ANATOMY OF A RABBIT HOLE

              Above, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham
Some of us who write historical fiction will freely admit we love the research just as much (sometimes more) than the writing. We often exchange stories about how we fall down the rabbit hole of research, immersing ourselves in some arcane bit of knowledge and following clue after clue, until we realize we've spent a whole day in pleasurable, if mostly irrelevant activity. Happens all the time. So follow along with me as I wend my way down the multidinous corridors of my latest rabbit hole.

      Above, Alexander Pope's Villa, Twickenham
In my upcoming steamy Regency called Enchanting Aurora, Blake Kingsley, our hero, has a villa on the Thames River in Twickenham, an escape from central London. Where did I learn that many leading figures in the Georgian era had these retreats? Aha! I enter one Rabbit Hole, aka Wikipedia. Soon I was enjoying a website called Experiencing Arcadia where I came upon this delightful painting by Francis Wheatly (1747-1801) entitled The Browne Family, Yale Center for British Art (YCBA), c. 1776, a charming riverside view.

 Next, I stumbled upon another very provocative painting by Wheatley, after which I wished I had set my story in the summer instead of the frosty winter. The Salmon Leap is also in the collection of the YCBA, dated 1783.

  But I soon realized I should save that for a future story. Stay tuned! Reluctantly, I decided to follow another winding corridor by recalling my own visit to Twickenham when my late husband and I visited Strawberry Hill House, the famous Gothick abode of author and collector Horace Wapole (1717-1797). Please click on the pictures for larger versions.

If you want to read about our visit, please go to
​http://numberonelondon.net/2011/07/travels-with-victoria-a-visit-to-strawberry-hill/
​
Among Walpole's neighbors were the famous sisters, Misses Mary and Agnes Berry, who viewed Walpole almost as a father-figure. Below, as tweens.

Mary Berry (1763-1852) and her younger sister, Agnes (176-1841), inherited many objects and the papers of Walpole. In addition to exchanging many letters with each other, Mary published journals of her life experiences, a valuable source for late Georgian information. She also was responsible for publishing many of Walpole's papers, another priceless source of information, particularly gossip.

Above, Mary Berry (L) and Anne Seyour Damer (R), by distinguished sculptor Anne Damer.  Walpole left his house at Strawberry Hill to Damer, who lived there until 1811. Seven years later, she purchased York House, now the Town Hall of Richmond on Thames, including Twickenham, left below.

The portrait of Anne Damer was painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Wait!! STOP.  I already spent hours on Horace, Mary and Agnes, Anne, now Josh?? None of these subjects were new to me, but I spend hours enjoying reacquainting myself... No wonder I am hungry. It's dinner time and I never stopped for lunch.  
    I hope you watch for my spicy story, ​Enchanting Aurora, to be released around March 1, on Amazon Kindle and Kindle Unlimited.