Family Portraits...Pamela Lynne

Available on Amazon

Please help me welcome, author Pamela Lynne, back to 
More Agreeably Engaged. Her latest release, Family Portraits, is a Dearest Friends continuation. That is good news for us readers. 

Pamela shares an excerpt with us to tempt and tease! Yes, it will make you want to read more! She is also giving away one eBook copy so be sure and share your thoughts.

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Hello everyone! I’m so happy to be back here at More Agreeably Engaged. Thank you, Janet, for being such a lovely host. I’m so grateful for your hospitality that I won’t even push to see who is #2 of your Austen Men in Film + 2, though I am dying to know!

Speaking of pushy, I bring with me an excerpt from Family Portraits that shows the effects of living with, and enabling the bad behavior of, Caroline Bingley. One of the themes flowing throughout Family Portraits is the comparison of strength versus weakness. We see it with Mary and Jane, and below, with Mr. Gardiner and Bingley. Mr. Gardiner has just spoken to Jane and is quite unhappy with the state of affairs at Netherfield.

*~*

 “What did you find out, Remy?”

“The maids had much to say, eventually.”

Gardiner suppressed a smile, assuming Remy’s irritation was caused by the maids’ attempts at flirting or extorting their own bits of information. Likely both.

“Did you confirm anything from my sister’s letter?”

“Yes, sir. They said the village has been buzzing for months. The worst of it is that the small Miss Bingley is not actually a Bingley.”

Gardiner nodded, not the least bit surprised that Miss Bingley would abuse the reputation of a child in such a way. “What did they say of the elder Miss Bingley?”

“That they never know who they will encounter. She seems to be two people occupying the same body. She is either calm and calculating or irate and irrational. It is always clear, however, how she despises Miss Jane.”

“And Mr. Bingley?”

“They did not speak of him at all.”

“Well, let us see what he has to say for himself.” They stopped outside the study door where a footman was standing guard. “Is your master in?”

The man nodded in confirmation, and Mr. Gardiner opened the door and entered without being announced, and Remy followed close behind.

Bingley sat behind his large wooden desk, staring down at some ledgers in concentration. It was a moment before he noticed his visitors. He rose and greeted his wife’s uncle amiably.

“Mr. Gardiner! I did not know you were here. Jane did not tell me she was expecting you.”

“I came unannounced, Mr. Bingley. I received a letter from my sister Phillips that caused some concern.”

“Oh? Are she and Mr. Phillips well?” Bingley gestured for Mr. Gardiner to sit, and he did the same.

“Yes, yes, they are well. She actually wrote to me about Jane and all the rumors that are going about the village.”

“Oh.” Bingley slinked back in his seat.

“You are already aware of what is being said?”

“Yes.” He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “My steward had heard some tales, and he spoke to me. He has always lived close to Meryton and knew the Bennets. He did not believe the rumors and attempted to set the gossipers to rights. I assure you, sir, none of what is being said is true. You must not think poorly of dear Jane.”

Gardiner leaned forward slightly and stared down the fool in front of him. “Mr. Bingley, I did not come here to ask if the rumors are true. I came to ask what you are doing to stop them. I assume, since you know of their existence, you also know their origin.”

Bingley shifted nervously in his seat. “Jane and Caroline had a disagreement. It is possible that Caroline…overreacted. It will blow over soon enough. Anything I say will likely make the situation worse. It is best if I do not interfere.”

“Best for whom, Mr. Bingley? Certainly not for Jane and not even for your sister, for if she continues her current behavior, she will eventually harm her own reputation, and more importantly, Claire’s. If you care about either of those women or your daughter, you had damned well better interfere and repair what you have helped damage.”

Bingley rose and moved to stand behind his chair. It was the move of a weak man, desperate to put a barrier between himself and the man carrying the power of honest words.

“How have I damaged anything? The disagreement was between the two of them. I remained neutral through the entire argument.”

“And since then, Mr. Bingley, how has your sister been able to spread these rumors about your wife?” 

He stood as his anger began to rise. “Whose carriage does she take to the village? Who pays for the paper and ink that carry her lies to her friends? In whose home does she entertain those who wish to make your beautiful wife feel lowly and plain? You may not form her words, but you give her every opportunity to deliver them. If you were in ignorance, I would be more likely to excuse your inaction, but you know it all and do nothing!”

The strength of Mr. Gardiner’s voice caused Bingley’s to stammer. “Caroline gets upset easily now, and calming her is becoming harder. Jane is so sweet and forgiving. I know she will overlook Caroline’s misdeeds when she understands what little control she has over the strength of her feelings.”

“Mr. Bingley, your sister has no need to control her emotions when it is so easy for her, instead, to control you.”

“I do not understand you.”

“Well, sir, while you think on the meaning of those words, contemplate these as well. When I see someone I love in distress, I am not content to let things blow over. If you do not hold your sister responsible for her actions, I will hold you responsible for yours.”

Bingley said no more and watched as Mr. Gardiner turned to leave. The tall footman who accompanied him stayed a moment longer, staring through him, before following. Bingley sat once more and contemplated Mr. Gardiner’s words. For him to have come to Hertfordshire, which he seemed to avoid as much as possible, perhaps the situation was not going away on its own as he had hoped. He would have to speak to Caroline.

*~*

Available on Amazon

What will Bingley say to his sister, and, more importantly, will it do any good? Comment below for your chance to win an ebook copy of Family Portraits, now available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords.  Thank you again, Janet, for hosting me. I hope you all have a lovely day!

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Thank you for visiting, Pamela Lynne. You are a pleasure to have stop by and I'm so glad you did. The book sounds fascinating and one that I cannot wait to read. I just need more time! You know I am a fan of your writing and am sure this one will not disappoint. Pamela Lynne's Sketching Character won a 2016 MAE Award in the favorite books category.

So, you are dying to know who is #2 is for the Austen Men in Film + 2 Calendar for 2017. Well...here's a hint. He made women swoon when he was doing hard labor shirtless! :)

As Pamela Lynne mentioned, she is giving away one eBook of Family Portraits and it is international. Please leave a comment with your contact info to be entered. Tell us what you think of Mr. Gardiner's words to Bingley. What will Gardiner do? What will Bingley do? Will anything make a difference with Caroline? Giveaway will end at 11:59 P.M. on the 21st of September, 2016. Good luck to all.