Hi friends! I hope you are enjoying a lovely week – mine has been a little stressful work-wise so I’m especially happy to distract myself and escape into Jane Austen’s world today with a visit from the lovely Eliza Shearer. Years ago we read Eliza’s first book – Miss Darcy’s Beaux and loved how she brought together characters from various Jane Austen works (I always love when authors do this!) And it looks like there may be some more character inclusions in her second book – Miss Price’s Decision! I hope you enjoy this lovely scene Eliza is sharing with us today!

~ Vignette of Bath’s World Famous Pump Room ~

It is a delight to be here today to present Miss Price’s Decision, the latest book in my Austeniana series after Miss Darcy’s Beaux. The protagonist of the story is Susan Price, the younger sister of Mansfield Park’s Fanny. Susan, now Lady Bertram’s companion. In the novel, Lady Bertram is unwell and is sent to Bath to take the waters.

If you have never visited Bath, I cannot recommend it highly enough: it is a remarkably pretty place, with delightful little streets and breathtaking views. At first glance, things have changed little since Austen’s time, but dig deeper and much is different.

The Roman Baths, for example, would have been packed with people with festering wounds and all sorts of illnesses swimming together. Not a pleasant image to conjure for our contemporary sensibilities!

Likewise, the Pump Room would have been much rowdier, noisier and smellier than today. The chaotic atmosphere of the place is described in the vignette I share with you today, which depicts the arrival if Sir Thomas, Lady Bertram and Susan in the Pump Room.

I hope you enjoy it, and do remember to leave a comment if you wish to enter the giveaway. Best of luck!

~ Chapter 7 (Vignette) ~

The Pump Room was a large space, tastefully decorated and of a suitably grand appearance. What I had not counted on was on how busy it would be, even at this relatively early hour. The many souls gathered in the space, from all sorts of ages, conditions and states of health, were buzzing like flies over a sugared cake on a hot summer day, gossiping and shouting and laughing and sneezing and belching all at once. As well as the constant murmur of conversation, an orchestra was playing at one end of the room, which added to the general confusion. An usher invited us to add our names to the subscription book. I sensed some reluctance in my uncle, but he did it nevertheless.

“There is the world-famous pump,” said Lady Bertram, pointing towards the other side of the room. I looked towards the attraction that every Bath visitor comes to benefit from. It was a fountain, no grander than the ones in Mansfield Park. Around it was a dozen of patrons waiting in varying patience for the stewards to serve them a glass of the famous water.

Sir Thomas excused himself and returned with three servings of the medicinal drink. The glass was warm to the touch and the murky water gave away a powerful stench of rotten eggs, which temporarily disguised the smell of sweaty flesh around us. Nausea invaded me. Lady Bertram gave me a sweet smile and gulped the water in one go. I tried not to breathe and did as she had done, swallowing the cloudy water in a single movement. The flavour it left in my mouth was of metal, salt and grit. Lady Bertram handed her glass to Sir Thomas and spoke into his ear. My uncle nodded, took my glass in his hands and headed back for the pump.

The orchestra finished playing and loud applause and cheers invaded the room. The place was now full to the rafters. The odours emanating from such a large number of bodies crammed into a single place, no matter how high the ceilings or big the windows, made me slightly dizzy. Then, I saw the Master of Ceremonies approach us in the company of a middle-aged woman. She was expensively dressed and had an air of determination about her, and was accompanied by a girl of about my age. The older lady took my aunt’s gloved hands in hers.

“Dear Lady Bertram! It must have been twenty years since our last encounter. I was overjoyed to see your name in the book! What a delightful surprise! You are so little seen in public. Have you come for the curative powers of the waters? Mr Allen visits every year on account of his gout. He is in the card room just now. He will be very pleased to meet you. I have told him everything about my youth days in Huntingdon! But tell me, is this delightful young lady your daughter? I see a family resemblance.”

“Do you?” I could tell that Lady Bertram was overwhelmed by the woman’s verbosity, but those words gave her an anchor and she looked at me as if appreciating my features for the first time. “Susan is my niece. I suppose we must look alike. She is the spitting image of my sister, and you may remember how we were often asked if we were twins.”

“Dear Frances! I hope she is well, although I have heard some accounts that suggest that she could be better,” whispered Mrs Allen, but Lady Bertram smiled noncommittally and I was grateful at her little desire to engage in gossip. Mrs Allen mentioned the whereabouts of a number of common acquaintances, but quickly changed the topic of conversation in view of my aunt’s lack of interest.

“Lady Bertram, allow me to introduce Miss Morland. She is the daughter of a very respectable Fullerton family and, would you believe it, she is the third Morland sister that accompanies us to Bath. The first two married well, so I have high expectations of this journey.”

Miss Morland gave a flawless curtsey, with the right mix of grace and bashfulness. She was graceful and had delicate features, expressive eyes and a fine figure, although she lacked the poise and symmetry to be considered a real beauty. Mrs Allen returned her attention to her old friend.

“So, Lady Bertram, have you seen much of Bath?”

“Not yet. We only arrived last night.”

“There are so many amusements to be had this time of year!” enthused Mrs Allen. “The ball in the Upper Rooms last night was delightful. I am not one for dancing, but I enjoy such occasions, especially when I am in the company of young people. Miss Morland here had quite the evening. In spite of the large number of young ladies in attendance, she was dancing most of the time. She was even asked twice by a very eligible gentleman who specifically asked to be introduced to her by the Master of Ceremonies. She was quite a success, were you not, Harriet?”

Miss Morland coloured deeply.

“I was just being polite, Mrs Allen.”

“So that is what they call it on this day and age!” exclaimed Mrs Allen, ostensibly looking in my aunt’s direction. “Oh, Lady Bertram, I very much hope Miss Morland will put us out of our misery soon and declare who her favourite is. Miss Morland’s eldest sister was just like her at her age. She took her sweet time to decide, but in the end she finally realised what I had known for weeks and made her choice. And the right one it was, too. Mr Tilney is witty and pleasant, as well as perfectly respectable, and they make a delightful family with their cheerful brood. She was married at eighteen, so Miss Morland is late already. She has plenty of admirers but she ought to decide before they grow bored of her. Am I not right, Lady Bertram?”

My aunt looked confused and I felt obliged to intervene.

“Perhaps Miss Morland is simply being discreet. We, young females of marriageable age, are in a wretched position. If we show our affections with earnestness, and they are not swiftly followed by a promise of matrimony, we are branded stupid fools. However, if we keep our feelings under wraps, as so many advocate and expect, we are berated for being aloof and unreadable.”

Miss Morland was looking utterly miserable now, and I feared that my words had not been the most appropriate. Mercifully, Sir Thomas returned just then. Introductions followed, with many expressions of delight on Mrs Allen’s side. I could tell that my uncle, although as courteous as ever, was eager to retreat to the peace of Camden Place, and at the first opportunity exposed his wife’s need to rest after such an exciting morning. Mrs Allen, visibly disappointed when we said our goodbyes, was not appeased until my uncle assured her that we would meet them again the following day.

Miss Price’s Decision is available on Amazon and Kobo.

~~~

Oooh! Mrs. Allen and a sister of Catherine Morland! I can’t wait to see who else Susan encounters in Bath!  I quite like the idea of Lady Bertram and Mrs. Allen being acquaintances! I wonder if the Susan and Miss Morland will become close friends!

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~ About Eliza Shearer ~

Eliza Shearer has been a Jane Austen fan for as long as she can remember, regularly convincing family and friends to join in on pilgrimages to Austen-related sites and events. She is the author of the Austeniana series of Austen-inspired variations, which include Miss Darcy’s Beaux and Miss Price’s Decision.

Having lived in different countries, Eliza is fluent in several languages and now lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, with her husband, two children, and a tortie cat. Eliza is very partial to satin slippers, but like her namesake Elizabeth Bennet, she has never cared much for cards.

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Today Eliza brings with her a lovely ebook copy of her new release – Miss Price’s Decision – for me to give away to ONE lucky winner!

To enter this giveaway leave a comment, question, or some love for Eliza!

• This giveaway is open worldwide.  Thank you, Eliza!
• This giveaway ends October 30th!