Book Description
Catherine Bennet, known as Kitty to close friends and family, knows this better than anyone. She also knows that she will never marry and it never bothered her before she met Lord George Kerr at Elizabeth and Darcy’s wedding. He’s determined to breach the walls of defense she’d carefully constructed around her heart, and she’s just as determined to stay the course.
Some secrets cannot be shared
Lord George Kerr knows this better than anyone. For five years, as a spy for His Majesty the King, he played the part of a Rake, concealing his espionage activities beneath a blanket of brothels, drink and loose women. Even though he’s forced to resume his regular life within London’s finest society, he still must keep some things hidden.
One thing he does not hide is his attraction to Miss Catherine Bennet of Longbourn. Enraptured by her beauty and warmth of character, he plunges headlong into winning her heart, only to find it carefully guarded and she’s unwilling to give him even a small pinch of hope.
Some things are beyond your control
When circumstances bring Kitty’s secret into the open, she fears the tenuous bonds of friendship she’s forged with Lord George will be lost forever along with whatever love he proclaims to have for her. With the very lives of England’s vast network of spies working undercover in Bonaparte’s France hanging in the balance, she’s forced to face her worst nightmare.
Her secret is laid bare, can he love her enough to overcome what he learns?
Excerpt
He sighed, troubled that he’d vented some of his loathing of London’s society in her direction.
“I would take your witty father and your flighty mother any day of the week. They at least reside together in their home and share conversation, regardless of how silly it might sound.”
“I never thought of it that way,” she said softly. “How right you are.”
“Of course, I am right. Just as I am right you shall marry.” He shifted closer, inhaling her sweet scent of lavender. “Maybe even to me.”
“Fair warning, Lord Kerr. I am not my mother.” She refused to meet his gaze and fussed with the button on her glove “I will not dote on any man, nor do I think you are the most educated man in all of England.”
“But you think I am intelligent, yes?”
She nodded, her cheeks blooming a delicate shade of pink as she turned her face to look back at Miss Bennet, exposing the long line of her neck. He longed to lift his hand and tuck the errant curl forever escaping her bonnet behind her ear.
He smiled, feeling a spurt of satisfaction. She hadn’t repeated her statement of never marrying when he’d put forward his cheeky suggestion. Was that not proof enough she at least thought about him? Maybe even dallied in a few day dreams?
“Catherine?” he whispered, half in anguish, half in hope. “With your permission, I would like to ride to Longbourn and speak with your father and after a few months, ask for your hand in marriage.”
She stayed silent for so long, he wondered if she’d heard his desperate plea.
“No,” she finally answered.
“Pardon?” Surely, she hadn’t denied his request again?
For a brief moment her shoulders drooped and curved slightly in, as though protecting herself from some unknown force. If he knew anything about body language, what he witnessed assured him she was experiencing deep remorse, or worse, a sense of loss. After an agonizing few seconds of silence, she stood and faced him. “I thank you for the honor you have bestowed on me, but I cannot accept knowing that in the end I would refuse any offer of marriage.”
Before he could utter another word, she turned around and walked as best she could with an injured ankle toward Miss Bennet. All coherent thought fled from his mind and as such, he remained seated on the bench.
Why would she refuse him?
Then, it hit him. She must have heard rumors of his reputation as a debauched rake. Not for the first time he cursed the fact he’d played the part of a rogue in order to hide his clandestine operation with Evangeline. He wanted to go home and lick his wounds, but as a gentleman he had to escort the two Miss Bennet’s back to their sister’s home. Besides, chasing after Catherine wouldn’t make her listen. Words were empty, they meant nothing without action. He would have to ‘show’ he was a changed man and how much he loved her.
He caught up with her before she’d even gone a few yards.
“Miss Catherine,” he called softly.
She continued on as though he hadn’t spoken. He came abreast and then angled his body in her direct path so that she’d have to either slow down or stop. She came to a full stop, but kept her head lowered, the wide brim of her bonnet obscuring his view of her face.
“Miss Catherine, I beg your forgiveness. Please allow me to escort you back to your sister. I will not speak another word on this topic.” At least for today, he promised himself.
After what seemed like an eternity, she placed her fingers on his extended arm and they continued at a slower pace toward Miss Bennet, who’s interest remained absorbed by her book. He gave silent thanks for the single minded focus she had when it came to reading. Much the same as she’d displayed at Longbourn after Catherine’s accident.
For Catherine’s sake, he was glad Miss Bennet hadn’t seen their somewhat private exchange.
Catherine may choose to share what happened with her sister and there was nothing he could do about it. However, her revelation might be a good idea as Miss Bennet, a practical sort of girl, might counsel Catherine to reconsider his offer.
When they were still a dozen yards away from Miss Bennet, Catherine fumbled to open her reticule.
He risked peeking beneath her bonnet and saw a glistening trail of tears streaking down her pale cheeks. Without thought, he reached into his pocket and provided her with one of his own monogrammed linen handkerchiefs.
“Thank you,” she murmured.
“You are welcome,” he whispered back. “Would you like to watch the ducks for a brief moment before we return to Miss Bennet?”
He wished to provide her with some much-needed time in order to compose herself before they reached her sister. He was rewarded with a quick glance from under her bonnet and a tremulous smile.
“Thank you, Lord George. After my abominable behavior, you still show me such kindness.”
“I would present you with the sun and moon, if possible. Giving you a moment of peace is the least I could do.”
* * *
For more information about Sue and her books, check out her website:
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CATHERINE is available exclusively on Amazon. You can purchase your copy here.
About the Author:
Sue Barr, transplanted Prairie Girl, now lives in beautiful Southwestern Ontario, Canada with her retired Air Force hubby, close to their two sons and families. When not busy writing she loves to read and bake, watch cooking shows and Survivor (don’t judge).When Sue retired in 2015 from the London Police Service, she re-discovered #JAFF. Prior to that she’d read Pamela Aiden’s trilogy and, like all of us here, watched every movie ever made of Jane Austen’s books, as well as the spin-offs. Her favorite is Lost in Austen.
About that time, her childhood friend (Suzan Lauder) introduced her to A Happy Assembly. It wasn’t too long before the plot bunnies escaped and Sue began to wonder ‘whatever happened to Caroline Bingley after Charles and Mr. Darcy became engaged to the Bennet sisters?’ From that, CAROLINE was born, followed by CATHERINE which we are talking about today. In the works is GEORGIANA and who knows what else will follow….
Giveaway Time!
and one winner will receive an autographed paperback book of “Catherine.” All giveaways are open to international winners.
Readers may enter the drawing by tweeting once each day and by commenting daily on a blog
post or review that has a giveaway attached to this tour. Entrants must provide the name
of the blog where they commented.
Each winner will be randomly selected by Rafflecopter and the giveaway is international.
Each entrant is eligible to win one eBook or paperback book.
Blog Tour Schedule
Oh,what a gent! Be still my heart! She loves him,is honoured by his proposal,but due to reasons she alone is privy to,refuses his offer of marriage.
ReplyDeleteHe thinks it's because of his sordid reputation......How will they come to a proper understanding?? Will she be brace enough to trust him with the secret,the burden that she carries???
Oh,I'm certainly looking forward to reading this!!! Thanks for hosting,Ceri.
Hope your kitchen is nearly finished and kitted out. Before you know yourself you'll be enjoying a good book with a cuppa!!
I am hoping I will have space for a reading chair in here, Mary, but not sure yet. I have a dining table being delivered this week and then we will see!
DeleteSo glad you enjoyed the excerpt!
Great except. Can’t wait to discover what this secret is that makes Catherine think she can never marry.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what it is either! I haven't read this, but I want to find out as well :)
DeleteWhat a beautiful excerpt though difficult for Catherine. I love that statement, “I would present you with the sun and moon, if possible." Thank you for a chance at the giveaway!!
ReplyDeleteLovely quote! So glad you enjoyed the excerpt, Carole!
DeleteThe more I'm reading this the more excited I am for this
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it when you read it, Patricia!
DeleteAnother wonderful excerpt! Lord Kerr gets more and more swoon-worthy!
ReplyDeleteI love a good swoon, don't you!
DeleteI love that is latest is about Kitty and I can always be hooked in at the mention of Regency era spies. :)
ReplyDeleteSpies are a great angle, aren't they, Sophia! So much scope for misinterpretation.
DeleteThis sounds amazing. I like seeing the character of our Catherine/Kitty fleshed out and a guy worthy of her. He sounds fabulous. Thanks to Ceri for hosting and thanks to our author Sue Barr for the generous give-a-way. I have both books on my wish-list. I'm looking forward to reading them.
ReplyDeleteI have such a soft spot for Kitty. Always glad to see her have a chance to take centre stage.
DeleteWhat a lovely gentleman, Catherine is/will be so lucky
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree :)
DeleteThank you for hosting me, Ceri. The tour is almost done... :(
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Sue! I hope you've enjoyed the tour.
DeleteKitty, I hate to think what the secret you're hiding is, that it makes you want to turn such a man down. Grab him with both hands, girl!
ReplyDeleteHehe! When you think how few chances Kitty may have had, it makes you wonder what kind of secret would have dissuaded her.
DeleteA delicious excerpt, Sue and Ceri. Why would Kitty turn down Lord George's offer of marriage twice? What secret is she hiding from everyone? That's what I would like to know.
ReplyDeleteI wish I knew too!
DeleteI really enjoyed this story! Kept me on my toes without being super angsty.
ReplyDeleteThat's good to know, Leah! Thanks for commenting.
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