Never Lie to a Lady

NEVER LIE TO A LADY follows the life of Xanthia Neville, a twenty-nine year old spinster, who was Martinique's aunt in the School for Heiresses short story. Xanthia was an impoverished orphan who grew up, along with her two brothers, in Barbados, where they inherited a run-down sugar plantation from their abusive, alcoholic uncle. They later started a shipping company which made them extremely rich. Years ago, the eldest brother died, leaving Xanthia to run the shipping company. For political reasons, they eventually lease out the plantations to the African slaves who work them, and decide to relocate Neville Shipping to London so the business can expand.

During her frequent travels through England, Liz Carlyle always packs her pearls, her dancing slippers, and her whalebone corset, confident in the belief that eventually she will receive an invitation to a ball or a rout. Alas, none has been forthcoming. While waiting, however, she has managed to learn where all the damp, dark alleys and low public houses can be found. Liz hopes she has brought just a little of the nineteenth century alive for the reader in her popular novels, which include the trilogy of One Little Sin, Two Little Lies, and Three Little Secrets, as well as The Devil You Know, A Deal With the Devil, and The Devil to Pay. Please visit her at LizCarlyle.com, especially if you're giving a ball.