Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Wednesday Wonders: A LADY BY ANY OTHER NAME

Join us on today's Wednesday Wonders and learn more about the Regency romance, A Lady By Any Other Name written by Jennifer Kitchens.

About the Book:



A Woman in Hiding

Nicole Farrington's life had never been easy, but it had always been bearable. At least it had been until now. Faced with a horrible marriage her step-brother has contracted for her, she will do anything to get away. She’ll run…run to anyone who might be able to help her. But running blindly down an unknown path may take her to an unexpected destination.

A Man Seeking Answers

Julian Huntington, Earl of Foxley, wants nothing more than to have his carefree life back. Now he is left with a title, a child, and a future that he never expected would be his. He refuses to believe his brother's death was an accident, no matter what people say. Someone killed him and Julian plans to find out who and why. Maybe then he can go on with his life…his brother’s life. But will the answers he seeks be enough, or will he find love to be a worthier goal?


Book Excerpt:


   “I have come to offer you my congratulations.”
   “Congratulations?” she asked, perplexed, “For what?”
   “I have just arranged a marriage for you with Sir Josiah Pemberton.  You are a very lucky lady,” he said, sipping his drink.

   “What?”  She was on her feet before she realized what she was doing, her whole body shaking with fury.  She knew she shouldn’t yell at Roland, as it never ended well.  But she rarely acted with caution when she lost her temper.     “Isn’t it enough that I act as a servant in my own home?  I have never given you cause for complaint about taking over the work of servants.  But I will not be made to marry a man old enough to be my grandfather!  How could you do that?  You had no right!”

   “No right?  I am your guardian, after all,” he replied with a smile still lurking on his lips.  “You should be grateful I’ve let you stay here for so long.  Did you really think I’d keep you around and underfoot forever?  Did you expect a Season?  The ton doesn’t even know you exist.”  He sneered at her as if she had no right to even be in the same room as him.  There was a certain familiar glint in his eyes that warned her to try to calm herself down so as not to enrage him.  “Besides, I owe Pemberton money and this will do nicely.”

     “You plan on using me as payment for your debts?”  Her mouth hung open in disbelief. 
   “No, you flitwit.  But your oh-so-generous dowry will do so satisfactorily.  He’ll figure out something to do with you, I’m sure.  It’s not my problem to figure out.  In two days’ time you’ll be a pain in Pemberton’s neck, and my debt will be paid.”  He took a long drink of his brandy and smiled at her with satisfaction.
     “How did you lose so much?” She voiced the first thought that came to her mind.  He had always been gambling away his money, but she never thought that he would let things go far enough to actually run out.  How could he do something so despicable as to sell his own sister to that old lecher, no matter how much he hated her.  How dare he use her like this!

    “My affairs are none of your concern!” he snapped.  Flicking a speck of dust from his sleeve, he continued.  “Oh don’t look so surprised.  Why my father ever arranged for your outrageous dowry, I’ll never understand.  It should have been my money – why shouldn’t I use it?  Getting rid of you is simply a nice bonus, you know.”

   Her anger boiled over then.  “I won’t marry Pemberton, Roland.  I won’t.  I may act as a servant here to you and your friends.  I may put up with their leering and your tirades.  I earn my keep and much more without complaint. But I refuse to be bartered off like a piece of furniture!”  She was nearly screaming now, something she never did.  She expected him to retaliate and braced herself for the blow, but instead he laughed.

   “You don’t have a choice.  The negotiations are complete.  You will marry and that is that.”

    “I won’t agree.  I won’t say yes.” 

    “Oh, yes you will,” he growled, “You will if you know what’s good for you.  But I’m sure I could come up with much more…entertaining ways of using you to get the money.  If you’d prefer.”

     He wouldn’t.  Surely not.  Seeing the evil glint in his eyes, Nicole realized she was grasping at false hope.  He would.  Her anger melted into panic.  She knew she couldn’t marry that, that…she couldn’t even think of a word bad enough.   A cheat, and a drunkard, Pemberton had already buried three wives.  Nicole refused to be a fourth.  But how would she avoid it?  The alternative was no better.  
    “But…no.  Roland, please, no.  Don’t do this,” she pled.  She didn’t expect it to do much good though, and it didn’t.
    Roland looked up at her with disgust.  “Enough.  You will marry as you’re told.  He’ll be here this evening.  Now get out of my sight!”  His face turned hard and she knew the time had come to leave before he unleashed his temper fully.  
 

About the Author:


Jennifer Kitchens is a life-long lover of romance novels.  She started reading Regency romances as a teenager and hasn't stopped since.  She is the founder and sole reviewer for Clean Romance Reviews.  When she isn't writing and reading, she is raising her young children and dating her husband.


 Author Links:

 Website  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads  


 Purchase Links:  Amazon

 


 

1 comment:

  1. Jennifer, This sounds like a great read. It has been a bit since I've read this time period, but it sounds like I shall put it on the list. Best to you on this story. Doris McCraw/Angela Raines

    ReplyDelete