THE+DRAGON'S+BRIDE,+May+2001

The Dragon's Bride. RITA finalist.

Starts May 1816

Con Sommerford, Viscount Amleigh, short dark hair, gray eyes. A mother and 2 sisters. Susan Kerslake -- later Kerslake Sommerford. d of Isabelle Kerslake, Lady Belle, mistress of Melchisadeck Clyst, smuggling master of the Dragon's Horde. Her brother, David Kerslake, the earldom's estate manager. 23

Baby March 1817, George

1816, Mel Clyst is caught and sent to Botany Bay. Lady Belle goes with him, taking all the Dragon Horde's assets.

The Earldom of Wyvern, seat Crag Wyvern, Devon. Looms over Dragon's Cove, which is based on the village of Beer.

Desc of Church Wyverne pg90

Dragon's Cove. George and Dragon. New innkeeper is Rachel Clyst, Mel's cousin, as wide as she was tall.

Crag Wyvern, 200 years old and built to look like a medieval fortress.

When Con inherits, there's no money.

Local smugglers. Blackstock Gang to the west Tom Merriwether's Boys to the east. Both bad.

Boatmen -- work for preventive officers. Saul Cogley -- bad shot. Tom Bridgelow

Local names, from 1858 directory. Bartlett, Cawley, Mutter, Rowe, Stagg, Tizzard, Gibbs, Aplin, Searle, Restorick, Northcott,Star, Drake, Marston Oke, Coates

Lace making. http://www.branscombe.net/Branscombe%20parish/Branscombe%20Parish%20-%20The%20Lace%20Industry.htm