Love Inside and Out

Love can be whimsical; it takes pleasure in finding torturous ways to play with destiny. It can be rather complicated to acknowledge, then deeply cherished, then painfully ripped away leaving hopelessness behind. Other times it can be delayed and take forever to unite people who were always meant to be together. And it can be fooled and played with, at the same time fondled and duped by young apprentices of its own art. How exciting it is to find one have been used as Cupid's bullseye? A young heart taken over by overwhelming passion can find its equal in amusing and unexpected situations. Whimsical, difficult, foolish... Isn't Cupid a spoilt child? In three independent stories Apollo and Daphne play with Cupid as much as they are played with, intertwined by coincidences and similarities. This collection may be read together or separate, in any sequence. Aside from the different plots, the stories share peacocks, swans, liqueur, small books, slippers and carriages. Also servants and their own subplots developed differently in each story, Venice and the meager power women had over their own lives in the 19th century. Part of the fun lies on searching and identifying these elements. 3rd act is 'Love inside and out': A good humored Pride and Prejudice 'what if'. At the Hunsford Parsonage, by chance Darcy overhears a fateful discussion between Elizabeth and a newlywed Charlotte. Most intrigued by learning the fetching Miss Bennett is being blackmailed, he immediately claims the task of protecting her honor but learns he's not her only protector...