THE IDEA BEHIND THE STORY
I asked Wareeze how she came up with the plot for Conduct Unbecoming of a Gentleman. Here is her response:
Conduct Unbecoming of a Gentleman sprang from a news report I watched on TV. This report was a follow up interview. A reporter had found a young woman digging through the garbage at a burger place and asked her why. She told him her children were hungry, and she didn’t have any money. Somewhat taken aback, he suggested she go to the Child Protective Agency and apply for assistance. She started crying, afraid the Agency would take her children away from her, but he convinced her to give the Agency a chance. The Agency did help her. I’m certain she had to deal with miles of red tape as is usually the case when dealing with the government. Still, it was worth it in the end. She could feed her children without feeding them out of the garbage. All ended well for her and her children.
I wanted a heroine in Conduct Unbecoming of a Gentleman that would fight to the death for her child if necessary. The law afforded all the rights to the guardian in that day and age, but Lady Laurel Laningham fought to stay with her young son, even in the face of censure on every side. Scorned, subjected to false accusations and rumors, she endured all to remain in her son’s life. In spite of all of her sister-in-law’s lies, she fought through every challenge. She certainly had her weak moments and made some unwise choices, but all in all, she deserved admiration for her courage and determination.
Recently widowed Lady Laurel Laningham flees Landings to escape her untenable position. Alone now and at the mercy of her sister-in-law, she decides to nestle under her aunt’s wings for a spell. To add to her burdens, her young son’s new guardian, Lord Adron Gladrey, has announced his intentions to take complete charge of his ward. The killer is stalking her and a devious jewel thief is stealing the family jewels. Can she convince her son’s guardian she is not a dangerous lunatic and is perfectly capable of raising her son or will he always consider her untrustworthy as a mother to his ward? Will his stubborn blindness send her straight into the path of the murderer, or will he relent in time to save her from following her husband into the grave?
AN EXCERPT
His voice floated down to her. “Are you or the child injured?”
“I think several scrapes and bruises at most.” Laurel trembled and brushed her bonnet out of her face. She heard his quick intake of breath.
“You’re positive? You must have taken quite a tumble when the coach overturned. Possibly you’re more injured than you know.”
“Only a little shaken.” She took a deep, calming breath then continued with more force. “I’m certain we’re both fine.”
He hesitated and exhaled deeply. “A damsel in distress then. Do you perhaps have a name?”
Authority rang in his voice. She clutched Jamie a little tighter and offered him a tremulous smile. “Laurel Jane Laningham. Thank you for coming to our rescue.” She shaded her eyes with one hand, waiting for him to return the introduction.
“Let’s get you out of there. Hand me the boy first.”
He reached down into the overturned coach and Laurel lifted Jamie above her head into the waiting arms of the stranger. Her rescuer leapt to the ground with her son. A chill of foreboding curled around her. He’d said the boy. An unknown man shouldn’t know the child was a male. With every one of her senses alert, she listened intently for the stranger to return. Saddle leather squeaked and the thunder of hooves struck the ground in retreat.
Laurel screamed, “Bring my son back. I’ll see you hanged for this, you blackguard. Come back here. Help. Driver, help me.”
SPECIAL LINKS
Wareeze will be awarding one eBook to two randomly drawn commenters during the tour, and one $50 GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour.Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:
Website: www.wareezewoodson.com
Twitter: @wareeze
