Bite Me, Your Grace

by Ann, Brooklyn

  When Polidori published “The Vampyre” anonymously in 1819 in The New Monthly Magazine, the editors credited the story to Lord Byron. In fact, “The Vampyre” was once referred to as “Byron’s greatest work.” Both Byron and Polidori were upset by this, and after strenuous efforts to clear up the misunderstanding, eventually due credit was given. The story spawned a “vampire craze” in Western Europe, and countless stories, plays, and operas based on the tale were devoured by the bloodthirsty public.

  I relied heavily upon historical fact and speculation, as well as my author’s license, to develop my fictional portrayal of the enigmatical physician-turned-writer. Did Lord Byron have a bisexual affair with Polidori? Historians speculate both ways. I chose to go with that angle because I believe that would clarify much about their unbalanced relationship. Also, Polidori called his fanged villain “Lord Ruthven,” a name Lady Caroline Lamb, one of Byron’s former lovers, used for Byron in her thinly disguised memoir, Glenarvon.

  Another speculation I found interesting was that perhaps John Polidori was secretly in love with Mary Shelley. I am all for this delicious tidbit of gossip, for it certainly explains the well-documented hostility the doctor had for Percy Shelley. Polidori once challenged Shelley to a duel, allegedly over a boat race.

  There are few known details of the circumstances of John Polidori’s burial and his relationship with his family at the time of his death. Considering the fact that his family was well off but he died penniless, it can be speculated that they were estranged. I found little information on burial customs in the Regency era, but I find it logical that if someone dies, especially in the summer, and there is no one around to claim responsibility for the body, the authorities would bury the remains as soon as possible for sanitary reasons. And since stethoscopes were not yet in frequent use in those days, perhaps a person could fake their death.

  Could John Polidori have cheated death and become a vampire? One may never know. That is one of the things that make fiction so much fun.

  Acknowledgments

  A lot of people helped and encouraged me with this project.

  My eternal thanks go out to my wonderful editor, Deb Werksman, and the incredible Sourcebooks team for their hard work; my friends and family; my awesome critique partners, Shelley Martin and Bonnie R. Paulson; and my long list of beta readers: Erica Mills Chapman, Jamie De Bree, Elise Rome, Millie McClain, Damien Walters Grintalis, Leslie Faircloth, Sandy Williams, J. Sterling Smith, and Rissa Watkins. I also want to thank my buddies at the Powder River Saloon for cheering me on and Kent Butler for his aid and support with my final edits.

  Special thanks go out to Jolene R. McDonald for her invaluable help with researching John Polidori.

  About the Author

  A lover of witty Regencies and dark paranormal romance, Brooklyn Ann combines the two in her new vampire series. The former mechanic turned author lives with her family in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. She can be found online at www.brooklynann.blogspot.com.