Looking for Wilfred Bagshott’s Portait Booth, Dearie? So is Lady Flora Landrum.
The jumble of tents, lean-tos, and shacks at the far end of the ice, where new businesses sprouted up hourly in no particular order, confused Flo. She had left her companion, Lady Georgiana Hayden sipping hot cider and seated inside a marquee, one of the larger ones that actually had chairs, and had promised she would return quickly.
Face it, Flora Margaretta Landrum. You are lost. Your brother will be furious.
She told Georgie she wished to take another look at a booth they passed, and promised to come back as soon as she checked it. Georgie, weary from their work setting up their tables to distribute tracts for the Ladies Society suggested they wait for Flo’s brother Will, the Earl of Chadbourn, who promised to escort them home, but the provoking man didn’t come and Flo got tired of waiting.
Now all the tents looked alike and the businesses at this end of the fair ran to gambling and gin. A lady with a garishly painted face, exposed bosom, and scanty skirts who seemed to be inviting gentlemen into a closed tent smirked at Flo. “Looking for work, dearie? I could use a sweet peach like you.”
“No thank you,” Flo answered politely, taking a step backward. “I am waiting for my brother.”
The woman raised a brow, her lips twitching in amusement. “Brother is it? Care to come in and look for him.”
“No! That is, Will wouldn’t—”
The woman laughed, “Are you sure about that?”
A man smelling of drink brushed past Flo and leaned toward the garishly made up woman, who ran a hand up his chest and welcomed him through the door. Flo hurried on, narrowly dodged two boys kicking a ball back and forth, and leapt out of the way of a man pushing a sledge loaded with goods narrowly keeping her balance on the ice. She turned down a different path through the maze of attractions.
Flo breathed a sigh of relief. Some of the businesses seemed more respectable, and she saw three people reading broadsides that said “Printed on the ice, February 3, 1814” and hoped she was approaching the spot where Mr. Clemens, editor of The Teatime Tattler had set up his printing press. It would be near the place she and Georgie had been working and Flo could get her bearings.
Just as her fear abated, a pair of boys bumped into her, chasing one another down the row. She spun around, one hand on her bonnet, to see a tall man grab one by the collar, lift him off his feet, and give him a shake. A familiar object in the boy’s hand flew back and forth.
“My reticule!”
The man who had captured the thief cast her a baleful look before he turned away and summoned the watch with an imperious gesture. Flo knew the man; someone she much rather would not see her at a disadvantage.
She looked around for a way to escape, but she was too late. The Marquess of Glenaire’s disapproving glare, one known to reduce peers of the realm to babbling idiots, turned on Flo. He handed the boy over to a thief taker and strode toward her carrying her reticule.
“Lady Flora Landrum, what are you doing here?” he demanded.
She looked up—far up—into the cold eyes of Georgiana’s brother,
“I— That is, my brother didn’t come and I needed to…buy something,” she finished, lamely.
“It would be difficult if those two miscreants had succeeded in filching your reticule,” he said, handing it to her. “May I escort you to your brother?”
Flo stared at the arm he winged for her to take. The gesture would be a polite offer from another man. From Glenaire, it was a command. She obeyed. They walked in silence for several moments.
“Why did you leave my sister sitting?”
She peered up at the austere face and cold blue eyes. “She felt too weary to go back with me, and Will hadn’t come so…”
“He came. You worried them.”
“I’m sorry.” She was. Her brother had enough on his mind. “I thought I knew how to find it, but I got lost, and I—” She stopped in her tracks forcing him to stop with her. “There it is, I’ll be but a moment.” She darted away to gaze longingly at the artfully painted sign she sought: Wilfred Bagshott, Portraits on Demand.
Inside a man bent over an easel while a young couple sat in front of him gazing at one another. From where Flora stood, she could see the artist work magic. His rapid pencil strokes poured their love and longing onto the paper deftly sketching in the scene of the fair behind their images, and Flo’s breath caught.
What would it be like to sit there with a man you loved while an artist captured the moment of shared love at a Frost Fair, a once in a lifetime afternoon? Disappointment drew a sigh so strong it shook Flo’s shoulders. The only man she wanted to share the fair with lay blocks away, confined to his bed and ill. He certainly could not come out in the cold. Lord Ethan Alcott wouldn’t be able to experience the fair, nor Flo share it with him.
If only… She felt, rather than heard the marquess come up behind her.
“You want your portrait done?” Puzzlement deepened his voice.
Yes, but not alone. She shook her head. “I just thought the artist might have other sketches. Look there.” She pointed to sketches portraying scenes from the fair pinned up on a board: tents and revelers, skaters, the boat swing, even the elephant. “I have a, um, friend who is unable to come. I thought h—” She bit her lip, determined not to reveal her longing for a man. “I thought my friend might like to see what it is like.” She felt her cheeks flame.
The marquess peered down at her with his icy blue eyes for long moments before she saw his features soften to her astonishment.
“I think Lord Ethan Alcott might particularly like the one of the ladies promenading along the embankment, don’t you?” he said.
Within moments Glenaire had snatched down a half dozen of the vivid scenes, paid the man, and handed Flo the package.
Flo opened her mouth to thank him, astonished at the kind gesture from the man society called the marble marquess, but he cut her off, glaring sternly and offering his arm to escort her away.
“I trust that is the last of it, and you’re ready to rejoin your brother,” he ground out.
She took his arm and smiled up at him. He pretended to ignore it. Her smile broadened. Well this was an adventure. I can’t wait to tell Georgie her brother isn’t nearly the ogre he appears, but she probably already knows that.
She glanced down at the package of sketches in her hand, and thought of Ethan, lying ill at his father’s house. At least he’ll have this, she thought, and I can tell him all about it.
What became of Flo and Ethan? Find out in Lord Ethan’s Courage. The third story in Fire & Frost.
When a young woman marches into an insalubrious alley full of homeless former soldiers, Ethan Alcott feels something he thought dead stir to life: his sense of honor and will to live. Her innocent efforts to ease the suffering of men might have touched his heart if she hadn’t put herself in danger to do it. Someone needs to take her in hand.
Lady Flora Landrum chafes under her brother’s restrictions, but she’s willing to compromise if they can join forces to join in the Duchess of Haverford’s charity efforts. When she discovers that the mysterious one-armed ruffian she encountered in a back alley is Lord Ethan Alcott, son of the Marquess of Welbrook, her astonishment gives way to determination to make the man see reason.
Courage takes many forms. As Ethan comes to admire Flora’s, perhaps he can reclaim his own.
What souvenir will you seek out at the Frost Faire? What one thing would you like and who would you like to share it with? Comment below to be entered to win an electronic copy of Valentine’s From Bath.
Did you know…
The winter of 1813-1814 was so bad people were going hungry and businesses were suffering. It is no wonder so many of them took to the ice to try to make some money. One group put out of business by the ice, were the watermen who carried goods and passengers up, down, and across the river. The began charging people a penny when they came down the stairs to the edge of the frozen river, sort of ad-hoc admissions. Most folks paid it gladly.
Don’t Forgot:
- Leave a comment here to be entered to win Valentines From Bath
- Visit all five booths in the 1814 Frost Faire Blog Hop to win prizes at each one.
- Finish the circuit and comment on the Hop page to be entered for the Grand Prize, a $50 Amazon Gift Card
Your next stop is The Book Palace on Ice
Oh I love this excerpt! Of course the souvenir paper but the drawings sound wonderful! Of course I would have gone to all ( or most!) of the stalls!! Fabulous!!
Hi Rue, Love this excerpt! Brilliant idea for this collection. Just to imagine this happening, an Ice Fair.. All the people and all the booths!
I think I would like to get a picture of my children. Then tea to warm up. It sounds so exciting to go to the frost fair. I have read of them. Thank you.
I loved this!!
This sounds very good. Thank you
I would love to visit the Portait Booth,,and have portait done
Gaming and gin lol…hoping for bourbon! Bahahahaha
You go!
I would love a Psychic reading
It would be hard to choose i would be in awe of everything
I think I would get a painting of the Faire or Quilt if they had them with the Faire name
I would love a miniature of myself made and would share it with my love.
What an amazing sounding story! I would love to read it. Thank you for sharing the excerpt.
The Portrait booth , have one done with the family. This has been so much fun! Thank you. I can just picture myself visiting the different booths. The books sound very intriguing and I would love to read them. Thank you so much.
I am sure I could find a keepsake to enjoy. It may remind me of secret escapades and forbidden moments
Forbidden moments? Interesting…
A souvenir picture would be lovely.
I loved reading this excerpt and now I want to read the rest of the story!!! I would definitely love a painting of myself and my loved one, with the faire as the background. Such a lovely souvenir that would be!!
Thanks for the kind words.
I would like to have a portrait of my family on the ice, or a cameo with a picture of the faire carved on it
I know I would like scenes from the fair.
I love this story! I would also love to have a drawing of my husband and myself to commemorate our experience here at the Frost Fair. It would look wonderful framed in our tiny little abode.
It would!
love the excerpt!
Thank you!
I would love to visit those booths and want a portrait…I would visit with my husband of course! I loved these stories so much!!! Definite keeper! I truly enjoyed the auction as well.hehehe
I would love to visit all the stalls but would have liked a momento of the fair possibly a drawing showing scenes from the fair
I would love to have my portrait done and share it with my love.
I have no doubt you would please your true love.
*big sigh* I’m a pushover for a strong, silent type…
Luckily, my e-copy of “Fire&Frost” was waiting for me this morning so I can get right to your story. Obviously, there will be take-out for the evening meal since I’ll be busy reading.
As for what I’d buy at the Frost Fair, a portrait would, of course, be nice, but there are so many of these ladies who will be waiting ahead of me, so I’ll find something else. I think I’ll look for an unusual, pretty reticule as a souvenir. I love handbags and that would be a lovely reminder of such a special time!
PS: Is that an actual reproduction of something printed to commemorate the Frost Fair or just an impressive pretend item?
That is an actual reproduction. There are a number of such items in the Museum of London, some literally printed on the ice.
https://www.museumoflondon.org.uk/discover/frost-fairs
I would have loved the artist’s shop. When we travel I try to find little pictures done by local artists to take home. I love pictures of the place we are visiting, but a picture of my husband ( of almost 48 years) and myself would be a special keepsake.
We do the same sort of thing, and we travel a lot. We have a couple of years on you.
I do like the thought of a picture of the frost fair as a souvenir. It would give a tangible remembrance.
Enjoy!
I would love a sketch of the scene to remember.
Would love a portrait of myself and my family Thank you for this amazing Hop
Ooh! I loved the intertwining of characters in this short story!!
I’m glad. It is a bit of flash fiction, but Flora is the heroine of Lord Ethan’s Courage. Glenaire appears in many of my books–usually trying to run the lives of his family and friends.
I, too, would love a picture of of the faire; to me, that would best remind me of the wonderful time we had. Beautiful stories.
I would like a sketch of the skaters
I agree. The skaters are lovely
I often wonder at how an artist can draw so quickly and end up with a portrait of whothey look at, and, I would really enjoy having a portrait of myself to remember my day at the fair.
What a wonderful glimpse into your story. I can’t wait to get busy reading it! I would definitely buy a drawing of the Frost Fair. I would love to share it with my newest great-niece and her sister, telling them stories about that wonderful event.
Story telling is a joy!
I would want the souvenir paper and perhaps a drawing.
I really loved reading this!!!
Thank you for the e,excerpt and now I can’t wait to read it. I’d definitely visit all of the booths. A sketch of the Faire is what I’d choose.
Thanks for this peek backstage as characters from different storylines cross paths.
I think I would seek out some little bit of handiwork such as a handkerchief or gloves. I love collecting useful textile crafts.
I am sure there’s a handiwork booth here at the Frost Faire, that would be a lovely souvenir.
I was there on the ice with Flo & the Marquess! I love when an author draws me in like that! I’d go to the Portraits On Demand & get a souvenir to share with hubs. ♥
And they enjoyed your company!
This sounds wonderful! I would’ve been hunting for a new toy for my boys, or maybe something sweet to eat.
A toy! Perhaps a little elephant?
I think having a portrait done would be a wonderful way of remembering the fun.
The photo booth sounds amazing, but it would have to be something freshly printed off the printing press!
The drawings sound wonderful but I think I might keep them to myself to pull out when I’m down and remember the grand time had by all.
Sometimes those private memories are the best.
I would have wanted a scene done, not a portrait. I also would have stopped and gotten a piece of winter jewelry and maybe seen if there was a music stall with the music boxes
Many objects were inscribed that they were bought during the frost fair. Jewelry perhaps would have been as well.
I enjoyed this excerpt of the Protraits of the fair. It ead wondetful if Flo to.get some scenes if the fair so thst her beau could see what happens at the fair since he was ill. The story is delightful.
Thanks Rory!
A picture of the faire would be amazing to have!
wonderful snippet. thanks for sharing. Not sure what type of souvenir I’d want, but likely a picture of some sort.
Oh, I think I would have to go for a picture of the booths and the frozen river with some lovely gowned ladies and handsome gentlemen, of course. Then off to the next frozen adventure. What a great series.
Lovely snippet.
I’d love a miniature.
I am delighted that you enjoyed it.
Portraits!!!
I think I would want a sketch done as well. Thanks for the fabulous giveaway.
Thanks for participating.
I would have loved a set of sketches from the Frost Faire.
What a lovely idea, having your portrait done with someone you love. I enjoyed this tremendously.
Thanks Lori!
Great excerpt! I would love to read it.
Thank you. I hope you enjoy the book
The portraits or scenes would have been lovely. Not only as a memento but something to pass down through the years to show the family history.
I would like the portrait of my love and myself as a keepsake from the frost faire
I would want a portrait of myself and my sweetheart with the Frost Faire in the background. What a great souvenir that would make!
Wouldn’t it just!
I would want a portrait of my family. One Clicked!Can’t wait to start reading!