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James Vickers once believed honor and family duty to be his life’s work. Now he knows better–and he’s appointed himself as silent witness to his father’s sins. His greatest goal is to act as the continuously pricking thorn in his lordship’s side–and scandal is his greatest weapon.
Propriety is Miss Adelaide’s Stockton’s most important asset. She must be all that is prim and proper if she’s to live down her parents’ misdeeds and have any hope of catching a husband. She must avoid scoundrels like Vickers at all costs.
Yet fate has thrown them together–and given each the key to the other’s ambition. A bargain is struck . . . but together they find that gaining what one desires most is far more difficult than a waltz in the park.
Propriety is Miss Adelaide’s Stockton’s most important asset. She must be all that is prim and proper if she’s to live down her parents’ misdeeds and have any hope of catching a husband. She must avoid scoundrels like Vickers at all costs.
Yet fate has thrown them together–and given each the key to the other’s ambition. A bargain is struck . . . but together they find that gaining what one desires most is far more difficult than a waltz in the park.
EXCERPT
The girl was there. She stood in profile, her curves clearly outlined against the bright lights of the party, her aristocratic profile only visible as an elegant shadow against the glow.
It was enough to settle a weight upon Vickers’ chest, and to set his heart beating, as if it meant to throw the heavy burden off.
He moved in, staying in the shadows and stepping close to the broad, rough-hewn stone pillar supporting the corner of the terrace.
“Are you alone?”
She started and then laughed a little.
“Oh, how well you did that. I never saw you come.” She nodded. ”Yes. I’m alone. I acted out a dreadful coughing spasm until the courting couples abandoned the spot.”
He smiled in the dark. ”Good. Now tell me what it is you want from me.”
“A partnership,” she responded instantly.
He waited.
“I can help you. I can convince Rosamond to speak with you.”
“And what am I to pay for the price of this conversation?”
“You speak in the singular. Do you really expect to accomplish whatever it is you intend in one conversation?”
He recalled his earlier thought–that Lady Mitford might not even know what knowledge she possessed–what she might have seen or heard that was making his father so jumpy. ”If I’m lucky.”
“And if you are not?”
He remained silent.
“That’s what I thought,” she said smugly.
He wondered what that looked like on her angelic face.
“I’ll convince her to speak with you, cooperate with you however you need. It won’t be so easy, you know. Her situation is not so simple as it has been in the past.”
“What’s changed?” he asked.
“It would be foolish of me to tell you, wouldn’t it?
He was glad she was quick enough to realize it–and amused that she thought he wouldn’t be capable of finding it out.
“And what will you require in return?”
She kept silent a moment and he realized she was making sure they were alone.
“First, you must give your solemn promise not to embroil the countess–or myself–in any sort of scandal.”
He stilled. ”I’m sure you are aware, Miss Stockton, that what I am embroiled in is an ongoing battle.”
She rustled as she nodded. ”I’ve heard of it.”
“Then you must have realized that scandal is my greatest weapon.”
“Nevertheless, you must agree to keep my cousin out of it.”
“And what else?”
Leaning down, she lowered her voice to an appealing rasp. ”A meeting. I want you to arrange a meeting for me–with Hestia Wright.”
The girl was there. She stood in profile, her curves clearly outlined against the bright lights of the party, her aristocratic profile only visible as an elegant shadow against the glow.
It was enough to settle a weight upon Vickers’ chest, and to set his heart beating, as if it meant to throw the heavy burden off.
He moved in, staying in the shadows and stepping close to the broad, rough-hewn stone pillar supporting the corner of the terrace.
“Are you alone?”
She started and then laughed a little.
“Oh, how well you did that. I never saw you come.” She nodded. ”Yes. I’m alone. I acted out a dreadful coughing spasm until the courting couples abandoned the spot.”
He smiled in the dark. ”Good. Now tell me what it is you want from me.”
“A partnership,” she responded instantly.
He waited.
“I can help you. I can convince Rosamond to speak with you.”
“And what am I to pay for the price of this conversation?”
“You speak in the singular. Do you really expect to accomplish whatever it is you intend in one conversation?”
He recalled his earlier thought–that Lady Mitford might not even know what knowledge she possessed–what she might have seen or heard that was making his father so jumpy. ”If I’m lucky.”
“And if you are not?”
He remained silent.
“That’s what I thought,” she said smugly.
He wondered what that looked like on her angelic face.
“I’ll convince her to speak with you, cooperate with you however you need. It won’t be so easy, you know. Her situation is not so simple as it has been in the past.”
“What’s changed?” he asked.
“It would be foolish of me to tell you, wouldn’t it?
He was glad she was quick enough to realize it–and amused that she thought he wouldn’t be capable of finding it out.
“And what will you require in return?”
She kept silent a moment and he realized she was making sure they were alone.
“First, you must give your solemn promise not to embroil the countess–or myself–in any sort of scandal.”
He stilled. ”I’m sure you are aware, Miss Stockton, that what I am embroiled in is an ongoing battle.”
She rustled as she nodded. ”I’ve heard of it.”
“Then you must have realized that scandal is my greatest weapon.”
“Nevertheless, you must agree to keep my cousin out of it.”
“And what else?”
Leaning down, she lowered her voice to an appealing rasp. ”A meeting. I want you to arrange a meeting for me–with Hestia Wright.”
REVIEWS
Starred Review at Library Journal!
Fans of Regency fiction will adore these small doses of romance and angst set among royal Londoners in this famous lovers’ paradise. These well-respected romance writers will delight fans with this quick and easy read that is strong on passion and all about love. –Judy Garner, Library Journal
5 Stars! This was a great, quick read. Marlowe has a way of quickly drawing you into her stories and giving you the satisfaction of a full novel with her novellas. I loved seeing Hestia again!! I can’t wait for more Half Moon House stories! –Amy at Historical Romance Lover Blog
Starred Review at Library Journal!
Fans of Regency fiction will adore these small doses of romance and angst set among royal Londoners in this famous lovers’ paradise. These well-respected romance writers will delight fans with this quick and easy read that is strong on passion and all about love. –Judy Garner, Library Journal
5 Stars! This was a great, quick read. Marlowe has a way of quickly drawing you into her stories and giving you the satisfaction of a full novel with her novellas. I loved seeing Hestia again!! I can’t wait for more Half Moon House stories! –Amy at Historical Romance Lover Blog
