Dateline, March 1815
Dear Readers,
We are delighted to report that His Grace, the Duke of Margris has returned to our shores. The duke is highly respected. So much so that you can imagine our astonishment at the rather dubious persons he brought with him.
Margris had been dispatched to the port of New Orleans in October of 1814 for the purpose of gaining a cease fire between the colonial army of Mr. Andrew Jackson and the British troops assigned to take possession of the port under the leadership of the late Major General Sir Edward Pakenham. Had Margris succeeded in his mission the Major General might still be with us as he lost his life in a battle over New Orleans
Why, Margis failed to gain the ceasefire will never be known. We might speculate that he suffered no small degree of distraction. First when he learned that his younger brother—that ne’er do well—Lucien Flynn was playing the pirate on behalf of Britain’s enemies.
Even more distracting must have been the young miss—one could hardly call her a lady—
with whom the duke dallied. What is most disturbing is not that she is an American, as they like to call themselves, but rather an American Creole. The creole designation indicates that her lineage is mixed, probably among the French, Spanish, and Americans who have long inhabited New Orleans. It is possible, though we cannot say with certainty that she may have ancestors amongst the rebellious Hattian slaves who fled Haiti rather than submit again to French rule.
Regardless of her parentage, the duke’s new wife is said to have been well chaperoned while Margris was courting. That may even be true. After some weeks, he married the lady (one must give a Duchess credit as a lady) and has brought both his bride and his brother back to England.
A Drawing of Lucien Flynn
We, like the ton, are agog with curiosity and await with great expectation the debut of Her Grace, the Duchess of Margris. As for Margris brother, The crown has seen fit to pardon him for any crimes and restore his ancestral property in Ireland. Perhaps the crown did so because he too has wed an American, but a woman of no family. ‘Tis well that he has retired with his bride to the Irish estate. I doubt he or the woman would be well received despite the crown’s forbearance.
We promise to keep you well-informed the moment we learn more of Margris and his relatives.
About the books: His Grace Caleb Margris’ story is told in The Creole Duchess and is where we first meet his half brother, Lucien Flynn. Lucien’s story is told in Cursed: A Corsair’s Tale, which is available now on pre-order at a discounted price. The Creole Duchess is available now. Here are the descriptions and buy links.
About The Creole Duchess:
A duke in disguise, a creole miss determined to get her own way, a curse, and two nations at war, is love
even possible?
New Orleans Creole, Miss Celestine St. Cyr-Duval refuses to live under the thumb of some man chosen by her parents. Celie will do everything to keep freedom of choice for herself and others. But fate interferes in the form of a duke disguised as British businessman, Caleb Elmond. A relationship with Caleb would find approval with her mother, but both Celie and Caleb have secrets that put them on opposite sides of a great conflict and could destroy them both.
With the Battle of New Orleans looming, can these two strangers from warring countries compromise and protect each other, or will fear and betrayal end both their lives?
About Cursed: A Corsair’s Tale
He’s been cursed to remain a specter until he earns the love of a heartless woman. Is she the one?
Privateer or pirate? Lucien Flynn never makes promises to any woman. Then a scorned lover curses him to live the life of a specter until he ‘earns the love of a heartless woman.’ Decades pass, and Luc abandons hope. When he meets a woman he cannot resist, a woman with too much heart, he knows he may never be set free. Can he avoid loving her, or will he give her his heart and be cursed forever?
Grace Thibodaux is a woman driven to escape her own demons. Hurt beyond hope of healing, she protects her tender heart, refusing to allow anyone, man or woman, close. However, she can’t escape the man who haunts her dreams and her life. Is he as cursed as he claims, or is she simply falling for another, heart-breaking rogue?
About Rue Allyn:
Award winning romance author, Rue Allyn has a life long passion for happy ever after. She lives south of the border with her husband of more than forty years and their cat, Tanto. She has two sons and is a proud veteran of the US Navy. She writes heart melting romance in all sub-genres, but her favorite is historical romance, especially medieval. Subscribe to Rue’s News where you may learn more about Rue and receive a FREE download.
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