“Intriguing,” he remarked. “Do you suppose he coerced her? You know, ‘I kept you from hanging for murder, now marry me or else I’ll spill the beans about that blood-soaked glove at the bottom of your bureau drawer.’ ”
She gave him a skeptical look. “I suppose it’s always possible, but considering that they had no fewer than six children, it seems unlikely.”
“Did you uncover some connection to the Duke of Reddington, then? Is that what brought you here today?”
“No. That is,” she amended, looking somewhat sheepish, “only a very minor connection. I guess you could say I’m a bit player in an uncredited role. In fact, a mutual friend set me up on a blind date with Lord Tisdale, the heir apparent—or do I mean heir presumptive? I always get those terms confused—and I wanted to learn what I could about the family. I mean, what do you say to the heir to a dukedom? My own family is hardly standing in the soup line, but we’ve got nothing like this!” Her wide-eyed gaze swept the room, taking in almost a thousand years of family history.
“First, ‘heir apparent’ is the term you want; it’s apparent that Tisdale will inherit the dukedom from his father, as he’s the eldest son. It’s ‘heir presumptive’ when one presumes no one will be born who might knock him out of the succession. Second, you talk to the heir of a dukedom about the same things you might talk to anyone else about. Third, your family may not boast any dukes, but you have an ancestress who was almost tried for murder, which is something the Reddingtons can’t claim.”
Something about his tone and the knowing smile on his face gave Jill to understand that she had made rather a fool of herself. “Oh, God,” she breathed, wishing the three-hundred-year-old floor might open up and swallow her. “You’re him, aren’t you? You’re Lord Tisdale. The heir apparent.”
“I’m Tisdale, yes, but you can call me Richard,” he said, offering his hand. “And you must be Jill—”
She took his hand, and his fingers closed around hers, warm and strong. “Pickett,” she said. “Jill Pickett.”
About the Author
At the age of sixteen, Sheri Cobb South discovered Georgette Heyer, and came to the startling realization that she had been born into the wrong century. Although she probably would have been a chambermaid had she actually lived in Regency England, that didn’t stop her from fantasizing about waltzing the night away in the arms of a handsome, wealthy, and titled gentleman.
Since Georgette Heyer died in 1974 and could not write any more Regencies, Ms. South came to the conclusion she would have to do it herself. After finishing The Weaver Takes a Wife and its two sequels (Brighton Honeymoon and French Leave), she’d thought she was done with these characters, until Lady ’elen’s younger brother started insisting that his story be told. In addition to the “Weaver” books, she has also written several stand-alone Regency romances, as well as the bestselling John Pickett mysteries (referenced in the epilogue you’ve just read), now an award-winning audiobook series.
A native and long-time resident of Alabama, Ms. South now lives in Loveland, Colorado.
Sheri Cobb South loves to hear from readers! Look for her on social media:
Official website: www.shericobbsouth.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SheriCobbSouth/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/shericobbsouth
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheri.cobb.south/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/420251.Sheri_Cobb_South?from_search=true
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/cobbsouth/
or email her at [email protected]
Regency Romances by
Sheri Cobb South:
The Weaver Takes a Wife
Brighton Honeymoon
(Weaver #2)
French Leave
(Weaver #3)
The Desperate Duke
(Weaver #4)
Of Paupers and Peers
Want more Regency?
Try the award-winning John Pickett Mystery series:
Pickpocket’s Apprentice: A John Pickett Novella
In Milady’s Chamber
A Dead Bore
Family Plot
Dinner Most Deadly
Waiting Game: Another John Pickett Novella
Too Hot to Handel
For Deader or Worse
Mystery Loves Company
Peril by Post
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Also by Sheri Cobb South
John Pickett Mysteries
Pickpocket's Apprentice
In Milady's Chamber
A Dead Bore
Waiting Game
For Deader or Worse
Mystery Loves Company
Peril by Post
The "Weaver" series
The Weaver Takes a Wife
Brighton Honeymoon
French Leave
The Desperate Duke (Coming Soon)
Standalone
Of Paupers and Peers
Baroness in Buckskin
Moon over the Mediterranean
