COMING 7.26.16
HIS SCANDALOUS KISS
Secrets at Thorncliff Manor #3
Sophie Barnes
Releasing July 26th, 2016
Avon Books
Thorncliff
Manor is the perfect setting for a masquerade ball . . . where the heart’s
secret desires are about to be uncovered in this scintillating Regency romance
from Sophie Barnes
Richard Heartly has exiled himself from society since the war, plotting his revenge for a terrible betrayal. A masked ball at Thorncliff Manor is intended to be a brief diversion. Instead, he encounters a fascinating young woman as entranced by the music as he is. He can’t reveal his identity to Lady Mary. But her siren song keeps drawing him back, and their clandestine meetings could be hazardous to his plan—and to her virtue . . .
Avoiding an unwanted marriage was easy when Lady Mary was ignored by the ton. Thanks to her dazzling appearance at the masquerade, she’s a wallflower no longer. Eligible suitors abound, yet the only man she wants is the brooding, seductive companion who keeps his face hidden. A man who tempts her to disclose her own shocking secret, one that could divide them forever . . .
Richard Heartly has exiled himself from society since the war, plotting his revenge for a terrible betrayal. A masked ball at Thorncliff Manor is intended to be a brief diversion. Instead, he encounters a fascinating young woman as entranced by the music as he is. He can’t reveal his identity to Lady Mary. But her siren song keeps drawing him back, and their clandestine meetings could be hazardous to his plan—and to her virtue . . .
Avoiding an unwanted marriage was easy when Lady Mary was ignored by the ton. Thanks to her dazzling appearance at the masquerade, she’s a wallflower no longer. Eligible suitors abound, yet the only man she wants is the brooding, seductive companion who keeps his face hidden. A man who tempts her to disclose her own shocking secret, one that could divide them forever . . .
“I must say that I have
thoroughly enjoyed your company, Signor,” Lady Duncaster said as Richard led
her away from the dance floor a short while later. “And you danced superbly, by
the way.”
“You are too kind.”
Nothing could be truer. He’d counted five missteps in total, though not on her
ladyship’s toes, for which he was grateful.
“Not at all. In fact, I
am quite sure that you have drawn attention to yourself.”
Following Lady
Duncaster’s line of vision, Richard spotted a group of young ladies who
appeared to be whispering behind their fans while looking his way. As soon as
they noted his quiet perusal, they burst into unified giggles and batted their
eyes flirtatiously.
“A lesser man might take
advantage,” he told Lady Duncaster disapprovingly.
“Which is why I have
every intention of finding their parents and having a word with them before
their daughters get themselves ruined.” Leaning closer to Richard, she
whispered, “I may not be as strict or judgmental as most, but I will not stand
for naiveté either. Will you excuse me?”
“Of course,” he said,
bowing low before her. He did not grant the giggling young ladies a second
glance as he walked away, his eyes searching for the only lady who’d captured
his interest. Perhaps she’d gone back inside? Pausing, he looked toward the
French doors and the blazing light that filled the great hall beyond. It didn’t
tempt him in the least, and he decided therefore that he would seek refuge
amidst the shadows of the garden instead.
Crossing to the stairs,
he snatched a glass of champagne from a nearby footman. Tossing back the drink,
he discarded the glass and descended to the graveled path below, his long cape
swirling out behind him as he went. There were plenty of revelers here as well,
some strolling amidst the flickering lights of torches while others were seated
on blankets spread out on the lawn. Some were even enjoying boat rides on the
lake while violinists along the lakeside filled the air with music matching the
tune being played on the terrace.
Stepping down from the
bottom step, Richard breathed in the rich scent of jasmine permeating the air.
He was just about to start forward when a lady wearing a purple gown stepped in
front of him, blocking his path. Dipping into a slight curtsey, she offered him
a broad smile. “My lord,” she said, by way of greeting.
He didn’t bother to
correct her error. “Please excuse me,” he said instead, hoping she’d move aside
and allow him to pass. Although she was older than when he’d last seen her,
he’d immediately recognized her as his younger sister, Fiona. Not even her
domino mask made him doubt her identity as she stood before him now, reminding
him of the sprite who’d tugged at his coat tails when she was little, her hands
often sticky from jam as she’d done so. He allowed a sentimental smile—one that
he knew she could not see.
“Will you not offer to
dance with me?” she asked.
For a second, he
considered it. Indeed, his heart ached for her embrace. And yet, he could not
allow himself to be tempted. She’d only want more than what he was willing to
offer, as would the rest of his sisters, not to mention his mother. In all
likelihood, revealing himself to Fiona would only serve to reignite the crying
and begging that had taken place beyond his bedroom door when he’d refused to
see them after his return from France. Gradually, their voices had faded into
silence, though Richard could still hear the awful sound within the confines of
his mind. He did not think that he’d be able to bear having to witness their
pain again, as would likely be the case if Fiona discovered his attendance this
evening.
“Not at present,” he
murmured.
For a moment, she looked
a little stunned, but then she straightened herself, pressed her lips together
and stepped past him. Without another word, she disappeared quietly up the
stairs. Turning, Richard watched her until she was out of sight. Again he
smiled, pleased by the cut she’d given him in response to his rudeness and
comforted by the knowledge that she had grown into the sort of lady who
demanded respect.
Taking a moment to
assess his surroundings, Richard walked toward the lake where the Endurance—a
large frigate that confirmed Lady Duncaster’s fondness for the unusual—provided
tables and chairs for the supper that would take place later.
Arriving at the
lakeside, he watched as a couple moved hastily toward a copse of trees on the
right, disappearing completely between the shadows. He wasn’t surprised.
Masquerades were after all designed to cause mischief, which was why so many people
disapproved of them even as they couldn’t help but be intrigued.
Turning left, he
approached the violinist standing furthest away, his music swirling like
stardust through the air. It carried Richard forward, all thought of revenge
momentarily forgotten as the notes coursed through him, soothing his soul and
calming his heart.
It wasn’t until he’d
come within ten paces of the musician that Richard realized that he wasn’t
alone. Seated on a stone bench that stood slightly concealed by a neatly
trimmed hedge, was the lady he’d seen earlier on the terrace. Instinctively, he
froze, his progress halted by the vision she presented. Her eyes were closed
behind her mask while a smile of pure pleasure graced her lovely lips. By God,
she was stunning, and it was all Richard could do not to fall on his knees
before her like a subservient knight to her medieval maiden.
Instead, he studied the
delicate curve of her neck and the vast expanse of pale skin below. Sucking in
a breath, he forced himself not to stare or to wonder what it might be like to
hold her against him . . . to lay her bare and
to . . . He blinked, aware that his heart was thumping loudly
against his chest. It couldn’t be helped. She was perfect in every way—curved
in just the right places. Christ! His abstinence was clearly trying to knock
the gentleman right out of him in favor of welcoming a scoundrel.
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Born in Denmark, 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. She has studied design in Paris
and New York and has a bachelor's degree from Parsons. But, most impressive of
all, she's been married to the same man three times—in three different
countries and in three different dresses.
While living in Africa, Sophie turned to her lifelong passion:
writing. 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. She currently lives on the East Coast.
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