AUTHOR NOTE

      I hope you’re enjoying the Rakes of the Caribbean mini-series, featuring my sexy new heroes Ren Dryden and Kitt Sherard. Kitt’s story is set against the riskier side of life in a British colony in the nineteenth century. Not nearly as regulated as life in England, the Caribbean offers plenty of room for adventure and rule-breaking—two things Kitt is very good at. You might have met him first in Ren’s story—PLAYING THE RAKE’S GAME.

      I always like to learn a little something when I read, so let me share the historical setting for Kitt’s story. It is an economical one. Up until 1836 English pounds were not allowed for import to the Caribbean, so most debts and purchases were paid for in barter and trade (usually rum or sugar), or with Spanish and Dutch currencies. In June of 1836 a charter was granted to establish a British bank in Barbados. I’ve placed the fictional Rutherford as the envoy charged with carrying out that commission and organising a board of directors. It is true that the bank would have been a joint stock bank, which means it was an investment bank. History shows that the bank in Barbados soon led to the establishment of a network of British banks through the Eastern Caribbean.

      Stay tuned at my blog or website for more Bronwyn Scott updates:

      www.bronwynswriting.blogspot.com and www.bronwynnscott.com