Laura Dudley, governess to Colin and Jessica Rannoch, plays a central role in The Mayfair Affair. The story begins when she is accused of murdering the Duke of Trenchard. Laura has a heart-shaped gold locket that plays a role in the story and connects to some of the many secrets the Rannoch governess is keeping. To celebrate finishing the book, I bought myself a heart-shaped brass reproduction locket at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on my recent trip to New York with my daughter Mélanie. I love having jewelry that connects to my books and the Met has gorgeous historical reproductions. (Here’s a similar locket from their website).
Jewelry can be a great for whiling away time at restaurants too.
Mélanie is fascinated by the locket and loves opening and closing it. it was a great aid in whiling away waiting time in the airport and a conversational point at several restaurants meals, including lunch Isabella’s, above.
Do you have favorite jewelry from books? Have you ever bought something similar for yourself?
You’ll notice my website has a new look, thanks to my wonderful designer Gregory Paris (thank you, Greg!), that incorporates both The Mayfair Affair and London interlude.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Tracy
Tracy Grant - Novelist 
April 18, 2015 at 2:07 am
I enjoy the descriptions of jewelry in historicals, necklaces and earrings dripping with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, etc. But no, I’ve never bought anything similar; maybe if someone invites me to a ball!
April 18, 2015 at 3:13 am
So true, Karin, a lot of the jewelry described in historical fiction is super elaborate. The nice thing about Laura’s locket is that it’s simple enough to wear every day – and to let me afford a reproduction :-). I have based some of Suzanne’s jewelry on my jewelry, but usually the piece I’m basing it on is much simpler – and I don’t see Suzanne as the type for over-elaborate jewelry either.
April 18, 2015 at 3:38 am
What a lovely piece, Tracy. I remember the Met having a wonderful catalog and treated myself to a few things over the years. But never something like your locket. Just think – you can pass it on to Melanie someday to become a family heirloom. Sounds like something Suzanne would do in your books. Wear that locket and enjoy!
April 18, 2015 at 6:11 am
It’s funny, Lynne, I was actually looking at a couple of different locket designs. Mel really liked the heart, and I said, “Well, someday it will be yours.” It was only then I realized it’s just like the one Laura has in the book, which makes it perfect. I’m going ot put Melanie’s picture in it, but I haven’t quite managed to yet.
The Met does have wonderful jewelry. I’ve bought a few things for myself through the years (I have a great pair or peridot earrings that are copies from a Monet painting) both on trips and from the cataolgue, and I’ve also found it great for presents for friends. I renewed my membership on this trip so now I have the member discount as an excuse to shop!
April 18, 2015 at 4:10 am
I bought a gold bracelet that looks like an old fashioned rope when I was in Hong Kong about 30 years ago because I had a photograph of Grace Kelly wearing one exactly the same in a book I have. I love it and wear it a lot.
April 18, 2015 at 6:13 am
How cool, Suzanne! I love getting jewelry while traveling (a great way to remember trips) and I love jewelry that evokes books. Your bracelet sounds beautiful and also the sort of thing one could wear a lot.