How to Interview A Rogue - Jack Waverley Is Here!

If you recall, I interviewed Miss Georgiana Lockewood last week as she was preparing for her journey abroad to France. I caught up with Jack Waverley at his boxing club as he was preparing for a match.
Anna: I hope I am not disturbing you, sir.
Jack: Not at all! I'm used to having besotted females following me around all hours of the day or night.
Anna: (trying not to blush) I am here on strictly literary terms, Mr. Waverley.
Jack: (grins in a most roguish sort of way) Of course, you are. How may I help you? As you can see, I'm quite busy. I have a fight with an old opponent of mine. Perhaps you'd care to watch?
Anna: (shuddering) I regret I must decline. I wanted to ask about your upcoming trip to France. You are escorting Miss Lockewood, are you not?
Jack: Ah, you've met with Miss Pudding Face, have you?
Anna: I beg your pardon?
Jack: That's what I used to call her when she was little. She followed me around all the time. It would have been annoying, except she's so damnably adorable. How is the child?
Anna: Um, she's not a child anymore. She's all grown up and very beautiful. I fear you will have your hands full once you're in France.
Jack: (takes off his shirt to reveal a broad chest with too many muscles to count) I can handle her - an innocent maiden who wants a bit of fun! We'll have a jolly time. I'll take her to some balls and garden parties. That will make my nights free to do as I wish.
Anna: About that...
Jack: Yes?
Anna: You know that Miss Pudding....I mean, Miss Lockewood is a spirited girl. You will have to keep your eye on her, especially in the evenings. She may get herself into trouble.
Jack: I'll be there to catch her, should she fall. I always was, you know.
Anna: So I've heard.
Jack: You doubt me?
Anna: (averting my eyes because he is standing so close) I would not doubt you, Mr. Waverley. I think you are a man of your word.
Jack: (Plays with a lock of my hair) Why not come with me?
Anna: (rising to leave) Sir, I am a married woman!
Jack: (heads for the door and I hear the roar of the waiting crowd beyond) Well, if you change your mind...
Anna: (catching my breath and fanning my hot face) You'll be the first to know!
But he has already left the room. What an impossible man! I pity poor Miss Lockewood. She will have a terrible time controlling the man who is supposed to protect her. Perhaps she will be a good influence on him, and make him want to settle down.
Stranger things have happened.

Interview With Miss Georgiana Lockewood

I am pleased to share my interview with the lovely Miss Georgiana Lockewood. All of you will get to meet her personally on May 4, when her story is featured in HOW TO MARRY A ROGUE. I tracked her down while she was dressing for a ball tonight in town - that's London to the rest of us! Her dressing room is filled with trunks and boxes, and it looks like she's getting ready for a long journey.
Her maid brings us both a cup of tea sweetened with honey. I fan myself with a lace fan she has graciously given me - I keep forgetting there's no such thing as air conditioning in the middle of the Regency!
Anna: Thank you for meeting with me today, Miss Lockewood.
Miss Lockewood: Oh, please, call me Georgiana!
Anna: All right - Georgiana. Are you going away on a trip somewhere? I can't help but notice all these trunks and cases.
Georgiana: Why, yes. I'm going abroad to France with my sweet old aunt and a male escort. He's my brother's friend, Jack Waverley. Perhaps you know him?
Anna: I have not had the pleasure yet, but will be interviewing him next week. How fortunate your brother found a brave and strong escort for your aunt and you. Two helpless females, traveling across the Channel...
Georgiana: (cutting me off) You sound just like my brother, Jonathan! Honestly, I am grown up enough to travel wherever I wish. And Jack is a well known boxer. I shall be very much protected.
Anna: That's good news! The last time you were on your own, I recall you were heading north.
Georgiana: (sets down her cup with a clattering of china) Are you referring to my so-called elopement to Gretna Green with Mr. Mitford?
Anna: I did not mean to imply....
Georgiana: (laughs nervously) Oh, nothing happened. It was just a childish whim. There is a good thing that came of it, however. I shall never give my heart away so easily again.
Anna: I'm relieved to hear that. But isn't Mr. Waverley a handsome sort of scoundrel with a reputation?
Georgiana: Not to worry! We are old friends. He was always my protector. I'm sure nothing will happen to me in France as long as he is there.
Anna: I am sure you are right. (I get up to leave, and her servant brings me my bonnet) Thank you very much for seeing me. I hope you have a fine time abroad.
Georgiana: I'm sure I will!

Well, dear reader, the rest, as they say, is history! Next week, I'll be interviewing the hero of this story, Mr. Jack Waverley - boxer, fighter, lover, gambler - heavens, the list does go on! I hope Georgiana is right about his protecting her. I would hate for anything to happen to that sweet girl.

Release Date for ROGUE Announced!

     I am thrilled that The Wild Rose Press will be releasing HOW TO MARRY A ROGUE on May 4, instead of late summer. To celebrate, I will post about the Regency period until the big day. Look for sneak peeks, character interviews, fun facts, and the background to this story.
     Let's begin, shall we?
     The Regency period is specific to England, as it encompassed the "regency" of Prince George, later to become King George IV, from the years 1811-1820. This basically means he ruled on behalf of his father, the "mad" King George III, known to Americans for being the tyrant Thomas Jefferson railed about in the Declaration of Independence.

     It's a popular time period for authors and movie makers, since Jane Austen was a central figure during this period. If you love a good novel or a classic movie, read or watch any of her stories. My favorite is Pride & Prejudice, which you probably already know if you've read my blog. I think of it as a classic "Beauty and the Beast" story, because Mr. Darcy is transformed by the end.

     The way of life, clothes, manners, and customs are unique to this period. The "empire" waist gown (the bodice ended at the lower part of the bosom instead of the waist) changed the female form, although the disfiguring corset was years ahead into the future. Men also changed from fancy silk coats and pantaloons to breeches made of buckskin, and riding boots became the daytime height of fashion.
     The country life grew in popularity, with outdoor sports, hunting, picnics, etc., becoming the "in thing" for the rich folk. It's fun to write books during this period, because the characters have a variety of things to do. Country balls (called Assembly balls because they were in a common building called an Assembly Hall), garden parties, picnics, riding, archery, and other games and diversions were great entertainment. I can have a heroine be an accomplished rider or talented pianist. A hero can look dashing seated on his horse during a hunt (no foxes are ever harmed in my books!), or elegant in his cream-colored silk cravat and embroidered waistcoat at an elegant salon in London.

I hope you enjoyed this little peek at the Regency! Next blog will be an interview with the heroine of the story, Georgiana Lockewood. She's beautiful, smart, and a little too stubborn about getting what she wants. Lucky for her, our hero is in the right place at the right time!