L.A. Hilden's Blog, page 2
May 20, 2013
Dancing in Regency England
Dancing is a way to let go and to move your body in a manner that may seem silly to some, but it’s a wonderful form of exercise and self-expression. Whenever I’m at a function where there’s dancing, I find myself completely entertained by watching the dance moves of others. Dancing, of course, has evolved through the years, but people have been using different forms of dance since prehistoric times. Dancing is depicted on tomb walls in India and Egypt from as earlier as 3300 BC.
Dancing in Regency England was a large part of the courting process. Gentlemen would often ask young ladies to dance so they could speak without being overheard by the lady’s chaperone, which was not easily accomplished otherwise. This courting process made dancing an important skill to learn and it was considered a necessary accomplishment.
The great country homes held lavish balls and many gentile towns had an assembly room for dancing. One of the most well known assembly rooms in London was Almack’s.
See blog on Almack’s. http://www.lahilden.com/index.php?cat...
At Almack’s people had to purchase a subscription and obtain a voucher to be admitted, and only the influential were permitted. So if you were to make a good match for marriage, it was important that you learned how to dance. To achieve this end, dancing masters were hired and dance studios opened. From the waltz to the cotillion, the dance floor is where flirting and lively conversation thrived and where two young people could find love.
In the early part of the Regency era, up until 1810, the country-dance, the cotillion, and the scotch reel dominated the ballroom.
The country-dance was a dance performed with a line of couples facing each other. These dances often began with each paired couple dancing from the top of the line to the bottom and then returning to their place back in line. Depending on the number of people dancing, this could take an hour to complete. The leading lady, who was considered to be in a position of honor, would decide the steps and music to be danced to.
The cotillion was a patterned dance imported from France, which was performed with four couples in a square formation and used elaborate dance steps. The changing of partners within the square occurs during this dance, which allowed for introductions, and of course, more flirting. The cotillion was introduced to England around 1766. It reached America by 1772.
The scotch reel was popular in folk music. All reels have the same structure, but reels are distinguished from a hornpipe by having primarily even beats. The scotch reel is a lively dance. There were many reels, such as the Foursome reel or the Axum reel. Reels usually have two parts and in most reels each part is repeated, but in some they are not. The dancers alternate from solo dancing by facing each other with intertwining progressive movement. The threesome reel is said to date back to the late 16th century and it looks much like the traditional Irish step dancing of today.
In the 1810’s things began to heat up on the dance floor as English dance began a transition with the arrival of the quadrille and the wicked waltz.
The Waltz was introduced around 1810, but it was in no way considered an acceptable form of dance. A person embracing another on the dance floor was a scandalous concept. The waltz was not readily accepted in England until continental visitors, in celebration after the Napoleonic wars, took to the dance floor to perform the waltz. Although I should point out that anti-waltz diatribes continued in the form of jokes and caricatures.
The quadrille was first imported from France by Lady Jersey (one of the leading patronesses of Almack’s) and it was a shorter version of the earlier cotillions. Dancers were assembled into five or six figures. The changing of partners was left out, producing shorter dances. These dances became quite popular and a lady could find herself dancing many quadrilles before the night was through.
There were many dances that came into being during the Regency period as dancing masters began to invent new forms of the country-dance, while borrowing forms from the quadrille. Some of these dances had exotic names, but most of these new dances held minor variations from the classic form.
Regency dancing did not die out with the era for there are many groups around the world who partake in English period dances. One place Regency dance has gained in popularity is at science fiction conventions. Is anyone else as surprised by this as I am? John Hertz, a SF fan, lawyer, and fanzine author, has made Regency dance a tradition at the SF conventions in the US since the 1980’s and it continues to this day. This allows the SF community, who often wear costumes to the convention, to enjoy the period clothing and costume of the Regency Era. In these reconstructed ballroom settings, one can dance the night away to Mozart, Beethoven, and Haydn. All three of these men wrote dance music, but that’s a topic for another blog.
Dancing in Regency England was a large part of the courting process. Gentlemen would often ask young ladies to dance so they could speak without being overheard by the lady’s chaperone, which was not easily accomplished otherwise. This courting process made dancing an important skill to learn and it was considered a necessary accomplishment.
The great country homes held lavish balls and many gentile towns had an assembly room for dancing. One of the most well known assembly rooms in London was Almack’s.
See blog on Almack’s. http://www.lahilden.com/index.php?cat...
At Almack’s people had to purchase a subscription and obtain a voucher to be admitted, and only the influential were permitted. So if you were to make a good match for marriage, it was important that you learned how to dance. To achieve this end, dancing masters were hired and dance studios opened. From the waltz to the cotillion, the dance floor is where flirting and lively conversation thrived and where two young people could find love.
In the early part of the Regency era, up until 1810, the country-dance, the cotillion, and the scotch reel dominated the ballroom.
The country-dance was a dance performed with a line of couples facing each other. These dances often began with each paired couple dancing from the top of the line to the bottom and then returning to their place back in line. Depending on the number of people dancing, this could take an hour to complete. The leading lady, who was considered to be in a position of honor, would decide the steps and music to be danced to.
The cotillion was a patterned dance imported from France, which was performed with four couples in a square formation and used elaborate dance steps. The changing of partners within the square occurs during this dance, which allowed for introductions, and of course, more flirting. The cotillion was introduced to England around 1766. It reached America by 1772.
The scotch reel was popular in folk music. All reels have the same structure, but reels are distinguished from a hornpipe by having primarily even beats. The scotch reel is a lively dance. There were many reels, such as the Foursome reel or the Axum reel. Reels usually have two parts and in most reels each part is repeated, but in some they are not. The dancers alternate from solo dancing by facing each other with intertwining progressive movement. The threesome reel is said to date back to the late 16th century and it looks much like the traditional Irish step dancing of today.
In the 1810’s things began to heat up on the dance floor as English dance began a transition with the arrival of the quadrille and the wicked waltz.
The Waltz was introduced around 1810, but it was in no way considered an acceptable form of dance. A person embracing another on the dance floor was a scandalous concept. The waltz was not readily accepted in England until continental visitors, in celebration after the Napoleonic wars, took to the dance floor to perform the waltz. Although I should point out that anti-waltz diatribes continued in the form of jokes and caricatures.
The quadrille was first imported from France by Lady Jersey (one of the leading patronesses of Almack’s) and it was a shorter version of the earlier cotillions. Dancers were assembled into five or six figures. The changing of partners was left out, producing shorter dances. These dances became quite popular and a lady could find herself dancing many quadrilles before the night was through.
There were many dances that came into being during the Regency period as dancing masters began to invent new forms of the country-dance, while borrowing forms from the quadrille. Some of these dances had exotic names, but most of these new dances held minor variations from the classic form.
Regency dancing did not die out with the era for there are many groups around the world who partake in English period dances. One place Regency dance has gained in popularity is at science fiction conventions. Is anyone else as surprised by this as I am? John Hertz, a SF fan, lawyer, and fanzine author, has made Regency dance a tradition at the SF conventions in the US since the 1980’s and it continues to this day. This allows the SF community, who often wear costumes to the convention, to enjoy the period clothing and costume of the Regency Era. In these reconstructed ballroom settings, one can dance the night away to Mozart, Beethoven, and Haydn. All three of these men wrote dance music, but that’s a topic for another blog.
April 23, 2013
Fox Hunting in Regency England
Fox hunting in Regency England was a gentlemanly pursuit. Although the use of scent hounds to track prey dates back to ancient times, the earliest known fox hunt was conducted in Norfolk, England in an attempt to keep foxes out of the farmers fields.
The first well-trained packs of hounds were used in the late 17th century. Fox hunting further developed in the 18th century when Hugo Meynell developed a new breed of hounds. These hounds had greater speed, stamina, and a better sense of smell.
The London Season ends on August 12th, which marks the beginning of the hunting season. (If the date falls on a Sunday, then opening day for hunting is moved to the 13th). Foxhunts are conducted during the winter months, and like opening day deer season in Michigan, opening day in Regency England was one of the busiest shooting days of the hunting season. Fox hunting season ran from November to March after the fall harvest. This prevented the fields from becoming damaged by tromping horses and hounds.
Fox hunting was also called Riding the Hounds, and it was considered a sport. Until the mid 1800’s, fox hunting remained a masculine sport, although ladies would often ride to the meet and then return home to wait for the hunters’ homecoming.
The reason sport hunting was done mostly by the upper classes is due to property. If you didn’t own land you could not hunt without permission of the landholder. Poaching was illegal and punishable be deportation. It was illegal for anyone who is not a squire or a squire’s son to kill game, even upon invitation of the landowner. This law ensured that hunting remained in the hands of the aristocracy. Some landowners even went as far as laying manmade traps or spring guns to kill or maim poachers, but these traps were known to often kill innocent walkers.
The gentlemen of the landed gentry often kept packs of hounds and horses. They would sometimes host a hunt meet. These meets were considered social events in which the ladies would also attended. As the aristocracy’s wealth declined, subscription hunts became popular, where fees were paid to members, with the leader of the hunt supplying the pack of hounds and horses.
Foxhunters usually wore the standard hunting garb, which consisted of a red coat and breeches. The color of the breeches varied from hunt to hunt, but was generally one color. Boots were typical English dress boots, without laces that were black in color with brown leather tops. The numbers of buttons on a man’s hunting jacket would differ according to skill. The master of the hunt wore a scarlet coat with four brass buttons, while the huntsman had five buttons. Amateur hunters had four buttons.
The three most famous foxhunts were the Quorn, Belvoir, and Atherstone. The Quorn Hunt was established in 1696 in mostly Leicestershire, although some areas of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire were included. Quorn is said to be the United Kingdom’s most famous and oldest hunt, and despite the abolition of fox hunting with the Hunting Act of 2004, the Quorn continues to go out on their hunt four days of the week during the hunting season. The Belvoir hunt dates from the 1750’s and was always led by the Duke’s of Rutland until 1896. The Atherstone hunt has been in existence since 1815 when kennels were established in Witherley. You can read further about various fox hunts at, http://www.the-rural-aspect.org.uk/hu....
Follow my blogs at www.lahilden.com
L.A Hilden, author of Historical and Time Travel Romance set during the Regency period.
The first well-trained packs of hounds were used in the late 17th century. Fox hunting further developed in the 18th century when Hugo Meynell developed a new breed of hounds. These hounds had greater speed, stamina, and a better sense of smell.
The London Season ends on August 12th, which marks the beginning of the hunting season. (If the date falls on a Sunday, then opening day for hunting is moved to the 13th). Foxhunts are conducted during the winter months, and like opening day deer season in Michigan, opening day in Regency England was one of the busiest shooting days of the hunting season. Fox hunting season ran from November to March after the fall harvest. This prevented the fields from becoming damaged by tromping horses and hounds.
Fox hunting was also called Riding the Hounds, and it was considered a sport. Until the mid 1800’s, fox hunting remained a masculine sport, although ladies would often ride to the meet and then return home to wait for the hunters’ homecoming.
The reason sport hunting was done mostly by the upper classes is due to property. If you didn’t own land you could not hunt without permission of the landholder. Poaching was illegal and punishable be deportation. It was illegal for anyone who is not a squire or a squire’s son to kill game, even upon invitation of the landowner. This law ensured that hunting remained in the hands of the aristocracy. Some landowners even went as far as laying manmade traps or spring guns to kill or maim poachers, but these traps were known to often kill innocent walkers.
The gentlemen of the landed gentry often kept packs of hounds and horses. They would sometimes host a hunt meet. These meets were considered social events in which the ladies would also attended. As the aristocracy’s wealth declined, subscription hunts became popular, where fees were paid to members, with the leader of the hunt supplying the pack of hounds and horses.
Foxhunters usually wore the standard hunting garb, which consisted of a red coat and breeches. The color of the breeches varied from hunt to hunt, but was generally one color. Boots were typical English dress boots, without laces that were black in color with brown leather tops. The numbers of buttons on a man’s hunting jacket would differ according to skill. The master of the hunt wore a scarlet coat with four brass buttons, while the huntsman had five buttons. Amateur hunters had four buttons.
The three most famous foxhunts were the Quorn, Belvoir, and Atherstone. The Quorn Hunt was established in 1696 in mostly Leicestershire, although some areas of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire were included. Quorn is said to be the United Kingdom’s most famous and oldest hunt, and despite the abolition of fox hunting with the Hunting Act of 2004, the Quorn continues to go out on their hunt four days of the week during the hunting season. The Belvoir hunt dates from the 1750’s and was always led by the Duke’s of Rutland until 1896. The Atherstone hunt has been in existence since 1815 when kennels were established in Witherley. You can read further about various fox hunts at, http://www.the-rural-aspect.org.uk/hu....
Follow my blogs at www.lahilden.com
L.A Hilden, author of Historical and Time Travel Romance set during the Regency period.
January 16, 2013
Smelling Salts and Vinaigrettes (no, not the dressing)
Smelling salts are chemical compounds used to arouse consciousness. Smelling salts have been used since Roman times. They were widely used in the late 18th to the mid-19th century in Britain to revive a fainting lady. Smelling salts annoy through ammonium carbonate and when mixed with water, this solid compound releases ammonia gas. If a person is feeling faint, the gas irritates them enough that they come to. If a person is unconscious the lungs will automatically try to clear the breathing passages, thus creating an increase in the flow of oxygen to the brain and waking the person up.
To keep aromatic substances easily at hand one would use a trinket called the vinaigrette. Vinaigrettes were containers used to hold aromatic substances, usually dissolved with vinegar. The most common form in Regency England was the hinged silver box. The vinaigrette was different from smelling salts in that they held a sponge that was saturated with a mixture of perfume and ammonia.
Vinaigrettes were used by both men and women and came in many shapes and designs. They could be quite decorative and were often given as tokens of affection. Sometimes spices and floral extracts were added to sweeten the smell. Aromatic vinegar was believed to have many medicinal purposes for fighting infection, headaches, and fainting. It was also used in as an inhalant to mask foul odors, which was necessary considering the sanitation on London’s streets at the time.
I can't add pictures, but they are on my webpage.
http://www.lahilden.com/index.php?cat...
To keep aromatic substances easily at hand one would use a trinket called the vinaigrette. Vinaigrettes were containers used to hold aromatic substances, usually dissolved with vinegar. The most common form in Regency England was the hinged silver box. The vinaigrette was different from smelling salts in that they held a sponge that was saturated with a mixture of perfume and ammonia.
Vinaigrettes were used by both men and women and came in many shapes and designs. They could be quite decorative and were often given as tokens of affection. Sometimes spices and floral extracts were added to sweeten the smell. Aromatic vinegar was believed to have many medicinal purposes for fighting infection, headaches, and fainting. It was also used in as an inhalant to mask foul odors, which was necessary considering the sanitation on London’s streets at the time.
I can't add pictures, but they are on my webpage.
http://www.lahilden.com/index.php?cat...
January 13, 2013
Almack's
Almack’s was a social club located on King Street in Saint James, London, England from 1765-1871. The assembly rooms were one of the first clubs to admit both men and women. Almack’s had initially been opened in an effort to compete with its rival, Mrs. Cornelys. Mrs. Cornelys entertainments at Carlisle House, like her masquerade balls, were becoming notorious. At Almack’s, men proposed and elected the female members, while the women proposed and elected the male members. In the late 1770’s it was a place to gamble and it replicated many of the male clubs at the time.
In the 1800’s, things changed and the club came to be governed by a select committee of influential ladies of London’s high society. There were six or seven patronesses at any one time. These ladies began to hold Wednesday night balls with supper. But no one was permitted without a voucher. Vouchers had cost ten guineas, but to purchase one you had to meet with the approval of the patronesses. The lady patronesses took membership to Almack’s most seriously, and only the best were allowed to grace the rooms. These ladies met every Monday night during London’s social season (April to August) to decide if anyone needed to be removed for poor behavior and to decide if others would be admitted.
The patronesses had the ability to make or break a young lady’s reputation and being presented to them was daunting. If a debutante made her “coming out” appearance at Almack’s, then one of the patronesses would chose the lady’s dance partners for her.
Members of Almack’s were permitted to bring a guest, but the guest had to be scrutinized by the patronesses before they would be allowed a “Strangers Ticket.” In the height of the Regency period, the patronesses were Lady Sarah Jersey, Lady Castlereigh, Lady Cowper, Lady Sefton, Princess Esterhazy, and the Countess of Leiven. These ladies reigned supreme until 1824 when exclusivity and rules became more lax.
Wealth was not a requirement for membership at Almack’s. This stipulation was a way to keep the new rich, out. A noble title was recommended, but breeding and behavior were far more important. Only about three-quarters of the hereditary nobility were admitted. Even the Duke of Wellington was not permitted into the assembly rooms because he wasn’t wearing the mandatory knee breeches and he was seven minutes late. Supper was served at 11 PM and at that time the doors closed.
Dancing was one of the main sources of entertainment, but only dances that avoided any type of impropriety. Dances allowed in the assembly rooms were country-dances, like the reel. But as is the way with life, the assembly rooms changed with the times, and by the Regency period the quadrille was permitted and eventually the scandalous waltz was allowed.
Food at Almack’s consisted of thinly sliced bread with fresh butter and dry cake (meaning, no frosting). Beverages consisted of tea, orgeat, and lemonade. A very limited menu, but people did not visit the assembly rooms to eat.
Men often found the assembly rooms a chore and did not care for the dry establishment or the strict dress code.
People clamored for vouchers at Almack’s because it was the place to be and be seen. It was a where you went to flaunt your social rank and to meet others of similar mien. It was also considered the marriage market of the time. Men flocked to the rooms in search for brides from respectable members of high society. It was a coup worthy of celebration when a mother could procure her daughters vouchers for Almack’s.
In the 1800’s, things changed and the club came to be governed by a select committee of influential ladies of London’s high society. There were six or seven patronesses at any one time. These ladies began to hold Wednesday night balls with supper. But no one was permitted without a voucher. Vouchers had cost ten guineas, but to purchase one you had to meet with the approval of the patronesses. The lady patronesses took membership to Almack’s most seriously, and only the best were allowed to grace the rooms. These ladies met every Monday night during London’s social season (April to August) to decide if anyone needed to be removed for poor behavior and to decide if others would be admitted.
The patronesses had the ability to make or break a young lady’s reputation and being presented to them was daunting. If a debutante made her “coming out” appearance at Almack’s, then one of the patronesses would chose the lady’s dance partners for her.
Members of Almack’s were permitted to bring a guest, but the guest had to be scrutinized by the patronesses before they would be allowed a “Strangers Ticket.” In the height of the Regency period, the patronesses were Lady Sarah Jersey, Lady Castlereigh, Lady Cowper, Lady Sefton, Princess Esterhazy, and the Countess of Leiven. These ladies reigned supreme until 1824 when exclusivity and rules became more lax.
Wealth was not a requirement for membership at Almack’s. This stipulation was a way to keep the new rich, out. A noble title was recommended, but breeding and behavior were far more important. Only about three-quarters of the hereditary nobility were admitted. Even the Duke of Wellington was not permitted into the assembly rooms because he wasn’t wearing the mandatory knee breeches and he was seven minutes late. Supper was served at 11 PM and at that time the doors closed.
Dancing was one of the main sources of entertainment, but only dances that avoided any type of impropriety. Dances allowed in the assembly rooms were country-dances, like the reel. But as is the way with life, the assembly rooms changed with the times, and by the Regency period the quadrille was permitted and eventually the scandalous waltz was allowed.
Food at Almack’s consisted of thinly sliced bread with fresh butter and dry cake (meaning, no frosting). Beverages consisted of tea, orgeat, and lemonade. A very limited menu, but people did not visit the assembly rooms to eat.
Men often found the assembly rooms a chore and did not care for the dry establishment or the strict dress code.
People clamored for vouchers at Almack’s because it was the place to be and be seen. It was a where you went to flaunt your social rank and to meet others of similar mien. It was also considered the marriage market of the time. Men flocked to the rooms in search for brides from respectable members of high society. It was a coup worthy of celebration when a mother could procure her daughters vouchers for Almack’s.
October 8, 2012
Shopping in Regency England
Shopping is a main pastime for many in the 21st century. So it should come to no surprise that shopping was also popular during Regency England, especially among the gentry. It was the dawn of the industrial revolution when shoppers’ eyes widened upon seeing the largest selection of goods ever to be made available in history.
Shopkeepers sold specialized merchandise, so a lady often began at the draper shop to choose her fabrics, before stopping in purchasing trimmings and accessories from others, and finally making her way to the dressmaker to choose a pattern. Sounds exhausting to me, but I’m sure I’d be thrilled by all the choices, at first. Nevertheless, this scenario would likely become tedious.
After England’s victories of the Napoleonic Wars, the prince regent decided it was time to improve the city of London. He hired architect John Nash. Nash took very few private commissions after he began working for the Prince Regent. And Nash’s work for the regent was vast. John Nash is praised for his designs of Buckingham Palace, The Royal Pavilion in Brighton, the Quadrant of Regent street, and so much more that I need to dedicate a blog to him, but for now, back to shopping. Regent Street, Portland Place, and Cavendish Square all became fashionable streets during the Regency period and they crossed other shopping streets like Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road.
Shopping arcades came into being in 1816, and by 1819 the Burlington Arcade opened its doors in Mayfair, London. The Burlington Arcade is unlike an exchange or a bazaar for it consists of two rows of 72 enclosed shops. It is a covered shopping gallery that runs behind Bond Street from Piccadilly through Burlington Gardens. And like many of the shops in Mayfair, its location led to its success. The arcade was built for the sale of jewelry and other expensive items the fashionable demanded, but it also had milliners, hosiers, glovers, linin shops, shoemakers, hairdressers, lacemen, umbrella, and cane sellers, wine, books, and much more. These types of fashion arcades originated in Paris and were soon to be built in England with locations in Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and Bath.
Of course not only the affluent shopped and there was plenty of shopping to be found in Convent Garden, Cheapside, and Fleet Streets. The Cheapside shops lined the street with the owners of the shops often living above the store.
Some famous Regency Stores can be found on my site
http://www.lahilden.com/index.php?cat...
Shopkeepers sold specialized merchandise, so a lady often began at the draper shop to choose her fabrics, before stopping in purchasing trimmings and accessories from others, and finally making her way to the dressmaker to choose a pattern. Sounds exhausting to me, but I’m sure I’d be thrilled by all the choices, at first. Nevertheless, this scenario would likely become tedious.
After England’s victories of the Napoleonic Wars, the prince regent decided it was time to improve the city of London. He hired architect John Nash. Nash took very few private commissions after he began working for the Prince Regent. And Nash’s work for the regent was vast. John Nash is praised for his designs of Buckingham Palace, The Royal Pavilion in Brighton, the Quadrant of Regent street, and so much more that I need to dedicate a blog to him, but for now, back to shopping. Regent Street, Portland Place, and Cavendish Square all became fashionable streets during the Regency period and they crossed other shopping streets like Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road.
Shopping arcades came into being in 1816, and by 1819 the Burlington Arcade opened its doors in Mayfair, London. The Burlington Arcade is unlike an exchange or a bazaar for it consists of two rows of 72 enclosed shops. It is a covered shopping gallery that runs behind Bond Street from Piccadilly through Burlington Gardens. And like many of the shops in Mayfair, its location led to its success. The arcade was built for the sale of jewelry and other expensive items the fashionable demanded, but it also had milliners, hosiers, glovers, linin shops, shoemakers, hairdressers, lacemen, umbrella, and cane sellers, wine, books, and much more. These types of fashion arcades originated in Paris and were soon to be built in England with locations in Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and Bath.
Of course not only the affluent shopped and there was plenty of shopping to be found in Convent Garden, Cheapside, and Fleet Streets. The Cheapside shops lined the street with the owners of the shops often living above the store.
Some famous Regency Stores can be found on my site
http://www.lahilden.com/index.php?cat...
September 10, 2012
August 30, 2012
Review of Born Reckless
Romancing Rakes For the Love of Romance Reviewed Born Reckless
http://romancingrakes4theluvofromance...
http://romancingrakes4theluvofromance...
March 8, 2012
How being Left or Right Brained affects your writing
Here is my follow up article on writing and brain dominance. http://www.lahilden.com/index.php?cat...
March 7, 2012
Left or Right Brained Thinking?
I recently wrote a blog about Left and Right Brained thinking and how it can be insightful for your writing. I found the info fascinating and thought to share. http://www.lahilden.com/index.php?cat...
March 1, 2012
Born Reckless is in the Goodread's Giveaway
http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...
Malicious Intent …
Lady Clarissa Mayfield’s troubles have amassed. The most pressing, saving her father from harm. And if this means dealing with the pessimistic views of the devastatingly handsome Marquis of Camden, then so be it. Drawn toward the ridiculed, the daring Clarissa knows the recluse marquis is a troubled man. But she believes she has the wherewithal to save him.
Ulterior Motives …
Grayson Mathers, the Marquis of Camden believes himself unworthy of love, until he sees possibilities in the form of Clarissa Mayfield. The optimistic beauty intrigues him. Unfortunately, Grayson cannot garner an introduction with the young lady until he discovers why his only living relative is lying to him and how much trouble his family is in this time.
Unbeknownst to him, Grayson’s driver decides to kidnap Lady Clarissa. What’s even more shocking, is once she’s by his side, Grayson decides he must keep her.
The Ultimate Awakening …
Grayson and Clarissa’s story is a passionate journey of awakenings, of trying to move away from past terrors that haunt a person’s soul for eternity, and move into the light and comfort of love. Among quirky relatives and friends, lies and secrets, and antics that involve sneaking off to party of sexual favors, Clarissa and Grayson find true love through a process of healing and understanding, along with quite a few untruths and desperate plans.
Malicious Intent …
Lady Clarissa Mayfield’s troubles have amassed. The most pressing, saving her father from harm. And if this means dealing with the pessimistic views of the devastatingly handsome Marquis of Camden, then so be it. Drawn toward the ridiculed, the daring Clarissa knows the recluse marquis is a troubled man. But she believes she has the wherewithal to save him.
Ulterior Motives …
Grayson Mathers, the Marquis of Camden believes himself unworthy of love, until he sees possibilities in the form of Clarissa Mayfield. The optimistic beauty intrigues him. Unfortunately, Grayson cannot garner an introduction with the young lady until he discovers why his only living relative is lying to him and how much trouble his family is in this time.
Unbeknownst to him, Grayson’s driver decides to kidnap Lady Clarissa. What’s even more shocking, is once she’s by his side, Grayson decides he must keep her.
The Ultimate Awakening …
Grayson and Clarissa’s story is a passionate journey of awakenings, of trying to move away from past terrors that haunt a person’s soul for eternity, and move into the light and comfort of love. Among quirky relatives and friends, lies and secrets, and antics that involve sneaking off to party of sexual favors, Clarissa and Grayson find true love through a process of healing and understanding, along with quite a few untruths and desperate plans.
