Dearest Readers:
Our correspondent from Cheltenham delivers the most surprising intelligence that Lady B— and her husband have arrived in town, he to devote himself to the gaming tables and his lady to exhibit the latest fashions at the various spas and promenades. It would seem that Lady B— has acquired an enthusiasm for the theater, for she gave her name to support a recent exclusive matinee performed at Suffolk House, currently occupied by the Viscount A— while the Earl and Countess grace us here in London with their company.
Our correspondent, who is intimately acquainted with the house in question, suggests that the Viscount might have wished to delight his guests by showing them the results of the recent renovation, which borrows the most gracious and elegant inspiration from the Italian style in the hands of Cheltenham’s newest architect, Mr. Dante Manelli, lately of London. Curiously enough, our friends inform us that Mr. Manelli had a previous acquaintance with Lady B—, which ended upon her marriage to his lordship.
The subsequent rift between the two does not bode to be mended upon their reunion, for it is reported that Mr. Manelli has been much seen in the company of a leading actress from the troupe lately favored by Viscount A—, who is housing them in his home. This Miss Evans, a young woman from Wales, is the same who our faithful readers will recall so charmed London a few Seasons ago as the ward and friend of Lady P—, wife of the Viscount P—.
It is reported by our faithful correspondent that Lady B—‘s matinee made a signal impression due to the performance of women in several of the leading roles, which included Miss Evans offering a most startling and original interpretation of Hamlet, the role beloved of Garrick and Kemble. While your loyal reporter understands that not all of our readers can approve of women in breeches roles, our correspondent reminds us that the peerless Mrs. Siddons played Hamlet in a performance in Dublin that became universally celebrated.
In the same vein, Miss Evans appears to be gaining renown in Cheltenham, but our correspondent reports that one of her more interesting roles appears to be as the recipient of the affections of Mr. Dante Manelli. The two have been spotted promenading outside of Thompson’s Spa, and our correspondent reports that Mr. Manelli has invited the troupe of actors to tour the house he is building Charlton Kings.
What will his former inamorata Lady B— think of Mr. Manelli’s new infatuation, one might wonder? Will the seeming affection between Mr. Manelli and Miss Evans give us a comedy leading to love and marriage, or will it prove a tragedy in the end? Your faithful reporter can only assure you, dear reader, that the depths of the human heart remain as great and powerful a mystery as ever. But should interesting events unfold in Cheltenham, you may rely on our faithful correspondent to rise to the task.
Until then, may your tea be always warm and your cream always sweet.
The Gentleman’s Leading Lady
The lady least likely to: let a pretend courtship become real.
She’s got her heart set on the role of leading lady.
Cerys Evans ran away from her family to make her way on the stage, wanting a name that was all her own. But when the theater burns down, her options are to slink home a failure, or help her troupe build new premises and finally prove her place among them. The only obstacle: she’ll have to work with the arrogant Dante Manelli, Cheltenham’s rising architect, who is most decidedly not a gentleman.
He’s set his heart on her.
Dante Manelli has fought for every inch of his success, and he’s not going to let the taunts of a saucy actress distract him. But she’s offering a project that can cement his career, and when she creates a ruse to free Dante from an old nemesis, she soon has all of Cheltenham believing they are not just co-conspirators but lovers. The more time he spends with her, the more tempted Dante is to make their play real.
But Miss Cerys Evans is meddling with a dangerous rival—one who will do anything to end her hopes. And when her past comes back to find her, Dante must fight to prove himself the gentleman worthy of her hand and deserving of her heart.
For two souls struggling to establish their place in the world, there might be only one place they each belong: together.
An excerpt featuring their first kiss:
“I might have led her ladyship to believe you have a tendre for me.”
“You little—” The words ended in a growl. “Minx. You enjoy toying with people, don’t you?”
Cerys raised her chin to stare him full in the face. His entire body tensed. The visible eyelid flickered. He was like a figure from a masque, half light and half shadow, half angel, half dark god.
“And you, manipulative baggage that you are, intend to rescue me.”
She closed her eyes briefly at the effect his gravelly voice had on her.
“Hardly a rescue.” She forced her tone to lightness. “A negotiation. I am making you indebted to me so you will build us a theater.”
He shifted slightly. The space between them lessened. He smelled wonderful, a blend of port and orange and spices.
“You suppose,” he ground out, “that spreading tales about my affections is the way to put me in your debt?”
“Do you disdain to work with actors? Can we not elevate you enough that a commission from us would be worth your time? No, we are not lords or wealthy tradesmen, so perhaps you despise—”
She stopped when his hand covered her mouth. Her knees nearly buckled at the contact of his skin, the weight, the maddening heat of him.
His fingers cupped her cheek, the lightest touch. She sucked in air. The part of his mouth she could see quirked in a smile. “Lady Disdain is going to lecture me about contempt? I am in no position to look down on anyone.”
She couldn’t seem to haul enough air into her lungs. She’d never kissed a man, not an actual man, not a proper kiss. What if it was awful? She couldn’t understand why she wanted so badly something that might be so terrible, and she stared at his lips, willing him, willing him—
“I go too far.” He loosened his arm from the wall and stepped back. “I—”
With a small, inarticulate groan, Cerys buried her fingers in his cravat and pulled his face to hers.
His mouth touched her mouth, and it was marvelous. A spark caught and then flared as those lips moved on hers, tentative, searching.
“Minx,” he growled in warning.
This was wrong. This was madness. She dug her fingers in his cravat, holding him. She wanted more of this. Dante, kissing her, forever.
~~~
The Gentleman’s Leading Lady, out now from Oliver Heber Books, is Book 12 in the Ladies Least Likely series. This is a grumpy/sunshine Regency romp with a pretend courtship, a headstrong actress, a starchy half-Italian architect, women in breeches, a villainess ex, and some sensual, stolen kisses.
Buy the book: https://books2read.com/u/m2gZBO
About the Author:
Misty Urban is a medieval scholar, freelance editor, and college professor who likes to write stories about misbehaving women who find adventure and romance. She lives in the Midwest in a little town on a big river with a handsome park ranger, two budding authors, and an ever-growing collection of books.
More about Misty: https://www.mistyurban.com
Find Misty online: https://linktr.ee/mistyurban
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The Counterfeit Lady