The Bracelet (43 page)

A
UTHOR
’
S
N
OTE

D
EAR
R
EADERS
,

You’ve probably noticed that in addition to all of the elements you’ve come to expect from my novels—romance, history, and mystery—
The Bracelet
contains an extra measure of suspense. But the suspense is based on history as well.

On March 27, 1860, Matilda Moxley Sorrel, wife of wealthy Savannah businessman Francis Sorrel, plunged to her death from the second-floor balcony of a house similar to my fictional one. Stories circulated in Savannah that Mrs. Sorrel had taken her life after learning of her husband’s liaison with one of the house servants, a girl called Molly who was said to have been found two weeks later, hanged in the carriage house on the property. Though there seems to be no credible evidence for Molly’s existence, Mrs. Sorrel’s tragic death is a matter of historical record. Today the story of Matilda and Molly has passed into legend and serves as a ghost tale for visitors to Savannah’s Sorrel-Weed House.

Though the Brownings and the Mackays are fictional (there was a prominent family of Mackays in Savannah, but none are portrayed here), many of Celia’s friends mentioned in the book were actual persons, among them Mrs. Stiles, Mrs. Low, Nellie Kinzie Gordon (mother of Girl Scouts founder Juliette Low), and
Mrs. Lawton. The Savannah Asylum for Orphan Girls was a real place, as was the Pulaski Hotel, the Ten Broeck Race Course, and the Savannah Poor House and Hospital. And there really was a Captain Stevens who owned cargo boats that traveled between Savannah and the sea islands. The story of Charlie Lamar and the slave ship
Wanderer
is also true.

My second inspiration for this novel comes from a Victorian custom in which gentlemen sent hidden messages to their sweethearts through the language of the jewels. A suitor might send a brooch or a bracelet set with jewels, and the first letters in the jewels’ names would spell out such endearments as “adored” or “dear.” As you saw, Celia Browning received such a gift, but with a less than endearing message. The blending of this custom with the stories of Matilda and Molly resulted in the book you’re now holding.

I hope you enjoyed Celia’s story. You’ll meet her again when my next historical romantic suspense novel is released in 2015. Until then, thank you for choosing
The Bracelet
.

Warmest wishes,
Dorothy

R
EADING
G
ROUP
G
UIDE

1. Though Celia enjoys her station in life, she also chafes against the expectations of her family and her circle of friends. Ivy, too, is affected by societal norms. What roles do expectations play for each of the characters in this novel? Have you ever felt constrained or inspired by your family’s wishes or the norms of your community?

2. The relationship between Ivy and Celia is a complicated one. Which woman do you think understands the other more completely? Why?

3. Celia’s home on Madison Square represents very different things to Celia and Ivy. What do you think the house means to each of them?

4. Ivy believes that the Brownings have provided her with opportunity, but not love. Do you agree? Why or why not?

5. Celia decides to pursue the truth about her family’s past, even if her discovery proves uncomfortable. How is Celia changed by what she finds out? Have you ever discovered something in your own past that altered your perception of people and events?

6. What is Leo Channing’s role in the story? Do you think his
personal circumstances justified his actions? Why or why not?

7. Were Mr. Browning and Mrs. Maguire justified in keeping the family secrets once Celia was an adult? In similar circumstances, would you want to know the details?

8. At her father’s funeral, Celia wonders how her father dealt with the secrets he kept. Was there a price he paid for his silence? What do you think?

9. In her diary, Aunt Eugenia states that she has become a secret abolitionist. What were her reasons for this statement? Does the depiction of the antebellum South in this book differ from your assumptions?

10. In what way is the city of Savannah itself a character in the novel?

A
CKNOWLEDGMENTS

I’
M GRATEFUL TO EVERY MEMBER OF MY PUBLISHING TEAM
for their encouragement and enthusiasm for this book. Two years ago, I pitched the idea for
The Bracelet
to my publisher, the amazing Daisy Hutton, who immediately told me to go for it. Thank you, Daisy. My editors, Becky Philpott and Anne Christian Buchanan, always make my work stronger, for which I am very grateful. Kristen Vasgaard, this cover is truly exceptional. Thank you! Thanks as well to my marketing team, my sales teams, and to everyone who works behind the scenes to bring my books to life. Working with you is my great joy.

Thank you to the incomparable Natasha Kern, who read an early draft of this book and made valuable suggestions. Natasha, I’m so glad you’re taking this publishing ride with me.

During the writing of this book, I said good-bye to Major, my beloved twelve-year-old golden retriever, who came into my life as a seven-week-old puppy and who gave me joy every day of his life. Though goldens were first bred in the late 1800s, they were not shown until 1908 and were not recognized as an established breed until 1913—too late for Celia’s little puppy, Maxwell, to be specifically identified as a golden retriever. But it was my Major who
inspired the creation of Maxwell, and in the pages of this book, Major lives on.

To my author friends, whose humor and wisdom delight me every day, and to my family, thank you. I love you all.

A
BOUT THE
A
UTHOR

A
NATIVE OF WEST
T
ENNESSEE
, D
OROTHY
L
OVE MAKES HER
home in the Texas hill country with her husband and their golden retriever. An award-winning author of numerous young adult novels, Dorothy made her adult debut with the Hickory Ridge novels.