NURSE TO THE MARQUESS by Katy Walters, Regency Suspense Romance, 181 pp., $.99 (kindle)
Title: NURSE TO THE MARQUESS
Author: Katy Walters
Publisher: Celtic Circle Publishing
Pages: 181
Genre: Regency Suspense/Romance
Author: Katy Walters
Publisher: Celtic Circle Publishing
Pages: 181
Genre: Regency Suspense/Romance
Under pressure from her aunt, Lady Rosamond Whitney agrees to attend
the Little Season in support of her widowed friend Lady Harriett
Templeton.
Still mourning for her young husband, Lady Harriett also has no
desire to marry again. Yet they both give in to their beloved aunt who
fears for their future if they do not meet worthy husbands.
After visiting the modiste who is preparing their ball gowns and
riding habits for the Little Season, they go to a local coffee house,
unaware of the danger ahead.
Enter the Lord Sebastian, 6th Marquess of Delmoor, once a renowned
rakehell and hero of the Battle of Waterloo suffering from war wounds
that make it highly unlikely he will win the love of a woman. His
friend, Lord Charles Roberts, 10th Viscount Morhampton intent of finding
a bride, begs Sebastian’s support as he attends the Little Season.
On their way, to Bath, they stop for coffee at the local coffee house
little realizing they would be fighting a rapacious group of drunken
dandiprats intent on dishonouring Lady Rosamond and Lady Harriett.
the Little Season in support of her widowed friend Lady Harriett
Templeton.
Still mourning for her young husband, Lady Harriett also has no
desire to marry again. Yet they both give in to their beloved aunt who
fears for their future if they do not meet worthy husbands.
After visiting the modiste who is preparing their ball gowns and
riding habits for the Little Season, they go to a local coffee house,
unaware of the danger ahead.
Enter the Lord Sebastian, 6th Marquess of Delmoor, once a renowned
rakehell and hero of the Battle of Waterloo suffering from war wounds
that make it highly unlikely he will win the love of a woman. His
friend, Lord Charles Roberts, 10th Viscount Morhampton intent of finding
a bride, begs Sebastian’s support as he attends the Little Season.
On their way, to Bath, they stop for coffee at the local coffee house
little realizing they would be fighting a rapacious group of drunken
dandiprats intent on dishonouring Lady Rosamond and Lady Harriett.
Chapter 1
‘Cassie, you’re
badgering me again.’
badgering me again.’
‘Dearest, I’m only
thinking of you. The Little Season is upon us. We’ve put it off too long.’ Her
Grace, the Duchess of Taunton, stood in front of a baronial stone hearth, the
carved features of leaping gargoyles menacing in the flickering firelight.
‘There will be such splendid balls. So many suiters will attend looking for a
suitable wife.’
thinking of you. The Little Season is upon us. We’ve put it off too long.’ Her
Grace, the Duchess of Taunton, stood in front of a baronial stone hearth, the
carved features of leaping gargoyles menacing in the flickering firelight.
‘There will be such splendid balls. So many suiters will attend looking for a
suitable wife.’
‘I’m happy as I
am.’ Defiantly, Rosamond crossed her arms across her chest. ‘Tis not a joking
matter Cassie,’ she muttered, seeing her sister bite back a smile.
am.’ Defiantly, Rosamond crossed her arms across her chest. ‘Tis not a joking
matter Cassie,’ she muttered, seeing her sister bite back a smile.
‘Look, it‘s
only a few balls and soirees.’
only a few balls and soirees.’
‘But it’s all
so belittling – a sham. The truth is, we’re not going there to enjoy the
dancing, we’re parading ourselves, like stuffed dolls on a shelf.’
so belittling – a sham. The truth is, we’re not going there to enjoy the
dancing, we’re parading ourselves, like stuffed dolls on a shelf.’
‘If you want to
marry, you’ll have to attend more social events.’
marry, you’ll have to attend more social events.’
‘Cassie, I
don’t want to wed – not yet. I’m so caught up with the horses. Really.’
don’t want to wed – not yet. I’m so caught up with the horses. Really.’
‘Time is
running out Rose. Look, you’re now one and twenty and you haven’t attended a
season. Don’t let your chances slip away.
running out Rose. Look, you’re now one and twenty and you haven’t attended a
season. Don’t let your chances slip away.
‘Cassie, I told
you I’m not interested. I have too much to do.’
you I’m not interested. I have too much to do.’
Tutting, the
Duchess crossed to her side, as she spoke. ‘You’re still young and beautiful –
please think about it. Surely you don’t want to live your life alone? Any
suiter would go on his knees for your hand. Just think you could meet the man
of your dreams, and be wed at Christmas. Oh yes, imagine – a Christmas wedding.
Don’t throw it away.’ She patted her sister on the arm and sitting down on the
chaise longue picked up her embroidery.’
Duchess crossed to her side, as she spoke. ‘You’re still young and beautiful –
please think about it. Surely you don’t want to live your life alone? Any
suiter would go on his knees for your hand. Just think you could meet the man
of your dreams, and be wed at Christmas. Oh yes, imagine – a Christmas wedding.
Don’t throw it away.’ She patted her sister on the arm and sitting down on the
chaise longue picked up her embroidery.’
Rose beetled
her brows. ‘I cringe at the thought of it. Endless boring hours doing those
country dances. Don’t laugh.’ She scowled at her sister. They’re trying to ban
the waltz, honestly the only dance where you can have some fun. ‘Nay, I’m not waiting for a titled runt.’
her brows. ‘I cringe at the thought of it. Endless boring hours doing those
country dances. Don’t laugh.’ She scowled at her sister. They’re trying to ban
the waltz, honestly the only dance where you can have some fun. ‘Nay, I’m not waiting for a titled runt.’
‘I would not
describe the men as—’
describe the men as—’
‘I will know
the man for me at first glance, and it won’t be in an Assembly Room. I want a
hot-blooded gallant, not some bacon brained twit, mincing to the minuet.’
the man for me at first glance, and it won’t be in an Assembly Room. I want a
hot-blooded gallant, not some bacon brained twit, mincing to the minuet.’
‘Come on Rose,
what novel are you reading? You have to have presence, be seen to —’
what novel are you reading? You have to have presence, be seen to —’
‘I’ll wait.'
‘So you want to wait for some unknown beau who
might happen to come along?
might happen to come along?
‘Yes, if you
put it that way.’ Rose frowned, trying to look interested in the builders
working in the castle bailey.
put it that way.’ Rose frowned, trying to look interested in the builders
working in the castle bailey.
‘I know, but it
rarely happens – ouch, darn it.’ Cassie sucked on her finger. ‘I’ve pricked my
finger on the needle.
rarely happens – ouch, darn it.’ Cassie sucked on her finger. ‘I’ve pricked my
finger on the needle.
‘Hmm, maybe
you’ll stop needling me.’ Rose could not suppress a grin, and pulled out her
handkerchief from her pocket. ‘Here, use this.’
you’ll stop needling me.’ Rose could not suppress a grin, and pulled out her
handkerchief from her pocket. ‘Here, use this.’
Cassie hissed,
‘funny, you’re very quick today. But don’t change the subject Rose; you do need
to think very seriously on what you could be throwing away. Next season you
will be two and twenty and….’ she let her words trail away.
‘funny, you’re very quick today. But don’t change the subject Rose; you do need
to think very seriously on what you could be throwing away. Next season you
will be two and twenty and….’ she let her words trail away.
‘And I’ll be
too old; I’ll become an ape leader, cooing after my nieces and nephews.’
too old; I’ll become an ape leader, cooing after my nieces and nephews.’
‘Rose it’s not
a joking matter. Even one year in your age makes all the difference. Men are
looking for a wife, the future mother of their heirs.’
a joking matter. Even one year in your age makes all the difference. Men are
looking for a wife, the future mother of their heirs.’
‘Oh Lord, don’t
Cassie, now I’m a brood mare.’
Cassie, now I’m a brood mare.’
Cassie bent her
head wrapping the handkerchief around her finger. ‘It’s life dearest, life, and
I want you to have one with the man you love. Darn it, will you tie this up for
me please.’
head wrapping the handkerchief around her finger. ‘It’s life dearest, life, and
I want you to have one with the man you love. Darn it, will you tie this up for
me please.’
Bending, Rose tied the handkerchief in a knot.
‘Honestly Cassie … I really hate those assembly rooms, queuing up and writing
their name on my dance card when I don’t even like them.’
‘Honestly Cassie … I really hate those assembly rooms, queuing up and writing
their name on my dance card when I don’t even like them.’
‘Well … look, why don’t you just try? Attend a
couple of the dances. The Assembly Rooms at Bath are spacious, with beautiful
crystal chandeliers, a huge ballroom.
I’ve heard they have so much fun there. And there’s a scrumptious
buffet. It’s not at all like the
preening pomp and lifted noses of the Big Season.’
couple of the dances. The Assembly Rooms at Bath are spacious, with beautiful
crystal chandeliers, a huge ballroom.
I’ve heard they have so much fun there. And there’s a scrumptious
buffet. It’s not at all like the
preening pomp and lifted noses of the Big Season.’
Rose chuckled.
‘If a man twinkle toed his way across the room to me, I’d run. Honestly Cassie,
they’re all so effeminate, waving fingertips, pointing toes and—’
‘If a man twinkle toed his way across the room to me, I’d run. Honestly Cassie,
they’re all so effeminate, waving fingertips, pointing toes and—’
Putting the
embroidery aside, Cassie looked earnestly at her sister. ‘The right beau may
just attend this time, you never know.’
embroidery aside, Cassie looked earnestly at her sister. ‘The right beau may
just attend this time, you never know.’
‘The right
beau?’ Rose tossed her head. ‘A man who spends his time at dances, and soirees?
I have no time for dandies.’
beau?’ Rose tossed her head. ‘A man who spends his time at dances, and soirees?
I have no time for dandies.’
‘Don’t
exaggerate. They’ll be lots of handsome men attending, It’s the only way for
them to find a wife really.’
exaggerate. They’ll be lots of handsome men attending, It’s the only way for
them to find a wife really.’
‘Hmm like cats
feeding on mice.’
feeding on mice.’
This could be
your season for love.’
your season for love.’
‘I abhor the
Assemblies Cassie; I can’t imagine sitting on wallflower row, all fluff and
feathers twiddling a stupid fan. Many girls sit there all evening praying some
male will ask them to dance. How debasing. No, I will not attend.’
Assemblies Cassie; I can’t imagine sitting on wallflower row, all fluff and
feathers twiddling a stupid fan. Many girls sit there all evening praying some
male will ask them to dance. How debasing. No, I will not attend.’
‘I shall let
the dowager loose on you.’ Cassie smiled, raising her eyebrows.
the dowager loose on you.’ Cassie smiled, raising her eyebrows.
Rose lifted her
hands in defense. ‘You wouldn’t? Not the dragon; you wouldn’t?’
hands in defense. ‘You wouldn’t? Not the dragon; you wouldn’t?’
‘Alright, but
it’s six months since Harriett’s period of mourning ended. The dear dowager
told me, she’s now discarded her black gloves. It’s time Harriett entered the
society again. Your sister-in-law needs you. She dreads attending the
Assemblies. Truly she needs you. You know how she suffered.’
it’s six months since Harriett’s period of mourning ended. The dear dowager
told me, she’s now discarded her black gloves. It’s time Harriett entered the
society again. Your sister-in-law needs you. She dreads attending the
Assemblies. Truly she needs you. You know how she suffered.’
‘Now it’s
emotional blackmail.’
emotional blackmail.’
‘Pray relent,
if not for her, then for your own sweet sake. At this rate, you’ll never
experience a man’s touch, his passion, his love. I don’t like to repeat this
but you may not have another chance. Most young women wed at seventeen and
mothers with two children at your age.’
if not for her, then for your own sweet sake. At this rate, you’ll never
experience a man’s touch, his passion, his love. I don’t like to repeat this
but you may not have another chance. Most young women wed at seventeen and
mothers with two children at your age.’
‘But you were
four and twenty before you met Max, and you didn’t attend one formal ball or
assembly, yet you urge me to sell myself on the Marriage Mart?
four and twenty before you met Max, and you didn’t attend one formal ball or
assembly, yet you urge me to sell myself on the Marriage Mart?
Exasperated,
but amused, Cassandra rose to her feet and walked over to the fire warming her
hands over the glowing embers of the logs. Today would be quite busy with
groups of tourists arriving to view the castle and the ongoing rebuild. ‘Rose,
the dowager is forcing our gentle Harriett to attend, but I will not do that to
you. I just ask that you try, if only for two weeks.’
but amused, Cassandra rose to her feet and walked over to the fire warming her
hands over the glowing embers of the logs. Today would be quite busy with
groups of tourists arriving to view the castle and the ongoing rebuild. ‘Rose,
the dowager is forcing our gentle Harriett to attend, but I will not do that to
you. I just ask that you try, if only for two weeks.’
‘Oh … alright –
but just a week.’ Rose stood up; her mouth set defiantly.
but just a week.’ Rose stood up; her mouth set defiantly.
Cassandra drew
a breath of relief. Privately, she too did not agree with the Marriage Mart; of
young women literally posing to catch a future husband. However, pray God,
there would be a man to meet Rose’s expectations. She was a head turner, with
her amber eyes, an abundance of golden hair and cream complexion. However, to Cassandra’s despair, the girl
preferred mucking out the stables to tiaras and dances. It would be a lonely
life for her, a spinster doting on her siblings’ infants. In time, she would
regret it.
a breath of relief. Privately, she too did not agree with the Marriage Mart; of
young women literally posing to catch a future husband. However, pray God,
there would be a man to meet Rose’s expectations. She was a head turner, with
her amber eyes, an abundance of golden hair and cream complexion. However, to Cassandra’s despair, the girl
preferred mucking out the stables to tiaras and dances. It would be a lonely
life for her, a spinster doting on her siblings’ infants. In time, she would
regret it.
USA
Today Best-Selling author, Katy Walters e.books, and paperbacks are
purchased and read in their thousands on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited.
Katy lives in the midst of Regency towns on the South Coast of England.
Her main interests are historical; contemporary suspense romance, and
time travel. She is equally drawn to the paranormal based on mythology
and the Dark Ages.
After
studying at various universities Katy was awarded a B.A Hons (psych)
B.A.(Soc.) B.A. Eng Lit & Creative Writing and an M.A. She was also
awarded a Doctor of Science (Hon) for research into pain control. She
pursued a fulfilling career as a research psychologist and
psychotherapist and gained a fellowship in hypnotherapy. She now enjoys
writing over several genres. At present Katy is working on a novel based
on psychology and hypnosis.
WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK
Interview with Katy Walters
How did you come up with name of this book?
Names or titles are always difficult for me as I am so engrossed in the characters and story that I will often write a whole book before thinking of a title. Having said that, I often do not know where the book is taking me until the characters take action and begin talking to each other, so I just tuck it away until I am ready to even think about it. However the title is all important and this is where I can spend a few days before I compose a title that appeals to me.
Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
Yes I read every night, mainly in the genre I am writing in at the time, as that gets me in the flow. It is important to include the tropes of the genre. People expect and love unwritten rules for the genre and they are so important. . For example, in medieval romance the knight does or does not win his lady love. Or, in Regency Romance, the woman is either bullied or submissive or the opposite, and is a feisty character who does not tolerate nay domination by the male hero. The Duke or Earl is either a rakehell or for example a hero of say, the Peninsula Wars, or again, a Marquess whose heart is broken by a selfish fiancée and so on. Rarely does a hardworking solicitor clerk with his white cuffs plastered in ink appear as the hero. For my Regency novels, I use the less popular trope of the fight for equality which was done secretly in those days, lest the woman is flung out of her home. This was a common occurrence in those days for women who did not obey their master’s voice. The fight for equality built into a major case as the century progressed and still is a primary cause for dissension today. Sex is always important here but again is another huge area for debate.
Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?
I always write to music and have a long list of composers to suit the mood and message of a particular scene or character.
What do you feel you can accomplish with this book?
LOL. First that I can finish it!! As I said above, I never really know what will happen in my novels until I am nearing the end. I am just as interested as the reader in what is coming next. My brain is a mystery and one which never ceases to surprise me. As I wrote above, I do have a voice on women’s equality and also in the historical novels, the injustice and cruelty meted out to the lower classes, men, women and children. So my characters will pounce on those subjects.
What is your next project?
Not sure. I have an idea what I would like to write about, but as I wrote above, characters can change all that. Usually I have a eureka moment where the ideas will suddenly pounce out of the darkness. It is usually around 3.00 am. This particular phenomenon happens so much to writers and is often called the 3 o’clock Epiphany!! So many authors have a pad and pen or recorder ready to scratch down the ideas.
Thank you so much for having me.
How did you come up with name of this book?
Names or titles are always difficult for me as I am so engrossed in the characters and story that I will often write a whole book before thinking of a title. Having said that, I often do not know where the book is taking me until the characters take action and begin talking to each other, so I just tuck it away until I am ready to even think about it. However the title is all important and this is where I can spend a few days before I compose a title that appeals to me.
Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
Yes I read every night, mainly in the genre I am writing in at the time, as that gets me in the flow. It is important to include the tropes of the genre. People expect and love unwritten rules for the genre and they are so important. . For example, in medieval romance the knight does or does not win his lady love. Or, in Regency Romance, the woman is either bullied or submissive or the opposite, and is a feisty character who does not tolerate nay domination by the male hero. The Duke or Earl is either a rakehell or for example a hero of say, the Peninsula Wars, or again, a Marquess whose heart is broken by a selfish fiancée and so on. Rarely does a hardworking solicitor clerk with his white cuffs plastered in ink appear as the hero. For my Regency novels, I use the less popular trope of the fight for equality which was done secretly in those days, lest the woman is flung out of her home. This was a common occurrence in those days for women who did not obey their master’s voice. The fight for equality built into a major case as the century progressed and still is a primary cause for dissension today. Sex is always important here but again is another huge area for debate.
Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?
I always write to music and have a long list of composers to suit the mood and message of a particular scene or character.
What do you feel you can accomplish with this book?
LOL. First that I can finish it!! As I said above, I never really know what will happen in my novels until I am nearing the end. I am just as interested as the reader in what is coming next. My brain is a mystery and one which never ceases to surprise me. As I wrote above, I do have a voice on women’s equality and also in the historical novels, the injustice and cruelty meted out to the lower classes, men, women and children. So my characters will pounce on those subjects.
What is your next project?
Not sure. I have an idea what I would like to write about, but as I wrote above, characters can change all that. Usually I have a eureka moment where the ideas will suddenly pounce out of the darkness. It is usually around 3.00 am. This particular phenomenon happens so much to writers and is often called the 3 o’clock Epiphany!! So many authors have a pad and pen or recorder ready to scratch down the ideas.
Thank you so much for having me.
No comments:
Post a Comment