A scandalous girl’s guide to getting gossip

When not knowing other people’s secrets is just not an option, one might resort to these devious tactics, employed by The London Weekly’s Lady of Distinction, otherwise known as Lady Julianna Somerset, heroine of A Tale of Two Lovers (on sale now!).

• Disguise oneself as a man. This is actually quite frequently done by romance heroines, but has any ever donned breeches and brazenly strolled into White’s? How else is a woman to read the famed wager book, if not in the club itself, brandy in hand, and rake by her side?

• Enlist the assistance of your maid and her six sisters, employed in all the best houses.

• When at the theater, sneak around backstage after the performance. Yes, Ladies don’t do this sort of thing. But intreprid, fearless and ruthless gossip hunters like Lady Julianna Somerset do.

• Skulk around in the bushes during duels. Early birds only.

• Establish calling hours at St. Bride’s. Seek and ye shall find—or alert the ton as to when and where you are ready to receive their gossip. It’s like confession for High Society.  St. Brides, located on Fleet Street and known as the church of the press, is the perfect place.

• Flirt with notorious rakes. But do take care, lest you become the object of gossip yourself!

• Purchase your copy of A Tale of Two Lovers. It’s on sale now, darlings. Take it home tonight and tell your friends in the morning.