Hello Lovely Readers!
Today on the blog we have the ever-talented Carla Simpson, here in honor of the newest addition to her Angus Brodie and Mikaela Forsythe Murder Mystery series, Deadly Ghost! She has brought with her another interview with the very spirited Lady Antonia Montgomery, Mikaela’s great aunt!
We are most fortunate today to have a very distinguished lady as our guest—Lady Antonia Montgomery of London, who has very graciously agreed to answer some of our questions regarding herself and her contribution to the inquiry work of her great niece Lady Mikaela Forsythe.
First of all, we have read that you are descended from royalty. It is rumored that you are the descendant of William of Normandy, eventually King William of England. What can you tell us about that?
It is not a rumor, dear. But you can be forgiven for being doubtful as it does make my family over eight hundred years old and who can claim that in this modern day and age. Furthermore, it is quite well documented in the family archive. Admittedly not without some colorful history along the way. It is known that Sir William was quite a bounder. However, he did recognize his son who was my direct ancestor. After a bit of political maneuvering, of course. Nothing ever changes, does it.
There are rumors as well about several disreputable persons in your family line as well. Can you add to that?
Of course dear, and might I say that you have a very interesting array of tattoos. My niece, Mikaela has one and I have considered getting one as well. I have several ideas for that. As for certain interesting characters in the family line, as I call them, there are several. They include more than one highwayman, a smuggler of notorious reputation who added substantially to the family fortunes, and was never caught, I might add. Just the usual assortment interesting chaps that must include the husband of my niece, Mikaela. Mr. Brodie is most interesting and quite stirring, I might add, even for a woman of my mature years.
It is said that you have a most unusual household at Sussex Square in London. There are rumors of several very different rooms and decorating schemes. Please tells us about that.
Decorating schemes? Dear girl, how amusing. But to your comment, it can be most challenging to add to a place that was originally built in the Medieval period by Sir William. Or I should say King William. It was originally a fortress for protection. Those parts are still there, but I prefer the Georgian architecture of the newer part of the place, only a little over two hundred years old. Less drafty and more light. And then there is the solar with various plants for those gloomy days through the winter. I have even kept a small menagerie there, what one might find in the zoo. And I did have built an Egyptian sailboat in the middle of the great hall for one of my soirees, complete with water running through the place for the Nile river.
There is the sword room that includes weapons from those early days. Our newest member of the family, Lily, is quite taken with it. I do believe that she will be quite formidable with the broadsword. Charming girl with a sense of adventure. Very much like my niece, Mikaela.
Mikaela Forsythe, has been in involved in a highly unusual vocation for a woman of the 19th century, investigating inquiry cases. Some of them quite dangerous. Is that with your approval considering the usual expectations for a woman, particularly one of title?
My approval? Hah! (laughter here). How amusing. I must say that my niece has never asked for my approval, very much like myself. She is highly intelligent, with a sense for adventure, and can be quite single-minded about things. It is that sense of adventure that necessitated my sending Mr. Brodie to fetch her back to London when she had taken herself off with her guide to one of the Greek islands.
How did you happen to think of Mr. Brodie for that task?
My you are the curious one. At the time, I needed the services of man who could be trusted with such a … shall we say delicate matter; a man who is honest, and isn’t above breaking a few rules when necessary. There is that other thing of course, absolutely irresistible, which I highly recommended to my niece from my own somewhat colorful experiences in my youth.
Other thing?
Oh, my dear. If you have to ask, you have obviously never experienced it—absolutely stunning, unforgettable, it steals the breath away and leave one with a hunger for more. And one’s toes…
But I digress.
Toes? You must explain.
If I have to explain, you have obviously never experienced such a thing. Mores the pity. However, you are a very attractive young woman and quite young. There is still enough time and when it happens, you will know it. Once you recover from it. I suppose one could say that it is much like a narcotics.
There are rumors that you have contributed to some of Lady Forsythe and Mr. Brodie’s inquiry cases from time to time. It is most unusual for a woman of your status. What can you tell us about that?
I do try, although I must admit that I encounter some resistance from Mikaela. She believes that she needs to protect me. Protect me?! I am eighty six years old. What is the worst that could happen? That I might die? That is not on my schedule for some time. I shall continue to participate as I can in spite of her protests.
It is most exciting, particularly this latest adventure of hers to find the truth about this pretentious young woman’s claim that she is Mikaela’s sister, the product of an affair of Mikaela’s father years before. Not that such things do not happen. My great ancestor was the offspring of an affair of King William.
However, there are too many things about this present young woman that simply do not add up, as Mikaela often says. I will assist in whatever way that I can at the same time keep a rein—another saying of modern young people—on Miss Lily. She is quite a handfull. (a knowing smile here). She reminds me much of myself.
There is also curiosity about your estate manager, Mr. Munro. He has a history with Mr. Brodie from their youth. What can you tell us about him?
Very little, but that is my choice and an agreement that we have. I can tell you that he is a man of strong character, loyal to the bone to those he chooses, and most persuasive when it comes to handling the affairs of my estates. He can be dangerous, that is not in question. Yet, I would place my life in his hands without hesitation, and have.
What about his background? His family? Is there anything more you can tell us?
He is a Scot, and by that you tell you quite a lot. They are a fiery, brave lot. As for his family? I suppose that Mr. Brodie is very near as much of his family as anyone. They have been together since they were boys on the streets, if you can imagine. And as I said, that loyalty is bone deep, even if it means breaking a law or two.
You made a trip to Africa recently. On safari? How is that possible for someone… ?”
Someone of my age? You are quite presumptuous, dear. In the first place, it was a safari into the wilds of Africa with a stay over in Cairo in the north. My father did some exploring there.
In the second place, as I have already pointed out, I have several adventurous, strong-willed people in my family line. And third, I wanted very much to go after hearing about it from Mikaela. I did have to delay my departure due to a broken ankle. However, when we finally arrived, it was most exciting.
What can you tell us about Old Lodge in the north of Scotland?
It was once a hunting lodge that belonged to my grandfather and his father before him. It is quite remote, somewhat primitive by some standards, and the one place that I feel at home. Sussex Square here in London is my official residence, but Old Lodge… I did mention highwaymen, thieves, and brigands, not to mention that ‘other thing’.
And it is the place where the finest whisky in all of Scotland is made. It undoubtedly has to do with the water, cold enough to freeze one’s bones and crystal clear. Not like the water most people are forced to endure here in London. We grow our own barley there as well and include just a hint of spice. It is then fermented in oak wine barrels.
It was Mr. Munro’s idea to use wine barrels from California in the United States of all places. They give the whisky an unforgettable essence. He has overseen the expansion of that little enterprise quite successfully.
It really is a remarkable whisky. We have gifted the Prince of Wales several bottles, and he has requested more.
Now, if you have no further questions, my dear, it is time for my morning exercises.
That does raise just one more question. It is rumored that you are in the habit of standing on your head. Can you tell us more about that?
It is something that was shared with me some time ago. It is said that standing on one’s head improves circulation of the blood.
It is said to increase mental focus, improve digestion although I’ve never had issues with that, relieves stress, and prevents one’s hair from falling out. Although I do not have that particular issue, although I once had red hair much like Mikaela.
You do know that as you get older, the brain is said to need extra stimulation and it improves the flow of blood to the brain as well. I have found it to be most exhilarating. You should try it, my dear.
Now, I really must get on with my day. It is a marvelous day out and I’m going out about London this afternoon with Lily, if we manage to escape Mr. Munro. He is very much like an old nanny when it comes to protecting us. Yet, I do want to take a drive in the motor carriage. I need to sharpen my skills in that regard.
Thank you so much for your time, Lady Montgomery. I must say that it has been most revealing. You have lived a very unusual and exciting life.
Yes, dear. And more adventures await!
Want to know about Deadly Ghost?
Ghosts from the past have the nasty habit of refusing to stay buried.
Returning from an extended stay in Scotland, life for Mikaela and Brodie picks up right back where it left off. Brodie is immediately tasked with a new case for the Agency, while Mikaela must attend a reception for the release of her latest novel. But, as it always does, intrigue has begun to creep its way back in.
While at the reception, Mikaela encounters a mysterious woman who bares a striking resemblance to her. But, before she can ask any questions, the woman disappears.
Days later Mikaela’s sister Lenore sees the same woman, raising more questions and bringing back painful memories. The woman claims to be a long-lost half sister, with old letters and documents that seem to support her claim. And there is that undeniable resemblance.
But is she who she claims to be?
Mikaela sets out to investigate, drawing Brodie in to support her even as he cautions that the woman might be telling the truth.
Their search takes them into the past as old secrets come to light, from a private hospital in the south of France to a grave in Highgate Cemetery, desperate to expose the truth.
But as they both know only too well, awaking old ghosts can be deadly…
About Carla Simpson:
Once upon a time… I was told by someone very wise that I had lived many lives, and the stories I write are from those lives. Many more books to write…
“I want to write a book… ” she said.
“Then do it,” he said.
And she did, and received two offers for that first book proposal.
A dozen historical romances later, and a prophecy from a gifted psychic and the Legacy Series was created, expanding to seven additional titles.
Along the way, two film options, and numerous book awards.
But wait, there’s more a voice whispered, after a trip to Scotland and a visit to the standing stones in the far north, and as old as Stonehenge, sign posts the voice told her, and the Clan Fraser books that have followed that told the beginnings of the clan and the family she was part of…
And now… murder and mystery set against the backdrop of Victorian London in the new Angus Brodie and Mikaela Forsythe series, with an assortment of conspirators and murderers in the brave new world after the Industrial Revolution where terrorists threaten and the world spins closer to war.
When she is not exploring the Darkness of the fantasy world, or pursuing ancestors in ancient Scotland, she lives in the mountains near Yosemite National Park with bears and mountain lions, and plots murder and revenge.
And did I mention fierce, beautiful women and dangerous, handsome men?
They’re there, waiting…
