Mistress of My Fate
Page 46
The places and most of the events referred to are also real, as are a number of the shops, inns, and eighteenth-century products mentioned. Hooper’s Female Pills were advertised widely in the newspapers for their abilities to “remove obstructions from the womb, and bring on the menses.” Blatchford’s elixir is invented, but based on similar “purgative” tonics available to women for the purposes of inducing abortion.
And finally, a word about The Sorrows of Young Werther. Hetty and Allenham were not the only young people to succumb to “Werther fever.” Goethe’s novel quite literally rocked Europe. In the late eighteenth century, it became a cultural phenomenon and jettisoned its author to fame. Plays, operas, firework displays, porcelain ware, fans, clothing, even fragrances were created to commemorate his book, which was also rumoured to be responsible for a number of copy-cat suicides. Where literary sensations are concerned, some things never change.
Acknowledgments
I have a number of people to thank for their input, advice, support, and faith. My agent, Claire Conrad at Janklow and Nesbit in London, has been exceptionally helpful, as had her fantastic counterpart in New York, Tina Bennett. Similarly, I owe a great debt to my editor at Grand Central, Deb Futter, for her enthusiasm and her belief in this book, as well as to Jane Lawson, in London, and to Dianne Choie for helping us along the way.
Finally, none of this would have been possible without the love and encouragement of my husband, friends, and family. It is to you that I owe the biggest expression of gratitude.
About the Author
HALLIE RUBENHOLD is an historian and broadcaster and an authority on British eighteenth-century social history. She has written two works of nonfiction to critical acclaim: The Covent Garden Ladies and Lady in Red. Mistress of My Fate is the first in the series The Confessions of Henrietta Lightfoot. Hallie lives in London with her husband.
Visit her website: www.HallieRubenhold.com
Also by Hallie Rubenhold
The Lady in Red
The Covent Garden Ladies
Contents
Welcome
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Author’s Note: Historical Fact vs. Historical Fiction
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Also by Hallie Rubenhold
Copyright
Copyright
This book is a work of historical fiction. In order to give a sense of the times, some names or real people or places have been included in the book. However, Henrietta Lightfoot and the events of her life are imaginary, and the names of nonhistorical persons or events are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance of such nonhistorical persons or events to actual ones is purely coincidental. See the author’s note for more information.
Copyright © 2011 by Hallie Rubenhold
All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher constitute unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at permissions@hbgusa.com. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.
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First e-book edition: January 2013
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ISBN 978-1-4555-1180-8