Welcome to my tour stop! Read an excerpt and enter the giveaway below...
Scandal's Deception
(Scandal Series #4)
By Pamela Gibson
Adult Historical Romance, Regency
ebook, 236 Pages
July 21, 2021 by Soul Mate Publishing, LLC
Summary
Jane Stafford, raised in America, is shocked to learn she is a wealthy heiress, her late father was an earl, and her English mother is alive. Anxious to meet the woman she long-thought dead, she travels to London, only to be whisked away by her sinfully handsome guardian to a remote estate to be “schooled” in the ways of the ton.
Gilbert Carmichael, Lord Ralston, chafes at having to make a rebellious young heiress acceptable to society, especially one who is impetuous and blatantly democratic. Because the instruction she needs is more than deportment and dancing. It’s also about how to spot a rake who might woo her for her fortune.
When Ralston learns his ward is to be used as a pawn in an elaborate scheme involving a secret impersonation, he will move heaven and earth to keep her safe. Because proximity has brought the uncomfortable knowledge that his interest may be more than duty—it just might be love.
Excerpt
Jane found her way to the sitting room where her guardian and his aunt were engaged in conversation. Pausing at the door, she decided not to enter when her name was mentioned. Not averse to judicious eavesdropping, she stood to the side and leaned forward.
“How long will she remain? Mind you, I’ll enjoy the distraction. Not only do I have my favorite nephew to keep me company, but a young girl as well.”
“It depends on what I learn. So far our pithy conversation has been limited to why her new maid didn’t dine with us and the origin of her worry beads.”
Lady Amelia’s laugh was deep and hearty. Jane wanted to like her, and knowing the lady enjoyed a good joke made it easier, even if the jest was at her expense.
“To be honest, Aunt, I don’t even know if the girl has had formal schooling, let alone training in the social arts. Her manner of speaking is fine, although her accent is grating to those not accustomed to it. I had hoped she spent time around members of the British community in America. Hearing their diction could have trained her ear.”
“What about dancing and proper etiquette?”
“Nothing was said when I spoke to her mother. I doubt if she knows. I gather when her late husband reached out to her with the news of his illness and asked her to accept the girl, she probably spent all her time on the legal details, rather than social ones.”
“They were legally separated? Divorce would have been scandalous and quite impossible.”
“Yes. I’m told it was an amicable arrangement, although a bit coldhearted. She wanted to remain in England, and Siltsbury allowed her sole use of the funds left to her by her father. He wanted to emigrate and seek his fortune. Being a kindhearted chap, untitled at that point, he went without her.”
“Not unlike your own parents’ arrangement, eh, Gilbert? Your father traveled abroad. Your mother remained at home.”
“The difference, Aunt, is he always returned. And we children weren’t divvied up like spoils of war.”
Jane chose that moment to stroll into the room, her cheeks flaming.
What did he say?
Ralston rose, his amber eyes wide and wary. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Not long. From what I heard, perhaps I should have come downstairs sooner.”
Lady Amelia gestured with her hand. “My dear, come sit next to me. Would you like a glass of madeira?”
“I prefer to stand.” She took two more steps into the room and folded her arms in front of her. Two pairs of eyes watched her. “I’d like to hear more about divvying up children. Of whom were you speaking?”
They exchanged a glance, and a spike of ice raised the hairs on her neck. Ralston came toward her. She lifted her hand, palm out. “Don’t try to placate me. I have a right to know. I’m overwhelmed by secrets and lies. The truth, please.”
Lady Amelia nodded. “She’s right, Gilbert. You know I have never been in favor of withholding information. I care not what Lady Siltsbury told you. She’s not the one who has been torn away from the only life she’s ever known. The girl should have been told everything from the beginning.”
“Well?” Jane refolded her arms and tapped her foot in annoyance.
Ralston’s gaze slid to his aunt, then back. Moving closer, he rested his hand on her shoulder. A shiver of a different kind tingled in her belly, distracting her. She peered into his handsome face as his eyes softened.
“You have a sister.”
Breath whooshed from her lungs, and a dizzy, light-headed feeling made her glad his hand still held her. A sister. Why wouldn’t her brain function? “How . . . how old?”
His hand was warm, and he squeezed gently.
“Like you, she’s nearly twenty.” He sighed.
“She’s your twin.”
About the Author
Having spent three years messing about in boats, a hobby that included a five-thousand-mile trip in a 32-foot Nordic Tug, she now spends most of her time indoors happily reading, writing, cooking and keeping up with the antics of Ralph, her Siamese rescue cat.
If you want to learn more about her activities go to https://www.pamelagibsonwrites.com and sign up for her blog and quarterly newsletter. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, BookBub, and Goodreads.
Tour Schedule
Monday, August 9
Guest Post at Novels Alive
Tuesday, August 10
Excerpt at Books, Ramblings, and Tea
Wednesday, August 11
Review at Michelle the PA Lives to Read
Thursday, August 12
Excerpt at Wishful Endings
Friday, August 13
Excerpt at Historical Fiction with Spirit
Saturday, August 14
Review at Up Past My Bedtime
Monday, August 16
Review at Bookworlder
Tuesday, August 17
Interview at Books & Benches
Wednesday, August 18
Excerpt at Reading is My Remedy
Thursday, August 19
Review at Novels Alive
Friday, August 20
Excerpt at Chicks, Rogues, and Scandals
Review & Interview at Bonnie Reads and Writes
Monday, August 23
Review at Rajiv’s Reviews
Tuesday, August 24
Excerpt at What Is That Book About
Wednesday, August 25
Guest Post at The Cozy Book Blog
Thursday, August 26
Review at Two Bookish Babes
Friday, August 27
Excerpt at Coffee and Ink
Review at The Enchanted Shelf
Excerpt at Books Lattes & Tiaras
Tour-Wide Giveaway
Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!
The giveaway is open to US residents only and ends on August 27th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
No comments
Post a Comment
I love comments! I try to read and reply to them all. Feel free to agree or disagree and generally share your thoughts with me.