A Dangerous Masquerade

I invited Linda Sole for a visit. As she is also visiting ROMANCE BOOK PARADISE this week, I wanted her to tell us about her latest book which she wrote by fan request!

Here is a little taster  from A Dangerous Masquerade.  Fans of Northaven from the Hanover Square/Anne Herries series will meet him here in disguise.  I was asked to write this book by fans so here it is – available in kindle and at All Romances in pdf and mobi.

I hope you enjoy this taste of a special Regency.

The Marquis of Mooraven yawned behind his hand, and, having gathered up his winnings, rose from the table more than two thousand guineas richer than he’d been when he sat down. He felt no elation, though there was a time when he’d needed every penny he won from his gambling, but that was before his Uncle Tomas obligingly left him his title, estate and fortune. He had several titles to his name, amongst them earl, marquis,  twice over, baron and count, but was using his uncle’s for reasons of his own. In time, he might end as a duke by way of his mother’s family being in danger of losing every male heir in the line.  The dowager duchess had summoned him only two days before he left for Paris.

          ‘My husband’s father had the deed of title altered so that if his male heirs failed his daughters might inherit the dukedom as well as the estate.  As you know, my only surviving daughter died last year and her infant son is sickly.  My three sons have died. That leaves you, Mooraven – my sister-in-law’s grandson.  Sorry as I am to say it, if the child dies you will become Duke of Rothmere.’

          ‘How tiresome for you,’ Mooraven drawled.  He had crossed swords with the dowager before, and though he did not dislike her, knew that she disapproved of him with every bone of her body.  ‘You must guard him well, ma’am.  I advise you to employ the best nannies – and have him seen regularly by a doctor of good repute.’

          ‘You almost sound sincere.’  The elderly lady fixed him with a hawkish stare.  ‘Did I not know you for a rogue and a scoundrel I might believe you had no interest in the Rothmere fortune.’

          ‘If that is your only concern, you may sleep easily in your bed,’ Mooraven replied, a faint smile on his sensual lips.  ‘I may run through my fortune once more if I suffer heavy losses at the table, but I have more sense than to gamble away my entire inheritance.  I assure you I wish young William nothing but good fortune.’

          ‘I am an old woman,’ the dowager said.  ‘I may not have long to live.  Rothmere has no male relatives to care for him – except you, though you are in truth too far removed.  I dare not hope that you would take an interest in his welfare?’

          ‘Should I hear of your unfortunate demise, which I hope may be some years distant, I would offer my help – such as it is.  I should not have thought you would care to have your precious heir subjected to my influence?’

          ‘Needs must when the devil drives.’ She arched her brows at him.  ‘Are all the stories true, Mooraven?  I hear that you have ruined virgins, fleeced green youths at the card table and only God knows what else.  A little wildness in youth is acceptable, but surely you have sown your oats by now?  Where is your pride?  You have good blood in your veins.  Show a little decency.  Marry and settle down before it is too late.  If you continue this way no decent woman will have you.’

          ‘What makes you think it is not already too late?’  A faintly mocking smile played over his lips.  ‘Do you not know that they say I have sold my soul to Lucifer?’

Love to all, Linda Sole/Anne Herries/Anne Ireland/Lynn Granville. Please contact me via my website for free copies of books!        

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