Prologue

The London Tattler - January 18

After nearly two years' absense from town society, James Lindford, Viscount Farley, has returned from his second sojourn to the Orient. His mother and stepfather, Viscount and Viscountess Acton, hosted an exclusive dinner party for him at their home on Port Man Square. He plans to make his first social appearance at the Edgerton Ball, Tuesday next.

The London Tattler - January 22

The Earl and Countess of Basingstoke have formally announced the betrothal of their youngest daughter, the beauteous Lady Catherine to James Lindford, Viscount Farley. Though some were surprised by the announcement, your faithful correspondent has long suspected that the pair would wed. After all, Lord Farley has a strong interest in the foreign affairs of our great land, and the Earl of Basingstoke is one of the king's most trusted advisors in such matters. It can only be hoped that Lord Farley will be content now to reside in his home country and make foreign policy, and leave the actual adventuring to unattached young gentlemen.

The London Tattler - January 30

The lovely lady Catherine Winfield was spied arm in arm with her fiancé, James Lindford, Lord Farley, at the French Opera House. They are widely agreed to be the handsomest couple presently on the scene, and word has it that their wedding celebration will surpass that of the Duke and Duchess of Ashbourne.

The London Tattler - February 4

Expect half the town to be sick today, for despite the blizzard attacking the city last night, the engagement party at the Basingstoke manse was a veritable crush, with more bared arms, shoulders, and bosoms on display than at a midsummer ball. Lady Catherine, shortly to become Viscountess Farley, was aglow and the undisputed star of the evening with her admiring beau circling in close attendance upon her.

The London Tattler - February 6

An ugly rumor has arisen, only to be proven no rumor at all, but rather, the unadulterated truth. Your faithful correspondent has learned that less than three weeks after the formalisation of their betrothal, the much-feted Basingstoke-Farley union may dissolve before it has rightly begun. It seems that the proper Lord Farley has behaved in a decidedly improper manner - not that most young men have not. But he has the apparent effrontery to bring the results of his indiscretions into his own household. Poor Lady Catherine has taken to bed in shock.

The London Tattler - February 9

The latest word on the Farley brouhaha is that the Viscount's bachelor household now boasts both a small girl and a baby as its newest residents. Two children from his past, could there be more? Your faithful correspondent has seen them and regrets to report that one of them is a dark-skinned infant, obviously the result of a dalliance with some exotic eastern culture. There can be no doubt now about Lord Farley's scandalous escapades while abroad. Inquiring minds wonder, since his itinerary took him to Lisbon, Naples, Cairo, and Bombay, does he intend to present his fiancé with a by blow from each of those ports?

Chapter 1 »