The Duchess
One of my favorite research subjects is Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire (born Lady Georgiana Spencer, of the same Spencer family as Princess Diana). Georgiana was a vivacious woman known for many “scandalous” things, including trading kisses for votes in the 1784 general election (as immortalized in the cartoon below.)
She was also known for her love of gambling, her arranging of a long-standing ménage-a-trois arrangement between herself, His Grace, and her best friend, and her affair with Earl Grey (namesake of the delicious tea) which produced a beloved but illegitimate daughter whom she was forcibly parted from by the rules of propriety. She was a lauded beauty of her time and politically active long before the women’s suffrage movement.
Before an “official” cover was made for Ask For It, I had a designer create this one for Seducing the Widow (the title of Ask For It before it was changed) using Georgiana’s famous portrait. Her slight smile hints at secrets I’d love to be privy to!
I hope that when you read [my books], you think of the many fascinating women of those bygone years, and how diverse they were. Yes, there were virginal bluestockings, but there were also women like Georgiana. As is often the case, the truth is more fascinating than fiction!
The term “series” applies loosely, as each book stands alone. In chronological order: Ask For It is the story of Marcus and Elizabeth. Christopher St. John plays a prominent role in their tale and his story is told in Passion for the Game, where you’ll meet Amelia and Colin. Their story is told in A Passion For Him. Simon Quinn appears in both Passion for the Game and A Passion For Him. His story is told in Don’t Tempt Me.
