Today’s snippet comes from my story in A Certain Persuasion, the upcoming anthology from Manifold Press, which features modern LGBTQ+ fiction inspired by Jane Austen’s novels.
Here we see the former Mary Crawford from Mansfield Park, now a widow, proving she’s not lost her sense of fun (and also proving just how many more words you get for your six sentences in Regency style prose!)
It was undoubtedly a fault, Mary reflected, to have retained at the staid old age of nine-and-twenty that playfulness, that lack of regard for consequences, which men found so captivating in a girl of nineteen. And yet, she could not help herself, nor indeed would she, if she could. Let others wait for old age to excuse their eccentricities; she would have what fun she might while still young enough to enjoy it.
And was it so very bad a sin, merely to introduce oneself to a young lady whose handsome face and tall figure had caught one’s eye across the pump room?
By no means, were it not that Mary needed no introduction to tell her this young lady’s name – and was, moreover, quite aware that the young lady’s family would not wish for the acquaintance. Mary felt her spirits lift with the prospect of mischief as she crossed the room with unhurried tread.
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![locknut_200x300[4]](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/904/40247243490_3a97895e2a.jpg)
JL Merrow 
Oh, wow, what an interesting idea! I remember Mary Crawford quite well (and I really liked her, especially in the BBC version of ‘Mansfield Park’.) I’m quite intrigued at the notion of femslashing her!
I love Mary Crawford, with her dirty jokes and her playfulness. The lesbian subtext in the novel is between her and Fanny, of course (“I like to hear her talk. She entertains me; and she is so extremely pretty, that I have great pleasure in looking at her.”) but I like to think she’d be happier with someone less timid and prudish – like Susan. 🙂
Wow! That’s really well done. I’m not a huge Jane Austen fan, but I think I might be converted by a femmeslash version, LOL.
Thank you! I’m pleased to say there are several other f/f stories in the anthology, and if you like the idea of Regency lesbians, you should check out Penelope Friday’s lovely novels, The Sisterhood and Petticoats & Promises. 🙂
Love this, and that there are other f/f stories in the antho. Think i’ll have to go one-clicking! ❤
Yummy! I’ve always loved Mary Crawford from Mansfield Park. I need to check out this anthology!
Thank you! I can’t wait to read the rest of the stories myself. 😀
Oh, what fun this is going to be!
❤
Wow. Can’t wait to read this!
Thanks! 😀
Oh interesting. This has such potential
I love the idea for this anthology, and the snippet makes me want to read more!