Valentine Weekend: Love and Romance from our Books!
Published February 12, 2011 | 
To celebrate our Valentine’s Weekend, Austen Authors bring you some of the most romantic excerpts from our very own books. If you can get through these without reaching instantly for the love of your life, you’ll do far better than me – enjoy! Jane Odiwe
“Penny for your thoughts, Mrs Darcy,” said Fitzwilliam, watching her closely.
“Oh, my thoughts are far more expensive than that, you know,” she said with a laugh, unable to resist teasing him.
“Five pounds for them then, will that suffice?” he asked, knowing she would not be at all amused by his retort.
Elizabeth would not look at him. She gazed at the horizon and maintained her expression of deep contemplation. “No money will ever pay for them. Only something precious to me might release the thoughts in my head.”
“Elizabeth Darcy,” he whispered, “would that be something or someone? And whilst I desire to know what goes on inside your head, there are other matters in mine which are far more pressing. I long to kiss you but I am not certain if you would think it quite precious enough a something.”
Elizabeth turned her head. “One of your kisses is worth more to me than anything else in the world. Take one if you really wish to find out what I am thinking.”
Mr Darcy took her in his arms. The moment was sweet and their exchange of kisses and thoughts were the happiest they had ever known.
For You Alone by Susan Kaye
Wentworth arrived home to a darkened house and found all retired for the night. He asked that Admiral Croft and his sister not be told of his arrival. As he took the stairs two-at-a-time, he anticipated his wife’s welcome. She did not disappoint.
When he peeked in the door, Anne was immediately in his arms, kissing him and covering him with tears. “I heard the carriage on the street. Your beard scratches. I don’t care though,” she added, between kisses. After they were settled in bed, there was some sensible talk about his looking done in and needing sleep, which was ignored by them both in favour of quiet lovemaking. That intimate connection re-established they fell asleep pressed close, sharing a pillow.
Waking this morning he revelled in listening to Anne’s steady breathing, punctuated by light sighs, and breathing deeply of her sweet and earthy scent. This was home. In the presence of his sweet, sweet Annie was the only home Frederick Wentworth had ever known.
When he peeked in the door, Anne was immediately in his arms, kissing him and covering him with tears. “I heard the carriage on the street. Your beard scratches. I don’t care though,” she added, between kisses. After they were settled in bed, there was some sensible talk about his looking done in and needing sleep, which was ignored by them both in favour of quiet lovemaking. That intimate connection re-established they fell asleep pressed close, sharing a pillow.Waking this morning he revelled in listening to Anne’s steady breathing, punctuated by light sighs, and breathing deeply of her sweet and earthy scent. This was home. In the presence of his sweet, sweet Annie was the only home Frederick Wentworth had ever known.
The Other Mr. Darcy by Monica Fairview
–The rattle of a carriage neared, then stopped beside them.
“Get in, for heaven’s sake!” It was Mr. Darcy. “Miss Bingley, what do you think you are doing? Elizabeth, are you out of your mind?”
Caroline had no choice but to climb in or risk a scene, and she did not want to cause trouble for Eliza.
“You did not know he was leaving?” said Mr. Darcy, examining her closely.
She was beyond words. “No, I did not,” she answered, flatly.
“You care for him.” It was a statement, not a question.
She did not reply.
“I would think that is very clear,” said Eliza.
“Then perhaps we can prevent him from taking such an irrevocable step,” said Mr. Darcy.
Caroline gaped at him.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean,” said Mr. Darcy, with a dazzling smile that reminded her how much he resembled his cousin. “I mean that we — the three of us — are about to embark on a journey.”
Eliza gasped, then began to laugh. “You cannot mean — “
“It is exactly what I mean,” said Mr. Darcy, and they both began to laugh.
Caroline stared at the two of them, giggling like children. The world has gone mad, she thought, completely mad.
The Trouble with Mr. Darcy by Sharon Lathan
Lizzy shifted, moving his fingertips to the left side. “I think his legs are over here more. Wait.” But the word barely left her mouth when their unborn child jabbed back at the seeking fingers invading his space, Darcy sucking in his breath at the sensation. “See, he is a cooperative boy.”
“He is amazing! Ah, how I have missed this miraculous feeling.” He buried his face in her hair and closed his eyes. He relaxed his taut muscles, inhaled deeply, and settled in to enjoy the profound emotions sweeping through him as their child lazily stirred under his broad hand. “I love you, Elizabeth. You are a marvelous gift to me, and now you are blessing my life further with our children. I will be content with whatever God allots us, but I must say I selfishly wish for many.”
“Be careful what you ask for,” Lizzy chuckled. “Many is rather vague and as we are constantly being reminded, most children are not as complacent as Alexander!”
“It makes no never mind. I absolutely adore being a father and will gladly accept them all.”
“I shall note that remark in my journal in case I need to jog your memory of such a bold promise. The next one may well possess my personality, or worse yet, your father and George’s!”
He smiled benignly, cupping her face and rubbing a thumb over her cheek. “I will take my chances.” The kiss that followed was lengthy but soothing and soft. His fingertips brushed over her jaw for a momentary caress before returning to cradle the mound where his second child lay. With his other arm he drew her closer to his body, Lizzy instinctively curling and melting into the contours of his form.
My Jane Austen Summer: A Season in Mansfield Park
by Cindy Jones
“I like looking at you,” he sighed.
“Hold me,” I said.
He pulled off his raincoat and let it fall, then opened his arms and took me on his lap. I fit myself into him, sliding my arms around his back, savoring the essence of this person who attracted me so ferociously; whose existence connected me joyfully with my own life.
He spoke into my hair. “Is this what you wanted to know? He asked. “Does it make things better? Or worse?”
“I love you,” I moved my lips, barely making any sound.
The Truth About Mr. Darcy by Susan Adriani
Darcy drew closer to her, and she turned her lovely face upon him. Her eyes were dark and expressive, and in their depths he saw something that made his heart swell with hope—a flicker of passion that had never before been present.
Pushing aside all rational thought, he proceeded to close the distance between their bodies with agonizing slowness, their fingers intimately intertwined, just as he had so fervently wished their hearts and lives someday to be. “Elizabeth,” he breathed in an almost inaudible whisper, “dearest Elizabeth…”
She closed her eyes. The surprising intimacy of hearing him utter her Christian name sent an ache of desire pulsing through her body. Darcy tilted his face down to hers, and his lips caressed with exquisite tenderness her cheek, her jaw, and, daringly, the curve of her neck. Elizabeth found his gentle ministrations intoxicating, and though well knowing such actions were highly improper, she soon found herself wanting nothing more than for him to do it again.
Pemberley Manor by Kathryn Nelson
Flanked on each side by an admiring gentleman, Elizabeth Darcy walked out of the house feeling very regal indeed. They found the horses saddled and waiting for them and as Darcy took Felicity’s bridle to hold her steady, Trevor joked “By the look in Mrs Darcy’s eyes, Willie, you are in danger of being replaced in her affections by this horse.”
Elizabeth answered pertly “He certainly has reason to worry, for although it required the work of a twelvemonth for him to gain my favour I must admit I fell in love with Sweet Felicity at first sight.”
Fitzwilliam Darcy drew himself up haughtily so a comparison could be drawn. “Other than having a sweet lively temperament great beauty, impeccable lineage, and an advantage in height, I do not understand that you should favour the mare, my dear,” he said.
Trevor laughingly admonished her. “I think you had best choose the man in this contest as he has the greater wit.”
“I’ll keep both, by your leave,” she answered prettily, “for the man is so talkative that I may seek relief at times in the silence of the mare.”
Darcy reached out for her hand and kissed it, bowing low as he did. “I shall hope in time to raise myself in your esteem to a position of preference.”
Northanger Abbey and Angels and Dragons by Vera Nazarian?
?
“I am yours,” he said. “I am your dragon, for before you there was no dragon in my heart. And now there is one only for you — if you will have me. And even if you will not, the dragon will serve you always.” And with a stifled cry Catherine came to him, throwing her arms about his neck in an embrace. And for long moments there were no words between them, no speech, only wonder.
Mansfield Park and Mummies by Vera Nazarian
“She had no power over me — not ever again, not with her monstrous claws or teeth, not even with her saucy gaze. For, I was held in safety, in truth, by the memory of a pair of beloved eyes. Will you not ask me, Fanny, whose eyes I speak of? Oh, but you must! They were yours. You had saved me then, yet again, as you save me now.”?
Darcy’s Temptation by Regina Jeffers
“What do you say, Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth brushed his lips with hers.
“I say, my Love, that we lost some common memories, but we still share common places in our hearts. You once told me that I could be happy at Pemberley. Surely, you did not mean without you there, also. How can I be happy without you, Lizzy?” Darcy pulled her closer to him. “I admit there are elements of the ridiculous about you.” He kissed her deeply. “However, I found my romance does not need a thing but you.”
Captain Wentworth’s Persuasion by Regina Jeffers
He wrapped his arms around her. “Do you love being married as much as I do?”
Anne wiggled up next to him. “Married life is very satisfying, Mr. Wentworth.” He automatically began to kiss along the nape of her neck. The freedom to touch each other became more intoxicating with each new exploration. “Will it always be this way?” she asked.
“I would hope so.” He spoke seductively into her ear. “Twenty years from now, it will not be so adventurous, but I guarantee the passion and the desire will still be there.”
“Can you imagine us twenty years into the future?”
“Can you imagine us twenty years into the future?”
Frederick traced his fingers up and down her arm. “I see us in an estate – near the sea, of course – where we will entertain our neighbors. Our children will be strong as their father and as beautiful as their mother, and they will accept only love matches – as did their parents.” This was a defining moment; he and Anne actually had a future. Speaking of children and of a home out loud seemed very prophetic – almost mystical.
The Ballad of Grégoire Darcy by DJ Clawson
“Darcy, you’re kicking me.”
That brought him out of his sleep. Or at least, it brought him to more awareness, for he had not been asleep for some time. He had woken in the middle of the night and had not been able to return to sleep, and tossed and turned to the point of accidentally kicking his wife. “I am sorry,” he mumbled, kissing her nearest available limb. It turned out to be her shoulder.
“Are you all right?” Elizabeth said, stroking his cheek.
“Yes. I just—feel restless.” He kissed her again. “I’ll have a bite of something, perhaps.”
“Try not to wake the children.”
“Is that all you will say to me?”
“Oh,” she said, “and I love you.”
Mr. Darcy’s Christmas Carol by Carolyn Eberhart
??
“Miss Bennet, few people get to see into the future and what joys or calamities may be waiting there. Last night I was fortunate to get a glimpse of my future. I do not know if it was a dream or a vision, I only know that the future that lay before me was bleak and stark and lonely because you were not in it.”??Elizabeth knew from the look in his eyes that he was telling the truth.??”So I am asking you to share the future with me, to change that wretched existence I saw into a one of great joy and happiness. I love you. I shall always love you. I am willing to wait with a hope that someday you will return my regard. Please say that I may have some hope.”??”You may, for it would not be a very long wait,” said Elizabeth. “Not long at all.”?
Pemberley Ranch by Jack Caldwell
Before Will climbed on his steed, he held Beth close in his arms and the two shared a long, slow kiss. He pulled back with a dazed look on his face.
“Now, Beth, you keep that up, and I’m not likely to leave.”
Beth smirked. “Is that so, cowboy? Maybe we should do that again.”
Darcy ran his thumbs along her jaw line, sending chills through his fiancée. “Soon, darlin’. Soon we’ll be married, and I won’t have to say goodbye ever again.”
“Now, Beth, you keep that up, and I’m not likely to leave.”
Beth smirked. “Is that so, cowboy? Maybe we should do that again.”
Darcy ran his thumbs along her jaw line, sending chills through his fiancée. “Soon, darlin’. Soon we’ll be married, and I won’t have to say goodbye ever again.”
Anne Elliot, A New Beginning by Mary Simonsen
“Anne, there have been poems and prose penned about great lovers throughout the ages,” Frederick told her. “But the greatest love story of all is ours, and it is still being written. The middle and end will be determined by your response. I now ask if you will you consent to be my wife, and if you bestow this honor upon me, I will love you with every fiber of my being for all the days of my life.”
“Anne, there have been poems and prose penned about great lovers throughout the ages,” Frederick told her. “But the greatest love story of all is ours, and it is still being written. The middle and end will be determined by your response. I now ask if you will you consent to be my wife, and if you bestow this honor upon me, I will love you with every fiber of my being for all the days of my life.”
The Most Natural Thing in the World by Abigail Reynolds
From a posted, but unpublished short story.
Darcy half-turned toward her, leaning on one hand, his voice low. “You can have no idea how you tempt me. You tempt me every day with the thought of your laughter, and every night with the thought of touching you. You tempt me with your every smile, your glance, the way you bite your lip when you are concentrating, by the sparkle in your eye when someone challenges you, the way you tilt your head when you are about to tease, by your sweetness when you try to protect someone’s feelings. I remember watching you walk past me at Netherfield, and aching to take you into my arms. I remember listening to you play and sing, and thinking you the most fascinating creature I had ever met. I remember how you cared for your sister when she was ill, and how I wished you would care for me in the same way. I remember how your hair glinted in the candlelight at the Netherfield ball, and how I longed to touch it, to take the pins out and watch it tumble around your shoulders. I see the pulse in your neck, and I ache to press my lips to it. I dream of your eyes sparkling for me, your hands reaching for me, your lips against mine. Oh, yes, Elizabeth, you tempt me. Every second, every minute, every hour, every day, waking or sleeping, you tempt me almost beyond reason.” His eyes were dark, his voice almost a whisper by the time he finished, but she heard every word of it.
According to Jane by Marilyn Brant
“I’ve always loved you,” he said, “and now I want to be with you once and for all… You’ve never not been the one for me, Ellie Barnett, and I’ll do what it takes to prove that to you.” Despite his special ability to use confusing double negatives, I understand the sincerity of his declaration. And I grin at him. He grins back. Then he kisses my lips softly.
Murder at Mansfield Park by Lynn Shepherd
“My own affections are fixed, and will not change. I love you, Mary ?Crawford, and I give you my word, that in marrying me, you will lose ?nothing you value that is associated with that name, and you will gain a ?freedom that only Mary Maddox could dream of attaining.”
Mr. Darcy’s Little Sister by C. Allyn Pierson
Georgiana Darcy, after finally receiving an offer of marriage from her cousin, with whom she has fallen desperately in love, thinking he would never see her as anything but a child:
He stopped in confusion and then leapt to his feet as her face blanched white and she closed her eyes.
He stammered in dismay, “Are you all right, Georgiana? I-I am so sorry; I did not mean to upset you…”
Her face suffused with colour again, and she opened her eyes and turned to him. She took his hand and looked up at him with a smile of such happiness on her face that he was unable to support himself; he sank back down onto his chair as she whispered, “I thought that you would never ask.”
He stopped in confusion and then leapt to his feet as her face blanched white and she closed her eyes.
He stammered in dismay, “Are you all right, Georgiana? I-I am so sorry; I did not mean to upset you…”
Her face suffused with colour again, and she opened her eyes and turned to him. She took his hand and looked up at him with a smile of such happiness on her face that he was unable to support himself; he sank back down onto his chair as she whispered, “I thought that you would never ask.”
Only Mr. Darcy Will Do by Kara Louise
“Elizabeth,” he said as his eyes opened and gazed intently at hers. “My love and regard for you is so fervent that at times I can hardly bear it. I am convinced that life without you would be painfully empty and hopeless.” He paused and studied her face. Very slowly he said, “I would be honoured if you would consent to become my wife.” He reached out and stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. “There is none other with whom I want to share the sunrises or explore the many paths at Pemberley. There is none other with whom I want to read Cowper’s poems and Shakespeare’s sonnets.” Taking her hand again in his, he asked, “Will you marry me, my dearest, loveliest, Elizabeth?”
Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star by Heather Rigaud
(This is set at Tanglewood Music Center. It’s Darcy and Elizabeth’s first meeting following their terrible fight)
They reached the Manor House, where an elegant buffet was laid out. Mary led Elizabeth and the Darcys around, introducing them to the other musicians and staff.
Upon entering the room Darcy had released Elizabeth’s hand. However, he found himself drawn to her, like a magnet to iron. He lightly rested his hand on the small of her back as they were serving themselves. Elizabeth turned and looked at him, indicating her approval of his touch. When he had to remove his hand to shake hands with an acquaintance, the electric shock of Elizabeth’s hand lightly resting on his arm distracted him. Her eyes caught his and the wicked look he saw there told him she knew exactly what she was doing to him.
They sat down together to eat on a pair of seats against the wall, still in plain sight of the rest of the room. As Darcy chatted politely with the conductor for the night’s performance, he nonchalantly crossed his leg, pressing his foot against Elizabeth’s. Elizabeth smiled, making the briefest eye contact, before she returned to her conversation with the concertmistress. The game continued, each one seeing how long they could maintain in physical contact with the other. It was blatantly obvious to both of them, yet they didn’t speak of it, only continued to play, coming up with more creative and interesting excuses to touch each other. Darcy’s hand grazed Elizabeth’s calf when he picked up the napkin she dropped; Elizabeth caressed the back of Darcy’s neck while brushing away a piece of lint from his collar. After each of these contacts, their eyes would meet, and a silent communication encouraged them to go on.
In that hour, Elizabeth felt happier than she had in the past two weeks. She was beyond understanding how they had met; it was fate at her most generous. But she was not at all interested in questioning it. Instead, she delighted in each touch and in the glorious knowledge that he had not rejected her.
The luncheon was, in fact, simple for her. She had been to functions like this with her father all though her childhood. The familiarity of the setting helped her feel more at ease with Darcy. They were not yet at liberty to speak freely with each other, but perhaps that was for the best. Instead they allowed their eyes and hands to speak for them, while they were in this safe environment. They knew that nether could speak harshly or hurtfully here, and that encouraged them to be closer then they would have otherwise.
Persuade Me by Juliet Archer
Persuade Me by Juliet Archer
‘Told you he’d be here on time,’ Ed said, as they watched a black Jaguar swing through the gates of the garden centre.
Sophie turned away from the office window and allowed her shoulders to relax – but not her voice. ‘By the skin of his teeth!’ she ground out.
‘Fifteen minutes to spare, actually,’ Ed corrected her good-naturedly.
She pretended he hadn’t spoken. ‘I’ve been trying his mobile for the last hour, but he’s got it switched off! It’s just not good enough, he could easily have called to say he was on his way.’
‘Don’t think so – looks like he’s had his hands – pretty full.’
Oh God, Sophie thought, suddenly contrite, what was up with Ed? He sounded short of breath, as if … She whirled round, and discovered him struggling not to laugh. Before she could demand an explanation, however, a movement in the yard caught her eye. She glanced out of the window again – and her jaw dropped.
There was her brother, large as life, helping a woman out of the back of the car. Nothing odd about that; he could act the gentleman as well as anyone – when it suited him. But this was a man transformed – brimming over with a happy-to-be-alive energy, the Rick she’d last glimpsed when they were much younger. And the woman … the woman was none other than Anna Elliot!
She saw them give their driver a friendly wave, then link hands and amble towards the shop as if they had all the time in the world. People overtook them, turning round for a second look and nudging each other, and in the distance a few press cameras clicked; but Rick and Anna seemed oblivious.
At the entrance to the shop, Rick paused beside Sophie’s pride and joy – a large display of evergreen foliage and silk rosebuds in vibrant jewel colours. An appealing alternative, she hoped, to the potted poinsettias and holly wreaths that people usually bought to decorate their homes at Christmas. She’d spent many hours – and a vast amount of money – sourcing and arranging them to her satisfaction.
Now she watched her brother pluck a deep-red bloom from the very centre of the stand and present it to Anna.
‘Right, that’s done it!’ Grim-faced again, she rushed out of the office – leaving Ed to follow at an extremely safe distance.
It was like being in a dream, a beautiful, never-ending dream, where everything Rick said and did showed her how much he loved her.
He tucked the silk rosebud in the top buttonhole of her coat. ‘When we’re back in Bath, I’ll buy you real ones.’
She gazed up at him with heavy-lidded eyes. ‘And scatter the petals across our bed?’
He laughed – and it was his bedroom laugh, deep and rich and unhurried. ‘Keep on looking at me like that, and I’ll get Dave to drive us home right now.’
‘Over my dead body!’ a voice snapped behind them; Sophie, as Anna had never heard her before – almost hoarse with anger.
Rick turned towards her, smiling serenely. ‘Good morning to you, too, Soph.’ Then, eyebrows raised in astonishment, ‘What’s the matter? You didn’t honestly think I’d go off without opening your garden centre, did you?’
Anna risked a look at Sophie and immediately regretted it; she was the image of her brother at his most hostile.
‘Frederick,’ Sophie said coldly, ‘put that back at once. You’ve ruined my display!’
Until now, Anna had barely registered the stand of flowers and foliage a few feet away, with its uniform swathes of colour. Oh God, Sophie was right; the small hole Rick had made in the middle drew the eye like a magnet and completely spoiled the overall effect. She gasped an apology, took the rosebud out of her buttonhole and put it carefully back in its place.
‘Thank you.’ Sophie sounded as if she was thawing to her usual friendly self; but a moment later she iced over again. ‘And another thing, Frederick – how can you do this to Anna?’
‘Do what?’ Rick said, blankly.
And Anna, recalling that conversation in the Pump Room, finally understood Sophie’s anger. She may have left Sophie in no doubt of her feelings for Rick – but had he ever given his sister any hint that those feelings were mutual?
She tugged at his sleeve. ‘Sophie doesn’t know about our … history, does she? So she’s worried that I’m just a time-filler until you go back to Australia.’
‘History?’ Sophie repeated, her stunned gaze flicking between Anna and Rick as if they’d each grown another head.
Ed arrived, grinning broadly. ‘This garden centre’ll be history if we don’t open it soon. The shop’s full to bursting and the press are here in force. Come on, let’s get on with it.’
‘In a minute.’ Rick turned to Sophie. ‘There’s no need to worry,’ he said quietly, and Anna felt his fingers close round hers. ‘I don’t believe in wasting second chances.’
Jane Odiwe
Jane Odiwe is the author of four novels, Searching for Captain Wentworth, Mr Darcy’s Secret, Willoughby’s Return, and Lydia Bennet’s Story, as well as the picture book, Effusions of Fancy, and the short story, Waiting, which was commissioned for the anthology by Laurel Ann Nattress, Jane Austen Made Me Do It.
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Thank you all for these delightful excerpts from your even more delightful novels!
TSBO devotee
Vee
Wow, this was fantastic! I loved reading the scenes I was already familiar with and being enticed by ones I wasn't familiar with! Definitely puts you in the mood for some romance!
Jane, Your lovely illustrations are the perfect touch! Thank you for including them in this post.
Cindy
Jane,
Thank you organizing this post. It was exciting to see excerpts from many of my favorite Austen adaptations. As Meredith said above, revisiting these scenes was an exquisite reminder of why this site exists.
It was a pleasure putting this together. I loved reading everyone's excerpts-what a talented bunch of people you are! So pleased you liked the illustrations!
This is so lovely, with such romantic excerpts and beautiful pictures, I would love to print it all off and frame it!
Jane, we appreciate you sacrificing your blog time for all of us. Your generosity must be noted! Thank you for helping our Valentine Weekend be even more wonderful.
Had fun reading excerpts thanks!!
SuzeJA
Happy to have most of these books in hand, happier still to have teasers from unread works to further tempt me. Thanks!
What a lovely job you did pulling this together for us, Jane
. Thank you!
this is possibly my favorite post!! perfect perfect perfect excerpts that make me want to read the entire book! (especially since i own some and i haven't read it yet and now the books r just staring me down to read them
)
We are a romantic lot, aren't we.
Love makes the world go 'round.
Wonderful….thanks for sharing!
Thank you for adding the great graphics, Jane!
Wonderful compilation, Jane, and your own artwork is as always gorgeous. A talented artist and a talented writer!
Loved the variety of the extracts, too. We're an amazing bunch!
I should mention DJ Clawson is me, Marsha Altman, not some author you've never heard of, and the book it quotes from is out in May 2011.
Awwww, now this was certainly lovely to read
it was fun reading everyone's work. A great start to a Valentine's weekend
It was fun reading these excerpts! Thank you!
Candy
Thank you, Jane, sigh!
This is a true homage to the other Jane – so many different takes on her original stories.
*melting into a puddle of mush*
Thank you all! What a treat!
Thank you ladies and gentleman for these lovely bits of love. I feel all warm inside now.
Thanks for lovingly putting together all these heartfelt excerpts, and your own lovely illustrations, Jane!
It's a pleasure to read everyone's moments of true love!
Jane, this was just beautiful! Thank you so much for putting this together. I loved reading all of these romantic excerpts, some of them familiar favorites; others, tantalizing glimpses from my ever-growing wish list! All of them, though, absolutely lovely.
Best,
Susan