Tuesday Tag by Kelly Freestone
Written by:
This week's Tuesday Tag is brought to you by the lovely Kelly Freestone - Thank you, Kelly, for joining in our game! Why don't you tell us something about yourself first?
I love to write stories, but not till recently have I been determined to publish. I live in a small town in Florida and I'm married to the greatest man in the world. I'm also the mom of two sweet little boys. I hope one day soon to publish several stories just for the love of sharing them. Read my blog and find out more about me!
For more about Tuesday Tag, or if you'd like to read previous scenes, click here. If you'd like to participate in Tuesday Tag, email us at critiquethiswip@gmail.com.
TT Rules:1. Read the previous Tuesday Tag Posts so you know what the story's about.2. Write your scene - suggested word count is somewhere around 500 words.3. Make sure your scene doesn't contain anything offensive and that it continues on in a sensible way from the previous post.*4. If you're tagged (and we will make sure you're okay with it beforehand), you must write the scene in time for the Tuesday Tag Post - that means you'll have a week, no more, no less.5. Tell us a little about yourself so we can do the introductory post right here, on Critique This WIP.6. Have fun!*we reserve the right to de-tag you if your scene is unacceptable.
**Note: This piece is not historically accurate. Instead, it is a prime example of Creative License.**
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Joceyln hurried her handmaid along. Before she could hear her mother calling for her, she rushed out to the stables. Colin was hooking up one of the carriages. She came to her favorite horse, and soothed the magnificent creature with a hand on his nose.
Colin spotted her when he rounded the corner, his jaw became tight. She glared over the horse's snout. "Why are you readying the carriage?"
"I've heard the Duke of Waldrick is to come this afternoon, Miss Whitley."
She glanced at the stable boy only a few feet away. He was saving face for her sake.
"Why, yes, he is coming this afternoon. He's on his way here as we speak, so I've heard."
He requested the stable boy leave. Once out of earshot, he leaned in close, too close. "Didn't your mother tell you she planned your full day with the Duke?"
Jocelyn breathed through her red-faced embarrassment, "Of course she told me, I just-"
"Don't." He pet the horse, the large animal grunted and neighed.
He looked to her with unreadable eyes, the intensity in them forced her to look to the hay under her feet. "Your horse is ready, you can still run. Run away with me, Jossey."
She focused on the reins of her favorite horse, "You know I can't, Colin."
"I know you won't, Jocelyn"
He came near, breathing on her cheek, in her hair. Memories slid like hot butter into her mind. "Let's go right now. Just me and you."
Pulling herself out of the memory-induced stupor, she glared at him. Just then the stable boy ran into the stables. Colin quickly pulled himself away from her side and hurried with the horses.
"Cook asked me to send for you, Miss. The Duke of Waldrick is here."
She reluctantly turned to walk slowly inside. She didn't want to be sweaty and clammy when she saw the Duke.
Cook peered above the sink at her, "You'd better hurry, child. Your mother isn't very patient."
Jocelyn leaned in close, "Do I smell like the stables?"
Cook sniffed one good time, "No, ma'am."
Jocelyn squeezed her dear friend's arm, "Thank you, Mavis." She walked out, letting the cook get busy on the feast Mother had her prepare.
The Duke stood at the door greeting her mother. He was very handsome. His face lit up with delight as he turned to her.
"Ah, good afternoon, Jocelyn. Your mother has just informed me we are scheduled for an afternoon on the town. Shall we?" He held out his thick arm for her.
With an easy smile, she agreed. He was able to lighten her mood, thankfully.
She looked back to see her mother delighted at the sight of her and the Duke. No doubt money was flashing in her mind. Jocelyn felt it as well. It was very wise to marry James. He could provide for her and her mother, and their future.
They stood in the heat of the sun as they waited for the carriage to be brought around. He spoke amiably about his trip to see the Pope.
She heard the team rounding the corner of her house. Colin kept his eyes low as he reined the horses to a stop in front of them.
He jumped off the driver's seat and helped her in.
The stable boy jumped down from the driver's seat as well. Jocelyn was shocked. "Are you not driving us?" Her eyes begged Colin to be with her.
"The boy is more than adequate, Miss. He's been trained by me and I feel he's ready." His eyes seemed to see straight through her high-class poker face. "Have a lovely time, Miss."
Jocelyn bit her bottom lip at the obvious hurt in the low timbre of his voice. She was doing the right thing, she was convinced. It just hurt to see Coling so down. She would sneak out later and they'd go for a late evening ride together. That brought an even easier smile to her lips.
***
That was the Tuesday Tag by the lovely Kelly Freestone
Thank you, Kelly!
Want to know what's going to happen?
Tune in next week!
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Great excerpt. Made me want to read more about what happens on the evening ride.
You go girl! Well done. :)
Wow! Love this. Very well done.
Thanks gals! I really enjoyed playing along. I can't wait to see what happens next :D