Arabella Sheraton grew up on a diet of Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, and many other writers of that period. From Jane Austen to Georgette Heyer, Arabella has found both enjoyment and inspiration in sparkling, witty Regency novels. She also loves history and generally finds the past more fascinating than the future. Arabella wrote her first Regency romance to entertain her aged mom who loved the genre. Arabella is honoured to share the adventures of her heroes and heroines with readers.
A witty traditional Regency romance that will captivate fans of the genre.
When Helena Wainwright accompanies her two young nieces and her nephew to stay at Rotherham Park with their new guardian who is their uncle, the Duke of Rotherham, she agrees to remain for six months to help the children adjust to their new life. She finds the handsome, charming Duke of Rotherham to be the most insufferable, self-opinionated, domineering and arrogant man she has ever met. Unhappily, the duke also holds an unflattering opinion of Helena. “Wayward was the only word to describe such a determined, contrary, and obstinate young woman who defied him at every turn regarding the upbringing of his wards. He would be very glad to see her go.”
The Duke of Rotherham is contemplating making Miss Emily Fanshawe, a beautiful, and (everyone thinks) well-bred young woman an offer of marriage. However, Emily has terrible secrets to hide, besides having a clandestine lover. Helena discovers Emily's secrets and does not know which way to turn. If she reveals the truth to protect the duke's social standing, she will betray Emily, with dire consequences. Besides, the duke seems determined to marry Emily, simply to prove a point, even though his godmother, Lady Mildred Ormsby has suspicions the Fanshawes are not who they say they are! Emily’s mother is hell-bent on marrying her daughter off to a rich, preferably titled, man. She will let nothing stand in her way, even stooping to abduction and possibly murder.
Can Helena win in the face of heavy odds and the machinations of a wicked schemer? And will she want the Duke of Rotherham for herself when hidden elements of his romantic past come to light?
Snippet:
“They hate me, Vernon.” Miss Fanshawe hiccupped and looked up in a piteous, tear-drenched plea. She had clearly mastered the art of crying and could achieve this without her complexion turning blotchy or her nose becoming red. If it were possible, her eyes appeared bigger and more luminous, and her long eyelashes fringed the effect in a most becoming way. When Helena cried, the effect was unpleasant to the degree it was best she cried alone.
“Your children hate me.”
The lady’s wiles were so transparent that Helena wanted to shake her and tell her to stop her hysterics at once, but the duke seemed to enjoy murmuring soft words of encouragement to his guest. He even patted her small, delicate hands.
“Of course they don’t hate you, my dear, and I shall deal very firmly with them.”
He motioned for Helena to approach the sofa. “Find those rascals at once and bring them to me!”
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