Ella Quinn | The Seduction of Lady Phoebe

I love secondary characters. In my opinion, they add depth and interest to a story especially when they also have their own points of view. Sometimes they become so attention-grabbing they spawn more books because their storied have to be told as well. As an author, I'm fortunate that all my characters like to get into the act.

Today I've decided to invite some of the secondary characters from THE SEDUCTION OF LADY PHOEBE to discuss their roles in Marcus and Phoebe's romance. Here they are now.

My butler, Jeeves, enters and bows. "Madam, the Marchioness of St. Eth, the Countess of Fairport, and Lady Hester Caldecott."

I rise. "My ladies, I'm so happy you could come. Please have a seat, and I will pour."

Ester St. Eth smiles as she takes a cup of tea and settles on the sofa. "It would be churlish for us not to accept your very kind invitation. After all, you did manage to bring about my niece's marriage. Something I've wanted to happen for years."

"Yes, indeed." Hermione nodded, adding mild to her tea.

"Though," Hester draws her brows together, "we were all very surprised her true love was Lord Marcus. How did that happen?"

"Hmm." That's a very good question. One which I do not have an answer to, as my muse is engaged in another story at present. I glance at the door. "I thought your husbands would be joining us."

"Oh, no." Ester shrugs with one shoulder. "What could they add? It was we ladies who helped Phoebe overcome her concerns about Lord Marcus."

"Yes indeed." Hester took a sip. "And made sure she did not cause a scandal in the process."

"We must thank you for allowing us to help," Hermione added. "Without our little plot, poor Phoebe would still be unwed."

"I had little choice in the matter," I mumble under my breath.

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you," Ester says.

I smile brightly. "I said, I was happy you chose to help in the matter."

"I was glad to see Lord Marcus finally take a more active role," Hester said. "Yet I do wish I knew how he knew which parties Phoebe was attending."

If she doesn't know, I'm certainly not going to tell her. This is getting sticky.

Jeeves enters again. "Excuse me, Madam, there is an urgent matter."

"If you'll excuse me. I won't be a moment." I follow Jeeves out into the corridor. "What is it?"

"The gentlemen, Madam." He points to the parlor on the other side of the hall. "I have put them in there. Apparently their wives failed to mention your invitation."

"Well that explains it. I didn't think they'd fail to come." He opens the door for me. "Gentlemen, thank you for visiting. If you'll give me a moment." I shut the door. "I have to get rid of the ladies. Make sure they have tea or sherry, and I'll be right back."

I rush back to the drawing room. "My ladies. I'm so sorry, but I have a problem I must attend to. It has been lovely talking to you."

Ester rises. "No matter, my dear. We have stayed our quarter hour. Thank you again for all your help."

"Think nothing of it." I see them out, then return to the gentlemen who all rise. I really do love their manners.

St. Eth hands me a glass of sherry. "You look like you could use this."

"Thank you." I sit on a French winged chair.

"I take it our wives have left?" Caldecott resumes his place on one of the small sofas. "They would not be happy to know our role in Phoebe and Marcus's marriage."

"Indeed." Fairport concurs. "If they knew how we assisted Marcus by telling him which entertainments Phoebe would attend..."

"Or," Caldecott says, "if they knew how we contrived to leave the two of them alone..."

St. Eth took a drink of sherry. "Our married lives would be much less calm." I nod. "I do hope I may count on you if I ever need help with another couple." "Naturally." St. Eth raises his glass.

Fairport grins. "Of course you may."

"Anything we can do to assist true love." Caldecott salutes with his glass. "Thank you gentlemen. I must leave you, but please enjoy your sherry."

Several moments afterward.

Edwin turned to St. Eth. "Do you think her manners were a little strange?" He raised a brow. "A little perhaps, but remember she is American and an authoress."

"And she did help us get Phoebe off our hands." John took a large drink. "For that I will always be in her debt.

"Here, here." Edwin raised his glass.

THE SEDUCTION OF LADY PHOEBE

Phoebe Stanhope is not a typical Lady. As feisty as she is quick witted, no one can catch her, especially when she is driving her dashing phaeton with its perfectly matched horses. And unlike her peers, experience has guarded her against a growing list of would-be suitors. But when she encounters Marcus Finley, what she fears most burns deep within his blue-eyed gaze...

For Lord Marcus, the spark of recognition is but a moment in the love he has held these many years. Now that he's returned to England, all the happiness he desires rests on Lady Phoebe never finding out that he was the one who turned her heart so cold and distant. He must work fast to gain the advantage—to convince her what she wants is exactly what she denies—but in order to seduce her into his arms, he must be willing to give up more than he can control...