Good morning, dear readers. I have the pleasure of welcoming Pamela Lynne as a first time visitor to More Agreeably Engaged. This stop is part of her blog tour for her second book, Sketching Character. Pamela, I am so happy to have you visit with us today and tell us a little bit about yourself and your books. I loved reading about the pivotal points in both books! Awesome!
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The people who know me well outside of JAFF will not be
surprised with this next statement. I am a
non-finisher. Unmatched socks will
always be left in the laundry basket. The sink will contain at least one dirty
dish after the dishwasher is filled. I have a cabinet packed with partially
completed craft projects and I fall asleep during movies. To put it simply, I
bore easily. Unsurprisingly, when I told
my husband I had started writing again (I had not written fiction since
college), he gave me a very dismissive, “that’s nice.”
You can’t blame the guy. He knows me well and no one is
prouder than he that I have finished writing two novels in the past three
years. He asked me recently what made this venture stick when several others
failed to keep my attention. The simple answer is that I fell in love with the
characters and they became so important to me that I had to finish their stories.
I can pinpoint the scenes in both books that gave me
confidence that I would finish. Each come at a pivotal point in the character’s
development. For Dearest Friends, it was this first conversation between Mary
and Sebastian.
Sebastian returned to
the drawing room less than an hour later and studied the scene in front of him.
Richard and Bingley had returned from the carriage house and were attending the
lovely Miss Bennet. Bingley poured more tea while Richard filled her plate and
Anne scowled. Sitting apart from the rest was Mary, looking down into her
folded hands. Sebastian bowed and offered a short greeting then walked over and
sat next to her.
“Miss Mary, how are
you?”
“I am well, my lord,
just fatigued from traveling this morning.”
“Please forgive me for
saying so, but you still seem a little out of sorts. I would offer to fetch a
brandy for you, but I believe Georgiana has hidden the decanters.”
Her back stiffened as
she sat up to her full height. “I would refuse it if offered. I know of no
ladies who drink brandy, except medicinally, of course. Why would Miss Darcy
hide the decanters? Is there cause to fear overindulgence?” She asked
accusingly.
“Yes,” he answered
plainly. “Except for Darcy, of course. He is perfect.”
She relaxed a little.
“Then it is well he is marrying my sister. She is perfect, too.” They shared a
tentative smile.
Those of you who have read Dearest Friends know why this would inspire my determination to
finish. This was their beginning. It seems to be a theme with me, the beginning
encouraging the end. We see much of the same with my inspirational scene from Sketching Character.
Elizabeth tied the
ribbons of her bonnet beneath her chin as she walked down the stairs. She
stepped quietly, hoping to avoid any of the household before she could walk off
the stress of the night before. After she had managed to escape the house and
gardens, Elizabeth inhaled the scent of earth and woods. To her, this was the
smell of freedom. She could hide among the trees or run a race with the wind
and no one would be the wiser—at least not until she came back with dirty
petticoats.
She reached the line
of the trees and was pleased to find a path soon after she ventured inside. She
walked a little ways, attempting to empty her mind when she heard a thundering
sound behind her. She barely had time to move to the side when a great horse,
carrying a great figure, ran past her then stopped a few feet ahead.
“Miss Bennet, good
morning.”
“Good morning, Mr.
Darcy.”
It seemed for some
moments this would be the extent of their conversation, as the gentleman sat on
the magnificent steed and looked at her as if he expected something more. She
was about to curtsy and be on her way when he dismounted.
“Do you often roam the
woods so early in the morning, Miss Bennet?”
“I do at Longbourn.
Today is my first opportunity to explore here at Rosings. I find the exercise
to be helpful in clearing one’s mind before getting on with the arduous tasks
of breakfast and embroidery.”
He smirked at her
impertinence, the one that always left her wondering if he was offended,
amused, or something else altogether. This man’s character was impossible to
sketch, yet, she found his presence—and that smirk—oddly familiar, like an old
friend.
He finally dismounted
and walked toward her. “Did you leave the inhabitants of the parsonage in good
health?”
Elizabeth’s irritation
at the mention of the parsonage was evident. Darcy raised his eyebrow in
question.
“I did not have the
pleasure of seeing anyone this morning, but last evening they were all quite
themselves.”
“I have the impression
you do not believe that is a good thing.”
“You can be sure, Mr.
Darcy, that I think Charlotte to be everything that is excellent and pleasant.”
She received another
smirk in response to her omission. He would not let it pass.
“And Mr. Collins?”
Elizabeth sighed. If
he would press the subject, then she would be honest. “I cannot comprehend, Mr.
Darcy, why some people must hold themselves so high above others. It seems
unfair that opportunity of education and growth, not to mention fortune of
birth, can be bestowed on the ridiculous. That man will inherit all that my
family has and he takes every opportunity to remind me of it. And there is, of
course, the matter of my unfortunate nature that leads me to do such unseemly
things as love my family or walk in these woods.”
Darcy searched her
face for a moment. The fatigue he noticed in the carriage the morning of the
accident had returned. He wanted to carry her somewhere, hold her close to him
and demand that she rest. He chose instead to speak.
“What can I do, Miss
Bennet? How may I help settle your mind this morning? Will you to speak to me
more of your troubles?”
She gave him a soft
smile then shook her head. “I thank you, Mr. Darcy, but for once in my life I
am tired of words. If I were alone. . .” she paused, knowing she was about to
divulge a secret that would undoubtedly shock the staid man at her side. “If I
were alone I would run so fast the thoughts that plague me this morning could
not catch me.”
The shocked expression
she expected did not emerge. Instead, his features softened as the corners of
his mouth lifted just a little.
“You would like me to
leave you so that you may run through the woods by yourself.” It was a
statement more than a question. He looked at her for a moment before he led his
horse to a nearby tree and tied its reins to a branch. “I will not give you the
isolation you seek, madam. The woods are too full of dangers, especially for
one who does not know their secrets.”
Elizabeth knew she
should be angry at his refusal, but she was too distracted by the sight of him
removing his greatcoat and hat, which he carefully placed over the horse’s
saddle. Her heart rate quickened and she had to remind herself that he had
always acted like a perfect gentleman.
“You will not leave
me?” The strength she intended to display failed to materialize as he returned
to her side and without it, her voice seemed but a whisper.
“No, I will not.” He
tilted his head and extended his hand. “I will run with you.”
After that, finishing was the only option. I hope you enjoy
getting to know these characters as much as I did. Sketching Character is now
available in ebook and paperback at Amazon. Please comment below for your
chance to win one of two ebook copies. Thank you, Janet, for hosting me. Happy
reading, everyone.
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Buy Links:
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Aren't those some fantastic scenes? I want to read more for sure! I can imagine the scene of them running together. I like this Darcy! Thanks again, Pamela Lynne, for stopping by and sharing with us today. I hope you will visit again soon. Best wishes with your new release.
Pamela is giving away two eBooks of Sketching Character and it is worldwide! Thank you so much. I know my readers appreciate your generosity. Leave a comment with your contact info, to be entered. The giveaway ends at 11:59 PM, 12 October, 2015. Good luck to all.
