Scene Spotlight: LOVE'S SORROW (A Means of Mercy novel) by Terri Rochenski

Hired as a nanny for her cousin’s children, Anne Tearle finds security and a loving family. The children are a dream, but London society is a world of its own, one where a displaced farm girl has no business being. But, wealthy rake, Gavin MacKay, helps her to see associating with the upper class might not be as horrid as she first assumed.

Like all things worthwhile, love comes at a price, and the cost soon bestows more anguish than joy. Lost, but not undone, Anne must find the courage to begin life anew, or succumb to sorrow's unrelenting waves of grief.

Publisher: Roane Publishing

Date Publishers: April 21, 2014

Genre: Sweet Historical Romance

Word Count: Approx 80k

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The Scene:

The sound of the front door closing and male voices drifted through the drawing room’s open entryway.

“It sounds as though the Scot has finally arrived,” Samuel said.

Joanna had shared little about her husband’s friend other than he was beyond affluent. In my vivid imagination, I envisioned him an older, stuffy man who looked down upon those less fortunate than him. Upon meeting Mr. Hall and Mr. Dixon, I expected Mr. MacKay would be unsightly as well. Perhaps a wart on his bulbous nose—maybe bulging eyes. At least a bald head covered with beads of sweat. Certainly, his girth would match his height.

“Mr. MacKay,” Wells announced to the room.

Standing with the other ladies, I turned.

With self-assurance and confidence in every step, the black-haired gentleman I dreamed of strode through the door. The blood drained from my face, but hastened to return and flush my cheeks. My heart abandoned its desire to beat within the constraints of my tight corset and my mind melted into nothingness.

He bid greeting to everyone in turn, shaking the men’s hands and kissing the women’s. It seemed an eternity before his chiselled face moved towards me.

My knees knocked as I turned dumb as a washtub.

“Mr. MacKay, I’d like to introduce to you my cousin, Miss Anne Tearle, just arrived from the Black Country.”

I barely heard Joanna’s voice through the ringing in my ears as recognition lit within his eyes.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Tearle.” Thick lashed black eyes looked into my soul and right down to my toes.

All ten of them tingled.

“H-How do you do?” I managed to squeak out.

He took my gloved hand and touched it to his lips. My gulp sounded loud in my own ears, and heat coursed through me.

“I am pleasantly surprised,” he murmured, his warm gaze—one I didn’t comprehend—searching my face. A sudden smile flashed perfect white teeth, and he pivoted away to join the men.

Casting Call:

Image hosted on Wikipedia

Name: Anne Tearle

·         Physical Description: Early 20s, tall, dark-haired, blue eyes.

·         Short bio:  Orphaned, Anne Tearle was raised by her aunt and uncle. When the opportunity or employment outside her abusive aunt’s home arrives, Anne slips away unnoticed for the city of London.

·         3 Positive Personality Traits: Innocent, compassionate, and loving

·         3 Negative Personality Traits: Trusting, nervous, door-mat mentality

Played by: Alexis Bledel would make a good Anne Tearle – if her hair was darker. I like her fresh-faced innocence. It’s a perfect portrayal of Anne.

Image hosted on Wikipedia

Name: Gavin MacKay

·         Physical Description: Late 30s, tall, dark-haired, dark eyes.

·         Short bio:  Spoiled only son of a wealthy Scot, Gavin MacKay is used to getting what—and who—he wants.

·         3 Positive Personality Traits: Hard working, Persuasive, Confident

·         3 Negative Personality Traits: Temper, Spoiled, Selfish

Played by:  Henry Cavill is the perfect Gavin MacKay – if his eyes were black instead of that gorgeous blue! Why? His face is perfection.

The Setting:

Drawing Room:

Image hosted on Wikipedia

Vienna Fashions of the Day:

Image hosted on Wikipedia

The earliest draft of the polished scene above:

 

The sound of the front door closing and male voices drifted through the drawing room’s open entryway.

“The ‘Scot’ has finally arrived,” Samuel said.

Joanna had shared little about her husband’s friend other than the fact he was beyond affluent. In my vivid imagination, I envisioned him an older, stuffy man who looked down upon those less fortunate than he. Upon meeting Mr. Hall and Mr. Dixon, I expected Mr. MacKay would be unsightly as well. Perhaps a wart on his bulbous nose—maybe bulging eyes. At least a baldhead, covered with beads of sweat. Certainly his girth would match his height.

Standing with the other ladies, I turned.

With self-assurance and confidence in every step, the black-haired gentleman I dreamed of strode through the door. The blood drained from my face, but hastened to return and flush my cheeks. My heart abandoned its desire to beat within the constraints of my tight corset and my mind melted into nothingness..

He bid greeting to everyone in turn, shaking the men’s hands and kissing the women’s. It seemed an eternity before his chiseled face turned toward me. Dumb as a washtub, my knees knocked.

“Mr. MacKay, I’d like to introduce to you my cousin, Miss Anne Tearle, just arrived from Welborough.” I barely heard Joanna’s voice through the ringing in my ears as recognition lit within his eyes.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Tearle,” he said while thickly lashed black eyes looked into my soul and right down to my toes. All ten of them tingled.

“H-how do you do?” I managed to squeak out.

He took my gloved hand and touched it to his lips. My gulp sounded loud in my own ears, and heat coursed through me. “I am pleasantly surprised,” he murmured, his warm gaze—one I didn’t comprehend—searching my face. A sudden smile flashed perfect white teeth, and he turned away to join the men.

Terri talks about the scene:

The first meeting between the two characters destined for love is always full of tension and giddiness. What makes this scene especially fun, is that Anne had seen Gavin on a London street a few days earlier, and spun away after only making eye contact for a brief second. Thoughts of him – dreams – had haunted her, and I couldn’t wait for that recognition / real meeting to occur.

What inspired the scene?

The day dreams of a teenage Terri seeing a handsome stranger on the street, only to unexpectedly find him again later.

Or do your own thing...

AUTHOR BIO:  

Terri started writing stories in the 8th grade, when a little gnome whispered in her brain. Gundi’s Great Adventure never hit the best seller list, but it started a long love affair with storytelling.

Today she enjoys an escape to Middle Earth during the rare ‘me’ moments her three young children allow. When not playing toys, picking them back up, or kissing boo-boos, she can be found sprawled on the couch with a book or pencil in hand, and toothpicks propping her eyelids open.

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