Regency Summer Scandals, the latest in our summer anthologies from Dreamstone Publishing released yesterday. Today, I would like to give you a taste of my story in the anthology, which is entitled “Loving Lord Lindmore.”

Meet my Main Characters:

Matthew Harrington, 12th Earl Lindmore – Matthew is a London rake, who is attempting to live up to, rather than to live down, his father’s reputation and to ignore his grandmother’s words of wisdom, for they do not suit his style.

Lady Cora Midland – Cora resides at Cameron Manor, a house owned outright by her deceased mother and will be Cora’s when she reaches her majority. She is the child of the Earl of Midland’s second marriage and known to be a bit of a hoyden, often dressing in young men’s clothing while riding about the estate. Cora’s mother Sophia is half sister to Matthew’s mother, Louisa. Cora is Matthew’s second cousin.

It can become a bit confusing how they are related, so here is a family tree for each. Matthew and Cora share a maternal grandfather.

Family Trees: (the Lindmores)

Lady Agnes Corder + Alexander Harrington, 11th Earl of Lindmore 

sired …

Fredrick Harrington (Lord Cornelius) – deceased; died in accident

_________________________________________________________________________________

Miss Margaret Spencer (deceased; 1st wife) + Edward Cooper, 7th Viscount Cooper 

      sired

Miss Louisa Cooper (Matthew’s mother) + Frederick Harrington (Lord Cornelius)

sired

Matthew Harrington (12th Earl of Lindmore)

************************************************************************

(the Midlands)

Victoria Littleton (deceased; first wife) + John Midland, 9th Earl Midland 

      sired

Charles Midland (10th Earl Midland; Cora’s half brother)

Miss Mildred Bowie (deceased; 2nd wife) + Edward Cooper, 7th Viscount Cooper 

                                 sired

Miss Sophia Cooper (Cora’s mother) + John Midland, 9th Earl Midland 

sired

Lady Cora Midland 

______________________________________________________________

Book Blurb >>>>>>>>

LADY CORA TAKES SOCIETY BY STORM . . .

Lady Cora Midland, a highly-spirited country beauty, offers no pretensions, which wins her many admirers, despite her lack of knowledge on how to manage the beau monde. 

LORD MATTHEW LINDMORE IS IN DENIAL . . . 

Lindmore reluctantly assists his grandmother in bringing Lady Cora out in Society. Yet, what appeared to be a daunting task becomes a transformation the earl does not expect. 

When Lady Cora is on the the verge of marrying another, Lindmore fears time will expire before he can speak his own proposal. 

Excerpt from Chapter Two (as the anthology is about summer scandals, my two characters must stir up a bit of buzz)>>>>

Chapter Two 

As Mrs. Evans dozed contentedly, Cora watched out the window of the coach. She noted how more than one farmer doffed his hat as the dowager countess’s coach tolled along the road to London. Certainly, her own family crest, that of the Midlands, would receive equal deference, but it was quite telling how both families had earned some of the respect of the farmers and the local gentry. Living alone at Cameron Manor, Cora rarely went beyond the nearby village. She knew one and all from the nearby parish—knew which family had a new baby and which had lost a loved one. The beginning and the end of life. She knew tears of happiness and those of deep sadness, and she often called upon those families and was received with what she considered to be a warm welcome. She realized she could be considered a bit eccentric, the pleasure, or the result, of living alone. Yet, despite her occasionally going against what was expected, Cora possessed a strong definition of her role in life. 

She knew her place, and, although she was not best happy to be leaving the security of her home, for she had heard multiple horror stories of those in London, she was thankful to make a connection to her mother’s extended family. 

Mrs. Evans shook herself as the coach rumbled through yet another village. “How quickly I fell asleep. I apologize, my dear.” Her companion straightened the lines of her gown. 

“No worries,” Cora assured. “I have simply been enjoying the scenery. It is amazing how the landscape changes the closer we come to St Albans.” 

“Then we are almost to Middlesex.” 

“Yes, we have made good time. Mr. Vickers has an excellent hand on the strings, and Lady Lindmore’s coach is well sprung. Mr. Vickers promised we would stop in St Albans to change horses. We may claim some tea and biscuits. Then it is only another five and twenty miles to her ladyship’s townhouse.” 

“It has been many years since we have seen the Capital,” Mrs. Evans remarked. “I wonder how much it has changed.” 

However, before Cora could respond, she spotted a familiar figure walking along the road. The man lifted his hat in recognition of the coach. They were well past where he stood at the edge of the road before she realized his presence. She regretted not signaling Mr. Vickers to stop. 

“I believe that was Mr. Schroder,” she told her companion. 

“The solicitor who used to practice over near Fowlmere?” Mrs. Evans asked. “I have not heard anyone speak of him for longer than I can recall. I wondered to where he had situated.” 

“Yes, and he was carrying a bouquet of flowers,” Cora explained. 

“Then what people said is true.” Mrs. Evans’s face lit with delight at the idea of being one of the first to know a bit of gossip. “He means to present his hand to the Widow Lawrence. I pray he is not make an error in judgement.”

“I know you have heard the rumors regarding Mrs. Lawrence, but there has been nothing in quite a few years. She supposedly married Mr. Lawrence when she was quite young, and people say he struck her often. No excuses, but we never know what we will do in extreme circumstances. Moreover, a marriage to the woman would be a good match for Mr. Schroder, who requires land and a wealthy wife to secure his own offices of law. Up until recently, he was with Mr. Elias Henry for some fifteen years. Apprenticed under Mr. Henry, whose children are grown and will inherit Mr. Henry’s business, leaving Mr. Schroder as a mere clerk for the remainder of his days. 

“I see no reason they should not combine forces and claim a bit of happiness and respectability together. Schroder would have the land and the funds to grow his own law firm. Being closer to St Albans will provide him a varied clientele. Mrs. Lawrence surely has learned from all the mistakes of her early days after her husband’s passing. It appears she was simply looking for kindness in all the wrong places. Though not the most, how do I say it, ‘educated’ of women, the lady would do well to have Mr. Schoder constantly underfoot—someone she could fuss over and who would fuss over her in return. I understand her a bit ‘childlike,’ always wishing to please,” Cora pronounced diplomatically. 

“A proper young lady,” Mrs. Evans scolded with a tut of her tongue to emphasize her opinion, “should know nothing of Mrs. Lawrence’s history.” 

“You may blame Jordan and some of his lads for that break in decorum. I overheard them discussing the woman many years back. When I asked my mother of her, her ladyship made her explanations,” Cora confided. “Lady Midland always said a lady of the aristocracy, especially one living without a male to protect her, required a full accounting of what she should expect from the world. Not all was pleasant. It seems the same should also apply to a woman of Mrs. Lawrence’s nature.” 

They sat in silence for several minutes, and Cora turned her mind to the scenery, but soon Mr. Vickers was pulling up on the reins to bring the carriage to a halt. 

“Another toll?” Mrs. Evans asked as she craned her neck for a look about them. 

From what Cora could see there were additional stopped coaches. Within less than a handful of minutes, the coachman appeared at the window. “Apologies, my lady. The coach ahead belongs to Lord Lindmore. Her ladyship would expect me to assist Mr. Flauton.” 

“Certainly. Do what is necessary? Is Lord Lindmore also assisting his man?” she asked in concern. “Would he care to join us in our coach?”

The coachman frowned and cleared his throat. “Lord Lindmore did not wait in the coach, my lady. I believe he is within the house.” Mr. Vickers face turned red in embarrassment. 

Cora lowered her voice. “Then who is in the second coach?”

Mr. Vickers’s lips twisted in disapproval. “From the crest on the side, it is Lord Truist.” 

“Truist?” she questioned. “Is he within also? I thought I noted the coach rocking with movement.” 

Again, Mr. Vickers appeared uncomfortable. “I cannot say with any assurance, my lady.” 

Cora took another quick look around. “‘Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. That one may smile and smile and be a villain.’ Assist me down, Mr. Vickers.” 

“It is likely best you remain within, my lady. Lady Lindmore would have my hide if her grandson’s and Lord Truist’s shenanigans brought scandal to your door,” the coachman pleaded. “I will assist Flauton, and we will be on the road again. No more than a quarter hour.” 

Cora ignored his protests. “I shan’t speak of this to the countess.” She released the door latch. “Whose house sets along the lane?”

From behind her, Mrs. Evans added, “It belongs to the Widow Lawrence.” 

“Oh, no. Oh, no,” Cora gasped. “Mr. Schroder is heading this way with a bouquet of flowers. He cannot find Lord Lindmore within and Truist standing guard. They are up to no good.” She swung the door wide. “Assist me down, Mr. Vickers. When Mr. Schroder appears, assure him that you and Mr. Flauton have just finished the repair. Then come ahead of him to fetch me and his lordship where we took refuge inside out of the warmth, while you completed the work.” 

“Lady Cora,” her companion complained. “You cannot think to enter that woman’s house.” 

“I plan to enter and so shall you. Now, fetch one of the jars of conserves we brought for her ladyship and climb down.” With a shooing motion, she sent Mr. Vickers to assist the earl’s coachman while Cora boldly strode across the road to pound on Lord Truist’s door. “My lord, I wish to speak to you. Now, sir!”

Truist dropped the window from the way to say sweetly, “My dear Lady Cora, I did not realize you were in the Lindmore coach.” 

“I have no time for your double speak, Lord Truist,” she ordered. “What have you offered Lord Lindmore to enter Mrs. Lawrence’s house?”

“I am injured by your accusation,” he began, holding a hand to his heart as if wounded. 

“Then be uninjured,” she argued. “Whatever it is you offered, I shall expect you to pay the debt or else I will see it quietly spread about London that you are not a man of your word. More of a man lacking in honor. Now, be from here immediately before I change my mind and call foul just to be contrary.” 

Truist grinned, “I liked you better before you became a fishwife, Lady Cora. I will call upon you at Lind Hall once you are settled in with the countess. Adieu, my dear child.” 

Cora did not appreciate being called a “child,” especially as she was set on correcting a very childish prank of two supposedly grown men. She turned to set a quick pace up the lane leading to the house. Catching Mrs. Evans’s elbow, she directed the woman along with her. She explained, “We have perhaps a quarter hour, at best, likely less before Mr. Schroder makes his call on the widow. We must set the scene inside so as not to send the man’s hopes plummeting.” 

“Cora,” Mrs. Evans protested, as she juggled the jar of conserves. “A lady cannot interrupt what surely transpires within.” 

Cora paused briefly before turning their steps towards the house again. “If I do not, the Lindmore name will be attached to a bit of a scandal. The countess shall not be permitted to bring me out in society. Equally as important, we shall face our own share of gossip as we are at the scene of this tumult. Now, assist me as I ask.” 

Mrs. Evans’s pace increased, and she had knocked on the door before Cora could set herself a plan. 

“Yes, ma’am. Miss.” 

“Lady Cora wishes to speak to her cousin. Immediately,” Mrs. Evans demanded in that special voice all former governesses have perfected. 

The man servant stepped back in response. “I fear Lord Lindmore is in consultation with Mrs. Lawrence,” he managed. 

Cora had no time for niceties. “Listen carefully. Mr. Schroder is walking this way. We saw him on the road. He should be here in approximately ten minutes, depending on his pace. You,” she grabbed the conserves from Mrs. Evans’s hands, “are to bring up four cups and plates. Splash a bit of tea in each. Open the conserves and spread a bit on whatever the kitchen has available to create a scene of four people enjoying tea and bread and butter or whatever while his lordship’s coach is repaired.” 

“There is no tea made, my lady,” he argued.

“We are not actually going to take tea,” she said in slow syllables so he might comprehend what she required of him. “Tell the cook to have tea ready for Mr. Schroder. Just splash a bit of dregs in each cup to ‘pretend’ we all had tea.” 

“Yes, my lady.” He started away, but Cora caught his arm. 

“First, tell me where I might discover your mistress and Lindmore.” Despite the chaos, Cora found herself beginning to smile. Going to London would answer one of her questions if she was brave enough to view the scene within. 

“The last door along the hall. Mrs. Lawrence’s sitting room.” 

“A sitting room?” Cora murmured. She was thrown for a passage of several heartbeats. She had always assumed the act of begetting a child took place in the bedroom, but she quickly supposed neither the Earl of Lindmore nor Mrs. Lawrence were considering a union of more than flesh. After all, Cora had observed the milk maid and one of the stable hands in various stages of undress and the throes of desire upon three separate occasions. Only once had the pair shared a bed, in the loft where the stable hand slept each evening. Shortly afterwards, the pair married, for the girl was with child.

“Lady Cora?” Mrs. Evans caught Cora’s hand. “You have no need to do this. We will return to the carriage and permit all involved their due.” 

Such was tempting, but she liked Mr. Schroder and wanted to view him knowing success. Therefore, Cora strode purposely down the hall and pounded on the door. “My lord! Mrs. Lawrence! I am coming in!”

For those of you trying to figure out cousins, I offer you The Cousin Explainer:

Regency Summer Scandals: A Regency Summer Romance Anthology

Five fabulous regency stories to keep you reading all summer long!

This anthology contains:

Loving Lord Lindmore by Regina Jeffers

LADY CORA TAKES SOCIETY BY STORM… Lady Cora Midland, a high-spirited country beauty, offers no pretensions, which win her many admirers, despite her lack of knowledge on how to manage the beau monde.

LORD MATTHEW LINDMORE IS IN DENIAL… Lindmore reluctantly assists his grandmother in bringing Lady Cora out in Society. Yet, what appeared to be a daunting task becomes a transformation which the Earl does not expect.

Will time run out before Lady Cora and Lord Lindmore discover the truth… that they have fallen in love?

A Heart for an Heir by Arietta Richmond

A Duke’s heir seeking purpose in his life, a Lady with unconventional ideas, a collaboration for good, a campaign of scandalous gossip, a love won at knife point.

Thorne Gardenbrook, Marquess of Wildenhall, heir to the Duke of Elbury, needs something to fill his days – something other than his mother’s insistence that he find a bride. Lady Faith St John is facing the fact that, after the scandals which rocked her family in the previous year, she may never have the chance to marry. Then a secret revealed by a housemaid leads Faith into subterfuge, behaviour improper for a Lady, and an accidental meeting with Lord Wildenhall, and she is not certain, at first, whether he will condemn her, or conspire with her. What happens then leads them both down unexpected paths, into scandal which will destroy Faith’s reputation, unless they the gossip before it’s too late.

And, in the end, when the only thing between Faith and ruin is the point of a very small knife, will Lord Wildenhall find her in time?

Sister to Scandal by Janis Susan May

Miss Phyllidia Kettering is facing the destruction of all of her dreams – all because of a scandal her sister has caused, by leaving her husband and running off with another man. And the worst part is, she isn’t entirely sure that she blames her sister for what she’s done. Then, to add to her miseries, the situation brings Mr Gareth Routledge back to her door – the man who broke her heart, and left her haunted by the mocking whispers of society. When greed, malice and blackmail are discovered, the scandal deepens, even as Phyllidia and Gareth discover that, just perhaps, they still care for each other.

Can they prevent the destruction of her family, and find their way back to love as they do?

Lady Matilda Heals a Hero by Olivia Marwood

Lady Matilda Calthorpe has always been a little impetuous, although she hides it well, when on view to the ton – she certainly doesn’t want to face the whispers and scandal that her friends and her sister have all faced in their path to finding love! But when unexpected circumstances place her in a scandalously compromising situation with the man whom she secretly desires, her impetuous nature takes over – with the worst (or perhaps the best?) possible outcome.

Now all she has to do is convince him to let her love him, before they are doomed to a life of misery.

Beyond Scandal by Victoria Hinshaw

Lady Elizabeth Lovell has been betrayed – by those closest to her. As if it isn’t enough that her father has done something deeply scandalous, now her brother has decided to pack her off to her great aunt. Every certainty has been removed from her life, and as fortune hunting suitors circle, she finds herself taking comfort in morning rides with her oldest friend, the son of her great aunt’s neighbours. But nothing is as it seems, or as she expected, and to live beyond the revelations of scandal, they will both have to accept significant change – can they do it, and find love in the process? Or is there nothing but misery beyond the touch of scandal?

Kindle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C8JT6RJN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=QLJGT6ZKSO04&keywords=regency+summer+scandals&qid=1687271642&sprefix=regency+summer+scandals+%2Caps%2C90&sr=8-1

Available on Kindle Unlimited 

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/books/regency-summer-scandals-a-regency-romance-summer-anthology-by-regina-jeffers-and-olivia-marwood

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Regency-Summer-Scandals-Romance-Anthology/dp/1922735191/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1687271642&sr=8-1

Giveaway!!! I have 5 eBook copies of Regency Summer Scandals for those who comment below. Those chosen will be contacted by email. The giveaway ends on Friday, July 28, 2023.