My new story, An Enchanted Evening: A Regency Tale, is being published in two ways.
On Wattpad, An Enchanted Evening has been submitted for the Wattpad Prize 2014 as an Original Fiction story. The main characters, William and Elizabeth, struggle with love and danger at the most important ball of the entire London Season during the Regency Period (think Jane Austen). The story, just under 10,000 words, has been published in six parts and has been posted in its entirety. Here is the link for the Original Fiction version on Wattpad: An Enchanted Evening.
But on FanFiction.net, An Enchanted Evening: A Regency Tale is being published as a Twilight fan fiction story. Also in six chapters, with new chapters being posted on Wednesdays and weekends, we see Edward and Isabella at the most important ball of the London Season. This version is slightly different from the Wattpad Original Fiction story which had to be posted in a rush because of the writing contest deadline. I am adding extra details and material to the Fan Fiction version beyond the Original Fiction version since I have time to do so as I post twice weekly until all six parts are up and complete. So there will be differences beyond the name changes between the Original Fiction and Fan Fiction versions of the story. Here is the link for the Fan Fiction version: An Enchanted Evening: A Regency Tale on FFn. The third chapter will be posted tonight.
As I mentioned in my previous post, this story started as a dream vision Bella had in Chapter 12 of Only by Moonlight. But that ballroom scene was centered in Chicago during Edward's actual lifetime in 1918. When the scene kept growing and developing far beyond what was usable in Only by Moonlight, I set it aside to later write into its own story. I struggled as I wrote it for the World War I time period as I kept imagining a Regency ball, along with the manners and speech of that time period. So I knew before I started any revisions that this new ballroom tale would be set in London during the Regency era.
So I hope you will enjoy An Enchanted Evening: A Regency Tale, whichever version you decide to read...or even both!!
Here is a short excerpt from Part I as the story opens (Fan Fiction version):
PART I
Dreamily I
relaxed into his arms—into Edward’s arms—as he whirled me across the candlelit
ballroom. My midnight blue gown flared around me beautifully with every turn
and twirl of the intricate waltz, still considered somewhat scandalous here in
London because the couples danced so closely, so intimately, with one another.
Smiling widely, I gloried in my proximity to Edward, my frequently clumsy feet
never hesitating as I followed my partner’s confident leading.
The most
lavish ball of the Season was being held at the Earl and Countess of Allanham’s
townhouse. Anyone who was anyone coveted an invitation. And through my Aunt
Jane Carville’s social connections, she had been able to obtain one of the
treasured cards which had graced the mantel of the blue parlor since its
arrival, announcing to all visitors that we had been invited to attend the
exalted engagement.
Pushing all
other thoughts out of my mind, I tilted my head, smiling up at Mr. Edward
Masen, Esquire, as he grinned back almost mischievously. But too soon the
orchestra drew the waltz to a graceful close, the dancers twirling to a stop
and the murmur of low conversation filling the beautifully-mirrored ballroom as
the gentlemen returned their partners to the chairs along the edges of the room
before seeking fresh faces and feet for the next set of dances.
As we
vacated the center of the ballroom, Edward offered me his strong forearm which
I gratefully accepted after the exertions of the dance. Extending my fan to
waft cooler air toward my face, I could feel my face glowing pink due to the
exercise, the heat of the crowded room, and my excitement at Edward’s kind
attention.
“Would you
prefer to step out on the balcony for a moment, Miss Swan?” he asked, noticing
my need for fresh air.
*****
*****
And I just sent Chapter 14 of Only by Moonlight to my lovely and talented pre-reader, ladylibre, yesterday. So I hope to post it this weekend as well--or soon after.
Enjoy!!
Warmly,
~Cassandra :)
xxxooo
