As an author, my romance novels are often inspired by history and my latest book, Tempting Bella, is no exception. The story begins when a 13-year-old girl is forced to marry the heir to a dukedom in order to settle a gaming debt between their fathers.

It’s a provocative start, but the fact that it was inspired by a true story is what makes it even more compelling. However, as occurs in Tempting Bella,  the real-life union did not start as a happy one.

According to accounts from the time, the marriage was arranged after the first Duke of Richmond lost a round of cards to the first Earl of Cadogan. To settle the 5,000-pound debt, a marriage between Lord March, the duke’s heir, and Lady Sarah Cadogan, the earl’s daughter, was arranged.

It is unclear exactly who lost the game. Most accounts suggest Lord Cadogan won. However, his daughter was an heiress who would bring a great dowry to the union, so it’s possible the duke emerged victorious.

Whatever the case, the following day, the debt of honor was paid when Lord March was brought from university and young Sarah from the nursery, to stand before a clergyman. When the handsome young groom spotted the plain awkward girl, he is said to have exclaimed in disgust,  “You are surely not going to marry me to that dowdy!”

But whether he liked it or not, the marriage did indeed take place. Immediately afterward, the groom jumped into a waiting carriage and, accompanied by his tutor, headed off on his Grand Tour of the continent. The bride, meanwhile, returned to her mother and the nursery.

Years later, when Lord March returned home after his travels, he was known to be “a strikingly handsome, cultured young man” who wasn’t eager to renew his acquaintance with his “ugly duckling” wife.

On his first night back in London, avoiding a much-dreaded reunion with his wife, Lord March attended the opera. In the box opposite, he spied a beautiful woman and asked who she was.

“You must indeed be a stranger to London,” was the answer, “if you do not know the beautiful Lady March, the toast of the town!”

Shocked and disbelieving, Lord March went to the box and introduced himself. He was delighted to learn that it was true, the enchanting woman was none other than his wife.

The marriage is said to have been an enormously happy one. The Richmonds were known to kiss, coo and cuddle constantly. On one occasion, an acquaintance of the couple, Horace Walpole, said ”the duke sat by her side all night kissing her hand and gazing at his beautiful daughters.”

It was also a fruitful union. The couple made excellent use of the marriage bed. Sarah got pregnant twenty-eight times and twelve children survived. When the duke died in 1750 at the young age of 49, Sarah was despondent. She died a year later, in 1751, at the age of forty-five.

Those who knew the couple said the duchess died of a broken heart.

While I do re-imagine key parts of the Richmonds’ love story—such as the youthful marriage and the first sighting at the opera—Tempting Bella takes its own course as my hero and heroine struggle along their way toward happily ever after.

Here’s a preview and excerpt:

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You can read the entire first chapter of Tempting Bella, which features the wedding scene, here.

Night Owl Reviews TOP PICK! “A sweet romantic read with just a hint of spice.”

Contests & Awards

1st Place 2012 Laurie Contest

1st Place 2011 NJ Romance Writers PYHIAB Contest

1st Place 2011 Hot Prospects Contest

Finalist, 2011 Georgia Romance Writers Maggie Awards

Finalist, 2011 Golden Gateway Contest

Finalist, 2012 Sheila Contest

Finalist, 2012 Orange Rose Contest

Finalist, 2012 Duel on the Delta

Media:   

USA Today   Ashburn Patch