In the author's note of her debut novel, Forever Your Rogue, Erin Langston writes:
I had been halfheartedly researching an entirely different plot for Forever Your Rogue when I stumbled upon a piece of legal scholarship that completely ignited my story. The case, De Manneville v. De Manneville (1804), involved a mother seeking custody of her still-nursing infant daughter, who had been taken from her by her estranged husband. I remember looking down at my own still-nursing infant daughter and feeling sick when I learned that the court supported the father’s claim to sole custody of the baby. As a woman, Mrs. De Manneville had no legal rights to her child.
The only thing I know about Mrs. De Manneville is that her husband took away her baby, and even though she knew it was likely to be a nonstarter, she still pursued legal action. Ultimately, she failed. As did the vast majority of mothers who sought custody of their children in the early 1800s. What struck me most about these stories wasn’t the consistent court ruling that fathers have absolute authority; after all, there were stringent laws and expectations around a woman’s legal standing in this period. What struck me most was that they tried anyway.
Cora’s story was my way of giving all of those women their own happy endings. My novel was born from their trying.
Readers--Cora's story is simply marvelous. I've not read a historical romance published in the past few years I loved as much as I do Forever Your Rogue. Smart, sexy, and powerfully grounded in history, written in clean, clear prose--this book is the definition of a Desert Island Keeper. (DIK)
Lord Dane, Cora's perfectly awful husband, has been dead almost a year, a fact Cora is deeply grateful for. Dane was the sort who didn't bother to record their daughter Tess' birth in his family tree and who viewed Cora and their children Tess and Leo, as uninteresting items he owned. His death--he crashed his curricle en route to see his latest mistress--should have enabled Cora and her children to live in peace. But Dane, ever the controlling asshat, designated his awful sister's husband as the children's legal guardian.
As Cora's brother, Gavin Sinclair explains,
“Because of the laws of coverture, Lord Dane was the only person on earth with legal rights to my sister’s children. He could designate, upon his death, any guardian for them he wished.”
... “A guardianship customarily is handled thusly.” Sinclair was now really warming up to his task. “A mother is often named the guardian of nurture—that means she can see to the daily care and wellbeing of her child. The father’s will may also name a testamentary guardian, who oversees the child’s personal finances and makes legal decisions, including matters of education and marriage. Both the guardian of nurture and the testamentary guardian have claim to the child’s physical custody.”
... “Cora is, indeed, Tess and Leo’s guardian of nurture,” Sinclair continued matter-of-factly. “It’s why she can remain at Aldworth Park as long as Leo is in her physical custody. Now, if Dane’s will had been typical, I would have been named the testamentary guardian. I’m Cora’s closest brother, and I can’t inherit from Leo.” He smiled sadly at his sister. “Though in truth, I would have very little to do. Cora is an exceptional mother.”
... “Dane, of course, did not select Gavin.” Cora’s voice was brittle. “Instead, he named his brother-in-law—his sister Edith’s husband—as my children’s legal guardian. I can’t imagine why, except to slight me. He always found it distasteful, how I doted on the babies.”
... “We believe the Carletons intend to exert their power as testamentary guardians to eventually force Cora out entirely. If they ever manage to be named sole guardians, they would have custody not only of the children but Leo’s estate as well. And time is of the essence. They have decided to visit Aldworth Park this summer. Ostensibly, it’s to spend time with the children, but in reality—”
“They want to catch me out,” Cora seethed. “They’re coming to check up on me, to prove I’m a poor choice to raise the children.”
In order to forestall her in-laws from taking her children, Cora and Gavin have come up with a plan. Cora will become engaged and she and her fake fiance will host the Carltons and present to them the facade of a perfect family while Gavin petitions the Court of Chancery to revoke the Carletons’ rights. Cora has no intention of actually remarrying--she just needs time and a man willing to help her with her scheme.
Fortunately for Cora, she 's acquainted with an ideal (her choices in 1819 were limited) candidate, Nathaniel Travers, whose sister, Tabby, is Cora's best friend. Nate owes Cora. Five years earlier, Nate's poor judgement, not for the first time, caught up with him. Cora, for reasons she doesn't like to look too closely at, saved him and, in exchange, Nate promised her a favor. Anything, he'd said.
For his part, Nate is aghast when he hears Cora's request. You see, Nate, the heir to the Earl of Fordham, is a genuine scapegrace. Yes, he is his brother's heir, but, damnit, Nate's not going to let that responsibility get in the way of a life of wine, women, and wagers. Unfortunately Raymond, his brother, has cut off his funds. Cora's proposal comes with money and is only for a few weeks so, against his better judgement, Nate says yes.
I loved everything about this tale. Nate and Cora are a wonderful match and watching them realize that is a joy. Tess and Leo are the sort of children one longs for in romance novels but rarely get--they're believable and add both humor and pathos to the book. The secondary characters, especially Nate's valet Barnes and Cora's brother Gavin, are so vivid I hope for them both to get their own stories. Nate's relationship with his brother, the Earl, is moving and brims with complex love. The humor never misses a mark.
But what makes this historical romance exceptional is its history. I'll just say, while reading, I gave thanks for being born in the 20th century--Langston's deep dive into the laws of coverture, women's rights, and parental law is meticulous. Cora's happy ending seems impossible and yet Langston makes it believable without sacrificing accuracy.
Forever Your Rogue is not just the best historical romance I've read this year, it's the best romance. It gets a flat out A from me. Thank you, Ms. Langston!
Sensuality: Warm
Publication Date: 02/2023
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