My dear readers, I am so excited to have Nicole Clarkston as my guest again today. She has written a new scene tied to her Pride and Prejudice variation These Dreams, which made my Best of 2017 list (click to read my review). I’ll let her introduce the scene and the giveaway, so please give her a warm welcome:
Thank you, Anna, for having me today on your blog! It is always a pleasure chatting with you. Today I bring you a scene related to These Dreams, featuring everyone’s favourite Colonel Fitzwilliam (before he was a colonel). This short scene is set three years prior to the events of Pride and Prejudice (and also These Dreams).
Richard Fitzwilliam was wounded in battle in Portugal, but had befriended young Portuguese Lieutenant Rodrigo (Ruy) de Noronha. Invited to convalesce at his new friend’s family home in Lisbon, Richard made the acquaintance of the lieutenant’s lovely young sister Amália. Their initial meeting appeared first as a blog post on Austen Variations and then as a post-script after the epilogue of These Dreams. Today’s vignette, however, you will only find here. Enjoy it, and stick around for a chance to enter the giveaway at the end!
~NC
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Major Richard Fitzwilliam, decorated commander of the First Division Light Cavalry and an acclaimed hero of the battlefield, was in full retreat.
Oh, he would never confess as much. It would be too disgraceful, if any of his comrades in arms detected signs of weakness in his warrior’s armor. But there it was, a fissure the size of a Derbyshire canyon, cracking right through his chest into his viscera. And it widened every time she smiled at him.
Amália. He had never heard a lovelier name. Both sweet and flinty, gentle yet perplexing. It suited her, this enigma of a girl, barely old enough to dress as a lady and act as her father’s hostess. She came near him now, those delicious pearly teeth and peerless golden eyes flashing in an artless smile as she clutched a book in her hand. “Major, you are not in town with Ruy today?”
He looked up from the writing desk where he was composing a letter to his father. He shifted in the chair, pressing back against his seat and holding his breath, lest he catch her fragrance again. “Not today. He had some business with his commanding officer, but I do not report until next week.”
“Then you will be leaving us, no?”
Was that a tinge of wistfulness in her voice?
Richard cleared his throat. “Only if I have overstayed my welcome. I am to report, but I am not required to remain with my regiment. My commanding officer does not desire me back on active duty until my arm is fully healed.”
She smiled again… blast. “You are most welcome to remain here, Major. My father, he is… honoured, no? He tells everyone how you save Ruy.”
Richard’s neck felt hot. “I fear his narrative does your brother too little credit. The Lieutenant’s actions and bravery gave much courage to his men. Likely enough, we would both have been killed if the line had faltered.”
Her expression froze, and he could see the horrifying reality playing through her thoughts even behind her lingering smile.
“But let us speak of other things,” he corrected swiftly. “It was generous of your father to offer his hospitality.”
She warmed again, glanced about, and finally settled herself into a chair opposite him. “He wished to hold a dinner party for you and Ruy, but that would not be proper just now.”
“Nor would I wish him to exert the effort. I am simply grateful for such a comfortable and welcoming house in which to convalesce, though I do not quite share my commanding officer’s opinion that I must take such a long time about doing it.”
Those eyes sparkled again as she opened her book. “One must not attempt to heal too quickly, Major.” She dropped her attention to the pages then, giving every impression that she had sought this room, and that very chair, simply so she might enjoy her book in proximity to him.
They were hardly alone in the room, though it seemed that way to Richard. A woman of reduced circumstances, as they would have called her in England, always shadowed the daughter of the house, and half a dozen others came and went in that room on some errand or another. None, however, spoke to either of them, and the two were left in an uncomfortable peace. Uncomfortable to him, at least, and becoming more so by the minute.
He squirmed in his chair, doing his best to not think of her soft pale gown, or the way the spirals of hair curled round her tender neck, or the delicate fragrance which was even now assaulting his senses… dash it all. He snatched the paper on which he had been writing and crumpled it for the fire, for he had written some words which had nothing at all to do with correspondence with his father.
She looked up in mute surprise as he thrust the wad of notepaper to the front of the desk, but he glanced at her only long enough to acknowledge her notice. He forced his attention back on the fresh sheet before him, flexing his fingers and shuffling his feet beneath the desk.
Seven hours. That was how long he could remain at attention without flinching. He knew, for he had done it not long ago; polished and ready for battle atop his charger, with a heavy bayonet at his shoulder. Seven bloody hours. He blinked a sudden rivulet of perspiration from his eyes. Apparently, he could not last even seven minutes with her in the room.
The paper was still blank, and he used the back of his hand to surreptitiously wipe another bead of sweat from his brow. It had nothing to do with the Portuguese summer heat, either, for it was still… not even June, and his composure was faltering by the second.
Darcy could have done it. Richard’s fingers tightened on the quill as he thinned his lips. Oh, yes, Fitzwilliam Darcy could have successfully ignored a woman with a book… whose eyes made his spine tingle every time they rose from her page. That old stick, he could have made a woman feel the full measure of his casual disregard, and suffered not a moment’s discomfort for it! Unlike himself… Richard writhed in his chair again.
“Major, you are not unwell?” that musical voice queried.
“I?” he jerked faintly. It was difficult enough to pretend that all his senses were not trained on her, without her bloody speaking to him! He had not been prepared for that. He cleared his throat again. “No, I am quite well.”
“You are not too warm? The sun, no, it comes in through the window. Perhaps you would prefer the garden air? Your letter would be easier after a walk, no?”
Oh, not the garden! He would never survive, not if she offered to act as his guide again. “I am quite well, thank you. I do not write quickly or easily. A family trait, I am afraid.”
“Then we must find some way to set you at your ease.” She rose, leaving her book in the seat. “Do you like reading, Major?”
“I used to. I have little time or patience for it now.”
“What of music? It relaxes the mind, no?”
That was precisely what he did not need, but he made an amiable reply. “It is a particular weakness of mine,” he answered, his voice lower than he would have liked. “And of every soldier, so far as I know, senhorita.”
“Then it will be my pleasure,” she beamed. “Senhora Ramires,” she turned to her companion, “will you play for the Major, and I will sing?” She turned back to him then, clasping her hands in apology. “I am hopeless on the instrument, but I do love to sing.”
She seemed to be waiting for him to rise, which he did—rather stiffly. He made her a quick, playful bow, mostly to hide something of his discomposure, and then… his stomach leaped somewhere into this throat when she blithely took his good arm to walk toward the piano. He stopped when she did, then gratefully dropped into the seat she indicated and crossed his legs.
She nodded to her companion, who dutifully took up the notes of a song he did not know. The opening lines were unremarkable enough, and would likely have remained so in his memory, until she lifted her voice.
He could not understand most of the words. He had a passing familiarity with Portuguese, and more so now than ever, but some combination of emotion and inflection rendered half the words foreign to him. He did not need them, however, to interpret the meaning of the song. She sang of young love, of searching and loss, despair, and then joy at reunion. Her clear voice rang with such power and intensity that tears began to pool in the corners of his eyes during the verses of tragedy and mourning.
The tone gradually changed, growing and building with the fire of hope. His eyes fixed upon her lithe figure, swaying as the music possessed her, capturing her breath until she gasped faintly between the lines and her feminine shape seemed ready to burst with the force of the passion the song had awakened. Just as the melody swelled to its most glorious, she met his eye, a faint smile about her lips as she continued to sing. Richard could not remember when he had last drawn breath, nor did he feel inclined to try to do so now.
He should stop her. He should declare himself unfit for company and retire to his room… and rejoin his regiment at first light tomorrow. Another trickle of moisture troubled him, but this time, he realised, it was a tear. And then a second. They mirrored the tears of the singer as she poured forth joy and lament, suffering and triumph, and with her final loving notes, Richard Fitzwilliam’s last defences fell.
Her voice quieted, like the dying breeze on the battlefield that leaves the flags limp and shell-shot at the end of the day. A soft sigh—hers or his, he was not certain—and the ruin was complete. He sat there in the deafening stillness, his skin still prickling and his lips parted, just as were hers.
She was staring at him now, the hands she had lifted at the pinnacle of her song now lowered, her breath slowing. Five seconds… the handspan of time it took for a fuse to detonate its source, but the shuddering, racking pain exploded within his own heart.
She blinked, and he did the same. The spell, for the moment, was lifted, but never again would it be broken. At her brother’s voice in the outer hall, Amália drew a refreshing breath, smiled, and dipped him a curtsey. “I hope the song gave you some peace, Major,” she offered, a blush staining her youthful cheeks.
“I would not call it peace, senhorita, but it is a performance I shall never forget,” he answered in a husky voice.
She dashed the last of the moisture from her eyes, a relic of several seconds ago, and her expression brightened again to that of the girl he had thought he knew. “Perhaps we will go to Ruy now?” she suggested.
He rose at last, then gave her his arm to walk together toward her brother. She took it with girlish grace, smiling up at him, and the yawning ache widened in his soul. In two weeks’ time, he would leave her behind, never again to be troubled by her intoxicating scent, her lyrical voice, or those bewitching, golden eyes. The arm she clasped would be given again in service to King and Country, safe from her reach. His heart, however, had declared its home– in the palm of her hand.
~
Well, do you love the dear colonel as much as I do? So many of us know him as “Richard,” even though Jane Austen never gave him a name. It’s strange how his is one of the many characters Austen scarcely introduces, and he has come to life for us as a fully developed persona. Perhaps it is a combination of the fertile minds of JAFF authors and the fabulous actors who have portrayed this gentleman.
What do you think, who is the best film version of Colonel Fitzwilliam? Leave your thoughts, and you will be entered in our giveaway. Up for grabs is a reader’s choice of any of my books in any available format. The giveaway is international, so scroll our lovely men and name your pick!
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Thank you so much, Nicole! I absolutely loved Richard and Amália in These Dreams, so it was wonderful to see them again. I have a soft spot for the 1940 Pride and Prejudice since it was the first film version I saw, though it was so different from the book. But there’s something very appealing about Tom Ward… 😉
For the giveaway, please leave a comment with your answer to Nicole’s question, and include your email address so I can contact you if you win. The giveaway will close on Friday, January 26, 2017. The winner will be chosen randomly and announced in the comments section of this post. Good luck!
~
About These Dreams
An abandoned bride
A missing man
And a dream that refuses to die…
Pride and patriotism lend fervor to greed and cruelty, and Fitzwilliam Darcy is caught at the centre of a decades-old international feud. Taken far from England, presumed dead by his family, and lost to all he holds dear, only one name remains as his beacon in the darkness: Elizabeth.
Georgiana Darcy is now the reluctant, heartbroken heiress to Pemberley, and Colonel Fitwilliam her bewildered guardian. Vulnerable and unprepared, Georgiana desperately longs for a friend, while Fitzwilliam seeks to protect her from his own family. As the conspiracy around Darcy’s death widens and questions mount, Colonel Fitzwilliam must confront his own past. An impossible dream, long ago sacrificed for duty, may become his only hope.
Newly married Lydia Wickham returns to Longbourn — alone and under mysterious circumstances. Elizabeth Bennet watches one sister suffer and another find joy, while she lives her own days in empty regrets over what might have been. Believing Darcy lost forever, she closes her heart against both pain
and happiness, but finds no escape from her dreams of him.
Goodreads | Amazon U.S. | Amazon U.K.
~
About the Author
Nicole Clarkston is a book lover and a happily married mom of three. Originally from Idaho, she now lives in Oregon with her own romantic hero, several horses, and one very fat dog. She has loved crafting alternate stories and sequels since she was a child watching Disney’s Robin Hood, and she is never found sitting quietly without a book of some sort.
Nicole discovered Jane Austen rather by guilt in her early thirties―how does any book worm really live that long without a little P&P? She has never looked back. A year or so later, during a major house renovation project, she discovered Elizabeth Gaskell and fell completely in love. Her need for more time with these characters led her to simultaneously write Rumours & Recklessness, a P&P inspired novel, and No Such Thing as Luck, a N&S inspired novel. Both immediately became best selling books. The success she had with her first attempt at writing led her to write three other novels that are her pitiful homage to two authors who have so deeply inspired her.
Nicole was recently invited to join Austenvariations.com, a group of talented authors in the Jane Austen Fiction genre. In addition to her work with the Austen Variations blog, Nicole can be reached through Facebook at http://fb.me/NicoleClarkstonAuthor, Twitter @N_Clarkston, her blog at Goodreads.com, or her personal blog and website, NicoleClarkson.com.
Connect with Nicole: Website | Goodreads Author Page | Goodreads Blog | Facebook | Amazon Author Page | Twitter
Ahhh, that was a charming vignette. Poor Richard trying to keep his cool.
Oh hmm, it’s actually a toss up b/c each brings something fresh to the role, but I’m going with Desmond Adams for my pick.
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There is something so regal about him, isn’t there? Poor Richard indeed, he was having a very hard time!
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That was just lovely, Nicole. Poor Richard, his heart is well and truly lost, isn’t it? These Dreams is pretty high up on my TBR list and I just need to set aside a decent amount of time to devote to it.
As to my favourite Colonel, it’s a tough choice. Like Anna, I have a soft spot for the 1940 version as it was my first, too. In the end, though, I think I’ll have to go for Anthony Calf from 1995.
Please don’t put my name in the giveaway hat, as I already have all of Nicole’s books in at least one format and several of them in three (paperback, ebook AND audio).
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Yes, curse me and my tendency to write long stories! Sorry, you’ll need a few days for that one 😉
I love Anthony! It may help that that’s also my husband’s name ;-). Actually when we were looking for back cover illustrations of the colonel, the one we chose reminded me a lot of Anthony Calf. Thanks for commenting, Anji!
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Oh how lovely was that? Thank you so much. I absolutely loved this book even though it cost me in tissues and glasses wipes!!! It was definitely one of my favourite reads of 2017.
My favourite Colonel is Anthony Calf and I prefer to think of him as Richard.
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Tissues and glasses wipes! Yessss, my work here is done! Thank you so much, Glynis ❤
I love the name Richard too. It's a name that can be both distinguished and playful. Perfect for our colonel!
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Looks wise it would be Tom Ward, but Desmond Adams from the 1980 Pride and Prejudice as it is my favourite adaptation
meikleblog(at)gmail(dot)com
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That was the first adaptation I saw too! It was free on Netflix at the time, and I wasn’t sure if I would love it enough to dive in and purchase any other versions…. (ahem….)
Thanks for commenting, Vesper!
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I enjoy the older versions especially the 1940 one. This is a wonderful giveaway ideal for the winter where I can escape.
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That version is so much fun! It’s like P&P meets Gone With the Wind, without the nasty war stuff. Good luck in the drawing, Anne!
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I am moved beyond words. I am destroyed… and it is your doing. Dang!!! OMG! That was amazing and I can’t even describe how I was pulled into the story in such a short time. Poor Richard… I love our dear Colonel/Major. The book was 5-stars for me and I lamented that there weren’t more stars to award… it was worthy. I think I had to go on medication after reading it… [joking]. I loved it.
I have all the above movies except Death Comes to Pemberley… so I can’t evaluate Tom Ward. I thought Booth looked more aristocratic; however, we didn’t hear much from him. I think I liked Anthony Calf’s performance the best as he interacted with Lizzy.
Thanks Anna for hosting today. Blessings and much success to our author Nicole Clarkston.
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Jeanne, you make me smile every time! Thank you for your kind words. That was a fun vignette to write. Yes, poor Richard might have required a cold swim after that song!
To be honest, I only got through the first 20 minutes of DCtP, so I can’t evaluate Tom Ward either (but he is pretty cute). I did love how the 1995 version set up the playful exchanges with Lizzy just to torment Darcy.
Thanks for commenting, Jeanne!
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Oh, it’ll have to be Anthony Calf for me forever and a day, with a dash of Richard Sharpe stirred into the mix 🙂
Please don’t enter me in the giveaway, I’m just popping by with some love for Nicole’s exquisite writing and for her adorable Richard Fitzwilliam falling in love with the sweet and charming Amalia. I loved ‘These Dreams’, it’s a story that works its way into your heart and stays there forever, and the vignette is so sweet and poignant, especially in view of what’s to come.
Thanks for sharing it with us, Nicole, and thanks, Anna, for hosting such a delightful post!
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Thank you, dear Joana! I love your idea of blending with Richard Sharpe. Pardon me while I fan myself.
I so appreciate your comments, Joana, thank you for stopping by!
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OH that was exquisite…as the book was. I must print this out and keep it along with the an earlier one you had written. Then, if I am so lucky to win this draw, I will keep them with the ‘paperback’…to read again and again. As for my favourite Colonel, it would be Anthony Calf. Though we only see the light and friendly side of him in the movie, I can see him being absolutely fierce when in battle and smitten with love for Amalia.
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Anthony is just delicious, isn’t he? I think you’re right, he could be pretty vicious if he was fighting for his country or protecting his lady. Wouldn’t want to be on his bad side!
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Oh,what a touching piece of writing! Poor Richard! He is undone!
Must say that I always imagine the ’95 version in all the P&P variations I read, therefore Anthony Calf will always be Richard Fitz. to me.
Please don’t enter me into the draw as I’m lucky enough to own all of your books! ☺️
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Thanks, Mary! Poor fellow, eh? I am glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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Loved that vignette! I also loved These Dreams – probably a new favorite! As far as my Colonel choice, I’d have to choose Anthony Calf from the 1995 version. Although that photo you have of him is not at all how I remember him!! Keep up the fabulous writing, I truly enjoy your books
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Thank you, Lynn. Anthony is certainly winning the votes here! Thank you for your kind words ❤
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Without question: Anthony Calf. He’s just adorable! None of the others who’ve played the role come even close. BTW, would you happen to know who first dubbed the Colonel Richard? I don’t like it and I don’t think it fits him.
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I’m not sure! It has been a perennial favorite among JAFF authors, but there are several other names out there for him too. What name do you think fits him best?
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Thank you for sharing this beautiful vignette, Nicole. Colonel Fitzwilliam is my all time favorite secondary character. He has everything Darcy lacks and is a perfect match for Elizabeth. However, the conflicting emotions and magnetism that exist between Darcy and Elizabeth is missing between the two. Therefore I believe that he is better match as a cousin than as a husband.
I have been debating between the handsome Tom Ward and charming Anthony Calf. But it didn’t take me long to decide that Anthony Calf has done such a wonderful job portraying the easy manners, intelligence and humor of our Dear Colonel. He is so perfect!
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He has fun chemistry with Elizabeth, but I agree, it’s not romantic. Maybe because his heart was already taken 😉
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Lovely thank you.
Anthony Calf would have to be my favorite. Perhaps because he is the Col. I am most familiar with.
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Handsome and charming, isn’t he? Nive choice!
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Argh, that’s what I get for trying to type too fast. (Facepalm)
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*sigh* Love the vignette and Colonel Fitzwilliam. I like the 1995 version of him or Tom Ward.
I have to admit that I prefer when the Colonel has a different love interest than Ann or Georgiana.
This was definitely one of my favorite JAFF I read last year. What an adventure. Thanks for the giveaway. My email address is tdungnvu (at) yahoo (dot) com
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Thank you for your kind words, Dung! It was fun giving him someone to really love, rarther than the Darcy leftovers 😉
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I liked Desmond Adams as Colonel Fitzwilliam. He had a gentle manner and paid attention to those with whom he was talking. I thought he was the epitome of a second son soldier. The one that I did not was Tom Ward, as he was caustic and so unkind in his words and actions. Thank you for the excerpt. evamedmonds(at)gmail(dot)com
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Oh, he is genuine, isn’t he? I do like his manner. Good luck, Eva!
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Thank you for replying.
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Reblogged this on Nicole Clarkston and commented:
Anna hosts a vignette for These Dreams on Diary of an Eccentric!
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I did read this before and enjoyed the excerpt. I connect with Anthony Calf as he also starred in one of the Dickens’ movies I have. I did read and review These Dreams. Love your works, Nicole.
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Thank you, Sheila!
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Gerard Butler will forever be my colonel, no matter what his first name is.
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Ooohhh…. I just spilled something. Delicious!
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Wonderful excerpt. I always love to see Colonel Fitzwilliam with more page time! If I have to pick, Anthony Calf would probably be my favorite. Thank you for the giveaway. Cherringtonmb at sbcglobal dot net
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Thanks, Becky, I’m glad you enjoyed it! Good luck 🙂
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I am definitively liking Tom Ward. But the one in my mind when I think of Colonel Fitzwilliam is Anthony Calf of the 1995 Pride and Prejudice.
Thanks for the giveaway and such a lovely scene.
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wonderful vignette. no need to enter me though. I think I’m torn between 1940s and 2005 Col. Fitzwilliam.
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Thanks, Serena! Those are both excellent choices.
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Enjoyed the vignette! I love Colonel Fitzwilliam and Amália. Anthony Calf will probably always be Colonel Fitzwilliam to me. He played the fun and cheerful cousin perfectly. He smiled with his eyes!
Joy King’s choice of Gerard Butler is a good one, though! 🙂
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I love the vignette, Nicole. Tom Ward looks appealing with his red coat so he’s my choice. Thank you for the giveaway.
evangelineace2020(at)yahoo(dot)com
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Thank you all for taking time to read the vignette. I enjoyed reading all of your choices for the best Colonel Fitzwilliam!
The winner of the reader’s choice giveaway in Mary Preston! Congratulations and happy reading! Please check your email. 🙂
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THANK YOU!!!
This is lovely.
I have sent through my details.
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Thanks, Mary!
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