Rainbow Snippets: Gentlemen’s Agreement

This week, I’m continuing snippeting from my ongoing Regency romp Twelve Letters series, and it’s the turn of Gentlemen’s Agreement, the fourth novella in the series. The entire series, including the latest release May Wedding and all my other titles, are in the 45% off ebook Memorial Day weekend-long sale at JMS Books from May 26 – 29.

Authors who take part in Rainbow Snippets each weekend are encouraged to post a few lines from one of their stories on their blog and then link back to the group post on Facebook. I always enjoy joining in with Rainbow Snippets, especially to read and comment on everyone else’s choice of snippet.

Gentlemen’s Agreement continues the story of the lives and loves of the three couples in my Twelve Letters ensemble cast, Jo Everett and tailor Daniel Walters, Captain Ben Harding and Dr Edward Stephens and Regency himbo Percy Havilland and Nathan Brooks. I also threw in a Napoleonic spy plot just for fun!

Ben is asked by a former commanding officer to volunteer some society friends to help with surveillance in Mayfair’s ballrooms on some highly-placed figures who are suspected to be involved in the intrigue. In this snippet, Ben discusses the confidential matter with his best friend Jo.

“Colonel Graham said he’d be grateful for extra recruits at our discretion. Is there anyone trustworthy you can think of offhand?”

“Well,” Jo began. “There’s always Percy.”

Ben glared at Jo in disbelief. “Percy?” He remonstrated. “Unless he’s gazing at his reflection, I wouldn’t grant him any abilities of observation.”

“You’d be surprised at Percy’s powers of perception,” Jo said thoughtfully. “A year ago I would have said you had a fair point, but now he’s…”

As Jo paused to find the correct phrase, Ben could have easily supplied several examples including, become more bearable, less of a pointless popinjay, begun to notice other people exist. He was about to interject witheringly with his favourite, no longer a completely selfish arse, when Jo added, “…mellowed.”

Rainbow Snippets: Coming of Age

Following the release celebrations for May Wedding, the 6^th story in my Regency romp Twelve Letters series, I’m returning to recap some Rainbow Snippets from the previous novellas in the series.

Authors who take part in Rainbow Snippets each weekend are encouraged to post a few lines from one of their stories on their blog and then link back to the group post on Facebook. I always enjoy joining in with Rainbow Snippets, especially to read and comment on everyone else’s choice of snippet.

This week, it’s the turn of book 3, Coming of Age, which features my regular ensemble cast of characters and charts the change for the better in Percy Havilland, the group’s Regency himbo.

This snippet is written from the point of view of regular Twelve Letters cast member Jo Everett and shows Percy at his most unrepentant! Jo, Percy and his lover Nathan are at a society ball in Mayfair. Jo observes how, after a disagreement between the couple earlier in the day, caused entirely by Percy, he manages to wrap Nathan around his little finger, in his own inimitable way.

Jo could not help but notice how, apparently artlessly, Percy orbited closer, casually selecting dance partners in ever-decreasing circles to Nathan’s proximity. Once they were within touching distance, instead of confrontation or apology, there was a teasing glance, just a flash of those glorious blue eyes directed at Nathan. The next occasion warranted a delicate half-smile revealing a hint of a dimple. 

Depending on the prowess of his current dance partner, Jo watched this progress with fascination as Nathan’s forbidding expression subtly softened at each circuit until Percy’s careful choreography drew them together. By the time Jo consumed a well-deserved glass of punch and discreetly mopped his brow with his handkerchief, the previously warring duo was standing side by side, shoulder to shoulder. Percy tilted his golden head winningly as he uttered a bon mot that made Nathan smile in genuine amusement, all annoyance forgotten.

Jo was unsure whether to be impressed or appalled at Percy’s scheming ways and his ability to manipulate the most clear-thinking and hard-headed fellow from a state of severe exasperation to pliable putty. 

Words in Progress: Twelve Letters London Tour – Part 1

Since I’m still in a post-release glow from May Wedding, the 6^th story in my Twelve Letters Regency romp series, I thought I’d stick with some research for these stories for this week’s writing blog.  So welcome to the Twelve Letters tour of London!

When I started this blog, I didn’t realise how much information I had gathered over the course of these stories, and soon realised I had to split it into two parts! This week I’ll stick to where my characters reside and next week, we’ll do a guided tour of key places where they meet.

Armed with the inevitable and necessary Mogg 1806 map of London with its all-important zoom function, we’re good to go. Nowadays, we’re accustomed to the massive urban sprawl of major cities. Although London was growing fast in the early 19^th century, it was still possible to get from one end of the city to the other on foot.

When it comes to the West End, the small section of London inhabited by high society, then the city shrinks even further. Most of the places where my ensemble cast lives are within an easy 5-10 minute walk.

We’ll start off in Piccadilly. In Regency times, this major thoroughfare ran along the edge of the West End with the Haymarket to the east and Hyde Park Corner at its western end. Mayfair, where the aristocracy lived, was sandwiched between Piccadilly in the south and Oxford Street at its northern juncture.

Unmarried gentlemen tended to have their lodgings along exclusive Piccadilly. It’s also where Captain Ben Harding lives with his faithful henchman, Cribbins. Behind Piccadilly, in Mayfair, is where Edward stays with his society relatives in Twelve Letters. Percy also graces Mayfair in his bachelor pad on Mount Street for the first few stories before moving out beyond the West End at the end of Coming of Age to what was then the straggling hamlet of Little Chelsea.

As we stroll east along Piccadilly, past Ben’s lodgings, at the far end beyond Haymarket is Leicester Square, where Nathan has his mansion. By the mid-19^th century, the area had gone downhill as fashionable London migrated ever further west, but at this stage, it was still an up-market place to reside, handy for gentlemen’s clubs and the City of London where Nathan does business deals. Orange Street, where Jo lodges until the end of Gentlemen’s Agreement is only a street or two away – but definitely not as prestigious as Leicester Square or Piccadilly!

In the first four stories, Daniel lives in a working-class area beyond Covent Garden. This might be a million miles away from the grandeur of Mayfair but remarkably is only about fifteen minutes away on foot.

Tottenham Court Road, where Jo and Daniel move to by The Misfit, the fifth story in the series, is in the rapidly developing area north of Oxford Street. Nowadays, this is very much central London. It seems unbelievable that in Regency times, not far beyond the smart new shops and terraces, Tottenham Court Road soon dwindled into a country lane leading to the Elizabethan manor house for which it was named.

I hope you enjoyed the first part of the tour with the invaluable help of the Mogg map! And please feel free to ask any questions in the comments. My inner history geek will relish the challenge!

Rainbow Snippets: May Wedding

For this week’s Rainbow Snippets, I thought I’d quote another few lines from my recent release, May Wedding, the 6^th book in my Regency romp series, Twelve Letters, featuring an ensemble cast.

Along with the rest of the Twelve Letters series and all my other titles, May Wedding is in the 45% ebook Mother’s Day weekend sale at JMS Books until midnight on Sunday, May 14^th.

Authors who take part in Rainbow Snippets each weekend are encouraged to post a few lines from one of their stories on their blog and then link back to the group post on Facebook. I always enjoy joining in with Rainbow Snippets, especially to read and comment on everyone else’s choice of snippet.

In last week’s snippet from May Wedding, we had a scene between established couple Percy and Nathan. This time, it’s the turn of another couple in my ensemble, Jo and Daniel. Jo is a gentleman (if not a very wealthy one) and Daniel is an upmarket tailor. At this period, very few men would openly flaunt their relationship so the difference in class between them is an additional challenge. It takes a lot of love and determination to get to where they are, sharing an apartment above a Tottenham Court Road tailor’s shop.

In this snippet, Jo is trying on his outfit in advance for Percy’s sister’s wedding with Daniel’s input.  I just thought these few lines summed up how much these two lovely men adore each other.

Jo had stood before their bedroom mirror, wrestling with the coat buttons. “If I carry on like this, I’m going to need a corset, like Prinny,” he announced flippantly, referring to the increasingly heavy Prince of Wales whose overstrained underpinnings often audibly creaked at public engagements.

Daniel, half a head shorter than Jo, stood at his shoulder with calm appraisal, unfazed by Jo’s predicament. “No one apart from your tailor would notice the gain of an extra inch or two. You look at least as handsome as ever.” Jo ceased tugging at his recalcitrant garment to look down into Daniel’s warm brown eyes, the colour of rich sherry wine. “Anyway,” Daniel continued with a winning smile. “How can I complain if there’s more of you to love?”

Words in Progress: Regency Celebrations

Festive occasions seem to be in the air this week! I don’t think anyone in this part of the world can be unaware that the coronation happened over the weekend. And on a much more modest note, it was also release day for May Wedding, the sixth story in my Twelve Letters Regency romp series.

This gives me the perfect excuse to ramble on about special occasion food in the Regency period! In May Wedding, much of the first part of the story is taken up with Percy fretting over every detail of his sister Araminta’s society wedding.

As I’ve mentioned previously, weddings were relatively low-key affairs in the Regency period. They took place in the morning (within canonical hours), so after the church service, the happy couple, family and friends would have a celebratory meal known as a wedding breakfast.

I had great fun researching what might be served at the Mayfair mansion of the Earl and Countess of Amersby for Araminta and Hugh’s wedding breakfast. The everyday morning meal in Regency times was much like a modern breakfast. Jane Austen’s World blog comments that the author was in charge of making her family breakfast each morning. “The simple repast consisted of toast, rolls, or muffins and butter.” But the blog post also points out that traditional breakfasts were heartier, including “beef and ale.”

So for the wedding breakfast at the house on Park Street in May Wedding, I opted for a compromise. The guests were served tea and coffee as well as the option of Champagne (just because!) with some delicacies amongst the assorted rolls and bread and cold meats. Another excellent Jane Austen blog was invaluable for details, with a very helpful quote from the writer’s niece Caroline describing a wedding breakfast she was invited to in 1814.  Along with a variety of breads, ham, tongue and eggs, “the addition of chocolate at one end of the table and the wedding-cake in the middle marked the speciality of the day.”

Since the wedding cake would be a fruit cake (like a traditional Christmas cake) I had to share this fabulous plum cake recipe from the 1820s, shared by The Regency Cook. I’m sure my character Jo Everett, a guest at Hugh and Araminta’s wedding with a fondness for cake would happily munch his way through several slices!

To round off the blog, and mention more lavish celebrations, The Regency Cook also posted the Regency menu for the coronation of George IV. The king was famous for his fondness of feasting ( which explains his need for corsets that Jo mentions in my story), and the lavish meal includes pistachio creams served in glasses, chicken fricassee, sweetbreads, Bolognia sausages and rabbit ragout, just to name a few of the numerous dishes!

I think I’ll stick to the simpler May Wedding breakfast in honour of Hugh and Araminta’s special day, plus that optional glass of Champagne of course!

Rainbow Snippets: May Wedding

For the last couple of Rainbow Snippets, I’ve been snipping away from Twelve Letters and Queer Relations, the first two books in my Regency romp Twelve Letters series. As book 6 in the series, May Wedding is released today, I’ll break briefly off the chronology! I’ll resume with book 3, Coming of Age, in a fortnight.

May Wedding is available at Amazon and all other outlets and is currently in the 20% off new release sale at JMS Books until May 12^th.

Authors who take part in Rainbow Snippets each weekend are encouraged to post a few lines from one of their stories on their blog and then link back to the group post on Facebook. I always enjoy joining in with Rainbow Snippets, especially to read and comment on everyone else’s choice of snippet.

May Wedding follows on from The Misfit, book 5 in the Twelve Letters series. The Misfit was about the second chance love affair of a new couple, Luc and Harry, but in May Wedding we return to our usual ensemble of couples for a wedding story.

This snippet, like last week’s, is from the point of view of reformed brat Regency brat Percy Havilland as he engineers the grand society wedding of one of his sisters. As one of my readers commented, Percy is the ultimate bridezilla, even if it isn’t his wedding!

In this snippet (a wee bit longer than six lines), Percy is attempting to have an argument with his ever-patient lover Nathan about the choice of bridesmaids’ dresses for his sisters Eustacia and Phoebe. As ever, Nathan has the knack of seeing through Percy’s outer behaviour to his inner emotions.

Nathan sat in his favourite Chesterfield armchair while Percy paced before him in a manner that Nathan remarked reminded him of a caged tiger.

When holding forth at great length on the challenge of selecting the exact shade of fruity pink for the bridesmaids’ dresses, Percy started to argue with Nathan, despite the gentleman’s indifference on whether the ladies should wear muslin or sackcloth.

Instead of justifiably losing his temper with Percy in this wildly unreasonable mood, Nathan said, “Come here,” and patted his thighs encouragingly. After a brief hesitation, while formulating a heated debate between the virtues of a bright peach hue or a subtle shade of apricot, Percy rather sulkily sat on Nathan’s lap, holding himself stiffly.

“That’s better,” Nathan said, pulling him close. All Percy’s edgy anxiety started to dissolve as he breathed in Nathan’s familiar Bay Rum cologne, listened to the steady rhythm of his breath, and felt the warmth and strength of his body that Percy relied on and frequently enjoyed.

“Whatever you choose,” Nathan opined, “will be perfect, not only in tribute to your excellent taste but because of your solicitude for Eustacia and Phoebe.”

At this disarming statement, rather than bristling, Percy found himself weeping copiously on Nathan’s broad shoulder while his paramour patiently stroked his back and kissed his neck between reassuring endearments.

Release Day: May Wedding

Appropriately enough, now we’re in the month of May, it’s time for the release of my new novella, May Wedding! This is the sixth story in my Regency romp Twelve Letters series with an established ensemble cast.

The story diverted to new characters Luc and Harry in The Misfit, book 5 in the series, but now we’re back with the usual crew. May Wedding is mainly from the point of view of Regency himbo Percy Havilland and the good-natured Jo Everett and might possibly be my most romantic story yet in this series!

May Wedding is in the 20% pre-release/new release sale at JMS Books until Friday, May 12th and is also available at Amazon and all other outlets.

Blurb:

Some of the gentlemen who meet weekly for supper at The Golden Lion in London’s St. James’ are preoccupied with the prospect of matrimony.

The Honourable Percy Havilland is at full organisational pelt for his sister’s triumphant society marriage, ably backed by his friends. His frequent stress-induced outbursts are endured by his ever-patient lover, Nathan.

Percy has mixed feelings about the upcoming nuptials, the sorrow at losing one of his precious sisters balanced by the opportunity of exhibiting his exquisite good taste to make this the wedding of the Season.

His friend Jo Everett reacts differently to the wedding, desiring an equivalent opportunity to mark his enduring love for Daniel Walters.

Will Percy manage to survive the wedding without falling out irreparably with Nathan? And might Jo and Daniel discover they have the support of their close circle to celebrate their own special day?

Excerpt:

Nathan, more than anyone, comprehended how much Percy agonised over relinquishing his sister. Partly because Percy no longer practised caution with Nathan where his feelings were concerned. But also because his lover bore the brunt of Percy’s feverish exertions for the wedding.

Percy recalled when they were in Nathan’s private sitting room in his great house off Leicester Square, during a rare hour together before Percy returned to Little Chelsea to accompany his sisters to an evening’s revels. Nathan sat in his favourite Chesterfield armchair while Percy paced before him in a manner that Nathan remarked reminded him of a caged tiger. 

When holding forth at great length on selecting the exact shade of soft pink for the bridesmaids’ dresses, Percy started to argue with Nathan, despite the gentleman’s indifference to whether the ladies should wear muslin or sackcloth.

Instead of justifiably losing his temper with Percy in this wildly unreasonable mood, Nathan said, “Come here,” and patted his thighs encouragingly. After a brief hesitation, while formulating a heated debate between the virtues of a bright peach hue or a subtle shade of apricot, Percy rather sulkily sat on Nathan’s lap, holding himself stiffly. 

“That’s better,” Nathan said, pulling him close. All Percy’s nervous tension started to dissolve as he breathed in Nathan’s familiar Bay Rum cologne, listened to the steady rhythm of his breath, and felt the warmth and strength of his body that Percy relied on and frequently enjoyed. 

“Whatever you choose,” Nathan opined, “will be perfect, not only in tribute to your excellent taste but because of your insurmountable care.”

At this disarming statement, rather than bristling, Percy found himself weeping copiously on Nathan’s broad shoulder while his paramour patiently stroked his back and kissed his neck between reassuring endearments.

Needless to say, that had not been the only circumstance when Percy had relieved his raw nerves on Nathan. The degree of toleration Nathan exhibited on account of Percy’s mental and emotional strain in the run-up to the wedding had resulted in far fewer spats than was their habit.

On the odd stolen night in Nathan’s bed during the Season, Percy lay wrapped in his strong arms, momentarily soothed and protected from all his fears, demands, and struggles. He didn’t know how he would have survived the headlong months of Araminta’s betrothal without Nathan’s support and even managed to admit that once or twice.

With a rush of affection and gratitude, Percy raised a grin and his glass in a private toast. Nathan’s frown disappeared, replaced by an answering smile as he emulated the gesture. Percy presumed that when the last slice of cake was consumed, and they all gathered on the front steps of the house to wave off the bride and bridegroom, he would feel a discreet touch on his shoulder, or a hand briefly grasping his waist, Nathan’s way of showing solidarity.  

Naturally, after the splendid formality of the Seymours’ hospitality, Percy’s wider family and even a few friends might convene at Little Chelsea for a dish of tea or something stronger to discuss the joyous event. But after Simeon and Cordelia departed to collect Harriet and bestow a similar rehash of events with a new audience in Emma, Percy idly wondered if he could excuse himself for the afternoon and decamp to Leicester Square.

He had caught that brief heated flash of interest when Nathan first laid eyes on Percy in church, delectable in tight-fitting dove grey. It seemed only fair to allow Nathan to appreciate Percy’s new clothing behind closed doors and slowly remove every layer. After being such a faithful knight during the wedding campaign, tolerating the worst of Percy’s barbs and inconsistencies, Nathan deserved a leisurely reward. 

Also, losing himself in the intense, deliberate, and mind-numbing loving that only Nathan could give, Percy could glory in the achievement of the nuptials without dwelling too much on the lack of Araminta at home. 

Anticipating such a sweet release, Percy put his glass on the table and ran an elegant middle finger around the rim before dipping it in the fizzing liquid. As he raised the digit to his lips, he looked directly at Nathan, allowing the promise of a flash of tongue as he delicately sucked on his fingertip. 

Nathan adroitly responded to a remark from his near neighbour, only a faint flush of colour on his cheekbones betraying his response to Percy’s teasing. I’ll pay for that later, Percy thought with a pleasurable squirm.

Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C44HZYJB/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=may+wedding+by+ellie+thomas&sr=8-1

Universal Book Link: https://books2read.com/links/ubl/e/4EExQY/089e39d28d7344ca79956eeadc41d344c3592280

Publisher: https://www.jms-books.com/ellie-thomas-c-224_420/may-wedding-p-4690.html

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/146939325-may-wedding

Add to Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/may-wedding-by-ellie-thomas

Words in Progress: Percy’s Wedding Attire

At least story-wise, I’m getting into the spring wedding season with the upcoming release of May Wedding on May 6^th. This is the sixth story in my Twelve Letters Regency romp series featuring an ensemble cast. The premise of May Wedding starts with the preparations for the grand society wedding of Percy’s sister at St. George’s Hanover Square.

As I’ve mentioned in previous blogs, in the Regency period, weddings were less elaborate affairs than they can be these days. Although brides tended to wear their best clothes rather than a wedding dress, I can’t see Percy tolerating that for his sister! And of course, it’s the perfect excuse to buy something new for himself from the branch of Shelford’s tailor shop managed by Daniel Walters.

Nathan, Percy’s long-suffering romantic partner, might raise an eyebrow at Percy ordering yet another outfit for the wedding. I can imagine Nathan simply putting on one of his smarter suits for the day without much fuss or thought. Similarly, wedding guest Jo Everett has chosen to wear his best coat, which happens to be the first one made for him by his beloved Daniel. He’s panicking more about losing a few pounds to fit into it rather than anything else!

So for today’s blog, just for fun, I thought I’d take us through Percy’s wedding outfit from top to toe. His blond curls are arranged in his favourite Cherubin style, one of the fashionable cropped hairstyles for men. As this fascinating blog on Jane Austen’s World relates, these apparently natural windswept styles took a great deal of maintenance to achieve with the help of pomades made from bear grease! Fastidious Percy might shudder at that, but I can imagine him using some scented oil to arrange his hair to cover the odd line starting to appear on his lily-white brow.

The entire Regency look for men was understated and natural compared to the glorious excesses of the previous century, where brocades, wigs, powder, patches and make-up were added to the dressing-up box. Percy would adopt the ‘less is more’ philosophy of style icon Beau Brummel to showcase his perfect form.

For the wedding, inspired by this wonderful blog on Regency cravats, Percy wears a severe and simple Oriental style. Over his white shirt made of thick muslin, he might stick to classic white piqué for his waistcoat or permit a subtle touch of colour to contrast with the simplicity of his new dove grey tail coat, which would be tight fitting, double-breasted, and cut away at the waist with knee-length tails at the back.

I did mull over the choice of breeches versus pantaloons. Longer trousers were widely adopted in the early 19^th century, however, breeches were still worn for evening parties and occasion wear. Although I noticed the groom wearing breeches in a contemporary painting of the Regency wedding of Princess Charlotte, Percy isn’t exactly royalty! So I thought he could get away with slim-fitting pantaloons in a similar shade to his coat and compromise by wearing buckled dress shoes rather than Hessian boots for his footwear.

If I’m ever stuck for inspiration on Regency menswear, I turn to the Twitter or Instagram pages of  Pinsent Tailoring, the historical tailors, with inexhaustible detail and enthusiasm for Regency clothes. Although Percy, ever jealous that he’s not the most beautiful person in the room,  might be quite put out by Zack Pinsent’s modelling of his wonderful creations, so we’ll keep that between ourselves!

Rainbow Snippets: Queer Relations

For this week’s Rainbow Snippets, in the run-up to the release of May Wedding on May 6^th, book 6 in my Twelve Letters series, I’m continuing to pick snippets from the published stories in this series. May Wedding is currently in the 20% pre-release/new release sale at JMS Books. After picking a snippet from book 1, Twelve Letters, it’s now the turn of Queer Relations, the second novella in the series.

Authors who take part in Rainbow Snippets each weekend are encouraged to post a few lines from one of their stories on their blog and then link back to the group post on Facebook. I always enjoy joining in with Rainbow Snippets, especially to read and comment on everyone else’s choice of snippet.

Twelve Letters is a series with an ensemble cast set in Regency London, but Queer Relations is very much Percy Havilland’s story. We met Percy in Twelve Letters when he was briefly entangled with poor Jo, my main MC in that particular story. Percy appeared to be the ultimate Regency himbo, beautiful, spoiled, calculating and utterly selfish.

By the beginning of Queer Relations, with Jo having come to his senses and fallen in love with his tailor, Daniel Walters, Percy has transferred his mercenary affections to older wealthy man, Nathan Brooks, who is nobody’s fool.

However, following a disastrous family scandal, Percy is socially ostracised. He’s rescued by Jo and his best friend Ben Harding from a potentially humiliating situation at White’s Club to lie low in a changing room at the tailor’s shop in Bond Street where Daniel works until Nathan can take him to safety. In this snippet, Percy is uncertain how Nathan will respond to his changed circumstances…

The tailor slipped out discreetly, holding the curtain open for Nathan, whose build and personality dominated the small room. 

Percy cringed, expecting a scolding at least, or even to be dismissed permanently from his lover’s life, but when Nathan started to speak, his voice was rough with relief rather than anger or disgust.

“Thank heavens! I’ve been looking everywhere for you. By the time Everett found me, I was preparing to camp out at Mount Street until you returned. What with all the wild tales I’ve heard in the clubs, I was getting frantic.”

Percy found the courage to look up at Nathan, seeing genuine anxiety in those golden-brown eyes and etched on his familiar, craggy face. Percy opened his mouth to utter some phrases of explanation or apology and was utterly confounded to burst into a flood of tears.

Rainbow Snippets: Twelve Letters

In the run-up to my new release on May 6th, May Wedding, the sixth in my Twelve Letters series, I thought I’d post a Rainbow Snippet from Twelve Letters, the story that introduced my ensemble cast of London gentlemen, including Percy Havilland the Regency himbo. May Wedding is currently in the 20% off pre-release/new release sale at JMS Books.

Authors who take part in Rainbow Snippets each weekend are encouraged to post a few lines from one of their stories on their blog and then link back to the group post on Facebook. I always enjoy joining in with Rainbow Snippets, especially to read and comment on everyone else’s choice of snippet.

This snippet from Twelve Letters, book 1 in the series, involves my MC Jo Everett and one of the pivotal letters of the story title. In rushing off to prevent his best friend Ben Harding from fighting a duel, Jo has managed to confuse a letter to his current squeeze Percy with a note to his tailor, Daniel Walters.

Given Percy’s short attention span where lovers are concerned, Jo is keen to keep his interest. He’s rightly proud of devising a letter that’s as flattering as it is explicit. However, this snippet contains the moment when Jo realises that the missive has been sent to the wrong recipient…

With that short business completed, Jo turned to leave the shop when Walters said in a completely different tone, “One moment, Mr. Everett.” The urgency in the man’s voice made Jo pause and when he faced him again, Walters was holding out a piece of paper. There were two spots of high colour staining his cheekbones and his gaze was directed at a point beyond Jo’s left shoulder.

 “In all good faith, I ought to return this to you, sir, as I realize now that it was misdirected. Then you can pass it on to the, er, lady for whom it was intended.”

With a sense of dawning horror, Jo felt the blood drain from his face as he took the folded note. It felt surprisingly warm to the touch as if worn close to the skin. 

He looked at the address. Walters was perfectly correct. The tailor’s name was clearly inscribed, but given the frigid look of mortification on the man’s face, Jo could only guess the solicitations inside had absolutely nothing to do with buttons, apart from the undoing of them.

“Most obliged,” Jo managed to stammer before he fled from the premises.