Spotlight: Beneath His Silence by Hannah Linder
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Genre: Historical Suspense, Regency Romance, Inspirational Fiction
Publisher: Barbour Publishing (November 1, 2022)
Length: (320) pages
Will Seeking Justice Lead to Her Own Demise?
A Gothic-Style Regency Romance from a Promising Young Author
Second daughter of a baron—and a little on the mischievous side—Ella Pemberton is no governess. But the pretense is a necessity if she ever wishes to get inside of Wyckhorn Manor and attain the truth. Exposing the man who killed her sister is all that matters.
Lord Sedgewick knows there’s blood on his hands. Lies have been conceived, then more lies, but the price of truth would be too great. All he has left now is his son—and his hatred. Yet as the charming governess invades his home, his safe cocoon of bitterness begins to tear away.
Could Ella, despite the lingering questions of his guilt, fall in love with such a man? Or is she falling prey to him—just as her dead sister?
Excerpt
Ella’s hands perspired beneath her elbow-length gloves, but she dared not remove them. If only the hostess would open more windows. A swim in the punch bowl was starting to sound appealing.
Dorthea did not seem to mind the heat—nor did she even seem to notice, for that matter. She appeared solely conscious of the fact that Sir Charles Rutledge’s eldest son was asking her to dance.
“Oh my.” She tilted her head, blushed to a proper degree, then allowed him to escort her into the set.
Ella hid her grin with her fan. Perhaps Miss Fitzherbert found the younger Rutledge even more riveting than his father.
“Miss, do tell me promptly that you are without partner.” A gentleman appeared before her, dumpy and short but with rather pleasing features.
“It is a bit warm, sir. I do not think I feel much like dancing.”
“I say, you’re in quite the wrong place then, are you not?” He chuckled. “We have all come to dance and make merry. I can’t think what else there could be to do.” And with a shake of his head, he bowed and walked away.
Make merry, his words echoed. Any other day, she would have taken the gentleman’s hand and eagerly danced into the night. With great pleasure, she would have strolled throughout the room, laughing and sipping lemonade to her heart’s content.
But it was not any other night, and she had no more desire for laughter than she did for lemonade or dancing.
As another song began to fill the room with a lively tune, Dorthea appeared at Ella’s side. “I came as soon as I could,” she whispered. “There he is. I have only just spotted him.” Her eyes darted to the westerly wall.
Ella could not look. Her throat constricted.
“There is one more thing I must tell you of him—news I heard only tonight. I think you shall find it most interesting.” Dorthea patted her curls as if to assure their placement. “But there is not time to relate it now. I have already promised this dance.” She turned on her heels and dashed away.
Ella was left to herself. The blood ran hot in her veins, yet still, she could not look at him. She hadn’t the strength. He had so long been a faceless monster, a shadowy demon that loomed in every nightmare, every dark corner of her soul.
Oh, Father. She clenched her hands, lifted her eyes.
There was nothing to obstruct her view, nor was there any question as to which gentleman.
Lord Sedgewick stood along the wall with the last shafts of light streaming from the window behind him. He was flesh and bone, indeed.
Dressed in tan pantaloons and waistcoat, with a black tailcoat and white cravat, his appearance was pompous and seemed to boast of his superior position. He stood in much the same manner, straight and rigid, coldly casting his gaze about the room.
His lips were firm and tight, and he appeared ready to escape the inconvenience of his present circumstance. Hair—the deepest brown—was tousled on the top and shorter on the sides. Sideburns invaded either side of his face. His brows were dark and concentrated. If he had looked upon her, she might have frozen.
Yet he never did.
A knot ascended Ella’s throat. She whirled and fled the room, escaping into the quiet, empty corridor. She covered her mouth with her hands, squeezing her eyes shut. Oh, Lucy. She shook with cold, unbearable passion.
He shall not get away with what he has done to you, Lucy. Her pulse hammered. Upon your grave, I promise.
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About the Author
Hannah Linder resides in the beautiful mountains of central West Virginia. Represented by Books & Such, she writes Regency romantic suspense novels. She is a double 2021 Selah Award winner, a 2022 Selah Award finalist, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Hannah is a Graphic Design Associates Degree graduate who specializes in professional book cover design. She designs for both traditional publishing houses and individual authors, including New York Times, USA Today, and international bestsellers. She is also a local photographer and a self-portrait photographer. When Hannah is not writing, she enjoys playing her instruments--piano, guitar, and ukulele--songwriting, painting still life, walking in the rain, and sitting on the front porch of her 1800s farmhouse.
