As one of six possible candidates vying for Viscount Sterling’s hand, Lady Angelica has been invited to stay at his grand manor for a week-long house party. But an unpleasant feeling lurks within Colchester Hall. It’s almost as if someone’s watching Angelica just beyond the edge of her vision. And while she tries to explain the chill creeping up behind her as merely a draft, she can’t shake the feeling that something disturbing might be at play.
When Sterling decides she’s the woman he wants, can Angelica accept her new home and the sinister secrets she fears it might hold, or will she give up on true love because of what could prove to be nothing more than her own imagination?
NOTE: This novella was previously included in the anthology, Wicked Liasons
About The Author
Born in Denmark, USA TODAY bestselling author Sophie Barnes spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She’s lived in five different countries, on three different continents, and speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish, and Romanian with varying degrees of fluency. But, most impressive of all, she’s been married to the same man three times—in three different countries and in three different dresses.
When she’s not busy dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading.
Six years ago, Athena Townsbridge broke up a wedding. This worked out well for her brother and the lady he loved, but Athena has never forgiven herself for what it did to Robert Carlisle. No one has seen him since he fled the church in humiliation, so when she learns of his estate’s proximity to the property she is staying at during a family visit, she sets out, determined to make amends.
When Robert, Marquess of Darlington, is reunited with Athena, she’s no longer the troublesome girl he remembers, but rather a fully grown woman. Trapped with her when a blizzard sets in, he rediscovers her playful side, the laughter and joy she can bring to his life. But it is her willful nature that tempts him, both with the need to tame her and with the dream of making her his.
Other Books in The Townsbridges Historical Romance Series:
When Love Leads To Scandal
The Townsbridges, Book 1
Release Date: February 2019
Two people fated to be together…
Recently engaged to the Earl of Langdon, Lady Bethany is content with the knowledge that she’s made a wonderful match for herself. Until a chance encounter with a handsome stranger makes her wish she was still unattached – a sentiment that grows even stronger when circumstance causes her to spend more time in this gentleman’s company.
And the duty that threatens to come between them…
Charles Townsbridge is not prepared to learn that the mystery woman he met in the park, the very same woman he cannot get out of his head, is in fact his best friend’s fiancée. Determined to do the right thing, he tasks himself with quashing the attraction, only to discover that the heart cannot be so easily controlled.
Lady Abigail has been infatuated with Mr. James Townsbridge for three years. But when she is finally introduced to him, she finds him arrogant and rude. Unfortunately, this doesn’t stop her heart from racing or her stomach from flip-flopping while in his presence. In fact, being near him makes her feel somewhat ill. Which complicates matters when they are suddenly forced to marry.
James doesn’t like the aloof young lady to whom he has recently been introduced. And since he has a blistering headache, he doesn’t have the patience for someone who clearly doesn’t want to be in his company. But when she lands in his lap and he accidentally rips her gown, his duty is clear. Now James must try to get along with his awful fiancée, or risk living unhappily ever after. But is that possible?
When William Townsbridge returns from Portugal and meets Eloise Lamont, the new cook his mother has hired, he’s instantly smitten. The only problem of course is that she’s a servant – completely off limits for a gentleman with an ounce of honor. But as they become better acquainted, William starts to realize he must make Eloise his. The only question is how.
Eloise loves her new position. But William Townsbridge’s arrival threatens everything, from her principles to her very heart. Falling for her employer’s son would be monumentally stupid. All it can lead to is ruin, not only for the present, but for her entire future. So then the simplest solution would be to walk away. But can she?
When Matthew Donovan, Duke of Brunswick, proposes to Sarah Townsbridge, she’s shocked. After all, she’s never met him before. One thing is clear though – he obviously needs help. So after turning him down, she decides to get to know him better, and finds out she’s right. But fixing a broken man is not the same as adopting a puppy. Least of all when the man in question has no desire to be saved.
Matthew has his mind set on Sarah. Kind and energetic, she’ll make an excellent mother. Best of all, her reclusiveness is sure to make her accept the sort of marriage he has in mind – one where they live apart. The only problem is, to convince her, they must spend time together. And the more they do, the more he risks falling prey to the one emotion he knows he must avoid at all cost: love.
Born in Denmark, USA TODAY bestselling author Sophie Barnes spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She’s lived in five different countries, on three different continents, and speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish, and Romanian. But, most impressive of all, she’s been married to the same man three times—in three different countries and in three different dresses.
When she’s not busy dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading.
He’sbreaking the rules for one woman, and coming dangerously close to
falling in love…
Simon Nugent, Earl of Fielding, knows he’sflawed. He’sarrogant, possessive, and haunted by a terrible choice he made long
ago. Sowhen a former friend’s daughter gives him the chance to do a good
deed, he grabs it. Except he’dlike to grab her as well and teach her a thing or two about kissing.
If only she weren’tso damn stubborn.
Ida Strong wants one thing – justice on behalf of her father. She has no
room for anything else, in spite of her growing and (at times)
inexplicable attraction toward a certain earl. But for a woman who knows
what betrayal tastes like, placing her trust in others is hard. Risking
her heart, would be downright foolish. Until it’s the only thing that
seems to make sense.
London May, 1821 WEARY OF TRYING TO FIND an acceptable bride, Simon Garrison Nugent, Earl of Fielding, had ceased all attempts at marriage and was currently avoiding debutantes much as he would a leper. By keeping his distance. Instead, he chose to pass his evenings with friends. At his age of three and thirty, marriage was expected. He knew it had to happen soon if he was to maintain his dignity. After all, the longer he remained unattached, the more it looked like he’d not yet recovered from losing his fiancée to another man. It had been three years since the incident yet it still rankled. Gabriella, now the Duchess of Huntley, would have made the perfect countess. The very idea of her choosing an ill-bred ruffian, even if he did happen to have a prestigious title, was bad enough without Simon having to worry about what people would think of the next bride he picked. She would have to be at least as pretty, graceful, and accomplished as Gabriella. Preferably more so, which brought him back to the inadequacy of the women currently available for marriage. Seated in a quiet corner of White’s together with Baron Hawthorne and the Earl of Yates, Simon sipped his brandy and tried to force his thoughts away from the past by focusing on what Yates was saying. “It was never meant to get this out of hand,” Yates explained while looking precisely like the sort of man whose neck was being squeezed by a noose. He was a good fellow – one of the few who seemed to tolerate Simon’s company – though sadly too kind for his own good, seeing as he’d gotten tangled up with an untitled woman who lacked a dowry and connections. “All I meant to do was help the girl. She’s a friend of my sister’s after all.” “If every man with a sister offered to step out with all her unremarkable friends, he’d have gotten himself engaged a dozen times over,” Baron Hawthorne muttered. He tossed back the remainder of his drink and poured himself another. “It’s your own damn fault for being too nice.” “He’s right, you know,” Simon said. Stretching out his legs, he crossed them at the ankles and cradled his snifter between his hands while pondering Yates’s dilemma. Apparently there had been a compromising situation which just happened to have been witnessed by a group of matrons hoping to find a reprieve from the stuffy ballroom. Simon sighed. “The trouble is,” he said, deciding to meet Yates’s gaze dead on, “hell, the trouble has always been, that she’s not your equal. Socially, I mean.” “Well done, Fielding.” Hawthorne said with a smirk. “It’s always good to know you’ll remind us of what’s acceptable.” Simon fought the urge to roll his eyes. “Tell me I’m wrong.” His demand was, as expected, met by silence. Not even Yates attempted to argue. “Miss Harlowe is not countess material. This doesn’t mean she cannot be perfectly lovely, but no matter how you turn it, she’ll always be born into the wrong family.” There was a heavy moment of silence, and then Hawthorne asked, “Has your outlook on life always been this sunny?” Simon snorted. “I’m just trying to be realistic. If Yates marries Miss Harlowe, he will no longer be welcome in certain circles, people will talk, and his life as he knows it will be forever changed, which I very much doubt is something he wants.” “From determined wife hunter to cynical loner,” Yates murmured, his narrowed eyes fixed on Simon with interest. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten your eager pursuit of Gabriella Matthews. Hell, you were even engaged to her for what, ten seconds or so, roughly four years ago?” “The Duchess of Huntley?” Hawthorne inquired with wide eyes. “I don’t recall that at all.” “Three,” Simon clipped. “It was three years ago.” “You must not have been at the Coventry Ball that season,” Yates said to Hawthorne. “Fielding announced the betrothal – even kissed Gabriella before one and all – only to let the whole thing fizzle away into nothing. A short while later, Huntley and Gabriella were married and you,” Yates tilted his almost empty glass in Simon’s direction, “haven’t proposed to anyone since.” “Perhaps because I haven’t met anyone else worth asking,” Simon said. Yates leaned back, his expression suddenly distant and thoughtful. “I think you need to fall in love,” Hawthorne told Simon with a grin. “God forbid,” Simon muttered. Worrying over his future was difficult enough without throwing love into the mix. “I don’t think he believes in love,” Yates said. Simon gave his friend a deadpan look. “Of course I do. There have been so many blissful unions of late, I’m inclined to believe we live in a world full of rainbows where cupids lurk behind every bush. Hell, even Carlton Guthrie, the Scoundrel of St. Giles – a man I would have sworn had no heart – is smitten with his young wife.” “Sounds like an epidemic.” Simon snorted in response to Hawthorne’s comment and took another sip of his drink. “By the by,” Yates murmured in a more discreet tone than earlier, “I’ve promised Celeste I’d try and find her a new protector, in case this thing with Miss Harlowe doesn’t blow over and I end up marrying her.” “I don’t understand why you’d want to give up your mistress if you’re not in love,” Hawthorne said. “Out of respect for my wife,” Yates said. He emitted a heavy sigh and looked at Simon. “I don’t suppose you would be interested?” “I’m afraid not. In my experience mistresses are demanding and hard to get rid of.” His last one had even made a spectacle, chasing after him on Oxford Street when he’d tried to end things with her. It had been most embarrassing. “Celeste isn’t like that. She’s quite agreeable and sweet.” “Nevertheless,” Simon said. “No wife or mistress,” Hawthorne said with a pitying look that put Simon on edge. “You must be in need of a good tup.” “It’s not so bad,” Simon said. Hawthorne raised an eyebrow. “Really? How long has it been since you last had a woman?” Simon shrugged. He hated this – hated being made to feel lacking in some way. Attempting to show indifference, he busied himself with refilling his glass. “Three months or so.” “Damnation,” Yates murmured. “Hell, it’s no wonder you look so tense.” Hawthorne reached inside his jacket pocket, retrieved a card, and handed it to Simon. “If I may, I suggest you stop by Amourette’s on your way home tonight.” “It’s a brothel, is it not?” Simon asked. When Hawthorne nodded Simon instinctively winced. “I don’t think so.”
About the Author
Born in Denmark, USA TODAY bestselling author Sophie Barnes spent her
youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the
world. She’slived in five different countries, on three different continents, and
speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish, and Romanian. But, most
impressive of all, she’sbeen married to the same man three times—in three different countries
and in three different dresses.
When she’snot busy dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending
time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic
comedies and, of course, reading.
He’sbreaking the rules for one woman, and coming dangerously close to falling in love…
Simon Nugent, Earl of Fielding, knows he’sflawed. He’sarrogant, possessive, and haunted by a terrible choice he made long ago. Sowhen a former friend’s daughter gives him the chance to do a good deed, he grabs it. Except he’dlike to grab her as well and teach her a thing or two about kissing. If only she weren’tso damn stubborn.
Ida Strong wants one thing – justice on behalf of her father. She has no room for anything else, in spite of her growing and (at times) inexplicable attraction toward a certain earl. But for a woman who knows what betrayal tastes like, placing her trust in others is hard. Risking her heart, would be downright foolish. Until it’s the only thing that seems to make sense.
Born in Denmark, USA TODAY bestselling author Sophie Barnes spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She’slived in five different countries, on three different continents, and speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish, and Romanian. But, most impressive of all, she’sbeen married to the same man three times—in three different countries and in three different dresses.
When she’snot busy dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading.
When Matthew Donovan, Duke of Brunswick, proposes to Sarah Townsbridge,
she’s shocked. After all, she’s never met him before. One
thing is clear though – he obviously needs help. So after turning
him down, she decides to get to know him better, and finds out she’s
right. But fixing a broken man is not the same as adopting a puppy. Least
of all when the man in question has no desire to be saved.
Matthew has his mind set on Sarah. Kind and energetic, she’ll make
an excellent mother. Best of all, her reclusiveness is sure to make her
accept the sort of marriage he has in mind – one where they live
apart. The only problem is, to convince her, they must spend time
together. And the more they do, the more he risks falling prey to the one
emotion he knows he must avoid at all cost: love.
Other Books in The Townsbridges Historical Romance Series:
When Love Leads To Scandal
The Townsbridges, Book 1
Release Date: February 2019
Two people fated to be together…
Recently engaged to the Earl of Langdon, Lady Bethany is content with the
knowledge that she’s made a wonderful match for herself. Until a
chance encounter with a handsome stranger makes her wish she was still
unattached – a sentiment that grows even stronger when circumstance
causes her to spend more time in this gentleman’s company.
And the duty that threatens to come between them…
Charles Townsbridge is not prepared to learn that the mystery woman he
met in the park, the very same woman he cannot get out of his head, is in
fact his best friend’s fiancée. Determined to do the right
thing, he tasks himself with quashing the attraction, only to discover
that the heart cannot be so easily controlled.
Lady Abigail has been infatuated with Mr. James Townsbridge for three
years. But when she is finally introduced to him, she finds him arrogant
and rude. Unfortunately, this doesn’t stop her heart from racing or
her stomach from flip-flopping while in his presence. In fact, being near
him makes her feel somewhat ill. Which complicates matters when they are
suddenly forced to marry.
James doesn’t like the aloof young lady to whom he has recently
been introduced. And since he has a blistering headache, he doesn’t
have the patience for someone who clearly doesn’t want to be in his
company. But when she lands in his lap and he accidentally rips her gown,
his duty is clear. Now James must try to get along with his awful
fiancée, or risk living unhappily ever after. But is that
possible?
When William Townsbridge returns from Portugal and meets Eloise Lamont,
the new cook his mother has hired, he’s instantly smitten. The only
problem of course is that she’s a servant – completely off
limits for a gentleman with an ounce of honor. But as they become better
acquainted, William starts to realize he must make Eloise his. The only
question is how.
Eloise loves her new position. But William Townsbridge’s arrival
threatens everything, from her principles to her very heart. Falling for
her employer’s son would be monumentally stupid. All it can lead to
is ruin, not only for the present, but for her entire future. So then the
simplest solution would be to walk away. But can she?
Born in Denmark, USA TODAY bestselling author Sophie Barnes spent her
youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world.
She’s lived in five different countries, on three different continents,
and speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish, and Romanian. But, most
impressive of all, she’s been married to the same man three times—in
three different countries and in three different dresses.
When she’s not busy dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys
spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching
romantic comedies and, of course, reading.
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