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
grunted disagreement. “I have lived a solitary life these past five
years,” he said slowly. “My brother and secretary have been my
only contacts to the outside world since my return.”
“Which
is why I am so honored to have the pleasure of your company. Truly,
it is greatly appreciated.”
“Even
if I am not as polished as I once was?”
Her
mouth tilted a little. “You are just a little rusty.” She patted
his arm with her gloved hand. “It will come back to you soon
enough.”
He
wasn’t so certain. “I feel as though I no longer belong.”
“Nonsense.
But if we can find your brother then perhaps you will feel more
yourself. Hmm?” She looked around.
“I
must confess that he is unaware of my attendance this evening.”
When she turned to him, eyes wide in question, he said, “I should
like to keep it that way.”
“May
I ask why?”
Breaths
came and went in slow succession before he settled on the right
words. “The last thing I want is for him to get the wrong idea—to
presume that I have come for the purpose of socializing or, God
forbid, dancing.”
Her
eyebrows rose in two sharp points. “Dancing is not so bad and
neither is socializing.”
“I
am only here because of your insistence. As Grandmamma’s dearest
friend, it would be difficult for me to deny you. Which is not to say
that I am unhappy that I came.”
“She
would be proud of you, if she were still alive.”
“I
hope so,” he muttered. “You have offered me a refreshing change,
but I am afraid that dancing and socializing would serve no purpose.”
“I
suppose that explains why you have not asked me to dance,” Lady
Duncaster said as they moved toward a shadowy corner where a stone
bench stood vacant.
“You
see! My manners have completely deserted me.” He waited for Lady
Duncaster to sit before lowering himself onto the empty spot beside
her. “Perhaps a minuet would not be too appalling, if I can still
recall the steps, mind you.”
“Forgive
me, but was that an invitation?” In spite of her advanced years, it
was impossible to deny that she had spirit.
Richard
grimaced. “Lady Duncaster, would you please do me the honor of
dancing the minuet with me?” As much as he dreaded it, he owed her
the courtesy of asking.
“I
would be delighted to,” she said, looking pleased. “See, that was
not so difficult, was it? But if you step on my toes I shall slap
you.”
Although
Richard feared that she might have to follow through on that threat,
her words eased his tension. “In public? Surely not!”
“I
find that the older I get, the less I care about protocol, or the
opinion of others, for that matter.”
“Then
we are of like minds, my lady.”
Lady
Duncaster snorted. “My dear boy, you are entirely mistaken! If you
were really as indifferent as I, then you would not feel inclined to
hide away as you do. That said, however, I must compliment you on
your choice of costume. The complete concealment of your face beneath
your Bauta mask and tricorn does add a distinct air of mystery to
you.”
“I
am not the only one here who has chosen to dress in traditional
style,” he said as he watched a couple strolling in their
direction. Both wore full masks with silver lips and eye-slits
outlined in blue. Just like Richard, their hair and necks had been
covered by tightly fitted silk hoods, revealing not an inch of skin
and making it impossible to discern their identities.
“True,”
Lady Duncaster agreed, “but unlike everyone else here this evening,
there is a certain darkness about you that I am sure the ladies will
find compelling.”
“I
have no interest in attracting any woman’s attention.” The
evening black had been a given. He could not imagine himself in
anything else. And the mask . . . well, he had his
reasons for that as well. “I am not a coward,” he told her
gruffly. “I am just not ready for all the attention my return to
Society will likely incur.” She nodded in understanding, but said
nothing further. He was grateful for that.
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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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