Hump Day Hook #11
Welcome to the Hump Day Hook Hop for January 16th, 2013!With this blog hop, each author posts one paragraph from a WIP or finished book for all to see. Then, it would be really cool if you could visit all the writers participating and comment on their paragraph!
This excerpt is from my current work in progress, Dearest Bloodiest Elizabeth, the sequel to Pulse and Prejudice, the vampire adaptation of Jane Austen's classic love story. Sorry - it is more than just a paragraph, but I had a difficult time choosing!
Whilst reading Pride and Prejudice (or Pulse and Prejudice, for that matter), did you ever wonder what was going on in the mind of Lady Catherine de Bourgh's daughter Anne? In this scene, we find her in close conversation with her cousin Mr. Darcy...
Anne stopped to catch her breath, and Darcy offered her water, which she shook away. “I regret only how I have not lived. I could never be the daughter Mamá wanted.”“Anne, Lady Catherine is completely devoted to you.”
“I know I have been a disappointment to her. She dreamed of a daughter she could present at court, who would be a great proficient…”
“Do not tire yourself; you must save your breath.”
“For what, William? To cool my porridge? I have few breaths left. Allow me to use them to speak to you. I must own to a bit of jealousy I have felt towards your wife.”
Darcy blinked back his surprise. “I…I am sorry, Anne. I had no notion that you thought a match between us – ”
She squeezed his hand with her weak fingers. “No, William, not for marrying you – never that. In spite of all of my mother’s professions of being against your marriage, I could see even last year how she liked Elizabeth and wished I had been more like she. Healthy and lively. I am glad Elizabeth is come to our family. Mamá is not as cold as she might seem at times. She has been disappointed in life, her hopes and dreams for a daughter, seeing her through a London Season.”
Her words evoked an ache in his chest. “And what of your own hopes and dreams?”
“I should have liked a Season, I think, and the chance to become an accomplished woman, to learn to play and sing. I would have liked to walk Rosings Park instead of riding always in a phaeton, to see your Pemberley.”
Love to know what you think!
Thanks for stopping by! Hop on over to the other authors' sites for their hooks.
Please go to the Hump Day Hook Facebook Group for this weeks' participants or click here for a list of all the participants in the Hump Day Hook Blog hop!
Next Up: Paloma Beck with a SIZZLING excerpt!
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Aww poor Anne. Sounds like she isn't doing too well.
ReplyDeleteI do love these HD Hooks! I hope DBE will be published soon.
So sad for her... but she comes off so very likable. I like this excerpt - different from the others I've read of yours.
ReplyDeleteVery touching. I truly feel for her. I like this hook. :)
ReplyDeleteAWWWW. Nicely done x
ReplyDeleteNicely done. You describe exactly what I thought she would've been thinking!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful hook, very nicely done.
ReplyDeleteNice hook, I really feel for Anne. Good job.
ReplyDeleteLoved the hook...I felt like I was in the scene!
ReplyDeletewell done :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a sad hook, but so very intriguing! :)
ReplyDeleteI am gratified to be able to see into Anne's mind. She takes her illness very well-- commendable. Well done, Colette!
ReplyDeleteI loved the hook. The snippet is very powerful though also sad. An excellent piece of writing.
ReplyDeleteOh this sounds so sad, but I agree with Ciaran, very powerful, as well. Well done!
ReplyDeleteYour voice is profound. Fabulous hook, Colette!
ReplyDeleteHow sad for her. So much emotion. Great hook.
ReplyDeleteYou've made Anne so sympathetic, Colette! Really enjoyed this :).
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