The Dancing Master Read online

  Now for a few historical notes.

  My version of 19th century Beaworthy is a compilation of a few villages. Residents of Shebbear, Devon, turn a “devil’s stone” every year. It is also the place where a man named James Thorne built the first Bryanite (Bible Christian) chapel in 1817. Beaworthy’s May Day dance was inspired by Helston’s annual “Furry Dance,” which I’d love to attend someday. And fictional Buckleigh Manor was inspired by Buckland House, in the village of Buckland Filleigh, Devon. Many thanks to Madeline Jane Taylor for her helpful book about the area, Buckland Filleigh, A Continuous Thread.

  Mr. Valcourt’s dancing instructions come primarily from Lowes’ Ball-Conductor and Assembly Guide by the Lowe brothers, teachers of dancing, Edinburgh, 1820. (Joseph Lowe went on to become dancing master for Queen Victoria’s children.) Other dance instructions and steps come from various sources, some of which are quoted in the chapter epigraphs. I hope historical dance aficionados will forgive the liberties I took to simplify the dance descriptions for modern, nonexpert readers (myself included).

  I would like to thank the Manchester Area Historical Society, and Kenneth Schwarz, Blacksmith and Master of the Shop in Colonial Williamsburg, for answering my questions about blacksmiths and sword repair. Any mistakes are mine.

  I would also like to thank my English friend Anne Rogers—photographer, author, and bell ringer—for answering my questions about church towers and bells. Originally, I described Julia standing atop a battlemented church tower, but Anne informed me that battlements are usually slanted, making them nearly impossible to stand atop. She “talked me down” to a parapet, which is still plenty dangerous. So even though reckless (and fictional) Julia Midwinter managed the feat, please don’t try it yourself, okay?

  Appreciation also goes to those who shared their joys and struggles of raising adopted children. Their descriptions of adoptee anger inspired my character’s struggles in the book.

  Warm gratitude and hugs to author Michelle Griep and my agent, Wendy Lawton, for their helpful suggestions for improving the manuscript at the eleventh hour.

  As always, thanks to my husband and sons, my first reader, Cari Weber, and everyone at Bethany House Publishers, especially my editor, Karen Schurrer. I couldn’t do this without each and every one of you.

  Discussion Questions

  Do you like to dance? Did you grow up in a dancing or non-dancing family? In your opinion, how has dancing—or views about dancing—changed over the years?

  Did you enjoy the novel overall? What was a favorite moment or scene?

  Did you have a favorite character? Least favorite? Did your feelings toward any of the characters change as the novel progressed?

  How would you say Julia changed throughout the course of the novel? What about Lady Amelia? Alec?

  Did anything in the novel take you by surprise? What made it surprising?

  Do you know someone who has dealt with adoption anger or abandonment issues in their family? How did it play itself out?

  Did the quotes at the beginning of each chapter add to or detract from the enjoyment of the story for you? Can you recall a favorite?

  What was the most interesting historical detail (about dance, dancing masters, Bryanites, etc.) you learned in reading this story?

  How would you describe the theme(s) of the book? Did anything you read apply to something you are going through in your own life?

  Near the end of the book, Julia faces a difficult truth: All her life, she had been seeking a father’s love and approval. And if she could not have a father’s love, then any man’s approval would do. She had strived so long and so hard to gain attention in the wrong ways and from the wrong people. Can you relate to this—if not now, perhaps at an earlier point in your life? How would you advise a young woman struggling with these sorts of feelings and her sense of self-worth?

  Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her books, The Silent Governess, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also won the Midwest Book Award, Christian Retailing’s BEST Award, and has been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Awards, Minnesota Book Awards, and ACFW’s Carol Awards. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

  For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com.

  Books by Julie Klassen

  * * *

  Lady of Milkweed Manor

  The Apothecary’s Daughter

  The Silent Governess

  The Girl in the Gatehouse

  The Maid of Fairbourne Hall

  The Tutor’s Daughter

  The Dancing Master

  Resources: bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook

  Website: www.bethanyhouse.com

  Facebook: Bethany House