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Christy English | Lessons I Learned from Countess Angelique and Captain James Montgomery
February 13, 2014
In the third installment of my Shakespeare in Love series, MUCH ADO ABOUT JACK,
Countess Angelique finally finds a man who can live up to her. After years of
neglect and ill treatment at the hands of her husband Geoffrey, and later her
lover, Anthony Ravensbrook, Angelique is ready to be treated like a queen. Captain James doesn't always treat her like royalty...actually, he refuses to
bow and scrape at all. But he always treats her with respect, something no one
else has ever done. Angelique meets her match in James and finds a man who is
her equal, in bed and out. A man who doesn't hesitate to stand up to Anthony, to
the Prince Regent, or even to murderous dukes. From one of my favorite heroes and the woman who loves him, I learned: 1) Keep your pistols loaded and your powder dry. 2) When the enemy is on your port bow, get your cannon ready to fire. 3) Friends who back you in a fight are friends you should keep. 4) On the deck of a ship, watch out for random coils of rope and passing
waves. 5) True love doesn't show up every day, so when it does, be ready to change
your life. I'll leave you with an excerpt from chapter 2 of MUCH ADO ABOUT JACK, so you
can get to know my hero a little better, and the woman who will steal his heart... The scuttlebutt was that old Duke of Hawthorne had died, leaving his money
and his estate in his nephew's hands. William Darlington, the new duke, had
called a special meeting of the Hellfire Club to celebrate. Captain James Montgomery heard something of this when he visited his father's
club in Mayfair, but he listened to the speculation with only half an ear. In
spite of the food and the women that were bound to be on offer, James would not
be joining his fellow Hellfire members for the party in the new duke's honor. He
had never met the man, and did not much like the idea of celebrating another
man's death. He was determined to track down the Countess of Devonshire instead. James wore his Navy dress uniform though he had sold his commission the day
before. He had been so certain that he was ready to settle on land, but that
morning he had found himself back down at the docks, this time not at Greenwich,
but in London proper, where some of the smaller merchant ships came into port.
He had found one almost completely unattended, save for a lone boy in the
rigging, when Angelique Beauchamp had shown up and changed the course of his
day. Perhaps even the course of his week. James was a man to enjoy a pretty face. Even more, he was a man to enjoy the
fine turn of a blushing cheek, the swell of full breasts beneath a silk gown,
the curve of a woman's hips as she walked away from him. He had seen little of
the last in his twenty years at sea. Always, since the age of twelve, women had
been walking toward him. Angelique Beauchamp was the first to walk away. He drank his whisky while sitting in a deep leather arm chair. Raymond, Lord
Pembroke sat across from him, slumped over his own brandy, half drunk though it
was barely five PM. He and Pembroke had come back to England from the Continent two years ago on
the same ship and had struck up a friendship of sorts. Pembroke had been his
guest for dinner in his captain's quarters and had brought James into the
Hellfire Club, where it seemed a man of certain appetites was always welcome. After only a few meetings, James had found the Club tiresome, almost as
mundane as White's. Though the food was always good and the whores varied, James
had spent too many years sampling the women of the world to let another man do
his selecting for him. And now, once again, he had his sights on a woman. A woman who, it seemed,
might even be a challenge to get. "Angelique Beauchamp," James said to Pembroke. "Where can I find her
tonight?" Pembroke's sky blue eyes were bloodshot. He rubbed one thumb against his
temple as if trying to alleviate a headache, and failing. "Why do you ask?" "I want her." Pembroke laughed, one bark that turned into a guffaw. The men around them
turned to stare, and a waiter came by to stand silent at Pembroke's elbow. For a
moment, James was sure his illustrious friend was about to be asked to leave,
but the footman only poured him a fresh brandy. Pembroke dried his eyes on a fine linen handkerchief drawn from his coat. He
folded it again, and set it aside before he fixed his gaze on James. "Every man in London wants Angelique Beauchamp." "I'm going to have her." Pembroke leaned back in his chair, his fresh brandy untouched beside him.
"That woman is trouble, Montgomery. That's all I'm going to say." "All women are trouble," James replied. "Only some of them are worth it." His friend sighed. "I have it on good authority that she is a lovely woman.
Intelligent, well-spoken, a woman who makes her own way in the world. But I
would not recommend her to an adder." "Why not?" "Some women are complicated. Angelique is one of them." "Maybe I like complicated," James said. "Since when?" James ignored his friend's question, and posed one of his own. "Where can I
find her?" "I don't keep her diary about my person. Perhaps if you inquired at her town
house in Regent Square, her butler might assist you." "Regent's Square? Perhaps I will." "I was joking. For God's sake, Montgomery, I don't know how you came to know
Angelique, but I recommend you have a drink with me and forget about her." "Angelique Beauchamp is a woman a man can not forget." "I agree completely." A man with dark brown hair and a hawk's gaze sat down across from James. The
stranger drew his leather armchair closer so that they might not be overheard.
Pembroke took one look at the man, and groaned, rubbing his temples again. James
ignored his friend and nodded to the stranger. "The Countess of Devonshire will be at the Duchess of Claremore's ball
tonight. Number 5, Grosvenor's Square," the stranger said. James waved the address away with one hand. "I'll find it. My thanks." "Happy hunting. I await the tale of your success with interest," the man
said, rising once more to his feet. "I don't carry tales of women," James answered. He saw the first gleam of respect in the other man's eyes, but it might have
been a trick of the firelight. "That's just as well, because you won't succeed.
If the Duchess of Claremore doesn't turn you away at the door, Angelique will." James smiled. If there was one thing he was good at, it was getting a woman
to do what he wanted and thinking it was what she had wanted all along. "We'll
see." © Christy English, 2014 MUCH
ADO ABOUT JACK BY CHRISTY ENGLISH – IN
STORES FEBRAURY 2014 How to Become London's Most Notorious Widow: 1. Vow to NEVER remarry 2. Own a ship and become fabulously wealthy 3. Wear the latest risqué fashions in your signature color 4. Do NOT have a liaison at the Prince Regent's palace with a naval captain
whose broad shoulders and green eyes make you forget Rule #1 Angelique Beauchamp, the widowed Countess of Devonshire, has been twice burned
by love, and she is certain that no man will ever touch her heart again. But
that doesn't mean she can't indulge a little—and it would be hard to find
a more perfect dalliance than one with the dashing Captain James Montgomery. After a brief torrid affair, James tries to forget Angelique and his undeniable
thirst for more. The luscious lady was quite clear that their liaison was
temporary. But for the first time, the lure of the sea isn't powerful enough to
keep him away... ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christy English is
happiest when she is dreaming. Her dreams have taken her to the royal court of
Henry II in THE QUEEN’S PAWN, to medieval Paris in TO BE QUEEN, and now to
Regency England in MUCH ADO ABOUT JACK, LOVE ON A MIDSUMMER NIGHT, and HOW TO
TAME A WILFULL WIFE, where she loves to watch her characters find true love,
often in spite of themselves. Please visit her on her blog , on Twitter , or on Facebook. To Purchase MUCH ADO ABOUT
JACK: Amazon
| Barnes and Noble | Books-a-Million
| Chapters/Indigo
| IndieBound | iBooks
| Sourcebooks What do you think Shakespeare would think of the Regency period? One person
will win a copy of MUCH ADO
ABOUT JACK
Comments
41 comments posted.
Re: Christy English | Lessons I Learned from Countess Angelique and Captain James Montgomery
i loved shakespeare stories i think he would of liked it he
was a creator a he had to be someone who imagine thingswho
could make up incredible stories in his head to be able to
write stories so i think he would of liked it
(Denise Smith 6:44am February 13, 2014)
Thank you so much for coming by Denise! :) I think if Shakespeare had
been able to meet Prinny he would have become bigger than Byron in
Regency England LOL
(Christy English 7:13am February 13, 2014)
Fresh Fiction, thank you so much for hosting me! I am thrilled to be here.
I am trapped by snow away from my internet connection but I'll be
hanging out with you today via Smartphone. I hope it stays smart! LOL
(Christy English 7:15am February 13, 2014)
I think Shakespeare would have been a Jane Austen fan... :-
))) So... he would have liked it!
(Linda Townsend 7:37am February 13, 2014)
This sounds like a great book I'd love to read. Thanks so much for the chance to win a copy!!!
(Bonnie Capuano 8:49am February 13, 2014)
Shakespeare would have been shocked that women were writing novels in Regency England.
(Doris Losey 8:58am February 13, 2014)
Your book sounds great. Thank you for the chance to win. I loved your views in your blog today. I think Shakespeare would not have been surprised by anything ... he would have made it all fodder for a new story of his own.
(Nancy Reynolds 9:30am February 13, 2014)
I think even Shakespeare would be speechless for a few
moments. Then I'm sure he'd come up with something. ;-)
(Karin Anderson 9:46am February 13, 2014)
I think he would be inspired to write different stories. Thanks for the
opportunity to win. Your story sounds great!
(Kelly Powell 10:22am February 13, 2014)
I think he could have fun with it. It would definitely be very different but he would still be masterful with that period, but in a more subtle way.
(Pam Howell 10:28am February 13, 2014)
Shakespeare would have been delighted and used this as
inspiration.
(Sharon Berger 10:49am February 13, 2014)
I think he would have been suprised at the period :) and
secretly pleased.
(Dianne McVetty 11:01am February 13, 2014)
I believe Shakespeare would be taken aback by the Industrial Revolution. I also think that as far as Jane Auten is concerned, he would handle her one of two ways, had he been able to be alive then. His ego would have made him continue to try and outdo her, or he would try and collaborate with her, to see what they could come up with. That would make an interesting concept!! I love reading about England, and this book is no exception!! It would make a nice addition to the books I have for the end of Winter and early Spring. The cover is very elegant, yet a little on the naughty side, too!! Congratulations on what I'm sure will be a hit!!
(Peggy Roberson 11:02am February 13, 2014)
LOVE the title! I can't wait to read it!
(Maria Proctor 12:09pm February 13, 2014)
i love history and then the cover is great d would love to read this and blog for you can not get enough history
and love to read them
(Desiree Reilly 12:10pm February 13, 2014)
I think he would first be shocked but then enjoy it!
(Sue Galuska 12:22pm February 13, 2014)
I'm sure he would have been astonished but adapted.
(Angela Daffern 2:35pm February 13, 2014)
I personally don't think that Shakespeare would have been at all surprised by Jane Austen. I think he might have been more surprised by how long it took for a woman to be accepted as an author under her own name.
Later,
Lynn
(Lynn Rettig 2:39pm February 13, 2014)
Love the cover! I think that Shakespeare would have inspired!
(Colleen Conklin 2:52pm February 13, 2014)
wow~~can REALLY relate to the 4 point plan... except I am a
divorcee, and have yet to become fab wealthy... but I ALWAYS
wear what I WANT in my signature AMETHYST color palette!!
would love to read this, TY for the chance to win it
(Michelle Omalley 3:10pm February 13, 2014)
I believe Shakespeare would have found it all wonderfully
ridiculous! He would have been just as inspired by the
happenings and worked them into his writings.
(Michelle Whitwam 3:48pm February 13, 2014)
I think Shakespeare would have shook his head in unbelief, then set about writing his own story in that time period thinking he could do it better.
(Brenda Rumsey 5:12pm February 13, 2014)
I think Shakespeare would've had a field day in Regency
England.
(Margay Roberge 5:41pm February 13, 2014)
The Regency would have just been another interesting challenge for Shakespeare's writing.
(Sue Farrell 6:37pm February 13, 2014)
new author to me. Regency England is one of my most fav genres. sounds like a great read
(Barbara Studer 7:56pm February 13, 2014)
I have not read this genre. I am looking forward to reading
it.
(Denise Austin 8:20pm February 13, 2014)
I think her would have been amazed by the manners and (outward) propriety of the nobility, so different from the way their outward behavior in Elizabethan times.
(Janie McGaugh 8:22pm February 13, 2014)
Wow, Congrats on your new book: MUCH ADO ABOUT JACK. I love
the book cover too! I believe that Shakespeare and Jane
Austen would have made a great pair writing great books and
plays together as a pair. They could have put together lots
of wonderful stories. I would love to win and read your book
in the New Year 2014. Thank You very much. Cecilia CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 8:39pm February 13, 2014)
I think he would be surprised then pleased.
(Jean Benedict 8:58pm February 13, 2014)
Shakespeare would possibly be shock but surprise and probably
or hopefully write something from that time period
(Sandy Xiong 9:09pm February 13, 2014)
Would love to win a copy of this book.
(Tina Lechuga 11:09pm February 13, 2014)
I think the Regency would have inspired Shakespeare to write a whole slew of new stories!
(Marcy Shuler 11:12pm February 13, 2014)
I do love your "What would ______ think" articles, Christy!
I'm not sure Shakespeare would be too horribly surprised by
Jane Austen after all he lived during the reign of
Elizabeth. And I agree with others that he'd find
inspiration from the Regency.
Still love, love, love the cover of Much Ado About Jack!!
(Glenda Martillotti 11:26pm February 13, 2014)
I think Shakespeare would find the clothing rather plain. After the heavy, sumptuous fabrics of his day, the plain dress that the men wore and the filmy dresses of the women might have been a bit much for him. I also think by the Regency people bathed a bit more than they did in his time. People were more apt to lose their lives for their political beliefs in Shakespeare's time than in Austen's. The American Revolution was fought because middle class merchants rebelled against paying taxes. Wouldn't have happened with Queen Elizabeth. Interesting vein of thought!
(Marcia Berbeza 11:39pm February 13, 2014)
There would some items that Shakespeare would be quite fascinated about like a pistol for one and steam engine for another. Technology has changed since the 1500's. Society will be a little loose about the woman's right and privilege in the Regency and the fashion.
(Kai Wong 12:08pm February 14, 2014)
I think he would be fascinated!
Love the book!
(May Pau 9:54am February 14, 2014)
I think he would be stunned at first. Everything he new was gone or it had changed but his writers inspiration would kick in and he would do what all writers do best--write.
(Sharon Extine 3:27pm February 14, 2014)
I think that Shakespeare would find plenty to write about
that's for sure.
(Mary Preston 8:46pm February 15, 2014)
No question, he would have been a Jane Austen fan!
(MaryAnne Banks 1:15pm February 16, 2014)
Shakespeare would fit in and love the relationships, mores
and morals which befitted the Regency period.
(Alyson Widen 4:35pm February 16, 2014)
I wonder... I think that it would all be fodder for his
writing... maybe someone needs to write a book where he is a
vampire living in later times and still writing...
(Vanessa Primer 6:28pm February 18, 2014)
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