Dateline September 1812

Gentle Readers,

We are horrified to learn that the charming and irrepressible Lord Fontus Leigh—youngest brother of His Grace of Leigh—has killed Lord Vincent Doverton in a duel and fled the country. This author has learned that the cause of the duel between these one time friends was a careless remark by Doverton about Lady Blythe Cynearme, Marquessa of Cynedroit, young Leigh’s sister.

Lord Fontus’ challenge to Doverton was inevitable. A man must defend his family’s honor. The resulting death is unfortunate. Several witnesses to the duel all concur that Doverton fired first and missed. Whether intentionally or not is not known. Lord Fontus then took aim, according to witnesses, to the left of where Doverton stood. At the moment Lord Fontus pulled the trigger of his pistol, Doverton—for reasons no one can comprehend—moved into the line of fire. The shot hit him in the temple causing instantaneous death.

The Prince Regent has made clear that dueling is unacceptable and shall be considered murder if a death results. Few men have been prosecuted because the survivors of most duels resulting in a death are charged and hence never brought before a court of law. This is not the case, with the duel between young Lord Leigh and Doverton.

Doverton’s parent, Aloysious Doverton Lord Sandrow, a life peer, refuses to believe the several witnesses to this tragic even. Lord Sandrow has brought charges of murder against Lord Fontus Leigh. As influential as Lord Sandrow is, his impact on society and government pales by comparison with the power wielded by His Grace of Leigh. Thus, one would think that the unfair charges against Lord Fontus Leigh would be dismissed.

Sadly, His Grace washed his hands of his youngest sibling when that gentleman was expelled from University for the fourth time. Young Leigh had no recourse but to flee to the continent—a continent, I need not remind you, that is riddled with war and danger, especially for an Englishman. ‘Tis a sad loss to society of a highly entertaining young man. The antipathy between His Grace and Lord Sandrow amplifies the stress this loss has caused us all.

This author prays that at some future date, Lord Sandrow can be made to see reason, and Lord Fontus will be able to return before he can suffer any harm from England’s enemies.

About the Story: Forever & Always – The Secrets of Fontus Leigh Secret Leigh Series Book One By Rue Allyn, to be published in a Bluestocking Belles & Friends Collection launching in Fall of 2025.

Revealing their serets could be fatal.

He thought of her day and night. Lord Fontus Leigh secretly wed a stranger to protect her, then she left him with no way to find her. Years later, he is desperate to discover her whereabouts. His family has arranged another match for him, but he already has a wife. Unless the marriage was annulled as she promised.

She never forgot him. Out of options, Lady Deoiridh Aitken narrowly escaped marriage to a cruel fortune hunter by means of wedding a complete stranger. She swore her husband to secrecy before she left, believing everyone would be safer if no one knew where she was. The plan worked perfectly fo

Will evil destroy them, or can they overcome all obstacles and make a life together forever and always?

About the Author: Hi, I’m Rue Allyn, and mostly I’m about writing stories, books about heart melting romance. Books about characters and adventures in which love triumphs at the darkest moment. The kind of suspenseful, hopeful, cathartic, romance that melts a reader’s heart.

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