Jillian Chantal

I’ve been absent from Tuesday Tales for a bit. Things seemed to get in the way and lots of craziness and stress at the day job have been leaving me a bit lacking in energy to work on my WIP. I also went to Texas for a few days in there.

Be sure to read the other entries here.  Remember, Picture Prompts are limited to 300 words. Mine is 301. Shhh, don’t tell.

This is a new story I haven’t shared yet on TT. It’s set in the Regency era. The hero in a lecturer at Oxford University and also has an interest in science. The heroine is also interested in experiments and has even recreated Ben Franklin’s experiment with the kite and key. This scene is where her father has now given his permission for her to be at the laboratory with a chaperone. Prior to this, he had to be there with her. Her brother isn’t happy with the idea. Now that you’re acclimated to the story, here goes:  

“So you see, Mr. Fortescue, my husband is now amenable to allowing Hester to visit the laboratory with a chaperone. You’ve shown by ably coming to our aid last night that we can trust you with our daughter’s reputation.”

Laurence darted a glance at Hetty and raised his eyebrows.

She interpreted his action as a question of whether she’d told them the truth about the events in the gardens. Giving him a slight shake of the head, she spoke before he could. “I promise not to abuse the privilege, Mr. Fortescue. I’ll only come when you’re working on something that interests me.”

Hoping he took her meaning that she was coming as soon as they returned to Oxford since she wanted him to assist her with the abnormal heat she still emanated, she ended her statement with a smile.

“I’m sure you would never take advantage and come too often. You’ll be welcome any time.” Laurence returned the smile then addressed her father. “I appreciate the confidence you’ve shown me, sir. I assure you I will live up to it.”

A loud snort came from John’s direction followed by the sound of someone taking a big gulp of wine.

“Did you have something you wanted to say, son?” Hetty’s father asked.

“I think I made my position clear earlier, sir, so no.”

“Perhaps you’d like to be excused from the table then?”

John seemed to take the hint and stood. He tossed his serviette on the table and strode to the door. “This is a disaster and scandal in the making.”

As soon as the words left John’s mouth, Hetty’s father flung his wineglass at him. It arced in one direction as the contents flew in the other. The crystal shattered as it hit the doorknob in the moment John disappeared.