Eight years ago…
Thomas Cartwright and Lady Nicola Fitzgibbons were simply friends. Over the
wall separating their homes, Thomas and Nicola talked of all things – his
studies to become a barrister, her frustrations with a lady’s limitations.
All
things end.
When her diplomat father gains a post in Hong Kong, Nicola must follow. Bored
and alone, she falls into scandal, time and again. Mired in his studies of the
law and aware of the need for circumspection, Thomas feels forced to sever
their ties. Besides, a member of parliament cannot be associated with a woman
of scandal—it isn’t proper.
But now Lady Nicola is back in
London…and she won’t let Thomas ignore her.
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About
The Author:
Cassandra grew up
daydreaming, inventing fantastical worlds and marvelous adventures. Once she
learned to read (First phrase – To the Beach. True story), she was never
without a book, reading of other people’s fantastical worlds and marvelous
adventures.
Fairy tales, Famous
Fives, fantasies and fancies; horror stories, gumshoe detectives, science
fiction; Cassandra read it all. Then she discovered Romance and a true passion
was born.
So, once upon a time,
after making a slight detour into the world of finance, Cassandra tried her
hand at writing. After a brief foray into horror, she couldn’t discount her
true passion. She started to write Romance and fell head over heels.
The love affair exists
to this very day.
Cassandra lives in
Adelaide, South Australia.
Website:
http://cassandradean.com
Email: cassandra@cassandradean.com
Twitter: @ authorCassDean
Excerpt:
Thomas took
a breath, knowing he had to phrase this just right. “Lady Nicola, while I am
cognizant of the honor you do me, I don’t believe it appropriate you visit me
in my chambers. Shall we arrange a time that suits us both, perhaps for a walk
about the park?”
China-blue
eyes laughed at him. “Oh, pish. Don’t be such a fuddy-duddy, Thomas. We never
stood on such ceremony before.”
Didn’t she
know he couldn’t be her friend? Not since their ways had parted and
she’d become who she was, while he had become who he was. “Our situations were
different before, Lady Nicola. It is not appropriate for a lady of your
standing to visit a bachelor in his chambers.”
“Who is
going to comment? No one knows I’m here.”
Was she
serious? “My clerk knows you’re here. By now, the senior clerk undoubtedly
knows you’re here. Before ten minutes have passed, everyone in the building
will know you’re here.”
“Well,
then, they are a bunch of shocking gossips, and I should not like to know them
any better.” She folded her hands in her lap.
“Not the
point, Nicola.” Bloody hell, but she drove him mental. She tore at him and
picked at him until he didn’t know where he stood. Always she’d done this,
taken what little sense he had and driven it right out of his brain.
“I should
say it is the point. Our visit would not distress you, if it weren’t for them.”
“It should
distress me in any case. You should not be here.”
“Do you
know what I’m hearing, Thomas? I’m hearing a vast amount of negativity, when
you’ve not even greeted me properly. Why, you’ve yet to kiss my hand, or
perhaps give me a h-hug.” Chin up, she looked at him with eyes brimming, and he
saw right through her facade. She was truly hurt he’d not yet greeted her as he
should.
Helpless,
he stared at her. How did she do it? How did she turn his brain to mush? She’d
been here less than five minutes, and already she had drawn him back in.
But she was
right. He hadn’t greeted her as he should.
Standing,
he went to her and drew her to her feet. “Welcome home, Nic.” And he hugged
her.
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