Snippet No.3 The Captain and The Countess

The Captain and The Countess set in England in Queen Anne Stuart's reign - 1702-1714. Publisher MuseItUp Publishing. Publication date 21/02/2014

 

Kate smoothed the gleaming folds of her turquoise blue silk gown. The lady knew how to dress to make the utmost of her natural beauty. Her gown and petticoat, not to mention sleeves and under-sleeves, as well as her bodice and stays, relied for effect on simple design and fine fabrics. He approved of her ensemble, the elegance of which did not depend on either a riot of colours or a multitude of bows and other trimmings. Later, he would sketch her from memory.

Kate inclined her head to his godmother. “Will you not warn your godson I am unsound, wild, and a bad influence on the young?”

Edward gazed into Kate’s eyes.  Before his demise, had her husband banished her to a manor deep in the country? If it was true, why did he do so?

Kate’s eyebrows slanted down at the inner corners. She stared back at him.  He laughed, raised her hands to his lips and kissed each in turn. “I look forward to furthering my acquaintance with you.”

“High-handed.” Kate gurgled with laughter. “Captain, please release me.”

What did he care if she were some ten years his elder? He wanted to get to know her better. Edward bowed. “Your slightest wish is my command.”

 

www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

http://rosemarymorris.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/writerinagarret

 

 

Snippet from The Captain and The Countess

Only a week until my novel The Captain and The Countess, set in England in Queen Anne Stuart's reign, is released.

Captain Howard advanced toward the countess, conscious of the sound of his footsteps on the wooden floor, the muted noise of coaches and drays through the closed windows and, from the fireplace, the crackle of burning logs which relieved the chill of early spring.

The buzz of conversation resumed. Her ladyship scrutinised him. Did she approve of his appearance? A smile curved her heart-shaped mouth. He repressed his amusement. Edward suspected the widow’s rosy lips owed more to artifice than nature.

“How do you do, sir,” she said when he stood before her. “I think we have not met previously. Her eyes assessed him dispassionately. My name is Sinclair, Katherine Sinclair. I dislike formality. You may call me Kate.”

“Captain Howard at your service, Countess.” Shocked but amused by boldness more suited to a tavern wench than a great lady, Edward paid homage with a low bow before he spoke again. “Despite your permission, I am not presumptuous enough to call you Kate, yet I shall say that had we already met, I would remember you.”

“You are gallant, sir, but you are young to have achieved so high a rank in Her Majesty’s navy.”

“An unexpected promotion earned in battle which the navy did not subsequently commute.”

“You are to be congratulated on what, I can only assume, were acts of bravery.”“Thank you, Countess.”

The depths of her ladyship’s sapphire cross and earrings blazed, matching his sudden fierce desire.

Kate, some four inches shorter than Edward, looked up at him.

He leaned forward. The customary greeting of a kiss on her lips lingered longer than etiquette dictated. Her eyes widened....

 

Publisher. MuseItUp Publishing

Lost and Found

Before I went to bed last night, I wrote down ten 'writerly' things I want to complete today. I also made notes of websites I want to visit, and of a novel which I am critiquing for another historical novelist.

When I woke up as usual at 6.m.this morning prepared to write the next scene of my novel after checking my notes, I could not find the shorthand notepad anywhere. I wasted valuable time searching for it here there and everywhere. Where was it? Under my desktop diary on the small table by my bed. I didn't see if because it should have been on top of the diary.

Oh well, I've written the scene in Monday's Child, my new Regency novel, and am now about to apply the list of things to do.

Snippet from The Captain and The Countess

 

The Captain and The Countess set in England in 1706

By Rosemary Morris

Release date 21/02/21014

 

The Countess of Sinclair remained in the doorway, her cool blue eyes speculative.

Captain Howard whistled low. Could her shocking reputation be no more than tittle-tattle? His artist’s eyes observed her. Rumour did not lie about her Saxon beauty.

 Her ladyship was not a slave to fashion. She did not wear a wig, and her hair was not curled and stiffened with sugar water. Instead, her flaxen plaits were wound around the crown of her head to form a coronet. The style suited her. So did the latest Paris fashion, an outrageous wisp of a lace cap, which replaced the tall, fan-shaped fontage most ladies continued to wear perched on their heads. 

Did the countess have the devil-may-care attitude gossips attributed to her?  If she did, it explained why some respectable members of society shunned her. Indeed, if Lady Sinclair were not the granddaughter of his godmother’s deceased friend, she might not be received in this house.

The lady’s fair charms did not entirely explain what drew many gallants to her side. After all, there were several younger beauties present that the gentlemen did not flock around so avidly.

 

Real Life

I would be happy living in an ivory tower, reading, researching and writing, and only emerging to tend my organic garden, but real life doesn't allow it.

This morning, I wrote 2,000 words of Monday's Child, the sequel to Sunday's Child, and then went with my daughter to choose a new gas oven and fridge/freezer. I found exactly what I want on sale and well within my budget. They will be delivered and connected on the 3rd March, by which time my new kitchen will have been completed.

It's a big job. The whole kitchen will be gutted, a new floor laid, etc., etc. I'm not looking forward to having workmen in the house for two weeks, but am confident I will be delighted when the new kitchen  is in place.

Pre-order Special Offer

Captain and The Countess
(Set in England in 1706)
           by
Rosemary Morris

Why does heart-rending pain lurk in the back of the wealthy Countess of Sinclair’s eyes? 

Captain Howard’s life changes forever from the moment he meets Kate, the intriguing Countess and resolves to banish her pain.

Although the air sizzles when widowed Kate, victim of an abusive marriage meets Edward Howard, a captain in Queen Anne’s navy, she has no intention of ever marrying again.

However, when Kate becomes better acquainted with the Captain she realises he is the only man who understands her grief and can help her to untangle her past.

https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore/index.php/our-authors/6our-authors/authors-m/378-rosemary-morris

Good Day Today

Now that I've dealt with the galley for The Captain and The Countess, I'm free to return to my new novel, Sunday's Child. Very pleased because I revised two chapters before going to the local allotment society.

The flower bed to the left of the steps leading up to my house was looking dreary so I bought some polyanthas. On the way home I popped in to my daughter's house to give my grandson a few items he needed to make some buns - he's studying food technology at school, which so far as I can understand, is an upmarket word for cooking.

My 4 year old granddaughter asked to come home with me. She was thrilled to dig the holes for the polyanthas and spent ages admiring them after we planted them. We then cooked together because she, her mother and brothers were coming to dinner this evening. After dinner she played snap with her mother, the boys played ludo and, after I loaded the dishwasher, we played jenko. Great fun.

Now, although it's only 7.30 p.m. I'm tucked up in my comfortable bed writing this blog while Country File is on T.V.

Just seen the Countess of Dudley's sunken marble bath - luxury hot water and a coal fire warming the bathroom.

Galley and Gardening

Yesterday I didn't have a free moment. By the time I went to bed was too tired to blog.

This morning, I woke at six, finished the edits for The Captain and The Countess, which will be released by MuseItUp Publishing on the 21st February, and e-mailed them.

While checking my e-mails I noticed the sun had come out so, by 10 30 a.m. I was out in the garden, feet squelching after days of rain. I moved a couple of small shrubs, shifted a clump of Lady's Mantle, a particular favourite, which is so named because the leaves are supposed to resemble the Virgin Mary's cloak, and planted a hebe and a small conifer. I think the grass green conifer is in the wrong place and might move it. I also planted some narcissi bulbs which had sprouted in a plastic bag in the greenhouse.

Later, while cooking lunch, I was fascinated by the sight of a carrion crow. With its beak it picked up some bread I had scattered on the lawn, dunked the piece in the pond and then ate it. The bird repeated this several times before something startled it and it flew away. He/or she visits the pond regularly to drink, but this is the first time I have seen it dip bread in water. By the way, I hope it is not preying on the water snails!

While lunch was cooking, I refilled the bird feeders with seed, came back indoors and watched blue tits, robins and sparrows flock to it, while a female blackbird pecked at spilled seed on the ground. Very entertaining!

New Kitchen

Last year the mould and damp in my kitchen was treated. Everything has dried out and the mould has not returned, so I am about to have a new kitchen. I'm pleased with my choices. A warm but not glaring yellow for the walls an old gold shade,, white woodwork and kitchen cupboards, grey tiles, grey worktops and a grey floor. I am now waiting for the contractor to let me know when work will commence. It will take two weeks of not being able to use the washing machine, dishwasher and gas cooker but as my daughter lives around the corner from me, with her kind permission, I shall use her equipment. If I become stressed by the state of the house I shall sleep at her house and relax with my grandchildren.

Rainy Weather

Yesterday it rained heavily. Grey gloomy days are a bit depressing but I cheered up when the galley for The Captain and The Countess set in the reign of Queen Anne Stuart - 1706 - 1714 arrived. Afterwards I cooked lunch for my youngest son and his children ( his wife was away from home for the weekend).

It's grey and gloomy again outside, but I'm back to my usual happy self and, of course, the weather keeps me indoors so it's an ideal time to work on the galley.