Cecilia’s Mismatches are back!! How good is that? Suzan Lauder is showing us a lot today of The Reluctant Chaperon, her second book of Cecilia’s Mismatches. Even if Book 2 is a stand-alone novel, if you missed my post or want to remember Book 1 with a lovely vignette of An Accomplished Woman, check it here.
However…
Who is Cecilia? She’s Lady Hoxley, a recently married young lady whose husband is old enough to be her father. Theirs is a love match. She loves his money and title, and he loves her youth and vivacity. Cecilia is so gratified with her own match that she is determined to match her friends with worthy gentlemen—but what happens when all her grand schemes seem to go awry?
Let’s get into The Reluctant Chaperon and read the blurb!
The beautiful and perfect widow Lady Reddener lives an admirable life. With an estate in the country, a house in town, and a considerable fortune, the former Miss Cassandra Hales has no need for a husband to complicate her days. Why does she need a man? She has her mama and sisters, as well as her best friend and neighbour, Marcus Brand, Lord Broadmead. One and all proclaim Cassie the very picture of serenity.
However, Cecilia, Lady Hoxley, matches Cassie’s vibrant and argumentative sister Miss Alexandra “Lexie” Hales with Cecilia’s own brother, the gentle yet charming Mr. Reeve Charington. Thus, Cassie finds herself in the position of chaperon while they court. What is she to do when their constant interactions draw her towards Reeve’s allurement? Meanwhile, Lexie wishes for a husband who will challenge her in debate, and Mr. Charington seeks harmony. A problem indeed!
When Marcus and Reeve go missing, Cassie’s calm world collapses, and she’s faced with her true passion for Reeve. But could it be too late?
If Reeve and Marcus are found, Cassie must discover whether Reeve shares her admiration. Can Cassie allow herself love when she has sworn herself to a life without a man? What will Cecilia say if another of her matches goes awry?
Poor Cassie! What a problem she has in her hands! Would she find Marcus and Reeve on time and what would happen to her heart?
A lover of Jane Austen, Regency period research and costuming, yoga, fitness, home renovation, design, sustainability, and independent travel, cat mom Suzan Lauder keeps busy even when she’s not writing novels based on Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, all of which are published by Meryton Press.
She and Mr. Suze and their rescue tabby split their time between a loft condo overlooking the Salish Sea and a 150-year-old Spanish colonial casita in Mexico. Suzan’s lively prose can be found on her Facebook author page, www.facebook.com/SuzanLauder; on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest as @SuzanLauder; and on her Meryton Press blog, road trips with the redhead www.suzanlauder.merytonpress.com. Her Amazon author page is https://www.amazon.com/author/suzanlauder.
Prior to publishing An Accomplished Woman of the Cecilia’s Mismatches series, Lauder had four novels, a novella, and a novelette published by Meryton Press and has short stories in two Austenesque anthologies. All are popular, most earning four-plus star ratings on Amazon and Goodreads. Accolades include Amazon bestseller for Letter from Ramsgate and The Barrister’s Bride, a Finalist for Sexy Scribbles for an excerpt from Alias Thomas Bennet, and several of her books were placed on top ten of the year lists by influential bloggers.
She even finds time to bake muffins!
How to follow Suzan:
Meryton Press Blog, road trips with the redhead
Thank you, Suzan, for being today with us and for what you are sharing next!
If anybody want to check this book, you can do it here! It is the universal link to Amazon.
Now it is time to read a Character interview with the possible bride (maybe I am rushing it here 😉 ): Miss Alexandra Hales. We have the exclusive of this interview!
Alexandra Hales, or Lexie, is a secondary character of interest in The Reluctant Chaperon since she and Mr. Charington are the ones being chaperoned by our heroine, Cassie. Today, Suzan Lauder interviews Miss Hales for My Vices and Weaknesses.
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SL: Today I have the pleasure of a discussion with Miss Alexandra Hales, sister of Lady Reddener, also known as Cassandra or Cassie. How do you do, Miss Hales?
AH: I am well.
SL: As I understand it, you have had a Season in town already, but have not found any gentleman who suits you. Were they not handsome or rich enough?
AH: No, that was not the problem. At many balls, I danced with men who would suit me well in those areas. Thus far, none has had the capability to stand up to the level of intellect that I demand. In addition, I prefer a gentleman with which I am able to carry on witty repartee that leans almost to the level of adversarial discussions for sport.
SL: I assume that you like to argue?
AH: Very much so. It is one of the most stimulating activities one can participate in. A good verbal dispute opens the mind and energizes the soul. I have never felt better than when I am joining in a hearty quarrel.
SL: What other characteristics do you prefer in a man?
AH: Obviously, he should be tall, handsome, and comfortable in his wealth. In addition, a suitable gentleman should enjoy reading, be responsible to his estate, and act as a generous master.
SL: You seem to have thought a great deal about these attributes. What could be the reasoning behind their selection?
AH: My sister, Cassie, is a widow and the owner of Fanshaugh Manor. I help her with her estate, and thus, know what it means to be a respectable landlord. I should think that a proper gentleman should be at least as good at this effort as two ladies.
SL: I have heard that you have been matched by Cecilia, Lady Hoxley, to Cecilia’s brother, Mr. Reeve Charington. Does he fit this description?
AH: I shall have to see. I do not know him well at the present moment, since I have only met him twice. However, I am not encouraged by the way he has spoken out thus far. The gentleman is handsome and rich for certain, but as for his integrity—this is an area he has not given me any reason to believe that he is any better than the men I danced with during my Season.
SL: How do you find his intellect and ability to live up to a verbal challenge? Those were areas you were concerned about at the balls you attended in the past.
AH: (scoffs) One cannot discover much at a dinner party or in a parlour with family. A man will tend to speak in generalities meant to appease the others in the room, and not just the one he means to court. His speech may be clever and even interesting, but it is rare that he will show a great deal of what he has read or vary his opinions any more than to agree with those in the room.
SL: So you are saying that Mr. Charington is an amiable conversationalist to all, but not that interesting to you?
AH: (brightening) You are correct! I should like to speak with him alone and challenge him to a small spat to see how he fares. We have an upcoming excursion planned where I might have that opportunity. My sister, Cassie, has agreed to chaperon. I do hope that she does not try to smooth over our quarrel. She is too sweet for words, my Cassie, and she detests discord.
SL: I do hope you find out what you wish to discover.
AH: I thank you.
SL: Good day, Miss Hales.
Well, that does not look promising… for Miss Hales at least, but we are ok with that, right?. However, I want to read her trying to challenge him and how he reacts!
Short but sweet? You tell me what you think of the excerpt.
Cassandra, the widow Lady Reddener, has been insulted by a guest at her sister Audra’s wedding to the Duke of Alderton. Mr. Reeve Charington is the sister of Cecilia, Lady Hoxley, and he has been courting Cassie’s sister Lexie, though Cassie is enamoured with him. He, the duke, and Marcus, Lord Broadmead, who is Cassie’s best friend, have all rushed in to protect her from the insult and scare the man away.
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Mr. Charington spun around and rushed off behind the man. “I will beat him, I will!” Oh, no! He should not become involved! What could she do?
Marcus grabbed Mr. Charington by the arm and spoke to him in hushed tones. “No need in implicating yet another man as Lady Reddener’s paramour, Charington. Let him go.” She breathed a heavy exhalation. What a relief!
Mr. Charington shook himself free of Marcus’s hold and straightened his coat. “How dare he insult such an angel! You know what I refer to, Broadmead, Your Grace. Of course, you do.” Even as he said it, he had the dignity to appear ashamed of his bravado. He did not deserve to be too regretful, though. Gratitude filled her for the actions of all the men, as they spoke louder than words. She was protected in this case.
“I agree with you, but I do believe we are embarrassing Lady Reddener,” said Marcus, and Alderton nodded. At least they were the only ones within comprehending earshot of the rumpus, though a few people nearby were now moving closer in case they missed some gossip. The drama needed to be ended now! A story like this would be fodder indeed for the denizens of the London ton.
Cassie shook her head. “Do not think anything of it. I am grateful for the intervention of the three of you. But this is His Grace’s wedding, and we should be celebrating.”
“I thank you for your hospitality, Lady Reddener. I am appalled that the breakfast you took pains to plan was blackened by such a revolting man, and I wish I could make amends for it. Instead, I must now take my leave.” Mr. Charington spoke in an uneven way before he bowed and returned to his family group. A short discussion with Cecilia took place during which his sister motioned towards Lexie. Mr. Charington shook his head, red-faced with pursed lips. No courting would take place today. Did Cecilia know that Lexie had not seen him in almost a month? Cassie was frozen in place with no knowledge of how to respond. In the end, she looked away before her face gave away her disappointment in the loss of Mr. Charington’s company.
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Meryton Press is giving away 1 ebook copy of The Reluctant Chaperon to 1 person who comments in this post about the book and the story. The giveaway is international and it is open until the 23rd of October 2023 at 23:59 CET. Good luck!
my vices and weaknesses 