Pleased Launch Day to THE LADY AND THE EARL by USA As we speak Bestselling creator Ruth A. Casie. That is the second standalone historic regency romance within the Return to the Women of Sommer by the Sea. Seize a cup of iced espresso and skim an excerpt. You should definitely enter to win a signed copy of The Woman and Her Quill.
Woman Harriet Manning is a talented doctor. She spends her days aiding her father, a famend doctor, and volunteering with the Women Auxiliary. Regardless of her ardour for drugs and serving to these in want, Harriet is certain by societal expectations that stop her
from practising drugs overtly. In the meantime, her mom is continually pressuring her to discover a appropriate husband.
Throughout a visit again to London, Lord Asheton, the Earl of Lockford, has a driving accident and is dropped at Harriet’s clinic for therapy. The 2 develop shut throughout his restoration, and their relationship begins to blossom. Nevertheless, when Harriet’s household discovers that Asheton is the son of the Duke of Whippany, they’re shocked. Harriet’s mom encourages her to place her medical skills apart and conform to society’s expectations as a way to slot in with Gavin’s world.
Regardless of their engagement, the ton just isn’t proud of the match. Daphne Willis, particularly, has different plans in thoughts. Will Harriet and Asheton have the ability to overcome the obstacles of their path and discover real love?
Chapter One
Sommer-by-the-Sea
September 1816
Woman Harriet Manning didn’t be aware the sun-filled day, its heat, or its magnificence. Nor did she observe the clear blue sky with an occasional stray cloud crusing out of sight. If she took the time and stepped out into the backyard of Cranford Home, her household residence, she would have discovered the perfume of the fallen leaves, autumn flowers and the marginally salty air invigorating. Sadly for Harriet, none of that occurred. She was in any other case occupied.
She didn’t expertise any of the wonders of the day. As an alternative, she sat within the north finish of the household library, learning scratches in a doc’s margins, then scribbled in earnest on a bit of paper. She knew the data the tome contained fairly effectively. It was the notations, the ideas of her father, in addition to these of the navy doctor, Dr. James Barry, that held her consideration.
The library was a heat room from the pink damask curtains to the mahogany bookshelves full of over 4,000 books, a number of courting to the 14th century. The French home windows alongside the size of the room supplied a doorway and consider of the backyard. The fireside stood in the midst of the bookshelves and was reverse the home windows. In entrance of the fireplace was a slightly massive sofa, a number of chairs, and tables to create quite a lot of areas for discourse.
All this was pleasing, however it was the north finish of the room the place she felt most comfy. Right here, surrounded by her father’s medical books and papers, was the place she spent her time.
Poised to inscribe one more be aware, she halted. Her quill hovered inches above the paper as her advantageous thoughts sorted out and utilized what she learn. Items of the puzzle shifted, till one after the other, they fell into place, sending her right into a writing frenzy.
In a rush, her coronary heart shot to her abdomen, then again into her throat. She pushed her chair again from the desk and hurried to the glass-enclosed bookcase within the far nook of the room, the place her father stored his most treasured books.
Her fingertips ran over the spines as she disregarded one e-book after one other. She stopped and reread one backbone. Slowly, she set free a deep breath, eliminated the 14th century Italian medical e-book from the shelf, and introduced it again to the desk.
Harriet opened the treasure and hungrily searched the pages. A number of objects caught her consideration, however she refused to provide in to the urge. As an alternative, she banished the thought from her thoughts and paged by the e-book. The data she needed was right here, someplace.
She was rapidly coming to the top of the tome and nonetheless had no success. She glanced on the bookcase behind her. Had she been fallacious? Pissed off and able to put the quantity away, she turned the web page. There ready for her was the data she sought.
Decelerate. Take a deep breath.
Her racing coronary heart returned to regular as she confirmed the recipe. The juice was an previous treatment that was not in trend, however the medicinal profit was logical. Apples. As she learn on, one thought after one other surfaced. Harriet fiercely wrote them down earlier than they flew out of her head as rapidly as they appeared. This was not a remedy by any means, however it could ease—
“Why do you spend a lot time studying these papers is past me.” Woman Manning swept in. As grand because the library was, her mom managed to empty all of the air from the room the second she entered. Jane, Harriet’s woman’s maid, trailed behind with materials draped over her arms.
A rustic woman, Jane took her job significantly. She was loyal, compassionate, and helped to maintain Woman Harriet organized. Though if one had been to ask her, Jane would say that her ladyship had that effectively in hand. Tall and skinny with a pale complexion, she stored her darkish hair in a easy bun on the nape of her neck.
Harriet couldn’t fairly make out what it was. Or to be extra exact, she didn’t care to make it out. The considered the right way to modify the drugs was misplaced, and he or she returned to studying the doc. With a bit of luck, the forgotten thought would resurface.
An incessant, low, regular sound droned on, interrupting her focus. She would have tossed the paper on the desk if she may. Her mom was buzzing as she attended to Jane’s bundle, now positioned with care on the chair on the opposite facet of the desk.
Regardless of not desirous to smile, Harriet’s lips slowly fashioned a smile. The melody was one she used to beg her mom to sing when she was younger. One other deep breath and as soon as once more, she learn the doc, the identical paragraph for the third time.
She lifted her head, ready to recommend her mom is perhaps extra comfy within the morning room. She put down her quill and glanced at her. She wasn’t being truthful. Her mom didn’t imply her any in poor health will. Harriet set free a defeated sigh. Quite the opposite, her mom inspired Harriet to search out her personal approach and pursue her pursuits.
Mama tolerated her daughter serving to her father. Serving to him was one factor. Nevertheless, putting out on her personal as a doctor was one other.
She grew up in a progressive residence, an oddity in London. To others, a midwife, even a bonesetter could possibly be tolerated, however a feminine doctor was past acceptance particularly by the ton. And for a lady comparable to herself—titled and with funds—effectively, she needn’t do something, aside from marry.
“Madam Pembroke despatched your robe.”
Her mom pulled away the fabric overlaying her prize and held up a surprising pale inexperienced creation.
“A ball robe?” Harriet’s gaze flicked upward.
Please, Mom. Not now.
Her mom introduced the robe to her, the silky materials begging to be touched.
“We’ll be in London in your father’s presentation at The Royal Faculty of Physicians. I plan so that you can take full benefit of the Season.”
Harriet picked up the papers, paused, then put them down. No use attempting to focus on the paperwork now. She was effectively conscious of the route her mom would take the dialog subsequent.
“You may’t keep barricaded on this library or on the clinic. How do you intend to satisfy anybody? Do you count on a younger man will merely current himself on the door?”
Harriet half listened to her mom lament. Her mom went on and on, and he or she discovered herself staring on the engaging delicate cloth now on the desk.
Madam Pembroke created an excellent robe. The seafoam-green creation was lovely. The bodice was delicately embroidered with a advantageous silk thread, then enhanced with artistically positioned seed pearls. A sprig of the small pearls cascaded down the entrance of the skirt and pooled on the hem. The design was breathtaking. The place would she put on it? She had no intention of attending events or the theater. Harriet was going to London for one motive and one motive solely.
Her mom could also be excited concerning the Season, however Harriet regarded ahead to sitting within the gallery on the Royal Faculty to hearken to her father’s presentation.
With admiration, Harriet gazed up at her mom who by no means didn’t astound her. Regardless of her common peak and willowy determine, the girl’s piercing blue eyes by no means missed a factor. She was elegant and refined with a regal bearing that commanded consideration.
With a robust sense of social justice and advocacy work on behalf of the much less lucky, her mom was an inspiration to many, together with Harriet.
Her mom positioned the robe over the again of the chair and sat beside her, her hand resting on her arm. Harriet examined her face for indicators of judgment and disapproval. However all she noticed was compassion and fear. And the shade of one thing else. Hope.
Who was she to sprint all her desires?
“Would you want to slide it on? It’s the good shade together with your hair.” Her mom brushed a curl from her face. “I’ve at all times thought it the colour of a advantageous burgundy. And your amber eyes rimmed with sparkles of gold. Sure. This gown shall be good.”
“You go on. I’ll wait.”
The cadence of the tune was woven in her voice. Mama was not taking part in pretty.
“Mama, I might adore attempting on the robe, however I can not in the intervening time. With Father away tending a affected person in Royston Mills, I need to take his place on the clinic.”
Her mom stood and picked up the robe. She fluffed the skirt, then gazed at Harriet.
“The colour is ideal for you.” Her smile obtained brighter if that had been doable.
“The colour is as lovely as the robe.” Harriet gathered the papers and put them right into a folio.
She went by the basket that sat on the library desk. Bandages, tinctures, salves, and small envelopes of a number of medicines. Glad she had every thing, she closed the basket and placed on her spencer.
“I promised Father I might see to any sufferers who got here in whereas he was gone.”
Her mom buttoned her coat, as she did for her father earlier than he went out.
“Do I move inspection?” Harriet couldn’t keep aggravated along with her lengthy.
“In fact you do.” Her mom stood again and regarded her work.
“I’ll strive on the robe for you after I get residence.”
“After dinner then. Your father gained’t be residence for an additional day or so. I’ve you all to myself.”
RUTH A. CASIE is a USA As we speak bestselling creator of historic swashbuckling action-adventures and up to date romance with sufficient motion to maintain you turning pages. Her tales function sturdy ladies and the lads who deserve them, endearing flaws and all. She lives in New Jersey along with her hero, three empty bedrooms and a rising variety of incomplete counted cross-stitch tasks. Earlier than she discovered her voice, she was a speech therapist (pun supposed), shopper liaison for a corrugated producer, and vp at a global financial institution the place she was a product/advertising supervisor, however her favourite job is the one she’s doing now-writing romance. She hopes her tales develop into your favourite adventures.
Enter to win a signed copy of THE LADY AND HER QUILL e-book, one within the Women of Sommer by the Sea, the primary in a trilogy. Open to US residents solely. Could the percentages be without end in your favor.
