Tag Archives: Jane Austen

Weekly Words from Miss Darcy’s Dictionary

Miss Darcy has been apprised by the DSRC that some of the readers of her correspondence are not totally up to snuff on the Regency language. She understands that time is a precious commodity so she thought it might be fun to define some of these antiquated words.

Some of the members of Sweet’s Racing Club have been known to use cant (Regency slang) when in a private room among friends. Never in front of the ladies.  But it would be an adventure for all of us to be reminded of even these meanings.

When regaling you concerning the rumors surrounding the proxy marriage of Lord Wilton, she may have used several unfamiliar words. It’s very similar to when Miss Darcy arrived in America, she felt as if she had to learn a new language.

Miss Darcy’s Dictionary

So here are several words that you might not know but will help in understanding the Regency world.

To disguise is to pretend to be something one is not. An impersonation. To create a different appearance in order to conceal one’s identity.

In Regency times to be disguised is to be drunk. To be foxed or castaway is similar.

Misalliance is a marriage of two people unsuited to each other either on a social, financial or national level.

Addlepated means to be mixed up or confused. Although it seems a modern word, it was first used in 1630.

Missish means prim or prudish. Acting like an innocent maiden. Ah! Miss Darcy remembers those days.

Fustian is high-flown or affected writing or speech; broadly :anything high-flown or affected in style. Used occasionally as an exclamation.

Miss Darcy loves to hear from you! Although her correspondence is extensive she always has time for faithful readers. She answers all inquiries as etiquette requires! Three fastest ways to reach her? Leave comments below this post. Miss Darcy loves these.

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Your faithful correspondent,

Miss Karla Darcy

PS: There is much to be learned in the coming months as Miss Darcy sifts through the rumors and gossip. Surely you don’t want to be left in the dark!

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Miss Darcy is Appalled! The American Bride! Romance? Pshaw!

Miss Darcy quizzed one of the Daughters of Sweet’s Racing Club (DSRC), Alicia Weathersfield, who revealed the titillating rumor about her ancestor, Lord Wilton. Miss Darcy was able to ferret out the fact that he had gotten himself into quite a coil (disturbance or fuss) through the machinations of his grandmother, the Duchess of Landglower.

A proxy marriage was arranged between Wilton and, of all people, an American girl. What a corkbrained (idiotic) proposition! What good can come of such a misalliance?

Downton Abbey devotees would tell you an American bride wed to an English lord does not lead to financial salvation! The book The American Bride tells a rousing tale of the bride’s escapades on her arrival in England. And what a doozy it is!

The American BrideDevil take it! Miss Darcy was scandalized by what she read. Excerpt from The American Bride:

“I wish I were dead.”

“Nonsense, Caroline. Where’s your backbone?” the Duchess of Landglower snapped.

“But I’ve never even seen this Lord Wilton. What if he’s repulsive?”

“Your marriage, my dear child, is unquestionably legal,” the Duchess announced. “It was conducted three months ago in my own household with duly authorized witnesses. I stood as proxy for you in this instance.”

“Couldn’t it be annulled?”

“Impossible!” Came the adamant reply.

“Oh, Grandmother, ” Cara moaned, “I wish that I had never left America.”

Arms resting on her knees, hands clasped in silent supplication, she leaned toward the Duchess.

“My marriage really can’t be legal, Grandmother,” Cara pleaded. “After all, I’ve never even set eyes on Lord Wilton.”

“Now, my child, there are certain facts that must be accepted.” The Duchess held up one elegant blue-veined hand curtailing the younger girl’s outburst. “First, the marriage is incontestably valid.”

Miss Darcy is appalled that this innocent young girl might be bedded by a total stranger but what options has Cara? In Downton Abbey, the American bride did save the estate. Not the same thing here, don’t you know?

Even Jane Austen would be hard pressed to wrap this story in plain linen (offer a positive spin.) Miss Darcy is well aware you can’t resist learning the rest of the story, can you?

To Buy or Download a Sample of The American Bride Click HERE.

Your faithful correspondent,

Karla Darcy

PS: The best way to keep in touch with Miss Darcy is to subscribe to her mailing list. She’ll send you opportunities to download free books and pre-publication announcement offers for members only.

And of course, as your faithful correspondent, Miss Darcy will make you privy (share the knowledge of a secret) to any news items worthy of her attention. Subscribe HERE.

 

 

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The American Bride! Scandal, Disguises and Romance!

Miss Darcy has discovered a treasure trove of documents from one of the Daughter’s of Sweet’s Racing Club (DSRC) setting her heart a flutter. As you know a traveling chest has been found. Although normally she would never cry rope (tattle) Miss Darcy went to a dreadful squeeze of the first consequence (large gathering of society)over the American holiday of Thanksgiving. There one of the guests, a descendent of the Landglowers,was foxed (drunk) and confirmed one of the rumors that was circulating about Julian Weatherfield, grandson of the Duchess of Landglower, having married an American. The rumor which Miss Darcy has been at great pains to confirm concerns a proxy marriage. Certainly a havey cavey (helter-skelter) affair.

The American Bride

 

The whole story is contained in a historical novel HERE. Married by proxy!  Will Caroline Leland be bedded by a total stranger when she arrives in England in this delightful romantic comedy?  Can this feisty American heiress find love and happiness married to an English lord she has never seen?  Cara disguises herself as a dowdy governess to observe her new husband.  He’s arrogant and annoying but so very handsome and alluring. She’s courting danger and seduction with this disguise. To avoid discovery all she need do is remain quietly in the background.  What an impossible task for this independent rebel!

To buy or download a sample click HERE.

 

Your faithful Correspondent,

Karla Darcy

PS: If you are not signed up yet to Miss Darcy’s regular correspondence, please sign up now! You don’t want to miss this! Click HERE!

 

 

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The Masked Heart Revealed!

Miss Darcy is elated that so many of you ignored the gossipmongers and instead learned the truth contained in The Masked Heart. Your  enthusiasm after her latest disclosures sent the book climbing to lofty heights on the Amazon list of the top 100 Free books in Historical Fiction. It couldn’t have happened without tons of friends and supporters of the Daughters of Sweet’s Racing Club.

Soon Miss Darcy will vouchsafe (grant in a gracious manner) other tales of romance and intrigue that have been revealed to her by members of the DSRC. A traveling chest has been discovered in the attics of Weathersfield Hall, one the homes originally owned by the legendary Duke and Duchess of Landglower.

 The Masked Heart

 Documents are being authenticated at this time and once that process has been completed Miss Darcy will be able to bring to light more of the history of the gentlemen members of Sweet’s.

 

As you are aware now, most of the gossip concerning the history of Lord Farrington and La Solitaire was a Banbury tale (a lie.) In case you missed the truth contained in The Masked Heart, you can download it HERE.

Your faithful Correspondent,

Karla Darcy

PS: If you are not signed up yet to Miss Darcy’s regular correspondence, please sign up now! You don’t want to miss this! Click HERE!

 

 

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Karla Darcy Loves Swashbuckling Historical Romance, Don’t You?

Miss Darcy laments the amount of rumor that has swirled around the identity of La Solitaire, the mysterious actress who took London by storm. We’re not talking some horrid clandestine affair with a scheming hussy of an opera dancer but a celebrated actress with an unsullied reputation. As you can imagine the mere thought that a duel might be fought over her between Lord Andrew Farrington and Talbott Stoddard has the ton atwitter. The gentlemen of Sweet’s Racing Club have been close to putting up their dabblers (raising their fists to fight) in their rush to make the winning entry in the betting book. Dear readers, Miss Darcy would never cry rope (tattle) but she would like you to be aware of the truth. Find out for yourself the true story contained in . It is free Sunday, November 18th only. You can download the kindle version at Amazon absolutely free.

HERE.

Delicious gossip debunked. Miss Blaine Meriweather is a young woman of good family whose estate is in financial shambles. How will she care for her brother and sister? Out of options, she becomes the astonishing actress La Solitaire! A brave but birdwitted idea of course. Imagine the scandal if anyone discovers her identity! Blaine’s wild success saves her family. All should be well. The only thing she hadn’t counted on was Lord Farrington, who is determined to make La Solitaire his mistress! Blaine’s finest acting is required to save her virtue, her family, and their honor. It would have been so easy, if only Blaine hadn’t fallen in love….

Secret identities, intrigue and Love! To download, click HERE.

Your faithful Correspondent,

Karla Darcy

PS: If you are not signed up yet to Miss Darcy’s regular correspondence, please sign up now! You don’t want to miss this! Click HERE!

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Karla Darcy Channels Jane Austen Style Regency Romance

Despite Miss Darcy’s attempt to expose the truth about Lord Farrington’s affair of the heart, the gossip is far off the mark. The ton (fashionable society) is all-a-gog at the ramshackle behavior in the London theatre. While it is true that Farrington threatened to draw Talbott Stoddard’s cork (punch him), he is far too civilized to carry out such a deed. Both combatants retired to Sweet’s Racing Club for a game of whist. Dear readers, Miss Darcy is aware that you want to know what really happened. Instead of listening to the scandalmongers, you should hear the true story contained in The Masked Heart that you can get for free Saturday, November 17th. You can download the kindle version at Amazon absolutely free by clicking HERE.

Pray forgive Miss Darcy if she gives you a hint of details to be disclosed. Miss Blaine Meriweather is a young woman of good family whose estate is in financial shambles. How will she care for her brother and sister? Out of options, she becomes the astonishing actress La Solitaire! Imagine the scandal if anyone discovers her identity! Blaine’s wild success saves her family. All should be well. The only thing she hadn’t counted on was Lord Farrington, who is determined to make La Solitaire his mistress! Blaine’s finest acting is required to save her virtue, her family, and their honor. It would have been so easy, if only Blaine hadn’t fallen in love….

Will Blaine save her family from disaster?

Your faithful Correspondent,

Karla Darcy

PS: If you are not signed up yet to receive Miss Darcy’s regular correspondence, please sign up now! You don’t want to miss this! Click HERE!

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Karla Darcy Exposes Sweet’s Racing Club Romance!

Miss Darcy confided yesterday Lord Farrington’s infatuation with an actress, however she was not cognizant of the betting book entry at Sweet’s Racing Club. In Regency times many clubs had a book where a member could enter a bet. Who knew that the odds were not solidly in favor of Farrington winning La Solitaire? The other contender was the dastardly Talbott Stoddard. Virtue besieged! A possible duel!  Devil confound it! What more could endanger Blaine Meriweather. Miss Darcy is at sixes and sevens (a state of confusion or disorder) and needs to clear up any lingering uncertainty so she is offering HERE. free on Friday, November 16th. You can download the kindle version at Amazon absolutely free.

HERE.

Would Miss Darcy be henwitted enough to tell you anything but a dazzling story? Miss Blaine Meriweather is a young woman of good family whose estate is in financial shambles. How will she care for her brother and sister? Out of options, she becomes the astonishing actress La Solitaire! Imagine the scandal if anyone discovers her identity! Blaine’s wild success saves her family. All should be well. The only thing she hadn’t counted on was Lord Farrington, who is determined to make La Solitaire his mistress! Blaine’s finest acting is required to save her virtue, her family, and their honor. It would have been so easy, if only Blaine hadn’t fallen in love….

Will she save her family from disaster? To download, click HERE.

Your faithful Correspondent,

Karla Darcy

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Karla Darcy’s Humorous Regency Romance Free For You!

Miss Darcy confessed yesterday that the Sweet’s Racing Club was all atwitter over the scandalous behavior of Lord Andrew Farrington and that beguiling minx, Blaine Meriweather. Miss Darcy has unearthed the shocking truth behind this romantic affair of the heart. Disguises, chases and intrigue! Wouldn’t you want to be privy to the latest on dits? (For those not up on our Regency “cant” or slang those words mean “It is said” – a piece of gossip –a vague rumor.) Miss Darcy wishes to set the rumors straight so she is offering free on Thursday, November 15th. You can download the kindle version at Amazon absolutely free. Downton Abbey is quite mundane compared to this story.

HERE.

Despite the tittle-tattle circulating around the social set this is a charming romance. Miss Blaine Meriweather is a young woman of good family whose estate is in financial shambles. How will she care for her brother and sister? Out of options, she becomes the astonishing actress La Solitaire! Imagine the scandal if anyone discovers her identity! Blaine’s wild success saves her family. All should be well. The only thing she hadn’t counted on was Lord Farrington, who is determined to make La Solitaire his mistress! Blaine’s finest acting is required to save her virtue, her family, and their honor. It would have been so easy, if only Blaine hadn’t fallen in love….

Will her virtue survive? To download, click HERE.

Your faithful Correspondent,

Karla Darcy

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Karla Darcy, Downton Abbey, and Jane Austen, Oh, My!

Piffle! Miss Darcy can’t believe what a havey-cavey (unsteady or disorderly) situation one of the gentlemen of Sweet’s Racing Club has gotten into. She would like you to hear for yourself what transpired in the London theater when Lord Farrington endeavored to make La Solitaire his mistress. The celebrated actress who has bedazzled London is a total mystery. None of the men who have pursured her have won her favors. November 14th you can download the kindle version at Amazon absolutely free. Despite the rumors circling around the social set The Masked Heart is a delightful romance. Full of historical details of the London theater in the Regency era. And, oh my, the romance! Better than waiting for Downton Abbey reruns!

Miss Blaine Meriweather is a young woman of good family whose estate is in financial shambles. How will she care for her brother and sister? Out of options, she becomes the astonishing actress La Solitaire! Imagine the scandal if anyone discovers her identity! Blaine’s wild success saves her family. All should be well. The only thing she hadn’t counted on was Lord Farrington, who is determined to make La Solitaire his mistress! Blaine’s finest acting is required to save her virtue, her family, and their honor. It would have been so easy, if only Blaine hadn’t fallen in love….

Surely you’re not birdwitted enough to miss the opportunity to learn all the romantic details. To download, click HERE.

Your faithful Correspondent,

Karla Darcy

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Karla Darcy’s Special Raffle Winner!

Miss Darcy is so excited that Rafflecopter picked a winner of the Special Raffle. The winner’s name is posted. Did you win? CLICK HERE

Special Bonus Prizes will be available for 24 hours only. Check your email to find out if you are a winner.  Miss Darcy has sent you an email with information to collect your bonus.

Thanks for participating in our special raffle.  Miss Darcy is so relieved that the $20.00 Amazon Gift Card won’t go to waste and pleased to reward her friends with this bonus.

 

 

Did you enjoy this raffle?  Would you like to see more of these? Leave a comment below to Miss Darcy so she’ll know what you prefer.

Your faithful correspondent,

Karla Darcy

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