And a shared legacy neither ever wanted.
Dearest readers, sharpen your quills, steady your teacups, and prepare yourselves for what may very well become the most discussed coincidence of the new year.
After five years abroad, Alexander Weld, Earl of Hawkesbury, has returned to Somerset under the somber veil of duty. The late Earl, his father, was laid to rest last week in a ceremony both dignified and discreet. Those present report that Lord Hawkesbury conducted himself with composure befitting his station, though there was a gravity about him that spoke of burdens carried beyond grief alone.
And yet, here is where the matter becomes irresistible.
On that very same week, and in the very same corner of the county, another familiar figure made her reappearance: Lady Georgina Ravenstock, widow of the late Baron Ravenstock, who suffered a fatal accident just over a year ago.
Lady Georgina, known for her grace, steady composure, and impeccable poise, returned to Somerset supposedly to “tend to household affairs.” Such a practical explanation might satisfy a less inquisitive publication… but we at the Tattler have noticed patterns too precise to ignore.
For instance:
The First Pattern:
Lady Georgina and Lord Hawkesbury were once, how shall we phrase it? frequently observed in each other’s company prior to the Earl’s extended absence. One might even describe their former connection as promising, had fate not intervened in its usual inconvenient fashion.
The Second Pattern:
Upon her return, Lady Georgina has been seen meeting with solicitors, land agents, and senior stewards at an unusual rate. One might assume she is simply reacquainting herself with her late husband’s affairs… yet the frequency of these consultations suggests matters more pressing than routine ledgers.
The Third Pattern:
Lord Hawkesbury, according to our reliable source at the estate, has likewise been engaged in a flurry of meetings, most notably with individuals not typically summoned for mourning rituals or estate condolences. His steward has been tight-lipped, which is always the clearest indication that something is indeed afoot.
Now here is the detail that sends this reporter into raptures:
Several of these agents and advisors, Lady Georgina’s and Lord Hawkesbury’s alike, have been the very same individuals, met on the very same days, sometimes even within the same hour.
Coincidence? We leave that to you, dear readers.
Could there exist a business matter, a legal entanglement, perhaps, that binds these two prominent figures in an unexpected and undeniably delicate way? Might their futures (and fortunes!) now be more intertwined than either one anticipated?
Those who witnessed their reunion at the churchyard whispered that the air between them was… charged. Not with impropriety, no, our Lady Georgina would never allow such a thing, but with something older. Something unfinished. Something neither grief nor time seems to have erased.
What business could require such coordinated attention?
What matter could draw these two back into the same orbit after so many years apart?
And, most deliciously of all:
What happens when a shared responsibility forces two hearts, with history, to navigate a future neither expected?
Rest assured, readers, the Tattler shall continue watching. Closely.
Yours in perpetual vigilance,
A Lady Who Never Sleeps
What happens when an earl and a widow discover they must face the past—together?
Find out in:
A Reckoning for the Earl
Some legacies must be claimed. Others survived.
Alexander Weld, grieving the loss of his wife, joins the army and returns home five years later as the new Earl of Hawkesbury. He is confronted with unrest among his father’s coal miners and seeks the help of his former commanding officer, Captain Barrington. In the midst of this, he reconnects with Lady Georgina Ravenstock, an old friend, and is drawn to her beauty and charm. Lady Georgina also feels a rekindled attraction to Weld and decides to spend the summer with him in Sommer by the Sea.
As their friendship grows, they hesitate to pursue a deeper relationship out of respect for their deceased loved ones. Weld works to improve conditions for the coal miners, and during an inspection of the mines, Lady Georgina misunderstands a warning bell and rushes to the scene, fearing an accident. Weld races to her side to keep her safe and discovers her misunderstanding. Weld and Lady Georgina must confront their feelings and decide whether to hold onto the past or take a chance on a new love.
Through their struggles, will they find hope and a future together? What happens when an earl and a widow discover they must face the past—together?
Find out in: A Reckoning for the Earl.
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Meet the Author
Ruth A. Casie is a USA Today bestselling author who writes sweeping historical romance adventures. From the rugged shores of medieval Scotland to the bustling streets of Regency London, her stories blend suspense, drama, and heart-melting emotion. Readers fall in love with her strong women and the heroes who deserve them as they race across the pages to find their happily ever after. Ruth hopes her tales become your next favorite adventures.
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Dear Mr. Clemens,
Hearts in Bloom: A Regency Anthology
It has long been the opinion of the Ton that the Sangford family’s claim to a royal connection is a sham meant only to promote their daughters’ status on the marriage mart. Not that it has worked, mind you. After all, five failed seasons should be sufficient to indicate that Miss Irene Sanford is not a suitable match for any peer she hopes to snag. And Mr. Sangford has made it clear it must be a man of title who marries either of his daughters.
Irene’s Fall