“I know. It’s me greatest regret.”
“It’s not yer fault.”
“No, but I ’ave the chance to change things now.” Mind made up, he said, “I’ll claim the title an’ make things right fer both of ye.”
She pressed her lips together and nodded agreement. “It’ll be an easier life than the one we ’ave now.”
Even though he knew she underestimated the task that stood before them, he didn’t argue, happy with the knowledge that his sisters would soon be living the lives to which they’d both been born. But the truth of it was that they faced a daunting struggle—one in which their pride and dignity would be tested at every turn. Steeling himself for the battle ahead, Raphe bid his sister a good night, aware that the dawn would bring turbulence with it.
Author’s Note
Dear Reader,
Since much of The Forgotten Duke hinges on Regina running away from an arranged marriage to a fourteen-year-old boy, I’d like to take a moment to address the law that inspired such a plot.
In today’s world, it might seem outrageous or even implausible for such a marriage to take place in a country like England. And even during the Regency, it could only have happened with both parties’ consent, so forced marriages like the one Regina and Stokes faced were probably not very likely to occur. However, the Hedgewicks and Windhams are powerful people determined to do whatever it takes for their children to wed. Bribing a vicar or resorting to blackmail would eventually have led to this desired result, prompting the idea of having to flee.
As for the law itself:
From 1753 until its repeal in 1823, An Act for the Better Preventing of Clandestine Marriage, more commonly known as Lord Hardwicke’s Act, was the law by which marriage was governed in England. With regard to permissible age of marriage, the act provided that “a marriage by parties at the age of consent (14 for males, 12 for females) was good, though without the consent of parents; and even when contracted before that age, if they did not dissent when they attained it.” (Priestly v Hughes 909)
That being said, parties under the age of twenty-one (the age of majority, which is different from the age of consent to marry) needed their parents’ approval in order to marry by special license – if the marriage was to be considered valid. Regina and Stokes both had this, albeit against their wills.
For those of you wondering about the disease Stokes was diagnosed with, asthenic gout was the first description of rheumatoid arthritis, which was made in 1800 by Augustin Jacob Landré-Beauvais for his medical doctorate.
As for the night terrors (which I’ve described as nightmares since no other word existed until 1965), these can be a real burden and sometimes even a danger to those who suffer from them. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms include: screaming or shouting, staring wide-eyed, sweating, kicking and thrashing, being hard to awaken, being confused if awakened, having no or little memory of the event the next morning, possibly getting out of bed and running around the house or having aggressive behavior if blocked or restrained.
Examples of triggers include anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress.
I hope you have enjoyed this story! The next Diamond In The Rough novel will feature Ida who finds an unlikely ally in the Earl of Fielding, whom you may remember as Gabriella’s unlikeable fiancé in A Most Unlikely Duke. But characters can grow with experience, and the Fielding you will encounter in 1821 is not the same man he was in 1818.
Hopefully you’re just as eager as I am to discover just how much he has changed.
Until then, I wish you happy reading!
Sophie
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank Ellen Brock and the Killion Group for their incredible help with the editing of this book. To my beta readers Maria Rose and Barb Hoffarth, your advice truly helped this story shine. My thanks also go to Chris Cocozza who stepped in and offered his help when he learned that I wanted to match the cover of this book to the previous ones in the series. I think you’ll agree that the artwork he has provided is stunning as always. I am also extremely grateful for the help offered to me by the following proof readers: Danielle Hankins, Susan Downs Lucas, Barb Hoffarth, Jennifer Becker and Jacqueline Ang.
And to my friends and family, thank you for your constant support and for believing in me. I would be lost without you!
About the Author
Born in Denmark, Sophie has spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places around the world. She's lived in five different countries, on three different continents, has studied design in Paris and New York, and has a bachelor's degree from Parson's School of Design. But most impressive of all - she's been married to the same man three times, in three different countries and in three different dresses.
While living in Africa, Sophie turned to her lifelong passion - writing.
When she's not busy dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading. She currently lives on the East Coast.
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You can contact her through her website at www.sophiebarnes.com
And please consider leaving a review for this book.
Every review is greatly appreciated!
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