"Expectations" (Book 2)-- Ch. 10: Friendly Acquaintances,
February 24, 2019 by Gratiana Lovelace (Post #1214)
(an original Regency romance copyrighted by Gratiana Lovelace, 2018 - 2019; all rights reserved); [(1) story cover art, left]
[As is my custom, from time to time I will illustrate my story with my ideal cast consisting of (in order of appearance/mention in this chapter): Richard Armitage as Lord Christian Blount Earl of Sussex; Crispin Bonham Carter as Lord Harold Blount the younger brother of Lord Christian Blount the Earl of Sussex portrayed by Richard Armitage, and older brother to their younger sister Lady Elizabeth Blount portrayed by Jessica Brown Findlay; Emma Thompson as Lady Gwendolyn "Gwen" Lindsay of York, the sister to Lord Duncan the Viscount Lindsay portrayed by Rupert Penry-Jones, and their late older brother Lord Alfred portrayed by David Oakes; Margaret Clunie portrays the Late Lord Alfred's betrothed Lady Constance Knightsbridge; Hugh Grant as Lord Robert Knightsbridge the Marquess of Wyre and heir to the Duke of Lancashire as Lady Constance Knightsbridge's brother; and Francesca Capaldi as Miss Tamsin]
Author's story content and serializing scheduling notes: For the most part, my ratings for the chapters will be PG-13—for romantic interludes and dramatic moments. If you are unable or unwilling to attend a movie with these ratings, then please do not read that chapter. This is my disclaimer. And I always put the previous chapter's brief recap at the top of the next chapter. Also, I hope to post new chapters weekly on Sundays. P.S. I am in week three of bronchitis, and I am finally starting to feel less congested in my breathing, and thus I am able to write. I hope that you enjoy this chapter.
"Expectations" (Book 2)-- Ch. 10: Friendly Acquaintances
When Lady Gwendolyn Lindsay of York took her leave of a not quite fully dressed Lord Robert Knightsbridge Marquess of Wyre a minute ago, she barely made it to the hallway before her composure crumbled. She had never seen a man's bare neck—not even either of her brothers Duncan and their late brother Alfred's neck's—before Lord Robert so arrogantly showed her his--neck, that is.
Lady Gwendolyn cannot fathom why Lord Robert leaves her so unsettled. When he is not being pompous, he is a deplorably wicked person who likes to tease. Perhaps her own remaining living brother Lord Duncan is so kind hearted, that it makes her astonished to find anything less in another peer.
But a red faced, wool gathering, and talking to herself Lady Gwendolyn is how Lord Wyre's sister, Lady Constance Knightsbridge comes upon her as Lady Constance exits her guest bed chamber suite to attend the midday welcome luncheon.
Lady Constance had refreshed herself with a bath after their long journey, after she first tended to her child ward Miss Tamsin's bathing needs. And now Lady Constance feels just the thing in a lightweight pale apricot frock with a cream ruched collar skimming her shoulders for modesty's sake [(2)below]—and a delicate shawl drapes at her elbows should the terrace lunch breeze prove to be chilling. She looks lovely and sweet.
Lady Constance: So Lady Constance serenely asks of Lady Gwendolyn with a small smile. "My Lady Gwendolyn. How fortunate you are in the guest bed chambers hallway. I must beg your forbearance to lead me to our joint family luncheon this hour. I do not quite have my bearings in this large household of Sussex Hall Manor." Lady Constance smiles gently, hoping not to reveal that she saw Lady Gwendolyn's distress. Lady Constance is ever kind and thoughtful of others, and so is her family kind and thoughtful of her.
However, Lady Gwendolyn is of a less delicate constitution and sensibilities—her feeling no embarrassment in her own wool gathering state.
Lady Gwendolyn: "Ah! My Lady Constance! It is indeed fortuitous that we meet in the hallway." Lady Gwendolyn smiles her best hostess smile to Lady Constance [(3) below]—which is something between a look of surprise and a look of pensiveness.
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"Expectations" (Book 2), by Gratiana Lovelace (2018-2019), (Completed)
Fiction HistoriqueA young lady of the peerage in Regency England has but three wishes in life: to please her aristocratic parents, to honor her aristocratic family, and to promote society's and her country's best interests by following the first two wishes in marryi...
