Series: Scandal Series, Book 4
Genre: Regency Historical Romance

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 slanted a glance at Ralston who seated himself on the grass-covered cliff next to her. The sea below crashed against the rocks.

“Now you’re here,” he said, “stuck with a society you want no part of and rules you’d rather not know, let alone follow.”

“My opportunities here seem less obvious, but I haven’t explored them yet. Perhaps I could become a midwife or a teacher. We had dame schools in Baltimore, places where educated women taught young girls to read, write, and cipher in their homes. Perhaps I could start one here.”

His laughter was deep and rich, and his expression, while skeptical, was not unkind.

“I think you will do whatever you put your mind to, and society be damned. But not until you reach your majority.”

“You’ll prevent me?”

“For your own good, yes. But, Jane”—he took her ungloved hand in his—“’tis only for a year. Then I shall have no say.”

She pulled her tingling hand away, heat flowing through her body from his touch. “There is that. I do have a question. Will I have enough funds to pay the staff and care for the upkeep of the property? We haven’t discussed that part of my inheritance yet.”

It worried her because she would be the responsible one—not only for herself, but for others who would rely on her. She couldn’t be a governess or a companion. Those acceptable positions for a woman of good birth would require her to live elsewhere, and now that she’d seen the property, she wanted to live here.

“Your father had investments, and there will be income from those business ventures for you and your sister.”

“Will it be enough?”

He turned, and the amused look on his face was disconcerting. “I believe your father expected—perhaps hoped—you would find someone to marry. In society, that’s how aristocratic women are cared for. By husbands.”

“Are you telling me the funds from Papa’s investments won’t be enough to run two households? Mine and Jocelyn’s?”

He turned back and faced the sea. “I am not saying that at all. I believe Jocelyn is well on her way to finding someone to spend her life with. Perhaps once she’s married, she can introduce you to appropriate suitors.”

Anger singed her insides. “You know I do not wish to marry. I value my independence. Men have too much power over their wives. Especially here.”

Seeing him rise, she got herself up, knowing he would assist her if she stayed where she was, but not trusting the emotions building inside.

The wind intensified, and a few whitecaps appeared on the water below. A strong gust wrestled her loosened bonnet from her head, blowing it toward the edge of the cliff. She chased it and picked it up before it blew away.

“Jane. Move away from the edge.” Ralston’s voice carried on the wind. Before she could step back, another gust propelled her forward.

Strong arms enfolded her and practically dragged her away from the precipice. Breathing heavily, she turned to see her guardian’s worried face.

“Why didn’t you heed my warning?”

“I bent to retrieve my bonnet.”

“You can buy another bonnet. Never do that again. In fact, I forbid you to walk out here. This path is not stable. A man slipped on that path you see in the distance and slid down the face of the cliff. Luckily he wasn’t alone and was rescued. It was a near thing.”

“You can forbid me to do things now. In a year’s time, I shall be on my own, and if I want to stand here and stare out to sea, I shall do so.”

“Stubborn, aren’t you?”

“Yes. I am. What are you going to do about it?”

She’d forgotten how gorgeous his eyes were, even now as they stared into her own, a flare of heat making her think of the defiance literally melting away inside her. Her heart beat wildly as his arms tightened and he drew her to him. When he lowered his mouth to hers, she sighed and met him willingly. His lips were soft and smooth, pressing gently at first, then harder until she opened her own and let his tongue caress the inside of her mouth.

Her arms circled his neck so she could move closer, trying to soothe an unknown ache in her breasts, to ease a need she’d never felt before, one that compelled her to rub her body against his.

Abruptly, he stepped back. “Please forgive me. I seem to be making a habit of this.”

She brushed her knuckles along his jaw. “I’m not sorry. I’ve never had a real kiss before. Not a peck, was it? Consider it part of the ‘talk’ about rogues.”

He held her gaze one last time, offered his arm, and they silently strolled back into the house.

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About the Author

Author of eight books on California history and sixteen romance novels, Pamela Gibson is a former City Manager who now lives in the Nevada desert. She has a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in public administration, but her passion is and always has been writing.

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.