Books
The Dangerous Lord Scoop
- The idea for The Dangerous Lord came out of thin air. I knew who Ian was because he'd shown up in The Forbidden Lord but I wasn't at all sure who his heroine would be. Only when I started figuring out his secret (I knew he had one—he just seemed the secretive sort) did I realize his heroine should be experienced at unearthing secrets. Like a gossip columnist.
- I've visited both the New York and the London Madame Tussaud's Waxworks Museums (click on the Spirit of Madame Tussaud's for a cool timeline). Although I toured the London one YEARS ago, my fascination for the place led me to put it in the book when I discovered that it was around even then (but only as a moving exhibit).
- My research into old Georgian and Regency era newspapers revealed that gossip columns were fairly common.They sometimes even used real names.
Inside Scoop from Characters
Interview with the Viscount St. Clair: Villain or Gentleman?
Ian Lennard, Lord St. Clair, generously consented to an interview with us after a certain female gossip columnist recently revived the many rumors circulating about him.
Reporter: You left England at nineteen for the Continent and returned three years ago after an absence of six years. Is that true?
Lord St. Clair: It is.
Reporter: Are you aware of what the gossips say you did there? Their assertions range wildly from your being a spy for the French and the lover of a Spanish don’s wife to one man’s claim that he saw you begging in the streets of Paris.
St. Clair, smiling: Surely you don’t believe any of that.
Reporter: You must admit you’ve been reticent to deny the rumors.
St. Clair: Why deny them? People believe what they want to. Besides, I find some of the tales very entertaining. Like the one that has me rescuing the King of Spain’s illegitimate daughter from Barbary pirates whom I vanquished single-handedly, thus gaining the reward of a mansion in Madrid.
Reporter: That’s my favorite. Is there no truth to it?
St. Clair, laughing: Not much. The King of Spain has no daughter, illegitimate or otherwise, and I’ve never even met a Barbary pirate. I was once presented to the King of Spain and my mother’s family does own a mansion in Madrid, but that’s about it. I don’t know where people get these absurd tales.
Reporter: We were able to confirm the truth of one rumor—the claim that you were a spy—but according to our sources, it was for the English. Is that true?
St. Clair: You could hardly expect me to admit it if it were, although I’ll admit to serving in the army.
Reporter: The Duke of Wellington says your spying was crucial to our winning the war. What do you say to that?
St. Clair: No comment.
Reporter: Very well. Let’s turn to a more recent tale about you. Lord X, whom you probably know is Miss Felicity Taylor, claims you’re keeping a mistress in a house on Waltham Street.
St. Clair: She is mistaken. My friend on Waltham Street is merely the sister of a man I fought with at the Battle of Vittoria. As he lay dying, he asked me to look after his sister, and I promised I would. That’s why I put the woman up in a house in Waltham Street.
Reporter: Miss Taylor claims there’s more to it than that.
St. Clair, growing agitated: Miss Taylor is a busybody who should keep her opinions to herself.
Reporter: A very pretty busybody, I gather.
St. Clair: Yes. What of it?
Reporter: You were seen kissing Miss Taylor at the ball held by Lord Worthing at his country estate.
St. Clair: Whoever told you that should learn to keep their opinions to themselves as well.
Reporter: You were also seen in a carriage with Miss Taylor and her brothers one night. Are you perhaps courting the woman?
St. Clair: No comment.
Reporter: It’s said that you’re seeking a wife. Will Miss Taylor be the new viscountess?
St. Clair: No comment.
Reporter: Does she have any objection to your friend on Waltham Street?
St. Clair, standing up: No comment. This interview is over.
Reporter, following him to the door: But Lord St. Clair, there are other rumors—
We will not bore you with a description of what followed. Suffice it to say, Lord St. Clair refused to elaborate on the possibility of marriage to Miss Taylor or any other rumors. He was heard to mutter, "Bloody annoying writers," as he rode off, so I suspect you won't be seeing more interviews with him anytime soon.
How to Gather Gossip Discreetly
by Miss Felicity Taylor
aka Lord X
- Pursue any promising lead, even if it means following a dangerous viscount down a deserted street to a mysterious house.
- Accept any invitation to visit at a country estate, even if certain annoying gentlemen will be present. Such visits provide ample opportunities to gather gossip. But do take care to avoid being the subject of gossip yourself.
- Learn to waltz, so you need not cling to your partner to avoid tripping over your feet. You cannot gather gossip in that situation. Besides, men have a deplorable tendency to misinterpret and even take advantage of such behavior.
- Refrain from going out on balconies with wicked viscounts, especially when they are annoyed at you. If you must do so, refrain from being caught in a compromising position.
- Ply your pen with caution. The pen is not mightier than the sword when the man wielding the sword is an ex-spy with a penchant for slicing pens in two.
- Do not undress in a guest bedchamber unless you are certain you are alone.