A fugitive young mother, a desperate Viscount and a rough and tumble gold rush town. What could possibly go wrong? Find Barkerville Beginnings at your favourite online store HERE.
As
a writer of historical romance, it’s my job to provide enough details of the
setting to make my readers feel as if they are living in that particular time
period. The romance is the main plot but events of the era I’m writing in give
me secondary story lines. For example, I discovered smuggling was rampant in Cornwall
during the 18th and 19th centuries so that became the
background of the soon to be released Sophie's Choice, the story of Lady Sophie Harrington and Lord Bryce Langdon, set in Cornwall in 1805.
Research
plays a part in anything I write which I absolutely love because I always discover interesting
facts. Here are a few things I didn’t incorporate into the book:
- Not
only tin and copper were mined. In the mid 1700s, China clay was discovered and
the scars of long ago mines can be seen from space. The clay is used in the
manufacture of paper and porcelain and unlike copper and tin, this industry is
still a going concern today.
- I
only mentioned fishing in passing but fishing was also a mainstay of the Cornish
economy particularly pilchards which are
a variety of small oily fish related to herrings. ‘Huers’ standing on cliff
tops would direct fishing boats to giant shoals of pilchards. Many boats would
hold onto a large net, creating a circle which closed to capture the fish. They
were sold abroad to countries such as Italy and Spain and these exports were
such an important part of the local economy, a ditty was sung about them: “Here’s
to the health of the Pope and may he repent and lengthen six months the term of
his Lent. It’s always declared betwixt the two poles, there’s nothing like pilchards
for saving of souls.”
- The Cornish climate is warmer
than much of the rest of the British Isles so agriculture also played an
important part with crops such as corn, wheat, barley and oats. Also the
raising of livestock such as cattle, milk cows, pigs, chickens and geese.
So concludes my study of
Cornwall. For now. 😊
Stay tuned for Leah’s
Surrender, the story of the middle Harrington daughter.
For more information on Cornwall's history, check
out: www.cornwalls.co.uk/history/industrial
******
And
here you have it, the final excerpt before my April release date. A gentle
reminder, I’ve been posted excerpts of Sophie’s Choice here on the 25th
of every month. Happy reading!
Sunbeams
streamed into the morning room when Sophie entered. The pleasant, cheery space
always brought a smile to her face, what with the starched white eyelet curtains,
yellow and white checked table-cloth and painted blue ladderback chairs.
She
helped herself to scrambled eggs, bread and ham before sitting down. Mama
poured her tea and Sophie added cream and sugar, stirring until the liquid
frothed.
Leah
was already seated and flashed a sour look at Sophie. She returned the look
with an innocent look of her own. Had Leah noticed Bryce’s glances towards
Sophie last night while dining? Was that the reason for her sister’s foul mood?
Sophie
raised her brows. “I swear you got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning,”
she whispered.
Leah
scowled but remained silent. She stabbed a piece of ham with her fork with such
force her curls jostled.
“Leah,”
warned Mama. “After our conversation this morning, I expect better conduct from
you.”
“Yes
Mama.”
Pointedly
Leah ignored her sister which brought a small grin to Sophie’s lips. Leah needed
a comeuppance every now and again and it appeared as if Mama had delivered. Her
sister’s expression was, if not exactly chastened, peeved. It had nothing to do
with Bryce’s glances at supper last evening. No one had noticed and Sophie
hugged that thought to herself. That and the remembrance of dark eyes warm and
admiring on her. Now she and Lord Langdon had two secrets to share – their stolen
glances last night and their accidental meeting earlier in the day. Her hands
trembled as she lifted the cup to her lips. When could she see him again?
Lady
Harrington spoke then. “I am visiting Lord Langdon this afternoon. I had
thought to bring Sophie.”
“Me?”
Sophie swung about to look at her mother. She couldn’t believe her ears. No
sooner had she wished for another encounter with Langdon and the fates
delivered. She kept her expression neutral. No point in raising suspicion in her
mother who already had her hands full with one daughter being altogether too
familiar with the man. Her mother would surely swoon if she learned of the
meeting at the beach yesterday.
“Yes,
Sophie, you. The head mistress was most complimentary about your assistance in
the school’s library so I suspect you have a very good idea of what needs to be
done to organize Lord Langdon’s library.”
“Mama,
please may I come? I’ve naught to do today,” said Leah.
Sophie
raised her brows again and looked at her sister with a grudging admiration. She
had to admit Leah had impudence. Or no sense whatsoever, to tread in forbidden
territory so soon after her mother’s admonition. But then again, Leah desperately
wanted to find a husband and apparently Lord Bryce Langdon was her target.
Evelyn’s
lips tightened. “No, you may not. I’ll have no repeat of your embarrassing actions
of last night. Your task for the day is to oversee the maids in the bedrooms.
The mattresses are to be turned and the carpets taken outside to be pounded.”
“Yes,
Mama,” Leah said, her voice small. Her shoulders slumped and she looked, for
the moment anyway, defeated.
The
act didn’t fool Sophie one bit. Leah, desperate for a suitor, would not give up
that easily. Eligible bachelors did not come along all that often here in Cornwall,
far from the London scene. Which suited Sophie eminently and brought her back
to her mother’s conversation yesterday about the upcoming London season. Bryce’s
words last evening of him being a prize had put her to thinking. Had he
mentioned that as an indication of his interest in her? The thought brought a lightness
to her chest, that a man and a handsome one at that, found her attractive. Perhaps
she should set her sights on him thereby solving two problems with one solution
– pleasing her mother by marrying without the drudgery of London’s social scene.
Surely a barrister would be a suitable match and would satisfy her parents.
But
would it put her at direct odds with her sister? Despite the odd argument and
despite Leah’s unfortunate behaviour last night, the sisters got along well and
Sophie was loathe to disturb that harmony. No, she decided. Leah was only eighteen
and Papa had made it clear none of the girls were to marry young. So yes, perchance
it was not totally outlandish for Sophie to consider Lord Bryce Langdon as a potential
husband.
A
shiver whisked down her spine at the thought of seeing him this afternoon. Would
he be pleased to see her again?
.jpg)
Finding those facts is fun but sometimes decoding not to put them into the book is difficult
ReplyDeleteSo true Janet, you don't want to overwhelm the reader with too many facts. :)
Delete