Author’s Note

Dear readers,

I hope you enjoyed Kat and Marcus’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it! I absolutely love the Victorian era, where inventions and technology abounded at such a rapid pace that they truly changed the landscape and direction of the era.

While researching this story there were some fascinating tidbits that I discovered, which I had to incorporate, and that I thought you might appreciate reading about in more detail.

One of those relatively simple yet remarkable inventions was the snap fastener or press stud, which were so important for Kat’s detachable skirts. The modern snap fastener was first patented in 1885 by a German inventor, Heribert Bauer, for use in men’s trousers. Once I read about Bauer’s invention, which was patented in the same year that Kat’s story was set, I knew I had to incorporate them into Kat’s attire, giving her the ability to actually be able to use her legs in a fight. Hence, I used my dramatic license as an author to make Madame Arnout friends with the inventor Bauer, in order for her to be able to access the snap fasteners for Kat’s special skirts!

The next interesting bit of research I wanted to incorporate was the fact that in the 1880s contraceptives became much more widely available, predominately because condoms were being made from rubber, which made them more cost effective and affordable to the masses. They also became widely available for sale in chemists and stores, which meant that Kat had access to purchase some (very important for such an independent woman who needed a way to embark upon an affair with Marcus, without risking pregnancy).

Isn’t history fascinating! I especially love the Victorian era because that’s truly where the Industrial Revolution boomed, and there were so many wonderful new inventions and technologies, that are so much fun to use in my stories.

Anyhow, hope you enjoyed a very quick read on some of my research, and stay tuned for Etta and Lucas’s story, which is next up!

Happy reading! Love, Maddison xox