Welcome to Tuesday Tales, a weekly blog featuring diverse authors posting excerpts from their works in progress based on word and picture prompts. I’m pleased you stopped by today. This week’s word prompt is alone. My snippet is from a medieval romance featuring a knight and his lady. I’m excited to work in my favorite reading genre. Enjoy the other authors at Tuesday Tales.
Levity had overtaken the party, with the young ladies vying to appear interesting to the visiting Lord Ranhelm. Alis didn’t know who was the worse peacock, Ranhelm or the outlandishly attired cleric accompanying him.
A sigh escaped her. The chatter was not raucous or unpleasant, merely irritating. And Harbottle was absent, a definite blessing in itself. Yet, try as she might, she could not settle her nerves into a relaxing evening. She was too worried about Reese. He should have returned by now or at least sent her word. Had he managed to locate Father Michael, or not? The crux of their plans, of everything really, depended on that.
A trill of giggles brought her back to the party. Her gaze flashed to her youngest cousin, among the most obvious in the group of would be Lady Ranhelms. Edith currently resembled a mudlark, as she lowered her head and fluttered her eyelids. Ordinarily, Alis loathed passing condemnation. At the moment, however, she had the unsettling urge to slap the simper off Edith’s countenance. She supposed sitting on her hands would draw unwanted attention. Instead, she clasped them together in her lap.
Edith appeared to notice, however, and moistened her lips. “Answer this, my lord. What is more befitting a lady, a shining mind or a radiant heart?”
Ranhelm appeared nonplussed, but only for a moment. “In my estimation acuity of mind is a dangerous occupation for a lady. It has been known to produce severe bouts of melancholy.”
The cleric, apparently named Godfrey, if Alis had heard correctly, assumed an expression of sincerity. “Indeed, with all the fine ladies here, I trust you inquire for someone not in attendance. Does the lady in question prefer to be alone?”
Edith offered an elegant shrug before settling a smirk on Alis. “Possibly. Though such an inclination is beyond me.”
Alis’ cheeks heated, as Godfrey’s gaze followed Edith’s. His fluttering hand caused an overabundance of clove to waft from his pomander. “Then his lordship’s caution certainly speaks volumes. Even with grace and beauty to offset, melancholy is known to prevail in the feminine nature.”
Various pairs of eyes now turned to Alis. She glided from her chair with a slight smile. “Good sirs and trusted friends, I quite agree with you. I am afraid with this fascinating conversation a measure of melancholy has overtaken me.” Her curtsy was sublime. “I shall bid you good night.”
I hope you enjoyed the snippet based on the word prompt alone. Thanks for stopping by. Return to Tuesday Tales.
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic in Romance
All rights reserved, copyright @ 2019 Flossie Benton Rogers
Great job. Love her exit!
Some people know how to make an entrance, and apparently she knows the opposite. Thanks, Susanne!
That was awesome! Go Alis! I love how she put them in their place.
So well done, Flossie!
I’m pleased you liked how she put them in their place– thank you, Mae!
Haha! I love how she got the last word and turned their mysoginistic words against them. She’s a real pistol, I’d bet. Well done. And I love how you used the prompt!!
It’s funny how a tad of research veers off into the fascinating subject of humors! I hope she can be spirited for the times ahead. Thanks, Jean.
Good for Alis for making her way out of there! Mental acuity, she has in abundance! 🙂 Jillian
Tee hee, I think so too! Thanks, Jillian.
Marvelous post!
I appreciate the comment, Vicki.
I was so hoping he wasn’t attracted to Alis. She’s far too good for him! And I hope Reese is okay. Good job!
Yeh, I’m playing with that shady guy to see how he is and how he fits. Thanks for the feedback, Tricia.