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?
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:
Purchase Links: Amazon
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
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