The River Lea plays a major role in one of the most dramatic scenes in Lyon’s Obsession, but I imagine many readers of the tale may know nothing of it. For example, how close to London is it? As it flows into the Thames, it is likely closer than one would think.
For example, I am a big Ted Lasso fan. If you are also, you would know that Richmond, where the make believe football (soccer) team played, is some ten miles from London proper. Not a great distance nowadays, but it the Regency era that was, at least, an hour and a half drive for a well sprung coach.
Same goes for the River Lea. It originates in Bedfordshire in the Chiltern Hills and flows southeast through Hertfordshire, along the Essex border and into Greater London. It meets the River Thames at Bow Creek. It is one of the largest rivers in London and the easternmost major tributaries of the Thames. It has been made more and more navigable for boats by the Lee Navigation.
The River Lea is a major tributary of the River Thames. It has a long association with navigation, as the marshes of Walthamstow have produced a dugout canoe from the Bronze Age and parts of a Saxon barge. According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, the river was used by Viking raiders, and King Alfred changed the level of the river to strand Guthrum and his fleet. [ Boyes & Russell 1977, pp. 22–23.] In more peaceful times, it became important for the transport of grain from Hertfordshire, but navigation of its southernmost tidal reaches of Bow Creek were difficult due to its tortuous meanders. one can find an interesting chart regarding Lee Navigation HERE.
The point I am making here is to write good historical stories, a true writer does his/her research, even something that might be only a line or two in the mix of an 80,000 words+ tale. It is important to have it right and matched with the time period.
For example:
The man in black had directed Theodora along a narrow path through the woods surrounding the house. She had forgotten there was a tributary of the Thames in this area—the River Lea began in Bedfordshire, in the Chiltern Hills, and flowed southeast through Hertfordshire and into Greater London to meet the Thames at Bow Creek, though the man proudly told her so as he spoke of her death in the river. Although her captor called her a variety of derogatory names, Dora set herself a reasonable pace so she would not be so winded when she attempted to run away from the man. When the time came, it would be necessary for her to be in a position to fight.
Within a few minutes, they exited the woods, and the land sloped downward towards the river. The house had been closer to the stream than she had expected. A small pier reached out into the river, though it had missing boards and looked too flimsy to support both her weight and that of the man who still held a gun on her.
“The water is quite deep at this time of year,” her captor taunted. “Lots of rain, but you know London’s weather, likely better than do I, Lady Theodora. With your skirts and the pelisse and all, it might be difficult for you to stay afloat. Moreover, I hope you have noticed the current is quite swift?”
“You truly mean to do this?” she demanded.
“Naturally. I wish your father to suffer, and what better way than to kill the last of Lord Duncan’s family, just as he killed the last of mine. When the authorities discover you, perhaps they will think you knew a broken heart and either accidentally fell in or jumped.”
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... 