Observations of a Wallflower

LADY LUCINDA'S LORDS

Ten Leaping Lords, one imperious grandmother, and a Mister from Louisiana were her Christmas fate.

Much to Lady Lucinda Claxton’s dismay and irritation, her father’s house party only includes bachelors ready to wed. With her siblings off celebrating Christmas elsewhere, Lucinda is left to fend for herself. A new arrival, however, changes everything, and soon Lucinda decides the next ten days may not be so tedious after all.

Mr. Caleb Copeland agrees to accompany his great-aunts to the home of the Duke of Arscott on one condition: He’ll not participate in any of the entertainments. He is simply their escort, not an invited guest. However, as much as he tries to keep his vow, his path often crosses Lady Lucinda’s while she is hiding from her court. Before long, Caleb knows none of her leaping lords will ever be worthy of her. Unfortunately, neither is he.

COURTSHIP OF CONVENIENCE

Observations of a Wallflower

Journal Entry of December 5, 1816

Society can be odd and those within the ton do not always behave as expected.

For example, Lady Violet Claxton spent more time in the gardens admiring flowers, plants, and bushes than she did inside any ballroom, and I left London wondering why she preferred roses over bachelors. Though perhaps it’s because she’s grows bored with tedious conversation, as her intelligence is beyond most, she’s pragmatic, and lacks patience when time is wasted. Therefore, a London Season must be trying indeed for someone such as she.

Then there was Lord Emory Talbot, Viscount Ferrard, who behaved exactly as one would expect of a rake. Though he is expected to marry and produce an heir and a spare, Ferrard showed no interest in any lady or miss for longer than an evening. Further, I have it on good authority that he fears any form of commitment, which may explain why he’s not even kept a mistress or settled on a wife. However, rumors have recently reached me that he may no longer have the option of waiting. The details have not been shared, but I’m certain they are drastic as I’m to understand that he is to attend a house party where Lady Violet is in residence. And, I have also learned from the most trusted authority that Ferrard never attends house parties.

I cannot begin to imagine how the two might get on when they do finally meet. Will he show interest for no more than a night or will she spend all her time in the gardens avoiding all guests? Regardless of any interaction the two may share, I’m certain nothing will come from their association as I can’t think of two less likely candidates to enter into a courtship.

SCANDALOUS WAGER

Miss Vanessa Claxton gave her heart to Lord Crispin Tilson when she was only seventeen. He did not ask for it, but it went willingly. A secret friendship on the cusp of young love, and then he was gone.

Lord Crispin Tilson hadn’t expected that at the age of twenty he’d fall in love with a miss enjoying her first Season. He certainly hadn’t anticipated that their meetings would take place in secret and that nobody would ever learn. But, as much as he wished to be with Vanessa, adventure called, and he had to leave her behind.

Nine years later, they meet once again when Lord Crispin, the finder of all things, and Miss Claxton, the thief finder, are asked to locate a missing gem. Will love bloom again, or will competition and wagers get in the way?

DUKE IN TRAINING

Darius Copeland, an American, and now the Duke of Ellings, believes he has been taught all that is necessary for this new station in life. Lady Theresa "Tess" Claxton will show him that there is so much more to learn.

A ROGUE'S RECKONING

Coming 9/3/2024

Lord Seth Claxton embraced the life of a rogue: brandy, women, gambling. His luck with cards led him to establishing his own gambling den from which his wealth grew. That is, until those who usually sat at his tables started gambling at a more respectable establishment owned by his cousin.

For Lady Frances Hawthorn, the limited prospects of who she might marry were uninspired. While many misses had a sea of gentlemen from whom they could choose, hers had always been limited due to a lack of dowry. Thus, Frances retired to the side of the ballroom, happy to claim her wallflower status, and was determined to forge her own path.

What she had not counted on was a gentleman from her past upsetting the balance of her perfect world. Now she fully intends to have her revenge by beating the rogue at his own game.