Psst, over here. Yes, pretend you don’t see me, but come closer, please. I’m trying not to attract the attention of my Vanderbilt aunts, Alice and Alva. They squabble over everything these days, because each is intent on staking her claim as society’s The Mrs. Vanderbilt. Normally I let them wrangle if it makes them happy, except that upon occasion I find myself caught in the middle of their determined and opposing wills. Aunt Alice’s main peeve with me arises from 1) my driving my own carriage and working as a society reporter for a local newspaper, and 2) her not having successfully married me off to a suitable gentleman thus far. Very well, I can contend with that. However, presently, it’s Aunt Alva making unreasonable demands of me, of a nature that requires me to compromise my values and my very integrity.
Or else.
At one point she actually had me backed up against the wall in the Gold Ballroom at Marble House, and I knew full well I would go nowhere until I agreed to do her bidding. No, she didn’t actually say, “Or else,” but the implied sentiment struck like a blunt object between my shoulder blades as I headed toward the Grand Staircase and my cousin’s bedroom upstairs. The matter in question? Aunt Alva wants me to convince her daughter, Consuelo, to marry a man she abhors. He needs her money, and Aunt Alva has decided the family needs a duchess.
Never mind that I’ve managed to elude an arranged marriage for myself until the ripe old age of twenty-one. Never mind that I believe all women should have the right to choose the course of their own future and have the freedom follow their dreams the same as any man. But Consuelo trusts me. She looks up to me. She has always confided in me, and now Aunt Alva wants me to use that influence to persuade an eighteen-year-old girl that I believe this marriage will be for the best.
In other words, I am required to speak bald-faced lies. I believe I mentioned at the outset, dear friends, that I am a journalist, and lately my interests have expanded well beyond my Fancies and Fashions page. Truth matters to me. It is, in essence, my way of life. Lies, therefore, are abhorrent.
But here’s the rub, the very worst of the matter. I could certainly refuse Aunt Alva and bear the consequences, but if I don’t convince Consuelo to marry Charles Spencer-Churchill, ninth Duke of Marlborough, her mother will force the issue and in the end Consuelo will become the man’s wife anyway, but she’ll do so with a good deal more misery than if she willingly walks down the aisle. Aunt Alva is nothing if not determined and with that legendary temper of hers, no one, but no one, will stand up to her. Even her husband, my uncle Willie K., has fled the matrimonial battlefield by retreating to his yacht on Narragansett Bay.
I ask you then, reader, what would you do in my position? Any suggestions left below will be greatly appreciated; indeed, one lucky adviser will win a copy of my dossier, Murder at Marble House, which will enable you to judge whether, in the end, I did wrongly or rightly. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and will end October 1, 2014.
MURDER AT MARBLE HOUSE, Coming September 30, 2014
Responding to a frantic call on her newfangled telephone from her eighteen-year-old cousin, Consuelo Vanderbilt, Emma Cross arrives at the Marble House mansion and learns the cause of her distress–Consuelo’s mother, Alva, is forcing her into marriage with the Duke of Marlborough. Her mother has even called in a fortune teller to assure Consuelo of a happy future.
But the future is short-lived for the fortune teller, who is found dead by her crystal ball, strangled with a silk scarf. Standing above her is one of the Vanderbilts’ maids, who is promptly taken into police custody. After the frenzy has died down, Consuelo is nowhere to be found. At Alva’s request, Emma must employ her sleuthing skills to determine if the vanishing Vanderbilt has eloped with the beau of her choice–or if her disappearance may be directly connected to the murder. . .
Meet the Author
Alyssa Maxwell, author of The Gilded Newport Mysteries, began a love affair with the city of Newport while visiting 
friends there back in her high school days. Time and again the harbor side, gas lit neighborhoods drew her to return, and on one of those later visits she met the man who would become her husband.
Today, she and her husband reside beneath the palms and bright skies of Florida, but part of her heart remains firmly in that small New England city of great historical significance. The first in the Gilded Newport Mysteries, Murder at the Breakers, was released in March 2014, to be followed by MURDER AT MARBLE HOUSE in September of this year. For more about Alyssa and her books, please visit her at www.alyssamaxwell.com.
I would try to show the Earl up for a cad! Thanks god the giveaway opportunity.
Unfortunately, Consuelo’s mother wasn’t concerned about the Duke’s character. His pedigree was all that mattered at the time. 🙂
The Earl is probably not the baddie he is made out to be and she should persuade Consuelo to get to know him better, since Mama is so determined!
They can work something out later…:-)
Good advice! If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. Consuelo was really given no choice.
No need to enter me in the drawing, just wanted to say this looks terrific!! What a wonderful setting…
Thanks, Mary!
I am a sucker for that time period and location. Really looking forward to it.
It’s a fascinating time period. And Newport is always fun.
Good morning, everyone. Dru, thank you so much for allowing Emma to speak with readers here today – she and I appreciate it so much!
another series I need to start!!!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
I am reading book one, and it’s wonderful! This next book — OH! I love the story of poor Consuelo. Can’t wait to read this one too.
This is on my TBR list, would be great to win!
Another series to add to my TBR list. This sounds very interesting.
If I were Emma, I think I would tell Consuelo what her mother wishes with a wink and a nod, so she knows I disagree with Aunt Alva. If I were Consuelo, I might just run away with the man of my choice! This series is on my TBR list, but I just haven’t gotten to them yet. Congratulations, Alyssa, on the release of your new book, and great idea for a guest post!
Poor Emma. She’s in a fix. Family pressure can be hard to resist. I love her independent spirit and resistance to society’s norms for women in those days.
To be stuck into a situation between two family members can sure be a challenge. Also to be a young woman who wants to exhibit her individuality in a time where certain things are frowned on doesn’t make life easy either. Sounds like a great new read.
Poor Emma frequently finds herself in the middle of family conflicts. She tries to stay neutral, but sometimes it’s hard since she’s a strong minded girl in her own right. Vanderbilt steel certainly runs through her, but she’s a pragmatist as well. And a bit like my own mother-in-law, a Newporter, in that when a job needed doing she did it, no matter how difficult or distasteful.
Hmmm. Emma is in a pickle. Congratulations on the new release! I have added your series to my TBR list, but I haven’t had time to start them yet! Looking forward to reading them.
Oh dear, I’m not even going to try to advise…I just want to see what happens!
I have no advice, but I do love Emma! I can’t wait to read this!
Emma is in a tricky spot, and I cannot begin to give her good advice. I’ve recently read the first book in the series and, having greatly enjoyed it, can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for the giveaway!
I would tell Consuelo the truth and let her make her own decision. It is her life after all.
Emma,
I love your spunk and your miss adventurers. I can’t wait until I get to meet with you again on Tusday.
Oh Emma,
How I love your miss adventurers.
I just want to give a shout out about Meg Mims, who stopped by here earlier. Meg is half the writing team of D.E. Ireland, who released a book just this week—WOULDN’T IT BE DEADLY: An Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins Mystery. Sounds like so much fun, I’m really looking forward to reading this!
Sounds like a great read. Thanks for sharing.
I would tell her the truth, that she believes women should make decisions for herself, but if she chooses to not marry her mother’s choice, she’ll raise the rate of her mother. So she should decide for herself, and if she is to follow her mother’s wishes, she should go into the marriage willingly, hoping for a good life. Her decision.
Looking forward to looking back to the previous gilded age.
Loved the first one. When in doubt always tell the truth.
I have to say I agree with Ronna Lord. Be honest with the girl and spell out the nitty gritty. And let her decide…until her mother decides for her. I love Newport, have visited many times, and love Marble House with all the stories. Really looking forward to starting this series. Maybe I’ll but one of the books and go to Newport to read it!
I’m on my way to a book signing now for a friend, YA author Kat Carlton, so I wanted to thank everyone who has been here so far weighing in on how Emma should handle her situation. And a big thank you to Dru for hosting me here again. This is an awesome blog. I’ll pop in later, and in the next few days, since readers have until Oct. 1st to comment for a chance to win.
Alyssa’s series is a NOT TO BE MISSED one and anyone who loves historical novels and also loves a mystery, will absolutely adore this series. These novels are wonderfully descriptive, intelligent writing with fantastic characters that develop so much that they come to life. For those of you who think that only men can write mysteries, and that women are not the best sleuths/detectives, need to read this book and others by female writers with female protagonists to see just how much these “cozy mysteries” and “historical cozy mysteries” bring to the readers with delight.
Cynthia
No advice to offer. It sounds more like a romance novel than a mystery, although the title advertises a murder. Since this would be my first Maxwell book, I also hope this is THE Vanderbilt family in England.
Goodness gracious! I want this one, too.
I would tell Aunt Alva to shove off! This sounds like a great book. Thank you for the chance to win.
I would tell Emma, in Aunt Alva’s presence, that she should marry the duke, but then help her escape. Somewhere. Uh, not such good advice. I’ll have to read the book to see how she gets out of this! The time period sounds like such fun. Thanks for the giveaway.
I would love to read this book! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
I’m afraid I am not too good at convincing people of things I believe in let alone something I am against—-I would probably try to help Consuelo escape the getting married.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Oh I would love to win this to read thanks for the oppurnity
thanks Alyssa for interacting with my readers.
Contest is closed.
Love books from the “olden” days.