& Moira Bianchi: Pride and Prejudice
Mostrando postagens com marcador Pride and Prejudice. Mostrar todas as postagens
Mostrando postagens com marcador Pride and Prejudice. Mostrar todas as postagens

sexta-feira, 9 de janeiro de 2026

Aniversário de Jane Austen - 250 anos - na Catedral de Winchester

 olá!

Jane Austen completou 250 anos de nascimento em 16 de dezembro de 2025, e Janeites comemoraram pelo mundo de várias maneiras.

Eu fiz inúmeros posts no Instagram, participei de um bake-off, fiz live no Youtube e lancei um livro - UM JANTAR COM JANE AUSTEN. 


Em Winchester, a cidade onde Jane faleceu, a Catedral fez um serviço especial. Jane está enterrada nesta igreja que inaugurou uma estátua nova (aquela de Jane nariz-em-pé) e portanto, um serviço de ação de graças é bem bacana.


O programa está disponível no TwitteX da Catedral, aqui eu posto a versão traduzida.

ORDEM DO CULTO

HINO DE ENTRADA 

(de pé)

melodia Hanover

Senhor, abra nossos lábios

para expressar o seu louvor,

e conceda-nos a sabedoria

para trilhar os seus caminhos.

Grande Autor de histórias,

nossas vidas contam a sua história,

no amor e na dor,

a sua graça jamais falhará.


A Criação narra

a sua glória, ó Senhor,

enquanto nós, em uma só voz,

registramos a sua bondade.

No campo, no parque e no jardim,

cultivamos a sua generosidade,

e compartilhamos suas riquezas

com o vizinho e o amigo.


Contudo, errando, nos desviamos

e nos afastamos de você,

ao deixarmos por fazer

o que deveríamos fazer.

Com suave persuasão,

venha, aqueça cada coração frio;

Senhor, ilumine nossa escuridão,

afaste o perigo.


Onde o preconceito reina,

e o orgulho tenta se apoderar;

reoriente nossas vidas

e seja o nosso norte verdadeiro.

Da raiva, tire um propósito

para servir dia após dia,

caminhar mais perto de Deus

no caminho de Emanuel.


Por histórias gloriosas

que emocionam e encantam

agradecemos-te, com louvor

pelo talento para escrever.

E, Senhor, que nossa leitura

nos inspire novamente

a sermos tão criativos

como tua serva Jane.


SAUDAÇÃO DE BOAS-VINDAS

O Reverendo Cônego Roland Riem, Decano Interino, dá as boas-vindas à congregação e apresenta o culto.


O Senhor nos deu olhos para ver o mundo que Ele criou; uma mente para compreender seus caminhos, e um coração para contar suas histórias.

Pelos dons da inteligência e da sabedoria, e pela graça encontrada na vida em comum:

Damos graças, ó Deus, por tua serva Jane Austen.

Pelas vidas que ela criou e pelas lições que ensinou:

Que possamos encontrar em nossas próprias histórias o caminho da sabedoria e da paz.


LEITURA

Provérbios 4.1-9 (sentados) 

Lida por Louisa Price, em nome da Jane Austen House.


Ouçam, filhos, a instrução de um pai, e prestem atenção, para que adquiram entendimento; pois eu lhes dou bons preceitos: não abandonem os meus ensinamentos.

Quando eu era filho de meu pai, tenra e a predileta de minha mãe, ele me ensinava e me dizia:

‘Guarde as minhas palavras no seu coração; observe os meus mandamentos e viva.

Adquira sabedoria; adquira entendimento; não se esqueça, nem se afaste das palavras da minha boca.

Não a abandone, e ela o guardará; ame-a, e ela o protegerá.

O princípio da sabedoria é este: adquira sabedoria, e, acima de tudo, adquira entendimento.

Valorize-a muito, e ela o exaltará; ela o honrará se você a abraçar.

Ela colocará sobre a sua cabeça uma bela grinalda; Ela te concederá uma bela coroa.


HINO 

(sentados)

melodia: Charlotte Baskerville

Conceda-nos a graça, Pai Todo-Poderoso,

para orarmos de modo a merecermos ser ouvidos.

Conceda-nos a graça de nos dirigirmos a Ti com o coração, assim como com os lábios.

Tu estás presente em todo lugar, de Ti nenhum segredo pode ser escondido.

Olha com misericórdia para os pecados que cometemos hoje.

Conceda-nos um sentimento de gratidão pelas bênçãos em que vivemos.

Conceda-nos a graça, Pai Todo-Poderoso.


Palavras abreviadas de uma oração de Jane Austen (1775-1817). 


LEITURA DRAMÁTICA

Três trechos de Orgulho e Preconceito, interpretados por Joanna David, Susannah Harker e Adrian Lukis


HINO 

(salmo 100)

melodia: Benjamin Britten

Ó, alegrai-vos no Senhor, todas as terras;

servi ao Senhor com alegria,

e apresentai-vos diante dele com cânticos.


Sabei que o Senhor é Deus;

foi ele quem nos fez, e não nós a nós mesmos;

somos o seu povo e as ovelhas do seu pasto.


Entrai pelas suas portas com ações de graças,

e nos seus átrios com louvor;

dai-lhe graças e bendizei o seu nome.

Porque o Senhor é misericordioso,

a sua misericórdia dura para sempre;

e a sua fidelidade permanece de geração em geração.

Glória ao Pai, e ao Filho, e ao Espírito Santo. Como era no princípio, agora e sempre,

pelos séculos dos séculos. Amém.


LEITURA

Tiago 3.13-18

Quem dentre vocês é sábio e entendido? Mostre, por meio de sua boa conduta, que suas obras são realizadas com mansidão que vem da sabedoria. Mas, se vocês têm inveja amarga e ambição egoísta em seus corações, não se vangloriem nem neguem a verdade. Essa sabedoria não vem do alto, mas é terrena, não espiritual e diabólica. Pois onde há inveja e ambição egoísta, aí haverá também desordem e maldade de todo tipo. Mas a sabedoria que vem do alto é primeiramente pura; depois, pacífica, mansa, compreensiva, cheia de misericórdia e de bons frutos, sem qualquer traço de parcialidade ou hipocrisia. E uma colheita de justiça é semeada em paz para aqueles que promovem a paz.


HINO

melodia: Katharine Parton

Mais um dia se foi,

Ensina-nos a refletir para que possamos sentir

a importância de cada dia.

A cada hora que passa,

incline-nos a pensar com humildade,

ensina-nos a lutar.

Dá-nos a graça de nos esforçarmos,

de buscar a tolerância, de buscar a paciência.

Livra-nos do mal nesta noite,

Conduze-nos em segurança para mais um dia.


Amém.


Letra adaptada de uma oração de Jane Austen (1775-1817).

Incluída da Juvenília Completa- Volume 3 traduzida por Moira Bianchi


SERMÃO

Professor Michael Wheeler


ORAÇÃO 

(ajoelhados ou sentados)

Ó Deus, que em vossa sabedoria concedeis muitos dons aos vossos filhos, nós vos damos humildes e sinceras graças pela vida e obra de vossa serva, Jane Austen.

Agradecemos-te por sua mente perspicaz e seu alma espirituosa, e pela graça de enxergar com olhar criterioso a comédia e a complexidade da vida humana.

Oramos para que seus escritos, que continuam a nos encantar e instruir, inspirem em nós um maior amor pela virtude, pela integridade e pelas simples gentilezas da vida cotidiana; por Jesus Cristo, nosso Senhor. 

Amém.

Deus Todo-Poderoso, elevamos a Deus todos aqueles que usam suas mãos e mentes para criar beleza e verdade neste mundo. 

Abençoa especialmente todos os artistas, escultores, atores e escritores que usam seus dons para enriquecer nossas vidas e nos ajudar a ver o mundo de uma nova maneira. Concede-lhes sabedoria e habilidade, perseverança em seu ofício e a coragem para criar obras de beleza e significado duradouros. 

Que seus trabalhos sejam abençoados, e que a nova estátua de Jane Austen, inaugurada hoje, sirva como um lembrete do poder da arte para nos inspirar e conectar a todos; em nome de teu Filho, Jesus Cristo. 

Amém.


ORAÇÃO QUE O SENHOR NOS ENSINOU

Pai Nosso que estais no céu, santificado seja Vosso Nome, venha a nós o Vosso Reino, assim na Terra como no Céu. O pão nosso de cada dia nos daí hoje, e perdoai as nossas ofensas assim como nós perdoamos a quem nos tem ofendido. Não nos deixei cair em tentação, mas livrai-nos do mal. Amém.


OFERTA DAS FLORES 

(de pé para cantar o hino, durante o qual flores serão depositadas no Túmulo de Jane Austen)

melodia: Mendelsson Lobgesang

Agora, agradeçamos a Deus,

com o coração, as mãos e as vozes,

que fez coisas maravilhosas,

em quem o mundo se alegra;

que desde os braços de nossa mãe

nos abençoou em nossa jornada

com incontáveis dádivas de amor,

e ainda é nosso hoje.


Ó, que este Deus generoso

esteja perto de nós por toda a nossa vida,

com corações sempre alegres

e paz abençoada para nos confortar;

e nos guarde em sua graça,

e nos guie quando estivermos perplexos,

e nos livre de todos os males

neste mundo e no próximo.


Toda a glória e graças sejam dadas a Deus

o Pai, o Filho e aquele que reina

com eles no mais alto céu,

o único Deus eterno,

a quem a terra e o céu adoram;

porque assim foi, é agora,

e será para sempre. Amém.


BÊNÇÃO 

(texto adaptado de uma intercessão vespertina de Jane Austen)

Por todos aqueles que amamos e valorizamos, por cada amigo e pessoa com quem convivemos, oramos igualmente; por mais divididos e distantes que estejamos, sabemos que somos iguais diante de ti, e sob teu olhar.

Que sejamos igualmente unidos em tua fé e temor, em fervorosa devoção a ti, e em tua graciosa e misericordiosa proteção; e que a bênção de Deus Todo-Poderoso, o Pai, o Filho e o Espírito Santo, esteja entre vós e permaneça convosco nesta noite e para sempre.

Amém.


HINO DE ENCERRAMENTO

Prelúdio em Dó maior, BWV 547, i J S Bach (1685–1750)


Todos estão convidados para a inauguração da estátua no Salão Interno após o culto. 


O que você achou do culto?

Eu gostei bastante. 

Teria me emocionado com as orações as palavras dela incluídas no serviço.

Feliz aniversário, Jane!








terça-feira, 14 de abril de 2020

Belgravia, pesquisas do livro

Olá,
faz um tempo que falei dos teasers da mini-série Belgravia do autor Julian Fellowes, o mesmo de Downton Abbey, mas agora que acabei a leitura do livro, tenho muito mais a falar até começar a assistir a mini-série - isso dará outro post, com certeza.
internewscast

Mas a leitura do livro me trouxe um monte de dúvidas e questionamentos, precisei marcar vários pontos para pesquisar depois que acabaram por me dar alguns possíveis enredos. 

Adoro livro que faz ficar assim!


Enfim, vamos do princípio.
1- o lugar & o novo dinheiro
Como falei no outro post, BELGRAVIA é um bairro de Londres construído no século 19 depois das Guerras Napoleônicas. Já fruto da especulação imobiliária, ele foi criado para ser um lugar luxuoso para rivalizar com Mayfair - lugar de dinheiro velho. Belgravia abrigaria dinheiro novo, novos-ricos ou investimento dos muito endinheirados.
Lugar de gente bacana
Na minha série CUPIDOS EM DEVON, falo de dinheiro antigo nem sempre ligado a títulos de nobreza, por isso ficam em Mayfair e, em situação peculiar, Kensington perto do palácio da baixa realeza. Os comerciantes são classe média, ficam nas áreas de comércio. Olha meu mapa guia com Belgravia marcada.

Era área afastada da sede principal das propriedades da família Grosvenor que tem (até hoje) muitos títulos:
-Baronete de Eaton criado em 1622.(peerage da Grã Bretanha)
-Barão Grosvenor em 1761, (GB)
-Visconde Belgrave & Conde Grosvenor em 1784  (GB)
-Marquês de Westminster, 1831. (peerage do Reino Unido)
-Duque de Westminster, 1874 (RU)
(Só por curiosidade, o filho homem mais velho, herdeiro presuntivo, é Conde Grosvenor.)
Com a mudança do Rei  George III para a Buckingham House (que com reformas virou Palácio em 1763 quando começou a grande e infinita reforma que só acabou em 1830, e só foi residência oficial do reinado com Victoria em 1837) a área ficou mais acessível e palatável já que era próxima do Rei (rainha depois). Com isso, foi contruída a Grosvenor Place que de início era uma rua, uma fileira de casas ótimas, sempre geminadas. 
Depois da Guerra, na década de 1820 foi que começou a construção do bairro residencial de luxo Belgravia. Isso duraria pelos próximos 30 anos. As mansões coladinhas uma na outra tinham duas praças principais (igualzinho Grosvenor Square em Mayfair): Belgrave Square e Eaton Square.
viajando de curricule ou carruagem na velocidade apropriada para damas

O livro fala dos contrutores, Cubitts. Thomas e William eram visionários do ramo da construção civil. Filhos de um carpinteiro comum, Thomas trabalhou embarcado como carpinteiro de navio ida e volta para Índia o que lhe rendeu fundos para começar sua empresa de construção que era revolucionária da maneira de tocar a obra já que ele próprio controlava todas os empreiteiros. Parece simples hoje, mas na época foi o tchan!
Wiki diz que ele foi tão famoso e competente que teve os melhores clientes ever! Nobreza + realezaEle foi contratado em 1824 pelo marquês de Westminster, para criar uma grande quantidade de edifícios em Belgravia, centrada na Belgrave Square, Pimlico e Praça Eaton, que exemplificam o estilo de construção e design de Cubitt. Também foi responsável pela fachada leste do Palácio de Buckingham, a casa Osborne, na ilha de Wight (lar doce lar de Victoria e Albert),o grande desenvolvimento da cidade de Kemp, em Brighton, e parques públicos como o Battersea.

Para construir tanto, ele investia e investiam nele!
Quem?
Quem tinha dinheiro, o personagem principal do livro que era um comerciante de dinheiro novo (como o pai de Mr. Bingley de Orgulho e Preconceito), gentlemen ricos (como Mr. Darcy), nobres.

2- Bloody code
A lei penal Inglesa era duríssima até o início do sec 19. Antiquada e inchada por inúmeros adendos, a lei vinha do final do séc 17 (quando 50 crimes foram listados) e quando chegou ao início do século 19, aproximadamente 140 anos de existência, eram punidos com morte por enforcamento 220 crimes. Havia de tudo, coisas que hoje parecem irrelevantes, mas que na época (provavelmente) foram incluídas porque algum nobre ou ricaço se sentiu muito ofendido. Um criado poderia ser condenado por roubar algo barato como menos de 1/10 do seu salário mensal, ou seja, se fosse desleixado e algo sumisse ele poderia ser acusado de roubo e aí... 
Porém, se fosse um rico ou nobre que cometesse esses crimes, pagaria uma multa. Caso fosse pobre, criado, trabalhador, era enforcado.
Olha esses exemplos de crimes:
-assassinato
-incêndio culposo
-falsificação
-danificar árvores
-roubar cavalos, coelhos ou ovelhas
-destruir estradas e pedágios
-furto no valor de um xelim (aproximadamente £ 30 hoje, R$ 200,00)
-sair à noite com o rosto enegrecido
-escrever carta ameaçadora
-criança maliciosa de até 14 anos
-ficar em companhia de ciganos por um mês (está em Emma e no meu 'Dilemas em leilão', Cupidos em Devon livro 3)
-ser mãe solteira escondendo um filho natimorto (este crime existe no meu 'O Clube de Florence', Cupidos em Devon livro 2)
-roubar um naufrágio
-destruir um viveiro de peixes
sick chirpse

Depois de 1823, a lei foi relaxada e algumas penas foram transformadas em extradição para Austrália onde o condenado trabalhava em fazendas ou na construção de estradas. Bom comportamento reduzia a pena e muitos nunca voltaram.
A lei só foi chamada de 'sangrenta' (bloody) depois que ficou mais branda. No Belgravia que se passa na década de 1840, os criados ainda tem medo dela.

3- sangramento no parto
Já falei de como o parto era temido no século 19 aqui. Há pouco vi um video bem bacana da historiadora Eneida Queiroz falando das penúrias da Princesa Isabel. 

Mas aqui eles falam de 'sangramento' simplesmente e então fui olhar. Sabe que tem gente que ainda morre disso hoje em dia?
Aprendi que é patologia pós-parto, pode ser causado por resto de placenta que fica no útero ou hipotonia (quando o útero perde elasticidade e não contrai depois que expulsa o bebê). Hoje se cura com remédios e repouso, na época...

4- pomares em Isleworth
Era ou não era um luxo ter um pomar particular longe de casa?
Londres já era cidade grande, faltava espaço, então as famílias mais ricas mandavam vir hortifruti de suas fazendas (caso a distância permitisse) e além de comprar nos vendedores, tinham pomares com hortas e tals nos arredores da cidade. Isleworth era lugar para isso.
As casas de lá tinham jardim, quintal, tudo como em Kensington. E era cada mansão!... 
Spring Grove Hall - foto de Wiki


Grande parte de Isleworth se tornou pomar no século 18 e depois hortas comercializadas no século 19 que abasteciam casas e mercados de Londres. Um elemento marcante desse período foi o estabelecimento em Isleworth de muitas mansões e casas grandes, principalmente para aristocratas e grandes empreendedores. Esse fenômeno surgiu devido principalmente à coleção de residências reais e nobres e estabelecimentos eclesiásticos que já existiam nas proximidades, e pela possibilidade de espaço. 
wiki

Também existiam lá fábricas como a do famoso sabonete Pears e uma Workhouse (aparece em Cupidos em Devon, no spin off do Duque) que eram instituições do governo para enfiar pobres lhes dando teto & comida em troca de trabalho. Charles Dickens falava muito dessa desgraça.


5- extra quatuor maria, a lei do 'além dos quatro mares'
Presunção de paternidade dizia que o marido é o pai biológico de qualquer criança nascida durante o casamento desde que não haja evidência contrária como incapacidade dele de procriar ou falta de acesso à esposa durante o período relevante. 
chapéu e dragonas da Marinha Real, séc 19 - pic de ruby lane

Isto, a falta de acesso, só cabe se o marido estiver fora do reino da Inglaterra - da Ilha- ou seja extra quatuor maria [além dos quatro mares] por mais de nove meses. ... E, de acordo com a lei nem marido nem esposa poderiam ser testemunha para provar acesso ou não acesso. Claro, né?!
A apresentação de prova de que o marido era infértil, incapaz de performar o ato sexual ou distante é que era o lance. Já até imagino um romance girando em torno disso!... 


O romance Belgravia me enfiou mais umas mil caraminholas na cabeça, 
me explicou uns lances de hierarquia na sociedade, 
me fez admirar mulheres fortes e odiar herdeiros & bastardos. 


Adorei!
Indico!


Daqui a pouco falo da mini-série, 
pq agora tô doida pra assistir!


Pq não né? Como não lembrar de Sherlock desnudo no início da 2ª temporada - Escândalo em Belgravia?
pic de fanpop



se bateu curiosidade sobre os CUPIDOS EM DEVON
estão disponíveis pela Editora Bezz.
|

já falei da expectativa para a mini-série aqui
e minha opinião do programa aqui

outras curiosidades & pesquisas históricas, aqui

pesquisei aqui, aqui, aqui, aqui, aqui, aqui, aqui, aqui, aqui, aqui, aqui

domingo, 16 de fevereiro de 2020

Summer love or Tech Pride and Prejudice

hi, there!
I see Pride and Prejudice everywhere. Really!
The other day I accidentally caught a TV movie that resembles P&P plot and more, has uncanny coincidences with my first novel, 'Friendship of a special kind'.
imdb

The movie is called 'Summer love' and only now watching in for the sencond time I found out it's a Hallmark production. Then it gave me a certainty that it had some Austen flavor because this channel has already given us so many modern adaptations as P&P Atlanta, P&P& mistletoe, Unleashing Mr Darcy, Scents and sensibility...
Let me tell you what rang a bell to me:
hallmark channel

- The characters' names:
Maya, Will, Collin, Chantal. 
Maya is the main character, at first when she is introduced at her daughter Addison's summer camp, her name didn't remind me much of Lizzy but then she meets her new boss Colin. Huh. Colin, Collins. Ok, it's a common name. I let it pass. And in the next scene she meets the other boss, Will. Oah! Plus, she talks to her best friend Chantal. 
Ok, that's a bit too much.
Colin is a brooding guy, serious and attentive. Will is a good-humored, laid back guy who you distrust from the first moment. Chantal is the voice of reason, a practical person. The personalities match P&P's main characters, you see?
Colin - Darcy
Will - Wickham
Chantal - Charlotte
Maya... Lizzy!
Darcy and Lizzy - oops! Colin and Maya
pic from imdb
- The plot:
classical meet-hate-love
Maya needs an internship to garantee her Account school's final grades and starts a summer job at a tech company owned by partners Colin (CFO) and Will (CEO). She starts with the wrong foot when she arrives a bit lost and Colin offers to help her find her way. They chat and she babbles about the boss' fame of being harsh without knowing she spoke to the man himself. Ha! Classical P&P foot-in-the-mouth. 
Wickham and Lizzy or... Will and Maya
pic from imdb
The other boss - Will- is charming and good-humored, almost immediately makes a move on her. She resists, he insists. Meanwhile, she is obviously attracted to Colin who is obviously falling for her. But he is reserved and she is a widow. Huh... Here I stopped short. 
What? 
A widow, accountant, resisting a rich CFO?
That's so similar to my novel... and more?
The CEO hacks into her cell phone!
NO! THAT'S TOO MUCH!

imdb

Of course, these are lovely coincidences, 
but from this moment on, the movie was a bit special to me.

Check out the movie's plot
hallmark channel

‘SUMMER LOVE’ found here
Maya Sulliway is a struggling single mom who’s studying to become an accountant. When her young daughter goes off to sleepaway camp, Maya accepts a summer internship at Kizzmit, a tech company known for developing a popular social app, in order to receive college credit. There, the thirtysomething Maya feels out of place among the company’s hip millennial interns and feels even more intimidated when she meets Colin Fitzgerald, Kizzmit’s strait-laced CFO, who has a reputation for being a highly demanding boss. When she’s introduced to Will Martin, the company’s handsome and charismatic CEO, Maya learns about Pitch-Fest, an upcoming contest designed to determine who among Kizzmit’s staff can come up with the best idea for a new app.
Before long, Will and Colin both take a liking to Maya and a competition heats up between them. As she starts becoming attracted to each of them — and agrees to a date with Will — Maya
overhears a conversation revealing that Kizzmit is having financial problems and the company’s investors are threatening to cut financing unless a lucrative new app is created.
Combining her passion for outdoor activities and charity, Maya comes up with an idea for an app that would allow its users to donate to charitable organizations while they exercise. Though he
knows Kizzmit would greatly benefit from her app, Colin, having fallen for Maya, tells her to keep the idea for herself and not give it away at Pitch-Fest. He also expresses concern that Will, a known womanizer, is going to end up breaking Maya’s heart. Later, when Will unscrupulously steals Maya’s app idea — falsely accusing Colin of being the thief — and publicly declares it Kizzmit’s latest creation, Maya is devastated. Furious at Will and Colin, she quits her internship and storms off. But when she discovers that Will stole her idea and that Colin was not involved, the industrious accounting student wonders if there’s a way she can complete her internship and reclaim the app she invented. Along the way, she just might find a summer love.
oh, my! Lucas Bryant does make a charming Darcy...
pic from the book of esther
The app stealing by the Wickham-like guy 
could be Lydia subplot, couldn't it? Ha!

Check out my novel's plot

'FRIENDSHIP OF A SPECIAL KIND' more here
Elizabeth Bennett, 32, is a widow and a financial whiz, a first-class auditor husband's demise, she decided avoid relationships. Addicted to fashion, with a mania for running and pilates, she strained to stay in shape and keep sane.
William Darcy, 38, is a bachelor and CFO of his family businesses living in Seattle. Due to innumerable romantic fall outs, he preferred to avoid serious relationships. Handsome and millionaire, Darcy never had trouble wooing a woman. Until then.
When Darcy accepts the invitation of his childhood friends to spend a few days relaxing at the Netherfield farm in Meryton - Massachusetts, he could never have imagined that he would meet a beautiful girl who was going to mess him up.

It’s not a sequel, but an inspired story, modern and full of Pride and Prejudice’s standards. Here Lizzy is a young widow scared of another serious relationship fearing another unhappy marriage as she had with Collins. Darcy is a millionaire bachelor who spends his life dedicated to work and dodging the attempts of gold diggers.
They meet in Meryton, he is attracted to her pleasant figure, unintentional flirt and sharp tongue. When she escapes him, he seeks her out through her friends. Lizzy decides that if a hot guy as Darcy is making an effort to reach out for her, she could as well have some fun. Absolutely no strings attached no phone numbers or any other contacts exchanged. But she wasn’t counting on Darcy’s will and - believing himself righteous - he hacks into her smart phone to steal all her contacts. 
she is furious, he apologizes, she escapes again. Darcy is unable to forget Lizzy’s fine eyes, arts and allurements used so masterfully in that only one hot afternoon. She also misses the handsome man, enough to accept a second date. Then another one, another, one more...

In canon it’s Darcy’s lust that propels him to action ‘against his will, his family, his better judgment’ and he proposes to Lizzy. In ‘Friendship of a special kind’ she lets her lust take over as well. It’s a sexy and touching story where Ms. Austen’s fabulous characters get to have a bit of Brazil in them. They are impulsive and hot blooded; forward and a bit naughty sometimes; certainly more opened to one another and always very strong minded.

How cool is that?
summer time, widow, CFO, phone hacking, afraid of relationships,
very smart mind for her, accountant, sleaky partner...
soooo much in common!
imdb
My Lizzy doesn't have a daughter, 
but a kid sister young enough to be her daughter!

The movie is very entertaining, the actors are cute, the ending is a bit abrupt but all in all, it's nice to watch it.

My novel is here


My new JAFF novel, a Regency P&P sequel, is here


And I'll keep watching Hallmark movies sniffing for hidden Austen bits. 

See ya

sexta-feira, 14 de fevereiro de 2020

Dirty Petticoats - chapter 3

happy Valentine's!
Next to falling in love,
reading a romance is the best thing for this date!
kindle | googleplay

It's Valentine's and DIRTY PETTICOATS is available everywhere.
The ebook version has tidbits of other novels, the paperback is just fine! 
I enjoyed composing this story very much. It took me a good deal of research - even hotels Austen mentioned! - and a lot more of crazy imagining why Lizzy and Jane's marriage didn't mess with Meryton... It would, right?
Hope you enjoy this good humored tale of gossip and misunderstandings. Here you'll find more details and links. 
So, as promissed, here is the 3rd chapter.


DIRTY PETTICOATS
PG 13 - Regency - P&P continuation

~ chapter 3 ~
previously

Lady Catherine de Bourgh was a woman of determination. A widow for many years, accomplished mother who alone raised a daughter, competent ruler of her kingdom composed of a grand estate and several investments. Had she not been such an extraordinary woman, her life would be reduced to a pawn of her weak brother’s earldom or a puppet for her silly nephews’ exploits in businesses.
Of course she needed a man to – at least officially - be responsible for her dealings, that was why she put up with Darcy and Fitzwilliam’s reluctance in visiting to aid her with estate affairs and crops’ planning. Those were tedious matters, steward’s responsibilities, mundane worries; let them care for those. Men were made for that purpose, anyway. 
While they were distracted, she had time for important dealings, such as the future. The next generation was in severe risk and she was the only one capable of solving the problem. 
Anne, her daughter, neared the completion of her third decade of existence and was still single. And sickly. And childless. If only had been married, she could be a widow by her 30th birthday…
Fitzwilliam, her second oldest nephew, was also single, cavorting his way as much as the army uniform allowed him. Certainly he could be persuaded to accept the right lady, were she found and presented to him.
Darcy, her youngest nephew, married an obstinate headstrong girl who suspiciously didn’t give him an heir after the first anniversary. One might imagine that, from the obvious nature of their attachment, a brood of children would have already been in this world. But, to Lady Catherine’s surprise, not one had been born. Could Darcy be finally seeing reason?
And finally, her young parson was also childless after two years of matrimony. Mrs. Collins was by far more congenial than her husband, Lady Catherine with her tired eyesight saw her own predicament on Charlotte’s for she herself had been so much smarter than her late husband. But if the woman had accepted the man in the sacred bond of marriage, she had to do her duty and bear his heirs. All parishioners expected to see newborns and toddlers roaming the newlyweds’ parsonage, after all!
Oh, so many problems to solve!…
At least, being such a formidable mind for people’s affairs, Lady Catherine had an intricate plan already in motion. As a busy spider, she weaved her silky trends making sure every piece of this jigsaw fell into place perfectly. The winter was just about to start; next spring shall bring many blossoms…
She rang the bell that rested on her desk summoning the butler and stood to look proudly at the many letters spread over the leather top.
‘Yes, milady.’
‘Smith, take care of this morning’s mail in person.’ She pointed a crooked finger at each small pile of letters. ‘These ones shall go by Express, these by coach, these to the Post directly so you may deliver at the village office, and these are for the cook.’
‘Our cook, milady? The woman in charge of the meals?’
‘Of course! Whoever else could I mean?’ Lady Catherine shrieked. ‘Go, these are important matters!’
‘Yes, yes…’ the butler took the piles one by one stuffing them in different pockets, bowed and left.
‘Do not mix them up!’ She yelled after him.
---
Annabel Levork, née Williams, was lazily listening to china clinking and waited until the perfume of fresh tea reached her nose to stir. It was early morning, perhaps not even seven yet. Her lover, the dashing colonel Fitzwilliam had barracks’ habits which were unfortunate when he took his warm body from her side as soon as the first sun rays appeared and fortunate for her situation of unofficial guest at the Albany where he lived.
As a widow she was at some liberty to appreciate the attentions of a handsome bachelor of good breeding, a second son of an earl was an excellent choice. But she lived with her deceased husband’s uncle while her meager inheritance was engaged in business beyond her reach. Although juvenile, she used the excuse of visiting an old friend or cousin to occasionally spend nights in his company.
The Albany was a fashionable address for the society’s finest bachelors, she very well knew that. Even if not respectable, and highly forbidden, gentlemen of fortune and breeding took selected company to their particular apartments using darkened corridors and side doors. The adventure of visiting the famous building incognito was what led Annabel to a night visit one fine day. At Vauxhall gardens’ midsummer celebration, she fell prey of a charming man of fame who induced her to trust him but once inside his set at the Albany, when she realized that not even a servant was there to witness whatever befell her, she panicked. He was insistent, she was frightened, he meant to hug her, she ran away.
The problem was that she knew nothing of the place, the tacit laws of the bachelors' expensive building and as she ran the long covered corridor of rope-walk in plain sight. As much as she asked for help, no one talked to her; she seemed to be invisible! Annabel had met few men that night, but none of them answered when she whispered the urgent plead for sheltering her from the gentleman who had brought her there. Only one offered his hand and only then Annabel realized it rained. 
Drenched, Fitzwilliam returned home for a change before attending social gatherings; frightened, Annabel accepted his offer of hiding in his attic flat. There she stood, at the living room as he undressed and redressed in the bedroom, only a door and a few candles between them. That night, as the weather didn’t light up, they spent several hours conversing and sipping a bottle of Madeira wine he had available. 
That had been months before, since then their relationship grew in fondness and trust to the point of lovers. She was very aware of the precariousness of their liaison, not only because he could be sent to war again at any moment but also because being a second son he needed a profitable marriage and she had but a humble fortune.
Let time deal with their problems, she thought when in his company. Excellent company as he was, she’d better enjoy as they could. 
As soon as she heard the under butler leave, she left the bed, dressed in one of his robes and met the dashing colonel reading his mail near the sofas.
‘Good morning, pretty one, there’s tea.’
‘Morning.’ She smiled coquettish. ‘Good news?’
‘A trip, my cousin needs protection from his lovely wife’s family and I’m his knight.’
‘Isn’t he lucky? Dividing my savior with me.’
He grinned leaning in to kiss her lips. ‘Always at your disposal.’
‘Where will he ship you to?’
‘Meryton in Hertfordshire.’
‘Oh, the marriage resort!’ Annabel smiled. 
‘What?’
‘Such a lovely village, I’ve spent but a day; someone told me it’d be a good place to find a good husband if I were to spend a season there. Many respectable gentlemen have chosen wives in Meryton, it’s said to be a romantic place. But I really wanted to visit the excavations, the unearthed Roman villa and the springs coming from the ancient bath salon. It is a lovely city, two good hotels, even a pump room.’
‘Yes, much improvement in a couple of years. First time I visited the place was to witness my cousin’s wedding. One of his friends from Cambridge shared the coach with me and as he invests in construction and development, he thought he saw a possibility in signs of Roman history in the road entering the village. All it took him was a little digging.’
‘Maybe more than that!’
‘Much development, the estates’ value has increased considerably.’
‘The social events are quite famous in the summer season, this time near winter, surely it must be a lot calmer…’
‘It is a family matter that needs to be addressed.’
‘Ah. Better if there is calm weather.’
‘Yes, quite.’ He perused the other letters, read the Times first lines. ‘What hour is it? Do you need to go?’
‘If you need to give attention to these other letters...’
‘News from my mother and aunt can wait if you are here with me.’
‘Well, I must leave soon to avoid being seen going along the rope-walk...’
‘Let me help you compose yourself, pretty one.’ Fitzwilliam pointed his bedroom. 
She nodded and walked in front of him.
---
Bingleton Court had been established only one-year prior, the owners still learned to deal with every day struggles common to landowners. Charles Bingley, heir of a considerable fortune made in trade, fulfilled a dream of his father’s and sisters in the large estate. 
Two years before, the search of the property had rendered the great profit of finding the most perfect life companion Bingley could have when he leased Netherfield in Hertfordshire. Jane Bingley, née Bennet, was natural of Meryton, the small village close to the estate he considered buying and they fell in love almost immediately.  After a period of maturation when they were kept apart because he was ill advisement, he made the offer, she accepted and their marriage brought influential guests and outstanding results for the city.
After the first year of marriage residing at Netherfield, Bingley finally resolved on acquiring a Northern estate, opting to settle close to his good friend Fitzwilliam Darcy and his wife Elizabeth, Jane’s favorite sister- a couple forged alongside his eventful courtship to Jane. Bingleton Court, as the place was renamed under pressure of Bingley’s sisters, was located near the grand Pemberley. 
Up North, finally at home, Bingley and Jane could start their family. It was exactly the confinement of the first child that would keep them from traveling to aid Mrs. Bennet, Jane’s mother, in the time of distress.
The mistress of the house confused doors in her home, it was a great manor that she was still unused to possess. So, it took Jane three tries and two shouts to find her husband. 
He opened his den’s door to find her searching along the corridor, offered his arm and escorted her to the stuffed chair near the fire.
‘Shouldn’t you be in bed? Kitty was supposed to watch over you.’ He complained. 
‘She is napping upstairs; I came here to tell you of Lizzy’s letter.’ Jane sighed, moved a little to the side and took a folded paper from her pocket beside her engorged belly. ‘My sister is much agitated, Charles. Tell Darcy to bring her here, I want to see her and cannot ride the 30 miles to Pemberley. ‘
‘Absolutely not!’ He clapped his hands together.  ‘You need rest, Jane dear, you are a very fragile lady.’
‘I am not, don’t be silly. The problem are the roads you still haven’t ordered reforming.  We need to have it done by the time this baby reaches its first birthday, see that it’s arranged.’
‘Yes, dear.’
‘Lizzy is not liking this situation Charlotte is creating at Longbourn, she thinks it’s too odd, suspects something much worse behind our long time friend’s actions.’
‘Darcy also believes there are obscure motives in this.’
‘My sister says she has an inoffensive cold that is giving her the sneezes, for that they will delay their arrival in Netherfield for a few weeks, but the servants are already on their way to ready the place.’
‘They could stay at Longbourn, only Mary lives with your parents nowadays...’
‘No, they can’t. ‘Jane shook her head, eyes on Elizabeth’s words. ‘Darcy can’t deal with mamma’s antics. You have difficulty after a week.’
‘True.’
‘They took up Netherfield lease after we dropped it, the architect friend is staying there when the family isn’t residing.’
‘Furnington, good fellow.’ A chuckle. ‘We had good fun in Cambridge.’
 ‘You always say that, Charles.’ Jane frowned. ‘Let out this amused little laugh, compliment the man. Lizzy says Darcy also have this reaction to the remembrance of university years along this fellow. What is it?’
Nothing, nothing dear Jane. Furnington is merely engaging.’ Bingley shook his head. ‘Let me have Lizzy’s letter, Darcy writes too long missives filled with four syllable words. It’s very tiring to read his news.’
‘What does he say?’
‘Our mamma is upset, Lizzy is suspicious, Georgiana is too excited about the journey.’ He shook his hand. ‘What could be said in ten lines he made into two full pages.’ He read in silence for a moment. ‘See? This is a good letter. Short, concise, straightforward.’ 
‘So they are going to Meryton.’ Jane sighed and caressed her big tummy.  ‘But we are to stay here in the North.’
‘Waiting my heir.’
‘Fine.’
‘Perfect!’
‘I’ll be chained to my desk, then.’ Jane promised herself. ‘Will write to Lizzy every day.’ She held her bump wishing her child was already a strong babe and could be carried across the country. 
---
‘Aha!’ Mrs. Bennet yelled from the bedrooms’ hall at Longbourn. ‘There is no evil that shall last forever!’
There was no answer whatsoever. 
‘I am to be avenged, no one will steal the roof from over my head under my husband’s nose. This traitor Collins can very well pack her trunks and return to Lucas Lodge.’
That instigated an answer from a clear and calm disembodied voice. ‘I cannot return to my parents’ home because I did not come from there, Mrs. Bennet.  I came from Hunsford parsonage straight to Longbourn.’
‘Good you realized I was talking to you, Mrs. Collins.’ The older woman dragged the ‘s’ as a snake’s hissing. ‘This is not your house yet; you are not to stay here unless invited.’
‘You would not quick me out, would you Mrs. Bennet? I grew up with your children, you know me as much as my own mamma.’
‘None of my girls could abuse an elderly as you do coming here unannounced, not even your obsequious husband when single preying on my daughters had the nerve to do so.’
Charlotte pressed her eyes. ‘I am not unknown to the family; my stay here does not compromise the daily functions of the house.’
‘Ha! Would not if you didn’t intrude in everything!’
‘I am merely getting to know the house and the estate, it is a wise preoccupation for me to have since my husband is to inherit the property.’ 
‘You have come as our angel of death! You want to take control of the house and servants and tenants and expel us from our own home!’ Her voice reached higher pitches. ‘Oh, my nerves! No one has pity of my poor nerves!’
‘I cannot do such a thing, Mrs. Bennet. Mr. Bennet is the rightful owner of Longbourn.’
‘Then you leave, leave now before the ire of the Bennets befall you!’ The older woman gesticulated widely as if calling powers from heavens.
‘I will not.’
‘You wait Lizzy arrive here, wait to face Mrs. Darcy!’ A derisive laugh. ‘She is worth 10 thousand a year, her husband advises your husband’s employer, you shall have a lot to lose!’
‘Lizzy is my dearest friend.’ Charlotte shook her head and started to descend the stairs.
‘If you do not leave now, I will never speak to you again.’
‘You said that yesterday, Mrs. Bennet...’
‘Face Mrs. Darcy if you think capable of pairing that force of nature!’
Charlotte didn’t turn back, but she considered it would not be easy.
---

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see ya!