Free Christian Regency Romance Novella – Start Here!
A quiet wallflower. A wary spy. A dance of secrets.
Miss Lissa Gardinier may appear unremarkable in the ballrooms of Regency London, but her sharp wit and keen observations make her far more dangerous than society suspects. She’s trying to endure her second Season without offending anyone—again—and escape her mother’s relentless disapproval with a sensible marriage.
But when she crosses paths with the mysterious and guarded Lord Jeremy Stoude, her uneventful Season takes an unexpected turn into whispered secrets, hidden motives, and subtle sparks.
This novella, Lissa and the Spy, is a stand-alone story in the world of my Lady Wynwood’s Spies series and blends romance, suspense, and a dash of dry humor. If you’re new to my stories, this is the perfect place to start.
Here’s a snippet from the opening scene (including my annotations):
***
Spring, 1807
London
If only she were allowed to open her mouth.
Lissa reflected that in all fairness, she was not prohibited from opening her mouth. She was allowed to drink champagne and eat the delicacies offered by the host of the ball. She was allowed to discuss the weather, she was sure. And her mother likely wouldn’t be disappointed if she discussed fashion with a young lady or gentleman. She might even be allowed to say something ignorant about Napoleon, as long as she accompanied her words with a smile and a giggle.
But she had been ordered—under threat of being sent back home even in the midst of the Season—to keep her tongue under control while in London. Lissa didn’t think her tongue was particularly out of control. She had perfect control of her words. She had completely meant what she said when she compared Lady Adderly’s hat to a molting chicken (1).
And to be perfectly honest, she had been extremely polite when she asked Mr. Peterson to take more lessons from his dancing instructor. There was nothing rude about a gentle suggestion such as that, surely? (2)
Because she could have instead told him that he stomped on her foot like a bad-tempered donkey trying to maim its owner. She had exercised an iron grip on her tongue in that instance, and yet her mother had scolded her.
***
(1) This is an Easter egg. Laura, Lady Wynwood, might have also unfavorably described Lady Adderly’s hat in The Spinster’s Christmas
(2) In The Spinster’s Christmas, Aunt Lavinia gossiped about the rector’s wife, Mrs. Peterson, whose husband’s older brother became heir presumptive to an earldom. This poor gentleman with two left feet is Mrs. Peterson’s brother-in-law, but before the events that will lead to his expectations.
***
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