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A Questionable Bride for our Illustrious Viscount

By

On March 26, 2025

In Teatime Tattler

Dear Readers,

A letter has arrived with alarming news regarding the pending nuptials of Viscount H and Miss E T. One can scarce believe our finest citizen is bound to someone with so much unresolved mystery surrounding them.

Do read on and decide for yourselves!

Dear Mr. Clemens,

As all members of the ton will be aware, Lord H, Munro’s most influential gentleman, has chosen to cast his eye beyond our proud city and found his bride in the nondescript country town of Ermenbrough.

Miss E T’s father is a wealthy merchant, sans title or connections other than the fact that his bespoke furniture is admired by our Regent. Miss T has been selected to be the new viscountess despite the availability of a myriad worthy daughters from good families in our great northern city.

One can only wonder what sort of negotiations must have occurred between the viscount and Mr. T for the banns to be called in the young lady’s absence and for her to arrive in Munro only ten days before the wedding. How confident can his lordship be in his choice when he has not yet met his bride?

But that is not the worst of it. I have it on good authority that even the simple arrival of the young lady was not without incident. There is talk of a carriage accident, necessitating her to spend the night alone in the woods and then be rescued in the morning by a farmer and his wife on their way to market. I cannot be the only sensible voice in Munro who questions such a story.

It is far more likely that Miss T was not, in fact, alone. Either she is not of the delicate constitution that one would wish for in a fine lady, or she was given assistance during her time in the woods. It was, I recall, a particularly rainy night, and cold. How did she not catch a chill in such conditions? Was there truly a carriage accident at all or was the coachman bribed to allow her a secret rendezvous?

It would not surprise me in the least if she had some country lad who pined for her and could not bear to be parted from her. What if she is no longer all she should be? Does Lord H not deserve a bride whose virtue is without question?

I am sorry to say, but it seems his lordship has chosen poorly. We can only hope no further shocking discoveries are made regarding her character. After all, Lord H’s estate needs an heir, and the question of this heir’s parentage must be beyond reproach.

Let us hope this stranger in our midst, who takes our most eligible gentleman as her prize, does not bring shame to his family, and, thereby, to our fine city.

If anyone has more information before his lordship is bound in marriage next Friday, let them speak up.

A concerned citizen

Ellena’s Secret

An arranged marriage, sight unseen. Or have they met before?

George Howell, a viscount and the most eligible bachelor in Munro, has almost given up on finding a bride. The ladies of the ton only want him for his title, mocking him behind his back for his tongue-tied ways. So when he hears of Ellena Trenton—beautiful, unjaded, and raised to know her duty—he seizes the chance to claim a wife who might accept him as he is.

Ellena believes herself fated to repeat her parents’ joyless marriage. When her ambitious father negotiates her betrothal to Lord Howell, without her even having met him, it seems her worst fears are about to come true. But fate has other plans. As she reluctantly journeys to the city of Munro, a carriage accident leaves her stranded overnight in a woodland cabin with a handsome stranger.

Torn between duty and the stirrings of real feeling, Ellena faces a new challenge when her unscrupulous cousin, driven by greed, stirs up trouble with the viscount. With both her engagement and any hope of a happy marriage at risk, a desperate Ellena decides to take matters into her own hands, with disastrous results.

Lord Howell finds his betrothed a lot more trouble than he expected. What is worse, he suspects her heart lies elsewhere. If only they had had a chance to make a proper first impression… But maybe, just maybe, they can start again.

To be released on 28 March (available now to pre-order)

Buy Link

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSQHVQSL

Ellena’s Secret is Book 2 in the 5-book “Ladies of Munro” series.

Ladies of Munro
1) Sophia’s Letter
2) Ellena’s Secret
3) Verity’s Choice (due for release in June)
4) Jillian’s Wild Heart (Due for release in September)
5) Irene’s Fall (Due for release in December)

Note: This series is part of Dragonblade’s Sweet Dreams line, so this is a sweet, wholesome Historical Romance where passion beyond the bedroom door is left to the reader’s imagination.

 About the Author

Elizabeth Donne writes award-winning sweet Regency romance, a natural outpouring of a lifelong love affair with English literature.

She has spent most of her life in Cape Town, South Africa. In 2015, Elizabeth moved to Iowa with her husband, their two children, two cats, and their African bush dog.

When she’s not writing, or discovering the secret wonders of the Midwest, she is enthusiastically introducing her visitors to the joys of drinking rooibos tea. With a biscuit, of course.

Social Media Links:

Website and newsletter signup: https://www.elizabethdonnebooks.com

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/elizabethdonne

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093280712789

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elizabeth-donne

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/35270040.Elizabeth_Donne

 

 

A Scurrilous Jade

By

On March 8, 2025

In Teatime Tattler

Dear Readers, a letter has arrived with a warning for the ladies and gentlemen of the haute ton. One wonders what to think about this! I of course share it with you and allow you to make your own judgement.

Scandal in the Country!

My Dear Mr. Clemens,

In all my years I have never seen such scandalous behavior on the part of the ladies and gentlemen who it seems are no better than they should be.

I write to apprise your readers of a certain widowed countess who is simply not received by the quality, at least not the quality in the neighborhood of R. Manor where, I shall call her Lady C, made her home, if one might call that den of iniquity a home.

Now, it has come to my attention that she has in fact been trying to reestablish herself in London society! This is some sort of attempt to rehabilitate her reputation, of all things.

In fact, her behavior was so shoddy that the late Lord C is rumored to have disinherited her in a new will executed shortly before his death. Shockingly, the will has disappeared!

One must certainly suspect that Lady C. has found some way to make the document vanish. In fact, one wonders if she had a hand in Lord C’s demise at such a young age, as well as the death of one of the witnesses to the signing of the will and the disappearance of the other witness.

Lord C’s heir is expected to arrive from his travels abroad at any moment and we, his neighbors expect that he will take matters in hand and show the world the true face of this scurrilous jade.

Do not be fooled, good people of London, by a pretty face and an appearance of gentility. I am sure you will know about whom I am writing.

Sincerely,

A Respectable Hampshire Matron

Her Impeccable Scoundrel

Anxious to save a cherished inheritance, Blythe Blatchfield, widowed Countess of Chilcombe, knows she must repair her reputation with the Beau Monde in order to face the powerful marquess challenging her dissolute husband’s will. She vows to resist handsome rogues like her late husband, and to never again give her trust so blithely. But when the new earl, absent from England for many years, finally appears, new rumors swirl around Blythe. Facing the loss of everything, she finds herself needing the help of an old enemy, the man whose interference years earlier led to her unhappy marriage, the new Earl of Chilcombe.

Called back to England to take up his late cousin’s title, diplomat Graeme Blatchfield is eager to see his cousin’s widow and learn for himself whether the rumors about the woman he once held a childish infatuation for are true. Having plunged into marriage with the last earl—Graeme’s fault for revealing their tryst—she’s been tainted by her husband’s decadence.  Forced by matters of the estate to spend time together, he soon discovers the vulnerable and lonely woman underneath the society mask. Can he get her to forgive him—and more?

Available for Preorder

Her Impeccable Scoundrel is Book 44 in the Wicked Widows League multi-author series.

Release Day is 11/18/25

Buy Link

https://books2read.com/HerImpeccableScoundrel

About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Alina K. Field earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and German literature but prefers the happier world of romance fiction. Her roots are in the Midwestern U.S., but after six very, very, very cold years in Chicago, she moved to Southern California where she shares a midcentury home with a golden-eyed terrier and a feisty chihuahua and only occasionally misses snow.

Social Media Links:

Website: https://alinakfield.com/

Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Alina-K.-Field/e/B00DZHWOKY

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BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/alina-k-field

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Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/alinakf/

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What was happening in Lincoln?

By

On March 5, 2025

In Teatime Tattler

Dear readers, we interrupt our regular gossip column this week, to bring you a bit of delicious reporting from our archives.

Back in the day, before we even had periodicals, when messages were passed by memory and entrusted to messengers on horseback, our old medieval forbears were facing a problem.

If you paid attention in finishing school or listened to your governess, you might recall a little period of tumultuous fighting amongst the English, known as ‘the Anarchy’. For about twenty years during the 1100s, King Stephen and his wife Queen Matilda, fought against Empress Maud for the English crown, and control of the country.

One the key battles in their campaigns happened in Lincoln, in February, 1141. Our little gossip pertains to a young woman of humble origin, a baker’s daughter, Bronwyn Blakenhale. From what we hear, this young woman and her father, accepted an ordinary order for bread rolls from an aristocrat.

The only problem is that when the poor girl delivered the rolls to the castle, she spotted someone tinkering with the rolls, and despite raising a fuss, Miss Blakenhale’s protests were overlooked. Ignored, from the sounds of it.

Is it any surprise then, dear reader, that the rolls ended up killing the very same nobleman who placed the order, and made another man ill? For the bread was poisoned. If only people had listened to the fair young Bronwyn.

Some people thought it was all a plan by the nobleman to poison the king and queen at dinner. And who better than to blame the bakers from outside the castle? Others believed that it was the pair of bakers themselves who sought to do away with the royal couple, and blame it on the nobleman.

Who can people believe when the nobleman himself is dead? And all because of a bit of bread.

We know what happened, and so can you. At the time, Miss Blakenhale’s father was imprisoned, for the royal couple needed to enact justice and punishment in some way. Although our historians tell us that the queen herself gave Miss Blakenhale the task of finding out who really poisoned the bread rolls, if she wanted to truly prove her father’s innocence.

But that’s not all. Our sources tell us that Miss Blakenhale has not one, but two admirers, who are both vying for her attention. Could she lose her heart along the way? For if there’s one thing we love, it’s a bit of romantic distraction.

Did Miss Blakenhale save her father from the noose? Did she find out who attempted to kill the king and queen? Did Miss Blakenhale survive the historic Battle of Lincoln?

Read on and find out in Winter’s Poison.

Winter’s Poison

Bronwyn Blakenhale’s world is about to turn upside down. A young baker who wants a bit of independence from her simple life in twelfth-century Lincoln, she gets involved in courtly politics when an expensive order for bread rolls leaves one man dead at the king’s table, and all fingers point at her and her father.

With her father imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, Bronwyn is tasked by the queen to find out who poisoned the rolls and likely meant to kill the royal family. But with her father surrounded by men loyal to the opposing empress, spies afoot in the castle, and a poisoner on the loose, Bronwyn’s time is short. Now, if only she didn’t have young men like the squire Rupert to distract her.

Rupert Bothwell, the squire of a knight, has a friendly smile for everyone, including a beautiful lady at court who admires him, but he insists on walking Bronwyn home at night. Is he just being chivalrous or is there something more? But Bronwyn has more to deal with, as a childhood friend steps in to help her family’s bakery and makes it clear he doesn’t want her friendship, but her heart.

From feuding factions and turncoat knights at court to castle prisons and an invading army on the horizon, Bronwyn must find the killer and prove her father’s innocence—or lose all that she holds dear. In a world dominated by intrigue and murder, Bronwyn might just surprise everyone and prove that she is no ordinary baker.

Buy Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Winters-Poison-Medieval-Historical-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0DTWVCYT5?ref_=ast_author_mpb

Author bio

E.L.Johnson is an ex-pat from Concord, Mass, now living in the UK. She is currently an author with Dragonblade Publishing and recently finished a five-book historical mystery series set in Georgian-era England. Last year, one of her short stories was nominated for Best of the Net anthology, and she was a guest speaker for the Writer’s Workout first annual writing conference. For the second year in a row, she was a volunteer reader for the Orwell Youth Prize for the longlist and shortlisted entries. Johnson is a member of the Hertford Writers’ Circle and runs the London Seasonal Book Club, a monthly book club with over 3500 members.

Social media links

Twitter: @ELJohnson888 or https://twitter.com/ELJohnson888

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theELJohnson/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/eljohnson_writes/?hl=en

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alecto99

Follow ELJohnson on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/E.L.-Johnson/author/B019M4GDU0?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18090432.E_L_Johnson

And bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/e-l-johnson

 

 

 

What Happened Behind Closed Doors?

By

On February 19, 2025

In Teatime Tattler

Dateline June 1818

Dear Readers,

We interrupt our regular discussion of events in the metropolis to relay a report from one of our correspondents in the country. We hope our readers recall the hullaballoo that occurred at the Duke of C’s starlight ball in April, but in case any have forgotten, allow us to remind you that Lady H was caught kissing the newly-married Col. L. This is no speculation, but incontrovertible fact, having been witnessed by many persons of note. Naturally, Lady H’s family packed her off to the country—specifically, to a vicarage in Lancashire occupied by her brother, Lord F.

One might have hoped that Lady H had learned her lesson, but such seems not to be the case. This author has been informed that during Lady H’s very own birthday celebration, she disappeared from the ballroom in the company of a young curate, Mr. B. We would not wish to think ill of any man of a cloth, but Mr. B and Lady H were gone from the ballroom for nearly a quarter of an hour. Rumor has it they were closeted together in an empty chamber; one can only speculate as to what transpired therein.

What happened behind closed doors may forever remain a mystery, but this author wonders if Lady H, having already soiled her good name, is now flaunting propriety entirely. Perhaps she is willing to offer liberties to any good-looking man who desires them. A shocking thing to imply about a peer’s daughter, you say? Indeed, but some misadventure must have occurred. Why else would Mr. B abruptly depart from the gathering, without a word of farewell to any of the other guests?

Our correspondent also reports that when Lady H returned to the ballroom, she appeared pale and distraught. Indeed, it was bruited about that she had been indisposed by a “bad headache.” But we question whether a mere headache—no matter how painful—could account for all the concern shown by her family. Her brother, Lord F, was observed looking “surprisingly grim,” while the hostess of the party (reputedly Lady H’s natural cousin!) spent the rest of the evening hovering by Lady H’s side.

Altogether, we think a scandal may be brewing in this rural corner of Lancashire. Indeed, moments before this article was to go to press, a second letter arrived, announcing a fire in the village. One might assume this new disaster was unrelated to the mysterious disturbance at the birthday party, were it not for one intriguing fact: the young curate, Mr. B, had his lodgings in the house that burned down!

Could there be some connection between the two events? Only time will tell, but be sure that when it does, The Teatime Tattler will keep its loyal readers informed!

The Incident at Ingleton

A lady in possession of a bad reputation must be in want of a reputable husband…

After a heartbreaking public scandal, Lady Hester Bracknell flees London and the ton to live with her brother in the country. In rural Ingleton, she meets two very different young men: dashing Neville Butler, a curate with an interest in philanthropy, and serious, bespectacled Walter Haworth, scion of a wealthy merchant family. Hester needs to avoid all romance, lest she further damage her reputation, but sometimes love has other plans…

Walter Haworth is hot on the trail of the criminal who embezzled money from his families’ holdings. His search unwittingly leads him to his cousins’ country estate where an unexpected gathering may hold the answers – and criminal – he seeks. He can’t afford any distractions, but Lady Hester Bracknell may derail his mission in the best of ways…

Coming from different social classes and driven by different interests, Hester and Walter seem to have nothing in common. But as the social gatherings of a little country town continually bring them together, they might find love, if they can move past unfavorable first impressions.

Excerpt:

Not wanting to overdress for a country dinner, she donned a simple white muslin gown. She reached into her jewelry box for her garnet heart pendant, then hesitated. Simon had given the necklace to her as a love-token. He’d led her out to a moonlit garden, clasped the golden chain around her neck, and kissed her. She’d gone to bed that night with a heart overflowing with joy, certain that a proposal would soon be forthcoming.

No, she could not wear that pendant now. Maybe never again.

Tears stung her eyes, but she held them back, knowing that crying would worsen her headache. Besides, she couldn’t go down to dinner with reddened eyes or a tear-stained face. Everyone would see her distress, and wonder what was wrong. She couldn’t allow that. No one in Ingleton was supposed to know about Simon or the scandal that had driven Hester out of London.

Hester firmly closed the drawer holding the pendent, wishing she could as easily close the door on all the mistakes of the past six months. Instead of the little red heart, she donned a necklace of coral beads. That would be ornament enough. She studied her reflection one last time, nodded, and forced herself up from her chair. Time to go play the part of a proper young lady.

Buy Links:

https://www.amazon.com/Incident-Ingleton-Regency-Historical-Romance-ebook/dp/B0DPJM9N1H

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-incident-at-ingleton-anne-rollins/1146717231

About the Author

Anne Rollins is the pen name of an English professor who lives in Northern California with her family, her pets, and an enormous collection of books. She is a fan of Diana Wynne Jones and Jane Austen, two authors who have influenced her writing. Today, she writes both sweet and spicy historical romance, sometimes blended with other genres. The Incident at Ingleton is the third book in the “Beau Monde Secrets” series of closed-door, standalone Regency romances with mystery subplots.

Social Media Links:

https://www.instagram.com/annerollins23

https://www.threads.net/@annerollins23

https://bsky.app/profile/annerollins23.bsky.social

Where will the wicked duke go next?

By

On February 14, 2025

In Jude Knight, Teatime Tattler

It seems that the Duke of R. is settled in Spain. Or, rather, in the little principality of Respomuso, in the Pyrenean Mountains. Several travelers recently returned to England called at the castle in the tiny country’s one major town, to pay their respects to the royal Princesa and her guardian and uncle the Duque de Respomuso. R., they say, appears to be a fixture in the castle.

Readers will remember that the duke left for overseas after an insult to a very important personage indeed–a gentleman of the highest rank. It was the last straw. R. had seduced the daughters, wives, and mistresses of too many of Society’s leaders, been drunk and obnoxious at too many balls and dinners, borrowed too much money without any intention of paying it. Then he was heard by the personage in question making unpleasant remarks about that personage’s girth, taste, and ability as a lover.

A message was delivered. It would be wise for R. to take a long voyage.

Has it benefitted his health, we ask? Not according to the travelers from whom we heard this story. His head is still on his shoulders, which must be accounted a win, but he has gambled, drank, and womanized his way through Europe until he has run out of welcome almost everywhere.

How long until the Duque, by all accounts a respectable man, suggests that his guest moves on?

The Duke’s Price

By Jude Knight

As a governess, Ruth Henwood has always put her pupils first, sometimes sacrificing her own interest. The choice facing her now could become the highest sacrifice of them all.

Two men want her as their mistress. The Duque de Respomuso plans to wed the Princesa Isabella, Ruth’s fourteen-year-old pupil, but promises not consummate the marriage if Ruth will come willingly to his bed. The Duke of Richport promises help her and Bella to escape Isabella’s tiny Pyrenean kingdom, but his price is the same.
Ruth’s decision must be guided by what is best for Bella. No matter that one man repels her, but is widely admired as a wise ruler and a good man, and one man attracts her, but is well known to be wicked to the core.

Preorder for 1st April: https://books2read.com/u/4A0gGK

Excerpt from the Duke’s Price

Ruth Henwood was stuck like a rat in a barrel, and the Duque de Respomuso had his guns fully loaded and aimed. She could run, of course, but that would leave her pupil Bella to her uncle’s non-existent mercies. Besides, he would send people after her, and she doubted she would even make the border.
If she took Bella with her, she would ensure the recapture of them both, for he would leave no stone unturned until he had his princess back again. She was his sister’s daughter, and without her, he had no legitimate role in the principality’s government.
Her other choices were even less palatable. She could continue to refuse the Duque’s advances, but only for as long as he allowed her to do so—she could tell he was losing patience, and one day she fully expected him to take her by force. Probably somewhere in private, for he was still enamoured of his own reputation as the kindly uncle who loved his niece and fought to save her from the evils of Napoleon’s army.
Refusing him would not protect Bella, either. As her legal guardian, he had given consent to their marriage. A man approaching forty. Bella was only fourteen. Furthermore, she did not like her uncle. “He makes my skin crawl, Ruth,” she said. “And he is mean. He beats his servants. Also, he is disrespectful, not only to me, but to you and to Mother Caterina.”
Mother Caterina was the mother superior of the town’s convent of Carmelite nuns, and member of the Council that had ruled the principality during the war.
Bella was correct. The Duque acted like a gentleman when he was being watched by men of status, but in private, or when only women or servants could see him, he was rude, cruel, and offensive.
She had one chance to protect Bella. Except that she did not believe that would work either. He had made her a solemn promise—“On the bones of my sainted sister,” he said—that if she would come willingly to his bed, he would put off consummating his marriage to Bella.
Since Ruth had Bella’s word for it that her uncle had despised his sister, she had more than her instinct to say that his promise was not worth beans.
“Miss Henwood, good evening.”
The voice that interrupted her musing was far from welcome. Another duke. Another rake. The same intentions. Even if this duke, far from making her ill, had her all hot and bothered.

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