Where he makes someone else feel at ease…

If you have not read the previous week’s Sunday Snippet, I recommend doing so first.  You can find them here.
Previously on Sunday Snippets:

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“What exactly does one wear to the opera?” Graeme asked, answering the soft knock at the door; the new scullery maid entered carrying a pitcher of hot water nearly the same size she was.
“Black formalwear, Your Grace,” the valet lifted the coat he’d been brushing and shook it out before setting it gently on the clothespress before disappearing into the wardrobe.
“Of course it would be formalwear,” Graeme grumbled as the little maid carefully set the pitcher on the shaving table, smiling at his not-so-subtle lament.
He waited until she had she faced him again before he crossed his eyes, stuck out his tongue and pantomimed wrapping something about his throat several times and giving it a tug.  Giggling, she bobbed a quick curtsy and Graeme winked at her before turning around to see Bryant standing in the doorway to the wardrobe aiming a disapproving frown at the maid as the door shut behind her.
“She is much too familiar, Your Grace,” he said stiffly, crossing the room and setting out the shaving kit, somehow including Graeme in his scold.  “I shall have to speak with Mrs. Snow about her.”
“She’s an eight year old child, Bryant,” he said, frowning at the other man.  “Didn’t you ever wish for a friendly face when you were a small child and new to a household?”

*****

When I set out to write the Reluctant Lords, I never intended to have one of tem be a duke.  Dukes always seemed so haughty and too full of their own consequence. But then Graeme started talking to me and I thought “who better to be a Reluctant Lord than a duke who never wanted – and still does not want – the title?”  Then Delaney started telling me her story and I couldn’t leave the poor girl hanging there (figuratively) and well, the rest is history.  I must say that it is rather fun – and refreshing – writing a duke who does not fit that mold.
While the story is complete, I am still short of my word goal (the two houses I’d like to pitch to like stories in the 90,000 word range) and so I am here writing filler scenes. Yet the more I write these filler scenes, the more the personality of the characters comes through.  Not just the main characters, but those of the lesser ones as well.  Bryant and the little maid are each characters in their own right and serve their purpose in moving the story forward.  Why not make them personable at the same time?
Once again, comments and suggestions are more than welcome and for more snippets by talented writers, stop by the WeWriWa blog.
Happy reading and I’ll see you next week!
 
To find out what happens next, click here.