Twelve Letters

In Regency London, Jolyon Everett is determined to dissuade his irascible friend, Captain Ben Harding, from fighting a duel. However, before commencing on the pressing business of defusing Ben's misplaced anger, Jo writes two notes -- one to Percy Havilland, his very demanding paramour, and the other to his tailor, Daniel Walters. With those trifles out of the way, he can concentrate on persuading Ben to reprieve young Edward Stephens, a newly qualified doctor, who Jo suspects has a serious crush on Ben. But the best-laid plans can go awry, as do the letters. As well as a furious Ben, Jo finds himself at the mercy of an outraged Percy and an amorous tailor. Can he convince Ben not to shoot Edward after all? Will he soothe Percy's ruffled feathers? And might Jo realise true love can be found under the most unexpected conditions?

Sequel to Twelve Letters In the autumn of 1814, the Honourable Percy Havilland is generally content with his sheltered existence in London's exclusive Mayfair. As a society beau, renowned for his fair and youthful beauty and an object of desire to other well-born gentlemen, Percy is slightly miffed his personal life is not running as seamlessly as he might wish. His good-natured lover from the spring season, Jo Everett, has inexplicably lost interest, and his replacement, Nathaniel Brooks, is far too hard-headed to be cajoled and manipulated into pandering to Percy's every whim. But these trifles are cast into proportion when, out of the blue, a family scandal of immense proportions threatens Percy's peace of mind and his standing amongst the ton. Fearing rejection or even social banishment, to his surprise, Percy discovers a small, unconventional band of friends, including Jo, who are prepared to stick by him. And more importantly, he finds Nathan is utterly reliable in a crisis. Will Percy remain spoiled, immature, and pampered? Or can he grow from this disaster to appreciate the value of true friendship? Might he even learn to love?

Sequel to Queer Relations After the London Season of 1815, Percy Havilland is at a loose end, having guided his younger sister Eustacia through her come out despite the social impact of a disastrous family scandal. Accustomed to being spoiled and generally admired, although still wealthy, he is shunned by most of the ton. Also, he misses looking after his sister now she's returned to the family estate in Sussex. Taking his frustrations out on Nathaniel Brooks, his long-suffering lover, only makes Percy more uncertain about his future. Percy's good friend Jo Everett is having his own problems, thwarted in his dearest wish to share a home with the love of his life, hardworking Bond Street tailor Daniel Walters. And Captain Ben Harding and Dr. Edward Stephens realise the course of true love doesn't always run smoothly. Can this society of gentlemen solve their romantic dilemmas to their satisfaction? And might Percy, with a birthday looming, surprise himself by opening up to love?

Sequel to Coming of Age The group of Regency men who meet each Thursday at The Golden Lion in London's St James' find their lives become increasingly intertwined during the early autumn of 1815. Now the long wars with France are finally over, Jo Everett and Captain Ben Harding are heavily involved with their charity to assist injured ex-servicemen, as well as encountering personal complications. Ben's romantic interest Edward Stephens remains a hundred miles away in Wiltshire, and although Jo and his true love Daniel Walters are in the same city, they are no closer to fulfilling their dream of sharing a home. Reformed brat Percy Havilland has a deluge of relatives and increasingly convoluted family problems to deal with in his new Chelsea abode, distracting him from his older partner Nathan Brooks. As the gentlemen juggle their feelings and duties, Ben's former commanding officer involves them in capturing a spy ring that has inveigled the most exclusive ranks of high society. Their remit is to help foil Napoleon's restoration as Emperor of France before he reaches the remote island of St. Helena and permanent exile. Can this motley group of Regency men attain their happy ever after with their chosen partners? And as the nefarious treachery plays out in the select ballrooms of Mayfair, might Percy save the day by flirting for England?

Sequel to Gentlemen's Agreement At the start of 1816, Luc Gerrard is summoned home to rural Essex from his sanctuary in the West Indies due to a dangerous downturn in his mother's health. When she recovers, Luc is determined to pick up his musical employment in London's theatres, concert halls and ballrooms. He receives support and even friendship from a surprising source, the circle of gentlemen who spirited him away from certain arrest due to his connection with his former lover and Napoleonic plotter, James Beaufort. Luc juggles his pride and finances while attempting to gain an orchestral position at Drury Lane Theatre for the upcoming spring Season. Bittersweet memories are revived when he inevitably meets his longtime companion and sometime lover, Harry Kent. However, charming, easy-going casual Harry seems changed by Luc's absence. Can Luc re-establish his interrupted career with a little help from his new friends? And might he and Harry find a lasting connection?

Sequel to Gentlemen's Agreement Some of the gentlemen who meet weekly for supper at The Golden Lion in London's St. James' are preoccupied with the prospect of matrimony. The Honourable Percy Havilland is at full organisational pelt for his sister's triumphant society marriage, ably backed by his friends. His frequent stress-induced outbursts are endured by his ever-patient lover, Nathan. Percy has mixed feelings about the upcoming nuptials, the sorrow at losing one of his precious sisters balanced by the opportunity of exhibiting his exquisite good taste to make this the wedding of the season. His friend Jo Everett reacts differently to the wedding, desiring an equivalent opportunity to mark his enduring love for Daniel Walters. Will Percy manage to survive the wedding without falling out irreparably with Nathan? And might Jo and Daniel discover they have the support of their close circle to celebrate their own special day?

Sequel to May Wedding In early December of 1817, shortly before the ton retires to the countryside for the winter, Percy Havilland decides to hold an informal Yuletide afternoon party for his companions and family. Within the unconventional social array of guests are Percy's closest friends, the four couples consisting of gentlemen and working men who meet for supper each Thursday evening at The Golden Lion tavern. Percy's aims are supported by his long-suffering and ever-reliable lover, Nathan. Meanwhile, gentleman Jo Everett relishes that he can proudly attend a social occasion with his life partner, the tailor Daniel Walters. And musician Luc has a private plan for Christmas to reveal to his actor sweetheart, Harry. But amongst these happy couples, all is not well between Captain Ben Harding and Edward Stephens. Can Ben's best friend Jo intervene on Edward's behalf? Or might Ben have already reached a decision, leaving Edward heartbroken?

Sequel to A Festive Gathering at Chelsea In the winter of 1817, Drury Lane Theatre actor Henry Kent, otherwise known as Harry Smith, ventures into deepest Essex to meet the parents of his French musician lover Luc Gerrard. Harry isn't sure what to expect away from the familiar bustle of London, apart from being bored witless in the countryside. He's never come across a couple of French aristocrats at close quarters. But Harry is nothing if resourceful and charming, and besides, he's with Luc, which is what matters. But once surrounded by the family that Luc adores, Harry can't help thinking of his relatives across the Essex border on the Kent coast. Harry made a clean break when he left Whitstable four years ago to pursue his career on the London stage, resulting in his parents' fury and a flat ultimatum. He has only renewed contact with them by letter in recent months, with Luc's encouragement. Should Harry let things lie? Or might he summon the courage to make a trip to the seaside in an attempt at reconciliation?

Sequel to The Way Home In 1818, Jolyon Everett's happy existence in Regency London seems assured with his lover Daniel Walters and their tight-knit group of companions, consisting of three other couples. When Edward Stephens, the sweetheart of Jo's best friend, Captain Ben Harding, comes to Jo for advice, his family issue seems the only blot on a clear horizon. But soon, Jo faces another dilemma, involving a threat of blackmail looming over his and Daniel's relationship with alarming ramifications for their friends. By banding together, can the small society of men fend off this encroaching peril? And will Jo and Daniel be able to continue their life together, uninterrupted from danger?