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Book Title: The Husband Criteria
Series: The Lorings, Book #3
Author: Catherine Kullmann
Publication Date: 24 August 2023
Publisher: Willow Books
Page Length: 297
Genre: Historical Romance / Regency Romance
London 1817
The primary aim of every young lady embarking on the Spring frenzy that is the Season must be to make a good match. Or must it? And what is a good match? For cousins Cynthia, Chloe and Ann, well aware that the society preux chevalier may prove to be a domestic tyrant, these are vital questions. How can they discover their suitors’ true character when all their encounters must be confined to the highly ritualised round of balls, parties and drives in the park?
As they define and refine their Husband Criteria, Cynthia finds herself unwillingly attracted to aloof Rafe Marfield, heir to an earldom, while Chloe is pleased to find that Thomas Musgrave, the vicar’s son from home, is also in London. And Ann must decide what is more important to her, music or marriage.
And what of the gentlemen who consider the marriage mart to be their hunting grounds? How will they react if they realise how rigorously they are being assessed?
A light-hearted, entertaining look behind the scenes of a Season that takes a different course with unexpected consequences for all concerned.
Universal Link: https://mybook.to/criteria
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CBKZCBVX
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBKZCBVX
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CBKZCBVX
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CBKZCBVX
Catherine Kullmann was born and educated in Dublin. Following a three-year courtship conducted mostly by letter, she moved to Germany where she lived for twenty-five years before returning to Ireland. She has worked in the Irish and New Zealand public services and in the private sector. Widowed, she has three adult sons and two grandchildren.
Catherine has always been interested in the extended Regency period, a time when the foundations of our modern world were laid. She loves writing and is particularly interested in what happens after the first happy end—how life goes on for the protagonists and sometimes catches up with them. Her books are set against a background of the offstage, Napoleonic wars and consider in particular the situation of women trapped in a patriarchal society.
She is the author of The Murmur of Masks, Perception & Illusion, A Suggestion of Scandal, The Duke’s Regret, The Potential for Love, A Comfortable Alliance and Lady Loring’s Dilemma.
Catherine also blogs about historical facts and trivia related to this era. You can find out more about her books and read her blog (My Scrap Album) at her website. You can contact her via her Facebook page or on Twitter.
Website: http://www.catherinekullmann.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CKullmannAuthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catherinekullmannauthor
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/catherine-kullmann
Amazon Author Page: http://viewauthor.at/ckullmannamazonpage
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15549457.Catherine_Kullmann
Excerpt
Chapter Eleven
Cynthia brandished the latest copy of The Ladies’ Universal Register as she came into her mother’s dressing room.
“Listen to this, Mamma. From Tonnish Topics and Society Secrets. ‘The most sought-after invitations this Season are not to balls, routs, or pick-nicks, but to the intimate evenings held in some of the best houses where multiple generations of family and close friends meet, mingle, and entertain one another. We understand that amateur theatricals are very popular, the more gothick and melodramatic the better, with each House hoping to contest the palm first won at Swanmere House.’”
“That is most gratifying,” Mamma said. “I am glad that we have had our turn, for all the hostesses will now vie with each other to put on the most gruesome entertainment. Our Witches’ Sabbath would seem very tame in comparison.”
“It was just Macbeth and some Purcell,” Cynthia said, “but between Ann’s music and the boys’ capering, it was quite effective. They also have something about Chloe’s ball.”
“Oh? What do they say?”
“‘Last week’s ball at Swanmere House was marked by the first appearance in Society of Lord Stanton, heir to the Duke of Gracechurch, who took advantage of the Oxford vacation to lead out Miss Loring in the opening dance. He subsequently proved an amiable and personable dancing partner to several of our young ladies and we look forward to the day when he shall regularly grace our ballrooms. It was a most successful evening, we are told, with some forty couple standing up for the finishing dance in the early hours of the morning.’”
“Is there anything about Almack’s?”
Cynthia skimmed down the page. “Attendance at the April balls was less than expected, ‘no doubt due to the further adjournment of Parliament and the postponement of the Queen’s drawing-room. We are relieved to report that her Majesty continues to recover from her indisposition.’ Otherwise it is just the usual on-dits and hints at new crim cons. I’ll leave it here for you.”
“Thank you.” Her mother looked up as her maid entered the room.
“A note for Miss Glazebrook, ma’am. The footman is to wait for a reply.”
“It’s probably from Chloe,” Cynthia said, opening the note. “No—it’s from Marfield. He invites me to drive in the Park with him later. He wishes to call for me at four o’clock.”
“You have no other engagements this afternoon, have you?” Mamma asked.
“No.” Cynthia went to her mother’s little writing desk and penned a brief acceptance. She handed the note to the maid, striving to seem as if she received such invitations from earls’ sons every day. As soon as the door closed, she sank into a chair. “Well, that is something I had not expected, especially after this morning.”
“What do you mean, this morning?”
“I knocked on his front door at half-past nine, disturbed his breakfast by the looks of it.”
“What!”
“I didn’t know it was his door,” Cynthia protested, and described the little encounter. “I couldn’t leave the poor man just sitting there, could I? They were still wrestling with the horses, and he could not move of his own volition.”
Mamma sighed. “No, if there was nobody else to go to his aid, you must have done so. Thank goodness it was Marfield, and not some rakehell.”
Cynthia laughed. “You should have seen his face. I have never seen anybody so shocked in all my life.”
“At least it shows that he is not used to females on his doorstep.”
“That is true.”
“What will you wear this afternoon?”
“My new pelisse over the muslin trimmed with cerise ribbons. It has no flounces or lace that might catch when I climb into the curricle.”
“An excellent choice. Wear the bonnet with the turned-back brim so that he can see your face. I wonder sometimes what a gentleman thinks when a lady buries herself so deeply that he can either try to see her or tend to his horses. It’s a wonder there are not more accidents.”
“Perhaps that explains why so many gentlemen look so bored when driving a lady,” Cynthia said as she carefully refolded Marfield’s note. Normally she did not bother keeping such things, but this one was different. He had struck the perfect note between formal and personal, she thought.
My dear Miss Glazebrook,
I trust you have recovered from this morning’s little contretemps and will do me the honour of driving in the Park with me in the afternoon. Should it suit you, I shall call for you in my curricle at four o’clock.
I have instructed the footman to wait for your reply.
Your obedient servant,
Marfield.
My dear Lord Marfield,
Thank you for your kind enquiry and invitation. I shall be happy to drive in the Park with you at four o’clock this afternoon.
Yours etc.
Cynthia Glazebrook
© Catherine Kullmann 2023
