This week I’m hosting Linore Rose Burkard with The Country House Courtship and Linda Hall with Storm Warning. If you want to enter the drawing for the book, please leave a comment on one of the post during the week with your email address. I will not enter you without an email address (my way to contact you if you win). If you don’t want to leave an email address, another way you can enter is to email me at margaretdaley@gmail.com. The drawings end Sunday (Jan. 17th) evening.
Interview with the heroine from The Country House Courtship by Linore Rose Burkard:
Note from the author: The reader will understand, of course, that Miss Beatrice Forsythe is only seventeen years of age as she is interviewed here: and has yet to undertake her trip to Aspindon, and to live through the events of The Country House Courtship! The author therefore hopes you will excuse her for being, er, young in her mind.
1.Miss Beatrice, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
About me? (She is amused.) I daresay the most interesting thing about me is my family. My sister Ariana is married to the Paragon, Mr. Mornay, and they have three children; My eldest sister is married to Mr. Norledge. My father is a gentleman, and I am a Christian woman. I cannot think why this should be interesting to anyone but myself. Since you have asked, however, I have told you.
2.What do you do for fun?
“For amusement? I draw (I can achieve quite a good likeness, by the way); I have my needlework, dancing practice, and walking in the countryside. I love to browse a fashion magazine, though I have not much opportunity for that. And I daresay I write a tolerable letter, and so I write to my acquaintance and my sister.” (She falls to thinking again) “ It is far more agreeable to amuse oneself however, when others are available, such as for a card party or ball; and we sometimes play at shadows or silhouettes, and even hide and find!”
3.What do you put off doing because you dread it?
“Rising on a cold morning! Unless there is a good fire in my room—and my mama does not always allow me a fire, for she feels the cold less than I do, I daresay! And playing at the pianoforte; I am not averse to abandoning my practice altogether, but of course my parents will have none of it. To be an accomplished young woman, it is necessary, alas!”
4.What are you afraid of most in life?
Oh, dear. I suppose the thought of being a spinster. I should dread being always a burden to my family, and of having no offspring of my own. (She is thoughtful a moment.) That, and of poverty, I warrant. The very idea of being terribly poor is frightful, to say the least.
5.What do you want out of life?
(She tries to hide her amusement, and blushes lightly.) A good husband! (laughing; Then, more soberly, she adds) “A man I respect and admire, and who is well established. A man who is understanding and values the importance of family and the home fireside, as well as can seek entertainment and amusements in moderate society.”
6.What is the most important thing to you?
(My, but you don’t stand upon points! You are ever so direct!) Hmm, let me see, I daresay it is being well thought of among my family and acquaintance, and well situated in life. I would find it quite gratifying if I were to become a real lady or a member of an important family in the community. To have influence, you see, to help the less fortunate, and do some good in this world.
7.Do you read? If so, what is your favorite type of book to read?
(Beatrice looks around warily before responding). “I take great comfort and pride in reading the prayer book, you understand; but I must confess I have a weakness for Walter Scott or Miss Burney. Oh, I adore poetry, and my father ever encourages me to read books more theological in nature. But alas, I was born for the novel, I’m afraid. (Yet there is a slight smile around Beatrice’s pretty young lips that makes one think she is not really “afraid” at all.)
8.If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
(Clears her throat) It would be precisely what we have just discussed. I would set my mind to more serious topics, and cease to worry about getting a husband, or having a good establishment of my own, and all such things. I would care more about missionaries and spiritual matters than having a new gown, I suppose. (A cloud crosses her eyes) Or did you mean, change about my person? My features? For that is a simple matter! I would prefer hair the same colour as Ariana’s! And a nature less mischievous! (Mama says I am far too mischievous for a proper young woman.)
9.Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
(Beatrice just stares for a moment.) “Having a pet is to have a tantrum, a fit of temper! You cannot mean—
(YOU) I mean an animal that you keep in the house, of course!
Oh, (laughing)! Why we have our kitty, but she always prefers papa’s lap to mine; (for I am ever rising and sitting again, whereas papa can remain quite still in his seat reading, for some time…)
10.If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
(thinks). I do not think I would care to go back in time—have you seen the hair styles from the last century? Powdered wigs, and patches, and hoops—oh, spare me! I cannot but laugh when I see a portrait of mama from her girlhood! And further back than that, I should think life would only have greater discomforts. Why, mama says that tea was hardly taken at all in England until this century! Can you imagine?
