Category: Teatime Tattler Page 46 of 152

Dear readers,

This conversation was relayed to us by the person who overheard it firsthand, and just happens to be in our employ. You can be certain that person will keep us all well informed, since we know how much our readers love a scandal.

“I’m so glad you could visit today, Ivy.” Lady Furness took her friend’s hand and lead her from the parlor out into the rose garden of the Furness London home.

“Had I not received your note, I would have been on my way to the country. Honestly I thought I was the only person still in London so late in the summer.”

“No, I’ve been stranded here by my husband.” Julia Holmes, Lady Furness sniffled and dabbed at her dry eyes with a kerchief. “He seems to think that his business with the home office is the only important thing in the world. I’m tempted to ask if I could come with you when you do leave. Just to teach the dratted man a lesson.”

“Now Julia,” Ivy began to sooth her friend. “You are always welcome. . . .” She hurried to keep pace with her friend on the garden’s winding path.

“Yes, yes, I know. But we can discuss giving my husband his comeuppance later. I have the most urgent secrets to tell you.”

Ivy’s brows rose, and her expression took on an avid cast. “Really? Secrets? Do tell.”

Julia cast a quick look about the rose garden. “Not until we get to the table and serve tea. I had tea set up in this garden because it is the most private place I could think of. Absolutely no one must know. Besides you and I, and my cousin Lady Enid MacShennan, who wrote me of this impending disaster.”

With those words they arrived at a gazebo near the far end of the garden.

“You have to tell me, Julia.”

Lady Furness shook her head and gestured to one of the two chairs flanking the tea trolley. “Sit, sit. I’ll serve and then we’ll talk.”

Ivy issued an impatient sigh but sat, tapping her foot while her friend poured the tea.

Finally when all was arranged, Julia took a sip of her beverage then set the cup and saucer back on the trolley.

“Ivy, do you recall my distant relation, Captain Brandon Gilroy?”

“What woman wouldn’t. Honestly Julia, the Captain is not only a highly regarded naval hero, rich from the many prizes he captured during the wars with Napoleon, but he has also been named heir to the Duke of Cowal–his uncle. The Captain is one of the most eligible bachelors in all Britain.”

“Yes, yes. I know all that. I just wanted to be certain you did.”

“Never tell me he’s about to announce his engagement? All the gels coming out next spring will be devastated.”

“No, I can’t tell you that. Although if Enid’s most recent letter is to be believed the engagement was to be announced next month.”

“I gather that is no longer the case?” Ivy leaned in closer to whisper the question.

Julia nodded.

“What happened?”

“According to Enid, everything was set for Captain Gilroy’s betrothal to Lady Miriam MacNaughton.”

“The Duke of Rockerd’s sister? That would unite two very powerful houses.”

“Yes, but Enid wrote that suddenly Captain Gilroy is balking.”

“Really? Miriam is beautiful, rich, well-connected and possessed of an excellent pedigree.”

“I know. However, Enid’s last letter stated that a strange woman arrived in the middle of the betrothal festivities. This female, with the very common name of Crobbin, claims to be the daughter of the current duke’s long, lost daughter, Mary Katherine.”

“The one who ran away from home because she discovered she was in an interesting condition?”

Julia cast her friend a sidewise glance. “That’s only a rumor, and has never been confirmed.”

“Hmmm, I suppose,” said Ivy. “But why else would Cowal have disowned her and forbidden his family to mention her name.”

“Not being privy to his grace’s confidence I could not say. What I can tell you is this upstart imposter has somehow ensnared Captain Gilroy in her net of schemes, and snatched him right out from under Lady Miriam’s nose.”

“Oh no.”

“Oh yes. Further, Enid wrote that Lady Miriam was so incensed that this Crobbin person had even been permitted into the duke’s home that she, Lady M, was threatening to leave the house if the woman was not removed instantly.”

“Did she?”

“Not as of Enid’s last letter to me.”

“Good, they young lady should not let a common trollop steal her fiancé.”

“Well, they had not signed the betrothal agreements. Although Lady Miriam was threatening to sue for breach of promise.”

“You and I both know that’s a ploy to buy time in which to discover how best to rid herself of the Crobbin person.”

“Indeed. Lady Miriam is no fool.”

“But it sounds like Captain Gilroy is a bit of a fool.” Ivy smirked.

“My relation is a man. Any man can be easily led astray by the right bait.”

“Well, you say the Crobbin person is common. That sort would never do as a future duchess unless she’s either wealthy or beautiful or both.”

“As far as Enid can tell this imposter has no fortune to speak of and is not half as beautiful as Lady Miriam. Why Enid’s description of the woman is that she’s skinny, excessively tall, and cursed with freckles as well as carroty orange hair. She does not dress well and her manners are only passable. Whatever can Captain Gilroy see in her?”

“An excellent question, Julia. Hopefully Enid’s next missive will reveal that, and the resolution to the problem before it becomes the scandal of the summer.”

“Do, please Ivy, remember that you are to tell no one.”

“Of course, I would never betray a confidence.”

Coming Soon: The Pirate Duchess – Duchess Series Book 2

She’s a famous pirate determined to rule her own life sailing the high seas. She’ll never be conquered by any man, or so she says. He’s a British naval captain bent on capturing her and seeing her hang for her crimes. When they meet the battle begins, but who conquers whom?

Watch for The Pirate Duchess, Duchess Series Book 2, coming in late 2022.

June 25th, 1850

Over the years, many in London Society have set scruples aside to visit Hampstead’s infamous Cortwood Manor. Sadly, this indulgence must come to an end. One acknowledges that the Brightley sisters have always danced just on the right side of propriety. With her masked ball, however, Lady Charmaine has at last taken matters too far. 

Lady Charmaine’s gaming tables have long been the toast of the ton. One admits to partaking of this harmless pleasure, in the name of charity for our beloved city’s deserving poor, of course. The Brightley sisters are rightly famed for their philanthropic endeavors, and so one might forgive Lady Charmaine for her eccentricities and avoidance of potential suitors. 

Or rather, such was the case before this masquerade. Whilst sampling Cortwood’s finest champagne, guests were subjected to the spectacle of Lady Charmaine dancing not once, not twice, but thrice with the same raven-haired gentleman. Comely enough, from what one could observe, he moved like an angel. But neither refined looks nor a talent for the art of the dance excuses his behavior. Pretty is as pretty does, as they say. 

Not only did this pair stare into one another’s eyes during the first waltz, but they threw all common sense aside with the mazurka. For the sake of those gentle souls unfamiliar with this dance, it is a most curious export from Eastern Europe. In the outrageous version on display at Cortwood, the gentleman lifts the lady. Now, pray turn your head for a moment if you feel faint, for this rogue placed both hands on Lady Charmaine’s waist to perform these sordid lifts. The impudence! One remembers a time when the mere mention of such a dance would have ruined a young woman. 

After this debacle, it remains to be seen if Lady Charmaine will suffer such a fate. And what will happen to her poor sisters, Lady Arabella and Lady Rosalind? Naturally, one doesn’t wish these innocent young women to suffer for the eldest sister’s mistakes. Nonetheless, the extent to which we overlook such unacceptable behavior in the young must make our poor queen swoon in despair. 

One supposes that Lady Charmaine’s careless disregard for the rules of decent society stems from the Brightleys having no family but for a lenient father. Given these unfortunate circumstances, our collective responsibility is to ensure these young women have stricter guidance henceforth. And if anyone is aware of the identity of the masked stranger who danced with Lady Charmaine, implore him to take the right course of action and propose. 

In the meantime, my fellow tattlers, take great precautions when visiting Cortwood Manor, lest you become the next center of a scandal.

Georgiana Dangicourt

The Duchess of Denberry

A duke with a past. A lady with no future. One magical night could change everything.

Charmaine Brightley will soon lose her place in the world. Her father is ill, and a distant male cousin is in line to inherit the family estate. In the meantime, guests flock to Lady Charmaine’s lavish parties and gaming tables, all designed to raise money for the “deserving” poor. However, if the ton were to discover the identities of the actual recipients of their philanthropy, the revelation would ruin Charmaine.

Not that Charmaine cares what anyone thinks. Ever since her devastating first year out in society, she has given up on love. As far as Charmaine is concerned, passion is a ridiculous dream, meant only for the young and foolish.

Until a dashing stranger appears at her masquerade, and their mutual desire catches fire.

After an ill-fated duel, Duke Konstantin “Kosta” Rostov abandoned Russia for England. Accustomed to privilege and power, Kosta is now a servant of a cruel stepfather. Determined to restore both his reputation and that of the family he shamed, Kosta sneaks away to a masquerade ball at Cortwood Manor, where he meets the alluring Charmaine Brightley.

For years, Duke Konstantin restricted his romantic affairs to discreet, worldly, and married women. Despite their thrilling connection, Kosta understands he has no place in Lady Charmaine’s life. So when his stepfather sends him back to Cortwood, Kosta can’t resist the opportunity to see her one more time. But Kosta’s stepfather has his reasons for pushing them together. And those plans could destroy Charmaine Brightley, the woman who has finally captured Kosta’s heart.

About the author, Halley Larkin

My new series features three free-spirited sisters preparing to leave an estate they love but cannot inherit. Along the way, their fates entangle with those of a disgraced duke, a missing heir, and a bold young earl. In February, Midnight Masquerade is on sale for $0.99. The novella prequel Maid Takes Marquess will release in March and is free for newsletter subscribers. You can sign up here: https://halleylarkin.com/subscribe.

When I’m not reading or writing, you might find me planning a costume for the next San Diego Comic-Con. I live in California with a spoiled tabby cat named Jonesy.