Tangled Love:Excerpt:18thc. Historical Fiction

Tangled Love by Rosemary Morris was short listed for the best romantic e-book at The Festival of Romance, Bedford U.K in 2013

 

 

Chapter Two

London - 1702

 

Chesney stepped from Lady Ware’s spacious house into King Street, and walked towards Whitehall. Although the proposal to marry Lady Richelda took him by surprise, he gave further thought to accepting it. Yet he would not wait for Lady Richelda to come to town where she would doubtless parade in the latest fashions, powder and patch. Where did she live?  He searched his memory. Ah, now he remembered. She lived at Bellemont which Lady Ware had mentioned lay close by his newly purchased property. Why not hazard a journey there and cast an eye over both domains?

His stride quickened to keep pace with his racing mind. Was the young lady tall or short, plain or pretty, blonde or brunette, meek or shrewish, illiterate or well educated?

Cocksure, Chesney took her acceptance of his proposal for granted. After all, why should she refuse a well-educated, not ill favoured viscount?

He knew it was time to settle down and have a family.  If she proved suitable he would wed her. He would welcome her inheritance. For his part, he would try not to give her cause for complaint by ensuring she lacked naught. They would refurbish Field House, improve the estate and purchase a town house.

His inner voice nagged him. What of love?

For most people of his rank, sentiment had little to do with marriage. In fact, some said no lady concerned herself with the vulgarity of love or passion. A wife’s happiness and satisfaction should be derived through ensuring her husband’s comfort, good works, plying her needle and raising children.

He sighed. A man in his position must marry if only to father heirs.

 ‘Look an Adonis? Who is he?’ A high-pitched female voice interrupted his thoughts.

Chesney looked round at a powdered and patched lady with rouged cheeks who stared at him.

‘I don’t know, I think he’s a newcomer to town,’ her companion, a younger lady said in an equally strident tone.

Unaffected by their comments he laughed. Since his youth women commented on his height and his perfect proportions. He did not consider himself vain, but unlike some members of his gentlemen’s club, who took little exercise and overate, he fenced, hunted, rode and walked to keep his body fit.

The older lady inclined her head, the younger one winked before they went about their business.

Chesney whistled low. What would Lady Richelda think of him? He contemplated his future with pleasure. With a smile, he thought of London’s coffeehouses, theatres, parks, concerts and pleasure gardens. Lady Richelda’s inheritance, added to his more modest one, would ensure they could command the elegancies of life.

When he reached his lodgings, he summoned Roberts. ‘Pack, we leave for Field House tomorrow. Send a message to the stables. I require my coach at eight in the morning. Is there anything to eat?’

Roberts shook his head.

‘Order some mutton pies from the tavern. Do you want me to die of hunger?  Hurry, man, what do you tarry for?’  He clapped his hands, his mind racing with thoughts of the future.

Roberts bowed low. He straightened, regarding him with his face creased in familiar lines of despair.

 ‘What?’ Chesney sighed. Why did he always feel dishevelled in his manservant’s presence?  Roberts was only six years his senior but Chesney could not remember a day when the man did not wear an immaculate black cloth suit, a neat black waistcoat and unwrinkled stockings.

‘Firstly, my lord, the sooner you purchase a London House and employ a cook the better it will be. Secondly, with all due respect, my lord, your appearance grieves me.’

Chesney looked contritely at his black, buckled shoes and his white silk stockings splashed with muck from London’s filthy streets. He knew Roberts aspired to take the credit for him always being dressed to perfection.  ‘Do not despair, you shall have the pleasure of dressing me in fine clothes on my wedding day,’ he teased.

 

Tangled Love is available from: MuseItUp Publishing, Amazon Kindle, Nook, Omlit, Bookstrand Mainstream, Kobo and elsewhere.

 To view the book trailer, read the first three chapters and reviews please visit. www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

 

 

Tangled Love:Extract:Early 18thc. Historical Fiction

Tangled Love by Rosemary Morris was short listed for the best romantic e-book at The Festival of Romance, Bedford U.K in 2013

Extract from Chapter One
London - 1702

Chesney rapped his cane on the front door of Lady Ware’s London mansion. Sister of his late father’s friend he did not know her well. He wondered why she had summoned him.
‘Lord Chesney?’ Bennet, Lady Ware’s middle-aged butler, queried his lined
face both respectful.
Chesney inclined his head.
‘This way, my lord. You are expected.’ Bennet led him up the stairs to a beautifully appointed parlour on the first floor where he announced him to Lady Ware.
Chesney raised his voice above the barks of six King Charles Cavalier spaniels. ‘Your servant, Lady Ware.’
Lady Ware waved a hand at her little dogs. ‘Be quiet.’ Her ladyship inclined her head to him. ‘My lord, I am pleased to see you?’
Full glass in his hand, Chesney sat.
‘My lord, I shall come straight to the point. I summoned you to propose your marriage to my niece, Richelda Shaw. In all honesty, I assure you it would be to your advantage.’
While she waited for his reply, the petite lady patted her silvery hair with one hand. With her other hand she fluttered her fan which she peeped over girlishly. 
‘You flatter me, Madam,’ he drawled.
Lady Ware’s dainty shrug released her cloying perfume of lavender mingled with roses and vanilla. She snapped her fan shut then tapped his arm with it. ‘You are mistaken. I do not flatter you. I offer you and my niece a solution. Your fathers followed King James to France. You are gossiped about.  People eye you as distrustfully as I think my niece will be eyed when I bring her to London.’
 ‘Are you not gossiped about, Lady Ware? After all, your late brother, the earl’s conversion to the Church of Rome must place you and your family under government scrutiny. For my part, I thank God my father remained true to The Anglican Church.’
Lady Ware shuddered. ‘Do not mention that matter to me, my lord. I vow I had no sympathy with my brother when he became a Papist. All I can do is thank God he was not tried as a traitor and his head is not displayed at the Tower of London.’
Chesney shifted his position, smothering a yawn behind his hand before he made a cautious reply. ‘I am neither a Jacobite nor a Papist.  I apologize for mentioning the matter of your brother’s conversion.’
‘Some more wine, Viscount?’ 
He shook his head, leaning back to deliberately present a picture of a man completely at his ease.
Lady Ware arched her eyebrows. She sipped her wine. ‘All London knows I am a wealthy woman.’ She blinked the sheen of tears from her eyes. ‘My lord, ’tis cruel not only to suffer widowhood thrice but to also lose my only child.’
Acknowledging her grief, he bowed his head. ‘My condolences, Madam.’
‘Thank you.’ She dabbed her eyes with a black handkerchief. ‘My poor daughter’s death is my niece’s gain. If Richelda is obedient, she will inherit all my property.’
Her ladyship rested her head against the back of her chair. She opened her fan and plied it restlessly while she scrutinized him.
‘What do you think of my proposal, my lord?’
Chesney sat straighter. She had not minced her words. He smiled with his usual forthrightness. ‘As yet I have neither put myself on the matrimonial market nor made my fortune and title available to any lady who wishes to marry me.’
‘I hear you purchased Field House.’ She tapped her fan on the arm of her chair.
‘Yes, I did,’ he replied in a neutral tone.
‘Well, sir, I shall speak bluntly. My niece’s lands are adjacent to yours.
Through marriage, you would double your estate by acquiring my niece’s mansion, Bellemont House and all the land around it. As for my niece, she would become mistress of Field House, my childhood home.
He inclined his head curious now as to what the old lady’s motive was. Ah, did she want him to marry her niece because she had a sentimental attachment to his estate?
Undeterred by his silence, Lady Ware continued. ‘I know your circumstances. Though you have no close relative, you are saddled with a clutch of distant relations who anticipate your help to advance in the world.’
Devil take it, she was correct. His family looked to him for patronage.  They expected him to marry well and produce an heir. Confound it, not one of them had regained their positions, lands or fortunes after the first King
Charles’s execution. Fortunately, his grandfather’s marriage to a French heiress saved he himself from poverty.
 
Her ladyship’s Roman nose twitched. Her thin lips curved in a predatory smile. ‘You will consider the match?’

Reluctant to say anything she might interpret as his agreement to marry Lady Richelda, he nodded. ‘I will do no more than consider it.’
‘Good, I shall not press you further.’ She hesitated with her fan mid-air, only to flutter it agitatedly. ‘I prefer you not to tell anyone my niece is my heiress. When she comes to town, I do not want a flock of fortune hunters to approach her.’
‘On my honour, I will not mention it to anyone. By the way, when will Lady Richelda arrive?’ 
‘This week.’
He stood. Each of the small dogs wagged their tails, stirred and yapped for attention round his ankles. Deep in thought he ignored them. Although no thought of imminent marriage had entered his head when he arrived, he might change his mind after meeting her ladyship’s niece. It was time he married and if she proved pleasant enough, maybe -.
Lady Ware clapped her hands. ‘My poppets like you and, believe me, my lord, they are good judges of character.’
Chesney restrained an incipient chuckle at his sudden notion of her ladyship’s dogs tricked out in wigs and gowns to judge him. ‘I am complimented by their approval, my lady.’ He bowed and kissed her bejewelled hand. ‘As for your niece, only providence knows if she and I are suited.’
With a rustle of silk mourning Lady Ware rose. ‘I believe you and Lady Richelda are well matched.’
Tangled Love is available from: MuseItUp Publishing, Amazon Kindle, Nook, Omlit, Bookstrand Mainstream, Kobo and elsewhere.
To view the book trailer, read the first three chapters and reviews please visit. www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Tangled Love by Rosemary Morris was short listed for the best romantic e-book at The Festival of Romance, Bedford U.K in 2013

Extract from Chapter One
London - 1702

Chesney rapped his cane on the front door of Lady Ware’s London mansion. Sister of his late father’s friend he did not know her well. He wondered why she had summoned him.
‘Lord Chesney?’ Bennet, Lady Ware’s middle-aged butler, queried his lined
face both respectful.
Chesney inclined his head.
‘This way, my lord. You are expected.’ Bennet led him up the stairs to a beautifully appointed parlour on the first floor where he announced him to Lady Ware.
Chesney raised his voice above the barks of six King Charles Cavalier spaniels. ‘Your servant, Lady Ware.’
Lady Ware waved a hand at her little dogs. ‘Be quiet.’ Her ladyship inclined her head to him. ‘My lord, I am pleased to see you?’
Full glass in his hand, Chesney sat.
‘My lord, I shall come straight to the point. I summoned you to propose your marriage to my niece, Richelda Shaw. In all honesty, I assure you it would be to your advantage.’
While she waited for his reply, the petite lady patted her silvery hair with one hand. With her other hand she fluttered her fan which she peeped over girlishly. 
‘You flatter me, Madam,’ he drawled.
Lady Ware’s dainty shrug released her cloying perfume of lavender mingled with roses and vanilla. She snapped her fan shut then tapped his arm with it. ‘You are mistaken. I do not flatter you. I offer you and my niece a solution. Your fathers followed King James to France. You are gossiped about.  People eye you as distrustfully as I think my niece will be eyed when I bring her to London.’
 ‘Are you not gossiped about, Lady Ware? After all, your late brother, the earl’s conversion to the Church of Rome must place you and your family under government scrutiny. For my part, I thank God my father remained true to The Anglican Church.’
Lady Ware shuddered. ‘Do not mention that matter to me, my lord. I vow I had no sympathy with my brother when he became a Papist. All I can do is thank God he was not tried as a traitor and his head is not displayed at the Tower of London.’
Chesney shifted his position, smothering a yawn behind his hand before he made a cautious reply. ‘I am neither a Jacobite nor a Papist.  I apologize for mentioning the matter of your brother’s conversion.’
‘Some more wine, Viscount?’ 
He shook his head, leaning back to deliberately present a picture of a man completely at his ease.
Lady Ware arched her eyebrows. She sipped her wine. ‘All London knows I am a wealthy woman.’ She blinked the sheen of tears from her eyes. ‘My lord, ’tis cruel not only to suffer widowhood thrice but to also lose my only child.’
Acknowledging her grief, he bowed his head. ‘My condolences, Madam.’
‘Thank you.’ She dabbed her eyes with a black handkerchief. ‘My poor daughter’s death is my niece’s gain. If Richelda is obedient, she will inherit all my property.’
Her ladyship rested her head against the back of her chair. She opened her fan and plied it restlessly while she scrutinized him.
‘What do you think of my proposal, my lord?’
Chesney sat straighter. She had not minced her words. He smiled with his usual forthrightness. ‘As yet I have neither put myself on the matrimonial market nor made my fortune and title available to any lady who wishes to marry me.’
‘I hear you purchased Field House.’ She tapped her fan on the arm of her chair.
‘Yes, I did,’ he replied in a neutral tone.
‘Well, sir, I shall speak bluntly. My niece’s lands are adjacent to yours.
Through marriage, you would double your estate by acquiring my niece’s mansion, Bellemont House and all the land around it. As for my niece, she would become mistress of Field House, my childhood home.
He inclined his head curious now as to what the old lady’s motive was. Ah, did she want him to marry her niece because she had a sentimental attachment to his estate?
Undeterred by his silence, Lady Ware continued. ‘I know your circumstances. Though you have no close relative, you are saddled with a clutch of distant relations who anticipate your help to advance in the world.’
Devil take it, she was correct. His family looked to him for patronage.  They expected him to marry well and produce an heir. Confound it, not one of them had regained their positions, lands or fortunes after the first King
Charles’s execution. Fortunately, his grandfather’s marriage to a French heiress saved he himself from poverty.
 
Her ladyship’s Roman nose twitched. Her thin lips curved in a predatory smile. ‘You will consider the match?’

Reluctant to say anything she might interpret as his agreement to marry Lady Richelda, he nodded. ‘I will do no more than consider it.’
‘Good, I shall not press you further.’ She hesitated with her fan mid-air, only to flutter it agitatedly. ‘I prefer you not to tell anyone my niece is my heiress. When she comes to town, I do not want a flock of fortune hunters to approach her.’
‘On my honour, I will not mention it to anyone. By the way, when will Lady Richelda arrive?’ 
‘This week.’
He stood. Each of the small dogs wagged their tails, stirred and yapped for attention round his ankles. Deep in thought he ignored them. Although no thought of imminent marriage had entered his head when he arrived, he might change his mind after meeting her ladyship’s niece. It was time he married and if she proved pleasant enough, maybe -.
Lady Ware clapped her hands. ‘My poppets like you and, believe me, my lord, they are good judges of character.’
Chesney restrained an incipient chuckle at his sudden notion of her ladyship’s dogs tricked out in wigs and gowns to judge him. ‘I am complimented by their approval, my lady.’ He bowed and kissed her bejewelled hand. ‘As for your niece, only providence knows if she and I are suited.’
With a rustle of silk mourning Lady Ware rose. ‘I believe you and Lady Richelda are well matched.’
Tangled Love is available from: MuseItUp Publishing, Amazon Kindle, Nook, Omlit, Bookstrand Mainstream, Kobo and elsewhere.
To view the book trailer, read the first three chapters and reviews please visit. www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Tangled Love. Excerpt, Early 18thc Historical Fiction

Tangled Love, the story of two great estates, by Rosemary Morris was short listed for the best romantic e-book at The Festival of Romance, Bedford, U.K in 2013

 

Chapter One

 Fothering Place, London, England.

 1702

 

At ease in his lodgings, Alban, Viscount Chesney eyed his friend, Jack, Duke of Hertfordshire, whose tall frame was clad in extravagant silk and velvet. Gem set rings, illuminated by brilliant candlelight, adorned his long fingers.

Why did His Grace’s dark square face with its cleft chin look tense while he toyed with his blond periwig?

His dark amber eyes keen, Jack spoke. ‘My bailiff tells me you bought Field House.’

Chesney knew all about Jack’s insatiable hunger for land. In fact, Jack rarely missed a chance to add to his estates. ‘Yes, I did.’ He kept his tone smooth.

Jack swallowed the last of his port. ‘I would have bought it but for my fool of a bailiff who informed me too late of the sale.’

The viscount beckoned to Roberts, his servant. ‘More port for His Grace.’  He placed a hand over his own glass when Roberts moved toward him

Chesney glanced round his small but comfortable book-lined room. Although Jack was the most influential man and largest landowner in Hertfordshire it had naught to do with their friendship.

Jack stretched his legs out towards the fire. ‘Will you sell Field House to me?  After all both house and land have fallen fell into a sad state of neglect.’

‘No, I look forward to restoring my estate. Do not argue with me, my mind is made up.’

Jack’s cheeks reddened. ‘Very well, but now you are my neighbour, you must visit me whenever you wish.’ He yawned. ‘The hour grows late. I will take my leave of you.’

 Chesney stood. He bowed with mock formality. ‘I shall call on you with pleasure.’

 

                                                                                                                                      ..../continues

 Tangled Love is available from: MuseItUp Publishing, Amazon Kindle, Nook, Omlit, Bookstrand Mainstream, Kobo and elsewhere.

 To view the book trailer, read the first three chapters and reviews please visit. www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

 

 

Tangled Love:Early 18thc Historical Fiction.

Tangled Love by Rosemary Morris was short listed for the best romantic e-book at The Festival of Romance, Bedford, U.K in 2013

 

 

Tangled Love

Prologue- 1693

 

Nine year-old Richelda Shaw sat on the floor in her nursery. She pulled a quilt pulled over her head to block out the thunder pealing outside the ancient manor house while an even fiercer storm raged deep within. Eyes closed, remained as motionless as a marble statue.

Elsie, her mother’s personal maid, pulled the quilt from her head. ‘Stand up child, there’s nothing to be frightened of. Come, your father’s waiting for you.’

Richelda trembled. Until now Father’s short visits from France meant gifts and laughter. This one made Mother cry while servants spoke in hushed tones.

Followed by Elsie, Richelda hurried down broad oak stairs. For a moment, she paused to admire lilies of the valley in a Delft bowl.  Only yesterday, she picked the flowers to welcome Father home then arranged them with tender care. Now, the bowl stood on a chest, which stood beneath a pair of crossed broadswords hanging on the wall.

Elsie opened the great massive door of the great hall where Father stood to one side of an enormous hearth. Richelda hesitated. Her eyes searched for her mother before she walked across the floor, spread her skirts wide and knelt before him.

Father placed his right hand on her bent head. ‘Bless you, daughter, may God keep you safe.’ He smiled. ‘Stand up, child. Upon my word, sweetheart, your hair reminds me of a golden rose. How glad I am to see roses bloom in these troubled times.’

Richelda stood but dared not speak for she did not know him well.

 Putting an arm round her waist, he drew her to him. ‘Come, do not be nervous of your father, child. Tell me if you know King James II holds court in France while his daughter, Mary, and William, his son-in-law, rule after seizing his throne?’

‘Yes, Mother told me we are well rid of King James and his Papist wife,’ she piped up, proud of her knowledge.

With a sigh, Father lifted her onto his knee. ‘Richelda, I must follow His Majesty for I swore an oath of allegiance to him. Tell me, child, while King James lives how can I with honour swear allegiance to his disloyal daughter and her husband?’

Unable to think of a reply, she lowered her head breathing in his spicy perfume.

Father held her closer. ‘Your mother pleads with me to declare myself for William and Mary. She begs me not to return to France, but I am obliged to serve King James. Do you understand?’

As she nodded her cheek brushed against his velvet coat. ‘Yes, I understand, my tutor explained why many gentlemen will not serve the new king and queen.’

‘If you remain in England, you will be safe. Bellemont is part of your mother’s dowry so I doubt it will be confiscated.’

If she remained in England! Startled, she stared at him.

Smiling, he popped her onto her feet. ‘We shall ride. I have something to show you.’

*****

Before long, hey drew rein on the brow of a hill. Father pointed at a manor house in the valley.  ‘Look at our ancestral home, Field House. The Roundheads confiscated it soon after the first King Charles’ execution.  Richelda, I promised my father to do all in my power to regain the property.’ Grey-faced, he pressed his hand to his chest. ‘Alas, I have failed to keep my oath,’ he wheezed.

Richelda not only yearned to help him keep his promise to her grandfather, she also yearned to find the gold and jewels legend said her buccaneer ancestor, Sir Nicholas, hid.

She waited for her father to breathe easy before she spoke. ‘If we found the treasure trove you could buy Field House.’

 ‘Ah, you believe Sir Nicholas did not give all his plunder to Good Queen Bess,’ he teased.

 ‘Elsie told me legend says he hid some of his booty in Field House,’ she said excited by the thought of a treasure trove. ‘In his old age, when Sir Nicholas retired from seafaring, is it true that he put his ship’s figurehead, Lady Luck, in the great hall?’ she asked by now less shy of him.

‘Yes, for all I know she is still above a mighty fireplace carved with pomegranates, our family’s device.’

‘I would like to see it.’

 ‘One day, perhaps you will. Now, tell me if you know our family motto.’

‘Fortune favours the brave.’

‘Are you brave, my little lady? Will you swear on the Bible to do all in your power to regain Field House?’

To please him, she nodded.

 

Tangled Love is available from: MuseItUp Publishing, Amazon Kindle, Nook, Omlit, Bookstrand Mainstream, Kobo and elsewhere.

 

To view the book trailer, read the first three chapters and reviews please visit. www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Tangled Love by Rosemary Morris was short listed for the best romantic e-book at The Festival of Romance, Bedford, U.K in 2013

 Tangled Love

Prologue- 1693

 Nine year-old Richelda Shaw sat on the floor in her nursery. She pulled a quilt pulled over her head to block out the thunder pealing outside the ancient manor house while an even fiercer storm raged deep within. Eyes closed, remained as motionless as a marble statue.

Elsie, her mother’s personal maid, pulled the quilt from her head. ‘Stand up child, there’s nothing to be frightened of. Come, your father’s waiting for you.’

Richelda trembled. Until now Father’s short visits from France meant gifts and laughter. This one made Mother cry while servants spoke in hushed tones.

Followed by Elsie, Richelda hurried down broad oak stairs. For a moment, she paused to admire lilies of the valley in a Delft bowl.  Only yesterday, she picked the flowers to welcome Father home then arranged them with tender care. Now, the bowl stood on a chest, which stood beneath a pair of crossed broadswords hanging on the wall.

Elsie opened the great massive door of the great hall where Father stood to one side of an enormous hearth. Richelda hesitated. Her eyes searched for her mother before she walked across the floor, spread her skirts wide and knelt before him.

Father placed his right hand on her bent head. ‘Bless you, daughter, may God keep you safe.’ He smiled. ‘Stand up, child. Upon my word, sweetheart, your hair reminds me of a golden rose. How glad I am to see roses bloom in these troubled times.’

Richelda stood but dared not speak for she did not know him well.

Putting an arm round her waist, he drew her to him. ‘Come, do not be nervous of your father, child. Tell me if you know King James II holds court in France while his daughter, Mary, and William, his son-in-law, rule after seizing his throne?’

‘Yes, Mother told me we are well rid of King James and his Papist wife,’ she piped up, proud of her knowledge.

With a sigh, Father lifted her onto his knee. ‘Richelda, I must follow His Majesty for I swore an oath of allegiance to him. Tell me, child, while King James lives how can I with honour swear allegiance to his disloyal daughter and her husband?’

Unable to think of a reply, she lowered her head breathing in his spicy perfume.

Father held her closer. ‘Your mother pleads with me to declare myself for William and Mary. She begs me not to return to France, but I am obliged to serve King James. Do you understand?’

As she nodded her cheek brushed against his velvet coat. ‘Yes, I understand, my tutor explained why many gentlemen will not serve the new king and queen.’

‘If you remain in England, you will be safe. Bellemont is part of your mother’s dowry so I doubt it will be confiscated.’

If she remained in England! Startled, she stared at him.

Smiling, he popped her onto her feet. ‘We shall ride. I have something to show you.’

*****

Before long, they drew rein on the brow of a hill. Father pointed at a manor house in the valley.  ‘Look at our ancestral home, Field House. The Roundheads confiscated it soon after the first King Charles’ execution.  Richelda, I promised my father to do all in my power to regain the property.’ Grey-faced, he pressed his hand to his chest. ‘Alas, I have failed to keep my oath,’ he wheezed.

Richelda not only yearned to help him keep his promise to her grandfather, she also yearned to find the gold and jewels legend said her buccaneer ancestor, Sir Nicholas, hid.

She waited for her father to breathe easy before she spoke. ‘If we found the treasure trove you could buy Field House.’

 ‘Ah, you believe Sir Nicholas did not give all his plunder to Good Queen Bess,’ he teased.

‘Elsie told me legend says he hid some of his booty in Field House,’ she said excited by the thought of a treasure trove. ‘In his old age, when Sir Nicholas retired from seafaring, is it true that he put his ship’s figurehead, Lady Luck, in the great hall?’ she asked by now less shy of him.

‘Yes, for all I know she is still above a mighty fireplace carved with pomegranates, our family’s device.’

‘I would like to see it.’ 

 ‘One day, perhaps you will. Now, tell me if you know our family motto.

‘Fortune favours the brave.’

‘Are you brave, my little lady? Will you swear on the Bible to do all in your power to regain Field House?’

To please him, she nodded.

 

 

 

 

Tangled Love@early 18thc. Historical Fiction.

Tangled Love by Rosemary Morris was short listed for the best romantic e-book at The Festival of Romance, Bedford U.K in 2013

 

Tangled Love is the story of two great estates. The throne has been usurped by James II’s daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange. In 1693, loyal to his oath of allegiance, ten year old Richelda’s father must follow James to France.

 

Before her father leaves, he gives her a ruby ring she will treasure and wear on a chain round her neck. In return Richelda swears an oath to try to regain their ancestral home, Field House.

 

By the age of eighteen, Richelda’s beloved parents are dead. She believes her privileged life is over. At home in dilapidated Belmont House, her only companions are her mother’s old nurse and her devoted dog, puck. Clad in old clothes she dreams of elegant gowns and trusts her childhood friend, a poor parson’s son, who promised to marry her.

 

Richelda’s wealthy aunt takes her to London and arranges her marriage to Viscount Chesney, the new owner of Field House, where it is rumoured there is treasure. If she finds it Richelda hopes to ease their lives. However, while trying to find it her life is in danger.

 

Tangled Love is available from: MuseItUp Publishing, Amazon Kindle, Nook, Omlit, Bookstrand Mainstream, Kobo and elsewhere.

 

To view the book trailer, read the first three chapters and reviews please visit. www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Knock at the Door

Yesterday, while I was critiquing a chapter for a member of the group I belong to someone banged on the front door. Irritated because I thought it might be yet another Jehovah's Witness or someone who had kicked a football from the park over my fence I answered the summons. There was my ten year old grandson,  holding a large bowl  filled with blackberries which he had picked. 'For you, to make a pie for us,' he said, and treated me to a gorgeous smile.

Tuesday's Child - Traditional Regency Romance & Back Story

My new novel is Tuesday's Child, a traditional Regency Romance, by which I mean I don't open wide the hero and heroine's bedroom door.  It is a follow on novel from Sunday's Child and Monday's Child, which will be published in spring, 2016. It is a stand alone novel but because the heroine was a minor character who played an important part in Sunday's Child the back story is crucial. Back story is always tricky. I think I've solved the problem by the heroine observing a scene and reflecting on the effects of past events effects on her present and introducing conflict.

Mediaeval Novel - Summer Holiday

Determined to finish my mediaeval novel I stopped posting messages. I have finished it and submitted it to literary agents. Phew!

I then went on holiday with my daughter and her three children which I enjoyed,  although more fine weather would have been welcome.

On our last morning the wind gusted across the beach at 50 miles an hour. From the window of the café that overlooks Woolacombe Bay I watched surfers wearing wet suits riding the waves. I also looked down at intrepid parents trying to erect a windbreak and their hopeful children holding buckets and spades. A few hardy people attempted to walk along the shore.

While we were away I took my shorthand notepad everywhere and amongst other things noted the colour of the sky and sea when they changed according to the weather. Such observations are often useful when I am writing a novel. 

Priorities

Summer seems to have arrived. I love long sunny days when I get on in the garden after I write from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. with a break for breakfast.

Today the sun shone while I filled two more troughs with John Innes No.3 compost and planted 3 strawberry plants in each. My two year old strawberry plants in the front garden are fruiting well.  This morning I picked a few sun ripened ones that smelled so fragrant that they made my mouth water.

I tidied up the garden, putting odds and ends in the shed. I watered the plants in the greenhouse. I've put tomatoes outside to harden off before I plant them in the garden, and I potted up sweet Williams. By the way the flowers can be added to salads.

I always feel very peaceful when I work in the garden and also appreciate the results. At lunchtime I enjoyed a green salad made with baby lettuce, dandelion leaves, shepherds purse, and chive flowers, which I ate with new potatoes cooked with mint, and dressed with vegetarian mayonnaise and dill from the garden. Delicious with sliced tomato sprinkled with salt, pepper and a pinch or two of sugar, and brie. I really enjoy crisp, freshly picked lettuce which tastes so much better than lettuce from the supermarket.

Yesterday and Today

I've no idea why but yesterday I was so tired that I literally couldn't keep my eyes open. I returned to bed and slept for hours. Then it was a rush to get ready to attend my 14 year-old grandson's birthday in a Mexican restaurant. Eighteen members of my family got together to enjoy each others' company and a delicious meal. Afterward we went to an Italian Ice-Cream parlour which also serves cookie dough, cakes, cheesecakes and other desserts. The children like the banana splits and other treats

After a good night's sleep I continued to line edit the printed copy of my mediaeval novel. I really have almost finished tweaking it and, with the second volume of the chronicles in mind, am re-reading Kathryn Warner's Edward II.

My writing stint completed I worked in the garden. It's time to plant out as much as possible from the green house. I tipped a bag of horse manure and a large bucket of home made compost onto a 4foot square raised bed and then planted leeks in it.

Now I'm fed up because I wasted a lot of time trying to find out how to cancel a job listed on the printer. I've given up for now and am blogging etc., before I watch Spring Watch on television.

Tuesday's Child: False Start. The Wrong Point of View

I made several false starts when I began to write Tuesday’s Child. I had decided to write an author’s note to explain some of the events in Sunday's Child. After I finished the note, I began the novel, but no matter how often I wrote and rewrote the first page explanations about events in Sunday's Child were necessary

 

I needed a fresh approach. While I worked in the garden I considered the two important characters I had introduced in the first paragraph. Only one of them knew what happened in Sunday's Child so it became obvious that I should write from his point of view which would make it unnecessary to refer to previous events. .

Yesterday evening, after dealing with a lot of other ‘writerly’ business, I deleted the author's note and the first page. I then rewrote page one. As you can imagine, it's a relief to have solved the problem.

 

 

 

 

Roland Makes a Bow in False Pretences A Romantic Regency Mystery

False Pretemnces A Romantic Regency Mystery

 

By Rosemary Morris

 

Roland, hero of False Pretences, a traditional Regency romance, makes a low bow in appreciation of Great Historical’s review. He is delighted because the reviewer thinks he will linger in the reader’s memory.

 

Amazon Review. 5.0 out of 5 stars. A sweet and suspenseful Regency Romance. Kindle edition.

 

“Rosemary Morris has penned a delightful romantic story about a young woman named Annabelle in search of her family. Raised in a boarding school, with no contact with any family, and in the charge of a guardian she has never met, she runs away only to find herself in danger. Roland, a handsome man of means, saves her from imminent danger. He takes her under his wing and together they unravel a web of lies until the shocking truth of Annabelle's past life is revealed.

Rosemary Morris writes with ease and readability. Her characters are well rounded, evolving as the plot unfurls. This novel has a bit of everything - an endearing romance, a hint of mystery, dastardly villains, plenty of suspense, and a memorable hero and heroine who will stay with you long after you finish reading. The ending is intense as all the secrets are revealed, leading to a highly satisfying conclusion. A lovely sweet romance worthy of all age groups!”

 

www.amazon.co.uk and www.amazon.com False Pretences B009YK1MFO

 

Barnes and Novel, AppleiBookstore, Kobo, Blio, Google Play, Overdrive, Omnilit, All Romance E Books, Bookstrand, Coffee Time Romance, Scribd, Smashwords, Flipcart – India, Tolina

 

You may read more chapters and view the book trailer at;  www.rosemarymorris.co.uk

Half Term and Bank Holiday Weekend.

During half term and the bank holiday weekend, I've continued to write and deal with 'writerly' matters and keep up with mundane chores, cleaning, tidying the house, shopping etc. I've also enjoyed time with my grandchildren.

On Bank Holiday Monday, my daughter's children stayed for the night at my house. In the morning, I made a packed lunch and we went to Cassiobury Park. My granddaughter played on the swings slide etc., in the playground while the boys played football. After lunch my granddaughter played football with the boys. Before we went home I had a latte and the children had ice creams.

On Tuesday I looked after the children while my daughter had an appointment. The younger two and I played snakes and ladders and Rummy Cub. Granddaughter has learned to cheat so she won't have to go down the snakes. Lots of fun and laughter!

On Wednesday we went to the Aqua Pool in Aylesbury. There's a whirlpool that sweeps swimmers around an artificial island, an outdoor swimming pool, indoor pools suitable for everyone from toddlers to adults, jacuzzis around the pools and flumes. My five year-old granddaughter hurtles down them with her Mum behind her. She's very confident. All of us enjoyed the visit and our picnic lunch in the café which we enjoyed with an addition of potato wedges followed by treats for the children.

Today, I've got a doctor's appointment after which I shall do the week's shopping.

Tomorrow, weather permitting I shall work in the garden, if not I shall cook and freeze some meals. The children will stay with me for the night. If the weather is good we shall have a picnic at Rickmansworth Aquadrome on Sunday morning. After a walk around the lake with granddaughter using her scooter, we will have our picnic and then enjoy drinks and treats in the café.

Tuesday's Child, Author's Notes and First Paregraphs.

Characters from Sunday's Child and Monday's Child, my Traditional Regency Romances in which the hero and heroine's bedroom door remained closed, will appear in Tuesday's Child. The novel is not a sequel. It is a follow on novel in which Harriet, Lady Castleton and her son Arthur were introduced at the end of Monday's Child, so there is no need for the previous novels to be read in order to follow the story.

My first attempt to begin the novel was an extract from Monday's Child that partially introduced Harriet's recent past. I wrote a page and a half, then realised it didn't work. Next I wrote a brief author's note, in which I refer to Monday's Child to introduce the circumstances which led to the fraught situation in the opening paragraphs. I might change my mind later but, at the moment it seems an excellent solution.

The remainder of Harriet's immediate past can be revealed through conversation, body language and her thoughts.

I'm really looking forward to 'getting to grips' with the story which is taking shape in my mind.

I am J.M.Maurer's Guest.

I'm delighted to be J.M.Maurer's guest today. To find out more about me and my traditional historical novels - by which I mean that I don't open wide the hero and heroine's bedroom door - please visit:- http://www.jmmaurer.com/blog.html  Thank you, I hope you enjoy it.

Mediaeval Novel by Rosemary Morris

I thought I had revised and edited the final version of my Book One of my mediaeval saga set in the reign of Edward II. To make sure, before I submit it to an agent in accordance with the submission guidelines, I printed a copy. It was the right decision. So far I have found gerunds to get rid of, a few awkward phrases to rewrite and one or two grammatical errors.

Deep, deep sigh, sometimes I think the novel will never be finished; and when it is I will write volume two of the saga.

Heroine of Tuesday's Child and The Zodiac

After filling in the character profile for Harriet, the heroine of Tuesday's Child, my new Regency Romance, I have strengthened it by consulting the Zodiac and decided she is a Cancerian.

According to The Hamlyn Encyclopedia of Fortune Telling by Francis X. King, "The psychological nature of the pure Cancerian is rather like the physical nature of the crab and other crustaceans; a hard outer shell conceals an interior that is soft and vulnerable to injury. To outsiders Cancerians present a hard appearance, giving the impression that they are rough and unsympathetic; to those who know them well they are gentle and compassionate. A sea crab is totally attached to his/her home - his/her life is centred on partners, parents, children and their surroundings."

There is much more which is useful and has helped me to make Harriet a rounded character.

Zodiac and the Hero of Tuesday's Child

I spent hours thinking about writing my new Regency novel, Tuesday's Child, which I am nearly ready to begin.

Before I begin a new novel I must know the hero and heroine's names. Their names have to be appropriate for the era in which the novel is set.

After I have named the main protagonists, I visualise them and complete a character profile. When I have filled in all the details, I strengthen it by consulting their sign of the zodiac and adding to their profile.

Dominic, aka Dom, is a Sagittarian. The summary of Sagittarians in The Hamlyn Encyclopedia of Fortune Telling by Francis King under the heading Life Style is:-

"Sagittarians are always versatile and it is quite common for them to change from one career to another that, on the face of it, calls for quite different qualities. But both careers will have in common freedom from dull routine work and will give the Sagittarian a change to use his/her versatility and intelligence. Challenge is important to the Sagittarian...."

Sagittarians are also described as happy-go lucky.

There is much more in the book about Sagittarians. I have made good use of it to bolster Dom's personality.

Birthday, Editing, Writing, Gardening

Yesterday was my twin son's birthday. I enjoyed lunch at The Loving Hut, in Edgeware, a vegan Chinese restaurant that serves delicious food.

 This morning,  I got up at 5.45 a.m. I read through and edited a printed chapter of my mediaeval novel set in the reign of Edward II. Next, I lugged the hosepipe out to the front garden and turned on the hosepipe. Then I loaded the washing machine and turned it on. Back at the laptop, I completed the character profile for the hero in Tuesday's Child. I now have a clear vision of his appearance, background, character, what makes him tick etc.

After I turned off the tap and lugged the hosepipe to the back garden I hung out the clothes and then made a healthy breakfast - porridge with strawberries, black grapes and blueberries with almond milk and organic honey.

At ten o'clock, after another session on the laptop when I worked on the character profile of the heroine in Tuesday's Child, I turned off the laptop and worked in the garden. I swept the greenhouse floor, planted out French Beans and did much more.

A Birthday, Writing, Gardening

Yesterday was my twin son's birthday. I enjoyed lunch at The Loving Hut, in Edgeware, a vegan Chinese restaurant that serves delicious food.
 This morning,  I got up at 5.45 a.m. I read through and edited a printed chapter of my mediaeval novel set in the reign of Edward II. Next, I lugged the hosepipe out to the front garden and turned on the hosepipe. Then I loaded the washing machine and turned it on. Back at the laptop, I completed the character profile for the hero in Tuesday's Child. I now have a clear vision of his appearance, background, character, what makes him tick etc.

After I turned off the tap and lugged the hosepipe to the back garden I hung out the clothes and then made a healthy breakfast - porridge with strawberries, black grapes and blueberries with almond milk and organic honey.
At ten o'clock, after another session on the laptop when I worked on the character profile of the heroine in Tuesday's Child, I turned off the laptop and worked in the garden. I swept the greenhouse floor, planted out French Beans and did much more.
 

Cooking and Writing

Yesterday I looked after my daughter's children after school and fed them - vegetarian shepherd's pie made with soya mince flavoured with leeks and Bisto, with rhubarb and apple crumble making use of rhubarb from the garden. Usually, Serena refuses to eat anything she is not familiar with, but she enjoyed watching me pick the rhubarb and prepare it that she couldn't wait to eat it.
 
Deep sigh. This morning two my daughter's sons popped in to have breakfast with me. Deep in researching signs of the zodiac to strengthen Harriet, Lady Castleton's character, I gave up and fed them porridge made with organic milk, organic honey, black grapes and blueberries.
 
I then tidied up the house, checked on the cauliflowers and French bean plants I put out to harden off before planting them. They are fine. Phew! They have survived. By then it was time for me to have breakfast.
 
I've decided to shop for groceries and then consult my copy of The Hamlyn encyclopedia of Fortune Telling by Frances X. King.  If the sun shines I hope to do so in the garden.

 

Tuesday's Child - Regency Romance - Chracter's Motivation.

When I answer the questions and answers on the character profile forms I fill in details about a character's appearance, abilities, education, likes and dislikes, family, eccentricities, body language etc.

 

I also give careful consideration to my choice of what drives them: Ambition Duty, Fear, Greed, Hatred, Jealousy, Loneliness, Love, Politics, Psychology, Revenge, Vanity and Self-Sacrifice.

 

This morning I completed the character profile of Harriet, Lady Castleton, a widow with a four year-old child. However, to further strengthen her profile, tomorrow, I shall consult the signs of the zodiac and choose the one which suits her best.

 

By the time I finish the profile Harriet will live in my imagination until her story is told in Tuesday's Child.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday's Child, Traditional Regency Romance, Research

Since I wrote my first Traditional  Regency Romance I have accumulated a lot of non-fiction books about the era. Today I piled them up around me and began to answer the question when, i.e. when were the main characters born, when did the hero go to school, when did he go to university, when did the heroine's husband die, when was her posthumous son born, etc.

Sunday's Child ended in 1815 when news of Napoleon's escape from Elba arrived. So it's a question of working backward to fill in the correct dates on my character profiles.

Tuesday's Child - New Regency Novel - Chapter One

I had a very enjoyable, but busy weekend that left me with not time to write, but I thought a lot about the opening paragraphs of Tuesday's Child. I had planned the beginning of the novel, however, the heroine, Harriet, Lady Castleton's past is crucial. I realised that I had decided to begin the novel at the wrong time in her life. Today, I jotted down the contents of the first couple of pages and am almost ready to write Chapter One.

Tuesday's Child - Character Profile

This morning I began filling in the character profiles for characters who will appear in Tuesday's Child, a follow on novel from my Regency Romances, Sunday's Child and Monday's Child.

The heroine is Harriet, the Dowager Viscountess Castleton, a widow, who has a four year old son, Viscount Castleton. I spent some time choosing his Christian name and chose Arthur.

At that time Arthur was popular because it was the future Duke of Wellington's Christian name.

After choosing the name, I spent an enjoyable fifteen minutes filling in various details on the character profile.

Character Profiles - Tuesday's Child

This morning I began filling in the character profiles for characters who will appear in Tuesday's Child, a follow on novel from my Regency Romances, Sunday's Child and Monday's Child.

The heroine is Harriet, the Dowager Viscountess Castleton, a widow, who has a four year old son, Viscount Castleton. I spent some time choosing his Christian name and chose Arthur.

At that time Arthur was popular because it was the future Duke of Wellington's Christian name.

After choosing the name, I spent an enjoyable fifteen minutes filling in various details on the character profile.

Dominic aka Nic - Final Surname

I chose Carlton for the surname of the hero in my sweet Regency novel, Tuesday's Child. However, when I went through the characters in Sunday's Child I remembered that the heroine's title is Lady Castleton. I heaved a very deep sigh and consulted Burke's Peerage in a final attempt to find a surname. After much a time consuming search and much thought I chose Markham.


I can't begin a novel until I have named the principal characters, so, another deep sigh, this time one of relief because I want to begin work on the character profiles.

The Hero - Dominic aka Nic Carlton

Now that I have chosen the name, Dominic Carleton aka Nic, for the hero in my new Sweet Regency Novel, Tuesday's Child, I have a mental picture of him. He is tall, his complexion is very fair and his eyes are bright blue. I chose his Christian name because I think it suits a strong man, and his nickname to imply light-heartedness. To soften his appearance he has black, curly hair. In other words, Nic, if he will allow me to call him that, is handsome.

Hero's Name for My New Novel

After a lot of thought, I have chosen the name for the hero of my new novel. It is Dominic aka Nic Carlton. I've also chosen his sister's name, Caroline Carlton.


When I choose names, I also research their history.




The origin of Dominic is the Latin word dominicus, which means 'of the Lord'. According to The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian names Dominic may have been given to children born on a Sunday. "The name was never common in England and after the Reformations was used almost exclusively by Roman Catholics."




With regard to the hero of Tuesday's Child, his family have chosen to name boys Dominic from generation to generation before and after the Reformation.


Caroline was introduced to England by George II's queen, Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach. "It became a favourite English Christian name in England in the 18th century."




Now that I have chosen their names I can work on their character profiles.




I hope you like the name I chose for a Regency gentleman.




P.S. I know the Prince Regent's house in London was Carlton House but I don't think my choice of Carlton is a problem.

Choosing the Name of the Hero of My New Novel

Yesterday I chose the name Harry Royston for the hero of my new Regency novel Tuesday's Child a follow on novel from Sunday's Child and Monday's Child. However, the heroine of Tuesday''s Child is Harriet, who had a walk on, but important part, in Monday's Child. I think Harry and Harriet might be confusing, but most people would address Harry as Royston, so maybe I'll choose it.

Other possibilities are for a strong name for a strong hero and a nickname which implies fun and light heartedness are:

Alexander aka Alex, but does Alex imply fun and light-heartedness?

Christopher aka Kit, but the name fell into disfavour in the 19th century.

Dominic aka Nic; I think Nic implies a devil may care attitude which might be amusing.

Of course the surname will be as important as the Christian name.

First Step to Writing a New Novel

I have not finished the revision of my mediaeval novel but, after a lot of thought about the characters, plan and plot while doing housework, gardening or shopping, I am almost ready to begin writing Tuesday's Child, the follow on novel from my published novel Sunday's Child, and Monday's Child, which will be published in spring, 2016.

Before I begin a novel I name the main characters.

To choose the hero's name I searched The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names. I want a strong name which also implies an element of light-heartedness. My first choice was Harry Royston, but the name of the  heroine, who took part in Sunday's Child, is Harriet. So Harry, which would have been ideal is unsuitable because Harry and Harriet would be confusing.

So, back to the Dictionary to see if I can find the right name for the gentleman I have in mind.

Suite Francais

A friend and I went to see Suite Francaise on Sunday afternoon. Can't praise it enough. I didn't know it was based on a non-fiction book. Must read it.

Historic London - Bus Tour

On Saturday a friend and I went on a London Bus Tour, which allows the passengers get on and off whenever they want to.

It was very interesting seeing how London developed over the centuries north and south of the River Thames.

Sandwiched between very modern buildings and narrow roads and lanes are many small and large mediaeval buildings to admire.

A building which fascinated me was the St George, the narrowest pub in London a tall black and white timber building, which I hope to visit.

The tour clearly delineated London from the oldest to the most modern parts.

All in all, a day well spent.

Medieval Novel, Revision, Sequence of Events

Apart from reading each sentence carefully and rewriting it if necessary, it is also important to make sure that the sequence of events is correct.

This morning I realised that after the birth of their son, Nicholas told his wife that his father was delighted, but he and his father have not spoken since the child was born. I should have written that Nicholas told his wife he knew his father would be delighted by the birth of his grandson, or something similar.

Carried away by writing the story, it is all too easy to overlook such inconsistencies.

Medieval Novel. Revision With Style.

While I revise my medieval novel set in England during the reign of Edward II I get rid of repeated words and phrases.

I also rephrase sentences which contain gerunds that I tend to over use. For example:-

I changed "...trying to smooth away his pain" to "in an attempt to smooth away his pain."

Another examples follow.

I replaced "Yvonne broke her fast in the great hall before going..." with "Yvonne broke her fast in the great hall before she went..."

After I tweak the next 100 pages I shalll read the novel from beginning to end to check I for the last time.

I hope that the rewrite will be stylish after so much hard work.

Medieval Novel Revision and Emotion

This morning I continued to revise my medieval novel set in the reign of Edward II of England.

From the day of her birth the heroine's life takes many twists and turns, some of them tragic. While she grows from childhood into a capable lady,  I'm happy when she is and cry when she does. I hope that when the novel is published my readers will be swept away on the same tide of emotion and care deeply about her.

Raised Bed & radishes.

I have an eight foot by four foot raised bed in which I planted rows of baby lettuce, radish, rocket, carrots, turnip and beetroot. All of the vegetables, which I make good use of, are flourishing. Radish and turnip greens as well as beetroot leaves can be cooked and enjoyed in various ways.

Today, I ate this season's first radishes with crackers spread with Philadelphia cheese. Previously, I bought some radishes from the supermarket. They were large, a little woody and almost tasteless. My home grown ones are tender, juicy and slightly spicy. My grandson, who popped in after school to give me a slice of upside down cake that he made in food technology, agreed with me when he  tasted the radishes.

Such a humble salad vegetable but so delicious. I shall plant another row elsewhere.

Mediaeval Novel - Final Revision

I wrote my mediaeval novel set in the reign of Edward II of England a few years ago. Since then, I five of my novels have been published and a sixth has been accepted for publication. In between writing those novels and dealing with lots of 'writerly' matters as well as the demands of daily life, I have dipped in and out of my mediaeval novel. Now, I am determined to finish the revision, but the main problem is that I have dipped in and out of it so often that I see what should be on the page, not what is actually on it. Sometimes it seems as if it will never be ready to submit but, fingers crossed, I shall submit it in June.

Winston and Winnie Are Dead

Winston and Winnie, a pair of plump wood pigeons annoyed me when alive. They pecked at any greens in the garden which were not covered with netting and stone seeds I put out for smaller birds.

On Friday, feathers floated on the surface of my small garden pond. This morning, I saw  feathers scattered over the lawn near the pond. I assume a fox from the nearby woods caught them or, maybe, a cat.

So sad not to have seen them today.

Winston and Winnie are Dead

False Pretences a Romantic Regency Mystery is a Guest

My novel, False Pretences. a Romantic Regency Mystery and I are guests at Story Teller Alley, do pop in and visit us at: http://storytelleralley.com/falsepretenses (My hostess misspelt pretenses and will correct it, so you might need to visit: http://storytelleralley.com/falsepretences.)

What is Romance?

 

What is Romance? Not an easy question to answer. I suppose everyone has a different opinion.

 

The cynical poet, Lord Byron wrote:

 Romances paint at full length people’s wooings,

But only give a bust of marriages;
For no one cares for matrimonial cooings,
There’s nothing wrong with a connubial kiss:
Think you, if Laura had been Petrarch’s wife,
He would have written sonnets all his life?

 I prefer a poem written by William Cavendish, Duke of Newcastle (17^th Century)

 There is no happy life

But in a wife;
The comforts are so sweet
When they do meet.

 Two figures but one coin;

So they do join,
Only they not embrace,
We face to face.

Ah, you may sigh that is romance in marriage.

 But romance is much more. In the Middle Ages it was a narrative in verse or prose about the adventures of chivalrous knights and adoration of an unattainable lady, which had little in common with real life. King Arthur and The Knights of the Round Table and the tale or Lancelot and Guinevere have fascinated the romantic at heart for generations.

Then there are the songs of troubadours, Henry VIII’s Greensleeves, and in more recent times one of my favourites, Unchained Melody.

 

Too Many Strawberry Plants?

On a sunny day the fragrance of ripe strawberries growing in the garden tantalises the taste buds. The pleasure of biting into a sweet, sun-warmed strawberry is far superior biting into one from the supermarket. With this in mind, I ordered 36 strawberry plants, 6 each of 6  varieties, which should provide fruit from April to September.

I'm an optimistic organic gardener, who always imagines bumper rewards from my small fruit and vegetable plots, some of which are in the front garden, some and in the back garden as well as those in pots. However, after I placed my order I panicked. Where would I find the space to plant them?

I decided to pot up the twelve plants which fruit earliest in the year and put them in the greenhouse where I will pollinate them with a paint brush.  The remainder should thrive in plant troughs.

If I plant all of them in John Innes Number 3 compost I should have plenty of fruit for the next three years which will repay me for my investment. Hopefully, not only will I have fresh strawberries to eat, I will also  have enough to make jam and, maybe, cordial.

My Organic Garden

I woke at 6 a.m. and worked on my novel and other 'writerly' matters until 10.a.m when  I went into my organic garden.


I thinned a row of turnips and used the greens to steam and then stir fried them with thin slices of sweet potato cut in half, tofu and rice, and added a vegetable stock pot cube, lemon juice and black pepper for flavour.


Turnip greens are very nutritious so I felt virtuous while I ate lunch.


During the morning I sorted out more plant pots and arranged them on a shelf in the shed.


To straighten it, I tied the stem of my patio cherry tree, which I had planted in the garden, to a pole. It is in full flower. This year I shall find a way of protecting the cherries so that the birds don't eat them the second they ripen.


I then harvested some baby carrots and stored them in the fridge. Afterward I potted up French Beans and covered them with polythene. French Bean seeds can be temperamental so I put two in each pot in the hope that they will sprout. Finally I sowed cucumbers in pots and stood them in a heated propagator.


Tomorrow I'll sow peas, which are soaking in water to encourage them to sprout.


All in all, a happy, productive morning.