Interview with Miss Cecelia Hale of "Among the Poppies"

I met an interesting—if somewhat overshadowed—young lady recently. Her name is Miss Cecelia Hale, the daughter of Lord Somerset. While she should have been seated in posh parlors sipping tea and eating dainty sandwiches, instead, she followed her best friend into the heart of war-torn France during WWI. Their story is told in the new release Among the Poppies.

Miss Hale, did you have any idea what you were getting into when you followed Gwyn into France?

Certainly. Right into the middle of things, which is precisely where I belong, though I can tell you it was quite the shock. Not one of the outfits I packed—well, my maid packed—was equipped to flounder in so much mud. My dear, I was up to my ringlets in mud! But that was not the most terrible sight. All those poor, broken Tommies coming into our hospital. Such sights would make the angels weep, but I was fortunate to have G there. She’s quite good at bucking one’s spirits. 

I can’t imagine the mud, how awful! What motivated you to go?

I simply could not be left behind, now could I? I was quite content to attend my dress fittings and tea parties with the other ladies of society, but then Gwyn signed up to drive ambulances. She made it sound so thrilling. I could just imagine myself in those pressed nurse uniforms, wiping a poor soldier’s brow and speaking soothingly to them. Goodness knows there are no eligible young gentlemen left in England (none that Mother and Father would approve of anyway). The only one to catch my eye was on his way back to the Front. I was not letting him get away though Fate did have other plans …

I hadn’t thought of the shortage of men left at home. No wonder you were determined to go. Did anyone try to talk you out of it?                                                                   

Everyone, of course, but it’s never worked before so it certainly didn’t work then. G thought me too flighty to last among the harshness of war, the days and nights of drudgery, and the endless exhaustion. Likely she was right, as a well-brought-up young lady simply does not encounter such conditions in her powdered realm. But what would become of me if I scurried back to England? It would prove all the naysayers right, and if I’m being honest, I wanted to prove them wrong. I needed to know myself that I’m capable of more than playing parlor piano and twirling a fan. Odd to think I never realized that about myself before going to war.

It seems as though—I apologize that there’s no easy way to say this—you lost the man you wanted to your best friend. How has that worked out?

I’ve quite put it out of my mind. William—I mean, Captain Crawford—is honorable and steadfast with good family credentials. Not to mention he looks rather dashing in uniform. The perfect soldier. Just not the perfect gentleman for me. Gwyn has always been the one to complete his heart. It took me a long time to see that, blinded by my pride you could say, but once my heart healed, I found that it never really belonged to him. The man who has captured my heart is kind, thoughtful, and adores me. I rather adore being adored! Most importantly, he loves me for everything that I am, and all the things I’m not. We have a June wedding planned so do say you will attend!

I’d love to attend! Was there some level of satisfaction that you found there near the Front, something that made it all worthwhile?

While nursing turned out not to be my talent, I did find useful occupation for the trunks of garments I brought along. My dear, what a thrill it is to put my silks and velvets to good use for the widows and orphans of this terrible time. We may be in the middle of a war, but every woman deserves to feel beautiful.

Thank you for visiting with us today. Is there any thought you’d like to leave our readers with?

Never pair puce with a fair complexion. The combination is ghastly.

I’m sure our readers will take that advice to heart.

You can find author J'nell Ciesielski on any of the following links.

http://www.jnellciesielski.com/

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