Book Title: Fraying Skeins

Series: Silver Sampler Series – Book 3

Author Name: Nancy Jardine

Publication Date: 29 August 2026

Publisher: Nancy Jardine with Ocelot Press

Pages: 153

Genre: Historical Saga / Women’s Fiction / Historical Fiction / Scottish Saga

Any Triggers: n/a

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Book Title and Author Name:

Fraying Skeins

by Nancy Jardine

Blurb:

Escape  In Paradise  Evasion

1870 Scotland

Fleeing from Peterhead, Margaret Law makes Aberdeen her refuge. Menial jobs keep her and her toddler son fed– till an unusual tutoring task boosts her finances, and self-worth. Letters to best friend Jessie contain the absolute truth, especially when Johnny Fraser re-enters her life. Is he the man for Margaret to grow old with? When better employment emerges in St. Andrews, Margaret is torn. Will the move mean losing Johnny?

When Johnny follows Margaret to St. Andrews, their life together is idyllic. But when menacing secrets unfold, will Johnny’s past indiscretions be their undoing? Will he lose the cherished family he is establishing with Margaret?

Praise for Fraying Skeins:

“Jardine has once again brought nineteenth-century Scotland vividly to life while keeping Margaret and the people around her firmly at the heart of the story. Watching the determined little girl I first met in Novice Threads grow into this resourceful and courageous woman has been immensely rewarding, and there are more than enough intriguing threads left to make me eager to continue Margaret’s journey in the next instalment.“

~ The Coffee Pot Book Club 5* Editorial Review

Fraying Skeins – A Dramatic Novelty For Johnny Fraser

“I read in yesterday’s paper that there’s a play called Hamlet being performed, next Friday, at the Theatre Royal.” Before Johnny could say more Margaret’s face lit up.

“Oh, I read one of Shakespeare’s plays when I was tutoring down in Liverpool years ago, but I’ve never seen a production of his work on stage.”

Johnny had never seen a play by the renowned Shakespeare, either, having only ever seen a comedy farce on stage. However, if something more serious was likely to make Margaret glow the way she currently was doing, then he’d get tickets. Though, he’d also seen another option advertised in the newspaper.

“Or, on Saturday, there’s a variety show at the same venue, I mean the Theatre Royal, which includes singers, comedians, and musical entertainment, including a fiddler of Scottish reels.”

He noted that she looked interested in a variety performance though not nearly as much as with the Shakespeare. “I’m guessing you’d rather see the play?”

“I would, even though we have to work on Saturday.” Her attempt to curb her excitement wasn’t lost on him. “But I don’t mind if you’d prefer the Variety Show.”

On the following Friday evening, Johnny was more fascinated by Margaret’s enthrallment in watching Hamlet than by what was happening on the stage. Before the first interval, her focus was intent on what, to him, was a complicated story that had layers to it that he didn’t understand.

“Oh, wasn’t that marvellous!” Margaret enthused when the curtains finally closed and the gas lighting brightened the theatre. “Thank you for bringing me, Johnny.”

He escorted her out of their seats and into the foyer, his smile genuine. He’d taken different women to theatre productions during the last couple of years but he was sure that none of them would have been so appreciative of the gloomy tragedy they’d just watched. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“You didn’t?” she asked.

“Well, some of it was very dramatic! Though, I might have enjoyed it more if I had read the play first and knew what was to be expected. It was tragedy, indeed.” He grinned at her expression. “All those dead bodies.”

“I feel very spoiled, Johnny. I’ve only ever read of Shakespeare being performed in Glasgow and Edinburgh. To think, if you’d not seen that newspaper advertisement, we’d have missed seeing it here in Aberdeen.”

Tumbling out of the Theatre Royal onto Marischal Street, he suggested going into one of the local pubs for a quick drink.

“Well, why not?” Margaret didn’t even sound hesitant which pleased him greatly. “I don’t have to rush back for Jamie. Maisie is keeping him till tomorrow for me. But are we not too late?”

The pubs on Marischal Street were filling up rapidly with people just like them who had spilled out of the theatre, but Johnny managed to find them a space in one of the hostelries on King Street. Placing a tankard of ale in front of Margaret, he sat down opposite her.

“Would you rather have gone to the Variety Show that’s on tomorrow?” she asked, her expression quite serious.

“Not at all. I’d have missed seeing you so transfixed.”

“Going to a theatre always creates an excitement. It hasn’t happened all that often,” Margaret stopped to take a sip of ale. “And it’s been a very long time since it last happened.”

“Tonight was my first time at an Aberdeen theatre.” Johnny sipped his ale, wiped his lips with the back of his hand and continued. “I’ve been to various venues in Dundee, Music Halls and the like, but that’s it for me. There isn’t a proper theatre in Kirriemuir. What about you?”

“Ah, well, in past years I’ve been very lucky,” Margaret’s quirky smile made him curious. “When I was a lady’s maid – did Sandy ever tell you that was one of my jobs?”

When he shook his head, she continued.

“Sometimes, I was more of a chaperon for Miss Marianne and if she went to soirees in private houses, or to the theatre, or a music hall, then I accompanied her.”

“Time’s up, folks! Finish your drinks.” The raucous sounds coming from the proprietor intruded, pulling Johnny’s focus away from Margaret’s fascinating stories.

She was definitely not a run-of-the-mill girl. She’d had so many experiences that most women he knew of could only dream about. It was with great reluctance he escorted her back to her lodgings, because he wanted to know so much more about her.

(749)

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Author Bio:

Nancy Jardine writes historical adventure fiction, historical saga, time travel historical adventure and contemporary mysteries. Research gobbles up lots of time but it’s a delight, and never a chore. Her garden wouldn’t win any prizes but tending it is a great way to unwind and gives her some lovely plants to post on Instagram!

When not creating her novels, or promoting her writing, she loves to interact with readers at Book and Craft Fairs where she signs/sells paperback versions of her novels. Recently she’s taken part in author panels at Book Festivals.

Memberships include: Historical Novel Society; Society of Authors; Scottish Association of Writers; Federation of Writers Scotland; Romantic Novelists’ Association; and Alliance of Independent Authors. She’s self-published with Ocelot Press.

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