NEVER LIE TO A LADY features a bit of a rarity amongst Regency heroines—a well-born, unmarried woman who is not a virgin. Perhaps odder still, she doesn’t really regret it! When those of us who write in the genre pen our intrepid heroines, you can generally expect us to deliver one of two things: a widow or virgin. Once in a while we’ll gin up the once-ubiquitous “widowed virgin.” And occasionally we offer you an unwed heroine who has had her virginity taken through some misfortune—a seduction, a bad decision, or something much worse.
My goal, however, was to paint Xanthia Neville as a woman who was far from a victim. She gave her virginity away willingly and with reasonable forethought, to someone for whom she cared—and still cares—deeply. But Xanthia has little interest in marriage, for both personal and business reasons. I do expect to get some complaints on this one. Inevitably someone will cry foul on the historical accuracy point. But were women like Xanthia nonexistent in her time? No. Rare? Yes. Admittedly, they were extremely unusual at the upper echelons of society. And I expect they kept a low profile. But throughout history there have been rare women who, while they did not precisely flout tradition, disdained its strictures within their private lives.
Xanthia also is part owner in a rather lucrative shipping business, and she actively works in the company. Her background is explained by the fact that she and her two brothers grew up as orphans in the West Indies amongst a colonial culture which, much like early American, valued rugged individualism and capitalistic success far more than the social register. For Xanthia and her brothers, hard work was not a choice. And because of her colonial upbringing, Xanthia has seen far more of life’s darker side than your average London miss.
While Xanthia’s love for her business is perhaps more of a historical stretch than her non-virginal status, one doesn’t have to read far into the annals of England’s colonial history to discover some amazing and intrepid women who managed to succeed and even flourish in a man’s world. The trouble for Xanthia, of course, comes when she decides the business has outgrown Barbados and must be relocated to London. And then—for perhaps the first time—Xanthia is in over her head. (But only a little.)
I tried to write Xanthia Neville is the competent and sensible kind of woman we’d all like to have as a sister or best friend. She is perhaps my most unconventional heroine to date. I hope readers will enjoy her adventures in London—both between the sheets and otherwise!
Congratulations on your newest book. I have to think that you’re correct and every unmarried young woman was not a virgin. Xanthia sounds extraordinary and I’m looking forward to her book.
Xanthia sounds like a great heroine. I like strong heroines who buck societal conventions and live their lives they way they desire.
Xanthia sounds like an interesting heroine. While her sort may not have been common in Regency England, but there had to have been a variety among personalities.
Interestingly, they’re discussing the dearth of strong, yet feminine heroines at Dear Author today. Sounds like this one might fit the bill.
Thanks, ladies. I had a great time writing about Xanthia. She’s my favorite kind of heroine.
BTW, I don’t know jack about blogs, having participated only once, but please let me know if you have any questions that I can answer, OK? I appreciate the invite.
I agree with the rest, Xanthia sounds like a breath of fresh air in the historical setting. I can’t wait to read about her.
Can I ask, though…how in the world do you pronounce that?
Yay, Liz is blogging!!
I can’t wait to read Xanthia’s story. I always love a strong, independent heroine, no matter what her sexual experience level. And I agree with you–there were plenty of women out there during the Regency (even in the upper echelons) who lived extraordinary lives. How great that we’ll get to meet one!
Dude I completely agree with Holly… how the hell do you pronounce her name? I know that is prolly a stupid question but hey I can’t have holly look stupid alone *g*
Liz you are doing fine, blogging is very come as you are. And should say the title was completely my own. LOL just in case poor Liz read it and went what the hell?
Thanks Syb, that’s so kind of you. 😛
Xanthia is the name of an ancient town in Greece. How the devil it became a female name is beyond me. (Hey, I just write about stuff . . . ) It is a tad old-fashioned nowadays, and is sometimes spelled Zanthia, but I’m not sure that’s a correct spelling. It is pronounced Zan-thea-ah with a slight emphasis on the first syllable. In the book, everyone just calls her “Zee.” I have always loved the name. My favorite cat down the street is named Zanthia, and she likes to lurk in my yard, scoping out the voles, for which I am grateful. That’s probably why I like the name.
OK, so, this is why I don’t blog. This is my life. 🙂
A non-virgin! Rock on 😉
And what a name! Liz you are one of the best writers of historical romance out there.
Since a lady wasn’t likely to crow her non-virgin status from the roof-tops, who are we to know that there weren’t any unmarried ladies who’d indulged in sex? Those spinsters living off their brothers or sisters’ households couldn’t have been chaste and ignorant their entire lives!
I am soooo looking forward to this book! I really love most of Liz’s books, and can’t wait to read this trilogy!
ITA with what Angela said. Besides, all those bastard children had to come from someplace, right? I think there was a lot going on that we don’t know about!
I can’t wait to start this one, Xanthia seems like such an interesting character.
“But were women like Xanthia nonexistent in her time? No. Rare? Yes.”
“all those bastard children had to come from someplace, right? I think there was a lot going on that we don’t know about!”
I definitely agree with you, Liz, a lot going on we don’t know about, so who can really say yes or no, that the unconventional lady wasn’t around back then. I can’t wait to read about Xanthia.
This book sounds really great. Can’t wait to add it to my pile of books. Congrats!!!!
Thanks, Kimmy. If you pick it up, I hope you will enjoy it.
Liz, when I’ve read unmarried not virgin heroines, It was usually those of widows. And too I tended to enjoy those reads beacuse it didn’t seem so against the rules then if she did get into a active relationship with a hero before being married. Is that pretty accurate or am I wrong? I’m very excited about this book!!
I think widows really were afforded a good deal of latitude so long as they were discreet. Many women considered a widowhood a thing to be envied. Still, I think the risk of pregnancy in widowhood must have been significant. I expect many an 19th century woman married again when perhaps she might have preferred otherwise.