In book 2 of my new Dragonblade Mystery/Suspense Series, Lyon’s Obsession, one of the more complicated characters assumes the name Marquis of Honfleur (Lord Honfleur). Nowadays, our heroes would immediately be able to check out the man’s credentials, but this series is set in early 1812 to mid 1813, meaning in the middle of the Napoleonic War. Sneaking in and out of France was not of the faint of heart, shall we say. But what do we know of Honfleur?
In present time, Honfleur is a commune (administrative division of the French Republic) in the Calvados department in northwestern France, meaning it is in northwest Normandy. (Yes, the same Normandy we read about as part of the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, in World War II). It is located on the southern bank of the estuary of the Seine across from Le Havre and very close to the exit of the Pont de Normandie, along the English Channel.
History of Honfleur in relation to my storyline: The first written record of Honfleur is a reference by Richard III, Duke of Normandy, in 1025. By the middle of the 12th century, the city represented a significant transit point for goods from Rouen to England. At the end of the Hundred Years’ War, Honfleur benefited from the boom in maritime trade until the end of the 18th century. The wars of the French Revolution and the First Empire, and in particular the continental blockade, caused the ruin of Honfleur. It only partially recovered during the 19th century with the trading of wood from northern Europe. Trade was however limited by the silting up of the entrance to the port and development of the modern port at Le Havre.
Short Excerpt from Chapter Two, where our heroes learn of Lord Honfleur:
“Speaking of other conspirators,” Richard said with a large grin. “I learned something of the mysterious count that Aaran mentioned on Monday. He turns out to be a French marquis, not a count, after all.”
“From whom did you learn this information?” Duncan inquired.
“From Lord Godfrey,” Richard explained. “His lordship and I both returned to Madame Emmeline’s modiste to retrieve our ladies within a minute or so of each other. However, Madame Emmeline explained there was a slight delay. After congratulating me on my upcoming marriage to Emma, Godfrey began to claim his own personal triumph. It seems the Marquis of Honfleur will arrive in London in time to attend Lady Godfrey’s masque.”
“Has this marquis let a home?” Duncan asked.
“Yes, the one belonging to Lord Amgen,” Richard declared with a smile. “Amgen lets out the house regularly while he takes rooms in London for the Season.”
“Not the most fashionable address, but still respectable,” Beaufort remarked.
“Who else travels with the marquess?” Duncan asked as if he was already strategizing, which Alexander suspected such was true for his lordship. The man’s brain never took a rest.
“His daughter and his niece,” Richard confirmed, “but in accepting Lady Godfrey’s invitation, it will only be Honfleur and his daughter.”
“Why not the niece?” Theodora asked.
“None of us know,” Richard explained. “Perhaps the niece is a poor relation serving somehow in the man’s household as a companion or something along those lines.”
“Richard, would you send what you learned to Hartley, so he might discover what he may from our contacts on the Continent? Where is the area known as Honfleur?”
“I believe it is a port in Normandy, sir,” Beaufort said.
“Thank you, Navan, but do we know, with the war whether it is located a stable area of France? How long has this man been the Marquis of Honfleur? Is it a blood line title? Those sorts of inquiries.”
“Yes, sir. I understand.”
“I should do the same at the embassy.” Donoghue said, though none of them thought the British embassy’s staff would be of much use.
“When is this masque?” Duncan asked. “Should we expect Lord Honfleur to be out and about in society soon? Do we have time to put men in place to observe his comings and goings?”
“This upcoming Thursday,” Theodora answered, “but I had not initially accepted because I did not wish you to overextend yourself, my lord.”
“I should be there,” Duncan instructed. “You will send our pleasures, Theodora.”
“Yes, Papa, but no dancing, and we are leaving early,” Theodora instructed.
“I promise to sit as much as possible,” Duncan assured. “I know my limits.”
Lyon’s Obsession: The Lyon’s Den Connected World
Short on temper. Long on pride. True to his word.
Lady Theodora Duncan, daughter and only child of Lord Macdonald Duncan, reluctantly embarks on a London season in hopes of making a suitable match. She had always thought she would marry Lord Alexander Dutton, 12th Earl Marksman. After all, they had been raised together in her father’s house since Duncan became Marksman’s guardian when his lordship was but twelve. Her father’s estate marches along with Marksman’s, and they had shared multiple words of devotion, as well as stolen moments and heated kisses. Yet…
Lord Alexander Dutton always planned to marry Lady Theodora Duncan, but not until he finds his family. His father, long before Robert Dutton became the heir to the Marksman’s peerage, had sold Alexander’s mother and younger sister to the captain of a sailing ship. Alexander has searched for them for some ten years, spending thousands of the Marksman fortune in his desire to reclaim them. He cannot think truly to know happiness until he can share his title and his wealth with them. Assuredly, Theodora understands why he has not made an offer of marriage. Yet, if she does, then why does he constantly find her on the arm of a Sardinian count? He never expected Theodora’s abandonment, but Alexander is finally so close to knowing his real family again.
Must he risk one dream to know another?
Tropes you’ll love:
✔️ Friends to lovers
✔️ Soul mates
✔️ Secret identity
✔️ Fish out of water
✔️ Unrequited love
✔️ Dark secret
✔️ Emotional scars
✔️ Marriage pact
✔️ Innocent cohabitation
✔️ Love interest vs. Missing family
✔️ Honorable marriage
✔️ Marriage pact
✔️ Emotional scars
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Every Woman Dreams... 