Teaser Tuesday: Jane's Book (Pink XII)

Over the years, I’ve considered several potential suitors for the Pink Carnation.

Back in the very, very beginning, I had intended to set Jane up with Geoffrey Pinchingdale-Snipe. You all know how that went. By the end of The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, it was quite clear to me that there wasn’t the least romantic spark between them. They would make wonderful business partners. Not so much romantic partners. (For which one Miss Letty Alsworthy is quite grateful.)

Then along came Lord Vaughn, the opposite of well-meaning, hard-working Geoff. Vaughn was suave, he was worldly, he was dangerously clever– and he flirted so very nicely with Jane in The Deception of the Emerald Ring. But that was all it was. Flirting. Fundamentally, their value systems just didn’t match. (Jane has a value system. Vaughn doesn’t.) Instead, Mary Alsworthy swept in and scooped Vaughn up.

What to do?

But there’s someone for everyone– even the Pink Carnation. Several books into the series, just the right character came along….

Last week, I ran an informal poll on Facebook, asking if people would rather know who Jane’s hero is, or wait until after The Mark of the Midnight Manzanilla.

The result was a distinct… tie.

Some of you really want to know. Some of you really don’t want to know. And some of you suggested just dropping a few hints.

Since that seems like the easiest way to square this particular circle, I’ll go the “hints” route.

Ready?

— We’ve met him before.

— He is who many of you think he will be. (How’s that for elliptical?)

— He has his own spy code name.

I’d worry that I was giving too much away… but for the fact that there are two characters in the series who meet all three of those criteria.

I’ll officially announce the identity of Jane’s hero this summer.

Happy Tuesday!

11 Comments

  1. Lorri on February 25, 2014 at 12:37 pm

    OMG. I AM SO EXCITED. I think I know who he is and if he is who I think he is (lol did that even make sense), I will just. Die. But I’ll die happy.

    You mention there are two characters who fit the criteria, and I’ve a feeling who those two are. Either way, whoever you choose Jane to end up with, I’M EXCITED.

    (Apologies for the incoherence.)

  2. Dara on February 25, 2014 at 12:40 pm

    I HOPE HOPE HOPE it’s who I hope it is. Yes, I realize that makes very little grammatical sense, but I am in fan-girl mode. Either way, I can’t wait to see Jane’s adventure.

  3. Sheila on February 25, 2014 at 12:47 pm

    If it is not who I want it to be, then I hope He does get a lovely lady of his own!

  4. Pat D on February 25, 2014 at 1:28 pm

    Well shoot! I’m going to have to go back and read some books. My brain is too fogged to think of anyone outright.

  5. jeffrey on February 25, 2014 at 1:52 pm

    Back in The Garden Intrigue Miss Gwen said Jane was “not the marrying kind.” (my paraphrase) I thought Miss Gwen wasn’t either and look who she landed.

    I’m a little disappointed in Miss Jane since her cold and business-like estrangement of Miss Gwen in The Passion of the Purple Plumeria. I think there’s some fence-mending in order.

    Whoever manages to pierce Miss Jane’s cool unemotional heart will have his work cut out for him.

    And, finally, after all that, I have no idea!

  6. Ella on February 25, 2014 at 2:50 pm

    I am super duper excited for summer! I thought 10 was the last one when ordering the whole series last Spring. Never so glad to be wrong!

    Based on your hints and a few things in Purple Plumeria…
    Excited to see who thaws our calculating Carnation and how he does it.

  7. sue luce on February 25, 2014 at 3:38 pm

    Perfect hint. I find either one quite sexy…although, wouldn’t it be nice to mend the Jane/Miss Gwenn rift with a family wedding?

  8. Chanpreet on February 25, 2014 at 8:15 pm

    Lauren you’re such a tease! I think i’d be happy with either outcome but the wait is going to kill me! (Hopefully not literally.) *Sigh*

  9. Betty S. on February 25, 2014 at 8:50 pm

    What perfectly confusing hints, although I believe I know the two also. Please do a spoiler alert when you get ready to announce for those who don’t want to know, but would rather see the magic unfold.

  10. Suzanne on February 25, 2014 at 10:54 pm

    That is a good one. I would be happy if Jane ends up with either of them, they are both such great characters. It was a terrific scene between Jane and one of them near the end of The Purple Plumeria (HA, that will have you all running for the book), but it being so early in the war there are big political problems for them getting together. With the other one the problems are just as big only legal and geographic. It will be great fun getting hold of the book when it comes out and seeing who he is.

  11. Ducky on February 25, 2014 at 11:33 pm

    Hmmm. I can guess who the two are. I know who my favorite is. They are both fascinating men, so I am hoping that the “loser” in the Jane sweepstakes gets his own story and his own heroine.

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