The Lady's Fate #MarchMadnessSale

The Lady's Fate
#MarchMadnessSale
$2.99 thru March 31

Lady Violet Flowers has only one Season to find a husband. Raised in the Queen’s household, Violet is elevated in rank, yet with no dowry, she will likely bring her mother disgrace, unable to find a good match, if any.

The widowed Marquess of Haverlane needs the perfect nanny for his beloved daughter, Jane. Fortunately for Haverlane, when the plump, but very pretty Lady Violet rescues Jane from almost drowning, the solution to his problem stands before him. After negotiating with her mother, Violet is ensconced at his country estate with Jane, and Haverlane and Violet communicate through correspondence, leading to an amiable affection.

Though unwilling to think of Violet as more than a nanny, a surprising Christmas kiss compels each to see the other in a new light. However, Parliamentary demands keep them a safe distance from temptation.

As the Season begins, an old flame emerges from Haverlane’s past and attempts to rekindle that fire. Bereft, Violet accepts an offer for her hand. By the time Haverlane comes to his senses, he must do what Violet has dreaded most – bring scandal to her mother’s house to try to win her back.

The Lady's Fate is the second book in the Reluctant Grooms series. Hands down it is my favorite book in all the series. I fell in love with Ellis Smith the first moment I began to write him down. And Violet as well.

Ellis Smith,
Earl of Easterly,
Marquess of Haverlane

Ellis lost his wife Anne several years earlier. He has been trying to raise his daughter, Jane, by himself, but now that she's out of nappies, he needs more than a wet-nurse. With the coaching of his mother, he finds a girl who seems capable enough to watch a four-year-old child.

Lady Violet Flowers

Violet Flowers has a termagant for a mother and father who was lost at sea during a botany expidition. Violet and her four sisters have been living under the Queen's household ever since. With no prospects or dowries, the girls depend on the kindness of strangers. Before Haverlane can even decide on the matter, Violet is dispatched to handle the care of Jane.

Haverlane Hall

Over the course of many months, Violet and Haverlane share correspondence about Jane. His visit at Christmas leads Haverlane down a dark road, when he kisses Violet. Thinking only of his late wife, Haverlane flees to London, leaving Violet in turmoil.

Jane Smith,
daughter of Haverlane

However, when Violet catches the fever, which raged through the village, Haverlane races to her side, only to find her ill and despondent. He nurses her back to health, before he leaves her again to return to London.

Lady Georgianna 

Whilst in the country recovering, Violet hears about the match between Lady Georgianna Baxter and Haverlane and her heart breaks into a thousand little pieces. When she hears vicious rumors about she and Haverlane, Violet is disowned by her mother, and left to the vultures in Society. Lady Olivia takes her in and with a wave of her magic wand, the rumors disappear, she is engaged to be married (albeit to the wrong man) and her name has regained good-standing.

Duke of Chesnick,
Haverlane's father

When the Duke of Chesnick makes a formal announcement about Haverlane's engagement to Lady Georgianna, Ellis makes his own announcement, much to her dismay.  But now, Haverlane must find Violet before she marries to save her name.

As I said, my favorite book out of the entire series.
(WHEN ALL HOPE IS LOST is #2.)





Some minor characters.

Mrs. Jeffers,
housekeeper at
Fairlane

Manning,
Haverlane's butler

Duchess of Chesnick,
Haverlane's mother

Lady Flowers,
Violet's mother

Camelia Flowers

And this is the story of THE LADY'S MASQUERADE.
On sale now thru March 31.
$2.99

Amazon

Smashwords

#MarchMadnessSale

Anne Gallagher (c) 2019

The A-Z Challenge Letter E

E is for Ellis. Ellis James Dalton Smith, Marquess of Haverlane, Earl of Easterly. Brother to William Smith.

Ellis' adventure is found in THE LADY'S FATE. When the young Lady Violet Flowers saves his daughter Jane from almost drowning, Ellis realizes he's found the perfect nanny. However, what he doesn't understand is why the girl reminds him so much of his late wife, Anne, and why he can't control the feelings he has for her.

Interpreting Heroes

As a writer of romance, I tend to think of the men in my stories as heroes.  They save the day, defeat the villain, rescue the girl.  In my Regency series, however, my heroes are not the typical reformed rake, or libertine.  They do not ride in, in a blaze of glory and slay the dragon.  They tend to be common placed, normal, everyday members of the aristocracy.  (Well, I couldn't let go of all my tendencies, could I?)

A question was posed to me awhile ago, which I thought was interesting enough to write a blog post about.

If your heroes were set in the present day, what would they be?

Interesting concept.  I had to think about it.  So let's break it all down and see what I come up with.

These are my heroes and what they do in 1810.

William  -- The Earl of Westerly.  Second son of the Duke of Chesnick.  Joined the Horse Guards in 1800.

Ellis -- The Marquess of Haverlane.  Oldest son of the Duke of Chesnick.  Member of Parliament, has the ear of Prince George.

Robert -- The Duke of Cantin.  Takes care of his family.

Richard -- Retired Captain in the Royal Navy.  Captured Bonaparte the first time.

Rory -- The Earl of Bailey.  Studies ancient Peloponnsian text.

So, if I transferred them to the present day, here's what I think they would do.

William -- Texas Ranger.

Ellis -- Vice-president.

Robert -- CEO of the family shipping line.

Richard -- Navy Seal.

Rory -- College professor.

Now, naturally, what is not seen in all these descriptions are the underlying causes which make them the perfect man for them to NOT fall in love, hence become Reluctant Grooms.

William -- Dealing with PTSD.

Ellis -- A widower with a two year old who is still in love with his dead wife.

Robert -- Burned by an ex-fiance.

Richard -- Never stayed in one place long enough to find the right woman.

Rory -- Conceited, vain, highly intelligent and looks down his nose upon those not in his social circle.

Thinking of these men in present day has allowed me a broader scope in how I want to write about them. People are people, whether in 1810 or 2010.  They all have the same hopes, dreams, ties that bind, and experiences that break.  This was an interesting exercise.  As writers, we're told to stretch our imaginations, cast the net as widely as possible.  How'd I do?

The Lady's Fate Characters

As writers, we are so enmeshed in our characters we know exactly who they are and what they look like. And sometimes, we stumble across people who we think would be perfect to play the part. These are my choices for whom I would like to be my characters. Tell me what you think.

These are Haverlane's parents, the Duke and Duchess of Chesnick.

This is Manning, Haverlane's butler.

This is Mrs. Jeffers, the housekeeper at Fairhaven.

This is Violet's mother, Countess Flowers.

                                                                                  Lady Olivia, Duchess of Caymore.

This is Reverend Andrew Perry.                                    
                               
     
                                This is Camelia, Violet's younger sister.

The Prince Regent.

                                                                              Lady Georgiana Baxter.

This is Ellis, Marquess of Haverlane.

And this is Violet.