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Von Rothbart (Sense & Sensibility)
John Willoughby cannot not say what it is that causes his attention to focus on Miss Eliza Williams. Perhaps it is her excitement over Bath. Perhaps it is her blossoming beauty. Or perhaps it is how she flushes under his bold stare, trembles at his touch.
Whatever it is, Willoughby does not resist the wave of desire that rises in him, plotting to get closer to the innocent girl and make her his.
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Prince Siegfried (Lady Susan)
By the age of three and twenty Reginald De Courcy is finding it more difficult to brush aside his family's hints about his settling down. And now his feathers are quite ruffled, thanks to his sister's fretting and his parents' concerned letters regarding his growing attachment to Lady Susan Vernon. Do they wish for him to wed or not? He is his own man, and longs for them to trust him to choose his path.
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Lake (The Watsons)
Emma goes with her oldest sister to visit Mrs. Watson's grave. She lays flowers on it, grieved that she cannot remember her mother's face. Elizabeth cries quietly. After leaving the cemetery, the two of them walk to the lake.
"This was mother's favorite place," Elizabeth sighs, leaning on her sister's arm, "to think and watch the swans."
"It is peaceful here," Emma's replies in a hushed voice, a lump in her throat.
~~~
Odette (Pride & Prejudice)
Elizabeth Bennet is blessed with a warm disposition, ready to good-heartedly laugh and tease. With her bright smile, dark curls and fine eyes, she can light up a room. She is only the second Bennet sister; the others look to her for guidance, consider her the leader of them all (despite Jane's seniority and the younger girls' frequent pooh-poohing).
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Vow (Lesley Castle)
During yet another festive party, Mr. Fitzgerald and Miss Lesley look up at the stars from a balcony. Sneaking a glance at her, the gentleman observes her melancholic smile, the wistfulness in her eyes. And William silently promises to do all in his power to make Matilda happy. How can he do otherwise, for this lady whom he loves with all his heart and will love forever?
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Swan Maidens (Emma)
Mrs. Goodard herds her flock of excited students into the village square. The young ladies grow even more atwitter at Mr. Martin's greeting to the group as he passes by. Under the matron's stern eye, giggles are stifled and pointed looks are slyly exchanged after the farmer smiles at Harriet Smith and she in turn blushes as red as an apple.
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Odile (Mansfield Park)
Mary Crawford is breathtaking with her black curly hair, dark shining eyes, elegant form, and fine gown. Dancing with Edmund, she returns his grave look with a tiny smile. Her ultimatum to him – Mary or the church – hovers over them. She does not doubt his affections, nor her ability to persuade him. The lady is certain she knows what his decision will be in the end.
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Betrayal (Persuasion)
My betrothed... The words whirl in Frederick's brain once he shuts himself up in his room. Is that truly what his friends think Louisa Musgrove is to him? Is that what her family thinks? He buries his face in his hands, memories of his interactions with Louisa flashing through his mind.
"How can they think anything else: I'm bound to her, and she to me?" the gentleman whispers hoarsely. Now he sees his previous conduct in a new, glaring light. Wentworth struggles to breathe; his heart pounds, crying not her, not her, not her!
He's been such a fool!
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Drown (Sanditon)
Miss Heywood takes a deep breath, fighting not to become overwhelmed by her emotions. Why is Mr. Parker doing this, saying such things to her? Does he hope she will fall into his arms, with no regard for her reputation or his to-be-wife's feelings?
"Stop," Charlotte quietly cuts him off. "You are bound to her by honor," her voice shakes. Yet there's a firm tilt of her chin, a steady light in her eyes and Sidney struggles to hold her gaze. "I will not… Go to her. You must make her happy."
Without a backwards glance she renters the carriage, her heart both heavy and light.
~~~
Dawn (Northanger Abbey)
Henry Tilney casts a last glance back at Northanger Abbey. Squaring his shoulders, freed of an invisible weight, he faces forward. His shackles tethering him to his father are broken. He is free. And a new day opens before him.
Urging his horse into a gallop, Henry concentrates on a single thought he wills to run before him to Fullerton.
I come. I come, Catherine.
THE END