Ruinous Secrets Revealed

Dearest Readers,

The Tattler has acquired personal letters exchanged during the late war between certain Marquis of R. and Lady R. F. Those letters are printed below for your delectation.

Lady R. F. undoubtedly did not have permission for this correspondence, regardless of how innocent the subject matter.

We are uncertain who should be taken to task for this very serious breach of propriety. The Marquis, The Lady, or perhaps the Lady’s parent Earl F. Regardless of who is to blame for allowing this indecorous correspondence, one thing is clear, only a very fast lady of dubious honor would participate in this activity. Hence, Lady R. F. is ruined, unless perhaps her parent can find a man willing to accept this fallen damsel as bride, or… is it possible, that The Marquis might be persuaded to come up to scratch and right all wrongs.

The letters follow:

Dear R… —

How is that new mare of yours, the one with the white forelock you said was so stubborn? I would venture to guess you have her in hand now. A black-and-white mongrel has attached himself to me, and though I welcome the company, I must leave him soon. More about that in a moment.

The fighting has been brutal, but Hermes has seen me through. He is a grand fellow, a horse in a thousand! For all the blood and gore—I shall spare you the details—the beauty of Portugal is not lost on me. The blue of the sky astonishes with its clarity and brilliance, the flowers and other vegetation abundant. You would enjoy it here! The local food is quite tasty, but most of all you would find the Spanish and Portuguese horses particularly compelling! These beasts are marvels of agility, speed, and courage. I would bring you home a dozen if only I could do so.

How are your stepsisters? Lady B…? Is F… treating you with any courtesy? Your talent with the horses is unparalleled, yet the earl seems to denigrate you at every turn. That disturbs me greatly.

Thank you for sending along that packet of tea and the two pairs of socks. Though it is beastly warm here, the socks have already proved their worth in keeping my feet dry.

In your last note, you asked what I miss the most. Scones would be one answer. Perhaps English ale another. But most especially, I miss you. Your laughter, your smiles, our gallops, your love of mischief… Should I not have said the latter? Ha! Perhaps not, but it is the truth.

I must keep this brief, as Napoleon has reportedly withdrawn some twenty- to thirty-thousand troops to the eastern front! Wellington is ecstatic, and we are marching from Portugal to Spain in a day or so. But before we leave, I must find a home for the dratted mongrel, for he is too gentle-natured and intelligent to be left to his own devices.

Stay well, Rosie! If all goes as it should, I shall be home by Christmas!

R…

Dear R… —

L… was almost caught delivering your letter to me! The earl entered the morning room just as she gave it over, and he asked, “What is that?”

I near died.

I dissembled by saying it appeared to be a letter from your sister, Susannah. He made a grimace, but did not pursue the subject further. I have never breathed such a sigh of relief. If he discovered we were corresponding… Horrors.

Lady P… of A… is coming along well now that we have arrived at an accord. She is brilliant and will make a fine hunter.

Someday, I would like to see the Portuguese sky as you described in your letter. All your descriptions of the animals and landscape make me want to venture from our corner of England.

Thank you so much for the hawk feather you sent in the note. I shall treasure it.

Lady Ch… and Lady Cl… are well, and though L… is anticipating her come out with great excitement, Cl… is not enthused, her nose buried deep those archeology books she treasures. Lady B… thrives, as well, though how she can continue to abide the earl, I cannot see. I will say, she stands up for the girls and myself when the earl demands too much of us.

Do you intend to bring any of these exceptional horses home with you? It sounds as if they would add much to your bloodstock.

I continue to miss you, for life at F… is flat without you and has offered few adventures since your departure.

How fervently I wish the war ended! And you home and safe.

Please do stay safe, dear friend. May you come home soon!

With warmest wishes,

R…

About the Book: An impossible choice…

Lady Rosamund Fielding hides a secret so terrible it could ruin her, her family, and Major General Lord Rhys Lansdowne, the man she loves. Rose and Rhys were inseparable in childhood—their friendship the one shining light in Rose’s dark upbringing.

Yet when Rhys proposes, Rose refuses, for he can never know her shameful truth.

Returned from the Napoleonic wars and now the Marquess of Ravenscroft, Rhys is determined to uncover the reason behind Rose’s rejection and win her hand and heart once and for all.

Meanwhile, Rose’s father, Earl Fielding, demands Rose accept Brigadier Viscount Pennworth’s marriage proposal, threatening dire consequences if she does not obey.

Time is of the essence as Rose faces this difficult crossroads, where she is forced to confront past demons and choose a path.

Should she marry Rhys, deceiving him, and forever be branded a liar in his eyes? She cannot.

Wed Pennworth? Never.

Or flee? Away from Rhys, away from her father, and away from all she holds dear.

Rose has faced many dangerous choices in her life. Will this final one destroy her?

Available Now: Amazon: https://amzn.to/3XUW06D Everywhere Else: https://books2read.com/u/4DJvx7

About the Author: Award-winning author Vicki Stiefel now also writes as Sanna Brand, whose Regency Romance, THE BOND (The Secret Tales Book 1) launches May 15. Vicki has also written the fantasy romance series, The Made Ones Saga, as well as The Afterworld Chronicles, an urban fantasy series. Her award-winning mystery/thrillers feature homicide counselor Tally Whyte.