Bluestocking Belles

by

Reporting Society gossip and scandal in the Regency era

When we first set up the Bluestocking Belles website, we had the idea to turn our blog into a gossip sheet, where we and other authors could spread gossip about characters from historical romances. The Teatime Tattler has now been going for six years, and this year it (or rather an unknown correspondent) plays a starring roll in our box set, Storm & Shelter.

In truth, as far as researchers can tell, newspapers totally devoted to scandal and gossip were a feature of 18th Century publishing, and reappeared in the 1820s. But in the Regency era, the antics of the upper classes were far more likely to be outed in cartoons posted in the windows of print shops, or in pamphlets devoted to a single story. Society news, and even scandal, does appear in the newspapers we have from those times, but in a column in amongst the war news, shipping news, reports on politics, weather reports, advertisements for everything under the sun, and all the rest.

That said, hundreds of papers came and went during the late Georgian period, from the end of the 18th Century to the ascension of Queen Victoria, so who knows?

Interested to know more?

Contest: Identify the Teatime Tattler Reporter

Guess the identity of the reporter snooping on the people trapped in the Queen’s Barque and the good people of Fenwick on Sea. You’ll find clues in the eight charming novellas in the collection Storm & Shelter.

All correct answers will be entered for the prizes listed below. The winners will be selected at random. Open internationally.

  • Grand prize: $100 gift card
  • Second: a made-to-order story by Jude Knight and Caroline Warfield
  • Third: winner’s choice of an electronic copy of any of the earlier Bluestocking Belles’ collections.

The contest closes on 23rd April at midnight New York time, and prizes will be drawn on 24th April.

Go to the Belles’ website for more information.

by

Lessons from the Albatross

I used to live on the same peninsula as this breeding colony of royal albatrosses, (I lived nearly 20 kilometres away at the city end). What amazing birds they are. Pairs return to the place of their choice every two years to lay a single egg and take turns in keeping the egg warm and in feeding the fledgling. It’s a long process. Up to two and a half months from laying the egg to hatching, a further eight to nine months before the juvenile bird takes flight. The young birds will be gone for six years, flying up to 1800 kilometres in 24 hours, never touching land in all that time.

When they do come back to a breeding colony, it’ll be several years before they are ready to breed. They spend a couple of years socialising in groups, in a dance like form of communication. Over time, they’ll show a preference for one partner, and the dance will  become unique to each couple. They don’t stay together when at sea, but every two years, they go home, reconnect, mate, hatch out an egg, and raise a chick. For life. Only if one of the pair dies will they choose another mate.

Albatrosses have traditionally been regarded as harbingers of storm, but also good luck, a guide out of the storm to shelter. Another reason why they’re a good symbol for the Bluestocking Belles’ latest project, Storm & Shelter, which took flight yesterday. Like the albatross, it was around two and a half months in the egg, from signing the group contract to delivery of story for first beta in mid August (unlike the albatross, it has eight parents, including Grace Burrowes, Alina K. Field and Mary Lancaster, who joined us for the project).

Like the albatross — it took a lot of hard work on the part of its parents, and substantial practice, before it took flight eight to nine months after hatching. Yesterday, in fact. It is currently soaring, far from land, to the rarified levels of the book market.

It’s doing well. It has dozens of reviews, has scored well on Amazon for weeks, even edging up to #1 a few days ago, won a Crowned Heart for Excellence from InDTale Magazine, and is on a couple of Listopia lists at Goodreads. It looks like we might just miss lists like the top ten on USA Today or Publisher Weekly (unless we pick up quite a few hundred sales in the next few days, particularly on Apple and Barnes & Noble). But our little fledgling has spread its wings and is on its way. It’s out of our hands, now. It’s over to you, its readers.

Fly, little albatross.

When a storm blows off the North Sea and slams into the village of Fenwick on Sea, the villagers prepare for the inevitable: shipwreck, flood, land slips, and stranded travelers. The Queen’s Barque Inn quickly fills with the injured, the devious, and the lonely—lords, ladies, and simple folk; spies, pirates, and smugglers all trapped together. Intrigue crackles through the village, and passion lights up the hotel.

One storm, eight authors, eight heartwarming novellas.

Buy Links:

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3kgRmLG

Apple Books: https://apple.co/3lZYHja

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/storm-shelter-bluestocking-belles/1137958115?

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3o0z977

Google books: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Grace_Burrowes_Storm_and_Shelter?id=TNMhEAAAQBAJ

Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/b5k2pO

 

International:

Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2T3PbPh

BR: https://amzn.to/3dEnWo0

CA: https://amzn.to/2T82a2u

DE: https://amzn.to/31jPhHe

ES: https://amzn.to/3dF7kNa

FR: https://amzn.to/3dGQf5s

IN: https://amzn.to/3o6c42Q

by

Some People Have Dirty Minds!

The Vicar’s Illicit Liaison, The Teatime Tattler April 1815

Dear Reader, The village of Fenwick has been shaken to its core by the discovery that its revered curate, Mr. S., has feet—nay, entire limbs—of clay. First, he allowed his nephew, a bold impertinent boy, to insult our own beloved Mrs. F. Second, as noted in a previous report, he spent much time alone with a female visitor to the village. But now he has taken up with another female, a visitor’s maid. Said maid has been staying all day at the presbytery, purportedly nursing Mr. S.’s wards through the influenza. Today, she sunk so far in depravity as to stay overnight on the pretext that Mr. S. is now ill. This is unlikely to end well.

“Will ye ‘ave anuvver glass, Piety, my dove?” her husband asked. Piety Withers held out her glass.

“Don’t mind if I do, Withers,” she agreed, ignoring the frowning looks Mrs Brewster was casting at poor Withers. The innkeeper’s wife had said, when handing over the wages that Piety had earned, “Now don’t let your husband get his hands on this money, Mrs Withers.”

Mrs Brewster could keep her nose out of Piety’s business. It made Withers happy to have cash in his pocket. Dear man. So what if he could never hold down a job or retain possession of as much as a farthing? He was fond of Piety in his way, and never raised a hand to her, unlike some husbands she could name.

Why, look how he had insisted on buying her a drink as soon as she handed over the carefully counted coins that she’d deemed sufficient to content him? He’d praised her for her industry, assured her that all of his friends were jealous of him for having such a lovely wife, and invited her to celebrate their good fortune at the Queen’s Barque Inn. Little did he know that she’d kept at least two-thirds of the windfall and hidden it where he’d never find it. Not that she felt guilty. He’d soon drink or gamble the rest away.

“I’ve a bit of a worry, darlin’ Piety,” Withers declared, wrenching her from the sad direction of her thoughts. She donned an expression of interest and waited to be told what concerned him.

“This business with the vicar and the skirt from London,” he said. “Young Alice was readin’ a bit from the London papers this afternoon, she was. Says that there maid Conroy is havin’ it off with vicar.” Withers shook his head. “Should ye be workin’ there, darlin’?”

Piety’s eyes flashed. “That is just not true, Withers. Miss Conroy has been looking after the vicar while he was sick, and anyone who says different is making things up and has a nasty mind.”

“But it was printed in the paper, my dove.” Withers didn’t read, and was inclined to invest anything in print with the same reverence owed to Holy Scripture.

Piety snorted. “The Teatime Tattler, I suppose. Someone here in this village has been sending gossip and scandal to that terrible paper, and if I find out who it is, I shall pull their ears for them, and so I will. Making such trouble for that dear lady. Mr Somerville, too, after he worked himself into his own fever running around in the rain seeing to the sick. They should be ashamed!” She shook her fist.

Withers nodded. “If you say so, my dove. But ye’ll not be stayin’ there after dark.” He nodded again, firmly, satisfied that the problem was solved by his decree. “Shall I walk ye home before I go out fishin’ wiv Billy and Si, Piety, darlin’?”

Piety downed the last of her cider and stood up. Fishing, my left foot. If the boat left the dock, she’d be surprised, and certainly she did not expect the cronies to bring home anything more than their empty flasks and a headache each. Still, she gave Withers a peck on the cheek. He was, after all, not the world’s worst husband.

Who is the snooping reporter?

As told in Storm & Shelter in eight original novellas, refugees—the injured, the devious, and the lonely, lords, ladies, and simple folk; spies, pirates, and smugglers—all sheltered at the Queen’s Barque Inn. Now concern is buzzing in Fenwick on Sea and across these United Kingdoms, as scurrilous gossip about the goings on during the recent storm spread through the reports in that scandal rag, The Teatime Tattler. Who is the snoop?

You can help

Correctly identify the reporter and be entered to win a $100 gift card and other great prizes. There are details and instructions for entering here: https://bluestockingbelles.net/belles-joint-projects/storm-shelter/wanted-the-snooping-teatime-tattler-reporter/

Clues

There are clues in every story in Storm & Shelter. Find more clues by following on to each stop in our Snooping Reporter Blog Hop. The next stop features Grace Burrowes’ pony, who has a strong opinion about the identity of the reporter. https://bluestockingbelles.net/belles-joint-projects/storm-shelter/wanted-the-snooping-teatime-tattler-reporter/who-has-been-telling-tales/ 

Local prize

Comment on this post to go in the draw for winners’ choice of any Jude Knight ebook.

About the book

When a storm blows off the North Sea and slams into the village of Fenwick on Sea, the villagers prepare for the inevitable: shipwreck, flood, land slips, and stranded travelers. The Queen’s Barque Inn quickly fills with the injured, the devious, and the lonely—lords, ladies, and simple folk; spies, pirates, and smugglers all trapped together. Intrigue crackles through the village, and passion lights up the hotel.

One storm, eight authors, eight heartwarming novellas.

Buy it for 99 cents until April 17

https://books2read.com/u/38Rr8w

International Buy Links:

Amazon AU |BR |CA |DE |ES |FR |IN |IT |JP |MX |NL |UK

Angus & Robertson

 

by

Spotlight on Storm & Shelter (and a contest with a great prize)

I thought I’d share a couple of early reviews with you, to celebrate the coming release of this book on Tuesday.

InD’Tale Magazine gave us a Crowned Heart of excellence, saying, in part.

Set in the fictional village of Fenwick on Sea, “Storm & Shelter” is a superb and varied collection bound to impress a variety of Regency fans. The collection’s theme focuses on those from a higher station in life falling in love with those from a lower station. And it works, no matter the plot or trope. [https://indtale.com/reviews/historical/storm-shelter]

Flippin’ Pages Reviews says:

I will say one thing that relates to all of the stories I read in this book – they are all remarkably well filled out and that is a difficult thing to do in so few pages. [https://flippinpages.blog/2021/03/30/storm-shelter-by-bluestocking-belles/]

And some other comments picked at random from the reviews on GoodReads:

A great anthology of novellas from some of my favourite writers has kept me entertained and reading long into the night!

Leave it to the Bluestocking Belles to come up with another fabulous collection

I enjoyed every one of these stories and found that they all tie into each other in a wonderful way that will have you reading long into the night to get the stories finished.

This is one of the best anthologies I’ve read for having the stories go together, even having characters from one author’s story being a side character in another author’s story. Very enjoyable!

And last but not least, this comment:

Nice touch at the beginning of each story is a snippet from a reporter at the inn . Some of the people forced to seek shelter in the storm. Following the reporter’s remarks is the blurb – which I absolutely love when that is at beginning. We never find out who the reporter is.

But wait! You can find out who the reporter is! The clues are there in the stories, and if you put them together and get the right person, you can enter a draw to win some fabulous prizes. Details on the contest page on the Bluestocking Belles ‘website.

by

Spotlight on Storm & Shelter: Jude Knight and Grace Burrowes

These two novellas — mine and Grace’s– end the anthology. The review in Flippin’ Pages Reviews says about Grace’s: There are some really good stories in here, but this was my absolute favorite. And about mine: OH! This was the sweetest, loveliest story. I loved ALL of the characters. (She had nice things to say about all 8 stories. Honestly, folks, this book is a peach.)

A Dream Come True: By Jude Knight

The tempest that batters Barnaby Somerville’s village is the latest but not the least of his challenges.

Vicar to a remote parish, he stretches his tiny stipend to adopt his orphaned niece and nephew and his time to offer medical care as well as spiritual. A wife is a dream he cannot afford.

But the storm sweeps into his life a surprising temptation—a charming young woman who lavishes her gentle care upon his wards—and him.

God knows, he will forever be richer for having known her, even if he must let her go.

Excerpt:

Barney turned toward the voice, and there she was. Theo. His ministering angel. His beloved. Her eyes were weary, her clothing rumpled, and wisps of untidy hair fell from the braids that crowned her head. He had not seen a more splendid woman in all his years. She was altogether beautiful.

A Kiss by the Sea: By Grace Burrowes

He’s not really a blacksmith, and she’s not really an heiress… Can they forge a happily-ever-after anyway?

Thaddeus Pennrith finds a way to recover from multiple griefs when he accepts the blacksmith’s post at Fenwick on Sea. Village life gives him a sense of belonging that Polite Society never could, though he must resume his aristocratic responsibilities soon. Along comes Lady Sarah Weatherby, refugee from an engagement gone badly awry, and Thaddeus is faced with both a compelling reason to reveal his titled antecedents, and a longing to keep them forever hidden….

Excerpt:

“I need a repairing lease too,” Sarah told Thad. “I found myself engaged to marry a party who turned out to be unsuitable, and those around me were not inclined to listen when I said so. I learned that my intended was about to abduct me for an unscheduled journey north.”

Storm & Shelter: A Bluestocking Belles Collection With Friends

When a storm blows off the North Sea and slams into the village of Fenwick on Sea, the villagers prepare for the inevitable: shipwreck, flood, land slips, and stranded travelers. The Queen’s Barque Inn quickly fills with the injured, the devious, and the lonely—lords, ladies, and simple folk; spies, pirates, and smugglers all trapped together. Intrigue crackles through the village, and passion lights up the hotel.

One storm, eight authors, eight heartwarming novellas.

Find out more on the Bluestocking Belles’ project page. 

Only 99c while on preorder. Published April 13th.

by

Spotlight on Storm & Shelter: Alina K. Field and Rue Allyn

Novellas five and six in Storm & Shelter feature heroines with unusual occupations–a part-time smuggler and a privateer.

Don’t miss this wonderful box set. Eight superb authors, with eight fascinating stories set around one storm. Only 99c as an ebook until publication on 13th April.

 

The Comtesse of Midnight: By Alina K. Field

A Scottish Earl on a quest for the elusive Comtesse de Fontenay rescues a French lady smuggler from the surf during a devastating storm, and takes shelter with her. As the stormy night drags on, he suspects his companion knows the woman he’s seeking, the one who holds the secret to his identity. When she admits she is, in fact, the Comtesse Fontenay, just not the one he’s seeking, she dashes all his hopes—and promises him new ones.

Excerpt:

The lamp on the mantel emitted a low light, as did the fire. Malcolm carefully swiveled his head. A candle sat atop the dining table, next to his open travel bag. The woman bent close to the dim light, studying a paper. In three silent strides he was on her.

Wait for Me: By Rue Allyn

Enemies by nature—Esmeralda Crobbin, aka the pirate Irish Red, and Captain, Lord Brandon Gilroy have met before.

Fate trumps nature—When a fierce storm creates a chance encounter and forced proximity, Erstwhile pirate, Esmeralda discovers Captain Gilroy is more than a uniform stuffed with rules and regulations. Gilroy learns the pirate is a woman of serious honor and responsibility. Both love the sea with boundless passion, but can they love each other?

Excerpt: He blinked rapidly. She fished in a pocket for her handkerchief. Damp as it was, it would clear his vision. She used the kerchief to wipe water from his eyes and face. She bent to place the cloth in her pocket, and when she returned her gaze to his, he glared at her. A very familiar glare. A glare that had haunted her for the past three years. Now I know fate is laughing at me. Before her lay the one man who hated her most in the world. The storm had placed him exactly where she would to trip over him then feel compelled to help him before she had any clue as to his identity.

by

The Hundred Days

Storm & Shelter, the new Bluestocking Belles With Friends box set, has an interesting political backdrop. Our heroes, heroines, villains, and other characters are caught up in a massive storm off the North Sea, which begins with steady rain on 31st March, steadily worsening until the early hours of 1st April, and rampaging for two days, only finally dying away on the 3rd of April. Meanwhile, a storm of a different kind is gathering in Europe.

After eleven months in exile on the island of Elba, the Emperor Napoleon was once again on the move. He landed at Cannes on the 1st of March, leading 1,500 men. On 7th of March, his path was intercepted by the 5th Regiment, who had been ordered to stop him. He approached them on his own, shouting, “Here I am. Kill your emperor if you wish!” The soldiers rallied to him, and joined the march on Paris. On 14th March, Marshall Ney, who had been ordered to arrest Napoleon, joined him with 6,000 men. By the time Napoleon entered Paris on 20th of March,  Louis XVIII had fled the capital in terror. The period known as Cent Jours, or One Hundred Days, had begun.

The crisis in Europe and the confrontation between Napoleon and his 200,000 men and the Seventh Coalition (Prussia, Britain, Austria and Russia) would end in the Battle of Waterloo on 18th June. Napoleon abdicated for the second time on 22nd June, in favour of his son. On 8th July, Louis XVIII was returned to his throne and Cent Jours was over.

Napoleon finally surrendered on 15th July, and was exiled to St Helena in the South Atlantic, where he died six years later.

In the eight novellas of Storm & Shelter, quite a few of our characters are on the move because of Napoleon’s bid to take back his empire. You’ll recognise them when you see them!

by

Tea with the Oxford ladies

The ladies of Lilac Cottage were largely ignoring their guest, focused as they were on sharing news about their vast pool of connections, with whom they kept up a voluminous correspondence.

Today’s visit was to cousins of His Grace’s father; three sisters who lived together just outside of Oxford. The Duchess of Haverford tried to call on them whenever she was in the vicinity, and she was always astonished at how much she learned.

“Sephronia has lost patience with that grandson of hers,” Muriel Grenford observed. “She plans to swoop on that village where he has taken refuge, with a list of suitable young ladies to become his countess.” In appearance, Cousin Muriel was the external epitome of a dear elderly spinster, including the silver curls under her lace cape and the round spectacles that she often pushed up onto her head and forgot. Eleanor Haverford was of the opinion that she fostered the appearance in order to disarm her victims.

Quite early in her marriage to the Duke of Haverford, Eleanor had taken over responsibility for the spinsters and widows who formed the highest percentage of the duchy’s pensioners—distant relatives of His Grace who lived in properties he owned, or on allowances from the duchy’s coffers. She enjoyed the challenge of finding the younger ladies opportunities for a fulfilling future, but the older ladies were also rewarding, in their own way.

“She has learned nothing from the mistakes she made with his father and brother,” pronounced Marilla, Lady Thorpe, the only one of the three ladies to have raised sons. Plumper and more faded than her sisters, Cousin Marilla was given to handing down implacable verdicts on the child-rearing habits of others. To be sure, her two sons were pleasant fellows, so perhaps she had the right.

Eleanor knew of only one Sephronia whose very eligible grandson had been unaccountably missing from Polite Society for years. She took another sip of her tea to hide her interest.

The third of the sisters offered a new line of thought. “Eudora Fletcher writes that Sephronia is staying with her, and so is that nephew of Eudora’s and the Tewksbury pup who is betrothed to young Sarah.” A long career as owner and proprietor of an exclusive academy for young ladies had left Maude Grenford with a broad girth, a vast tolerance for the foolishness of girls, and a correspondingly poor opinion of most men.

Eleanor easily placed the nephew spoken of so contemptuously. He must be the Earl of Bassham, whose niece and former ward, Lady Sarah Weatherby had not been seen for some days. And her betrothed, Matthew Tewksbury would be the pup. Eleanor agreed with the assessment. Acres of charm when he wanted his own way, but as likely to make a mess on the carpet as not. Eleanor judged him the sort to promise anything and deliver very little.

“Eudora says,” Cousin Maude added, with glee, “that Sarah took refuge from that dreadful storm in the village of Fenwick-on Sea.”

The other two ladies put their cups down, and stared at her.

“But that…” Muriel started.

“Isn’t that where Sephronia said…?” Marilla said, at the same time.

Maude nodded, delighted with the reaction. “Indeed, it is.”

Mrs Fletcher’s great niece has indeed met the dowager’s grandson, as you can read in A Kiss by the Sea, a novella by Grace Burrowes in Storm & Shelter.

A Kiss by the Sea: By Grace Burrowes

He’s not really a blacksmith, and she’s not really an heiress… Can they forge a happily-ever-after anyway?

Thaddeus Pennrith finds a way to recover from multiple griefs when he accepts the blacksmith’s post at Fenwick on Sea. Village life gives him a sense of belonging that Polite Society never could, though he must resume his aristocratic responsibilities soon. Along comes Lady Sarah Weatherby, refugee from an engagement gone badly awry, and Thaddeus is faced with both a compelling reason to reveal his titled antecedents, and a longing to keep them forever hidden…

Storm & Shelter: A Bluestocking Belles Collection With Friends

When a storm blows off the North Sea and slams into the village of Fenwick on Sea, the villagers prepare for the inevitable: shipwreck, flood, land slips, and stranded travelers. The Queen’s Barque Inn quickly fills with the injured, the devious, and the lonely—lords, ladies, and simple folk; spies, pirates, and smugglers all trapped together. Intrigue crackles through the village, and passion lights up the hotel.

One storm, eight authors, eight heartwarming novellas.

Find out more on the Bluestocking Belles’ project page. 

Only 99c while on preorder. Published April 13th.

by

Spotlight on Storm & Shelter: Caroline Warfield and Sherry Ewing

I’m continuing our series about the lovely collection by the Bluestocking Belles and Friends with novellas three and four by my dear friends Caroline and Sherry.

Don’t forget, this book is only 99c while on preorder, so get it before the price goes up.

Eight authors, eight heartwarming novellas, all set around one storm, and at least in part a single village. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you: Storm & Shelter.

The Tender Flood: By Caroline Warfield

Zach Newell knows Patience Abney is far above his touch. But he has been enchanted by her since she raced out of the storm and into the Queen’s Barque with a wagon full of small boys, puppies, and a bag of books. When the two of them make their way across the flooded marsh to her badly damaged school in search of a missing boy, attraction overtakes them. She risks scandal; he risks his heart.

Excerpt:

Before she could speak, he crossed the room and pulled her into a crushing embrace, taking her mouth with his until her knees failed and she had only his embrace to rely on.  Insanity born of hope. Zach could think of no other explanation for his behavior.

Before I Found You, A de Courtenay Novella: By Sherry Ewing

A quest for a title. An encounter with a stranger. Will she choose love?

Miss Miranda de Courtenay has only one goal in life: to find a rich husband who can change her status from Miss to My Lady.

Captain Jasper Rousseau has no plans to become infatuated during a chance encounter at a ball.

Their connection is hard to dismiss, despite Miranda’s quest for a title at all cost. What if the cost includes love?

Excerpt:

A young woman suddenly caught his attention as she skipped to the lively patterns of the current dance. Dark brown hair was swept up in a pleasing coiffure sprinkled with what looked like diamonds winking in the candlelight of the room. Her gown was pale blue with a pink ribbon just below her breasts. She turned and the look on her face was one of bored indifference, making Jasper inwardly laugh. Had Lord de Courtenay seen in his features what this woman showed to any who cared to gaze upon her?

by

Tea with Lady Sutton

“Gracious me,” said Sophia, with an indignant glare at the letter in her lap. “How presumptuous. How impertinent!”

The Duchess of Haverford raised a questioning eyebrow, but her goddaughter was still scowling at the offensive missive and didn’t see.

Eleanor had enjoyed having Sophia and her little daughter to visit while Sophia’s husband, Lord Sutton, was off on some business for his father. Lady Mary Elizabeth was a darling delight; Eleanor would miss her when Sutton arrived to collect them in the morning.

Sophia had folded the letter in half and was tapping it against the arm of her chair, her brows knit in thought.

“Is it something you can tell me about, my dear?” the duchess asked.

Sophia looked up and smiled. “I beg your pardon, Aunt Eleanor. I was so annoyed by this piece of pernicious mischief that I quite forgot where I was. Yes, I would like to tell you about it, if I may.”

“Perhaps another cup of tea?” Eleanor suggested.

Sophia agreed with thanks, and scanned the letter again while Eleanor poured.

“It is from a woman in Fenwick on Sea in Suffolk,” she explained.

“The village where the ship your brother and sister were on took shelter from that dreadful storm,” Eleanor commented.

Sophia nodded, and gave the letter another thunderous frown.

“But Hythe and Felicity found another ship to take them to Belgium, you said,” Eleanor prompted. “What has this woman to say about them that has you so cross?”

“Not them. I mentioned, I think, that Felicity’s maid, Theo, remained in Fenwick. She had been terribly sea sick, and neither Hythe nor Felicity wished to risk her. I am to send a carriage for her as soon as we are back in Gloucestershire.” She smiled. “A slow one. Poor Theo has never travelled well.”

“I remember you left her behind at Hollystone Hall when you raced to London to marry Sutton before his grandfather died,” Eleanor noted.

Another quick smile as Sophia nodded, and then the frown returned. “This woman writes about Theo. Just listen!

‘The designing hussy made her move on the poor curate when the children he has taken in had a mild attack of the ague. Under the guise of nursing them, she took up residence in the village. They say that Mr Somerville also became ill, but since that female would not allow responsible members of the village to see him, we must decide whether this is true, or whether she had no desire for others to interfere in her nefarious attempt to force the man into a proposal by setting up housekeeping with him.’

I must post to Fenwick, and defend our poor dear Theo. James will simply have to take us to Gloucestershire by way of the coast of Suffolk! Rather the long way around, but darling Mary Elizabeth is a good traveller, thank goodness.”

“The curate, you say?” Eleanor asked. “Your sister Felicity mentioned she thought the pair were forming an attachment. Apparently she was right.”

“Yes,” Sophia replied. “And Felicity mentioned this…” she waved the letter… “Mrs Fullerton, too. Apparently the besom has been causing trouble in the parish. Felicity suggested Mr Somerville might be needing another position sooner, rather than later.”

Her smile broadened. “I am looking forward to meeting the man who has prompted my shy, perfectly-behaved maid to such scandal!”

A Dream Come True: By Jude Knight

The tempest that batters Barnaby Somerville’s village is the latest but not the least of his challenges.

Vicar to a remote parish, he stretches his tiny stipend to adopt his orphaned niece and nephew and his time to offer medical care as well as spiritual. A wife is a dream he cannot afford.

But the storm sweeps into his life a surprising temptation—a charming young woman who lavishes her gentle care upon his wards—and him.

God knows, he will forever be richer for having known her, even if he must let her go.

Storm & Shelter: A Bluestocking Belles Collection With Friends

When a storm blows off the North Sea and slams into the village of Fenwick on Sea, the villagers prepare for the inevitable: shipwreck, flood, land slips, and stranded travelers. The Queen’s Barque Inn quickly fills with the injured, the devious, and the lonely—lords, ladies, and simple folk; spies, pirates, and smugglers all trapped together. Intrigue crackles through the village, and passion lights up the hotel.

One storm, eight authors, eight heartwarming novellas.

Find out more on the Bluestocking Belles’ project page. 

Only 99c while on preorder. Published April 13th.