Welcome to Tuesday Tales, a weekly blog where diverse authors post excerpts from their WIPs based on word and picture prompts. Today our writing prompt is swallow. Today’s snippet is from a new historical romance set in the early Georgian period. Enjoy it and then please visit my talented colleagues at Tuesday Tales.
She halted mid-stride. The child appeared as pale as a discarded dove’s wing and about as limp. Immediately, she painted a smile on her face and strode forward. It wouldn’t do for Priscilla to mirror her concern. “Cook sent you a delicious supper.” Setting the tray on the low table, she perched on the edge of the bed and lifted the cover off a tureen. Offering forth a spoonful of broth, she schooled her voice into what she hoped was a soothing and encouraging murmur. “This will fortify you.”
“Put it away. It sickens me.”
“You must take some nourishment, little one.”
The small face pinched up. “I’ve seen how Cook makes that, with the fat of fowl—ugh—it’s vile.”
“Never mind the broth then.” She patted the hand clutching and unclutching the blue coverlet and replaced the spoon on the tray. “Some hot tea or a morsel of comfit…”
The child’s attention swept over the offerings, lingering on one particular concoction before casting downward.
Charlotte’s fingers closed around the dainty, stemmed bowl, and she lifted it, inhaling deeply. “Mmm, this apple pudding smells delicious.” She sniffed again. “I do believe Cook has added an extra pinch of cinnamon. She knows how partial you are.”
The petite nose wrinkled, as uncertainty seemed to joust with interest.
The heaviness in her abdomen lifted. The latter would win out—she’d see to it. “Try a swallow. It will put the roses back on your cheeks.”
With a quivering smile, Priscilla sat up an inch straighter. “It does smell nice.”
I hope you enjoyed my historical romance snippet for the writing prompt swallow. Thanks for stopping by. Please visit the other fabulous authors at Tuesday Tales.
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Romance
Nice way to include the prompt … and yes, apple & cinnamon, you can’t go wrong. Lovely snippet, I liked the dialogue
I’m glad the dialogue came across okay. Thanks, Iris.
Beautiful visuals with this piece, Flossie. I could truly see that little wrinkled nose. Tempting a picky eater is always a difficult task and you’ve captured that perfectly.
How nice that you like the visual descriptions Daisy. Thank you!
Beautifully written, talk about your deep POV!
Aww, thank you, Linda:) I enjoyed that presentation. What a great group!
Well done. Hard to pleae a sick, fussy child, but you did a great job.
Thanks for the kind words, Susanne.
Very vivid snippet, Flossie, and a clever way to work in the writing prompt. Nicely done!
I appreciate that, Mae.
Awe so sweet. I love how descriptive and how you make the characters reactions come to life
I’m glad you like the description, Cathy. Thank you.
Wow! I almost missed this piece of fiction, a great example how the author involves the character’s senses – smell, sight, etc.
I appreciate your comment, Carmen.
Loved this line: The petite nose wrinkled, as uncertainty seemed to joust with interest. and many others! Nice job.
Thanks, Joselyn. The word joust just popped up in my head.
Wonderful excerpt!
Thank you.
Setting, dialogue, use of the prompt … all wonderfully done!
Thank you, Trisha!