She went to pull free of Laurenceâs grip but he held her firmly in place, his eyes burning into hers as he stared down at her.
Joanna met his gaze boldly, still viewing herself as Rosalind to his Duke Frederick. The tension between them was causing her breath to quicken and her chest to rise and fall in the drama of the moment.
And then, abruptly, everything changed. It wasnât Duke Frederickâs face she saw a heartbeat away from hers but Laurenceâsâone that had become dearer to her than any other. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her face, smell the fresh citrus scent of his soap as he drew closer. In that moment they were totally alone in that deserted theatre. No one else was there ⦠only the two of them.
âJoanna,â he whispered.
His head bent towards hers, his lips drawing closer, and she closed her eyes and reality slipped away â¦
Welcome back to the colourful world of Regency theatre and the complicated lives of the Bretton family, who made their first appearance in NO OCCUPATION FOR A LADY.
The second book in this series focuses on Laurence Bretton, Victoriaâs older brother, a quiet, scholarly man who shocks everyoneâincluding his familyâby standing up and claiming to be Valentine Lawe, the celebrated playwright. While his family know that Valentine Lawe is actually Victoriaâs pseudonym, and that Laurence only assumed the role in order to protect her reputation, he ends up bringing the character to full and glorious life when, overnight, he is thrust into the glittering spotlight that is London society.
But real life isnât a scripted play and, once launched upon the deception, Laurence finds thereâs no easy way of turning backâsomething he wishes he could do when he meets the beautiful Lady Joanna Northrup. Lady Joanna isnât interested in the flamboyant playwright who takes centre stage at elegant soirées. Sheâs drawn to the amusing, scholarly man she met in a bookshop while browsing for books about ancient Egypt, a subject near and dear to her heart.
Unfortunately the truth comes at a cost, and as one lie follows another Laurence sees the woman he loves slipping away. His only chance is to take off the mask and step out of the role. But shedding a public face doesnât come without painful repercussions â¦
Enjoy!
GAIL WHITIKER was born on the west coast of Wales and moved to Canada at an early age. Though she grew up reading everything from John Wyndham to Victoria Holt, frequent trips back to Wales inspired a fascination with castles and history, so it wasnât surprising that her first published book was set in Regency England. Now an award-winning author of both historical and contemporary novels, Gail lives on Vancouver Island, where she continues to indulge her fascination with the past as well as enjoying travel, music and spectacular scenery. Visit Gail at www.gailwhitiker.com
Previous novels by this author:
A MOST IMPROPER PROPOSAL*
THE GUARDIANâS DILEMMA*
A SCANDALOUS COURTSHIP
A MOST UNSUITABLE BRIDE
A PROMISE TO RETURN
COURTING MISS VALLOIS
BRUSHED BY SCANDAL
IMPROPER MISS DARLING
NO OCCUPATION FOR A LADY
*part of The Steepwood Scandal mini-series
NO ROLE FOR A GENTLEMAN
features characters you will have met in NO OCCUPATION FOR A LADY
Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk
To my dear friends and fellow Pen Warriors Bonnie Edwards, Vanessa Grant, E.C. Sheedy and Laura Tobias, with whom I brainstormed the idea for this series during one of our memorable Red Door weekends. I am so grateful for their remarkable creativity and never-ending enthusiasm. And, of course, for the laughter that invariably results from five women being locked up in a house together for three days.
It was in the Temple of the Muses that Laurence Bretton first saw herâa slender, dark-haired young woman standing by the far side of the circular counter, her features partially hidden by the wide brim of a fashionable bonnet. She was engaged in conversation with a clerk whose eagerness to assist was all too evident, but whose frequent blushes and stammering replies seemed to indicate a greater interest in the lady than in whatever she was attempting to buy.
âWe do carry ⦠an extensive selection of books dealing with the Ottoman Empire,â Laurence heard the young man say. âMany of which Iâve read and can recommend myself. Reynierâs State of Egypt after the Battle of Heliopolis was most informative and I have ⦠a very good copy of that in stock.â
âAs it happens, so do I,â the lady replied in a brisk though not unkind manner. âAnd while I found Mr Reynierâs perspectives entertaining, they were not detailed enough for my liking. Have you a copy of Volneyâs Travels through Syria and Egypt? The second volume?â
Volney? Laurence knew that name. Constantin François de ChassebÅuf, Comte de Volney, was a French philosopher and historian who had spent several months in Egypt and Greater Syria, and who had written his