The honeymoon comes to a close and the real work of being Mrs. Darcy begins. Elizabeth checked her hair in the looking glass and straightened her dress for the third time. There was no reason for such anxiety, none at all. It was not as if she were going to be presented at court. In many ways, though, that would be far less demanding. At court, she would only have to make her curtsey and … Continue reading →
In addition to the country dance, reel, cotillion and quadrille, several other dances might be found at a Regency ball or assembly. The minuet was a hold over from the prior century and required special dress and training. Old fashioned, formal balls would open with couples doing the minute, one at a time. This practice fell out of fashion in the early 1800’s. Napoleonic Ball – Menuet During the 1700’s, English country dances spread … Continue reading →
Dances of the Regency era were lively and bouncy. Ladies pinned up the trains of their ball gowns for ease in performing the steps. Steps ranged from simple skipping to elaborate ballet-style movements. Country dances, the scotch reel, cotillion, quadrille made up most of the dancing. Many versions of these dances existed and often the lady of the leading couple would get to select the specific one that was to be danced. In the … Continue reading →
Wentworth thanks Mrs. Smith in the best way he can. Anne sat in the parlor of her very own house in Bath. How much friendlier, if less well-appointed, it was than Camden Place. Even without the finest appointments, or perhaps because of it, the place felt like home in a way nowhere ever had. She might direct the servants—and the budget—as she pleased. There was comfortable moderation and economy in her home. That did not … Continue reading →
In a society governed by strict rules regulating the interaction of the sexes, the dance floor provided one of the only places marriage partners could meet and courtships might blossom. And the best dancefloor was to be found at a private ball. “The characteristic of an English country dance is that of gay simplicity. The steps should be few and easy, and the corresponding motion of the arms and body unaffected, modest, and graceful.” – … Continue reading →
