3pOIsmZ251QADoU&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT2BnzqJqdgvnJ6T51KvOKHQ1_fOymUQye74kIjchVd7saW9SfS0OQxSj-I7MDVqTW7FyQL7he_4gIuXQ1RjZyJvvwazmNdYSHzg0ccBbRhp6kRofJqwX3CPL0i1fFBMwhlPDRiNhEp21PQu6GABIxlQfacoAfmEu98orbocfXeQUsaovmA" rel="nofollow noreferrer" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; border-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; cursor: pointer; display: inline; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; touch-action: manipulation; white-space-collapse: preserve;" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0946BNLZY</a> </span></p>Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8317810105915057272.post-92095982411936051632023-05-23T11:23:00.001-05:002023-06-25T11:26:51.926-05:00Tidbit Tuesday ~ May 23<div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNtnaYJ8rpox6vgPqXfwa__wUfuBNDPA4qDFrnRBSBtIwUaDB8JCSZMPORGCYhVOxBa68mcNbN4Jwyq01bmHgoG2nr-iPBubSkh1C59QUAREaUwDVYG_ihnNMnPdykNvbD_wmERaolFWxhxy3nU0Pz_9IbCjNPHyLaw68WCxU8dWVOo1uYdxfE3Dg204/s1004/Tidbit%20Tuesday%2020230523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="1004" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUNtnaYJ8rpox6vgPqXfwa__wUfuBNDPA4qDFrnRBSBtIwUaDB8JCSZMPORGCYhVOxBa68mcNbN4Jwyq01bmHgoG2nr-iPBubSkh1C59QUAREaUwDVYG_ihnNMnPdykNvbD_wmERaolFWxhxy3nU0Pz_9IbCjNPHyLaw68WCxU8dWVOo1uYdxfE3Dg204/w640-h376/Tidbit%20Tuesday%2020230523.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Today's selection is a work in progress. It is not ready for publication, but I wanted to share a scene from the beginning. I hope you enjoy this 'tidbit' from Charming Mr. Darcy.</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>~~~ooo0ooo~~~</i></b></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Elizabeth tore apart her hot roll and popped a small piece into her mouth. As she chewed the soft bun, she carefully watched the other guests around the breakfast table. Across from her and to the left, sat Mr. Darcy, his face as closed off as every other time she looked in his <a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a>direction. Idly, she wondered if he ever removed his mask of stoicism, amused at the image of him asking his valet to untie the strings around his head when preparing for bed in order to get a good night’s rest.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Miss Bingley, directly across from Elizabeth, simpered and flirted with no success. Every coy glance, every subtle touch of her hand to his arm, elicited no response except stilted, polite replies. What would Miss Bingley do if Mr. Darcy answered even one of her brainless questions with complete truth?</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At that exact moment, Elizabeth did something she had promised her father she would never do. She touched the crystal which hung around her neck, whispered a few soft words, then sat back and watched her work unfold.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">~~~ooo0ooo~~~</span></b></i></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I came as soon as I received your note. What has you so lathered up?”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I am afraid I did something terrible, Papa.” He gave a start, and she tried to smile. “Nothing life-threatening, but it has created a… well, an interesting situation.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“What did you do?” her father said with a resigned sigh.</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I wanted Mr. Darcy to be truthful and not hide behind his social mask. That is what Jane calls it, not me. I think he is purposefully proud—”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Elizabeth! Enough with your narrow slant on the man’s character. What. Did. You. Do?”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Yesterday morning at breakfast, I placed a charm on Mr. Darcy’s teaspoon.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“You are forbidden from using unauthorized magic until you reach your age of majority.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“I know, Papa. And I am sorry.”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“And?”</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“The purpose of the charm, after he had touched the teaspoon, was to only tell the truth for a full week.”</span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ruh Roh Scooby</span></div></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Dare we wonder what truths Mr. Darcy might blurt out while Elizabeth is at Netherfield Park caring for Jane? Tell me what you think.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></p>Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8317810105915057272.post-59836918795381961012023-05-18T10:31:00.004-05:002023-05-18T10:31:49.730-05:00#1 Best Seller!<p> My latest baby is two weeks old and has already achieved not one, but two!! orange banners. Thank you, dear readers. You are the only ones who make this possible.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVC9BZlmZ-WmV4m0ejKvN66VlKm6NnPHAvqBNAtY1weQeNhOXTYF_Rd46o1bg4hNV9jGLW4z79HWV6vl2H_mlpp5NA2q866Ro2SeHgmiJjJ92lgspY7ZbsH-HIoWvxDtbCMk3Co19UcVrojRBLgcTtAwAshjq13VJABRlRen1RpBZqfnSuRaqZYoYw/s408/Number%20One.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="71" data-original-width="408" height="56" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVC9BZlmZ-WmV4m0ejKvN66VlKm6NnPHAvqBNAtY1weQeNhOXTYF_Rd46o1bg4hNV9jGLW4z79HWV6vl2H_mlpp5NA2q866Ro2SeHgmiJjJ92lgspY7ZbsH-HIoWvxDtbCMk3Co19UcVrojRBLgcTtAwAshjq13VJABRlRen1RpBZqfnSuRaqZYoYw/s320/Number%20One.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSZXy1tbkQM5XgL7Otty7ID_UddEq9nCWYgmN65co9ZqQqjeecpd8gd9Bfuc_BDFuBQIk_BBtH_mNuaEozOM35xJADSbBqk8L6giuE1vVkb_pwjwjbKptVxmvmkn2z_1DN0moAqU1JGMNMUVMKXLSTiwXCf8jUDkCnP63C2BrzXKIFURoluBlMw-p/s2400/LA-ebookcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSZXy1tbkQM5XgL7Otty7ID_UddEq9nCWYgmN65co9ZqQqjeecpd8gd9Bfuc_BDFuBQIk_BBtH_mNuaEozOM35xJADSbBqk8L6giuE1vVkb_pwjwjbKptVxmvmkn2z_1DN0moAqU1JGMNMUVMKXLSTiwXCf8jUDkCnP63C2BrzXKIFURoluBlMw-p/w426-h640/LA-ebookcover.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">If you haven't yet read Longbourn's Angels, you can get your copy </span><b style="text-align: left;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C3Z56FYG" target="_blank">HERE</a></i></b><span style="text-align: left;">, exclusively on Amazon, Kindle Unlimited. </span></div>Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8317810105915057272.post-84780973136489739032023-05-01T09:12:00.007-05:002023-05-01T09:12:55.576-05:00NEW RELEASE<h1 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Amarante;"><i>Longbourn's Angels</i></span></h1><p></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;">.</span>Elizabeth and Jane Bennet have their very own guardian angels in the form of elder twin brothers, Michael, and Gabriel, who are on high alert when Meryton is suddenly flooded with eligible gentlemen. One is honorable although a tad too proud, one is a known flirt always on the lookout for his next ‘angel,’ and one is a garrulous bore. All of them have their eye on a Bennet sister.</p><p></p><p>The brother’s protective instincts are further heightened when a dangerous predator arrives in their sleepy village, and more than one lady learns that evil can appear in the guise of a handsome man.</p><p><i>Where there is no wood, the fire goes out.</i></p><p>In this retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice, new and old friendships are forged in bonds of steel while others are lost in the waves of gossip.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnq1HTJG1UovM0NikbSDdCc5CDzL_ezMcjE7VPbM-bviFG5v1KtgLGtK5ghm4HdOr9fza4CJ9ve7OAFiLVVQO-RXXBFT8C1tUFf4xRqa2581RLCgaJsSoG0xlyo3iapPjw5l1O9upnVDBi3TDaVlATBZeho5HPPJQKCH8ZHtQ3Xz8CBkOTqmy439N/s2400/LA-ebookcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnq1HTJG1UovM0NikbSDdCc5CDzL_ezMcjE7VPbM-bviFG5v1KtgLGtK5ghm4HdOr9fza4CJ9ve7OAFiLVVQO-RXXBFT8C1tUFf4xRqa2581RLCgaJsSoG0xlyo3iapPjw5l1O9upnVDBi3TDaVlATBZeho5HPPJQKCH8ZHtQ3Xz8CBkOTqmy439N/w426-h640/LA-ebookcover.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Available now, exclusively on Amazon's Kindle Unlimited. Purchase your copy <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C3Z56FYG" target="_blank">HERE</a></p><div><br /></div>Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8317810105915057272.post-74700458858890632282023-04-12T09:45:00.000-05:002023-04-12T09:45:19.928-05:00One Line Wednesday<p> Short and Sweet Today.</p><p>One line from a published or unpublished work. Today I am sharing from Pride & Perception. This is a change of fortune story and our dear Elizabeth leads Mr. Darcy on a merry path toward their Happy Ever After.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1nIcdv-AyRY26Yejq5trxTn5OcFlStPezX1eOpSWagUAwJAlpV4-7hXiWYTp3CJ7pb3yHuq8DtTLcSjQSCUxaX685Vwzw97DRFDnlZY1iBlfno52Cj701-V_A-tEajIbIVylIAAZHRQsr3Nrk5Q6EhHFgvbpB3VE5vAKbbvM3q3eEv9VCXNs7ITd/s1004/20230412%20You%20broke%20into%20%20my%20soul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="1004" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1nIcdv-AyRY26Yejq5trxTn5OcFlStPezX1eOpSWagUAwJAlpV4-7hXiWYTp3CJ7pb3yHuq8DtTLcSjQSCUxaX685Vwzw97DRFDnlZY1iBlfno52Cj701-V_A-tEajIbIVylIAAZHRQsr3Nrk5Q6EhHFgvbpB3VE5vAKbbvM3q3eEv9VCXNs7ITd/w640-h376/20230412%20You%20broke%20into%20%20my%20soul.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>Pride & Perception is available exclusively on Amazon - Kindle Unlimited and you can purchase it <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Y756HBX" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHiNb8WmFWI6cfKjuFpoqPXYMbNrHY2XvifROPATmCS1X7qLCq2Z-lksrnROQVwZYYewSOFCCKvdfXEL_eewHmSOz0beO3YFQT2OiY5QWmtFEcjQgP5VzxISzURb-G2Gem30KGSdpcw3RArG2niQz1d10314gGK34gSpWN0pAkT-hfoep7it1Pn1V/s265/Always%20With%20Love.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="265" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHiNb8WmFWI6cfKjuFpoqPXYMbNrHY2XvifROPATmCS1X7qLCq2Z-lksrnROQVwZYYewSOFCCKvdfXEL_eewHmSOz0beO3YFQT2OiY5QWmtFEcjQgP5VzxISzURb-G2Gem30KGSdpcw3RArG2niQz1d10314gGK34gSpWN0pAkT-hfoep7it1Pn1V/s1600/Always%20With%20Love.png" width="265" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaR9lZGMJh-1CqEIj1ZmtI9t1bVH0eLYuMhYfKQBt-IqikVajqiH6Q_FMZuZmcDOqN8uvk-_e4prlUO8nw8Z3WwlaFTyrN5A4TJfbtkHNy7ljILGvKjyRKUV_dPnyju1R7b7RwdcxRDEDcuJ_jd-Qjly3hP7IvCHTQ2KWMUsRgFLRjyGEgyzD7bGoG/s214/temp%20SB.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="106" data-original-width="214" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaR9lZGMJh-1CqEIj1ZmtI9t1bVH0eLYuMhYfKQBt-IqikVajqiH6Q_FMZuZmcDOqN8uvk-_e4prlUO8nw8Z3WwlaFTyrN5A4TJfbtkHNy7ljILGvKjyRKUV_dPnyju1R7b7RwdcxRDEDcuJ_jd-Qjly3hP7IvCHTQ2KWMUsRgFLRjyGEgyzD7bGoG/w148-h74/temp%20SB.png" width="148" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8317810105915057272.post-84808530055907658322022-12-30T13:19:00.003-06:002022-12-30T13:20:44.007-06:00Farewell 2022<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInpgrUr9M35Z2v-jlYM3tlGUmeYfy9Y-uTqMl4fhiD-P4Q47xP10LmYypaV_XLWnSfGYp3LyhDErHND6EA0CeTmHhIQQHbmRKZspR0309QfC-LGmF8N_yCoSGybce5y2LI3AJ_PwQzvn3oihXJTV4Gm8zd8dz2vtOlyTKNxg-u0-Ht2ShaipDfZFR/s1004/2023%2012%2031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="1004" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInpgrUr9M35Z2v-jlYM3tlGUmeYfy9Y-uTqMl4fhiD-P4Q47xP10LmYypaV_XLWnSfGYp3LyhDErHND6EA0CeTmHhIQQHbmRKZspR0309QfC-LGmF8N_yCoSGybce5y2LI3AJ_PwQzvn3oihXJTV4Gm8zd8dz2vtOlyTKNxg-u0-Ht2ShaipDfZFR/w640-h376/2023%2012%2031.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>As the title suggests, this is my farewell message to 2022. In some ways, it has been a very good year, in others, not so much.</p><p>January started with us facing an unknown future as Mr. Barr had been diagnosed with cancer back in November. The 'Big C' still strikes fear into the hearts of many and while we were confident the disease was caught at its early stages, we had lots of long talks about what do we do now. This led to us purchasing a condo so Mr. B. didn't have so much yard work to take care of.</p><p>February had Mr. B's treatments start. I don't know what hurt the most, the biopsy he had in November which determined he had cancer, or the doctors injecting him with the nanobeads the radiation needed to stick (in order to kill those nasty C cells all around). The radiation treatment itself, ten in total, was quick and painless. My poor boy... :(</p><p>March stormed in and not only did Mr. B have cancer treatments, but also a hernia operation. During all this, we put our house up for sale and were constantly on the go while it was active on the market, and people viewed the house. BTW - you can check out this YouTube video if you'd like to see where we lived.</p>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/orGdTWH6ciU" width="480"></iframe>
<div><br /></div><div>House sold!</div><div><br /></div><div>April, May, June. -- I hate packing and going through things to determine 'what will we keep', 'what will we give away'? Ugh.</div><div><br /></div><div>July - we are in the new condo, without my wall unit oven and microwave. Delays due to Covid. I think I hate that phrase, don't you? Fortunately, we have our cooktop, slow cooker, and BBQ. Sounds good, right. Live like that for months on end. It begins to wear on you. Subway has become my friend.</div><div><br /></div><div>September - heave a heartfelt sigh - my oven unit arrived and I can bake! Cook! Microwave! Wait. What? What do you mean the oven door latch is broken and I cannot use my shiny new oven?</div><div><br /></div><div>October - the oven is fixed in time for Canadian Thanksgiving, which is ironic because I have a countertop roasting pan I use for the big bird. Still, I can go back to baking bread, cakes, and cookies, and have meatloaf whenever I want. Oh, in case you are wondering, during this month we discover the cancer is gone, but Mr. B. has to see his doctor every six months for the next two years, and then if still not there, every three. His hernia operation was also successful, so we truly were thankful this year.</div><div><br /></div><div>November is a special month for us. Not only is it Mr. B's birthday month but also our anniversary month. This year we celebrated 39 years of wedded bliss. We often joke, when asked how many years we've been happily married, either one of us will reply with, "Happily? I'd say about five." Humour is what has kept us close, along with our love and friendship. </div><div><br /></div><div>Last, but not least, December. Looking back over this year there were struggles, but that's life. What struck me more than once was how the hand of God was on our lives. In ways, we could not even imagine until we looked back and saw how it could have been worse, yet wasn't. How things 'fell' into place for us to find a condo, sell our home, beat cancer, and be content and happy.</div><div><br /></div><div>We are blessed.</div><div><br /></div><div>I wish you and yours a Happy New Year and a wonderful 2023.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh730uXlTqrNeuW773Jvwahb_Pi-ef93jW5MHuKrdpQjhpPzoQJpZtimT5IOnZF5gC2rO6JQfLeMRl0p73xrzJ9QP1owiGQ0owz_tCyI22NJnUGva7KdUvTHGkH8Cg2aIfC1rAiphgsvgL-gKXv-3hiEvItC_09NJ3b1kzs5lft7J796p-dMrA8Qe2k/s265/Always%20With%20Love.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="265" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh730uXlTqrNeuW773Jvwahb_Pi-ef93jW5MHuKrdpQjhpPzoQJpZtimT5IOnZF5gC2rO6JQfLeMRl0p73xrzJ9QP1owiGQ0owz_tCyI22NJnUGva7KdUvTHGkH8Cg2aIfC1rAiphgsvgL-gKXv-3hiEvItC_09NJ3b1kzs5lft7J796p-dMrA8Qe2k/s1600/Always%20With%20Love.png" width="265" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6puH72OzittCTNg8IkRK0Mky72Mr0P1euiwZNb_PGIzBjHgjgFyqSVHLbvduuxcL43DBT6LKun3Jb4N-fK5Ez5ioNQRTzCpiey7dbQxA8Zb-QlGJ87ndLvlhgagLhY-XKh0tXCn_i0v9hpVpwp-cM_o4O9cesnicWXGDKWgRTwlw_5yx3Q72gQImy/s214/temp%20SB.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="106" data-original-width="214" height="74" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6puH72OzittCTNg8IkRK0Mky72Mr0P1euiwZNb_PGIzBjHgjgFyqSVHLbvduuxcL43DBT6LKun3Jb4N-fK5Ez5ioNQRTzCpiey7dbQxA8Zb-QlGJ87ndLvlhgagLhY-XKh0tXCn_i0v9hpVpwp-cM_o4O9cesnicWXGDKWgRTwlw_5yx3Q72gQImy/w149-h74/temp%20SB.png" width="149" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8317810105915057272.post-31321609812582675682022-11-26T04:00:00.001-06:002022-11-26T04:00:00.200-06:00WEEKEND WRITING WARRIORS #88<p>I'm baaaack! One of the rabbit holes I disappeared into these past few weeks was Discord, more specifically, MidJourney - an Artificial Intelligence (AI) program. I wanted to create my own characters for Longbourn's Angels that I could use for marketing and teasers. Below is my 'cast' for my WIP (work in progress), <i><b>Longbourn's Angels</b></i>. Crossing fingers, toes and eyes it will be ready for release early 2023.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7nykupCsituE8PlSzDfxOIYGswiyiPOI4iZlSpHapB47XONinN993XIhJ7CFEhMHF9hMBRVjxmwfLwpb4W2c2umDMFGOGhGepcwsOxn1RP72EyyjuHdgy6iwQWjOn6pEeKzWgRo1VMP8IuyN8cksaN1_p7SgV-qkI_CG5t129r8aPmF9feFIgyo5/s1004/Cast%20of%20Longbourns%20Angel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="1004" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7nykupCsituE8PlSzDfxOIYGswiyiPOI4iZlSpHapB47XONinN993XIhJ7CFEhMHF9hMBRVjxmwfLwpb4W2c2umDMFGOGhGepcwsOxn1RP72EyyjuHdgy6iwQWjOn6pEeKzWgRo1VMP8IuyN8cksaN1_p7SgV-qkI_CG5t129r8aPmF9feFIgyo5/w640-h376/Cast%20of%20Longbourns%20Angel.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth & Darcy --- Jane & Henry & Bingley</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also created some fun graphics and the one I am using today pairs nicely with the snippet I wish to share.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBKw-GRL8y3-uzXP_xynQHKbf2_97XvhlO4DuEZEVnIzEoOdgL2IIytgT0l8O-fc6voRq8bDYrRbHg95IuZCcDe5pp4n2ZhfaXezCiawgJ11JZ4ST9TTcwmbZVzf4roFei5DSvTTlJIAoEcqAic5psh5MzZDMuGXGxWWPk6tV0j2oppZeIwPk8sxk/s1004/FB%202022%2011%2006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="1004" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBKw-GRL8y3-uzXP_xynQHKbf2_97XvhlO4DuEZEVnIzEoOdgL2IIytgT0l8O-fc6voRq8bDYrRbHg95IuZCcDe5pp4n2ZhfaXezCiawgJ11JZ4ST9TTcwmbZVzf4roFei5DSvTTlJIAoEcqAic5psh5MzZDMuGXGxWWPk6tV0j2oppZeIwPk8sxk/w640-h376/FB%202022%2011%2006.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>But First (to quote Julie Chen) - My 10 lines:</b></div><blockquote><div>If there had not been a ball to prepare for and talk of, Mrs. Bennet would have been in a pitiable state. Ever since the invitation to the ball had been extended, the skies had opened and a deluge of rain fell for five straight days. As such, she was prevented from taking the carriage to Meryton to obtain whatever she deemed necessary for Jane’s dress. She also fretted over Lydia’s gown, as this would be her first official ball, having been granted permission to attend and dance with family members only. Papa would return Lydia back to Longbourn after the supper hour.</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>Mrs. Bennet’s frustration was felt in equal parts by all the Mister Bennets, who would rather have been anywhere but inside the house. In order to escape animated conversations about ribbons, lace, length of sleeves, and lack of shoe roses, they took refuge in their father’s well-stocked library to read or play chess, with Elizabeth frequently joining them in a bid to escape their persistent cousin.</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>It was there he finally tracked her down.</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“Cousin Elizabeth, I have found you.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>Elizabeth paused, her white bishop in hand, poised over the chessboard.</div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div><b>Now, for the rest:</b></div><blockquote><div>“I did not realize I was lost, Mr. Collins.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“You are uniformly delightful.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“What did you need to see Lizzy about, Mr. Collins?” Papa queried from his comfortable chair by the fireplace. He knew of her frustration, and had found it amusing – for the first few days – but now, even the edges of his temper were beginning to fray.</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“I sought out my cousin’s company in order to request her company for the first two sets at Mr. Bingley’s ball.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>Elizabeth flashed a look of panic toward Gabriel, seated across from her at the chess table. Without even looking in the direction of their cousin, Gabe said, “Lizzy’s first set of dances has already been spoken for.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“By whom?”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div><i>Impudent man!</i></div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“Excuse me, Gabe. I need to put your King in check before I address Mr. Collins.” Elizabeth dropped the chess piece onto the board, feeling a surge of satisfaction at her brother’s incredulous look. She then stood to face her cousin. “I am not required to divulge this information to anyone save my father, Mr. Collins. Suffice to say, it is none of your business, and you will see for yourself on the night of the ball.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>She fervently hoped one of her brothers or Papa would stand up with her because, as of this exact moment, she did not have a partner for the opening sets.</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“This is not to be borne,” Mr. Collins sputtered. “You will mind your sharp tongue in the future, Cousin Elizabeth.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>The silence which descended upon the room was almost measurable. Papa carefully placed a bookmark in his book, set it on the side table, and rose to his feet. He was at Mr. Collins’s side in two strides, causing the younger man to crane his neck in order to meet his elder cousin’s gaze.</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“What is not to be borne?” Papa asked, his voice deceptively soft. “Who are you to tell my daughter to mind her tongue?”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“I have determined Cousin Elizabeth suits me best. She is next in age and beauty to Cousin Jane and, as her future husband, I naturally assumed she would open and close the ball with me.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>Elizabeth dropped back into her chair, shocked at the audacity of the man. His outlandish explanation fully explained why he had dogged her every step these past few days.</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“Elizabeth,” Papa said without turning around, “would you care to join your mother and sisters? Your brothers and I need to have a conversation with Mr. Collins.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“I respectfully request to stay, Father. I believe you are going to speak about me, and wish to be present.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>Papa cut her a quick glance and winked. She did her very best not to smile when Mr. Collins’s mouth flopped open in surprise. As it was, she clearly heard Gabe cut short a gurgle of laughter. She dared not look in Michael’s direction. He took his sister’s safety and wellbeing to heart and, like his namesake, truly became an avenging angel if anyone threatened his Lizzy.</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“Very well.” Papa turned back to Mr. Collins. “First, let us talk about the ball. Did you ask Jane for the first set, as she is the eldest?”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“I did not. Mrs. Bennet told me she was as good as engaged. I assume her betrothed will open the ball with her.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“Jane is engaged? I shall have to congratulate her, as this is the first I heard of it.” A deep frown creased the forehead of Mr. Collins. Elizabeth wasn’t sure if it was because he had a hard time understanding Papa’s caustic humor, or if he now just realized Jane was not spoken for. “Well then, let us address why you believe you are betrothed to Elizabeth.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>Papa returned to his chair while Mr. Collins swallowed hard, and began to speak.</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“On my first night here, I spoke to Mrs. Bennet of my desire to extend an olive branch, more specifically of finding my future wife while in Hertfordshire.” He paused when Michael coughed. “I commented on the beauty of all my cousins, most especially Cousin Jane.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>Michael’s cough turned into what sounded like a growl. Mr. Collins began to get a panicked look about him.</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“Excuse my son. He has the first stages of a cold and needs to clear his throat often. Carry on. I am fascinated with what you are telling me.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“As I said, before being rudely interrupted,” Mr. Collins dared to glare in Michael’s direction. “I mentioned my preference toward Cousin Jane, and Mrs. Bennet said she felt it was incumbent upon her to tell me your eldest daughter was very close to becoming engaged. Upon seeing my disappointment, she told me not to give up hope. <i>I am certain</i>, said she, <i>there are other young ladies who would look upon your situation with a hopeful eye.</i> I asked if her other daughters had an understanding with any gentleman, to which she said no. I then knew I had your wife’s blessing and was assured of my success in gaining your second daughter’s hand in marriage.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“We have two things which must be addressed, Mr. Collins. The first is your desire to extend an olive branch by way of marrying one of my daughters.” Papa held up his hand when Mr. Collins opened his mouth to speak again. “I realize your father and I had an acrimonious relationship, and cannot fault you for wishing to heal the breach in our family. I do, however, take umbrage with the notion you believe you have an understanding with my daughter, especially when I explicitly informed you – upon your arrival – <i>not </i>to seek a wife from amongst my daughters.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“But if I take Cousin Elizabeth to wife, when you leave this mortal coil, your family will have the comfort of knowing one of their own inherits Longbourn. That is, if we are so blessed as to have a son.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>The room fell silent, broken only by the snap and crackle of the fireplace.</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“Mr. Collins, are you deficient in understanding?”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“No, I do not believe I am.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“Do you not see my sons in this room with me?”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“Yes.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“And whom do you think will inherit Longbourn when I die?”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“I… umm… Master Michael Bennet.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“And if anything happened to my eldest son, whom do you think will inherit? That is, if Michael has not married and had a son of his own?”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“Master Gabriel Bennet.” Mr. Collins flicked a glance toward the chess table where Elizabeth and Gabriel sat.</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“So, it is safe to say, one of my own will inherit Longbourn.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“Cousin Bennet.” Mr. Collins began to wring his hands. “Should the Good Lord take you and your sons, I would step in and become head of the family. The entail was designed for this very thing.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“I am of a mind to have our local physician check you over. Your memory is exceedingly faulty for one so young. When you first arrived, not only did I warn you against pursuing my daughters, but I also told you the entail was broken when my eldest son reached his majority. I cannot be held responsible if your father did not inform you of this fact.” Mr. Collins stood mute by the door. “Now that the line of succession has been confirmed, let us address the fact you had the audacity to describe yourself as the future husband of Elizabeth.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“As I said before, Cousin Bennet—”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“You are not, never have been, and never will be, the future husband of Elizabeth.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“I do not understand. I believe Mrs. Bennet wholeheartedly supports this decision.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“But, I do not, and as Elizabeth has not yet reached her majority, I would not give consent, nor my blessing to such a union.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>Thankful for her father’s staunch support, Elizabeth stood and faced their cousin.</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“Mr. Collins, while I thank you for the honor you wished to bestow on me, it has become a moot point. I would never have said yes to your proposal of marriage.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“Never?”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“Never. I do not love you, sir, and will only marry a man who can hold my heart in tender care.” Mr. Collins continued to stare, his mouth hanging open. She did not wish to cause him further embarrassment unless provoked, so she turned her attention to her father. “I believe I will join my sisters.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>“Are you forfeiting the game, Lizzy?” Gabe called out, his voice hopeful.</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>With a sly grin, she leaned over the chess table and said, “There is only one move open, dear brother, and then you are in checkmate.”</div></blockquote><blockquote><div>Gabe studied the board and grimaced before tipping his king. Elizabeth straightened and moved toward the door. When Mr. Collins stepped aside, allowing her to exit gracefully, she bobbed him a quick curtsy. No need to be rude to the poor man. She was glad she had afforded him the small courtesy because, before the door closed behind her, she heard Papa say, “Take a seat, Mr. Collins. We are not done here.”</div></blockquote><div style="text-align: center;">~~ooo0ooo~~</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Rules of engagement for Weekend Writing Warriors:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p><span>Weekend Writing Warriors is a fun blog hop where authors share eight to ten lines from a Work in Progress. If you'd like to check out some of the other author's writing, please click on this link: </span><b><a href="https://wewriwa.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">WeWriWa</a></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGp0Fru1z9guYNZS71kVG5nhcNba2RDNVTfPx8lskoyV56a-QZ8OhCdC-qKdRdQKG_1cBZRBajs1H2ymc1qHn4wG52RoG9bpMGbcgIRzY8F6btKMwPzJXJLUTirvKLCKPqTiS1yvJ54gQb5E1OOnY4sEs7_k3fGkFvwaUaLZ8lJbFKIA2K93WDGB4/s265/Always%20With%20Love.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="265" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGp0Fru1z9guYNZS71kVG5nhcNba2RDNVTfPx8lskoyV56a-QZ8OhCdC-qKdRdQKG_1cBZRBajs1H2ymc1qHn4wG52RoG9bpMGbcgIRzY8F6btKMwPzJXJLUTirvKLCKPqTiS1yvJ54gQb5E1OOnY4sEs7_k3fGkFvwaUaLZ8lJbFKIA2K93WDGB4/s1600/Always%20With%20Love.png" width="265" /></a></b></div><b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQXsqybTZYD0kNQKA19yHNVat56SgjpEmlFNBHF6FpIFRnA4_V8_3tOGfJhPx-nEHmCmT3vx7E3Hpk4HJc7wqxxLGxysEqow9de44VpQXWXdUA5O0Og22KYiFIl6SSTzg8lszEN7jQb3SEH6C7eb5h7LSR355cmIEnj3QsCLFxDtsHCQeT3T8ay4V/s214/temp%20SB.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="106" data-original-width="214" height="73" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRQXsqybTZYD0kNQKA19yHNVat56SgjpEmlFNBHF6FpIFRnA4_V8_3tOGfJhPx-nEHmCmT3vx7E3Hpk4HJc7wqxxLGxysEqow9de44VpQXWXdUA5O0Og22KYiFIl6SSTzg8lszEN7jQb3SEH6C7eb5h7LSR355cmIEnj3QsCLFxDtsHCQeT3T8ay4V/w148-h73/temp%20SB.png" width="148" /></a></div><br /></b><p></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8317810105915057272.post-13518144166399689912022-10-15T04:00:00.083-05:002022-10-15T04:00:00.167-05:00WEEKEND WRITING WARRIORS #87<p>A new week has dawned with a new snippet from my last release: <b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>In Essentials</i></span></b>. Glad you joined me today.</p><p>Here, in Canada, my family celebrated Thanksgiving last weekend. What a joy - even with all the extra work. Since Covid, this is the first time our little family was all together in one space. With six grandchildren, ranging in age from 10 months to 15 years, the cacophony of noise was wonderful, and at times overwhelming.</p><p>Full confession. I was grateful for the silence when everybody left for their own home. Does this make me a bad grandma? Even so, I would not trade the chaos for anything. We ate food, played cards, soothed bumped knees, and cleaned the floor from multiple spills. Our poor cats hid the entire time. Yup - it was a good time.</p><p>Onto this week's snippet. I am sharing from In Essentials. This book was released in March 2022. Here is the blurb, followed by my excerpt for this week.</p><p><b>BOOK BLURB:</b></p><p>His mistress, rewarded with a substantial allowance, jewelry, and clothing was in all essentials Mrs. Darcy, except by name.</p><p>His wife, with low connections and vulgar relations, is Mrs. Darcy by name, but in essentials, she is nothing more than a necessary evil to thwart the plans of his uncle the earl, as well as provide a legitimate heir to Pemberley.</p><p>All too soon, Darcy realizes there are hidden depths to his petite wife, and finds himself completely fascinated by not only her beauty but intelligence and wit.</p><p>Elizabeth, fully aware of why Mr. Darcy chose her as his wife, fights her growing attraction to the taciturn gentleman from Derbyshire, failing miserably. She is finally forced to acknowledge, that, in essentials, he is the only man who can make her happy.</p><p><b>EXCERPT:</b></p><p class="CB">A tall
gentleman stalked the edges of the assembly room, hating every minute he was
forced to remain in the presence of complete strangers. The room stank of cheap
tallow candles, unwashed bodies, and bad breath. More than that, it stank of
desperation. Frantic mothers and fathers seeking to have their children wed.
Male or female, it did not matter. The goal was to find a warm body to ensure a
continued heritage and hopefully bring ready cash into the family coffers. In this
regard, they were not too dissimilar to him, as he too, was on the hunt. But
not for the same reasons.<o:p></o:p></p><p><b>A LITTLE MORE TO WHET YOUR WHISTLE:</b></p><p class="CB">Last week, his
uncle had once again lambasted him for not marrying one of the many pedigreed
debutantes paraded past him at endless balls and soirees, going so far as to
challenge the guardianship of his younger sister if he did not comply with his
demands. Tired of his mother’s brother trying to force him into marrying <i>his</i>
choice of wife, and his mother’s sister demanding he marry <i>her</i> daughter,
he decided he would find his own wife. And not just any wife. She would be
vile, though not in looks. If he had to bed the wench, he wanted some form of
beauty and a pleasing body. No, she would be someone who teetered on the edges
of polite society. Preferably a gentleman’s daughter with vulgar connections.
The more vulgar the better.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="CB">He had no need
for more money or love. His mistress filled the latter of those requirements in
more ways than one. His lips briefly curved as he remembered how she’d bid him
farewell last night, knowing she would not see him until the new year.
Straddled across his lower torso, she had raised and lowered herself, allowing
him free reign with his mouth and hands. There was not a crack or crevice on her
delectable body he was not familiar with, and after two years, still had not
tired of her.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="CB">If he truly
wished to have his uncle expire from an apoplectic fit, he’d marry her, but knew
such a rash act would materially damage his sister’s chance of making a good
marriage when she finally came out in society. He could never do that to sweet,
innocent Georgiana, and after a near disaster this past summer, where he’d
nearly lost her to his father’s loathsome godson, he had vowed to protect her
until she married a good man. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="CB">A high-pitched
shriek followed by giggles brought him back to his quest – finding a
gentleman’s daughter who would horrify his mother’s family. Two females barreled
past him. His gaze followed the pair of ladies, girls really, far too young to
be out in society even in a backwater town like this. They skidded to a stop in
front of a woman to whom he had avoided introductions. He’d caught the
calculating gleam in her eye the minute he and his friend had entered the room
and knew she had decided on the both of them as future sons-in-law.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="CB">At first, he’d
dismissed her, but now, watching how her daughters behaved, his interest was
piqued. His uncle would be devastated if he showed up with one of those
empty-headed twits on his arm. Lost in thoughts of how to facilitate a belated
introduction, his friend approached.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="CB">“Come, Darcy.
I must have you dance.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="CB">“Before we
left Netherfield, I told you I would be poor company tonight.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="CB">“Then let us
acquaint you with someone pleasant who can drag you out of the doldrums. There
are some very pretty girls here.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="CB">“You are
dancing with the only handsome woman in the room.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="CB">His gaze fell
on his friend’s partner, who remained on the dance floor, waiting for their
turn to go down the line. She was not only handsome; she was divine. He
surmised even a dead man would have felt stirrings of desire in the presence of
her beauty. However, he was not here to find a beautiful woman to grace his
bed, he had the delectable Daphne for that. What he needed was someone who was
not perfect. Someone his uncle would loathe on sight.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="CB">“Yes, Miss
Bennet is so very beautiful, but you will not distract me in this. I will find
someone for you to dance with who is not my sister.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="CB">“I thank you,
but you should make your way back onto the dance floor and enjoy your partner’s
smiles. You are wasting your time with me.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="CB">“I say, there
is a pleasant-looking lady just yonder. I could ask my partner to introduce
us.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="CB">Darcy looked
over his shoulder and spotted a petite woman seated by herself, her foot
tapping in time to the music. He caught her eye and paused. She was pretty, but
not handsome enough to tempt him from his mission of finding an uncouth bride.
About to decline Bingley’s offer of introduction, his attention was caught by
the loud chit he’d noticed earlier. She plopped down in the empty chair next to
the intriguing woman and huffed out a huge sigh.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="CB">“La, Lizzy! I
am quite fagged. I need to catch my breath before the next dance.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="CB">The young girl
hadn’t lowered her voice nor did she seem to care about the fact she slouched
in her chair like a drunken sailor. The woman, Lizzy, obviously did because she
hissed something under her breath and the girl straightened, but not before a
pout appeared on her face.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="CB">“Oh, who cares
what they think. They mean nothing to me.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="CB">The young
woman grabbed the girl’s arm and hauled her to her feet before marching toward
the vulgar woman, whom he assumed was their mother. Even from across the room
it was obvious the matron berated the young lady, allowing the spoilt child to
prance off, head held high without batting an eye at her coarse behavior. He
smiled. This ‘Lizzy’ was perfect.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="CB">He turned to
his friend.<o:p></o:p></p><p>
</p><p class="CB">“After your
dance has ended, I would be pleased to meet the young lady.”<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykRmnPMl2Dfvv9aX9fvOleyYpsIcm_qLqrUeQZp6hnXqmKLQ4vcL3Dp0OtgiRX_RJQ3fQqge_1VmTAyjZBx0TOymfZrI25iGIYbwltZsx7M2a4hm182xP7ygdz9Pf7-sZ94mLYYIIqsmiy4vCzitTxJiRwGMEujXoFIZj_lhiI9ZAXOh4VZzD8O0z/s1004/WeWaWriIE.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="1004" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiykRmnPMl2Dfvv9aX9fvOleyYpsIcm_qLqrUeQZp6hnXqmKLQ4vcL3Dp0OtgiRX_RJQ3fQqge_1VmTAyjZBx0TOymfZrI25iGIYbwltZsx7M2a4hm182xP7ygdz9Pf7-sZ94mLYYIIqsmiy4vCzitTxJiRwGMEujXoFIZj_lhiI9ZAXOh4VZzD8O0z/w400-h235/WeWaWriIE.png" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WXVX45K" target="_blank"> BUY LINK</a></p><p><b>Rules of engagement for Weekend Writing Warriors:</b></p><p><span>Weekend Writing Warriors is a fun blog hop where authors share eight to ten lines from a Work in Progress. If you'd like to check out some of the other author's writing, please click on this link: </span><b><a href="https://wewriwa.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">WeWriWa<br /></a></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxpseL2PTJmJaSC1HgkWihcyFLEywFDZ92Tl8xxj4L3SWye4dDAAM_kgTSzo_8aQql-r452aUn5YScBzlfbErqr8M9y0s6tLA2sRkSRoR_05vcswYbbCfYV_EpBkKYqrdXtNv2cXaNtM_WrHsawwIr0crxTmX-wiNmVhRbLnCAwjxZdUZO_u6SHbx/s265/Always%20With%20Love.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="265" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxxpseL2PTJmJaSC1HgkWihcyFLEywFDZ92Tl8xxj4L3SWye4dDAAM_kgTSzo_8aQql-r452aUn5YScBzlfbErqr8M9y0s6tLA2sRkSRoR_05vcswYbbCfYV_EpBkKYqrdXtNv2cXaNtM_WrHsawwIr0crxTmX-wiNmVhRbLnCAwjxZdUZO_u6SHbx/s1600/Always%20With%20Love.png" width="265" /></a></b></div><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiL6c3XmGjAQL9YIfn9usKFUmzzJ4Jp5u9yeuNjhrlF977Rts5gylRJceSXuC-g_yn5y7qRCAq2-xXvxYVm9aZIsC6YqnrZfbbrSAtcgeOxGqIDiP2dFA5jFlEp2WGel5ESp2X5_IXy4yi0rLujCR0io-lIj_IoUnQeUgPWbcTrOs3XQdvijiG_2LG/s214/temp%20SB.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="106" data-original-width="214" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiL6c3XmGjAQL9YIfn9usKFUmzzJ4Jp5u9yeuNjhrlF977Rts5gylRJceSXuC-g_yn5y7qRCAq2-xXvxYVm9aZIsC6YqnrZfbbrSAtcgeOxGqIDiP2dFA5jFlEp2WGel5ESp2X5_IXy4yi0rLujCR0io-lIj_IoUnQeUgPWbcTrOs3XQdvijiG_2LG/w159-h79/temp%20SB.png" width="159" /></a></div><p></p>Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8317810105915057272.post-64624147946998252782022-10-08T04:00:00.143-05:002022-12-31T10:51:23.810-06:00WEEKEND WRITING WARRIORS #86<p>Welcome back, fellow warriors and guest readers! I had quite a productive week. I added a healthy portion of words to my current WIP and made homemade tomato sauce for the first time in my life. If I had known how time-consuming it was, I might have given back those beautiful tomatoes before scuttling off to the closest grocery store. Next spaghetti night we'll find out if those four hours were worth it. I also canned some green beans in preparation for the upcoming holiday season. My family LOVES green bean casserole, and before I started preserving my own food, I had no idea the difference between store-bought canned goods to homemade. The difference is... all I can say is - wow. The same for Pinto Beans, which we use exclusively for my hubby's chile recipe. Those are resting on my canning shelf as well. Yum... I'm hungry now.</p><p>Okey dokey, enough of my manic enthusiasm for all things #canning, and on with this week's offering. I am giving you a snippet from my one and only (for now) paranormal Jane Austen Fan Fiction: <b><i><span style="font-family: Playfair Display;">Fitzwilliam Darcy ~ Undone</span></i></b>. I had a blast writing this, and the response from the readers was good. At the time of publication, there was not much out there for this little sub-genre, but it has now exploded and has gained a following.</p><p><b>Rules of engagement for Weekend Writing Warriors:</b></p><p><span>Weekend Writing Warriors is a fun blog hop where authors share eight to ten lines from a Work in Progress. If you'd like to check out some of the other author's writing, please click on this link: </span><b><a href="https://wewriwa.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">WeWriWa</a></b></p><p><b>EXCERPT</b>:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">When they gained entry
to their shared room, she took out the letter and said, “This is from Caroline
Bingley, and what it contains surprised me a great deal.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Lizzy accepted the
envelope, which contained a sheet of elegant, little, hot-pressed paper, well
covered with a lady’s fair, flowing hand. She read a few lines and gasped.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">“The pomposity of that
woman, declaring she cannot <i>‘pretend to regret anything I shall leave in
Hertfordshire, except your society.’</i> And to call you her dearest friend.
The woman would not know a friend if they kicked her in the shins while
declaring it.” She read further before emitting a very unladylike snort. “This
is rich, she hopes their absence can be alleviated by − where is that
ubiquitous line? − <i>‘we may lessen the pain of separation by a very frequent and
most unreserved correspondence.’</i> She threw the letter onto the bed. “Jane,
I give you leave to dislike Miss Bingley with all your heart, she is nothing
but a pretentious prig.”</span></p><p><b>MAY I HAVE SOME MORE PLEASE?</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“Lizzy,” Jane chastised
softly, “that is most unkind. She is letting me know her brother does not hold
me in the same regard as I do him. She encourages me to find another beau
without her brother getting in the way of my heart, and seems most solicitous
in her care of my feelings. She even hinted Mr. Darcy agrees with her opinions,
and he is Mr. Bingley’s best friend. Surely, he knows where Mr. Bingley’s true
interests lay.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Never in her life had
Elizabeth wished to impose her will on someone as much as she did right at this
moment. How could Jane be deceived by one such as Caroline Bingley? Anyone with
eyes in their head could see Bingley was madly in love with her sister. She
paused in thought. Of course! They had seen how much in love he was and decided
Jane was not of their sphere and hastened to remove him before he could
declare himself to all and sundry. And what part did Mr. Darcy play in all
this? There was no way Miss Bingley would willingly vacate Netherfield Park
without ensuring Mr. Darcy was in tow. Or had he led the parade himself? Given
what Miss Bingley revealed in her note, Mr. Darcy most likely cautioned his
friend to leave before he’d committed himself publicly, with no way out of an
unwanted marriage.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">She fumed silently while
Jane carefully returned the letter to its envelope, and placed it in her
nightstand drawer. Even without her ability to perceive others’ emotions, she
knew Jane’s heart was aching. Unable to bear her sister’s suffering, she headed
downstairs to escape the confines of Longbourn. She stormed to the far end of
her mother’s rose garden and paced. Paced and fumed, and fumed and paced, not
even feeling the cold November air. Her anger waffled between Mr. Darcy and
Caroline Bingley. She instinctively knew Mr. Bingley would defer to Mr. Darcy’s
counsel long before he acquiesced to his sister’s demands. Her anger mounted
with each step. If she could only see Mr. Darcy face to face and tell him what
she really thought.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">A tingling sensation
cascaded over and through her body, and when she opened her eyes, she found
herself in an unfamiliar room, standing before the man himself clad only in a
pair of buckskin breeches and Hessian boots.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilS2EyQyKj7tvUzQDXlQ8q9s3Poh0qpfNixpJ8aef936P96quj0lBVc_-zN2iSY1PowStvSmae9Xx0nKZ3a0G0Rg5WjglQQqvxuaTS-r_5i0WjqoCAInQ5ISX4qUofAklQBR_w3ybf05bLLaUVf3L5Lac6u8MZulgT2Qc5nooLkqHeXuV2JjCR98ZV/s1004/WeWriWa%20FDU.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="1004" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilS2EyQyKj7tvUzQDXlQ8q9s3Poh0qpfNixpJ8aef936P96quj0lBVc_-zN2iSY1PowStvSmae9Xx0nKZ3a0G0Rg5WjglQQqvxuaTS-r_5i0WjqoCAInQ5ISX4qUofAklQBR_w3ybf05bLLaUVf3L5Lac6u8MZulgT2Qc5nooLkqHeXuV2JjCR98ZV/w400-h235/WeWriWa%20FDU.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Available with Kindle Unlimited</td></tr></tbody></table><div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HYP8ST7" target="_blank">Buy Link</a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Book Blurb:</b></p><p><b><i>She’s the outcast in her family…</i></b></p><p>Elizabeth knows she’s different from the rest of her family. She has strange dreams and sees things others do not. With the advent of the odious Mr. Darcy and his friends from Netherfield Park, as well as the amiable Mr. Wickham of the _____shire Militia, her powers seem to increase and her greatest fear is that she won’t be able to contain them and will be discovered.</p><p><b><i>He has eight hundred years of tradition to uphold…</i></b></p><p>No Darcy has married a non-magical woman since arriving on the shores of England with William the Conqueror in 1066. However, his kind – Miatharans – are dwindling in numbers. Miatharan's magic only flows through aristocratic bloodlines, so his strange obsession with Miss Elizabeth Bennet is puzzling as she is not of noble blood. Just a country squire’s beautiful daughter who has him slowly becoming undone.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytlGX7VdPyz6NIHFmp0NA-08zldxZKpqIzts1gpb_ggDwJobjI50DQXFCrfB0b7RKRSA_LtOx7Tar_xaQ-IuYVjPLv3Oa81GinR6hpme_Et6oTUF3e3aAv5hTbUBUqcUyphiZwtNgkRLiP7q4qpBgHgdD77aq8DbIR5pzwuRmGiKpKMwSl962lVYf/s265/Always%20With%20Love.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="265" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjytlGX7VdPyz6NIHFmp0NA-08zldxZKpqIzts1gpb_ggDwJobjI50DQXFCrfB0b7RKRSA_LtOx7Tar_xaQ-IuYVjPLv3Oa81GinR6hpme_Et6oTUF3e3aAv5hTbUBUqcUyphiZwtNgkRLiP7q4qpBgHgdD77aq8DbIR5pzwuRmGiKpKMwSl962lVYf/s1600/Always%20With%20Love.png" width="265" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7-kznZHIsb5IOdV2xxxyyI7RdGR8-fUNbNTmFpLT1hPUnQVZqjcgr1BgOMxXLGp6eI6ooJHNN-AtY_R9Ptm_-ZzeV6ka3lqv8O5mg5h6WBpxeio7p_Uj1xxSdgPsrIiz9F1hh3YlrAlIKoyljyZ8NvmK0CB80tojPtXOjAquAMOdIKg_CS7jSeRy/s214/temp%20SB.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="106" data-original-width="214" height="76" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7-kznZHIsb5IOdV2xxxyyI7RdGR8-fUNbNTmFpLT1hPUnQVZqjcgr1BgOMxXLGp6eI6ooJHNN-AtY_R9Ptm_-ZzeV6ka3lqv8O5mg5h6WBpxeio7p_Uj1xxSdgPsrIiz9F1hh3YlrAlIKoyljyZ8NvmK0CB80tojPtXOjAquAMOdIKg_CS7jSeRy/w154-h76/temp%20SB.png" width="154" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p></div>Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8317810105915057272.post-80216542043481442492022-10-01T07:43:00.004-05:002022-10-01T07:43:42.832-05:00WEEKEND WRITING WARRIOR #85<p>I have not signed into WeWrWa for a very long time and to my fellow warriors... Sorry 'bout that.</p><p>So, I cannot promise this will be a regular thing - real life has a nasty way of saying, 'Nuh Uh, you ain't doin' that right now,' and things get pushed back. Suffice it to say, I am here for today.</p><p><b>Here is this week's selection:</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .1in;">Obliged by the scarcity of gentlemen to sit down for
two dances, Elizabeth became aware Mr. Darcy had paused in front of her. Would
the handsome gentleman notice her and ask her for a set? Mr. Bingley, dancing
with Jane, broke from the line to implore his friend to join the set. Elizabeth,
with no intention of listening to their conversation, could not avoid them as
the two friends paused no more than a few feet from where she sat.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .1in;">“Come, Darcy,” Bingley said, “I must have you dance.
I hate to see you standing about when you could be enjoying the company of a
pretty girl.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .1in;">“You know I detest dancing unless I am particularly
acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as this, it would be
insupportable. Besides, your sisters are engaged and there is not another woman
in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .1in;">Elizabeth was surprised at Mr. Darcy’s assertion that
dancing with any one of her neighbors and friends was considered a punishment
instead of enjoyment.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: .1in;"><b>And a taste for more:</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-indent: 0.1in;">“You are so frustratingly fastidious,” cried the younger man. “These people are my neighbors. Can you not, for my sake, soften your attitude for one dance? Truly Darcy, I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life, and several of them are uncommonly pretty.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-indent: 0.1in;">“You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room,” said Mr. Darcy, looking toward the dance floor. Elizabeth took note of where he directed his attention and felt a slight thaw in her disgust. Someone who thought Jane beautiful could not be all bad.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-indent: 0.1in;">“I agree. She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! Regardless, you will not detract me from my mission. I must have you dance.” Bingley cast his gaze around and it fell on Elizabeth, who looked away, embarrassed at having almost been caught listening in on their conversation. “I say, there is a young lady sitting down just behind you who is quite pretty. Miss Bennet will know who she is. Do let me ask my partner to introduce you.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-indent: 0.1in;">Elizabeth worked hard to regulate her breathing, counting to ten while mentally preparing a positive response when he asked her to dance. By the time she reached three, she realized there had been no answer from Mr. Darcy, other than, ‘Which do you mean?’ Without thought, she glanced up and found him staring directly at her. Upon catching her eye, he withdrew his own and coldly said, “She is tolerable; but not handsome enough to tempt me. I am in no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. Return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, you are wasting your time with me.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-indent: 0.1in;">Stunned, cheeks burning with mortification, Elizabeth could not even form words in her mind at his brutal observation. All her life she had been found wanting by her mother, forever compared to Jane who was the epitome of beauty and grace, yet she’d always felt she had a small measure of pleasing features. Her eyes were quite fine, and she had a quick smile for everyone. To be dismissed so summarily by someone who had never met her before this evening, cut her to the quick. Mr. Bingley opened his mouth to argue further when a familiar figure stepped in front of both gentlemen.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-indent: 0.1in;">“Excuse me, sir. I believe you owe my sister an apology.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-indent: 0.1in;">“I do not know who your sister is, sir,” Darcy replied, giving the younger man a haughty glare.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-indent: 0.1in;">“She is the one whom you find barely tolerable, and not handsome enough to dance with.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-indent: 0.1in;"><i>Oh dear, this could get messy. </i>Elizabeth hurried to join them. By this time, a second gentleman had come alongside and also glared at Mr. Darcy.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-indent: 0.1in;">“If you require introductions, <i>sir</i>, you are cordially invited to join us outside. My brother and I will introduce you to our fists. You will find they are not tolerable as well.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-indent: 0.1in;">“Michael! Gabriel!” Elizabeth stepped in their midst. “Apologize to Mr. Darcy at once.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-indent: 0.1in;">“He insulted you, Elizabeth,” Michael ground out between clenched teeth, his steely gaze never wavering from Mr. Darcy’s.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-indent: 0.1in;">“He deserves to be horsewhipped for saying such things about a lady to whom he has not been introduced,” Gabriel added, and gently tried to move Elizabeth aside. “It was extremely rude.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-indent: 0.1in;">“I agree, Gabriel. Would you like to take the first punch?”<o:p></o:p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4px; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-indent: 0.1in;">“No, you are the elder Michael, you may go first.”</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7ylVSWhJ4zpQp2SnNYuAH8sVC1C-5MAHLD-u240w748Q0gctbCHth4BOlS9B-16VaY6oevtaAB2p33t-kL0xK0jbw9tZyAhBT9CVBKDHvqF0ji-t8flxcjgiDT01VYL6_YmriFrCnGMw9Ht8GE097dqbCNoOuQrD9dEQhkEeWfHTpfuuqol5D8XH/s1004/WeWriWa%20LA.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="1004" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7ylVSWhJ4zpQp2SnNYuAH8sVC1C-5MAHLD-u240w748Q0gctbCHth4BOlS9B-16VaY6oevtaAB2p33t-kL0xK0jbw9tZyAhBT9CVBKDHvqF0ji-t8flxcjgiDT01VYL6_YmriFrCnGMw9Ht8GE097dqbCNoOuQrD9dEQhkEeWfHTpfuuqol5D8XH/w400-h235/WeWriWa%20LA.png" width="400" /></a></div><p><span>Weekend Writing Warriors is a fun blog hop where authors share eight to ten lines from a Work in Progress. If you'd like to check out some of the other author's writing, please click on this link: </span><b><a href="https://wewriwa.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">WeWriWa</a></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3U19oQ8rineA-z1hzZIZ17ET_rVelfzymtq7uP1dtEhO98KXAYtUg6ZuzXlKgI8SeZijydmdaee91EjJl7jFr4-Fgw9GmCF8d2aS7AXKYAjNxWDYWmmTCNj5M_FYENJylvjf_WeHROdZVe9wRcxmX-kA8fM__glqIjkE22jgImdwzUBFqcUEMM9N/s265/Always%20With%20Love.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="265" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3U19oQ8rineA-z1hzZIZ17ET_rVelfzymtq7uP1dtEhO98KXAYtUg6ZuzXlKgI8SeZijydmdaee91EjJl7jFr4-Fgw9GmCF8d2aS7AXKYAjNxWDYWmmTCNj5M_FYENJylvjf_WeHROdZVe9wRcxmX-kA8fM__glqIjkE22jgImdwzUBFqcUEMM9N/s1600/Always%20With%20Love.png" width="265" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdYpBtdkYFmooJ1xbRvXi8AA8eDU0xXoyYC30W2XzG0LrqWamrXxTFEecu5zBIIJgcrk_IAcGBIWBZIxh294fOWrEO0CYSh0ya4BBXdSsTRtXxRQZ7OdGuwVuZeLuxfKLZSRim-CuArq66AuIWd5dYlDjwGeXgQ7BlRtO8NakazS2pR1YJ1BwDjbV/s214/temp%20SB.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="106" data-original-width="214" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsdYpBtdkYFmooJ1xbRvXi8AA8eDU0xXoyYC30W2XzG0LrqWamrXxTFEecu5zBIIJgcrk_IAcGBIWBZIxh294fOWrEO0CYSh0ya4BBXdSsTRtXxRQZ7OdGuwVuZeLuxfKLZSRim-CuArq66AuIWd5dYlDjwGeXgQ7BlRtO8NakazS2pR1YJ1BwDjbV/s1600/temp%20SB.png" width="214" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8317810105915057272.post-78732925058112167492022-06-16T09:47:00.005-05:002022-06-18T10:16:29.353-05:00Excerpt - Longbourn's Angels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPBfFDnSOnMbiHAcwEh8DlJMUG7egrqE0z41MAPgKdJQqOSS_tLnlF2otySsqnPlFY2Q9R9J6Aet1_Nb2Bmt6zC-pzlU4aSBxUPTktQ10EhhuqXwTW0-jJD7QVjTSiL9yjo4Kd8VuB68A4f-nsjqtlYBiTDceIAZFzGCFUSPWnTtT8pb4p4qZM6J4/s1500/FB%20-%20LA%20Graphic%20for%20Post.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="1500" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKPBfFDnSOnMbiHAcwEh8DlJMUG7egrqE0z41MAPgKdJQqOSS_tLnlF2otySsqnPlFY2Q9R9J6Aet1_Nb2Bmt6zC-pzlU4aSBxUPTktQ10EhhuqXwTW0-jJD7QVjTSiL9yjo4Kd8VuB68A4f-nsjqtlYBiTDceIAZFzGCFUSPWnTtT8pb4p4qZM6J4/w640-h128/FB%20-%20LA%20Graphic%20for%20Post.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>Hello, my friends. Can you believe almost half of this year is in our rearview mirror? I, for one, am glad some of it is in the past. This year has been interesting. The Barr family has good news. Mr. B's cancer treatment was successful. His numbers look very, very good and the next update will be in about another five months. If things stay status quo, he will only have to go in every six months for the next two years, then it will be slated back to annual visits. (Whew) Also, he had surgery only three weeks ago, and everything has healed nicely with his first check-up is this week. Then... THEN... we move on the 29th. Yikes!</p><p>Needless to say, my writing has been in spits and spurts because of packing, visits to the building site, picking floor, lighting, tile, fixtures... etc., etc. Having said that, I continue to work on Longbourn's Angels. The main characters are ODC (Darcy & Elizabeth), but I am weaving in small vignettes of Jane and their older twin brothers. Yes, you heard me. Twin brothers. I toyed with making them triplets with Elizabeth, but I like having them as older brothers, looking out for their younger sisters. Especially when a proud man has the temerity to insult our dear Lizzy at the Meryton Assembly.</p><p>This time, I have not written the Bennets with titled family, however, because Mr. and Mrs. Bennet's first children were male, Mr. Bennet has taken better care of his estate and so they are a little wealthier than in the original story. They also own Netherfield Park. It tickles my fancy to have the Bingleys unknowingly pay rent to the family Caroline Bingley loves to disparage. Also, the two sons have attended Eton and Cambridge, and have high-placed friends.</p><p>Below is a small snippet. In this scene, Gabriel and Elizabeth have traveled to Netherfield Park to bring Jane home. As in canon, she had ridden to Netherfield on horseback, got wet, and became sick. Alas, she does not stay longer than one night before her big brother and younger sister come to hie her home to Longbourn. What you will read is what happened between Gabe and Mr. Darcy once Caroline escorts Elizabeth up to the room where Jane spent the night.</p><p style="text-align: center;">***</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i></i></span></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The door had barely closed
before a footman poured a cup of coffee for Gabriel. With a word of thanks, he
accepted the cup and settled back in the chair he had chosen, directly across the
table from Mr. Darcy and to the left of Mr. Bingley. He cast a quick glance at
Mr. Hurst, who paid them no mind, concentrating solely on his overflowing plate
of food. Gabe briefly wondered where Mrs. Hurst was, but quickly dismissed
her from his thoughts.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Was there any damage to
Longbourn from the storm?” Mr. Darcy asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Not that I could tell. My
father and brother will ride the estate later this morning and assess the
damage.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“How large is your father’s estate?
I have been riding the border between Netherfield and Longbourn, and have come
to realize it is grander than what we were led to believe.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Gabe assessed Mr. Darcy. Arrogant the man might be, but he was a landowner of a huge tract of
land in Derbyshire and had rightly decided the Bennets were more than what met
the eye.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Longbourn, while not as
extensive as Pemberley, is comfortable. Our family has owned their land since
the Plantagenets.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“I say, the Bennet history is as
rich and deep as yours, Darcy,” Bingley exclaimed. “Although, I do recall you
saying your forefathers arrived with William the Conqueror.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“That is true.” Darcy conceded
with a slight nod of his head. “My family does have deep ties to our
lands.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“My friend Peter tells me
Pemberley is quite the sight to see.” Gabe watched the master of that great
house carefully. “He opines it might be more impressive than Chatsworth.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“I will own I am proud of
Pemberley,” Darcy conceded. “However, it is not as grand as Devonshire’s home.
Few are.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Peter’s opinion may be skewed
by the fact he was not particularly fond of the late duke.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Have you met his grace?”
Bingley asked, his mouth dropping open in surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“My brother and I, along with
Peter, attended university with his son, Hart and were invited to a house party
they hosted last summer.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“You have mentioned Peter a few
times. Is he another minor landowner here in Hertfordshire like your father?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Gabe longed to knock the
superior look from Darcy’s smug face. His father was no minor landowner. The
boundary of Longbourn estate encompassed approximately eight miles at its
widest point, not including Netherfield Park.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Peter’s main estate is in
Derbyshire, although he owns property near Meryton, which his family uses for
hunting parties and a quick summer escape from town.” Gabe did not tell the
gentleman the estate he referred to was known as Stoke House.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> “You said he owns land in
Derbyshire?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“I did.” Gabe decided to drop
crumbs of information, wanting to see how far down the path they’d follow
before realizing the truth. “Quite close to Pemberley, to be more exact.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>Let us see what Mr. Darcy
makes of that.</i> Gabe suppressed a grin. He could tell Darcy was beginning
to put the pieces together, confirmed by his next question.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Would your friend, by chance,
be Peter Stokes?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“He would, indeed.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">From the blank expression on the
faces of Bingley and Hurst, neither of them knew who Peter Stokes was. But Darcy
did, and Gabe held that man’s gaze, knowing an adjustment in attitude would
soon follow. It was the way of the <i>ton</i>. They curried favor with those
who held titles, and the Earl of Thedford was a powerful friend.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“How is it your family knows the
Stokes?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“As I said, he owns property
close to Meryton and is a close friend of me and my brother. We practically
grew up together. Unsurprisingly, our fathers struck up a friendship and, to
this day, continue to try and outmaneuver each other in chess.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was a small movement, but
Darcy’s left eyebrow twitched. Better and better. Now the great man knew
of their close connection to the Marquis of Dorchester, Peter being
his heir. Gabe heard movement in the hall and knew Miss Bingley would be
joining them in a few minutes. He looked at Darcy, allowing his disdain for the
man to show completely on his face.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Do you wish
now you had given consequence to a young lady who was not slighted by other men
but had sat out two sets because there were not enough gentlemen to dance
with?”</span></p></blockquote><p>My, oh my, how I love humble pie.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOBjzUWO3O9zeWp4gNzaYGyZN2s71m4GDrD7d45VE5tiewlQHQ6QFpmcLBwpnh9YaGySZsGLeDykIk4OyG0dlaL9LJSyofjxvB4r-GSchQPGTHkomd0oa516bg4ck8B3bq2XzXoO4j65tZSzNtabYj2VQfD8e9mOVsKsH7BN1E1In0fB82eNOv8Gc/s940/Longbourns%20Angels%202022%2004%2021.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOBjzUWO3O9zeWp4gNzaYGyZN2s71m4GDrD7d45VE5tiewlQHQ6QFpmcLBwpnh9YaGySZsGLeDykIk4OyG0dlaL9LJSyofjxvB4r-GSchQPGTHkomd0oa516bg4ck8B3bq2XzXoO4j65tZSzNtabYj2VQfD8e9mOVsKsH7BN1E1In0fB82eNOv8Gc/w640-h536/Longbourns%20Angels%202022%2004%2021.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TYUJH2gCYzT686ggnAyyLDjAkHLuE6e4KwhGs-zVysWiGhRcObNzuy0g3IzXV2hD7LwkPfz57_WYCtExGe6cgJ9P9m5DSNysffxexRLe_ezxkvhaPfZQMKIrM-965NE2rTY96sp9XheLidz4ItuIlEvibibKQMTukFNJYa3_hsWQLMDVfFb52PZy/s265/Always%20With%20Love.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="265" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TYUJH2gCYzT686ggnAyyLDjAkHLuE6e4KwhGs-zVysWiGhRcObNzuy0g3IzXV2hD7LwkPfz57_WYCtExGe6cgJ9P9m5DSNysffxexRLe_ezxkvhaPfZQMKIrM-965NE2rTY96sp9XheLidz4ItuIlEvibibKQMTukFNJYa3_hsWQLMDVfFb52PZy/s1600/Always%20With%20Love.png" width="265" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TYUJH2gCYzT686ggnAyyLDjAkHLuE6e4KwhGs-zVysWiGhRcObNzuy0g3IzXV2hD7LwkPfz57_WYCtExGe6cgJ9P9m5DSNysffxexRLe_ezxkvhaPfZQMKIrM-965NE2rTY96sp9XheLidz4ItuIlEvibibKQMTukFNJYa3_hsWQLMDVfFb52PZy/s265/Always%20With%20Love.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0UBccBW6ogdM5MzJI8v2H0dQGUYmmkW2dbp8Q8_J2Mau9effirPRNSuCXH1giVQVjEWKJ3rEbO8lGk_BmXY_xwvpq9wPOEUhwtOQWrHey3yPM3lnwEqLS9eJMzKIXmk7LVnL_q2Kpi0J_wwMEum6AOr5efFtPgRG2etuLmOhr0SNJEvtPekJ5-sei/s214/temp%20SB.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="106" data-original-width="214" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0UBccBW6ogdM5MzJI8v2H0dQGUYmmkW2dbp8Q8_J2Mau9effirPRNSuCXH1giVQVjEWKJ3rEbO8lGk_BmXY_xwvpq9wPOEUhwtOQWrHey3yPM3lnwEqLS9eJMzKIXmk7LVnL_q2Kpi0J_wwMEum6AOr5efFtPgRG2etuLmOhr0SNJEvtPekJ5-sei/w162-h80/temp%20SB.png" width="162" /></a></div></div><br /> <p></p>Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8317810105915057272.post-30732693823864363582022-03-30T21:24:00.005-05:002022-03-30T21:52:28.869-05:00New Release! In Essentials<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYXrSdwsvLIPCC37wtWuGlopnT-AZ0fiRFeKpKSRc04R5X8ekroOeh7k6J_d88oftIz_qCFCLsUldhz9d4lX0DKTbK0q2Oaqw67GRBScTTzqxDZnU92NC6MueMnI9TGb7NKzq-rG8LfyeoUs7w9Wc2dk4vTm-poRZDnJU-SXAmLUDSJiBgS600ckI/s940/2022%2002%2025.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYXrSdwsvLIPCC37wtWuGlopnT-AZ0fiRFeKpKSRc04R5X8ekroOeh7k6J_d88oftIz_qCFCLsUldhz9d4lX0DKTbK0q2Oaqw67GRBScTTzqxDZnU92NC6MueMnI9TGb7NKzq-rG8LfyeoUs7w9Wc2dk4vTm-poRZDnJU-SXAmLUDSJiBgS600ckI/w640-h536/2022%2002%2025.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Available now in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09WXVX45K" target="_blank">Kindle Unlimited</a>.</p><p style="text-align: center;">Bridgeport Family Tree</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_ZCZJhKG8qW2UIiU43AFy57gniM_nzx41mDpJX2NB-DbIt5zh0jWiZqurXrQnuNKjLR30qxzROcLPeLkrDntP0GEfEHL8Tv-LVZqa0jEoGm741LMpNbO5tyym1H_Oddi0PzlMW3G1zcaF9IDckgEo3VKaG_19SpV-xs6gG0mj00h9WBvNo_gkL_Q/s800/Bridgeport%20Family%20Tree.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_ZCZJhKG8qW2UIiU43AFy57gniM_nzx41mDpJX2NB-DbIt5zh0jWiZqurXrQnuNKjLR30qxzROcLPeLkrDntP0GEfEHL8Tv-LVZqa0jEoGm741LMpNbO5tyym1H_Oddi0PzlMW3G1zcaF9IDckgEo3VKaG_19SpV-xs6gG0mj00h9WBvNo_gkL_Q/w640-h320/Bridgeport%20Family%20Tree.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8317810105915057272.post-57493136308827330152022-02-16T10:10:00.003-06:002022-03-30T21:36:22.486-05:00In Essentials - Excerpt<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;">First, I apologize for the lack of posting regularly. The Barr household is in such disarray, I am thankful if I remember to put on pants... uh oh... will be right back............ okey dokey. Got my pants on, now we can carry on as though I am normal ;) Hubby and I are buying a new condo. Egad. What were we thinking, in the middle of a pandemic? I mean, why not? Supplies are hard to come by, everything is backlogged, we cannot go to design centers to look at flooring, lights, paint colors. Everything is virtual. Sure! Let's buy a new house! I am not even going to touch the fact we have to sell our own home in the meantime.</p><p>Head - desk.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">In the midst of all this, my husband got some devasting news and his treatment starts next week. Every second day for ten days. We will know if it has been successful by June - Just in time to move into the new condo. Still, hubby insists I keep writing, but it is sooo hard to write about love when the one you love is hurting. Needless to say, this has pushed back my anticipated publishing date. I only have about four chapters to go, but my heart is just not in it at this time. I am sure you understand.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRCiy3awteUQiIw3uZxhWauFlDU6YVn5r-mZFdNx1MVWAyrjn6GdQ8-LM3_3LaCFs4qLjvG9MDE1ftfpZoqpJJD_IVMlD5Zshl-rpsAJTmadJVQOVGCdEH_ZoIvWc3norvf_Rue-0rIu8asg3_JO1QP9teol1kB688EMEEDcEMUZ497HSvpPXpm21t=s386" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="386" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiRCiy3awteUQiIw3uZxhWauFlDU6YVn5r-mZFdNx1MVWAyrjn6GdQ8-LM3_3LaCFs4qLjvG9MDE1ftfpZoqpJJD_IVMlD5Zshl-rpsAJTmadJVQOVGCdEH_ZoIvWc3norvf_Rue-0rIu8asg3_JO1QP9teol1kB688EMEEDcEMUZ497HSvpPXpm21t=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">EXCERPT</span></b>:</p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>When breakfast was over, Jane and Elizabeth were joined upstairs by
Mr. Bingley’s sisters. Although they did not advance very far into the
room, quitting the room when Mr. Jones, the local apothecary arrived, Elizabeth
was touched by their affection and solicitude toward her sister. Having
examined his patient, Mr. Jones said, as might be supposed, that Jane had
caught a violent cold and they must endeavor to get the better of it. To that
end, he advised her to return to bed and promised her some draughts. Miss
Bingley reappeared when the clock struck three.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>“I came to inquire how Miss Bennet is doing and ask if you want me to
call for the chaise. It is far too late in the day to walk safely back to
Longbourn.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>“Thank you for your kind concern and offer, Miss Bingley.” Elizabeth
looked down at Jane with some concern. “I am worried about her fever, yet it is
getting late and I must return home.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>“Please, do not leave me, Lizzy.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Jane began to cough upon speaking and had to be helped into a sitting
position to drink a bit of water. Miss Bingley approached the bed and took Jane’s
hand in hers.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>“Do not worry, Miss Bennet. I will have Mrs. Nichols prepare a room for
your sister. We all want you to return to the pink of health.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Elizabeth could not help but smile when Jane’s whole body relaxed into
the softness of the bed at the promise her beloved sister would not be leaving
her side. She then turned her attention to Miss Bingley.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>“If I may, I will write a note to my father informing him of my wish to
remain with Jane and have him send a supply of clothes for our stay.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>“Of course, Miss Eliza. I shall have a footman attend you directly.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>She spent the rest of the afternoon tending Jane and around six-thirty
Elizabeth went downstairs for dinner. Although she spent some time in the drawingroom after the meal, she was too distracted to do much more than read, to
the dismay of Miss Bingley and her sister. At their uncalled-for censure,
and before she said words she could not return to her mouth, she bid them
goodnight.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>She passed the chief of the night in her sister’s room, and in the
morning was secretly pleased by the inquiry which she very early received from
Mr. Bingley via a housemaid.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>“Please tell Mr. Bingley my sister is better than yesterday, yet still
feeling unwell.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>“Yes, ma’am,” the housemaid said with a polite curtsy before exiting the
room.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Not more than ten minutes passed before there was a knock on the door and
Elizabeth opened it to find Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>“How is our patient today, Miss Eliza?”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>All three ladies looked toward the bed where Jane lay flushed, yet pale.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>“As you see, she is not much better. If you do not mind, I would like to
send a note to Longbourn and ask my father attend to judge for himself
whether Jane should return home or trespass on your kindness for another day.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>The note was immediately dispatched, and its contents quickly complied
with, surprisingly, by Mrs. Bennet. Accompanied by her two youngest, they showed
up at the front door before the Netherfield party had even begun breaking their
fast. After being taken upstairs, Mrs. Bennet had a brief conversation with the
apothecary, clucked and fussed over Jane for a bit, then completely ignored her
and Elizabeth to gossip with her daughters.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Could not Lydia and Kitty have remained at home? There was no reason for
them to attend with Mrs. Bennet and then behave as if they were in their own drawingroom. Elizabeth wondered why her father allowed Mrs. Bennet to attend in his
stead, especially when Jane would never get much rest with the three of them
chattering like chipmunks.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>No more than a half-hour passed when Miss Bingley, having finished her
morning meal, stopped by again and invited them to attend her in the breakfast
parlor for a cup of tea. Upon receiving said invitation, all of them, save
Jane, made their way downstairs, whereupon, Bingley met them with hopes
that Miss Bennet was not worse than expected.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>“She is a great deal too ill to be moved,” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed with a
determined lift of her chin, a reflexive movement Elizabeth recognized when her
stepmother was stretching the truth for her own means. “Mr. Jones says we must
not think of moving her and we must trespass a little longer on your kindness.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>As it seemed Mr. Bingley was just as desirous as Mrs. Bennet for Jane to
remain at Netherfield, nothing more was said on the matter. For one brief
moment, Elizabeth hoped Mrs. Bennet would not prove how vulgar she was, nor do
anything to foil Jane’s chance at gaining Mr. Bingley’s unwavering devotion.
But…, she opened her mouth and began rhapsodizing about Jane’s beauty and
how men sought her attention.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>“When Jane was only fifteen, there was a gentleman so much in love with
her, I was sure he would make an offer. But, he did not. Perhaps he thought her
too young. However, he wrote some verses on her, and very pretty they were.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>“And so ended his affection, which Jane had never returned as her heart
had not been engaged,” Elizabeth said impatiently.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>What Mrs. Bennet failed to inform the captive audience was Jane’s
would-be suitor had been a gentleman in his late forties. Upon discovery of
this relevant fact, Papa had been absolutely furious his wife had pushed Jane
toward a man older than himself. Elizabeth knew if her sister were in the room
right now, her cheeks would be scalded red with mortification at this piece of
gossip being re-visited.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>A somewhat awkward pause ensued, causing Elizabeth to tremble at the
thought of Mrs. Bennet exposing herself again, but to her surprise and
everlasting gratitude, Mrs. Bennet repeated her thanks to Mr. Bingley for his
kindness to Jane, with an apology for troubling him also with Lizzy. She then
called for their carriage to be ordered ready and while waiting, Lydia brought
up the fact Mr. Bingley had promised to host a ball, adding it would be
the most shameful thing in the world if he did not keep his word. His response
provoked a delighted reaction from all the ladies. The exception being Miss
Bingley and Mrs. Hurst.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>“I am perfectly ready, I assure you, to keep my engagement and you shall
name the very day of the ball. Although we will wait until your sister has
recovered, you would not wish to be dancing while she is ill.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Lydia, having gotten her way was all smiling, with declarations that of
course, they would wait until Jane was healthy and a delay would mean some of
the officers from the ____shire Militia were sure to attend, guaranteeing her a
night full of dancing.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>With her stepmother and her daughters safely away, Elizabeth returned to
Jane’s side to await the arrival of their trunks. She wondered why Mrs. Bennet
had not brought them with her, but a whispered comment from Kitty prior to their
departure let her know Mrs. Bennet had intercepted Elizabeth’s notes to her
husband and came to Netherfield before he knew what was happening. As such, there
had been no time to pack anything.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Not even an hour had passed when the sound of another carriage drew Elizabeth
to the window. Her surprise was great when she witnessed her father exit the
vehicle and mount the stairs to the main entrance, taking them two at a time.
Soon he was shown into Jane’s room, still wearing his greatcoat, one of Mrs.
Bennet’s capes draped over his arm.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>“Come, Jane. We are to Longbourn,” Papa said as soon as he entered the
room.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>“But Mother and Mr. Jones said I was too ill to be moved,” Jane croaked
out from beneath the pile of covers.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>“You have a cold, and as Mrs. Bennet said upon receipt of your note
yesterday morning, nobody dies from a trifling cold. I have brought with me her
fur-lined cape, and there are no less than eight warming bricks in the carriage
along with several more blankets. ‘Tis but five miles by road and you can rest
your head on my shoulder as you did as a child if you become too fatigued.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>“Papa, while I get Jane dressed, could you have Mrs. Nicholls warm up a
few of those bricks. They will have cooled some before we are ready to depart.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>“Of course, Lizzy. Have a footman come find me when you are ready. The
carriage is standing by in front of the house.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>With that, her father left the room and Elizabeth heard him hail a
footman to ask if Mrs. Nicholls was in her office. With a soft smile, she shook
her head at her father’s impertinence. She knew he would have no qualms about
seeking out the housekeeper in her own domain. He was quite familiar with
Netherfield and its servants as his great friend, Lord Dunsmuir had been the
last tenant prior to Mr. Bingley.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>She turned her attention back to getting Jane fully dressed. There was
nothing to pack, as Papa had shown up instead of the expected trunk full of
necessities. She worried over Jane’s continuing fever, but it was not raging
and her cough, though deep, did not steal her breath in any manner. Sleeping in
her own bed and making good use of Hill’s homemade draughts were just the thing
to bring her sister back to perfect health.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>Although she had reclined on the bed unable to
keep her eyes open, Jane was finally ready. Elizabeth opened the door and spied the footman, who had
waited so patiently outside the door. She bade him fetch her father and coaxed
Jane into a sitting position. They were ready to return home and although she
desired to leave as quick as possible, she did not relish the uproar that would
ensue upon their return.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p></blockquote><p>
</p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>However, such was Papa’s cross to bear. Not hers.</i></span><o:p></o:p></span></p></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4-ifQKB4RwUnrG30Oxpaabl_gSKkb7jbCuheXcFMZXerdiv5FItRDoyzcNaHGzqxwL58zKQ0ks8nuzMVRF6-jtVzRqG_1LlwTvl5r4XtWpix_AIevYUc2siJwHaDVXBuopCY_WDmVVew3RO7_oxTeT2ZLs2umHCbNnDwQx4zIeyHAGmYA8TsEJKEj=s265" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="100" data-original-width="265" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4-ifQKB4RwUnrG30Oxpaabl_gSKkb7jbCuheXcFMZXerdiv5FItRDoyzcNaHGzqxwL58zKQ0ks8nuzMVRF6-jtVzRqG_1LlwTvl5r4XtWpix_AIevYUc2siJwHaDVXBuopCY_WDmVVew3RO7_oxTeT2ZLs2umHCbNnDwQx4zIeyHAGmYA8TsEJKEj" width="265" /></span></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Sue Barrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06347249118943488564noreply@blogger.com2