Author Note
Iâm a writer, not a historian, but I do try for historical accuracy. I also like to respect the conventions of the Regency genre, particularly if they contribute to making good stories.
Announcing an engagement in the London newspapers is one of the conventions of Regency romance, but I learned from people who have reason to know that such announcements were not found until the Victorian era. Alas, the plot of Arabella and Matthewâs story hinges on such an announcement. What was I to do?
I spent a wakeful night mulling it over, and decided I had to address the issue somehow, either within the story itself (fortunately, I was in revisions) or in this note. But when I contemplated adding a few sentences explaining why this particular announcement was unusual but possible⦠I just couldnât make myself do it, because I felt it would detract from the flow of the story. Not only that, I like this particular convention of Regency romance.
Iâm addressing the issue here. For those who prefer historical accuracy, look at it this wayâthe announcement was a tool in the hands of Arabellaâs unscrupulous uncle. No, such an announcement wasnât usual, that doesnât mean a greedy man couldnât have come up with it as a strategy to force his exasperating niece to marry the man of his choice.
Either way, I hope it works.
London: January, 1802
A lady should never run, but Arabella Wilbanks lifted her skirts and positively sprinted up Cavendish Street toward home. âThere must be some mistake,â she panted at Ralph, her footman, who was doing his best to keep up. âMy uncle wouldnât dare do such a thing!â
Ralph nodded and responded, âMistake,â but his worried eyes told another story. So did the butler, when he opened the door to Arabellaâs frantic peal of the bell.
She swept into the entrance hall, out of breath and furious. âHave you heard about thisâthis preposterous announcement of my engagement, Chalmers?â
The butler, her oldest and dearest ally in avoiding marriage, nodded in sad-eyed sympathy. âYour uncle informed me of the impending nuptials only ten minutes ago, Miss Arabella.â
âHe didnât see fit to inform me!â she cried. âHe simply put a notice in the papers without as much as a by-your-leave!â She paused to catch her breath. âI already told him, several times, that I donât wish to marry Sir Reginald Rotherton.â
âIâm very sorry, miss, butââ
âI had to hear the news from a mere acquaintance,â she interrupted. ââCongratulations, Miss Wilbanks! Sir Reginald is such a good catch. So elegant and distinguished-looking. When is the wedding to be?â Pah! There will be no wedding, and so I told her.â
Chalmers drooped. âIâm sorry, miss, but what shall I do? Mr. Wilbanks gave orders thatââ
âYou will obey me, unless you wish to find yourself in the street.â Her uncleâs stocky form appeared at the top of the stairs. âThat goes for you, too, Ralph, and for Miss Arabellaâs maid. Iâm wise to your tricks, and if any of you attempt to help her avoid this marriage, Iâll see to it that none of you work in London again.â
After a stunned silence, he added with a triumphant sniff, âBe off with you and set the wedding preparations in motion. Arabella, come up here this instant. We have much to discuss.â
âWe have nothing to discuss,â Arabella said, but nevertheless she tossed her gloves and hat onto the table by the door and obeyed. She marched up the stairs and into Uncle Wilburâs study. He man had retreated behind his desk, back straight, hands clasped, pompous, authoritarian and utterly stupid.
Well, perhaps not utterly so, but close enough. It had taken him ages to realise how the servants had helped her avoid proposals from her various suitors.
âHow dare you arrange a marriage and announce it without even consulting me?â she said.
He made his horrid little twitch of the nose and sniffed. âIf it were left up to you, Arabella, you would never marry.â
That wasnât true. If the right man asked her, she would marry him gladly and with all her heart. But he would never ask, so to all intents and purposes her uncle was right. She evaded the question. âI certainly shanât marry Sir Reginald.â