Andrea/Cara here, Today I'm welcoming back mt dear friend and fellow author Tracy Grant to tell us a little about the some of the real-life history behind her latest book. Many of you are familiar with Tracy's Malcolm and Suzanne Rannoch historical series (and if you aren't, you're in for a treat!) and know that she has a passion for history, and her books always have such fascinating backstories to the inspiration behind each book. So, without further ado, I shall pass the pen to Tracy!
The threat of being cast off by society hangs over many stories written or set in the Regency. Think of the Bennets, devastated by Lydia’s elopement, not just because she has run off with an unscrupulous man but because of the effect the scandal will have on her sisters’ marriage prospects. Or of the gossip that arises simply from Marianne Dashwood’s very public obsession with Willoughby – writing to him, confronting him at a party.
Scandal hangs over Malcolm and Mélanie Suzanne Rannoch in The Duke’s Gambit, the latest historical mystery in my series. Two books ago, Malcolm and Mélanie and their children fled Britain for Italy because Malcolm’s British spymaster, Lord Carfax, had learned Mélanie had been a spy for the Bonapartist French. In The Duke’s Gambit they have paid a secret visit to Scotland in response to a summons from Malcolm’s grandfather, the Duke of Strathdon. Strathdon claims he has a plan that will allow them to resume their former lives in Britain. Malcolm, very worried about his wife’s safety, is highly dubious. Mélanie, always more a risk taker, wants Malcolm to be able to resume his parliamentary career. But she points out that even if it was safe, they couldn’t return to their old lives as a leading couple in Mayfair society. Not because of her past, which is still secret from the public at large, but because of another family member. Laura Tarrington, who was once governess to the Rannoch children, still lives with them along with her own daughter. And, when he isn’t off fomenting revolution in Spain, Raoul O’Roarke (who was once Mélanie’s spymaster and is also, Malcolm learned recently, Malcolm’s biological father) is part of their household as well.
Yes, the Rannochs’ lives are very complicated. But the scandal isn’t Malcolm’s parentage, as officially Malcolm is the son of his mother’s marriage to Alistair Rannoch. Raoul and Laura have been lovers for some time. In Italy, they began openly living together, and Laura (despite their taking precautions) is expecting a child. Raoul is married and though he and his wife have been estranged for twenty years, his wife won’t agree to a divorce. The scandal not only impacts them but the Rannochs. In The Duke’s Gambit, Mélanie receives the cut direct, not because of her own past (which would certainly render her socially unacceptable were it known), but because she is sitting with Laura.
And yet, as Mélanie points out to Malcolm, society isn’t a monolith. She may never again have vouchers to Almack’s, but Malcolm is highly unlikely to be blackballed at Brooks’s (as so often there is a distinct double standard for men and women). They can still entertain, though some of their former friends and acquaintances probably won’t set foot in their house. In fact one of the great political circles of the day was built in the face of scandal. In 1796, the very married Elizabeth, Lady Webster, and Henry, Lord Holland, fell in love when they met while traveling on the Continent. Their first child was born before Elizabeth’s husband divorced her. Two days following the divorce Elizabeth and Henry married and went on to have more children. (Lady Holland lost custody of the children from her first marriage to her first husband. She went so far as to pretend her daughter had died abroad in order to keep the child with her, but eventually the truth came up and she had to give the little girl up to her first husband.) The Hollands’ second son was the heir to the title rather than his elder brother who had been born before the marriage (a situation I’ve always felt would make a fascinating novel in and of itself).
Certain doors in London were closed to Lady Holland after the divorce. When their own daughter was old enough to make her debut, they could present her to society themselves. But their home at Holland House became the center of their own political and intellectual circle – the Holland House set. Lady Holland might not have vouchers to Almack’s, but Almack’s patroness Emily Cowper (who is a character in The Duke’s Gambit) attended parties at Holland House.
Being cast off by elements of beau mode society didn’t stop Lady Holland from having a powerful social and political influence. If the Rannochs return to Britain, they wouldn’t be able to return to their old lives, but potentially they could develop their own Rannoch set, though some doors would remain barred to them. Which could also offer some intriguing options to me as a writer if they try to investigate mysteries in the beau mode while their own position in the beau monde is a bit shaky…
Do you have a favorite real life or fictional Regency scandal? How do you feel about characters living on the edge of society? Do you enjoy reading about them or do you prefer central characters to be at the heart of the beau monde? Tracy will be giving away a e-book copy of The Duke's Gambit to one lucky person, chosen at random, who leaves a comment here between today and Friday morning.
Thanks for visiting us again, Tracy. Real life scandals can turn into such delicious fiction! I like the idea of Malcolm and Suzanne being restored to a somewhat precarious perch in Society, which will give them a whole new field of mysteries to solve. *G*
Thanks for visiting us again, Tracy. Real life scandals can turn into such delicious fiction! I like the idea of Malcolm and Suzanne being restored to a somewhat precarious perch in Society, which will give them a whole new field of mysteries to solve. *G*
Thanks for visiting us again, Tracy. Real life scandals can turn into such delicious fiction! I like the idea of Malcolm and Suzanne being restored to a somewhat precarious perch in Society, which will give them a whole new field of mysteries to solve. *G*
Thanks for visiting us again, Tracy. Real life scandals can turn into such delicious fiction! I like the idea of Malcolm and Suzanne being restored to a somewhat precarious perch in Society, which will give them a whole new field of mysteries to solve. *G*
Thanks for visiting us again, Tracy. Real life scandals can turn into such delicious fiction! I like the idea of Malcolm and Suzanne being restored to a somewhat precarious perch in Society, which will give them a whole new field of mysteries to solve. *G*
I like characters who are strong enough to live on the edge of society. The beau monde was vicious in their gossip. They had nothing better to do.
I don’t have a favorite scandal. To me that’s an oxymoron. They’re all bad. The laws of the time made it impossible for women to get past the situation. The scandal mentioned in this blog of Lady Holland having to give up her daughter because it was born while she was still married to her first husband is horrendous.
I like characters who are strong enough to live on the edge of society. The beau monde was vicious in their gossip. They had nothing better to do.
I don’t have a favorite scandal. To me that’s an oxymoron. They’re all bad. The laws of the time made it impossible for women to get past the situation. The scandal mentioned in this blog of Lady Holland having to give up her daughter because it was born while she was still married to her first husband is horrendous.
I like characters who are strong enough to live on the edge of society. The beau monde was vicious in their gossip. They had nothing better to do.
I don’t have a favorite scandal. To me that’s an oxymoron. They’re all bad. The laws of the time made it impossible for women to get past the situation. The scandal mentioned in this blog of Lady Holland having to give up her daughter because it was born while she was still married to her first husband is horrendous.
I like characters who are strong enough to live on the edge of society. The beau monde was vicious in their gossip. They had nothing better to do.
I don’t have a favorite scandal. To me that’s an oxymoron. They’re all bad. The laws of the time made it impossible for women to get past the situation. The scandal mentioned in this blog of Lady Holland having to give up her daughter because it was born while she was still married to her first husband is horrendous.
I like characters who are strong enough to live on the edge of society. The beau monde was vicious in their gossip. They had nothing better to do.
I don’t have a favorite scandal. To me that’s an oxymoron. They’re all bad. The laws of the time made it impossible for women to get past the situation. The scandal mentioned in this blog of Lady Holland having to give up her daughter because it was born while she was still married to her first husband is horrendous.
Thanks, Mary Jo! Always so fun to be here! Scandals are often sad, as noted below, but they do offer wonderful possibilities for plots (and writing fiction one can control the outcome more). Glad you like the idea of Malcolm and Mel being more on the fringe of society, while still sometimes moving into its heart in their investigation. I think it opens interesting new vistas….
Thanks, Mary Jo! Always so fun to be here! Scandals are often sad, as noted below, but they do offer wonderful possibilities for plots (and writing fiction one can control the outcome more). Glad you like the idea of Malcolm and Mel being more on the fringe of society, while still sometimes moving into its heart in their investigation. I think it opens interesting new vistas….
Thanks, Mary Jo! Always so fun to be here! Scandals are often sad, as noted below, but they do offer wonderful possibilities for plots (and writing fiction one can control the outcome more). Glad you like the idea of Malcolm and Mel being more on the fringe of society, while still sometimes moving into its heart in their investigation. I think it opens interesting new vistas….
Thanks, Mary Jo! Always so fun to be here! Scandals are often sad, as noted below, but they do offer wonderful possibilities for plots (and writing fiction one can control the outcome more). Glad you like the idea of Malcolm and Mel being more on the fringe of society, while still sometimes moving into its heart in their investigation. I think it opens interesting new vistas….
Thanks, Mary Jo! Always so fun to be here! Scandals are often sad, as noted below, but they do offer wonderful possibilities for plots (and writing fiction one can control the outcome more). Glad you like the idea of Malcolm and Mel being more on the fringe of society, while still sometimes moving into its heart in their investigation. I think it opens interesting new vistas….
Patricia, it’s so true, historical scandals tended to have tragic consequences for the women involved. By “favorite” I really meant one that interests you. Lady Holland’s having to give up her daughter despite taking extreme measures to keep her is indeed horrendous. She also had two older sons with her first husband whom she had to give up. And yet she at least was able to marry the man she loved after her divorce and had a long and apparently happy life with him, while carving out her own place in society. Other historical scandals end even more tragically.
Patricia, it’s so true, historical scandals tended to have tragic consequences for the women involved. By “favorite” I really meant one that interests you. Lady Holland’s having to give up her daughter despite taking extreme measures to keep her is indeed horrendous. She also had two older sons with her first husband whom she had to give up. And yet she at least was able to marry the man she loved after her divorce and had a long and apparently happy life with him, while carving out her own place in society. Other historical scandals end even more tragically.
Patricia, it’s so true, historical scandals tended to have tragic consequences for the women involved. By “favorite” I really meant one that interests you. Lady Holland’s having to give up her daughter despite taking extreme measures to keep her is indeed horrendous. She also had two older sons with her first husband whom she had to give up. And yet she at least was able to marry the man she loved after her divorce and had a long and apparently happy life with him, while carving out her own place in society. Other historical scandals end even more tragically.
Patricia, it’s so true, historical scandals tended to have tragic consequences for the women involved. By “favorite” I really meant one that interests you. Lady Holland’s having to give up her daughter despite taking extreme measures to keep her is indeed horrendous. She also had two older sons with her first husband whom she had to give up. And yet she at least was able to marry the man she loved after her divorce and had a long and apparently happy life with him, while carving out her own place in society. Other historical scandals end even more tragically.
Patricia, it’s so true, historical scandals tended to have tragic consequences for the women involved. By “favorite” I really meant one that interests you. Lady Holland’s having to give up her daughter despite taking extreme measures to keep her is indeed horrendous. She also had two older sons with her first husband whom she had to give up. And yet she at least was able to marry the man she loved after her divorce and had a long and apparently happy life with him, while carving out her own place in society. Other historical scandals end even more tragically.
I’m not very interested in scandals, past or present — because (as has been said), the scandal if often based on the boredom of society, as opposed to any actions taken. And because of the double standard.
The closest to interest in any scandal would be an interest in Devonshire house and in the Duchess of Devons’s sister, two great political hostesses.
I’m not very interested in scandals, past or present — because (as has been said), the scandal if often based on the boredom of society, as opposed to any actions taken. And because of the double standard.
The closest to interest in any scandal would be an interest in Devonshire house and in the Duchess of Devons’s sister, two great political hostesses.
I’m not very interested in scandals, past or present — because (as has been said), the scandal if often based on the boredom of society, as opposed to any actions taken. And because of the double standard.
The closest to interest in any scandal would be an interest in Devonshire house and in the Duchess of Devons’s sister, two great political hostesses.
I’m not very interested in scandals, past or present — because (as has been said), the scandal if often based on the boredom of society, as opposed to any actions taken. And because of the double standard.
The closest to interest in any scandal would be an interest in Devonshire house and in the Duchess of Devons’s sister, two great political hostesses.
I’m not very interested in scandals, past or present — because (as has been said), the scandal if often based on the boredom of society, as opposed to any actions taken. And because of the double standard.
The closest to interest in any scandal would be an interest in Devonshire house and in the Duchess of Devons’s sister, two great political hostesses.
Hi Tracy
I don’t have a favourite scandal but have read many over the years and love seeing how they all seem to get over them as soon as the next scandal erupts this one sounds really good.
have Fun
Helen
Hi Tracy
I don’t have a favourite scandal but have read many over the years and love seeing how they all seem to get over them as soon as the next scandal erupts this one sounds really good.
have Fun
Helen
Hi Tracy
I don’t have a favourite scandal but have read many over the years and love seeing how they all seem to get over them as soon as the next scandal erupts this one sounds really good.
have Fun
Helen
Hi Tracy
I don’t have a favourite scandal but have read many over the years and love seeing how they all seem to get over them as soon as the next scandal erupts this one sounds really good.
have Fun
Helen
Hi Tracy
I don’t have a favourite scandal but have read many over the years and love seeing how they all seem to get over them as soon as the next scandal erupts this one sounds really good.
have Fun
Helen
Welcome, Tracy! I enjoyed learning about Lady Webster and Lord Holland as well as your fictional Rannochs. Given a good story, I will happily read about characters living on the edge of society as well as those at the heart of the beau monde. I also like reading about the little people — those who have little to no dealings with society at all.
Welcome, Tracy! I enjoyed learning about Lady Webster and Lord Holland as well as your fictional Rannochs. Given a good story, I will happily read about characters living on the edge of society as well as those at the heart of the beau monde. I also like reading about the little people — those who have little to no dealings with society at all.
Welcome, Tracy! I enjoyed learning about Lady Webster and Lord Holland as well as your fictional Rannochs. Given a good story, I will happily read about characters living on the edge of society as well as those at the heart of the beau monde. I also like reading about the little people — those who have little to no dealings with society at all.
Welcome, Tracy! I enjoyed learning about Lady Webster and Lord Holland as well as your fictional Rannochs. Given a good story, I will happily read about characters living on the edge of society as well as those at the heart of the beau monde. I also like reading about the little people — those who have little to no dealings with society at all.
Welcome, Tracy! I enjoyed learning about Lady Webster and Lord Holland as well as your fictional Rannochs. Given a good story, I will happily read about characters living on the edge of society as well as those at the heart of the beau monde. I also like reading about the little people — those who have little to no dealings with society at all.
Lady Bessborough and the Duchess of Devonshire are both fascinating, Sue! Henrietta Bessborough and Elizabeth Webster were friends and were traveling on the Continent together when Elizabeth began her affair with Henry Holland and Henrietta began her affair with Granville Leveson-Gower, which led to two great but quite different scandals.
Lady Bessborough and the Duchess of Devonshire are both fascinating, Sue! Henrietta Bessborough and Elizabeth Webster were friends and were traveling on the Continent together when Elizabeth began her affair with Henry Holland and Henrietta began her affair with Granville Leveson-Gower, which led to two great but quite different scandals.
Lady Bessborough and the Duchess of Devonshire are both fascinating, Sue! Henrietta Bessborough and Elizabeth Webster were friends and were traveling on the Continent together when Elizabeth began her affair with Henry Holland and Henrietta began her affair with Granville Leveson-Gower, which led to two great but quite different scandals.
Lady Bessborough and the Duchess of Devonshire are both fascinating, Sue! Henrietta Bessborough and Elizabeth Webster were friends and were traveling on the Continent together when Elizabeth began her affair with Henry Holland and Henrietta began her affair with Granville Leveson-Gower, which led to two great but quite different scandals.
Lady Bessborough and the Duchess of Devonshire are both fascinating, Sue! Henrietta Bessborough and Elizabeth Webster were friends and were traveling on the Continent together when Elizabeth began her affair with Henry Holland and Henrietta began her affair with Granville Leveson-Gower, which led to two great but quite different scandals.
So true how society flits from one scandal to another, Helen!
So true how society flits from one scandal to another, Helen!
So true how society flits from one scandal to another, Helen!
So true how society flits from one scandal to another, Helen!
So true how society flits from one scandal to another, Helen!
Thanks, Kareni! So glad you enjoyed learning about the Rannochs and their real life contemporaries!
Thanks, Kareni! So glad you enjoyed learning about the Rannochs and their real life contemporaries!
Thanks, Kareni! So glad you enjoyed learning about the Rannochs and their real life contemporaries!
Thanks, Kareni! So glad you enjoyed learning about the Rannochs and their real life contemporaries!
Thanks, Kareni! So glad you enjoyed learning about the Rannochs and their real life contemporaries!
I was reading recently about the Schuyler and Hamilton families, which seemed to have more than their share of scandals. (Philip Schuyler was the famous Revolutionary War general, and his daughter Elizabeth was married to Alexander Hamilton) Eloping seemed to be a habit, four of Elizabeth’s siblings eloped, following in the footsteps of the oldest daughter Angelica.
Tragically, not only was Alexander Hamilton killed in a duel, but his son Philip was also. Then of course there was Hamilton’s adultery and blackmail scandal with Maria Reynolds.
I was reading recently about the Schuyler and Hamilton families, which seemed to have more than their share of scandals. (Philip Schuyler was the famous Revolutionary War general, and his daughter Elizabeth was married to Alexander Hamilton) Eloping seemed to be a habit, four of Elizabeth’s siblings eloped, following in the footsteps of the oldest daughter Angelica.
Tragically, not only was Alexander Hamilton killed in a duel, but his son Philip was also. Then of course there was Hamilton’s adultery and blackmail scandal with Maria Reynolds.
I was reading recently about the Schuyler and Hamilton families, which seemed to have more than their share of scandals. (Philip Schuyler was the famous Revolutionary War general, and his daughter Elizabeth was married to Alexander Hamilton) Eloping seemed to be a habit, four of Elizabeth’s siblings eloped, following in the footsteps of the oldest daughter Angelica.
Tragically, not only was Alexander Hamilton killed in a duel, but his son Philip was also. Then of course there was Hamilton’s adultery and blackmail scandal with Maria Reynolds.
I was reading recently about the Schuyler and Hamilton families, which seemed to have more than their share of scandals. (Philip Schuyler was the famous Revolutionary War general, and his daughter Elizabeth was married to Alexander Hamilton) Eloping seemed to be a habit, four of Elizabeth’s siblings eloped, following in the footsteps of the oldest daughter Angelica.
Tragically, not only was Alexander Hamilton killed in a duel, but his son Philip was also. Then of course there was Hamilton’s adultery and blackmail scandal with Maria Reynolds.
I was reading recently about the Schuyler and Hamilton families, which seemed to have more than their share of scandals. (Philip Schuyler was the famous Revolutionary War general, and his daughter Elizabeth was married to Alexander Hamilton) Eloping seemed to be a habit, four of Elizabeth’s siblings eloped, following in the footsteps of the oldest daughter Angelica.
Tragically, not only was Alexander Hamilton killed in a duel, but his son Philip was also. Then of course there was Hamilton’s adultery and blackmail scandal with Maria Reynolds.
I’m wondering about the Webster children, those children of Lady Holland’s first marriage. Did they ever reconnect with her, perhaps when they were adults?
Thanks for a fascinating post!
I’m wondering about the Webster children, those children of Lady Holland’s first marriage. Did they ever reconnect with her, perhaps when they were adults?
Thanks for a fascinating post!
I’m wondering about the Webster children, those children of Lady Holland’s first marriage. Did they ever reconnect with her, perhaps when they were adults?
Thanks for a fascinating post!
I’m wondering about the Webster children, those children of Lady Holland’s first marriage. Did they ever reconnect with her, perhaps when they were adults?
Thanks for a fascinating post!
I’m wondering about the Webster children, those children of Lady Holland’s first marriage. Did they ever reconnect with her, perhaps when they were adults?
Thanks for a fascinating post!
It does, indeed. Which makes your avid readers very happy!
It does, indeed. Which makes your avid readers very happy!
It does, indeed. Which makes your avid readers very happy!
It does, indeed. Which makes your avid readers very happy!
It does, indeed. Which makes your avid readers very happy!
Thanks for yet another fascinating visit, Tracy. I love how you make history come so alive!
Thanks for yet another fascinating visit, Tracy. I love how you make history come so alive!
Thanks for yet another fascinating visit, Tracy. I love how you make history come so alive!
Thanks for yet another fascinating visit, Tracy. I love how you make history come so alive!
Thanks for yet another fascinating visit, Tracy. I love how you make history come so alive!
I was wondering the same thing as ML. Did Lady Holland’s children from her first marriage connect with her again? Did all the children have any relationship with one another?
Family life is complicated no matter what, but the conditions that were in place during the Regency period seem to make things even more difficult.
And women must have had to think long and hard and consider everything very carefully before taking a step to put themselves in a position to have happiness. What a sad thought.
I was wondering the same thing as ML. Did Lady Holland’s children from her first marriage connect with her again? Did all the children have any relationship with one another?
Family life is complicated no matter what, but the conditions that were in place during the Regency period seem to make things even more difficult.
And women must have had to think long and hard and consider everything very carefully before taking a step to put themselves in a position to have happiness. What a sad thought.
I was wondering the same thing as ML. Did Lady Holland’s children from her first marriage connect with her again? Did all the children have any relationship with one another?
Family life is complicated no matter what, but the conditions that were in place during the Regency period seem to make things even more difficult.
And women must have had to think long and hard and consider everything very carefully before taking a step to put themselves in a position to have happiness. What a sad thought.
I was wondering the same thing as ML. Did Lady Holland’s children from her first marriage connect with her again? Did all the children have any relationship with one another?
Family life is complicated no matter what, but the conditions that were in place during the Regency period seem to make things even more difficult.
And women must have had to think long and hard and consider everything very carefully before taking a step to put themselves in a position to have happiness. What a sad thought.
I was wondering the same thing as ML. Did Lady Holland’s children from her first marriage connect with her again? Did all the children have any relationship with one another?
Family life is complicated no matter what, but the conditions that were in place during the Regency period seem to make things even more difficult.
And women must have had to think long and hard and consider everything very carefully before taking a step to put themselves in a position to have happiness. What a sad thought.
The Schulyers and Hamiltons sound fascinating, Karin. I wonder what drove so many of the Schuylers to elope – were the parents particularly restrictive about which marriages they’d sanction?
The Schulyers and Hamiltons sound fascinating, Karin. I wonder what drove so many of the Schuylers to elope – were the parents particularly restrictive about which marriages they’d sanction?
The Schulyers and Hamiltons sound fascinating, Karin. I wonder what drove so many of the Schuylers to elope – were the parents particularly restrictive about which marriages they’d sanction?
The Schulyers and Hamiltons sound fascinating, Karin. I wonder what drove so many of the Schuylers to elope – were the parents particularly restrictive about which marriages they’d sanction?
The Schulyers and Hamiltons sound fascinating, Karin. I wonder what drove so many of the Schuylers to elope – were the parents particularly restrictive about which marriages they’d sanction?
ML and Annette, she did reconnect with her Webster daughter some 30 years later when the daughter was a mother herself, and it was one of her Holland sons who helped bring it about. I suspect she reconnected with her Webster sons as well, but they were apart for so many years. There were many complications to a woman getting out of an unhappy marriage, but losing custody of her children was perhaps the most heartwrenching.
Lady Bessborough, who Sue mentioned above, was never divorced, despite her affairs including her longtime one with Granville Leveson-Gower, so she didn’t lose her legitimate children. But she had to hide her illegitimate children by Granville away. Eventually Granville married her niece (seemingly very happily) and they raised the children.
ML and Annette, she did reconnect with her Webster daughter some 30 years later when the daughter was a mother herself, and it was one of her Holland sons who helped bring it about. I suspect she reconnected with her Webster sons as well, but they were apart for so many years. There were many complications to a woman getting out of an unhappy marriage, but losing custody of her children was perhaps the most heartwrenching.
Lady Bessborough, who Sue mentioned above, was never divorced, despite her affairs including her longtime one with Granville Leveson-Gower, so she didn’t lose her legitimate children. But she had to hide her illegitimate children by Granville away. Eventually Granville married her niece (seemingly very happily) and they raised the children.
ML and Annette, she did reconnect with her Webster daughter some 30 years later when the daughter was a mother herself, and it was one of her Holland sons who helped bring it about. I suspect she reconnected with her Webster sons as well, but they were apart for so many years. There were many complications to a woman getting out of an unhappy marriage, but losing custody of her children was perhaps the most heartwrenching.
Lady Bessborough, who Sue mentioned above, was never divorced, despite her affairs including her longtime one with Granville Leveson-Gower, so she didn’t lose her legitimate children. But she had to hide her illegitimate children by Granville away. Eventually Granville married her niece (seemingly very happily) and they raised the children.
ML and Annette, she did reconnect with her Webster daughter some 30 years later when the daughter was a mother herself, and it was one of her Holland sons who helped bring it about. I suspect she reconnected with her Webster sons as well, but they were apart for so many years. There were many complications to a woman getting out of an unhappy marriage, but losing custody of her children was perhaps the most heartwrenching.
Lady Bessborough, who Sue mentioned above, was never divorced, despite her affairs including her longtime one with Granville Leveson-Gower, so she didn’t lose her legitimate children. But she had to hide her illegitimate children by Granville away. Eventually Granville married her niece (seemingly very happily) and they raised the children.
ML and Annette, she did reconnect with her Webster daughter some 30 years later when the daughter was a mother herself, and it was one of her Holland sons who helped bring it about. I suspect she reconnected with her Webster sons as well, but they were apart for so many years. There were many complications to a woman getting out of an unhappy marriage, but losing custody of her children was perhaps the most heartwrenching.
Lady Bessborough, who Sue mentioned above, was never divorced, despite her affairs including her longtime one with Granville Leveson-Gower, so she didn’t lose her legitimate children. But she had to hide her illegitimate children by Granville away. Eventually Granville married her niece (seemingly very happily) and they raised the children.
Always so fun to be here, Andrea! Thank you and all the Word Wenches for the warm welcome!!
Always so fun to be here, Andrea! Thank you and all the Word Wenches for the warm welcome!!
Always so fun to be here, Andrea! Thank you and all the Word Wenches for the warm welcome!!
Always so fun to be here, Andrea! Thank you and all the Word Wenches for the warm welcome!!
Always so fun to be here, Andrea! Thank you and all the Word Wenches for the warm welcome!!
This was fascinating reading! I would love to win a copy of your latest book!
This was fascinating reading! I would love to win a copy of your latest book!
This was fascinating reading! I would love to win a copy of your latest book!
This was fascinating reading! I would love to win a copy of your latest book!
This was fascinating reading! I would love to win a copy of your latest book!
Interesting – by the way I love the disgruntled cat in your photograph.
Interesting – by the way I love the disgruntled cat in your photograph.
Interesting – by the way I love the disgruntled cat in your photograph.
Interesting – by the way I love the disgruntled cat in your photograph.
Interesting – by the way I love the disgruntled cat in your photograph.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thanks! Both the cats were pretty good about the photo shoot, considering…
Thanks! Both the cats were pretty good about the photo shoot, considering…
Thanks! Both the cats were pretty good about the photo shoot, considering…
Thanks! Both the cats were pretty good about the photo shoot, considering…
Thanks! Both the cats were pretty good about the photo shoot, considering…
Thanks to everyone who commented! And huge thanks to Andrea/Cara and the rest of the Word Wenches for having me – always a treat to be here!
The winner of an ebook copy of The Duke’s Gambit is Kareni. Kareni, email me at tracy@tracygrant.org and let me know which format you would like the book in.
Thanks to everyone who commented! And huge thanks to Andrea/Cara and the rest of the Word Wenches for having me – always a treat to be here!
The winner of an ebook copy of The Duke’s Gambit is Kareni. Kareni, email me at tracy@tracygrant.org and let me know which format you would like the book in.
Thanks to everyone who commented! And huge thanks to Andrea/Cara and the rest of the Word Wenches for having me – always a treat to be here!
The winner of an ebook copy of The Duke’s Gambit is Kareni. Kareni, email me at tracy@tracygrant.org and let me know which format you would like the book in.
Thanks to everyone who commented! And huge thanks to Andrea/Cara and the rest of the Word Wenches for having me – always a treat to be here!
The winner of an ebook copy of The Duke’s Gambit is Kareni. Kareni, email me at tracy@tracygrant.org and let me know which format you would like the book in.
Thanks to everyone who commented! And huge thanks to Andrea/Cara and the rest of the Word Wenches for having me – always a treat to be here!
The winner of an ebook copy of The Duke’s Gambit is Kareni. Kareni, email me at tracy@tracygrant.org and let me know which format you would like the book in.