Hope everyone is having a wonderful midwinter, however you celebrate! It’s been a very busy couple of months for me, with the release of Mission for a Queen and working madly away at Gilded Deceit so it can go the copy editor in the New Year. As always seems to happen with a book, there are moments I despair and moments I think it’s working rather well. On my current draft I’m quite excited about how the Rannochs’ adventures on Lake Como are shaping up.
In the flurry of preparing for the holidays, I thought it might be fun to speculate on what Malcolm and Suzanne and their friends might give each other, either in 1818 or if they lived today. We don’t know where Christmas of 1818 will find them, but we could speculate as though they are still in Italy – or wherever you prefer.
I think Malcolm would give Suzanne a garnet pendant surrounded by diamonds (I know he gave her another garnet pendant but she’s fond of the stone and this is a very different design). It could work in 1818 or 2016.
In 1818, Suzanne might give Malcolm a first edition of Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur (one of the books William Caxton printed) as a reminder of Britain and something he could read with the children. In 2016 she might give him the same thing (though probably not a first edition!) or perhaps a new iPad, since he might not get that for himself as it’s not as practical as a phone or a computer. And he might keep insisting he was fine with the old one with the cracked screen :-).
Raoul might give Laura a blue topaz necklace in 1818 or 2016, to go with the earrings he sent her before the ball in Incident in Berkeley Square. Laura might give Raoul framed pictures of her and Emily to take with him when he travels – miniatures in 1818, photos in folding travel case in 2016.
David might give Simon a ring in 1818 or 2016, though in 2016 the ring would go with a formal proposal.
What do you think these characters and others might give each other, in 1818 or today?
Happy holidays!
Tracy
Tracy Grant - Novelist 
December 21, 2016 at 11:15 pm
I think Malcolm, Raoul and Harry would stick with jewelry either in 1818 or 2016. In 1818, I think Suzanne would give Malcolm a book or a portable writing set that he could use on the terrace to write letters to friends and family in Britain. I like the idea of the pictures for Raoul, I could also see Laura and Emily giving Raoul a writing set so that he can send her letters like he use to send Malcolm. For Harry, I could see Cordy and the girls having a portrait painted in 1818 or picking up and old manuscript maybe Homer in Greek. In 2016, I think they would give a new chair for his office/study where he works on his translations.
December 22, 2016 at 2:51 am
Love these ideas, Kim! I agree, Malcolm, Raoul, and Harry would stick jewelry in either era – jewelry makes for great gifts, and Suzanne, Laura, and Cordy would all appreciate it. We know Harry gave Cordelia a diamond bracelet with flower links she wears a lot. Maybe this year he gives her a necklace or earrings to go with it. Writing sets are very appropriate for Malcolm and Raoul. And I could definitely see Cordy getting a picture painted of her and the girls for Harry and/or an old manuscript. The chair is a great idea – like the iPad for Malcolm!
December 22, 2016 at 5:59 am
I think Kim has all the right ideas for our characters. Gifts are really a tough call when you consider that these people have all they want in material things. I would love to see what the children get. Maybe hand-made dolls for the girls – or a new doll house for Davenport girls – and a rocking horse for Colin…gosh, what did little boys get for gifts in that era?
Speaking of girls, that’s a great photo of you both – makes me realize how grown up Mel is getting! Merry Christmas!
December 24, 2016 at 8:39 pm
So true, they can afford to get most things so it’s personal things or things they wouldn’t get for themselves (the modern example of the new iPad). Love the doll house idea, though both the Rannoch and Davenport kids have toy castles, which are what my Mélanie plays with instead of doll houses. Happy holidays!!
December 22, 2016 at 8:12 pm
You can never go wrong giving a woman jewelry, amirite, ladies? For the gentlemen, a pocket watch with a meaningful inscription is a good gift, and something you can always have with you. And little boys always love toy soldiers, but if you don’t want to encourage military ambitions in your child, there are lots of toys that are portable enough for a family on the move; a rolling hoop, board games, a spinning top.
David might also get Simon a rare edition of Shakespeare, and Simon might get David a beautiful carved chess set.
December 24, 2016 at 8:41 pm
Very true about jewelry – at least for me and many women I know :-). (The garnet pendant above was my Mélanie’s Chirstmas present to me – we picked it out together :-). Love your traveling toy ideas. Colin has toy soldiers but I think he tends to play with knights more. After Waterloo particularly I’m not sure Malcolm and Suzanne would be big on military gifts.
Great ideas for David and Simon!
December 23, 2016 at 2:05 pm
Love all the ideas – so many great suggestions! What about David having some of Simon’s plays specially bound as a gift. For the little girls, I would love to see them have a dollhouse.
December 24, 2016 at 3:55 pm
Betty, I love you idea about Simon’s plays. Simon could have David’s speeches specially bound as well.
December 24, 2016 at 8:43 pm
The bound plays/speeches are a lovely idea! It goes To Lynne’s comment about the personal.
I also think David and Simon are at the point where they exchange rings as Rupert and Bertrand have done, even though they can’t share their relationship with the world.
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