Berkley Sensation
ISBN: ISBN-10: 0425218325 /
ISBN-13: 978-0425218327
Release Date: September 2007
An earl of debauchery
Sebastian Laidley, the sixth Earl of Carleton, is solely committed to his hedonistic
lifestyle, until he makes a promise to his dying godfather. He must find his childhood
friend Gemma a husband in three months – or marry her himself.
A lady of dubious virtue
The daughter of a notorious seductress, Gemma Maitland has the body of a siren but a
mind for more practical matters. Snubbed by Society, she has just one ambition: to run
her grandfather's estate.
A passion that begs to be unleashed...
To find Gemma a husband, Sebastian lures her to his estate under the guise of helping
with his sister's wedding. During the festivities, there is no shortage of men vying
for Gemma's hand, much to Sebastian's dismay. Gemma has always been in his heart, but
when she turns her wiles on him, she burns her way into his soul...
What they're saying...
"Rich in historical detail and drama; brilliantly depicted dialogue and characters will surely earn author, Christine Wells a very large fan base. I loved every word of it and can't wait to see what's next."
– Historical Romance Writer
"A seductive, vivid love story. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough."
– Kathryn Caskie
"A spirited heroine, a scandalous past, a bewildered rake: Christine Wells gives us a charming story, rich with historical delights."
– Anne Gracie
"An impressive debut book. I thoroughly enjoyed it."
– Mary Balogh
"Romance with the sparkle of vintage champagne. A stellar debut from a major new talent!"
– Anna Campbell
"Ms. Wells beguiles us in this stellar debut... Put this writer's name on your list of authors to watch."
– Sophia Nash, RITA award-winning author
"A wonderful debut. With both humor and heat, Christine Wells has crafted a compelling story of two wounded people--a sensitive rake and an independent miss – struggling to find love and meaning in their lives."
– Sally MacKenzie
"A charming romance brimming with emotion and humor. The sensual intimacy between Sebastian and Gemma mellows like a fine wine within the friendship forged long before their first kiss. Christine Wells makes the Regency as fresh and real as her characters, and I expect it won't be long before she's a favorite on every romance reader's bookshelf."
– Kathryn Smith
"A lovely story of best friends discovering there could be more, Scandal's Daughter charms and delights with humor, wit, and intelligence. Wells writes with an eye for detail, using historical events, personages, geography, colloquialisms, and time-appropriate expressions, to center her story and create a vibrant world for her characters and her readers. An enchanting debut, Scandal's Daughter engages all the senses and leaves a smile on your face and warmth in your heart."
– Kate Cuthbert, Romance, The Courier-Mail, Brisbane
Scandal's Daughter earns a 9 rating!
Historical Romance Writers
Scandal's Daughter has been chosen as a top pick!
Romance Reader at Heart
Read an Excerpt...
"Sebastian!" Gemma held out her hands. "To what do we owe this pleasure? No, do not tell me. You have dropped ten thousand at Hazard and the bailiffs are hot on your trail."
Sebastian's teeth gleamed as he took her hands in his. "Minx! But I am wounded you do not notice my new consequence. I have come up in the world since I saw you last."
She inspected his expensive dark elegance and chuckled. "Yes, you are fine as fivepence. Indeed, Scovy, I wonder now that I recognized you at all."
There's that damned nickname again, thought Sebastian. How he had hated it when she first bestowed it upon him, her eyes alight with unholy glee. But he did not immediately reply to her teasing, struck by the changes time had wrought in his old playmate.
Gemma wore a drab, ill-fitting, outmoded riding habit and a God-awful nest of braids bunched under her battered hat, an ensemble that would see her maid hung drawn and quartered in fashionable circles. But no amount of torture with the hairbrush could dim the darts of flame that sparked in those golden tresses. Swathes of charcoal broadcloth might blur her feminine curves, but they failed to dull the subtle fire in her dusk-blue eyes. Even her creamy skin seemed to bloom and glow delight. As he looked down at Gemma's upturned face, beaming with pleasure at his arrival, desire stabbed his belly like a thief in the night, stole his breath away.
Take a damper, old boy, he thought, alarmed and a trifle disgusted with himself. There had never been anything like that between them. Clearly, that was how she regarded their friendship too, or she would not have been so unguarded in her welcome.
The thought gave him pause. He was not certain he liked the notion that the frisson of attraction he had felt for Gemma was one-sided. He was used to making easy conquests of women. He certainly did not wish to add Gemma to the list, but still...
Someone cleared his throat and Sebastian realized he had been staring down at Gemma in silence. His gaze flicked past her, and he saw that her companion had dismounted and caught the reins of her mare. The man fairly bristled with pompous indignation. What the devil was wrong with the fellow?
Then Sebastian realised. He still held Gemma's hands. This bag-pudding must think he had designs on her.
The devil of mischief roused within.
As Sebastian returned his gaze to Gemma's trusting face, the devil took hold. Before she could guess what he was about, he tightened his grip on her hands and ducked his head to kiss her softly on the lips.
He did not receive the slap he half expected.
Gemma remained very still in the instant his lips clung to hers, and as he lifted his head, he detected a shadow of doubt in her eyes.
Good.
Looking past her shoulder, he saw her companion open-mouthed with outrage.
Ah. Even better.
Recovering with a tiny shake of the head, she tugged her hands from his grasp and said lightly, "Sebastian, I do not believe you know John Talbot. Mr. Talbot bought the property that borders our land to the south-east, and has been kind enough to accompany me on my afternoon rides. John, may I present the Earl of Carleton, an old friend of mine. We used to catch tadpoles together."
Sebastian understood at once. After that kiss, Gemma attempted to colour their connection with the innocence of childhood.
Which was an accurate portrait, as it happened, but for some reason he did not wish this Talbot fellow to place any faith in it. Throwing Gemma a quizzical glance, Sebastian moved forward to shake hands.
Talbot's grip was firm, his form solid, above average height. His build indicated he would strip to advantage in the boxing ring, and Sebastian wondered idly if it were worth goading the man further. He had not indulged in a decent sparring match for weeks.
Before Sebastian finished his survey, Talbot took the initiative. "I am surprised to hear Lord Carleton is a particular friend of yours, Gemma. I have not heard you speak of him before now."
"Is that so?" returned Sebastian, amused. "Well, perhaps Miss Maitland–" he placed a faint, deliberate emphasis on her name "–wished me to remain her guilty secret."
Ignoring Gemma's indignant little choke, he flashed a smile at Talbot and nodded towards the horses, whose reins the gentleman still held. "Take them round to the stables, will you, Turbot, there's a good fellow. Miss Maitland is wanted in the house."
Talbot's pink-and-white complexion did nothing to conceal his emotions. At the calculated snub, his neck and face flushed crimson and he spluttered a wordless protest.
Sebastian raised his brows.
"Nonsense!" Gemma smiled at Talbot with particular radiance. "We shall all go to the stables and then up to the house to dine. You will come, won't you, John?"
Unconsciously, she placed her hand on Sebastian's proffered arm as she spoke. He pressed home his advantage, closing his hand over hers in a clear act of possession.
Which of course made Talbot bridle like a matron refused vouchers for Almack's. "No, really, Miss Mait–I mean, really, Gemma, I must take my leave."
"Very well," she answered cheerfully, grasping her mare's bridle. "I shall see you tomorrow, sir."
As soon as Talbot rode out of earshot, Gemma rounded on Sebastian. "And you need not look so pleased with yourself! I never heard such insolence."
"Well, I had to get rid of him because I need to talk to you." He reached for the mare's bridle. "Here. Give me that."
She surrendered the bridle without comment. They walked on, and after a few moments' silence, Sebastian said, "Rather familiar with you after such a short acquaintance, isn't he? Could it be that I hear wedding bells?"
He watched her closely. It would be the answer to his prayers, yet the idea did not sit well with him at all.
"Good God, no!" said Gemma. He grinned at her vehemence, and she primmed her pretty lips. "That is to say, Mr. Talbot is a very amiable man, but we should not suit."
He cocked an eyebrow. "Where did you learn to spout that fustian? Not from Hugo, I'll wager." Horror dawned. "Don't say you have Old Mouldy living with you now."
"If you refer to Great Aunt Matilda, Scovy, then–"
"You know very well whom I mean. In fact, Miss Prunes and Prisms, you gave her that nickname, as I recall."
The corners of Gemma's mouth quivered, but she did not rise to the bait. "Aunt Matilda has made her home with us these four years past."
"Really? As bad as that? No wonder I haven't been near this place for at least that long. I have something of a sixth sense that preserves me from females of her ilk."
"Well, your sixth sense won't do you any good this evening," said Gemma with relish. "You will be obliged to take her in to dinner, you know. No doubt she will read you a lecture on your wicked ways."
"Hmm, you terrify me." He slid Gemma a glance, wondering if she knew how wicked his ways really were.
"She would certainly fall into strong hysterics if she knew you had kissed me like that," she added. "Right in front of John, too! I should think a man of your experience would know better."
Startled, Sebastian halted in his tracks. "Am I to infer you are accustomed to being kissed, Miss Maitland?"
Gemma stopped also and stroked the nose of her grey. "I would not say accustomed, precisely, but it has been known to happen. Some of them have been..." She trailed off dreamily, then smiled and patted Sebastian on the cheek. "But yours was very nice as well."
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