Guess That Character!

Well, this year is certainly one of firsts - a virgin at a polo match and now my first, ahem - blogfest.

Did I mention I was a virgin blogger before April this year?  Right enough of the frivolous banter, -bloomers, chastity belts and stockings are coming off.

Our dear friend Jen at Unedited has thrown down the lace gloves and I've taken up the challenge.  I'm sharing an excerpt about one of my main characters, and the exciting part is everyone gets guess what she looks like.  And I share a picture of her tomorrow - the big reveal.

Here's a snippet from one of my WIP short stories 'Della - A Brief Interlude.'  

*****

Della pulled on her riding breeches, it was early dawn but she could no longer lie still in this four-poster tomb of a bed.  She tucked in her nightshirt, wrapping her arms in her favourite battered cashmere vest and hopped across the cold wood floors to the dark armoire where her moth-eaten riding jacket hung.  Holy Mary, Mother of all things sweet.... this place was like the crypt three floors below where her Grandfather lay in eternal rest.  The embers in the marble fireplace had long since turned cold.  Grandmamma was of the old school; no money was spent heating the entire house. She was eighty-eight years old and still slept with her window open, even when the snow fell.  Good old Grandmamma.  

Della crept down the passageway towards the stables in her stocking feet; rattling pans and loud mumbling could be heard from the kitchen.  She could easily sneak by Cook without being noticed.  At last she reached the entrance hall where an assortment of coats hung on dusty hooks and discarded boots lay under the small benches.  Her shiny riding boots stood to attention in their trees -waiting for her to free them.  She pushed open the heavy door, cursing softly as the crisp morning air rushed into the house behind her.  Why the hell was this country so cold?

As she rounded the corner of the stables, there was a familiar whining and stamping against the wooden doors before the clip-clop of hooves followed.  Charlie the old blacksmith was pulling her favourite steed outside.  He greeted her with a tip of his cap, his old arthritic fingers shaking.

"Good morning Miss Della.  Off for the usual then?"
"Yes."  She replied eagerly.  "Is Bess ready?"
"Saddled and waiting, Miss."  He bought her shiny black mare to a standstill next to the small steps waiting for Della to mount...like a lady.  Della ignored the steps, grasped the top of the nearby fence and hoisted herself onto the rails, carefully balancing on one foot whilst she slid herself sideways into the saddle.   Charlie raised his eyebrows, his crinkly crows feet giving away his amusement but he remained silent all the same.  She smiled at him, raising her finger to her lips.  "Don't tell Grandmama." He snorted gruffly, and as she turned Bess away from the stables he called out. "Miss Della.  Mind the southern boundaries, -there's a hunting party out today.  The neighbours gamekeepers might be about." Della flung her head back with a brief nod, waving her crop as she nudged gently the underside of Bess's belly.  "Time to ride, sweetheart.'

She would ride for a few hours to wash away the cobwebs that surrounded her aching body and mind.  How she missed her fathers plantation, the wide open spaces and the beach where she rode each morning. Why had he sent her away to such a cold land called England?  It was grey and dull like an old sailors dirty overcoat.  Blue skies, and golden beaches where the sand slipped under your bare feet -that is where I belong she thought wistfully.


*****

And now, can you tell me please -what does Della look like?

***

A/N: Della - A Brief Interlude ' © 2010 T.Loto. All Rights Reserved

Comments

Unknown said…
You rock Talei!!! I really love reading your pieces, I find them very magical just with your descriptions and I love, love, love Della!!

Okay so you are probably wanting me to guess now!!

My guess: She has long blond hair with drawn out curls, at night they fall to the low of her back but during the day they are pulled up into a do of some sort. She has bright blue eyes and perfect skin, with just a hint of a tan.

Thank you so much for playing! This piece rocked and I'm so excited to see the big reveal tomorrow!
Hi,

I'm guessing this is a slightly dated piece(breeches) so on that premise: she's athletic yet full of figure, long brunette tresses, turquoise blue eyes edged deeper blue, wild of spirit, unruly manners at times, and a bit of a madam when she feels so inclined!

best
F
Amie McCracken said…
I see a southern belle who doesn't really want to be that. She's searching for herself. Long, flowing brown hair. Deep blue eyes. A heart-shaped face with a wide forehead.
Summer Ross said…
Long braided brown hair, icy blue eyes. Tall slender build.
Terry Stonecrop said…
Long brown hair, loose, blue eyes, tall, thin. High-spirited. I'm getting the impression this is an historical novel, so I'm giving her long skirts and she's riding side saddle.

Love your writing style:)
Vicki Rocho said…
Delta is petite, black hair with ringlet curls hangs to her shoulders. If straightened, probably to the middle of her back. Bright blue flashing eyes. Fair skinned (I seem to be saying that a lot today). She is energetic and spunky...which will probably lead her to trouble later on ;)
Susan Fields said…
She has long, reddish-brown hair that she wears in a neat braid. She has big brown eyes and full lips. She's short and athletically built.

Can't wait to hear the real answer tomorrow!
Talei said…
Wow - I'm really enjoying reading everyones guesses here!! Lovely. ;)) Am trying to get around to read everyones entries too - what a great blogfest!!
Christina Lee said…
This was lovely writing, my dear! Okay I am picturing a pretty lady with dark long hair, olive complexion, striking light brown eyes...in some riding breeches ;--)
Hmn. I'm gonna go with shoulder length dark brown hair. Light complexion with green or blue eyes, average height and build. Great snippet!
Lindsay said…
Hmm. I'm guessing she's got blonde hair, that she wears up. Fair skin with green eyes.

Looking forward to meeting her. :)
Plantation, huh? Leads me to believe she is tanned, looking quite different from the rest of those at the estate.

Athletic, trim horsewoman's waist. Easy lope to her walking gait, graceful. I see blue eyes and blonde hair. Gotta run
BK Mattingly said…
I definitely see her with curly hair, but I keep bouncing between what color it might be. I think she's slightly taller than 5 feet and has green eyes. I think she's also pale. I really enjoyed your excerpt! I can't wait until tomorrow!
Brenda Drake said…
I'd say she's thin, blushed by the sun, very long chestnut hair, blue eyes,has a southern accent, and is very restless.

Can't wait to meet her tomorrow! :D
This seems like a historical piece to me, perhaps set in the early 1900's? Maybe the 1920's or 30's? I am imagining Della as about 14 or 15, with long, medium brown hair which she wears in a twist at the back of her neck. She's a sturdy girl of medium height, with brilliant green eyes and a faraway gaze. Della is a dreamer.
kah said…
I'm not sure why, but I'm picturing an old-fashioned version of Keira Knightley. Loved this snippet. :)
Anonymous said…
I agree with Karen: a medium-brown haired Keira Knightley, petite and slender.
Wonderful!! I'm thinking that Della has a peaches and cream complexion, soft brown eyes, shoulder-length blonde hair with brown undertones, a wide mouth and a beautiful smile.
Unknown said…
Very nice! Great imagery with the chill and the house.

I picture Della as a young woman of about 16-18. She's well-educated and reasonably wealthy. I see her with long brown hair in a neat french braid, and thoughtful brown eyes. She's tall with good posture, which she needs for horseback riding.
Talli Roland said…
Loved the flow of this piece!

I'm picturing her very tall and slender with large brown eyes and thick dark hair tied back in a ponytail.
Talei said…
Thank you everyone for your wonderful guesses. I have totally enjoyed this blogfest!! Hope you have too. Have a fab w/end all!! xx

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