I’m celebrating my latest release The Taming of Wicked Rogue this week! You can find out more about it below plus some of the history behind the story. And don’t forget to enter my giveaway here.
Forced to leave friends, family, and a life of privilege and fun, Rebecca Fortescue’s world changed overnight nearly ten years ago. Now, with the tightening of a noose, it’s changed again, but she needs to make amends for what her father did.
Which means returning, secretly, to the place where he did the most damage.
And to the residence of one Lord Leonard Moncrieff—the only man she’s ever loved.
She’s certain she won’t see him again, though. Nicknamed a Lord of Scandal Row, it’s clear to her, he’s no longer the boy she knew, and never returns home. The last thing she needs it to be distracted by a man deemed one of the most attractive men in London.
Unfortunately for Rebecca, Leo has been practically banished from London under the orders of his mother thanks to a scandal that, for once, had nothing to do with him. Now he has to spend his days playing the country gent and trying to avoid the female of the species.
It will be harder than he expected, given a sudden influx of young ladies to the area. He might be a rogue, but he has no desire to upset his delicate mother and will, albeit begrudgingly, play the dutiful son. He can avoid a few pretty faces, surely?
At least, until he discovers the beautiful Rebecca hiding in the stables. She’s in need of help, and he cannot resist, despite the fact she once shattered his young heart. The pull between them is as strong as ever but anything between them is impossible.
Or is it?
MORE ABOUT THE STORY
Rebecca’s father was loosely based on John Hatfield who was executed in 1803 on charges of forgery. He married successfully into money but once the money ran out, he abandoned three daughters and a wife who died shortly thereafter. Able to gain more credit through claiming a relationship with the Duke of Rutland, he successfully escaped debtor’s prison several times thanks to the charity of others. He married a Miss Nation after leaving gaol (her having paid his debts, of course!) in 1800 but when debts caught up with him he vanished again.
The final part of his tale did occur in the Lake District. He fashioned himself as Alexander Augustus Hope, M.P., and gained the trust of many locals. Here, he met Mary Robinson, famous for being the Maid of Buttermere in William Wordsworth’s The Prelude. Mary’s parents ran an inn, successfully using her fame to make an excellent income. John was naturally keen to get his hands on the family’s money and married Mary, despite still being married to Miss Nation. The family gave him vast sums but a man who knew Mr. Hope personally ousted him as an impostor. From there, it unravelled and he was placed in custody. He did indeed escape but was finally arrested in Wales and subsequently charged for three counts of fraud. Mary faired a little better, with public feeling very much on her side. The family received large amounts of money and Mary married a local farmer in 1807.
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