Category: Bluestocking Belles Page 49 of 51

The mystery of the hidden parchment

On June 18, 2016

PD castle

Gentle Reader:

I am most pleased to share with you something that has come into my possession, although I will not divulge the source of such a rare find. Suffice it to say, this small treasure was found when a wall within a chamber at a certain castle caved in. Within the fallen rocks, several unusual items were found that surely could not have come from the medieval era. An odd writing instrument, made of a material that this editor has never seen before, accompanied a parchment containing the words of a lady who confirms my suspicions that she found herself in a time not her own. But I will let you be the judge of her origins as you read on.

Clemens

I’m losing my mind. There is no other reason for the delusion that is plaguing me. They tell me I hit my head upon my arrival at the beach and perhaps that can explain the migraine that has me hiding away in this room. Yet, it’s a room that isn’t like anything I’ve ever seen in my life, except between the pages of a book.

I feel as though someone is constantly watching me. These servants come and go in my room and yet, half the time, I close my eyes because I refuse to believe what I am seeing when they are open. The people here are oddly dressed in clothes that belong in a historical movie or a faire. Candles light the room, and I have yet to see anything electronic or even electrical. No television. No landline. No wires or sockets. No lights that would require power. My cellphone doesn’t get reception. Food arrives on platters with wine even for breakfast but I have no appetite for food. They advise me that I’ll be well soon and will return to my normal self, but there is nothing normal about where I am. I feel like I’ve stepped through the looking glass into the twelfth century.

There is a man called Fletcher who is the reason I hit my head when I tripped trying to escape him. He scares me, not only because of the almost sinister appearance of his clothes, but also because of how I feel whenever he enters the room. I swear I know the instant he’s about to enter. And with just one look at him from across the room, all the air gets sucked from my lungs in a rush of emotions. I don’t even want to think about those hypnotic amber eyes. I hate to admit it, but a person could drown staring into those eyes and do so gladly.

Yes…I am going crazy. I keep pinching myself to wake myself up but all I am achieving is a red arm. Clearly, I am wide-awake, but I continue to refuse to believe that I am somehow stuck in twelfth century England. How is it possible? I cannot, in a single step along a Californian beach, go back 900 years in time and to a completely different continent than the good American soil I remember.

pen My name is Jenna Sinclair. I am 25 years old living in San Francisco, California and I’m not in a medieval castle. I am writing this note so I can remember who I am, where I come from, and not become drawn into this hallucination that will rob me of the last shreds of sanity I possess. I’ll finish this note to myself on this crazy parchment before my damn pen runs out of ink and hide it between the rocks in the wall. I will return home to my mother and my best friend Amy. And most importantly, I will not, under any circumstances, fall in love with a handsome stranger who dresses as a knight of old and who might fulfill every romantic notion that has ever crossed my mind. Obviously I’m dreaming this whole dang nightmare.

Jenna Sinclair
San Francisco, California

TFMH 72dpi-1500x2000 Jenna Sinclair and Fletcher Monroe are characters in Sherry Ewing’s just released novel To Follow My Heart: The Knights of Berwyck, A Quest Through Time Novel (Book Three).

Blurb:

Love is a leap. Sometimes you need to jump…

After a gut wrenching break up with her fiancé, Jenna Sinclair heads to the coast to do a little soul searching. To say everything is subject to change is putting it mildly. Her world is not only turned upside down, but pretty much torn asunder when she is pulled through a time gate on the beach beneath the Cliff House and transported more than eight hundred years into the past.

Fletcher Monroe, captain of the garrison knights at Berwyck Castle, has wasted too much time pining for a woman who will never be his. When he finally decides to move on with his life and focus on his duties, he is suddenly confronted with a woman who magically appears at his feet. This could either be the best thing that has ever happened to him or another cursed event in a string of many. He soon finds he is wildly attracted to her, but she’s scared to death of him ─ not a very encouraging beginning.

From the shores of California to twelfth century England and back again, Jenna and Fletcher must find a way to reconcile their two different worlds before Time forever tears them apart.

Buy Links:

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_DSF0006 Sherry picked up her first historical romance when she was a teenager and has been hooked ever since. A bestselling author, she writes historical & time travel romances to awaken the soul one heart at a time. Always wanting to write a novel but busy raising her children, she finally took the plunge in 2008 and wrote her first Regency. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, the Beau Monde & the Bluestocking Belles. Sherry is currently working on her next novel and when not writing, she can be found in the San Francisco area at her day job as an Information Technology Specialist. You can learn more about Sherry’s work here on her page with the Bluestocking Belles or on the following social media outlets:

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Dispatches from Spain

By Caroline Warfield

On May 28, 2016

In Bluestocking Belles, Caroline Warfield, Teatime Tattler

Teatime Tattler, January 1814

Out troops continue to make a good showing, chasing forces of the little Corsican back where they belong. It will not, one thinks, be long now. While many have given with blood and treasure to bring glory to England, we have reported before that fail their duty. This paper has never failed to report such dereliction when it comes our attention and to bring public shame on them miscreants. I draw the reader’s attention to recent examples.

—One Lt. D lured a certain Miss W., who had been hired as nursemaid to officers’ families safely billeted in Lisbon, from her post one evening. The young lady did not return and is reputed to followed the Lieutenant in the train of camp followers when troops moved north, her disgrace at his hands now permanent.

—The well known episode of an entire company of men who deserted their post when rumors of a liberated wine seller came to light, failed to appear on time to face the frogs at Roncesvalles does not bear repeating. A description of their punishment would not be fit for ladies’ eyes.

—Captain L., officer though he may have been, was shot for desertion, having fled the field and hid in the hills during action in the Pyrenees.

Sometimes, dear reader, we wrongly report. Rarely does this happen. When it does we make it right. Loyal readers may recall that we had reports, well verified reports, that a certain Major M., seen at the siege of San Sebastian, disappeared from his post and was rumored to have been discovered malingering in an inn along to the coast, probably in a drunken stupor.

By Camille Clère (1825-1918)

It pleases us to correct the error. We have been reliably informed that the gentleman is in fact recovering from wounds received at the hands of the vile French, and we are able to publish the name of this heroic soldier. Maj. Andrew Mallet left San Sebastian during the siege on a mission whose purpose is shrouded in mystery. Our source indicates that he is believed to have been captured and questioned by the French in a —here we beg the indulgence of our more gentle readers—“hell-hole.” His release was obtained through the heroic efforts of those soldiers closest to him and, it must be said, the expenditure of considerable amount in gold supplied by the Marquess of Glenaire, that fixture of Horse Guards, himself.

We have been unable to uncover any specifics about the mission that led to his capture, but rumors abound that the Marble Marquess himself may have ordered it. The presence of his private yacht off the coast during the daring raid to rescue Mallet gives credence to the rumor. If he was indeed responsible, his rescue efforts are to be applauded.

Servants have told our informant that the major suffered wounds “in every part of his body,” surely an exaggeration. They are adamant to a man that his head and face are swathed in bloody bandages, however, and one man swears he saw saber slashes across his chest when he delivered more linen.

Of the Marquess, we have no word. If he is present at the inn as rumors imply, he has either bribed or intimidated all witnesses into silence. One can only conclude he regrets his part in this horrific episode and does not wish his name bandied about.

Major Lord James Heyworth, hard riding cavalry officer and well-known rakehell, has been seen visiting the bedside, It appears the three of them have been friends since Harrow, along with the Earl of Chadbourn who returned from the Peninsula to take up his responsibilities upon the death of his father last hear. School ties run deep.

We await the start of the spring campaign and hope for an end to the madness caused by the French emperor.

DangerousWorks_600x900 copy Dangerous Works
Andrew Mallet recovered from those wounds and returned, badly scarred, to service, only to suffer even greater injuries at Waterloo. The war over, he sold out and went home to Cambridge, seeking healing for his wounds and peace for his soul. His only desire was work that would have made his father, a classics scholar, proud. A determined woman had other ideas. What happened? You can read his story in Dangerous Works.

As to the others, the Marble Marquess meets his match in Dangerous Weakness, Jamie Heyworth confronts his demons in Dangerous Secrets, and the Earl of Chadbourn finds a partner he can lean on n A Dangerous Nativity.

For more about their stories see:

http://www.carolinewarfield.com/
http://www.amazon.com/l/B00N9PZZZS/

Or their Pinterest Boards

https://www.pinterest.com/warfieldcaro/dangerous-works-1816/
https://www.pinterest.com/warfieldcaro/dangerous-weakness-1818/
https://www.pinterest.com/warfieldcaro/dangerous-secrets-1820/

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Buying Beauty at the Royal Exchange

By Aunt Augusta

On May 20, 2016

In Bluestocking Belles, Jessica Cale, Teatime Tattler

Whilst renovating Somerton House in St. James, Lady Somerton discovered this 17th century pamphlet advertising some of the cosmetics available for purchase at the Royal Exchange. As an avid reader of the Tea Time Tattler, Lady Somerton passed it on to us for the amusement of our readers. Many of these are still used today, but others, thankfully, have gone quite out of fashion.

We live in a remarkable age. Once restricted to only the highest echelons of society, cosmetics are now widely available and can be purchased on any income at the newly rebuilt Royal Exchange. While increased trade has improved food and fashion, it has also brought many new beautifying products to London, so even modest ladies and domestic servants can afford to take home a little bit of luxury. Improve your complexion and your prospects with our list of the best cosmetics available at the ‘Change:

Flower Waters–Orange flower water is not the only tonic that will improve your complexion. Erase freckles with a cowslip wash, or turn back the hands of time with May’s first dew, gathered and preserved in fluted glass. Miss Elysabeth Henshawe of Southwark sells rose tonics and salves that it is claimed are the secret to the legendary beauty of the Henshawe sisters. Purchase some for yourself and carry the lush scent of roses with you wherever you tread.

Ceruse–correct imperfections and fill in pockmarks with this miracle powder beloved of royalty and courtesans alike. The Royal Exchange stocks all grades including the much coveted Venetian ceruse that boasts the highest lead content in the known world. Though the Royal Society has noted that people involved in its manufacture tend to suffer cramps and blindness, this should not concern you as the efficacy of this product far outweighs any theoretical risks.

Mouse Skin Eyebrows–Ceruse has a depilatory effect, so if you find yourself in need of eyebrows, purchase some made of mouse skin. Simply affix with a little gum and carry on, and no one will be the wiser.

Depilatories–If ceruse does not eliminate any unwanted hair, a simple depilatory can be made by mixing cat dung and vinegar. Do not have a cat? Never fear! The Royal Exchange stocks many potent alternatives that will suffice.

Top Tip: If your income will not stretch to ceruse, a similar effect can be achieved with a dusting of alabaster powder or starch over oily skin.

Cochineal–Once you have created a flawless complexion, add a rosy flush with cochineal. This can be purchased as a powder or in Spanish paper for simple application to lips or cheeks.

Blue crayon–This product is an essential feature of many ladies’ dressing tables for a reason. Not only can it be used on lids to emphasize a pair of fine eyes, but it can be used to draw veins on the bosom to create the appearance of a pale, translucent complexion.

Alabaster crayons–New arrival from Marseilles. Composed of the finest alabaster, these crayons come in every color that occurs in nature and a fair few that do not. Use on eyes, cheeks, and lips for an effect as bold or demure as you desire.

Belladonna drops–When applied to the eyes, this magical plant dilates pupils and adds shine to mimic the flattering effects of candlelight or attraction. It has the added benefit of unfocusing the eyes, so any unpleasantness melts away into a lovely haze until the product wears off.

Patches–Lady Castlemaine is never without hers. Follow her advice and wear one every day except for when in mourning, of course. Cut from silk and taffeta, they come in an array of shapes from moons and stars to tiny coaches complete with horses. The Royal Exchange receives new deliveries of these daily and they are a refined way to express yourself, your loves, or your loyalties.

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You can read more about cosmetics, shopping, and the intricacies of seventeenth century life in Jessica Cale’s historical romance series, The Southwark Saga.

Website: http://www.dirtysexyhistory.com
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Jessica-Cale/e/B00PVDV9EW

Scandal at the Masquerade Ball

By Aunt Augusta

On April 23, 2016

In Bluestocking Belles, Nicole Zoltack, Teatime Tattler

Gentle readers, I do hope you will not be in too great of an uproar when I tell you this, but I am most certain that there was a great deal of scandalous behavior that occurred at the most recent masquerade ball.

Now, when one wears a mask, the propensity to engage in shocking and outrageous behavior might be tempting, but that does not mean one should give in, and give in I feel certain did happen. Why, I saw several ladies, including one in particular, who spent the entire night talking to a man. Talking and laughing and looking positively too comfortable. This lady had no chaperone with her that I could tell. If her mother only realized the kind of behavior her daughter was engaging in…

But there was another lady too, who, honestly, did not quite seem to fit in. She kept to herself, likewise without a chaperone, but then I spied her dancing with a strapping tall man. They seemed to have eyes for no other, and at one point, I even saw her lift her mask to reveal her face to him!

Now I know just about everyone who is anyone, and I can assuredly tell you, my dear readers, that I did not recognize this lady. My mind continually only goes in one direction—that the lady was no lady at all. But who could she have been?

The man she spent time with seemed beside himself after the lady-who-might-not-be-a-lady left and shortly thereafter departed from the masquerade ball himself. Whether the two will ever cross paths again, I do not know, but I must confess to being disappointed he did not lift his mask as well. I would very much be interested to know who he was, as well as the first lady and her gentleman… friend.

I will be certain to keep an eye open to see if I cannot spy the lady somewhere. I do think it is possible to find love at such a ball—I, myself, in my youth had done the same—but love is not always enough nowadays, it is sad to say.

When, not if, I learn more, I will be sure to share it with you, good readers, do not fret.

Your humble servant,

A concerned masquerade attendee

The masked man and the lady who reveals her face are the main characters in Masked Love.

MASKED LOVE

Isabelle will do anything for her lady, even accompany her to a masquerade ball. Lady Theodosia needs extra support for tomorrow she will meet the man her par-ents have pledged her to.

Meeting an enchanting young man during the course of the evening makes Isabelle wish for a life she can never have. Imagine her shock when he shows up the next morning, announcing his claim on Lady Thedosia.

Torn between duty and desire, Isabelle hopes for something more this Christmas.

Heat: PG

Regency Christmas novella

Series: Beyond Boundaries #1

Price: 0.99

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Kobo ~ iBooks

Nicole is one of the Belles. You can learn more about her here.

Out of Place & Time

By Sherry Ewing

On April 16, 2016

In Bluestocking Belles, Sherry Ewing, Teatime Tattler

background

Riorden de Deveraux slammed to the floor with the wind knocked out of him. He growled in outrage, threw his cape out of his way and put forth his sword ready to encounter the fool who dared to take him unawares.

Kitty Packe by Sir William Beechey 1753-1839 A startled gasp rang out and a young woman, oddly attired in a type of gown he was unfamiliar with, all but ran from behind a counter in his direction. She appeared frantic and Riorden once more looked about him for the danger that surely plagued him and the woman who rushed to his side.

Seeing nothing imminent that he should fear, lest ’twas a bookshelf that would topple over upon him, he sheathed his sword and took in his surroundings. By God’s Wounds! Where was he and how did he get in a place filled with books of all places? Last he remembered he was in the middle of a siege at Berwyck Castle near the Scottish boarder.

“My Lord de Deveraux.” The woman spoke his name as if they had met afore but he had no recollection of her, nor of this place.

“I am but a knight, my lady, and have not assumed my father’s title,” Riorden declared, not wishing to think of his father and Marguerite together.

The woman nodded and took his arm. He must be losing his edge if this slight little miss did not fear him. “Yes, yes…of course. I really must insist that you come with me, sir knight.” She looked over to a room full of people. “We would not want you to encounter your other self now would we? It could mess with the whole time continuum.”

Riorden’s brow rose. The woman’s mind was surely addled. “Have we met?” he asked warily.

She gave a pleasant enough smile. “We will one day…with the exception of meeting now I suppose. I know this seems a little confusing but I have someone who can straighten this all out for you. I am Lady Constance Whittles, by the way. I work for Mrs. Marlowe, the owner of this establishment.”

“My lady,” he murmured with a hasty bow, still unsure of this woman who seemed desperate to usher him to a remote area of the bookshop. He had no time to dally with a woman this day. He must needs return to Berwyck to guard the Devil’s Dragon of Blackmore, not that Dristan could not do so himself.

Lady Constance came to a door that she opened and waved at him to enter. “She is just inside, Lord de Deveraux.”

He frowned, both over the title and his puzzlement over the situation he found himself in. “Who is?”

“You shall see.” With the slightest push, Riorden found the door closing, almost slamming shut on his sorry arse.

He stared, opened mouthed, at the woman sitting behind a desk. She set her quill down, crossed her legs covered in curious blue hose, and clapped her hands in glee. “Riorden! How good to see you again. Oh! Would you look at that, you’re younger than the last time we met.”

“We have not met afore, madam. I am sure I would remember you had we done so,” he declared through pursed lips. A giggle escaped her; the woman must be as daft as the Lady Constance.

“Have a seat.”

“I think not,” he answered, folding his arms across his chest.

“So stubborn. Why I created such a trait in you is beyond me,” she mumbled more to herself than for him to overhear he supposed.

“Who are you?” Riorden demanded. “Why have you summoned me here, witch? You must needs return me to Berwyck posthaste.

She began playing with the feather on the quill. “What part of your question should I answer first?” She smiled and sat there as patiently as could be as though she had all of Time to await his answer.

Riorden fumed. “Who are you?” he asked again.

“I’m your author, of course.”

“What?” he shouted.

“Gosh you’re gorgeous when you get all riled up. Temper flaring, blue eyes blazing. Dang I did a good job with you. No wonder Katherine is going to fall in love with you.”

“Just who the bloody hell is Katherine?”

Attachment-1 “You’ve been dreaming of her,” the lady declared calmly. “A woman, not of your time, comes to you when you sleep. Short, blue-green eyes, tawny colored hair. She’s been doing the same with you since she was a small child.”

“H-how did you come by such information,” he sputtered. He had not told anyone of the dreams he had been having of late. They had disturbed him for the woman was much like a ghost haunting his every waking hour.

“I told you, I’m your author. Of course, I know everything about the both of you. I’m sorry I had to put you through so much with Marguerite but she was never meant for you. Your life will be tied to another.”

“You know nothing of my feelings for Marguerite.”

“Yes, I do, but that doesn’t matter now. I just wanted to meet with you briefly to let you know that all will be right in your world soon. I’d also appreciate it if you’d get out of my head in the middle of the night and stop grumbling about how to write what’s going on at this very moment. It’s very irritating when we could have had this conversation during normal working hours.”

“You are a witch,” Riorden said crossing himself and unsure what this woman would spout about next. “You are jesting with me and I do not like it. Return me from whence I came.

“Funny thing about a quill,” she continued examining the writing instrument as if she didn’t hear him. “I always plan on my stories to go one way but you characters always pull me in other directions. You told me we were connected recently, that you could feel my need. Well, that’s why I’m here to end your hurt and disappointment over Marguerite. You will be given your heart’s desire, Riorden. You just have to be a little patient.”

She stood and came over to him. Afore he knew what she was about, she pulled upon his armor, rose on the tips of her feet and kissed both his cheeks. She then held his face between her hands staring up into his eyes.

“I will live on through you, Riorden, long after I have left this mortal world. The words I’ve written about your life, and the others who will follow you, will be found forevermore between the pages of my books. Thank you for being a part of that. Be happy, Riorden, that you will one day find a love to cherish for all time. Not everyone can be so blessed.”

One moment he was in a far off distant land with that strange woman, and the next he was dodging a mace aimed straight at his head. Thrust back into the heat of battle, he would credit his hallucination to the cut that slashed across his forehead and not the ridiculous notion that he had just somehow traveled through time. Mayhap, he had even dreamt the whole damn thing…

Hearts Across Time -72dpi-1500x2000 Riorden de Deveraux can be found in Sherry Ewing’s special edition box set, Hearts Across Time (The Knights of Berwyck, A Quest Through Time Novel (Books 1 & 2) available for just $0.99. He is also a secondary character in Sherry’s debut novel If My Heart Could See You that is the beginning of her Knights of Berwyck, A Quest Through Time series. Lady Constance Whittles is a secondary character in Under the Mistletoe that is also available as of May 8, 2016.

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