The April 2025 Saturday Broadsheet

April 12, 2025

April showers bring May flowers … but will those showers be rain or snow? One never knows around here. 

Two days ago, there was snow enough for schools to be cancelled, and today, we’re almost back to bare ground and the sky is blue and the sun is shining. And then, I hear we might get rain over the weekend. 

It’s just spring in the Maritimes. 🙂 

I adore spring. Even with it’s less than predictable temperatures and weather. I think what endears it to me is that it’s a time of new beginnings. Kind of like how I love a new blank calendar in January, new notebooks just waiting to be filled, and so on. The possibilities are tantalizing. It’s a rather energizing season. 


PERSONAL UPDATE

One thing that is new for me this spring is that I’m reading again! *waves streamers and toots a kazoo* 

Finally. 

It’s been nearly three years now since I first came down with THE virus that left me with some post-viral issues. Part of those issues involved the ability of my brain to have enough energy to function in just mundane, everyday tasks and to write without becoming overwhelmed and hurting (not with a standard headache, but with a brain ache). 

Reading wasn’t part of the picture at all for a very long time. There just wasn’t enough energy for it.

And that’s tough when you love books like I do. 

Slowly as I worked on getting my brain stronger and regulating my nervous system, I started adding in my books. I re-read so many of my books (more than once). It was easy for my brain to deal with them as it wasn’t deciphering things in the same way a new story would be. 

From there, I moved to re-reading books in my library. Again, because it seemed to take less energy to do. I knew what was going to happen. I didn’t need to wonder or try to figure it out. 

Then, I went to new but short reads that progressed to longer reads. I would read one new book per month. Then, I could do two per month, and then, one per Sunday. Recently, I read two books in one weekend (and didn’t suffer for it), and I thought the world was finally opening up to me. 

And you know what? It was. At least in the reading realm. 

I’ve been reading several books per week for a few weeks now. They aren’t long books, and it’s not done without discomfort. My brain still hurts at the end of many days. But, it and my nervous system seem to be recovering fairly well after a night’s sleep. (Not perfectly well, but so much better than it has for the past couple of years.) 

So, I’ll keep working on that as I add in another new item for this spring that I hope will open up another part of my world that has been locked away for the past three years. I’ve started adding a short walk on a trail to my weekends. And the occasional treadmill walk during the week. I’m hoping that getting back to walking as I love to do won’t be too far down the trail. (pun intended LOL) 


WRITING and AUDIOBOOK UPDATE:

In my writing life, I’ve been working on getting back into my Annilee novel, as well as producing some audiobooks. I actually got one finished and uploaded to YouTube just at the beginning of April – right around the same time that None So Accomplished as Mary was released. 

That audiobook is His Beautiful Bea, and this time, I’ve submitted it to a new audiobook distributor called Findaway Voices, which is owned by Spotify. I hope that they will eventually add it to their Spotify offerings. But getting it distributed to all the places that will allow digital voice recording can take up to a month. So maybe by May it will be on Spotify and at Everand and in a few other places as well. 

I have an audiobooks page on my website where you can find links to all the places where my audiobooks are available. 

Just a heads up here, but previously released books on Kobo may disappear for a bit once I have this Findaway thing figured out a bit better. That’s because I cannot choose who to distribute to on their website. It’s all or nothing. And since they distribute to Kobo, I will need to unpublish that audiobook there before I can publish it again with Findaway. 

I have not begun working on any new Leenie stories yet. I have, however, written the final segment of my Harriet and the Colonel story (for now). You can read about that at the bottom of this broadsheet, and let me know if you want more. 🙂 


IN THE TEAROOM (on Substack)

In case you missed it, it was Rose Fairbanks’ turn to post in the SWR Tearoom this month. She was also talking about spring and connecting it to her writing. You can find her article here


LEAVING KU

The Willow Hall Series will leave the Kindle Unlimited program this month. So, make sure you have it downloaded before April 21 if you want to read it using your KU subscription. 

Shortly thereafter, it will be published everywhere and should be available with your Kobo Plus or Everand subscriptions. It will also be added to the library on Patreon so you’ll be able to read that with your paid subscription there as well. 


eBOOK DEALS (which you can find on the Book Promo Page here)

His Irreplaceable Belle is just $0.99 (USD, CAD, EUR, GBP, AUD, and NZD, with all other currencies also reduced) at all retailers this month. 

As I write this, With Quill and Ink is free everywhere but Amazon. I have a price match request in to them, and I hope that by the time this broadsheet goes live, it will be free there as well. This book will be free until May 12 because it will be taking part in a “Stuff Your eReader” type promotion between now and then. 


APRIL’S PATREON FREE READ AND PATRON PERKS (find me on Patreon here)

If you follow me for free on Patreon, there is a series starter or novelette that can be read for free each month. This month’s series starter read is His Beautiful Bea

Each month, I am offering at least one ebook to download and keep to my $2 or more Patrons, and every time there is a new audiobook finished, I also make a link to download that available to them.

This month’s offerings are Oxford Cottage and His Beautiful Bea (both as an ebook and audiobook)


SOMETHING NEW TO READ

And now for the final installment of Harriet and the Colonel, which needs a better title. If you have any suggestions, I’d love to hear them. 

Also, I am torn between just writing an epilogue for this story and being done with it, or possibly writing a second story that takes these two from where they are in this installment to their wedding. Do you have a preference? Cast your vote in the comments.

Chapter 5 (part 2)

Harriet paced the hall outside the little library. The footmen she had gone to fetch had already entered her brother’s study. Surely, they would be finished soon.

The door to her brother’s study opened and one of the men exited quickly. He was likely going to fetch other men. That seemed to be how these things worked with her brother.

A footman would be holed up in Edmund’s office for a bit of time, and then, he would scurry away through the servant’s halls and entry way.

She expected to see a half-dozen other men arrive to call on her brother within the hour. The little library would be well-used today!

She took one more circuit of the hall, from top to bottom, before entering that little library and creeping softly to the door that adjoined her brother’s study. She strained to hear anything, but the most she could decipher was the tone of voice.

That was her brother.

That was the colonel.

One of the footmen asked a question.

Ah! There was a promising sound. Shifting chairs and the opening and closing of the door to the hallway.

Quickly, she made her way to the small table that held the colonel’s hat. She ran her finger along the edge of it as she held it. He would not leave without this, and she was not going to give it to him until she had receive a few minutes of his time.

She glanced at the miniature of her eldest brother that stood next to similar pictures of her parents, as well as she, Samantha, and Edmund.

A lady simply did not know when someone she loved would leave her for the final time.

And knowing that her brothers – and likely her father before them – as well as Richard, were employed in dangerous, but necessary, pursuits, there was absolutely no way she was going to let her colonel leave without him knowing that he was cared for. So very dearly.

Several minutes ticked by before the secret door opened, and Richard exited. Alone.

“Is my brother behind you?” She placed his hat behind her back.

“No, he said he had some work to do.” His expression was one of amusement. “Are you planning to keep my hat?”

“Only as long as necessary,” she replied.

“And how long will that be?” His tone was teasing but not as carefree as it would normally be. Of course, that was understandable.

“My brother is …” She paused and shook her head. “What he did was deplorable, and I will be speaking to him later.”

This caused a genuine chuckle to escape Richard’s lips.

“Will I be allowed to have my hat before then?” he asked.

“Oh, yes,” she assured him with a smile. “But not until you know just how greatly I am upset with him on your behalf and that of your cousin and Miss Elizabeth.” She sighed as her shoulder sank. “They will be well. We must believe that.”

She held out her hand to him, and he took it. “You are the best my brother has to offer, since he refuses to enlist my services,” she added with a playful smile to lift the heaviness of the emotions that surrounded her.

“He had better not enlist your services,” Richard growled. “Someone needs to keep you safe.”

“And you would trust him to do that after what he has done to you?” She gave him a pointed look.

“He does not work alone.”

“Oh, I know that.”

“No, I mean he has men in your household.”

Harriet blinked. “Of that I am aware, though to be honest, I have not yet figured out just how many.”

He shook his head. “I should have known that you would know.” He placed the hand he held between both of his. “I am tired and should be on my way, but before I go, I must ask you what exactly you have done.” His left eyebrow arched over a pointed look.

“What do you mean?” she asked cautiously.

“Your brother has informed me that I am no longer unacceptable as a suitor for you, and that I can present myself to him to offer for you after this particular assignment has been completed.”

Harriet chuckled as a wide grin engulfed her features. “It seems he was quite serious about wishing for someone else to take care of me. I thought that he was, but one cannot be too certain until the proof has been presented as irrefutable.”

Richard closed his eyes and shook his head as he repeated his question. “What exactly have you done?”

“I simply proved to him that there is one female who would make an excellent partner for his best man and dear friend.”

“How precisely did you do that?”

She swallowed and looked away. He was not going to be happy to hear this. “It had to be done,” she said to preface her admission.

“What had to be done?”

She bit her lip as she met his gaze. “I found Andrew’s watch.”

His eyes grew wide, and he dropped her hand to run one of his through his hair. “You did what?”

“I went shopping with Jimmy – he is one of Edmund’s men, you know.”

“Yes, I know.”

“And while shopping, I just happened to find a place that deals in loaning money to people in exchange for various items.”

“A pawnbroker? You went to a pawnbroker?” He huffed and shook his head as if he could not believe her.

Harriet crossed her arms and glared at him. “I had to. My brother needed to know that I could be an asset and not a liability to you. And I will have you know that Edmund did a fine job of scolding me already, so you do not need to.”

“I believe I do,” he returned. “For I have a feeling that you did not bow to his admonishments. He has always had trouble being anything but generous with you.”

“That is not a fault, is it?” She smiled at him and fluttered her lashes. “I took precautions. And, as I said, it had to be done, because I will not marry anyone but you. I do not care how many Mr. So and So’s or Sir or Lords he tries to push at me. You are the only man I will ever love.” She placed his hat back on the table before taking his hands. “I have told Edmund so before. Many times. However, he refused to listen. So, I showed him just how serious I am.”

Once again, Richard was shaking his head. “You are…” He seemed lost for words.

“Edmund said I was impossible when he was yelling at me regarding the watch. To which, I replied that I was passionately independent, and that led to him saying I was staunchly recalcitrant. And that was right before he threatened to punish me.”

“He yelled and threatened to punish you?” He turned to look towards the door to Edmund’s office. “Your brother?”

“Yes.” She waited until she had his full attention again. “Which is how I know that what I did was excessively dangerous. But you, my dear sweet colonel, are worth it.”

“Harry, when are you going to learn that it is my job to say such things to you and not the other way around?” He placed a hand on her cheek.

“Can we not both say them?”

“You are a treasure. Do you know that?” He sighed. “Please, do this one thing for me, and keep my precious treasure safe. Can you do that for me? I have enough people to worry about. I do not wish to add you to that list.”

How could a lady say anything but yes to such a delightfully romantic thing? Well, a lady who did not immediately promise to do just as requested would have to be a lady very unlike Harriet. For Harriet was the sort who was incapable of not occasionally being daring. Therefore, the best reply should could make was, “I will do my best.”

He chuckled. “See that you do. For when I am finished rounding up some scoundrels and returning Georgie and Elizabeth to their families, I will be back for you.” He pulled her into his embrace. “I am broken because of the danger that threatens them,” he whispered. “But I would be beyond repair should anything happen to you.”

Tears gathered in her eyes, both at the thought of his pain and how treasured she was. “Then, I will do so well that Edmund will wonder what has happened to his sister.”

“Just do not do so well that he changes his mind about you being my burden to bear,” Richard teased before preventing her from any retort by claiming her lips with his.

Harriet wound her arms around his neck and held him firmly to her. He deepened the kiss, and she responded in kind. She was passionate. So very passionate about many things but none so fiercely as this man who held her heart and who trusted her with his. There was nothing that would keep her from seeing him safe and well – even if it meant making changes to her own behaviour.

Surely, she could be inquisitive and even a touch daring and still make sure that she was not the cause of him being broken forever.

“Take care,” she whispered when her head rested over his racing heart as he simply held her tightly. “For if you do not, I will not refrain from coming to your aid.”

A chuckle rumbled through him. “I would say the same.”

He pulled back from her and then took her face between his hands. “Do not ever change, my darling Harry. Always be as ardent as you are now. Just please, apply that zeal to your safety as strongly as you do to provoking your brother, for in keeping yourself safe, you will be protecting my heart.” He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Then, taking up his hat, he said, “I shall return when this mission is done.”

She snatched his hand before he could leave her. “Send word as soon as the ladies are safe.” She kissed his knuckles and then allowed him to depart.

As she watched the door to the house close behind him, she smiled and sighed for she knew that soon he would return to claim her as his forever.  

So, epilogue or another story? Let me know in the comments.


The March 2025 Saturday Broadsheet

March 8, 2025

Sometimes, you sit down to write a newsletter, and it flows so well. Things just fall into place. And then, other times, it’s like walking through mud trying to even begin. Today, as I sit down to update you on all the things, I’m finding myself in the muddy scenario. I’m tired. And tired brains do not fire as quickly or easily as well-rested ones. 

I feel like that kind of describes the season right now, too, to some degree. Like this meme says, “Spring is just around the corner.” Winter is almost over. And I tend to feel a bit tired at the end of winter. There’s definitely a “I’m ready for a change” feeling in the air. 

I hope your final days of winter (if you live where it is winter) are going well, and that spring weather will settle in for you soon.

I’ve been busy. Though at times it feels like I’m moving forward three steps only to slide backwards two. Progress is a struggle. But progress has been made. So, let’s get on with the updates and then get to the book deals and finally another installment in Harriet and the Colonel’s story. 

Enjoy! 

Leenie

Continue reading The March 2025 Saturday Broadsheet

The February 2025 Saturday Broadsheet

February 8, 2025

Happy February to you all! 

I hope you’re surviving the winter if that’s the season you’re in or enjoying the summer if that is your current season. We are expecting a snow event this weekend. We had a rather dry January with bare ground for most, if not all, of it. It was also warmer than expected at times, but then we also got some seriously frigid temps, too. It hasn’t been too horrible a winter for me, but that doesn’t mean I’m not eagerly looking forward to spring. 🙂 

I got snagged by a nasty cold last month and lost a few days of work to that. However, I actually recovered from it far faster than expected, so that was encouraging. My hubby is still fighting the lingering cough and my youngest son is now sniffling and coughing, so it’s making the rounds at our house. 

I am still working on writing Sweet Extra #5, None So Accomplished as Mary. I hope to have that finished in a couple of weeks. (I’m currently sharing chapters of that novelette on Patreon with my paid patrons as I write.) 

Remember that my Sweet Extras are always gifted to my subscribers. In the past it has been just my email (Substack) subscribers and patrons on Patreon, but I can now email to just subscribers on my blog, too. 

So this time, if you subscribe to my Substack, Patreon, or Blog (leeniebrown.com) via email, I’ll be able to share a freebie with you, too. 

Continue reading The February 2025 Saturday Broadsheet

The January 2025 Saturday Broadsheet

January 11, 2025

Happy New Year!!

I hope yours has started off well. Mine started with car repairs, so a small auto repair bill was one of the first things I acquired this year. LOL It was the battery, so it wasn’t too bad, and it’s running again. 

Actually, my car didn’t start on Christmas Eve when we went to drive to church. So, we had to take my husband’s work van. He had to be there since he was running the sound for the night. And then, with all the days that the garage was closed over the holidays, we couldn’t get it in until the new year. 

Other than that, our holidays were good. 

Oh! And in health news… for those who know, I’ve been struggling with long covid things for about 2.5 years now. But this past month and moving into January, I’ve noticed some great improvements. I can work and read longer now. My brain fog is much, much less than it was. My nervous system seems to respond to relaxation techniques and recovers from exertion better than it was. 

And that means, I’ve started VERY slowly adding some treadmill walking back into my life. I’ve tried to add it in before and had some setbacks, but this time, my body seems to be accepting it. (Except for a few sleep disturbances on days when I walk.) That’s why I’m going so slowly as I add it back in. 

Currently, I’m walking 5 minutes and 5 seconds. Like I said, I’m taking it in tiny steps. Next week, maybe I’ll make that five minutes and 10 seconds and see how that goes. When I started my breathing and stretching exercises, I did the same thing – went very slowly – and my body adapted fairly easily to each new increase in time and effort. 

My goal is to be able to take some walks in the woods and down various trails by summer. (Even if they are only short walks, it will still feel like I’m getting my life back.) 

That’s it for my personal stuff. I’ll now shift into the writing and book related things that are normal for my monthly newsletters. Remember that there is a new installment to the Harriet and the Colonel story at the bottom of this Broadsheet, so don’t stop scrolling before you get to that. 🙂 

Enjoy! 

Leenie


In writing news…
I got my files for the new release turned in before the preorder window closed, and How to Marry an Accomplished Lady released without a hitch. 

Thank you to all those who preordered or have purchased a copy after the launch date. And an extra thank you to all those who have read and reviewed the book, whether you were part of my review team or not. 

Currently, my writing projects are my next Annilee Nelson novel and the sequel to How to Marry an Accomplished Lady. I haven’t done much planning for writing projects beyond those right now. I’ll get that planning done in the next week or two.

On YouTube
Along with the launch of the new ebook, I’ve gotten a new audiobook completed and added to both YouTube and Kobo/Kobo Plus. That book is A Very Mary Christmas. That makes three audiobooks that I’ve gotten finished and published.

On Patreon
And I’ve been working on making some changes to my Patreon page. Not all of them have been made or even decided upon, but for now here’s what I have

I’ve decided to make my Patreon membership into a pay what you want subscription. All the tiers will have all the same benefits for membership. That way, each reader can decide for themselves what they think the value of the membership is for them and how much they can fit into their budget. 

Currently, membership benefits are as follows: 

  • Early access to all my books (as I write them and as a download before they are available on any retailers)
  • Binge my backlist of published books online or in the Patreon app (This is all my non-KU books. If you watched my Wednesday video, you know that this might change some as I am considering a free downloadable book via the Bookfunnel app each month.) 
  • Add an ebook to your digital library: Receive a digital copy of all the stories posted during your patronage to fill your digital bookshelves (again this will change if/when I start sharing a downloadable book link each month)
  • Audiobooks without ads (via the Bookfunnel app – currently, I’ve got a link to Finally Mrs. Dacy available. Waking to Mr. Darcy and A Very Mary Christmas will be available before the end of the month.)
  • Community Chat (coming in 2025 – probably next week)

I will still have a novelette or series starter available for all members (paid and unpaid) to read each month. This month’s free read is…

Henry’s story can be found in the Collections tab at Patreon, and it is also free on all retailers until the end of January. 

Links for where to find Henry’s  story and to purchase the book deals below can be found on the Current Book Promotions page by clicking here.

Mr. Darcy’s Comfort is only available on Amazon, but Mary: To Protect Her Heart is on sale everywhere with all currencies reduced.

SOMETHING NEW TO READ

And now for another installment of Harriet and the Colonel. (Previous installments can be found by clicking here.)

Chapter 4 (part 1)

Harriet poured a cup of tea for her sister, before filling her own cup and taking a seat at the small table in her private sitting room. The knocker had been removed from the door earlier that morning – approximately the same time that her brother had discovered her secret mission the day before. He thought he was punishing her, but truly, she was happy for it. This way, she did not have to pretend to be interested in any of the gentlemen who might come to call.

She smiled as she took a sip of her tea. “Edmund has agreed to allow the colonel to offer for me.”

“He has what?” Samantha’s features were the very personification of the word astonishment.

“He has finally seen reason.” That was how she chose to view the events of the past few days – they were merely a lesson in reasonableness for her dear brother.  “And he has been restored to the position of my favourite brother.” She placed her teacup gently on its saucer. “Although, I do believe, you might be his favourite sister at present.” She chuckled softly. Edmund would eventually forgive her for her antagonism.

“Please, do tell, dear sister. In what adventures have you engaged since I last saw you?” Samantha asked eagerly. “I find that since I married, I must do all my adventuring from the safety of a sitting room through tales that the less restricted get to live.” She laughed right along with Harriet at such a melodramatic comment.

Samantha may be married, but she still found time to join Harriet in a few fun pursuits now and then. That would likely change once her child was born, but Harriet did not wish to think about that at the moment.

“Whatever you have done must be quite spectacular,” Samantha continued. “I did not expect Edmund to acquiesce so quickly. I knew it would happen, but I expected it to be closer to Christmas than Michaelmas.”

“I found Father’s watch, and I must thank you for the use of your hair comb for your ball. Please remind me to give it back to you before you leave.”

Her sister’s mouth popped open in surprise and then, closed as her brow furrowed. “Do those two things go together?”

Harriet nodded.

“And you found Father’s watch? The one that Andrew lost when he was killed?”

Again, Harriet nodded. “The design on your hair comb matches very closely the design on the watch case.” She lifted one shoulder and let it fall in a half shrug. “I used it to describe the sort of design I was looking for in a watch.”

One eyebrow arched over a pointed look. “I assume you were not shopping on Bond Street.”

Harriet shook her head. “Jimmy and I took a short tour of the area where Andrew was found. There is a small shop there that buys items from those in need and then resells them for a profit.”

“You visited a pawnbroker?”

“Shhhh. We do not need the whole house to know.”

“A pawnbroker? Harriet!” Samantha shook her head. “I am glad you at least had enough sense to take Jimmy with you.”

“It was not a pawnbroker as you might be imagining. The owner’s shop looks like any other, but I had heard whispers about special items being held in the back.”

“And so, you inquired if there was anything that matched your – my – hair comb that was not in one of the cases in the front of the store. Do I have the right of it?” Samantha asked.

“You are precisely correct. I simply could not believe my good fortune when the man presented his selection of goods and there was the very piece for which I was looking.”

“You did not look too eager to have it, did you?”

“Oh, no,” Harriet assured Samantha. “I did as mother used to do when she knew what she wanted but did not want us to know what it was that she wanted. I examined the ones I did not want before settling upon the one I truly wanted.”

Samantha sighed. “She was such a good mother. Loving. Cunning. And not without a sense of fun and adventure. I do hope I can be as good a mother as she was.”

Harriet took her sister’s hand. “You will be. I absolutely know you will be, for you were the best older sister for which a girl, such as myself, could ever ask.”

“Thank you. I admit to being quite nervous about it. It is silly I suppose to be nervous so soon. You can barely tell I am increasing, and yet, I feel so strongly that I must protect this child and do right by him or her.” Samantha waved the thought away. “But do not let my nerves keep you from telling me how finding Father’s watch led to Edmund capitulating.”

“Well, I saved it in my room until bedtime. Then, when I had heard Edmund close the door to his bedchamber, I quietly and carefully placed it on his desk for him to discover this morning, which is why the knocker was not on the door, why you had to use the servant’s entrance to see me, and why we are taking tea here and not in one of the family sitting rooms.”

“Oh, but the knocker was just being returned to the door when I arrived. It seems your punishment was not as long as supposed.” She smirked. “Or our brother has finally realized that allowing other gentlemen to call on you is greater punishment than keeping them away.”

Harriet chuckled. “Well, then, the joke is on him since no one has come to call, and things are just as they should be. But I tell you, he was as livid as I have ever seen him this morning. I actually feared he might expire from trying to rein in his temper for a few minutes when I refused to do exactly as he commanded.” She blew out a breath. “He even threatened punishment. That is why I supposed the knocker would remain off the door all day.” 

Samantha’s eyes grew wide. “Edmund threatened to punish you?”

“Indeed he did, but not without proper provocation. I questioned and pushed and refused to be moved. I had to, Sam. He simply had to know that I am not the sort of lady who would compromise his best man in any fashion. You know I would not do anything to harm either Edmund’s or Richard’s business – whatever it may be.” Here she gave her sister a pointed look.

“Whatever, indeed,” Samantha said with a laugh. “What have you discovered?”

Harriet moved her chair closer to her sister and lowered her voice. “Whatever he is doing is for the crown. It is coming from somewhere high enough that he cannot be badgered or completely tricked into saying. Therefore, while it seems that it has something to do with maids and prostitution –”

“Harriet!” her sister scolded. “Such language.”

“Why dress it up when it is just the two of us?” She shook her head. “As I was saying, while it appears to be about one thing, I believe it is something far more involved.” She drew a breath. “Spying perhaps? Secrets being sold? Smuggling? As I pondered it today, I grew more and more convinced that it must be something of that nature, for why else would some high ranking official be giving directions? For a lost maid? To stop a procuress from finding new, disease-free girls to fill her brothel?”

“Really, Harry,” Samantha muttered.

“But do you not agree?”

Samantha’s head bobbed gently from side to side as she thought before slowly starting to nod. “I cannot disagree. It seems plausible.”

Harriet blew out a breath. “It is quite an exciting thought. However, I must not do anything to confirm my suspicions. I promised Edmund that I would attempt to behave since he has promised to tell Richard that he can offer for me when next he sees him.”

“Ah, see, now there is the reason the knocker was not left off the door. He knows just how hard that is going to be for you and has deemed it punishment enough.” She chuckled. “To think that giving you what you want would be a punishment. You, my dear sister, are a very strange young woman.”

“Strangely wonderful,” Harriet countered with a smile.

“Indeed, we would not have you any other way – well, Edmund might currently wish to have you be more traditional, but I know your colonel loves you just as you are.”

“Miss,” Harriet’s maid poked her head into the room. “I apologize for interrupting, but I thought you should know that we have a caller – well, not we precisely, but your brother does.”

“And I need to know who this is, do I?”

Her maid nodded but did not say a word but smiled broadly.

No, it couldn’t be. Could it?

“Colonel Fitzwilliam?” Harriet asked.

“You did not hear it from me,” she replied. “Jimmy saw him and said he looks right worn out.”

He was here. But why? That was a troubling thought that caused her to draw a deep breath as she thought it.

“He should be in Hertfordshire.” She looked at her sister. “Something must have gone wrong. I do hope another maid has not gone missing.” She rose. “Do you mind if I leave you?”

“No. Go to him. Discover what you can. I will finish my tea and see myself out the way I came in. But…” she said as Harriet turned to leave. “I want to know all tomorrow.”

“We shall have a nice discussion over tea,” Harriet assured her before slipping out of the room to go find her colonel.


New Book, New Year, New Plans

Welcome to 2025! In this first What’s Up Wednesday video of the year, I’m giving an update on some of the things in my writing life.

  • I’ve got a new book.
  • I’ve got some audiobooks on YouTube.
  • I’ve made changes to my Patreon membership (with more possible in the future).
  • And… I’ve got some audacious goals – two of which I mentioned in this video.

Enjoy! (And I’ll be back on Saturday with 2025’s first Broadsheet!!)

<3 Leenie