Is London’s newest arrival a distant relative of the Dowager Countess of F.? Or is she an imposter?

Dearest reader, your Teatime Tattler has been endeavouring to discover the truth. On the one hand, she has been introduced under the auspices of Lady F., and is chaperoned by Mrs. B., a distant relative of the F.’s. On the other, we have it on very good authority that the Earl of F. himself has disclaimed any association.

So who is Miss W.?

F. does not dance with, or even talk to her. Indeed, he appears to be making a push to ignore her existence. He was heard to tell a lady of his acquaintance that Miss W. was no relation of his, but merely a distant connection of his grandmother’s. And as we all know, the dowager countess was once the daughter of a shopkeeper.

We might conclude, then, that Miss W. is a cit, a mushroom, a social climber from the lower ranks. We need not consider the rumour that she is a street rat that Lady F. met in Bristol. Lady F. might have been born well below her current esteemed position in Society, but we think it unlikely to the point of impossible that she would embrace a denizen of the stews.

The other rumour we can instantly dismiss is that Miss W. is Lord F.’s mistress. For one thing, he would not install her in the same house as his grandmother. The idea is ridiculous. For another, he avoids the girl.

Whatever the truth, our readers may be certain that the Teatime Tattler will keep you informed.

Coming this month in Hot Duke Summer, The Worth of an Earl

Jen, a waif from the Bristol slums, rescues a wealthy lady from kidnappers. Against the objections of her grandson, the Earl of Frome, Lady Eloise insists on taking Jen to London.

Against his will, Frome falls in love with Jen. Just when he is ready to throw his reputation away for the sake of love, he uncovers a secret that changes everything.