Monday, April 16, 2012

God Bless You, John



This is my entry for the -  

Once Upon a Time Writing Contest



“I cannot court you any longer . . . I find that I’m not attracted to women.”
That had been what John had said to her.
John, the gentleman who had been courting her.
And wasn’t that good for her reputation? That she had no prospects and she’d converted one of the most eligible gentlemen in London.
Iris forced out a sudden breath and lost her footing on the soil. Then she fell backwards, not a speck of her remaining dry in the icy pond her dress floated on.
Probably looked like a soggy cream puff now. An angry one, after screaming into her bonnet like a lunatic before forcing herself out of the numbing water.
“Afternoon, Miss Smith,” came an amused voice. “Enjoyed your swim?”
Reluctantly, Iris looked up at the jet black hair and granite eyes that were the irresistible Michael Connolly. Newly arrived from Bath and already to blame for a few hundred broken hearts, Iris couldn’t say she was immune to his charms.
 “Please go away.”
But she was not in the mood.
“Just met John?”
Her eyebrows rose in question and a rueful expression touched his face. “I know what happened.”
 “Then please leave.”
“It wasn’t my fault. I thought he was just friendly,” he shrugged.
“What are you talking about?”
He raked a hand through his hair. “Christ! He didn’t tell you what he told me.”
“What?”
Michael’s face flushed crimson. “He said he loves me. John.”
“Of course,” she muttered.
 “You’re angry at me?” he said in disbelief.
 “It isn’t enough that every woman in the ton is in love with you? Now the only man who has ever taken an interest in me?” she yelled.
Silence struck his whole person then one step and their faces were almost touching.
“Not the only man,” he breathed, as he tilted her head up and captured her lips in a kiss that stole her anger. She leaned into his masculine warmth and sandalwood scent, then he wrapped his arms around her soaking frame and finally shook with laughter as he said, “God bless you, John.”

Words: 350

15 comments:

  1. Oh, well done this.

    You've gone and reminded me why I focused on early nineteenth century British writers in school.

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    1. Thank you, Mike!
      Did you? Well I'm so glad we have that interest in common. For me, there's little more enthralling than a good story set in the nineteenth century!

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  2. Good storyline! Couple of lines in this that I'm totally in love with..."captured her lips in a kiss that stole her anger" and "Newly arrived from Bath and already to blame for a few hundred broken hearts". Nicely done :)))

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    1. I'm so glad that you liked this, Jo-Anne!
      I think they may be my favourite lines too for there's nothing quite like a skilled man ;)

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  3. Nicely written! An amusing and evocative little piece :)

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  4. Perfectly balanced between dry wit and romance - Jane Austen eat your heart out :-)

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  5. This is so cute, like a historical romance novel in mini :)

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  6. Wonderfully evocative tale and very nicely written.
    Welcome to the world of blogging it certainly is a great way to meet other like minded new friends and share your love of writing.
    Looking forward to reading more.

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    1. Thank you, Sarah! I'll try not to disappoint.
      And I look forward to that part!

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  7. I'm such a sucker for historical romances. Beautifully written.

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  8. So keen for "newly arrived from Bath" that I await the post coach every day .... this one brought a real beauty - my thanks Ma'am.

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