Heather Moll's Blog 
Excessively Diverted 

Woodcote Park engraving by John Hassell c. 1816 While plotting what I was then calling “the horse racing book”, I needed an estate that was near to the Epsom race course so my family and their guests could easily walk to take in all the race week events. At the least, they needed to be a short carriage ride away. And rather than make up my own geography of Surrey, I looked at old maps and read about estates from the area for inspiration for the size and style house of someone

I thought I’d share a few illustrations that highlight the hilarity of regency-era parlor games as well as the freedom they gave members of the opposite sex to interact closely. Sometimes very, very closely. This is plate 46, Le dessous du chandelier, from Le Bon Genre 1812. Le Bon Genre: Observations sur les modes et les usages de Paris was a series of satirical prints highlighting social trends and leisure activities. In this print, two men and three women are using candl

House party? Parlor games? No Wickham? Darcy and Elizabeth get together early? Her Affections and Wishes is out now and is set at Woodcote Park a month after Hunsford. Neither one is thrilled to be there—until they learn the other is also staying. Below is an excerpt from when Darcy finally has a chance to talk to Elizabeth alone when they both find themselves at Woodcote Park. They're at an assembly where Darcy has danced every dance and finally gathered the courage to ask E