An ear trumpet is a tubular or funnel-shaped device which collects sound waves and leads them into the ear. As far back as the 17th century, ear trumpets were being used. In his work, Recreations mathématiques (1634) was the earliest description of an ear trumpet. It was written by French Jesuit priest and mathematician, Jean Leurechon. By the late 18th Century, ear trumpets were made by instrument makers on a one-off basis. The Townsend Trumpet was made by deaf educator John Townsend. The Reynolds Trumpet was built especially for the famous painter of the period, Joshua Reynolds and the Daubeney Trumpet.
“The first firm to begin commercial production of the ear trumpet was established by Frederick C. Rein in London in 1800. In addition to producing ear trumpets, Rein also sold hearing fans and speaking tubes. These instruments helped concentrate sound energy, while still being portable. However, these devices were generally bulky and had to be physically supported from below. Later, smaller, hand-held ear trumpets and cones were used as hearing aids. [Levitt, H. “Digital hearing aids: wheelbarrows to ear inserts.” ASHA Leader 12, no. 17 (December 26, 2007): 28-30.]
“Rein was commissioned to design a special acoustic chair for the ailing King of Portugal, John VI of Portugal in 1819. The throne was designed with ornately carved arms that looked like the open mouths of lions. These holes acted as the receiving area for the acoustics, which were transmitted to the back of the throne via a speaking tube, and into the king’s ear. [ “Concealed Hearing Devices of the 19th Century”] Finally in the late 1800s, the acoustic horn, which was a tube that had two ends, a cone that captured sound, and was eventually made to fit in the ear. [ Howard, Alexander. “Hearing Aids: Smaller and Smarter.” New York Times, November 26, 1998.]
“Johann Nepomuk Mälzel began manufacturing ear trumpets in the 1810s. He notably produced ear trumpets for Ludwig van Beethoven, who was starting to go deaf at the time. These are now kept in the Beethoven Museum in Bonn.“
So how does an ear trumpet fit into a Regency romantic suspense/mystery series? The answer is simple: Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon, owner of the Lyon’s Den.
You see, Mrs. Dove-Lyon does not much care for Alexander Dutton, Lord Marksman. Those of you who have read book one of this series will recall that Alexander is Lord Macdonald Duncan’s youngest adopted son. Like the youngest of most families, Alexandr is impetuous, impatient, impulsive . . . Choose an “im” word, and it is likely to fit Alexander. If you have read the many stories set around the Lyon’s Den, you know Mrs. Dove-Lyon is a no-nonsense type of woman. “Hard” when difficult decisions are required. “Soft” when, well those moments are private.
Anyway, when Alexander and Lord Duncan call on her for a favor, Mrs. Dove-Lyon speaks to Alexander’s immaturity. [Enjoy this short excerpt from Chapter Sixteen of Lyon’s Obsession. – [Note this excerpt was added before the book has been edited by Dragonblade, but it will remain much the same.]
“I know I am a doting father, but I viewed the young lady who is part of this evening’s bet and your matchmaking and wondered upon her parents and their approval. Though she was very comely of face, I did not consider her lovelier than my Theodora, but she had three suitors.” He paused briefly. “I feel as if I have not done justice by my child if she was willing to submit to public scrutiny.”
“In truth, my lord,” the woman responded with real understanding laced in her tones, “the gentlemen I have approached regarding Lady Theodora were intimidated by your place in society, as well as expressing not wishing for a wife who obviously loves another.” She turned her gaze on Alexander. “Pardon my saying so, Lord Marksman, it is common knowledge that you intend to marry Lady Theodora. Why would any gentleman choose to go against Lord Macdonald Duncan’s wishes for his daughter and the possibility of facing you in an unlawful duel on the heath, my lord?”
“What has Lady Theodora offered you?” Alexander asked, ignoring the woman’s insinuations, for they were exactly what he had expected: It was he who had ruined Theodora, not in the traditional manner of the word, but by permitting himself too much latitude with Dora before he had actually spoken his proposal.
“My usual fee ranges from one thousand pounds to twenty-five hundred, but then there is a more substantial fee from the gentleman,” she explained. “That is if he earns the lady’s consent by winning a bet between the contenders.”
“But if there are no other contenders, how might there be a bet?” Alexander argued.
Mrs. Dove-Lyon leaned forward to ask, “Do you intend on winning Lady Theodora’s consent, my lord?”
“You wish me to agree to some foolish bet,” Alexander accused.
“Nothing more than I might ask of another suitor,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon countered.
“Lady Theodora will agree to marry me without all these ‘foolish’ wagers,” Alexander protested.
“True,” Mrs. Dove-Lyon said with a slow nod of her head, “but it is my opinion her ladyship will always wonder if you love her enough to know a bit of embarrassment to claim her. Lady Emma, for example, said she proposed to Lord Orson before a crowd of his peers to prove her devotion to his lordship. Your brother, in my opinion, is a better man, for he will never doubt the affection of his wife. Do you not think Lady Theodora also deserves to live without doubt?”
“Should I also make a public proposal?” Alexander asked, becoming a bit miffed at himself for seeking Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s opinion.
“When I spoke to Lady Theodora and Lady Emma, we three agreed your weakness lies not in your self-doubt but, rather, in your misplaced self-worth. We, you see, agreed that you often speak your opinions when you should be listening to those of others.”
Duncan’s poorly-disguised chuckle said his lordship agreed. While Alexander swallowed his retort, Mrs. Dove-Lyon offered her challenge, “The young ladies and I thought it might be appropriate if you spent a day in Parliament with a large ear trumpet and a small mask for your mouth, so you might listen and not speak. I understand a collapsible ear trumpet has been made on a one-off basis for special clients. Even the ever-famous Joshua Reynolds sported one in the late 1700s. Frederick Rein, right here in London, produces ear trumpets. His business even sells hearing fans and speaking tubes to concentrate the sound, but I suppose you do not require those accoutrements.” The woman laughed aloud. “Please inform me if any part of this proposition appeals to you, and I shall be glad to serve as Miss Duncan’s matchmaker.”
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
Read in Kindle Unlimited!
Buy Links:
BookBub
Amazon
Every Woman Dreams... 