Vindication at Last! (A Post by Lord Toplyn)
Image purchased at Period Images: https://www.periodimages.com/-/galleries/regency/kieranI have found my favorite Ruth Ann Nordin book, and I’m not just saying that because I happen to be in it. I’m saying it because this is the book that offers proof that even Malcom Jasper can’t deny: Lord Waxman would have been a horrible husband for Melissa Jasper. I kept telling everyone Melissa was better off with me during Ruined by the Earl, but many doubted me. Well, they won’t doubt me after they read The Earl’s Bluestocking Bride.
Here is a direct quote from Chapter Nine when Lord Dayton, the hero of that book, is at a ball dancing with a lady.
[Adam said,] “… did you happen to hear about the music at Lord Waxman’s ball a month ago? It sounded like a cat got tangled up in the strings from how poorly those violinists played.”
[The Duchess of Greaves’] eyes grew wide. “I didn’t attend that ball. Did you?”
He nodded. “If you heard any rumors about it, they’re true. Lord Waxman tried to offer more wine to make up for the catastrophe, but no one can drink enough wine to forget that sound.”
“That poor gentleman.”
“I wouldn’t feel too sorry for him. He made it a point to marry a wealthy lady, but he was wasteful with her dowry.” Adam shrugged. “I feel sorry for his wife. It’s bad enough he wasted her money. Word is that he sired another lady’s child. What are you going to do about a situation like that?”
She let out a sigh. “Yes, I suppose you’re right. He’s responsible for his own problems.”
For everyone who ever wondered if Melissa would have been better off with Lord Waxman, here is definitive proof that she would have ended up miserable. All of that flowery language he used in Ruined by the Earl about how delicate Melissa was and how much he loved her was all a bunch of crap. He was only interested in her money.
Before you say anything, yes, I was interested in her money, too. It is why I picked her that evening when I kissed her. But at least I was upfront about it. People knew my motive. The thing is, Lord Waxman pretended to be in love with her. He led everyone to believe he was truly devastated when I came along and broke up their engagement. Malcolm even took me outside of London in hopes he could kill me because of how heartbroken Melissa was.
After this news about Lord Waxman makes its way through London, Malcolm should thank me for rescuing her. I have never once cheated on her during our marriage, and I did not waste her dowry. She lives very comfortably with me and our four sons, Mathias, Jerry, Charles, and Joshua. So you see, she had a happy ending with me. And it wasn’t just a “happy for now” ending. This is a forever happy ending. The only thing that gets in the way of true bliss is Malcolm. He still refuses to admit I’m a good husband for her.
Which is what makes this portion of Chapter Nine equally enjoyable:
Lord Powell shook his head but joked, “My wife is too busy [at this ball] trying to impress the Cadwaladers for the sake of her lady’s group. She doesn’t even know I’m here this evening.”
“Then it’s good we’re here to keep you entertained,” Lord Toplyn teased. “Otherwise, who knows what mischief you’d get into?”
“Well, she won’t catch me throwing darts at my brother-in-law’s portrait,” Lord Powell replied.
Emma’s eyes grew wide. Did Lord Toplyn really do that to his brother-in-law’s portrait?
“Mr. Jasper isn’t the easiest person to get along with, but he does know how to make money,” Lord Draconhawthshire spoke up.
“No amount of money can make up for all that uptightness,” Lord Toplyn said. “You’d think his wife would have taught him that it’s acceptable to crack a smile once in a while, and yet, every time I see him, he has that scowl on his face. To this day, he believes I ruined his sister’s life.” He put his hand on his chest. “I might have my flaws, but I’d never take another lady to my bed like Lord Waxman did.”
“Yes, that’s quite the scandal,” Lord Powell agreed. “I doubt we’ll see his face any time soon in London.”
While that specific part of Chapter Nine doesn’t vindicate me, it is a hilarious moment that I hope Ruth will keep in the book when she does her edits. You see, everyone, even to this day, Malcolm scowls at me. I give him four nephews, and he acts like I’m the worst thing that ever happened to his sister.
Malcolm enters the blog post:
ID 35927562 | Man © dotshock | Dreamstime.comMalcolm: The stuff you and your friends are saying about me in Chapter Nine is a smear campaign! You are trying to turn readers against me.
Lord Toplyn (Logan): Is it a smear campaign when it’s the truth?
Malcolm: While I will consent that Lord Waxman isn’t the heroic figure we all assumed he was, my sister still could have done better than you. *takes a second look at Logan* What are you wearing?
Logan: I’m in the middle of a scene in Chapter Nine. I have to be dressed for it. I’m going to frame this chapter right next to those stupid portraits you keep giving me.
Malcolm: You mean the portraits that you use for target practice with my nephews?
Logan: If you wouldn’t keep sending me those portraits, I would pick something else to throw darts at.
Malcolm: I’m not the only one in those portraits. My wife, Regan, and our three children, Leonard, Harry, and Rhoda, are in those, too.
Logan: If it makes you feel better, we never throw darts at them. We only do that at you.
Malcolm: That does not make me feel better.
Logan: Of course not. You don’t have a sense of humor.
Malcolm: I am busy doing important things, Logan. Unlike you, I don’t whittle away my hours at a ball engaging in useless gossip. I am currently working on my stock portfolio. This is something that will build me and my family a firm financial foundation for decades to come.
Logan: I’ll have you know that gossip is not useless. Gossip is how you find out which people are bad apples, and Lord Waxman is a bad apple. I told you that years ago. I even caught him looking at the backside of a certain lady’s mother. When I told you about it, you refused to believe me. You accused me of being a liar. It wasn’t enough you could read the incident for yourself in Ruined by the Earl since Ruth put it out there for all to see. No. you just turned a blind eye to all of his faults.
Malcolm: Because your faults were so much greater than his.
Logan: *gasps* I can’t believe what’s I’m hearing. I was adorable in Ruined by the Earl.
Malcolm: It was because of you that Melissa spent half the book crying. Reviews are still pouring in about how obnoxious that was.
Logan: I can’t help it that she cried so much. I did tell her to throw a book at me. If she had done that, she would have gotten over her crying a lot sooner. But that’s neither here nor there. The important thing is she learned to love me.
Malcolm: I doubt she loves you as much as you love yourself. I hope you’re not going to be in this book too much.
Logan: Oh, I happen to have a couple of people who love it when I make an appearance, so Ruth will show more of me. If you didn’t take everything so seriously, you might get more appearances, too.
Malcolm: *sighs* I can see that I’m wasting my time by being here. Since my portraits continue to torment you so much, I’ll make sure to send you another one for Christmas.
Malcolm leaves.
Logan: You see what I have to deal with? He’s nonstop. But that doesn’t matter. What matters is that I have been vindicated, and when this book is published, everyone will know it. I can’t wait for this thing to be done! I would love it if Ruth added a scene where the Tittletattle puts everything about Lord Waxman on the front page and even the Cadwaladers are talking about it. If you can get the Cadwaladers to speak up against someone, their reputation is ruined for good. Well, that is everyone except Lord Edon. But he’s invincible due to “hero armor”, a writing technique where main characters in romances are immune to sad endings no matter what they do. But Lord Waxman was never–and will never be–the main character in any of Ruth’s books. So we’re all assured that my happy ending will continue to get better as the years pass. Let me speak to Ruth about the Tittletattle and Cadwaladers. If you’d like to join me in urging her to add more about Lord Waxman (and how horrible he is) in The Earl’s Bluestocking Bride, please do! I’m enjoying this vindication so much.
