On The Bias — Celia Lake

Mistress Castalia Jones has built up her dressmaking business stitch by stitch. Comfortably middle-aged, she has apprentices to train, interesting clothing to design, and the freedom to make her own choices. When she overhears uncomfortable gossip about one of her best clients and his fiancee, she finds herself sharing the details with his valet, Benton.

Benton has served Lord Carillon since the Great War, not only at home in Albion, but on a variety of expeditions to distant parts of the globe. Now that his lordship is preparing to marry, Benton knows that things must change. Cassie's information leaves him determined to untangle the confusing hints she has heard.

When an encounter with a difficult rooster leaves Benton in need of more direct help - and a steady hand with a needle - they begin to look at each other in a different light. As people with very different lives and commitments, nothing could possibly come of their growing friendship.

Join Cassie and Benton in Albion of 1926 for a wardrobe full of fabulous dresses, three dangerous birds, and a historical costume party that sends the characters reeling.

On The Bias is a standalone romance of 85,000 words with a happy ending and no cliffhangers. The Mysterious Charm series explores the magical community of the British Isles in the 1920s and can be read in any order.