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1. A Truth Universally Acknowledged by newtboot465

   Fandoms: Rivals (TV 2024), Rutshire Chronicles - Jilly Cooper  

   • Explicit
   • Major Character Death
   • F/M
   • Work in Progress

   08 Nov 2025

   Tags

   • Major Character Death
   • Rupert Campbell-Black/Taggie O'Hara
   • Taggie O'Hara & Original Female Character(s)
   • Basil "Bas" Baddingham/Original Female Character(s)
   • Taggie O'Hara
   • Declan O'Hara
   • Maud O'Hara
   • Rupert Campbell-Black
   • Original Female Character(s)
   • Tony Baddingham
   • Basil "Bas" Baddingham
   • Enemies to Lovers
   • RuTag HEA
   • Angst with a Happy Ending
   • Friends to Friends with Benefits
   • Slow Burn
   • Alternate Universe - Regency
   • Period Typical Attitudes
   • Smut
   • Dubious Consent
   • Loss of Virginity
   • O'Hara Parent Bashing
   • Taggie/Bas Marriage of Convenience
   • implied homicide
   • Offscreen Infant and Maternal Mortality
   • Background Rupert/Helen
   • Open Marriage
   • Parenthood
   • Tony/Taggie Arranged Marriage (He Dies at Sea)
   • Second Chances
   • Secret Child
   • Worldbuilding
   • Personal Growth
   • no beta we die like my work/life balance

   Summary

   In 1809, Sir Declan and Lady Maud O'Hara attempt to mitigate their mounting debts by selling their London house and permanently moving to their country seat, The Priory.

   This lands Taggie, their only child, in Rutshire--a picturesque place full of handsome rakes and villains who are widowed with concerning frequency.

   Accompanied by her best friend Anne, daughter of the O'Hara housekeeper, Taggie rides an emotional, romantic, and personal rollercoaster over the ensuing months and years.

   This fic has it all: an in flagrante meet-ugly, illicit hand touches, secret courtships, seductions, star-crossed lovers with HEAs, reformed rakes, open marriages, children, secret children, a deranged Italian honeymoon, a sprinkle of gothic horror, and a third act with enough silly drama for five novels.
    
   

   Language:

   English

   Words:

   216,622

   Chapters:

   21/26

   Comments:

   234

   Kudos:

   145

   Bookmarks:

   20

   Hits:

   6,776