The lovely Ellie Thomas is back on the blog! This time she’s chatting about the 8th book in the Twelve Letters series, The Way Home. Welcome, Ellie!
Thanks, lovely Ofelia, for having me as your guest again! I’m Ellie, and I write MM Historical Romance novellas. I’m popping in today to talk about my new release, The Way Home, the eighth novella in my Regency Twelve Letters series. The Way Home is in the 20% off new release sale at JMS Books until March 8th.
My Twelve Letters series consists of an ensemble cast of four established couples in Regency London from different walks of life. We first meet Luc Gerrard and Harry Kent, the couple featured in The Way Home in book five, The Misfit, which introduces Luc as a main character.
He appeared briefly in the fourth book, Gentleman’s Agreement, and at the end of that story, he was whisked away to the West Indies after being unknowingly caught up in a treasonous plot.
In The Misfit, Luc returns to London and begins to pick up the pieces of his life as a professional musician. He also meets his erstwhile companions, including Harry Kent. Luc and Harry have been friends and lovers for years, but Luc’s absence made Harry realise how much he means to him.
By the end of The Misfit, Luc and Harry are a couple and very much part of the established cast of firm friends and found family. In The Way Home, it was lovely to focus on how their relationship has progressed. They are now living together in a small house conveniently close to the theatre and are completely committed to each other.
There is both a friends to lovers and an opposites attract dynamic between Luc and Harry. They are both progressing in their careers in London’s highly competitive entertainment world, so they have an innate understanding of their shared way of life and are able to encourage each other.
Luc, from an aristocratic French émigré family, appears cautious and reserved but is warm and loving beneath. Harry is much more straightforward, quicker to laugh and argue and with plenty of outgoing charisma. In The Way Home, with the pair away from the familiar setting of London, I enjoyed writing about how well these two fit together. Luc’s careful thoughtfulness is not only a perfect complement to Harry’s more impetuous nature but can influence him to rethink some vital entrenched opinions.
The Way Home
Sequel to A Festive Gathering at Chelsea
In the winter of 1817, Drury Lane Theatre actor Henry Kent, otherwise known as Harry Smith, ventures into deepest Essex to meet the parents of his French musician lover Luc Gerrard.
Harry isn’t sure what to expect away from the familiar bustle of London, apart from being bored witless in the countryside. He’s never come across a couple of French aristocrats at close quarters. But Harry is nothing if resourceful and charming, and besides, he’s with Luc, which is what matters.
But once surrounded by the family that Luc adores, Harry can’t help thinking of his relatives across the Essex border on the Kent coast. Harry made a clean break when he left Whitstable four years ago to pursue his career on the London stage, resulting in his parents’ fury and a flat ultimatum. He has only renewed contact with them by letter in recent months, with Luc’s encouragement.
Should Harry let things lie? Or might he summon the courage to make a trip to the seaside in an attempt at reconciliation?
Excerpt:
Luc led the way up the staircase, giving Harry a brief tour by the light of the candle. “Mama and Papa are at the front of the house with the guest room next door. That’s where my sister Elisabeth and her husband will stay. Then their two children will sleep in Elisabeth’s old room, and that just leaves you and me.”
By the time Luc had completed this description, they were walking along a corridor that led towards the back of the house. Luc stopped and opened the door.
“It’s not much,” he said.
The room wasn’t large, but its square proportions and high ceiling gave it a sense of spaciousness. Also, by its contents, it was clearly Luc’s room from boyhood.
Typically, there were no toy soldiers on display. On the dresser lay a child-sized violin case surrounded by the usual clutter of rosin and spare violin strings that characterised Luc’s presence in their London home.
Harry was charmed by these symbols of Luc as a child. However, he was relieved that the original bed had been replaced by one suitable for Luc’s adult height and of a width to encompass them both.
A small fire had been lit in the grate and their bags were placed beside the bed, proof of Luc’s industry. Harry sat on the mattress and bounced to check for any creaks.
“This is cosy.”
Luc immediately started apologising which Harry now regarded as a family trait.
“I’m sorry it’s a bit shabby. I did write to my parents to ask the maid to give the place a thorough airing.”
“I wasn’t expecting Brighton Pavilion. It’ll do fine.” Harry glanced around the room. “It’s about the same size as our bedroom at home, more or less. Anyway, we’re together, which is what counts.”
Luc’s brow cleared. “It’s good to have you here,” he said with a shy smile. He lit the bedside candle from the one he carried. “I’ll get some hot water for washing then we’ll be set for the night.”
Briefly left to his own devices, Harry couldn’t be bothered to unpack properly. It can wait until morning. He dug out a nightshirt from his bag. At home, he preferred to sleep naked, winter or summer, curled up close to Luc’s bare skin.
However, Harry conceded that compromises must be made, both from common decency and the icy draught seeping through the sash window. On the plus side, they were a fair distance from the other occupants and not obligated to celibacy as long as they didn’t shout the house down.
On Luc’s return, they made short work of sluicing away the grime of travel before jumping into bed. Luc turned to blow out the candle.
Despite the coverings of his nightshirt and the blankets, Harry was freezing. The dismal hooting of an owl made him shiver.
“Are you warm enough?”
“No.”
“Should I fetch some more blankets from the clothes press?”
Warned by the rustle of sheets to Luc’s intent, Harry seized him before he could cause a waft of frigid air to enter their bed.
“Don’t you dare! Come here. I can think of a better way to stoke up some heat.”
Book Links:
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Bio:
Ellie Thomas lives by the sea. She comes from a teaching background and goes for long seaside walks where she daydreams about history. She is a voracious reader especially about anything historical. She mainly writes historical gay romance.
Ellie also writes historical erotic romance as L. E. Thomas.
Website: https://elliethomasromance.wordpress.com/
Facebook reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/8308047409266947
Twitter: @e_thomas_author
Bluesky: @elliethomas.bsky.social
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19835510.Ellie_Thomas
Ofelia Grand 
Thank you so much for having me as your guest again, lovely Ofelia! ❤️
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You’re always welcome ❤️
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