This week sees the publication of my new book, The Earl’s Marriage Dilemma.
The novelty of having a new book published never goes away. It’s a time for celebration, but I am always anxious and excited in equal measure, wondering if the readers will enjoy it.
How it started
The Earl’s Marriage Dilemma began with a desire to set a book in my home town of Bristol. I had an idea for an opening scene, set around the docks, but not much more. I used to know the centre of Bristol well, having (mis)-spent many nights out there when I was much, much younger. It has all changed now, of course, and Bristol would be almost unrecognisable to my Regency characters.
The rivers that used to flow through the centre have been covered over or diverted and traffic dominates the area. However, Queen Square is still in evidence, having survived wartime bombs and post war planners to retain much of its Georgian character. That includes the statue of William III, erected in 1736 (which looks much better than this 1846 drawing).
Bristol Docks
In the Regency, the River Avon surrounded the beautiful Queen Square on three sides, as Millerd’s map of 1728 shows.
Welsh Back and the docks around Queen Square would have been filled with sailing ships that travelled the world.
Queen Square is where my new book starts
It is here that Conham encounters Rosina. She is fleeing persecution and Conham wants to help her, but this is his first dilemma: Rosina values her independence. She had been in sole charge of her ailing father’s properties for several years – until his death twelve months earlier, when her dissolute brother inherited the lot.
Well, to paraphrase Austen:
a single woman in possession of a good brain must be in want of a job
(sorry Jane!)
Conham has a novel idea
Why not let Rosina fill the temporary vacancy he has for a land steward?
My investigations couldn’t find any female land stewards in England, although many women did manage or help to run businesses for their husbands or families. However, in a letter to her sister in 1767, the “Queen of the Bluestockings”, Elizabeth Montague, wrote: “I am a Critick, a Coal owner, a Land Steward , a Sociable Creature …” Well, that’s good enough for me.
Also female land stewards were not unheard of in France and Conham, being a very modern earl, decides to employ one. At that point, of course, my penniless peer has no idea of the problems ahead!
So, I had a couple of ideas for my new book, but I needed more.
Time for a research trip for the new book
I visited Bristol last year when I was planning this book, and I wrote about some of my findings in my earlier blog. It was an opportunity to revisit old haunts, as well as soak up atmosphere for the new book.
Inspiration!
I discovered that there had been a whole 18th century leisure complex at Montpelier, just north of Bristol (a mile or so from what is now the city centre). It included a coffee house, which soon became the Old England Pub, swimming baths and a pleasure garden. That sounded like quite an enterprise, and something to feature in my new book.
Maybe my hard-up earl could inherit such a property…?
The pub is still in use, but there is very little evidence of the pleasure gardens or baths. Matthews’ 18th century guide to Bristol mentions the gardens and their extensive views over the city.
These photos show a small park area, but the extensive views now have to be imagined.
However, it was enough to inspire another thread and a setting for scenes for Conham and Rosina’s story… but if you want to know what they are, you’ll have to read the new book!
I had great fun writing Conham and Rosina’s story, embellishing it to include her dastardly brother, a number of adventures and also paving the way for a follow-up book! The Earl’s Marriage Dilemma is published on 19th December. It’s out of my hands now and I can only hope readers enjoy it.
Happy reading!
Sarah
Oooh, this sounds fascinating! Looking forward to it.
Thanks Jan. I shall be relaxing with a kindle full of crime…starting with In the Kitchen with the Lead Piping…
Ha! Hope you enjoy it!
Congratulations, Sarah! As you say, it’s always a pleasure moment to have a new book out. It sounds lovely. I’ve researched Bristol in the 18th century too for a Lady Fan set there. I found a marvellous map online with details about where was what which was extremely helpful. Can’t recall where it was now, but I think the link is probably in my notes somewhere. Good luck with the new one!
Thanks Liz, Bristol has so many hints of the past, if you know where – or how – to look. I love your Lady Fan series! Thanks for stopping by x
As a Regency writer myself (though not all that recently) I did sometimes wonder about whether there were really new plots to find. Clearly, with this one, you’ve done it. Would never have thought of a female land steward. Should be a great read.
Thank you, Joanna: my heroines are getting restless about having brains but nothing to do: I suspect women helped to run their husbands’ businesses/estates in the past, but were never credited. I do hope readers enjoy this story!