Tag: beauty and the beast

Dear reader, it is the duty of this newspaper to find the truth behind a scandal. Sometimes, all is not as it seems.

Nowhere is that more true than in the case of the scurrilous and sometimes indecent caricatures currently causing a stir in London. In his investigation, our correspondent had cause to observe a mob gathered out side of the townhouse currently rented by Lord and Lady R. He was much struck by the graceful and dignified form of Lady R., whom many believe to be the Lady Beast recently lampooned by less reputable purveyors of news than this find magazine.

Being much struck by the loyalty of her servants and her courage under fire, our correspondent sought interviews with several interested parties, some sympathetic and some hostile.

On balance, we are convinced that these interviews show that Lady R. has been deliberately maligned by those who wish to damage the lady’s reputation for selfish ends.

Let us start by saying that most of the claims raised against the lady can be proved false. The lady is virtuous. She is also comely, except (presumably) for the scars she covers with a pretty mask.

The only claim that might have substance is that Lord R. married Lady R. for her money. Or, as the worst of the maligners put it, she bought herself a husband. Marriage of convenience are not uncommon among the upper classes. Lord and Lady R.’s friends and supporters, however, assure us that the couple are childhood friens who made a love match and are devoted to one another.

We also spoke to a lady of Society who was discomforted when the gentleman she claimed as her own discovered her deceitful and unkind nature by comparison with that of the new bride of the gentleman’s best friend. When confronted with his disdain, she chose to attack the bride, with ever more extreme and unlikely slanders.

Our final interview was the most disturbing. A cousin of the gentle lady insisted on his version of events. We will not insult our readers by repeating what he said. Suffice it to say that he has a monetary incentive for all of his remarks.

We came away more than ever convinced that greed and jealousy can corrupt a weak soul. Indeed, the most compelling sermon was not a better teacher than hearing vicious lies about a kind and noble person who deserves our admiration for the way she has faced vicissitudes that would have felled a less courageous soul.

This newspaper proclaims itself on the side of the charming Lady Beast.

Lady Beast’s Bridegroom

By Jude Knight

Welcome to book 1 in the new series with an exciting new twist on traditional fairy tales!

Lady Ariel lives retired in the country after being badly scarred by a fire. She hides her burns from others by donning a mask, only enticing more gossip by Society who has dubbed her “Lady Beast”. Now, her second cousin, who inherited her father’s title but not his private wealth, wants to have her committed so he can manage—and steal—her fortune. Only finding a husband will prevent the cousin from having his way.

Peter, Lord Ransome, a man so handsome Society has dubbed him “Beau”, inherits not only his father’s debts but also his burdens. He must manage and care for a stepmother who loathes him, her daughters, and his own two half-sisters, who spend more money than the estate can provide.

His only recourse is to find a wealthy bride to save his estate and his family. For him, that means marrying “Lady Beast”. It’s merely a business transaction, after all. But then Beau learns that true beauty lies in the heart.

When Society tries to turn them away, is the union and love of Beauty and the Beast strong enough to overcome prejudice and rejection?

A Twist Upon a Regency Tale
Lady Beast’s Bridegroom
One Perfect Dance
Snowy and the Seven Doves
Perchance to Dream

Published 16 February. Buy now: https://amzn.to/3uJByrr

Join the launch giveaway on https://judeknightauthor.com/2023/02/09/week-3-of-lady-beasts-bridegroom-launch-giveaway/

The Monster of Montvale Hall and the mysterious American miss

By Guest author

On September 11, 2019

In Guest author, Teatime Tattler

The village of Montvale is atwitter with news of its most notorious resident. The Duke of Montvale, dubbed the Monster for his dark and frightening ways seems to be playing host to a house guest. A young lady!

Though his dashing friend The Marquess of Avondale is no stranger to Montvale, it has been quite unheard of for anyone else to brave the wrath of the Monster and visit the Hall. Yet it seems one such person exists.

One Miss Abigail Langton recently arrived from The Americas has not only visited, but is staying at Montvale Hall.

And if our sources are to be believed, she has turned the place on its ear. The duke too!

Though the servants of the house remain as tight-lipped as they did all those years ago when tragedy struck the Montvale family, Miss Langton has been making her presence known in the village and apparently in the house.

We do wonder if poor Miss Langton knows what she’s let herself in for.

Though perhaps we should be wondering if the duke knows what he’s let himself in for.

We have no doubt that something monumental will come from this unprecedented event.

As for what that could be? Well, we shall just have to wait and see.

The Monster of Montvale Hall Blurb

A childhood tragedy had shaped the life of Robert Forsythe, the Duke of Montvale Hall, forever.

He kept himself isolated from the world and the people in it, revelling in his reputation as a monster.

Locked in a world of guilt and grief, nobody had ever been able to break down the walls he kept around him. Nobody had ever tried.

And if being a monster kept everyone away, then a monster he would be.

Abigail Langton was as headstrong as she was mischievous, so it was no surprise that she wasn’t exactly welcomed at Montvale Hall with open arms.

It didn’t take her long to understand why its owner was called a monster.

It took even less time to realise that monster or not, Abigail’s heart called to him in a way she couldn’t deny or understand.

Robert’s world is turned upside down and inside out by the irrepressible Abigail. And try as he might to avoid it, he finds himself drawn to her in ways he doesn’t want. In ways that scare the wits out of him.

Will Robert give in to the temptation that is Abigail? And will Abigail find the heart of the man beneath the monster?

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A Surprise for a Sister

By Jude Knight

On February 23, 2019

In Jude Knight, Teatime Tattler

My Fishingham twins spying on their sister’s meetings with the Beast Next Door.

“Why did you stop me telling Charis about the Earl of Wayford?” Matilda demanded, as soon as Charis was out of earshot. “She clearly has no idea…”

Eugenie smirked. “Exactly. She has no idea. Just think what a delightful surprise it will be for her when the Earl actually turns up to claim his bride!”

Matilda frowned, puzzled. She could work absolute magic with a needle, but she sometimes had to have plots explained to her. It was not that she was stupid, it was just that she was straightforward and honest, so Eugenie had to be devious enough for them both. Eugenie didn’t mind; that was, after all, what a twin was for.

Eugenie didn’t exactly mind, either, that Charis, who was two years older than the twins, walked around with her head in one of her books, and ignored the family’s dire straits and the measures needed to save them. That was just Charis. She had always been that way, preferring her own company to playing with the twins, and regarding fashion, gossip, and the twins’ other interests with a kind of bewildered disdain.

She was extremely cross that Mother had accepted a proposal on her behalf.

“Are you not delighted that Charis is the one to find a rich husband to save the family?” Eugenie asked Matilda. “You and I will be much freer to choose. Someone comfortably placed, of course, but how lovely that Mama will be able to depend on Charis!”

Matilda nodded. “Of course I am pleased. But Eugenie, shouldn’t we tell Charis…”

“Definitely not. After what she has put us through this season? Besides, if she had told mother she was meeting someone when she wandered off next door, she might have learned the truth much earlier. Nothing good comes of lying to one’s mother!”

Matilda burst out laughing. “Eugenie Fishingham, you are a complete card. You and I have been lying to Mother ever since we followed Charis weeks ago, and saw whom she was meeting. Not to mention…”

“Let’s not mention,” Eugenie said, hastily. She would be far more prone to falsehoods if she did not fear that Matilda would blurt them out at the first opportunity. She reminded herself that really was lucky to have such an honest twin.

“I suppose we can always tell Charis tomorrow,” Matilda decided. “Shall we go up to our room, dearest? I, for one, do not wish to return to the parlour to hear Mother berating Charis for refusing this wonderful opportunity.

Charis is the heroine of The Beast Next Door, a novella in Valentines from Bath. See our project page for more about the book.

Whispers abound concerning the scarred duke!

By Guest author

On October 19, 2016

In Guest author, Teatime Tattler

One simply cannot look away from a bit of gossip as delicious as this! Lady Rose, daughter of the Earl of Wentworth is said to be promised to the 6th Duke of Manchester, otherwise referred to as the scarred duke. While a lady is lucky to find herself stepping into the role of duchess, one has to wonder what it might be like to be thrust into marriage with a man with such obvious deformities.

Even more insidious is that no one knows how he acquired such scars. Troubling indeed! The possibilities are endless but none of them portend to any virtue a woman would want in a husband. Was it brawling, spying, rakish ways that caused his face to be changed? No one has the answer.

While everyone knows that Lady Rose flits from beau to beau, the next more handsome than the last. While the lady does have an intact reputation, it is amazing indeed, or perhaps it is because her father never lets her out of his sight.

We are all wondering how the lady, who every handsome man seems to want, will suffer a marriage to a man who has been as physically altered as the scarred duke.

Taming the Duke’s Wild Rose

Since the death of her mother, Lady Rose Wentworth has dreamed of a hero. A knight or soldier who sweeps her off her feet and heals the scars she hides within. These fantasies cloud her judgement when it comes to a man’s true nature and every suitor she pines for proves to be less than honorable. But Rose is convinced she has finally found a true hero in the soldier, Carl Lundberg.

Fearing for Rose’s future, her father arranges a match with the scarred duke. Powerful and rich beyond reason, Lord Wentworth is convinced this is the man who can provide a real future for his daughter. But Rose knows better, or so she thinks. Now she is caught between two men, one handsome and dashing, the other scarred but intriguing none-the-less. As each vies for her hand, Rose finds it more difficult to discern whose intentions are pure.

The more Rose is entangled in the web of love and marriage the more she questions which man has the true heart and who can unlock hers.

Preorder on Amazon

wild-rose-2

Meet Tammy Andresen

tammyandresen Tammy Andresen lives with her husband and three children just outside of Boston, Massachusetts. She grew up on the Seacoast of Maine, where she spent countless days dreaming up stories in blueberry fields and among the scrub pines that line the coast. Her mother loved to spin a yarn and Tammy filled many hours listening to her mother retell the classics. It was inevitable that at the age of 18, she headed off to Simmons College, where she studied English literature and education. She never left Massachusetts but some of her heart still resides in Maine and her family visits often.