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With Christmas nearly upon us , it’s still extremely cold as winter at the end of 1816 has shown us. The Thames in London had been frozen again, but much worse this year, but still people wanted to celebrate, having to wrap up warm for the privilege when attending church and other outdoor activities, although some prefer to stay indoors. But we find our Regency Rake has much to deal with and think about. 

Life with death at the end is inevitable, but it is still a shock when it happens, so how is Matthias going to deal with this next stage of his life. Will he continue with his father’s rules, take on the responsibilities, or will he do what he really needs to do? These decisions will be discovered in

My Rake’s Progress 

Written by Miss Louisa Ayling.

Life changing events can hit people differently, but for Matthias he had already started to come to terms with the inevitable.

Will Matthias approach Horatia or will he just continue in his rakish ways to assuage his celibate state by finding a femme fatale?

Only listening to Chapter 30 will reveal this.

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An extremely cold winter at the end of 1816, slowed everything down, but even with the build up of the December celebrations sometimes life puts us through a strange journey to deal with.  Our Regency Rake was dealing with very personal matters and not by choice. 

Life has a way to throw a curve ball within anybody’s life at any time of the year, whoever they are. Even a naughty boy, but it can also happen for a lady as well. What will happen to them, let’s find out in

My Rake’s Progress 

Written by Miss Louisa Ayling.

At the Ducal mansion, Matthias has found out that his life is about to change completely, so will he return to continue to start his revised search for a wife.

Attending yet another houseparty, will Horatia become engaged again, and this time walk down the aisle. Will she receive the marriage proposal from Lord Giles Bideford that her mother expects, or not?

Let’s step into Chapter 29.

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In the summer season 1816, the pleasure-seeking continued, although there would be a beau missing from the field, even though it is a rake who never liked to lose, this Regency Rake appears to have left the field.

So, why has this naughty boy decided to leave society’s events of the season and not participate in the a well known wager, well, we will discover this in

My Rake’s Progress 

Written by Miss Louisa Ayling.

Matthias has had to leave London, but will he return soon to continue his pursuit for a wife, to claim Horatia.

Horaitia discovers that one of her beaux is no longer around, leaving her little choice left to decide on her future happiness, even though she knows she could be independent, thank you to Captain Sherrington, she’s loath to use his generosity.

Will Horatia discover whether Lord Desmond Highcliffe has proposed to Clarisse?

As with every season, families present events to enable their eligible off-spring the opportunity to shine, but at the end of the season means moving back to their estates to await the autumn, then the winter season and this is the period of the houseparties begin.

In Chapter 28 you will start to understand the dilemma.

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Life and love never runs smoothly for any of us, and that is the same whichever century we live in.  1816 is no different, and pleasure-seekers were no different then than they are in the present day, and the Regency Rake is the leader of the pack.

So, when the naughty boys decide it’s time to marry, they think that their charm and prestigious position in society means that they believe that all young ladies will fall at their feet. Well, not all succumb so easily, as our Regency Rake will discover in

My Rake’s Progress 

Written by Miss Louisa Ayling.

As the London Season of 1816 continues, Horaitia has two beaux trying to attract her attention.

With Horatia’s friend, Clarisse, still waiting for that  marriage proposal, but we know it is imminent.

The  Barnaby ball is a ‘crush’ and everyone wants to meet the Viscount Bembridge as he is a rarity at these Ton events, and everyone wonders why he is in attendance, but things do not go to plan and he ends up in another woman’s boudoir.

What will Chapter 27 reveal?

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The Regency Rake is a character who always attracts attention from both the males and females of the Ton society.  The gentlemen admire his prowess with the ladies whereas the females are either trying to avoid him or try to get into his bed.  Yes, the Rake is a promiscuous, immoral, dissolute man, who lives for self-gratification and pleasure. But can a Regency Rake, eventually decide to marry, or at least decide that they needed to?Let's discover the truth in

My Rake’s Progress  

Written by Miss Louisa Ayling.

The start of the London Season of 1816, is when a Rake takes courting seriously. Matthias has contemplated a future without Horatia.

Horatia is in London for the Season with her mother and her friend Clarisse. And is looking forward to hearing news of a marriage proposal.

A carriage ride for Horatia shows the results of being with the ‘Temple of Love’, so should she retreat and concentrate on her other beau, even though she is attracted to Matthias?

Has Matthias spoiled his chance to Horatia? Chapter 26 will reveal all.

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A Rakehell, as they were known from the 16th century is a promiscuous, immoral, dissolute man, a debaucher and usually a hedonist, so pleasure was the key to their existence. By the Regency era they were called a Rake, and some eventually married, so will our Regency Rake? 

Let's find out In

My Rake’s Progress 

Written by Miss Louisa Ayling.

The Christmas Season of 1815, and leaving the pursuits of a Rake behind, a family Christmas is in order for Matthias, where he can continue to lick his wounds and contemplate his future.

The New Year of 1816 finds Horatia back in London, after spending the Christmas Season with her family and Clarisse as a guest, and there is a marriage proposal, but no one you expected.

Will love and marriage be in the air? Both Horatia and her widowed friend, Clarisse, have gentlemen callers, with flowers from their beaux. Will any of them make a move to secure a bride.

How do things progress for Matthias and Horatia in Chapter 25?

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Even though marriage is a big step for both a gentleman and a lady, and it seems to worsen as the happy couple marries at an older age, as they are both used to their bachelor or spinster lifestyle, particularly if the male party is a rake, like our Regency Rake 

In My Rake’s Progress 

Written by Miss Louisa Ayling.

The London season of 1815 and a ball at a houseparty in Royal Berkshire does not end well for Horatia.  

Matthias is sent away with a flea in his ear, but realises that Horatia’s reaction had been for a reason that he needed time to think about, as the war has ended with the Battle of Waterloo, his work with the ~Home Office has come to an end too!

What happens next for Matthias and Horatia? Let’s take a look in Chapter 24!

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Is marrying a Rake one step too many? Marriage is a big step for a gentleman, especially for one who is set in their ways, but it’s also a big step for the wife too, particularly if it’s to a Rake!. Some gentlemen’s habits are difficult to change, and that's especially true for a Regency Rake in

My Rake’s Progress 

Written by Miss Louisa Ayling.

The Christmas season of 1814 brings seasonal celebrations to Kent for Horatia, and it continues into the New Year of 1815.  

Then we swing into the 1815 Season and during the fun and frivolity brings a period of mourning that affects a friend of Horatia’s friend due to the outcomes of the Battle of Waterloo.

After Waterloo, Matthias realises that the battle continues on the continent and in his life, as he discovers Horatia is out of mourning but on a path of her own making.

Let's check out the continuing intrigues within Chapter 23.

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There’s an old saying ‘a leopard never changes his spots’ so can a Rake really transform, change into a loving monogamous husband? We always fall in love with the handsome rogue, the naughty boy, and that's the same for the ladies of the Ton as we follow a Regency Rake In  

My Rake’s Progress 

Written by Miss Louisa Ayling.

It starts in the summer of 1812 when families move home, but although there is sorrow for Horatia there is also a wedding of her friend, which she could not miss. Matthias finds himself there too, he keeps his distance but completes his role.

Mourning has been difficult for Horatia, especially with her father dying after a fatal accident, even with friends around her.

Matthias discovers his selfishness when he discovers that Lord Stanwycke is dead and Horatia is back into full mourning again, hoping to give him time to come to terms with himself.

Horatia discovers the depth of Captain Sherrington's love for her when brother Russ helps her by accompanying her to the London solicitors, when she discovers his generosity for real.

Will Chapter 22 show us any surprises?

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The Regency Rake is often a handsome and virile gentleman, who is fashionable dressed or in uniform. Our dear Jane Austen included many character examples of this type, and we fell in love with them until we understood the truth of their behaviour. They often had money and often linked to a prestigious title, but not always, so you know that our Rake is no different in

My Rake’s Progress 

Written by Miss Louisa Ayling.

It’s the 1812 Season, Matthias finds himself crossing paths with Horatia, after trying to avoid her over the last few years, he  now realises the error of his ways as he cannot hide his feelings for her. Then, the temptation of a Waltz with her makes himself recognise that he had put him in a very vulnerable position. Can he just walk away or will she be the one taking those steps? 

Horatia discovers that Matthias is continually sharing a variety of women in his bed, and their own ones too, just to try and forget her, so he says. He now believed that Horatia is the only one he would eventually marry and relieve this lack of fulfillment, but he realises that she is awaiting her fiance’s return, so even the various entertainments, even the salacious ones did not calm this raging need, and Matthias could not push this from his mind and body.

Captain Sherrington, although injured during the siege of Badajoz, continued to inform Horatia of his wish to return to England as soon as possible, so that they could marry, as he loved her so very much and missed her so much.

Let’s see what Chapter 21 leads to!