The RFW Challenge for this week is Romantic Picnic. 400 words max or less (blushes with guilt) and I'm slightly over word count ((((slaps hand))))
Should this be your first visit to a Romantic Friday Challenge feel free to join in the fun: just visit RFW, sign up on the linky and post your prose!
Should this be your first visit to a Romantic Friday Challenge feel free to join in the fun: just visit RFW, sign up on the linky and post your prose!
Cheating again with snippet from my published Historical Romance "Infamous Rival" -
A Regency Murder Mystery.
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In the eyes of the Marquis of Rantchester this was meant to be a romantic picnic and he does intend a little romancing, but the cruelty of another toward a horse and vile confrontation moments beforehand have unsettled him and the heroine, and she is only just beginning to trust him: again. Bear in mind it's a murder mystery.
Explanation re historical novel: tiger = liveried groom whom sits/stands at rear of the carriage!
Explanation re historical novel: tiger = liveried groom whom sits/stands at rear of the carriage!
Code: NCCO
Discussing private matters and inner fears whilst a
driver up front and tiger behind, was not exactly of her choosing. She cast her
gaze from the marquis’ face and he graciously accepted their conversation at
end for the present: until the carriage came to a standstill beneath a magnificent oak tree at
the edge of a small copse.
“I am utter
famished he said,” alighting from the carriage before Jem had even turned, let
alone leapt down to carry out his routine tasks. “Stay where you are, Jem” the
marquis commanded, and duly hauled a picnic hamper from the carriage along
with a carriage rug. “Right, be off with the pair of you, and back here within
two hours,” his instructions to the driver, as soon as her feet touched the ground.
The carriage
rolled away and left to their own devices Rantchester spread out the rug and
said, “This is where we go native, and perch our arses on the ground.” She
laughed, she couldn’t help herself, for he discarded his hat and jacket and
further said, “The Lady first.”
She settled to
the rug rather glad of the cool shade afforded by the tree’s overhead canopy.
“It’s a lovely spot up here. And a glorious view over Bristol.”
“It is,” his
reply, the picnic hamper to hand. “Now, what have we got to munch on?”
She glanced to
her left, Bath below them, then back at Rantchester. “How did you find this
heavenly place?”
He grinned, game
pie already to mouth a bite taken. “An assignation with a lady of note, years
ago.” He chewed on his pie, then said, “Memorable day, for I lost my
virginity.” He swallowed, and laughed heartily. “I see you’re not shocked,
which brings me to why I asked you out today.” He gestured to the hamper. “Eat,
please, or I shall feel less than a gentleman whilst sat here stuffing my
face.”
She surveyed the
basket, and he in turn leaned forward and drew forth a small silver engraved
flagon and two silver goblets. “Goodness, who prepared all this for you?”
“My cook, and I
won’t do without her. She goes where I go and sees me proud for whatever I
demand of her.”
“Well, she most
certainly sees right by you.” She selected a stuffed apricot, a mere bite
delicious. “Oh my goodness, what does this filling consist of?”
“Chopped
hazelnuts, herbs, ginger, lamb and apricot.” He glanced at her then, a goblet
extended and half filled with claret coloured liquid. “Why do women have to
know what it is they’re eating?” He shook his head, clearly amused at her
reticence to accept the wine. “Drink up, it’s not poisoned.” Again he looked
her in the eye. “About that night of the summer ball.”
Her trust in him
now assured she accepted the goblet and fibbed outright. “I must tell you . . .
some aspects of that night still elude me. I simply cannot remember.”
He drained his
goblet in one swig, his eyes settling on hers. “I wish. For I remember it all too well.” He refilled
his goblet, glanced skyward. “Damn it all, dragging up the past on a day like
this, I must be mad.”
“But it is
necessary, is it not?”
If remotely interested in my books they're here.
To see more contributions to the challenge go here
42 comments:
Dear Francine,
Great text for the challenge!
A picnic scene in an historical setting, dripping with suspense! Is the food poisonous? Or does it contain a sleeping potion? Should she trust him?
Marvelous snippet! Perfect for the theme.
Best wishes,
Anna
RFW No.43 - 'Romantic Picnic'
Hi Anna,
Thanks for stopping by to comment. You are so right in your remark should she trust him. There is history between them involving suicide, or was it murder? Either way he has the hots for her. ;)
best
F
Reading your post took me back in time, a wonderful historical romance.
I, too, strayed over the word limit, but I forgive myself! :-) When murder is in the air, trust no one. A great step through the looking glass into the past. It felt authentic and deadly, both at once. Great job, Roland
Hi Francine
Fabulous. The past is such a brilliant place to take readers. Love the concept.
Nancy
I can almost picture a colonial setting.. southern dialect, maybe? With a hint of English accent? As I was reading, I really got into character.. This reminds me of book that I just started reading.. The bickering, the subtle sarcasm.. Gotta love Pride and Prejudice.. but I'm not done reading it just yet. Fabulous post you have here! Thank you! It was a delight to read!
Nice dialog for the historical setting with a little romantic tension.
I definitely like his style and the language took me right back in time.
A great picnic scene; and nothing better to build trust over than food.
.....dhole
Francine: An ideal and fantastic way of writing. I admire you. Kiss Elen
Hi Sulekka,
Nice to meet you, and thank you for stopping by to comment.
best
F
Hi R
Ah well, there are times when the extra word is neither here nor there in the grand scheme of presenting (if poss) a stand alone excerpt! ;)
Thanks for stopping by.
best
F
Hi Nancy,
Good to see you back at RFW. Thanks for dropping in!
best
F
Hi Crystal,
Underneath it all, the Marquis is really a nice guy! Kind of sexy too... ;)
Thanks for stopping by to comment.
best
F
Hi Linda,
Tanks for dropping in! Much appreciated.
best
F
Hi joy,
Good to see you back at RFW, and thanks for dropping in. ;)
best
F
Hi Donna,
He's got more than food in mind, for later when trust is hopefully regained! ;)
best
F
Hi Francine, you set the era perfectly even down to the fact that although he has arranged the picnic all the hard work is done by his servants. Great times if you were rich. I enjoyed reading this.
Hi Francine,
Oooh, he has the hots for her alright! Love this era of English culture and history. I hope she keeps her stockings...up!;)
Hi Francine, This makes me want to read the history of this couple to find out why she is so untrusting. Great excerpt
I always enjoy a historical romance... Nice setting and great descriptions Francine.
Hi Sally,
Rich being the optimum word!
Thanks for stopping by. ;)
best
F
Hi Adura,
Georgette keeps her stockings aloft but somebody else doesn't and the marquis stumbles upon a raunchy scene by chance of taking a hedge ticket! :o
best
F
Hi Heather,
Georgette has good reason to be suspicious of Rantchester's motives for the picnic, but what happens next amuses and enlightens both when he disappears to take a hedge ticket in the bushes. ;)
best
F
Hi Michael,
Thank you for stopping by and for you kind comment. ;)
best
F
My dear Francine,
He is indeed a very naughty boy. LOL!! Romance in any sense with a setting like this is very beautiful. Even though the food sounds good, most important is to win her heart. Will he?? As always, well done my friend.
Dear Francine,
i enjoyed reading such piece alot,it simply took me far to an awesome timing,thanks for such precious share,i enjoyed to the extent
Love this story, Francine, and love the excerpt. Favourite line: “This is where we go native, and perch our arses on the ground.” Ha ha. Now were men so mannerless as to be stuffing their mouths whilst the lady hadn't even seen what lies within the basket? Great characters! Ideal excerpt for the prompt!
Don't forget to come back to RFW if you'd like to vote for your favourite entry this week. Go with your gut. Really should be someone who kept to the word limit and has a romantic element! Poll will go up Monday AEST.
Thanks for entering! We made our 20 goal!
Denise
Hi Andy,
Thanks for your kind comment. The spot they are at is a high point on a plateau: breathtaking views. ;)
best
F
Hi Radwa pony,
Thank you so much for stopping by to comment. I try to please! ;)
best
F
Hi D,
The Marquis is lovely, and his manners are impeccable most of the time! I love the bit where his horse wins the race and he's so on a high without thinking he kisses her...
best
F
Hi Elen,
Nice to meet you, and thank you for stopping by to comment. ;)
best
F
I love historical romances! Hugely enjoyable excerpt.
An idyllic setting. I enjoyed the food references. Your hero sounds rather brutish, though the heroine seems unphased. LOL!
Hi Nilanjana Bose,
Thank you for stopping by to comment. Glad you liked the excerpt! ;)
best
F
Hi Madeleine,
Thanks for stopping by.
Thing is, the Marquis ain't the hero, he's just got the hots for Georgette. But he's almost redeemed himself in relation to the summer ball, by doing a good deed a few days beforehand. They do become once again the best of friends, even though she loves another. ;)
Sounds like the right way to have a picnic! Intriguing tease, leaving us wondering what did happen at the summer ball.
Hi Charmaine,
Thanks for dropping in! Ah well, the summer ball was a tragic event! ;)
best
F
Stories set at a historical period always intrigues me. Often makes me wonder if people back then see and react to things the way we do. Beautiful description of this idyllic time!
Like others, I want to know their back story, too! Interesting dynamics.
Hi Anne,
Thank you for dropping in, and or your kind comment. ;)
best
F
Hi Talli,
Thank you so much for stopping by to comment. It's much appreciated. ;)
best
F
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