I told you I would have more info on the final Kobo promotion when I had the details. I have them now.
Her Father’s Choice is reduced in price to $0.99. This promotion is on until November 29, and it is only available in Canada, the UK the US, Australia, and New Zealand. (Sorry. Not my choice. This is the scope of their promotion.)
Since this is not a coupon sort of special, I have submitted matching prices for this book to my other vendors (about half an hour ago). They should have the price changed soon. (Click here to the Book Promo Page for links.)
Welcome to the November 2025 Broadsheet. I hope your November is going tolerably (if not handsomely) well. Mine is going okay.
Here in Nova Scotia, the clocks rolled back an hour this past weekend, which means we have officially entered “The Cozy Season”! This means that each day as the sun is sliding off to its early bedtime, I close the curtains, turn on my desk lamp, and fire up a YouTube fireplace video (complete with crackling sounds) on the tv in the corner. (This is a link to the video that is currently playing as I write this.)
It also means that sweaters and fleece vests and fuzzy socks are enjoyed. The thermostat gets moved to the heat side, and sticking a casserole in the oven for dinner is both nostalgic and comforting.
I do love The Cozy Season. (Not all of it – I’d rather not have to shovel or battle with ice – and we know those are coming eventually.) But there is just so much to enjoy at this time of year.
My youngest sister was the one who shared the concept of the cozy season with me one year when I was sighing over the time change. I loved the idea and since I have adopted it as an official time of year for me, that time change doesn’t hit me as hard. Mindset is a POWERFUL thing.
In writing news…
My Annilee Nelson book is a chapter and a half away from completion. Then, I will need to start working on a Leenie book as my next work in progress. I have not decided which one that will be. I don’t even know which couple’s new beginning to write about in the final chapter of my Annilee book – and I need to know that by next week. So first things first. I’ll decide that and then decide on the Leenie book. 🙂
I have finished adding all my books to the Patreon library. So for as little as $2 USD ($3 CAD) per month, a reader can become a subscriber to the library and read all my books!
In audiobook news…
Hope at Dawn is now available in many places, including YouTube, Patreon, Nook, Kobo/Kobo Plus, Everand, Spotify, and more. You can find links to those places on the Audiobook page on my website here.
I have been working on adding my Other Pens series to the FREE ElevenReader library. I just have one more book to add next week, and then, I’ll begin adding my Darcy Family Holidays books over there (since they tie in with my Other Pens series).
I am currently working on producing Two Days Before Christmas as an audiobook. It’s going slowly. I am planning to start sharing it by the chapter (one per week) on YouTube by the end of November. Once the full book is done, I will share that as a complete audiobook there and then publish it to all the places. But this way, I’ll have content to hopefully make the algorithm happy and so listeners can hear something new if they choose to listen like it’s a podcast. (I still need over 400 subscribers to hit monetization status.)
Last weekend, when I sent out an email/post about my book promotions for the month focusing on the Marrying Elizabeth series, I said I had some books submitted to a couple of Kobo book promotions and would let you know if any of them were accepted. Well… I have info about one of those promotions to share today.
These are my books that have been included in the November 40% Off Sale. Both Marrying Elizabeth box sets are 40% off from now until November 17. You will need to use the code NOVEMBER40 at checkout to receive the discount.
These Kobo promotions are only in the following regions: Canada, United States of America, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
[As I was preparing my newsletter on Friday, I could not find the first box set on Kobo. It was there in the morning when I got the promotion info, but presently, I can’t find it. I have a help request into the Kobo team. Maybe by the time you see this, it’ll be fixed?]
I did hear back on the other Kobo promotion, but it doesn’t start until Nov 15. The book that made it into that promotion is Her Father’s Choice, but I’ll have more details about that next week.
Until November 30, Protecting Miss Darcy is on sale everywhere for $0.99 USD, EUR, CAD, NZD, AUD, GBP, with all other currencies reduced.
OCTOBER’S PATREON FREE READ and MEMBERSHIP PERKS
FREE READ: If you follow me for free on Patreon, there is a series starter that can be read for free each month. This month’s series starter read is Confounding Caroline, which is part of my Marrying Elizabeth series.
MEMBERSHIP PERKS: Each month, I offer an eBook or two to download and keep to my $2 or more Patrons, and every time there is a new audiobook finished, I also make a link to download that available to them.
Hope at Dawn is now available in the audiobook downloads collection.
This month’s eBook offerings are Confounding Caroline and Becoming Entangled.
SOMETHING NEW TO READ
Our story continues this month with the beginning of the conclusion. Harriet’s plan to lure the watch thief out has been put into motion. (It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger.)
Please remember that there are sections where previous chapters from this story can be read on whichever platform you subscribe to.
On my blog, look for Harriet and the Colonel in the menu options.
On Substack, look for the Harriet and the Colonel section on the home page.
On Patreon, look for The Colonel’s Lady in the collections tab.
Chapter 4, part 1
Richard stretched and yawned. He was supposed to be at home in his own bed, not sitting guard in the little library at Lillesley house. Of course, it was his own doing. No one had given him this assignment. He had volunteered to take a shift.
Dinner had produced a couple of interesting leads where the watch was concerned. Most people had not paid attention to Lillesley’s frequent checking of the time, but two had. One was a footman, and the other was Mr. Newland, a fellow of social standing whose means had been squandered some years back but was well on its way to being replenished, thanks to a relative of some sort who had passed away just over a year ago. Strangely his relation’s passing had occurred close to the same time that Harriet’s older brother, Andrew, had died.
It was that bit of coincidence, paired with his obvious appreciation for the engraving on Lillesley’s watch – both of which had come to light during a card game after dinner – which had marked him as suspicious.
The fact that he seemed to be on exceptionally friendly terms with one of the footmen, employed by their club, named Carrick, had changed Lillesley’s opinion of the servant from being someone who admired the finer things in life, which his station did not afford him, to a possible informant and associate of Newland’s.
To the untrained eye, the two men would have appeared as jovial and amiable – the one being counted as a fabulous dinner guest, and the other as a servant who would make any household appear to be of the finest and most welcoming sort.
However, Richard’s eye was not untrained. To him, they were too agreeable. Too eager to please. Too charming. Their good nature read like a veneer applied to a damaged table to hide the scars made by some sort of accident.
Soft footfalls in the hall stopped his ruminations about the men from the club. As he sat in the silent darkness of the little library, a soft glow from a candle could be seen drawing ever closer to the library door.
He had heard no doors or windows open, so whomever this was had either entered through the kitchen or was a member of the household.
A few moments later, a vision of loveliness stood in the doorway.
“Your brother would be less than pleased to know you were here,” Richard whispered. And likely he did know since he was in his study.
“Then, it is a good thing that he is not here yet,” Harriet replied, as she walked along the bookshelves to the right of the room, stopping now and again to run a finger along the spine as if she were contemplating reading that volume. “I need something to occupy my mind,” she said softly. “Or I will spend the full night trying to piece things together. As it is, I have gone over what we know from three different viewpoints – at least twice.”
She pulled a book from the shelf and then, made her way to the chair next to his.
“It is best if you return to your room to read,” Richard said. Having her here could prove to be a distraction. It was not guaranteed that she would be, but there was the possibility. Added to that, there would be danger to be had if someone came looking for that watch.
“I will. In a minute or two.” She placed her book and candle on the table near her chair before snuffing out her light. “I would just like to sit her and hold your hand for a time. I promise not to be a distraction.”
He heard her making herself comfortable in her chair and then, felt her hand tap the arm of his chair. He obliged her by taking it, which elicited a sigh from her.
So they sat for more than a minute or two. Indeed, they sat as they were until Harriet’s hand and arm fell limp and he could hear soft, even breathing coming from where she sat. Apparently, her mind had finally found some rest and allowed her body to follow.
To be honest, having her sitting next to him, made the task of listening and watching in the dark more bearable. His thumb brushed back and forth across hers, and his mind wandered to things that had nothing to do with traitors and murderers. Instead, he imagined evenings before a fire, sitting as they were now. He pictured children on his lap and at his feet. He contemplated being the master of his own little estate.
The idea had, at one time, seemed a drudgery. Something that would hold little to entertain or excite him. So mundane. So dull.
He placed a gentle kiss on Harriet’s hand. Nothing would be dull or mundane with her as his wife. She was not the sort to simply sit, stitch, and entertain callers. That thought had just started him thinking about what she would wish for in her home and duties when the distinct sound of a window sliding open with some complaint was heard.
Carefully, he returned Harriet’s hand to her lap, and rising, readied himself to confront the intruder directly if necessary, or after the interloper had attempted to gain what he wanted.
Richard could just make out Harriet’s sleeping form in the greyness of the room. Her plan was coming to fruition. He’d hate for her to miss it, and it would be dangerous for her to wake in the midst of whatever happened. Therefore, he decided to alert her to what was occurring. That way she would be ready to escape to safety if it became necessary.
“Harriet,” he whispered near her ear, “someone is here.”
He felt her wake.
“Stay here and remain silent as long as you are able,” he instructed, before giving her cheek a kiss.
A whispered “I will” was her only reply.
A floorboard creaked in hall. Whomever it was, was light of foot, for he was making very little noise as he crept nearer to the study. He also seemed to know exactly where he was going. This bit of information caused a realization to crash upon Richard with some force. There was only one way for the intruder to know where to go. Someone inside Lillesley’s home was playing two sides.
Carefully, he moved to stand next to the door, where he could see just a bit of the corridor, but he, himself, would not be seen from the hall.
A second set of stealthy steps descended from above.
“She’s not there,” the one whisper to the other. “Do you have the watch?’
She’s not there? Who was the she they were speaking of?
“Not yet,” the other answered.
“Then, it might be best to leave it,” the first man said.
“We can’t and you know it,” the other answered in a soft snarl.
“But if she is not in her room, she might be sitting guard in her brother’s study.”
Richard sucked in a breath. The she they were looking for was Harriet!
“You have no idea how devious that one is,” the first man continued. “She’s the one who found the watch, you know.”
“How would she know I was coming for it?”
“I don’t know how, but I am telling you, she’s smarter than any of those military men Lillesley employs.”
“I don’t see no light coming from under that door,” the second man said. “And it’ll make our job easier if she’s there. We can get both of the things we need at the same time.”
Richard heard the door to Lillesley’s office open.
“I say, is there no one to announce you?” The question rang loud and clear from the other room and was followed by soft light illuminating the hall. Jimmy had lit a sconce further down the hall and was now standing in the way of escape at that end.
Richard sprang into action to make certain that his end of the hall was also unable to be used for escape. He drew his pistol. “Into the study,” he ordered. “Both of you.”
—–
Thank you so much for being my readers! Have a lovely weekend!
(There’s a new part of this story dropping Saturday in the Broadsheet, so it’s time to give last month’s part it’s own post so it can be found more easily.)
Somewhere behind him, someone – namely Lillesley – cleared his throat. As if that was going to stop Richard from kissing his fill of his betrothed.
A second throat clearing. This time louder.
Harriet giggled, putting an end to the heat of their kiss. Still, he lingered with his lips on hers for a few seconds longer before holding her securely in his arms but not turning to face her brother.
“Do you know who they have paired with Samuels and Fredericks?” He tossed the question over his shoulder.
“No, I cannot say that I have heard,” Lillesley replied. “In fact, I was not even informed that there were more than four of you assigned to this task.”
“Yes. Well… there is one more than four.” Richard kissed the top of Harriet’s head and then released her from his embrace. “And it seems that you are not the only person willing to use a certain ne’er-do-well to gain information.
“Do you mean that Wickham fellow?” Harriet asked with no little amount of incredulity in her tone.
“Certainly not!” her brother exclaimed.
“Harry is right. As she often is.” Taking Harriet’s hand, he led them across the room to the door to Lillesley’s study where the man was standing. “She’ll join us,” he added when his friend looked at Harriet and then back at him with a lifted brow. “It will make it easier for all of us.”
Lillesley shook his head and sighed but allowed Richard and Harriet to enter his study. “Not a word of any of this leaves this room,” he growled at his sister.
As if she would.
It was not the right way to approach her, and Richard smiled as his Harriet lifted her chin and glared down her nose at her brother for a half second before saying very primly, “I know far more secrets than one might expect.” She added a saucy grin as she took a seat and said, “Some you would be shocked to know I have discovered.”
Richard eyed her for a moment. If he was to guess by the way she squeezed her hands together tightly in her lap, she was bluffing – trying to draw her brother out to vent her displeasure with him questioning her ability to be discreet.
Thankfully, Lillesley did not fall for her ploy. “I am certain there are, but at present, I find I do not care to learn what secrets you know or how you know them.” He smiled, which caused his sister to huff softly. Then he turned to Richard. “Did Samuels say why Wickham has been included?”
“He did. Wickham has…” He paused when a knock sounded on the proper door to the study. Lillesley rose and opened the door just far enough to see who was there.
“A letter has arrived for you, my lord.”
It was the butler.
“And how did it arrive?”
“Through the kitchen by way of the stables, my lord.”
It was from someone in their network then.
Lillesley closed the door and broke the seal to the letter as he returned to his desk. “It seems I have been notified that a person with knowledge of the workings of the underbelly of society has been enlisted to help us come to a hopefully hasty conclusion to this mess,” he said as he scanned the missive before taking his seat again at his desk.
“Wickham claims he would know the man who likely killed the shopkeeper by site, though he does not know his name.” He leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Samuels mentioned Wickham knew traitors. Is our theory about secrets being bought and sold along with maids, true?”
Lillesley shot a quick look at his sister. “From what I have just read, it appears to be substantiated though there are no details here.”
The room sat in silence for a moment until Harriet broke it with a question.
“Did Andrew know about the espionage involved in this matter?”
“I cannot say,” her brother replied, though he did not look at his sister. Instead, he remained focused on the letter he held. It was a sure sign that the answer he gave was accurate but not informative.
“And if he did – which he did since you did not glare at me –”
Richard chuckled as Harriet continued.
“Then, did the traitor know? Or was Andrew pretending to be a traitor to draw him out? Oh!” she gasped. “Did Penny discover something she was not supposed to know? Could that be why she ended up in washed up along the Thames like that shopkeeper?”
Lillesley held up a hand to stop the rapid questions. “We would all like to know the answers to those questions.”
“They are plausible – every ,” Richard said.
“I know,” Lillesley agreed. “And I have my thoughts on it.”
Harriet had risen and was pacing a small circuit from her chair to the small hearth and back.
Her brother settled back in his chair and motioned for Richard to remain silent as they both watched Harriet. They both knew that when she was close to figuring something out, she fidgeted or paced. She had done so since she was a girl.
She came to a stop. “Are you going out tonight?” she asked her brother.
“I have no plans to, since I knew the colonel was being relieved of his duty today.”
Her brow furrowed as she grimaced. “Perhaps you should go together.” She blew out a breath as if what she had just said was not something she wanted to say.
“Why?” Richard prompted. “What are you thinking? How will that help us?”
“If you were to go out and wear Andrew’s watch, making sure to show it off as you check the time in any of the places Andrew might have frequented…” She sighed and then, shook her head as she looked to the ceiling. “It would be dangerous, but it might bring the right people to you.” She returned to her seat. “Andrew had that watch when he was killed, and the shopkeeper was killed because of that watch – or so we suspect. It is the only thing I can think of to connect the events.”
“It is a worthy idea,” Lillesley agreed. “Perhaps I will start by having dinner at my club tonight.”
Harriet nodded. “Andrew did that often.” Her comment was soft.
Richard gave her hand a squeeze. “I will go with him, and then, return here for a while before I head home, if that meets with everyone’s approval.”
“I would like that very much.” She did not need to say so. Her smile had informed Richard of her approval before she could so much as form the first word of her response.
“And I … suppose I can tolerate it as well,” her brother said with a laugh. “Now, if you would be so kind as to allow my best man to give his report about how tiresome his days at his apartment were to me without an audience, I will make sure he sees you before he goes home to change for dinner.”
Harriet rose.
“There is nothing of significance to report,” Richard assured her when she hesitated before leaving.
“If you are certain…”
“I am.” And with that reassurance, she left them alone. Though Richard was sure she had not gone far.
Little does Darcy realize as he begins his quest to marry Elizabeth that her love will be only one of the many prizes he finds along the way.
For the month of November, I am highlighting my Marrying Elizabeth series in my book promotions.
This series follows Darcy from his early return to town to changing his mind about marrying Elizabeth (in book 1) to marrying her (in book 3), to seeing to the happiness of all of his sisters — both old and new (by book 6).
Below are the book promotions that I can tell you about. (I have submitted some books from the series to a couple of Kobo promotions, but have not heard if any of them have been accepted. I’ll let you know if they are.)
Let’s begin with the most time sensitive promotion:
This month’s free book is Delighting Mrs. Bennet.
It is only free on Smashwords and only from today (October 31) to Sunday (November 2).
Protecting Miss Darcy will be reduced to $0.99 (USD, CAD, AUD, NZD, EUR, GBP, with all other currencies also reduced) starting tomorrow (November 1) and will remain at that price until the end of November.
That’s it for this month’s book promotions that I know about right now. I’ll update you if there happen to be any others when I know about them. And I’ll be back next Saturday to share my Saturday Broadsheet.
Monday is Thanksgiving Day for us here in Canada. It’s just one of the things that I love about October where I live. The other is the pretty colours of the leaves.
“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”
― L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
In personal news, my dizziness has diminished and my physiotherapy is moving along nicely. I got glowing comments from my physiotherapist yesterday along with a new exercise that I can replace one I was doing with. It’s called a monster walk. 🙂 Isn’t that a perfect exercise for October?
The next time I see her, we’re going to start working on getting me back into walking on the treadmill and hiking down trails in the woods. Oh, it feels like “normal” life is just about in my grasp. Is it? Or is that a mirage? (I hope it’s real.)
In my writing world, I’ve sort of settled into a schedule that seems to work well – except when it’s getting interrupted by appointments and such. And that schedule is getting me moving forward on my projects. Not at lightning speed but forward progress is progress! And I kind of doubt lightning speed is in my future if I want to keep my health moving along the proper path. (Oh, but it’s hard to not want to go faster though.)
