England 1814
Lady Harriett Ross… She’s known as the Motley Meddler. The Mistress of Destiny. Wielder of the Infamous Umbrella. Confirmed Bachelors everywhere all but flee in terror whenever she appears – for once she sets her sights, a gentleman’s single days are numbered. And she never ever fails.
So famous are her machinations, her successes have been chronicled, here, for your edification. We present to you, dear reader, The Umbrella Chronicles!
~Delightfully bite-sized historical shorts~
Chester & Artemis
Beastly duke seeks confident any woman who doesn’t faint at the sight of his scars. Prefers not to leave the house to find her.
There comes a time in every bachelor’s life, when his good-natured but meddling sister gets it into her mind to play matchmaker. And in every occasion, they contact none other than Lady Harriett Ross, self-proclaimed Motley Meddler, the Mistress of Destiny, and Wielder of the Infamous Umbrella.
Enter the Duke of Eastly. A man with just such a sister. He has scars, thinks society is nonsense, and prefers to stay far away from any and all shenanigans. But he could never resist his sibling, who tells him a sorrowful tale of woe, of a dear friend’s shy plight ahead of an important auction at the Frost Fair of 1814. No worries. He has the perfect solution. Help is on the way!
Enter the friend, Miss Artemis Synclaire. The precise opposite of timid and shy. And as such, she won’t stand for the Beast’s asinine resolution. She’d rather dine with an elephant (which could actually be arranged) than deal with a man such as he.
Can two such stubborn people ever bend enough to discover they’ve found their perfect match?
*Chester and Artemis’s story originally appeared in the Bluestocking Belle’s 2020 Boxed Set: Fire & Frost. This new standalone version has been edited and updated with never before seen deleted scenes.
Rated for Mature Readers
See also Books2Read for additional retailers.
George & Dorothea
The Umbrella Strikes Again: St. Vincent’s downfall (aka betrothal) is assured.
George St. Vincent doesn’t realize it, but his days as a bachelor in good standing are numbered.
He has a fortnight, to be precise—the duration of the Dansbury House party.
For I, Lady Harriett Ross, have committed to parting with several items of sentimental worth should I fail to orchestrate his downfall—er, betrothal—to Miss Dorothea Wythe, who is delightful, brilliant, and interested (or will be).
If I have anything to say about matters, and I always have something to say about matters, they’re both doomed.
Did I say doomed? I mean, destined—to a life filled with love.
Lady Harriett Ross,
Self-proclaimed Motley Meddler * Mistress of Destiny * Wielder of the Infamous Umbrella
I’m just an old woman with opinions. On everything.
*George & Dorothea’s story originally appeared in Never Too Late, A Bluestocking Belles Collection. This new standalone version has been edited and updated with never before seen deleted scenes.
Rated for Mature Readers
See also Books2Read for additional retailers.
James & Annie
Prodigal duke seeks professional matchmaker for matrimonial assistance.
Prefers foolproof plans in 10 parts.
Magical solutions accepted.
Missteps likely.
His Grace, James Quill, will not be a bachelor-in-poor-standing for very much longer. For I, Lady Harriett Ross of the Infamous Umbrella, have avowed to orchestrate his betrothal to his former best friend, Miss Annie Merryweather, whether either of them wishes it.
Surprisingly, His Grace has agreed to my proposed 10-step plan.
Not-so-surprisingly, Her Soon-to-be-Grace is determined to resist the notorious prodigal son.
Will they find love and forgiveness this holiday season?
Time will tell.
Lady Harriett Ross,
Self-proclaimed Motley Meddler * Mistress of Destiny * Wielder of the Infamous Umbrella
I’m just an old woman with opinions. On everything.
*James and Annie’s story originally appeared in the Bluestocking Belle’s 2018 Holiday Boxed Set: Follow Your Star Home. This new standalone version has been edited and updated with never before seen deleted scenes.
Rated for Mature Readers
See also Books2Read for additional retailers.
John and Emma
A serious-minded, scientific man of learning seeks a complex and chaotic practitioner of all things superstitious who will upend his well-ordered life.
The Umbrella Strikes Again! Another Bachelor Has Fallen!
England, 1815…
Dr. John Edward Hartwell needs assistance, though not quite the kind of help he might think. True, he is well-organized, tidy, and pathologically set in his ways—a more serious-minded man one might never find.
But in his ways, I have determined, lies misery.
Enter Miss Annie Merryweather—a woman who is as lovely as she is chaotic. She is the perfect candidate to compliment our man of numbers and logical focus, bringing sunshine and superstition to redirect him away from a future of certain wretchedness.
Oh, aye, I said superstition.
And now that she has been categorically convinced that they are destined to be together—the signs, you see—no one can stand in her way, for she is as tenacious and optimistic as she is beautiful.
And none can resist her smile.
If I have anything to say about matters, and I always have something to say about matters, the signs will point the way.
They already have.
Lady Harriett Ross,
Self-proclaimed Motley Meddler * Mistress of Destiny * Wielder of the Infamous Umbrella
I’m just an old woman with opinions. On everything.
*John and Emma’s story originally appeared in the Bluestocking Belle’s 2019 Valentine’s Day Boxed Set:Valentines from Bath. This new standalone version has been edited and updated with never before seen deleted scenes.
Rated for Mature Readers
Now Available for Pre Order on: Apple Books, Kobo, Nook – See also Books2Read
Release Date: 09/06/2022
Amy Quinton 