I dove into some different research when I wrote The Unexpected Heir. My boss is into magical lore and Dungeons and Dragons, so we had several discussions while coaching about some of the magical theories. One discussion that stuck with me was ley lines, and I played with the concept for The Unexpected Heir, so I thought I would give you some background on why I described magic and its source as I did in the book.

So, what is a ley line?

The term “ley line” was coined by archaeologist Alfred Watkins during the 1920s. The theory is that ley lines are lines of energy that connect landmarks, such as megaliths and ancient monuments, across the Earth. For example, you could have a ley line that connected Stonehenge to Macchu Pichu or the Egyptian Pyramids. In fact, many of these sites sit at a convergence of more than one line. This really wasn’t a new concept since in 1870, William Henry Black made the claim that the monuments all over western Europe were connected by geometric lines.

Alfred Watkins first proposed these existed after noticing that the footpaths connecting the hilltops in Herefordshire all lay in straight lines, and when looking back, a lot of the old roads were formed in straight lines and people using hills and various landmarks to find their way through what was once a dense forest. More recently, the British Museum’s Reginald Smith and Captain Robert Boothby are said to have linked ley lines with underground streams and magnetic currents. Some believe you can find ley lines by metaphysical means, including using a pendulum or dowsing rods, which are L or Y shaped rods that are made to turn in your hand.

If you look at many of the sites linked to ley lines, they are all either mystical in some way or holy by a culture’s religion.

In The Unexpected Heir, I could not use the term ley line since it did not originate until the 1920s, so I used “veins” as the source of magic. However, I do not describe the veins as being a grid-like thing. I took some liberties with the theory. For example, the stone circle in Oakham Forest where Elizabeth walks lies on the same vein as Stonehenge. Nine Ladies is mentioned as being near Pemberley, but that stone circle runs on a different vein of magic running through the earth. The different veins can have slightly different properties, so you may find the magic from one vein lends well for certain charms and a different vein may lend well to others. I do not delve into this too much, but it is mentioned usually in conversation between Darcy and Elizabeth.

In this book, I have played with this theory as well as taken some liberties with an old Arthurian legend, in which Merlin was in love with the Lady of the Lake. She tricked him into teaching her his magic, then used what she had learned from him to trap him into a tree forever. Incorporating all of this made writing the book a lot of fun. I hope you enjoy the story as well!

Release day is my 27th wedding anniversary: July 11, 2025!

Prologue

21 December 1791

“I can see the head! Keep pushing, Frances. He is almost here, and he has a full head of thick auburn hair.”

Anne’s hand smarted as her friend bore down with an ear-splitting scream, the babe slipping into the waiting grasp of the midwife as though the entire process had been the product of minutes and not the long interminable hours that had actually occurred. The woman began to vigorously rub the babe, bringing forth a cry that was, no doubt, heard throughout the house.

“Is it the heir?” asked Frances, her tone urgent.

The midwife smiled. “You have a beautiful daughter.”

Frances’s face crumpled. “What? No! This child was supposed to be the heir! What am I going to do with another girl?” Anne’s heart sank. She would have been grateful for any child, but Frances had always been fickle. Still, how could anyone not cherish an innocent babe?

The midwife caught Anne’s eye and pointed to a distinct mark on the inside of the child’s arm. Anne gasped. “I shall clean her up and bring her to her father.” Without another word, she took the babe to a table near the fire where she wiped away the remnants of the birth. She turned the child’s arm to run a finger over the mark. How was this possible? By all that was known, this was impossible. She shook her head. All she could do was take the little girl to her father and hear his opinion on the matter, so she swaddled her in clean warm blankets. Anne could not help but give a tiny laugh. The wide-eyed little one watched her so intently. She almost seemed to be taking her measure while Anne cared for the infant. She had never seen such an alert newborn.

Once the babe was presentable, Anne gathered her up but paused on the way to the door. “She is truly beautiful. Would you care to hold her?” When Frances turned the opposite direction without uttering so much as a “no,” Anne’s heart split and bled. She looked down upon the small child in her arms. The poor dear! She had done nothing—except being born a girl.

As Anne departed and made her way down the narrow stairs, the babe’s eyes were still open and alert. She brushed her finger down the child’s soft cheek. How could anyone not love a baby? Anne had to shove the stirring in her stomach back down where it belonged. She and Frances had been friends for years now, but at this moment, Anne had to forcibly resist the urge to return to the bedchamber and shake the woman. Why was Frances so recalcitrant?

When Anne reached the library, she knocked and was bid enter. 

Henry Bennet and Anne’s husband, George, jumped to their feet as soon as she stepped inside. “Well?”

She smiled. “You have a beautiful daughter.” She held her breath in her lungs while she awaited Bennet’s response.

He did no more than frown. “But I saw—”

“She bears the birthmark,” said Anne.

Both gentlemen gasped. “Are you certain?” asked Bennet, who hurried forward.

She handed the child to the father and with great care, showed him the four-point star on the inside of the babe’s left arm.

“A female has never borne the mark in any family.” Bennet’s voice was low, as though he whispered to himself.

“She will require protection,” said George. “A lady with the abilities of a man will be sought after—will be in great danger from those who would wish to use her for their own purposes.” A pang ripped through her. Her husband was correct of course. This child would not have an easy time of it. Those who understood the meaning of the mark would do anything to marry her into their families by whatever means necessary.

Bennet dropped back into his chair and stared at his new daughter. “My God. What am I going to do?”

George wagged a finger and took the chair across from his friend. “Do not despair just yet. I think I may have a solution.”

Chapter 1 will be posted soon!

Sources:

https://www.learnreligions.com/ley-lines-magical-energy-of-the-earth-2562644
https://prehistoric.org.uk/standing-stones/ley-lines/