Hello, gentle readers!
Are you ready for more Regency-era romance?
Grab some bonbons and champagne, and let’s begin!
The Daily Tea
The day’s activities are outlined in the latest edition, which Danie reads to Nicole and Tessa as they recline in Nicole’s sumptuous bedroom.
In England, there is your family, your Queen, and then, there’s cricket, a slow dance taken between a batsman and bowler.
It’s a game straight from the pages of a Jane Austen novel. Know the game of cricket and love are much alike. Both pursuits should always be played in a spirit of friendship, nobility, and fairness.
Mr. Edwards explains the game of cricket, but he leaves out the best part: the lingo. Enjoy a few cricket terms, courtesy of the Chicago Tribune, to get you in the mood:
Bunny: Lower order batsman who is easy to dismiss.
Dibbly-dobbly: A medium to slow-moving bowler.
Googly or Wrong'un: A ball from the leg spinner which spins the other way.
Howzat: What fielders yell when they are appealing for a wicket.
Jaffa: Unplayable ball.
Quack or Duck: When a batsman is dismissed without scoring.
Village: Mindless or mediocre play.
Waft: An unconvincing shot where the batsman waves the bat at the ball without making contact.
Yorker: A full pitched ball aimed at the batsman's toes or on the crease line.
Zooter: A leg spin delivery which skids through low and quick.
Let’s play!
Choosing Sides
Our heroine, Nicole, and her sister, Danie, select suitors to play on their teams. Nicole deliberately picks Mr. Bochicchio last, as she doesn’t want him to be too confident of her affections. Undeterred, he gives her a quick kiss.
Mr. Cones is ready to give the game his all, despite his inexperience. “I feel like beer pong is more my sport.”
Danie notices that there may be trouble brewing on the sidelines. Mr. Saffa is chatting with Tessa, and he notes that “it’s been a minute since I’ve had some one-on-one time with an attractive young person.”
Tessa asks him, “Is Nicole your normal type?” He confesses that he’s more into dirty blondes.
Did I mention that Tessa is blonde?
Oh, dear. Where are the chaperones? Is the cricket match about to erupt into something scandalous? What would Lady Whistledown make of this?
She asks if he sees himself with Nicole at the end, and his hesitation is telling. From her expression, it would appear that Mr. Saffa’s days are numbered.
The Cricket Match
As Mr. Saffa discovers that one strike is enough to end his time at bat, Tessa tells Danie about their conversation. Danie says, “We need to tell [Nicole] for sure.”
Mr. Castronovo, described as a “luxuriously coiffured pizzeria owner,” by Mr. Edwards, takes to the game readily. Nicole’s parents, Mr. and Dr. Rémy, feel he would make a nice addition to the family. “We call him Mr. Personality.”
Meanwhile Mr. Kim, who was on the brink of elimination for the first two farewell dances, is doing his best to woo Nicole. She’s pleased to see him relax and have fun, and she gives him a compliment. “You are literally one of the most attractive people I think I’ve ever seen.”
Mr. Chapman, on the other hand, is losing ground. He’s focused intently on the game, and Nicole is feeling ignored. Well, he has been living in his van for the past two years; perhaps that explains his lack of social skills.
Mr. King uses his time in the outfield to flirt with our heroine, and she’s delighted. “He really does show me such a beautiful mix of sweet, funny, genuine. I can really tell that he is a deep person, ready for commitment.” She’s hoping they can “develop that spark.”
Nicole’s team wins, despite Mr. Edwards’ protest that the game was “a crime against the beautiful sport of cricket.” He invites Nicole to select a Man of the Match, and she awards the tropy to Mr. Mumbray. She found him to be competitive, and “also pretty sexy out there.”
After the Match
Tessa tells Nicole about her conversation with Mr. Saffa, while Mr. Saffa is busy telling the other suitors about his attraction to her. Nicole doesn’t appreciate being played, and she’s disappointed he hasn’t chosen to bow out gracefully. “Because he hasn’t, he’s got something in store for him.”
The One-on-One Date
The next morning, it’s time for crumpets and a date card.
I’d like to invite you on a one-on-one date. Who knows? Perhaps this will stir up some romance, Mr. Holland. Yours hopefully, Ms. Rémy
Mr. Edwards tells us they’ll be going for a ride on “a Regency motorbike—also known as a horse.” He has some fun with their riding outfits as well, likening Mr. Holland’s coat to “massive burgundy curtains.”
Nicole thinks he looks like the Duke of Hastings.
They have some difficulty mounting and riding the horses, but they manage to make their way to a beautiful building known as the Temple of the Four Winds. A blanket has been laid down over the grass, and they enjoy a picnic of macarons, fruit, and champagne.
Mr. Holland has important news to share, and he’s not sure how Nicole will react. “I have a one-year-old daughter.”
He shows Nicole her picture, and she’s charmed. “She is beautiful.”
She reassures him that she wants children. “The fact that you have this beautiful one-year-old, I could absolutely see being a part of that world.”
They share a kiss, and an impromptu dance, before he picks her up and carries her to her horse.
The date is everything Nicole hoped it would be. “It felt beautiful. It felt right…I’m just happy.”
The Farewell Ball
Mr. Kim is worried his name will be on Nicole’s dance card, but he’s delighted to be spared.
Mr. King, Mr. Castronovo, Mr. Shanklin, Mr. Saffa, and Mr. Chapman, however, must take part in the farewell dance, and two will be departing.
Nicole begins to dance with Mr. Saffa, but stops abruptly. “I can’t dance right now…I know what’s going on. I know that you’re not here for me.”
She’s angry because her heart’s on the line, and she sent a suitor home last week who had genuine feelings for her.
Mr. Saffa’s smart enough to know he can’t spin his way out of this one, so he wishes her well. “I hope and pray that you find the man of your dreams.”
He’s not smart enough to avoid making a play for Tessa on his way out, and Nicole says, “You don’t need to talk to her.” Danie lends her support. “Yeah, I don’t think that’s necessary. We can just walk you right on out.”
Mr. Saffa tears up on his way to the carriage, but you get the feeling he’ll miss the other suitors more than he’ll miss our heroine.
Nicole challenges the remaining suitors: “[Is there] anybody else not here for me? Let’s be real.”
No one responds, so Nicole continues the dance. Her next partner is Mr. Chapman.
She finds him very attractive, and he says their chemistry is undeniable. She tells him they need more moments together, and he vows to make that happen. Mr. Chapman gets to join the other suitors in the balcony.
Mr. Shanklin is next. Nicole feels they have a great friendship, but she’s looking for love. He assures her, “I’ll make sure we get there.” He ascends to the balcony.
She dances with Mr. Castronovo, and tells him she doesn’t feel butterflies. It seems she’s about to send him home, but then she says, “Show me some of that Italian passion, okay?”
Mr. King is the only suitor left on her dance card, and it’s clear he’s going home.
Mama Rémy has tears in her eyes. “This young man has had so much tragedy in his life, and it just breaks my heart.”
Mr. King and Nicole simply look at each other, and they don’t even attempt to dance. They’re both crying as she hugs him, and he says, “I am so sorry. I don’t cry. I don’t cry. Ever.”
He manages to find a silver lining in the situation. “I haven’t dated anyone in two years. But then meeting you, gave me the ability to believe that there’s somebody out there as good as you.”
He hopes that she finds real love, and he’s sorry that he’s not the man she’s looking for. She says, “I don’t want you to apologize, because you are incredible. You are just so strong, and there’s somebody so amazing out there for you. I promise you.”
They share another long hug, and then he says goodbye to her family.
He gets a round of applause from the balcony as he exits.
Fare thee well, Mr. King, fare thee well.
And Then There Were Nine
Mr. Edwards says that Ms. Rémy has made her decisions, and nine suitors remain. “But not for long.”
A carriage approaches, and there’s a knock at the door.
Two new suitors have arrived.
Nicole gasps. Does she know one of the suitors? Who are they?
The answers will have to wait, because To Be Continued appears on the screen.
As Jane Austen wrote in Persuasion, “Time will explain,” so we’ll have to patiently wait for the next episode.
‘Till then, gentle readers!
P.S. Need to catch up? here’s the list: | Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Secret Love Letters | Episode 4 | Episode 5 | Suitor Analysis | Episode 6 | Episode 7 | Episode 8 | Episode 9 |
P.P.S. An extra bonus will be headed your way soon. I’ve managed to unearth secret love letters from our heroine to Mr. Cones, and I can’t wait to share them!