Day 3: Taking a Walk In Her Character's Shoes

Today Regina allows us to take a walk through London in Lady Emily's shoes. Come along for this enchanting excursion....

Most of LA PETITE FOUR is set in London, England, in April 1815. While many places in London didn’t survive the Blitz of World War II, there are still a number of places where my heroine, Lady Emily Southwell, and her three friends would have dined, and danced, and lived, and played.

Starting from Mayfair, where Emily would have lived, you’ll find some lovely townhouses like these. Contrary to popular belief, though, you aren’t likely to find any ballrooms in these babies. LA PETITE FOUR had to go a little farther afield for that, like these assembly rooms in Bath.

Just off Bond Street, that shopping district of the rich and famous then as now, you’ll find St. George’s Hanover Square. This is Emily’s church. She and her father, His Grace the Duke of Emerson, can be found there every Sunday during the Season, which runs from Easter until Parliament closes for the summer, usually July or August.

Just down the block on Oxford Street is Hatchard’s, purveyors of fine literature. Emily’s been known to stock up on classics as well as a few Gothic novels. She loves a good mystery, in her books as well as in her life.

Across the street from Hatchard’s is the entrance to Burlington House, a fine mansion. At one time, at the rear in and around a coal shed, stood the Parthenon Marbles. These fine sculptures were removed from Greece by Lord Elgin and brought to England where they were finally purchased by the British Museum. Their sweeping lines and majestic poses have inspired many an artist, including Emily.

Around the corner on St. James’s is Harris’s perfumery. They specialize in lilac water. Of course, the fact that they sit right next to a gentleman’s club and you might just catch of glimpse of someone handsome and debonair could have something to do with the charm.

Beyond St. James’s is Hyde Park and Rotten Row. It sounds like a funny name for such a lovely, sandy riding track. Legend has it that the name is a corruption of the original name, Route de Roi, or King’s Road, the road that led to Kensington Palace. Emily and her horse Medallion are quite fond of galloping down this path, even though they really should take the Ladies Mile on the other side of the park.

Of course, London is an entirely different place by night, even when one is safely ensconced in a carriage and chasing a villain through the streets. But we’ll save that for another time.

Tune back tomorrow when Regina shares her loving dedication of LA PETITE FOUR.