Acknowledgements

A big thank you to everyone at Harlequin Mills & Boon Historical in London, especially editor Nicola Caws—a complete star, who is always fantastic to work with.

Thanks also to the Harlequin Hussies—the online group of Historical authors, past and present, who are so fabulous, funny and full of wisdom.

Thanks to my erstwhile critique buddy, author and creative practice academic, Dr Carol Hoggart, who dived into an early draft of this work and helped get it into shape—and share some ‘Writer’s Tears’ whisky while doing so.

Thanks to Dr Rose Williams, whose critical reading has become my favourite part of the process.

Thanks also to Pamela Weatherill and Pearl Proud—I hope you know how much your friendship and support mean to me.

To Anne Symes—whenever an encouraging email was needed, it arrived from you.

And to Joanne Macdonald—who left a bluestocking badge on my university office door at the ‘write’ moment.