Researching and writing the amazing life and work of Lady Henry Somerset has inspired me to do many things – not least of which was writing a short story entitled “Love Amongst the Lavender”, which has been published this week (issue dated June 19 – 25) in My Weekly.

The heroine of the story is a woman, a victim of alcohol abuse, who has spent time at Duxhurst, the village founded by Lady Henry. It also refers to a true historical event, Queen Victoria’s visit to a Surrey lavender farm.

History is full of fascinating stories which can be used as inspiration for fiction.