As a special treat for Austen Variation readers at Advent, I present the final part of what is now published as “A Most Affectionate Mother.” Part 15 The next morning proved clear and bright and all things such a wonderful morning ought to be. Mary sat beside him on the seat of his modest gig. …
As a special treat for Austen Variation readers at Advent, I present the penultimate part of what is now published as “A Most Affectionate Mother.” Part 14 Mrs. Johnstone was waiting in the kitchen with a dry, warm blanket and a large cup of hot broth. Mr. Johnstone set her down in front of the …
I’m about to launch a book–A Most Affectionate Mother–and it’s your fault! Ths was supposed to be just a little short story for September, just four shots and moving on. But in true “If you give a mouse a cookie” fashion, you gave and author a comment and it was enough to set a whirlwind …
Diana gave us some lovely insight into girl’s education in Jane Austen’s day, (You can find that post HERE.) So now is a good time to look at how gentlemen of the era were educated. No one really argued for state provided education for middle and upper class children before 1850. (Brown, 2011) So the …
Tea with Mrs. Johnstone proves a mite … unusual. Part 7 The next several days provided conversation, the likes of which she had never had, frankly, never even imagined. While she and Mr. Johnstone disagreed not infrequently, sometimes quite widely, he always listened politely, argued intelligently, and conceded defeat as often as she did. He …
“I think your opinion very worthwhile, and to be entirely honest, I am apt to agree both with you and the author of that particular essay.”–Some interesting conversation seems to be on tap today… Part 6 As usual, Mary rose just after sunrise. The rose colored beams streaming through her window would normally have elicited …
What is a dinner party without a little matchmaking on the side? Part 5 “I must say, that is very odd, very odd indeed.” Mama pranced around the parlor in a little circle, wings flapping, feathers fluffing. The sun was beginning its nightly descent, so she cast long shadows across the faded carpet. She was …
Maria Lucas speaks her mind with a most surprising observation. Part 4 For the next four days, Mr. Johnstone appeared like clockwork, at half past eleven every morning, exactly the time she was most likely to quit from her studies and turn to other pursuits. Some days, just to be contrary, she lingered another quarter …
The unmitigated gall! He didn’t just do that, did he? Part 3 Three days later, Mary sat in the parlor, The Moral Miscellany open in a sunbeam on the table before her, and a sheet of paper crosswritten before her. Her handwriting was not nearly as pretty as Jane’s or as legible as Lizzy’s, but …
Sir William Lucas makes an introduction, but is it a favor? Part 2 What atrocious manners he had! Though it would certainly be deemed improper, Mary met the man’s stare with one of her own. He blinked and shook his head. That was satisfying. She gathered her book to her chest and strode toward the …
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