Happy Valentine's Day!
We're celebrating over at Austen Variations with some writing - excerpts from our books and a poem by Diana Birchall, plus there are links to authors' websites for their special contributions!
Here's an excerpt from Project Darcy which follows on from my piece at Austen Variations - I hope you enjoy it. Jane Austen and her friend, Tom Lefroy, are falling in love at the Manydown Ball!
My spirits were dancing in silent rapture just as much
as my feet when Tom escorted me to the dance floor. I think something of the
joy we felt on the occasion pervaded the whole room like the fragrance
lingering on the air as the atmosphere lightened. There was laughter and
movement and flurries of white muslin as dashing young men spun their partners
round, satin slippers kicking up the chalk. As the musicians played faster the
handclaps and boot stomping grew louder. Everywhere looked a blaze of colour
and sparkle under glittering chandeliers as the dancers skipped and hopped,
galloping down the set to reach their place in time. It was wonderful to feel
his hand in mine, to catch his eye, and to have his fingers linger in the small
of my back like a caress.
By the time the supper bell rang, we were all starving
hungry. Such a spread, like a king’s feast, was laid out on the dining table.
My brother James carved the turkey with great perseverance, whilst Henry made
it his job to help all the young ladies. He was on fine form and had encouraged
his brother to dance every dance. Catherine and Alethea exchanged smiles with
me. I knew Catherine would tease me about Tom as soon as she had the chance.
Catherine’s brother Harris was helping James. He was growing up, and looked
quite the young gentleman in his evening attire. I saw him look up and catch my
eye. He was very shy, but I knew that he liked me. Knowing that I was one of
the few people he preferred to talk to, I gave him my best smile back again.
‘Come on, Jane,’ whispered Tom, ‘surely there’s a
corner where we can sit without the whole world attending to our every word.’
‘Tom Lefroy, you will have people talking about me, if
they are not already, but there is a little place in the greenhouse where we
might find a seat.’
I led him from the room and along the corridor.
Everyone was so busy eating, drinking and swapping gossip that I was certain we
would not be missed, but I knew we should not be long. At the back of my mind,
a voice told me I was behaving badly but it felt we were the only two people in
the whole world who mattered. We abandoned our plates and glasses, and ran
tiptoeing, hand in hand, as soon as we were out of sight. Amongst the Persian
orange trees and exotic plants, I found my rustic bench, a favourite spot where
I often took a book when staying with my friends. Screened by greenery, we
could not be seen. The space was a cosy one, warm from the glow of candles set
in coloured lamps that lent a magical glow to the darkness of the interior.
‘Thank you for making this Christmas visit so
enjoyable,’ said Tom, turning to face me. ‘I must admit that I was truly
dreading being away from my family.’
‘I, too, have enjoyed every minute of your company …
even when you were behaving like an arrogant coxcomb.’
‘You wound me, Miss Austen, and in more ways than you
will ever know.’
I fiddled with my reticule and thought of the picture
hidden inside. ‘You will have to go away soon, I think.’
Tom nodded. ‘I have to study, and I have a long way
ahead of me before I shall be started in my chosen career.’
‘And I suppose you will not stop at being a mere
lawyer. I can see you as a judge, Tom, with a long white wig on your head
looking rather stern.’
Tom threw back his head and laughed. ‘If my Uncle
Benjamin has anything to do with it, you’re right. He is my sponsor and I do so
hope to make him proud. I wish to do the best for my family. With so many
children, you know yourself, money is stretched to its limits.’
‘I wish you weren’t going away,’ I said. The words
were out, and the secrets of my heart were unleashed. It was too late to go
back.
‘But, I will go and you’ll soon forget me. It’s
probably for the best, you know. Besides, you have so many ardent suitors I
could not flatter myself that you would wish to confine yourself to me alone.’
He took up my hand between two of his own and turned
it, as if studying my fingers before entwining his in mine and holding them up
to the curve of his mouth, pressing his lips against the kid leather. I wanted
to feel his mouth on mine, and I knew I might never have another moment so
exquisitely right.
‘Kiss me,’ I dared to say.
‘Jane … we should not.’
I heard his words but I did not believe them. I tried
again. ‘Do you not wish to kiss me, Mr Lefroy?’
Tom stroked the flesh exposed above my wrist where he
hooked a finger beneath the buttoned opening of my glove. ‘Jane, it’s not that
… but I do not think kissing you is a good idea.’
‘It would just be a kiss between friends. I am always
kissing Catherine and Alethea. It would signify nothing more than a seal to
friendship.’
Tom shook his head. ‘Oh, Jane, you have no idea how
much I’ve dreamed of kissing you, and it would be a terrible thing if I did.’
‘I don’t understand. If we both wish it, why is it so
wrong?’
Tom gazed into my eyes and I saw his anguish. ‘Because
I do not trust myself to behave like a gentleman.’
‘Kiss me, Tom, or I will kiss you.’
His hand caressed my face
and a finger traced my mouth before he placed his lips on mine so gently that
tears filled my eyes. I touched his cheek, threaded my fingers through his
hair, and felt our lips and our breath join as one. I fell into his arms and he
drew me closer with kisses of love and tenderness.