The Guise of a Gentleman - Softcover

Hatch, Donna

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1601547013 ISBN 13: 9781601547019

Publisher: Wild Rose Pr, 2010

Synopsis

The widowed Elise is a perfect English lady living within the confines of society for the sake of her impressionable young son. Her quiet world is shattered when she meets the impulsive and scandalous Jared Amesbury. His roguish charm awakens her yearning for freedom and adventure. But his irrepressible grin and sea-green eyes hide a secret. A gentleman by day, a pirate by night, Jared accepts one last assignment before he can be truly free. Elise gives him hope that he, too, can find love and belonging. His hopes are crushed when his best laid plans go awry and Elise is dragged into his world of violence and deceit. She may not survive the revelation of Jared's past...or still love him when the truth is revealed.

About this title

From the Author:

I know authors aren't supposed to have favorites--it's like asking a mother to choose a favorite child. However, the story has a special place in my heart. I dreamed about the hero of this book before I even started writing it. Jared is a complex character--a rogue but a hero, and a confident charmer with a haunting vulnerability. He has been a spy for so long, and assumed so many personas, that he's not sure who he is anymore. He must reach into his inner self to triumph. Elise is his perfect match, courageous, strong, confident, and yet achingly lonely. She must trust her heart, and Jared, before she can find her happily ever after. She provides his needed anchor, and he provides her needed wings. Though I explore familiar themes in pirate romances, this has several twists that will leave readers laughing, gasping, swooning, crying, and ultimately cheering. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it.~ Donna Hatch

From the Back Cover:

Excerpt from The Guise of a Gentleman:Mr.Amesbury moved closer to Elise. Her heart pounded as he neared. His smileturned smug as if he knew her thoughts.
"Despiteyour earlier refusal, I'm glad to finally learn your name. At least, part ofit. What is your Christian name?"
"Missus,"she said through clenched teeth, and turned to leave.
"Wait.Please don't go."
Thedesperation in his softly spoken words arrested her movement. Slowly, sheturned back to him. His disconcerting eyes traveled over her face with suchintensity it seemed a physical touch. She wondered if he looked at every womanthusly. He probably did. The rake!
"Iwanted to thank you again for your assistance in the woods." A seductive tonerumbled his voice.
"You'rewelcome," she snapped. Her own rudeness shocked her, but this womanizing caddeserved to be brought down a peg or two.
"Andto apologize," he added, unperturbed. "I offended you that day. I do not wishto destroy any chance I might have in the future to become better acquainted."
"Ibelieve we are too well acquainted already."
"ButI'm in your debt. Please allow me to thank you properly." His lazy smile andsmoldering eyes made her wish she had worn a dress with a higher neckline.
Shenervously touched the cameo on the ribbon at her throat. "It's not necessary tothank me. Besides, I doubt I can trust your definition of 'properly.' "
Helaughed softly. "You're a perceptive woman, Mrs. Berkley. However, I havesomething less nefarious in mind." He executed a courtly bow. "I thank you,madam, from the bottom of my heart, for coming to my rescue."
Froman inner coat pocket, he retrieved a velvet drawstring bag, opened it, andinverted it in his hand. A perfect pearl lay in his palm.
Heheld it out to her. "There is an island in the Pacific where the nativesharvest these from the ocean. You can't see it in this light, but it's pink.The chief gave this to me to thank me for saving his son. So, to thank you forsaving the boy and me, I hope you will accept this token of my gratitude. And,I hope, as an apology."
Shestilled at his unexpected words.
Headded, "I offended you with my impulsive behavior, and I humbly beg yourforgiveness." A smile lurked around the corner of his eyes despite thecontrition in his tone.
Hada man ever left her so thoroughly confused? He was a muddle of a perfectgentleman and an incorrigible tease. Truly he was a cad. She'd just have toignore those annoyingly strong elemental stirrings he aroused in her; theywould be extremely inconvenient if she, as a mother and widow, followed them.
Sheindicated the pearl. "Truly, this is not necessary."
"Pleasetake it." He grinned with roguish charm. "Otherwise, I'll be honor-bound tofind some other way to thank you."
Somethingin his tone dispelled her guard. Laughing softly at his audacity, she picked upthe pearl and admired it. "Very well, I accept, lest you become even moreoutrageous in your expression of gratitude."
Aplace in her heart was touched that he'd be so thoughtful as to have broughther a gift that possessed sentimental value, rather than merely one of monetaryworth--not that she should be accepting either one from a stranger, but somehow,she could not refuse.
Archly,she said, "And as you were clearly not in your right mind after such a terribleordeal, I forgive you for your misconduct." She wrapped the pearl in a lacehandkerchief and put it in her reticule.
Hissmile appeared both wicked and relieved. "I cannot express how much that meansto me. I have thought of you often since that day."
"You,sir, continually breach the boundaries of propriety." If only she could slowdown her traitorous heart and force it to accept her decision to dismiss him asbeneath her notice. But she couldn't simply dismiss someone whose very presencefilled the entire garden, and whose thoughtfulness touched her more than shecared to admit.
Shealmost uttered a sound of disgust. When had she become so easily ensnared bythe charms of a libertine? She took another step backward and lost her balance.With a cry, she teetered at the edge of the pond.
Hishand shot out to catch her by the arms. Laughter leaped into his eyes while heslowly pulled her closer to his broad chest. His clean and earthy and so verymasculine scent crept into her senses. For one brief moment of insanity, sheenjoyed his nearness, his arms around her making her feel safe, protected,desirable.
Wherehad she left her wits?
"Thankyou," she whispered, dropping her eyes and shrugging off his touch.
Hedropped his hands to his sides. "Do you really fear me so? Or is it that thisisn't proper, either?"
"Ofcourse this isn't proper. And I'm wise to mistrust a man whose conduct andintentions are questionable, at best. Unless I have my gun, of course."
Hislazy laughter rang out, filling her with slow warmth.
Shebarely controlled the impulse to smile. Instead, she raised her chin whiletrying to look appropriately irritated. "You laugh at me, sir?"
"Youare a sheer delight." He enclosed one of her hands between both of his. Thoughterribly, terribly improper, the sweet possessiveness of his gesture sent giddylittle thrills through her. "Do you know that in many countries, once a personhas saved the life of another, that person must remain with his savior untilthe debt is repaid? If we were to honor that, then I must be with you, watchingover you, every minute of every day."
Sheconsidered remaining in this man's presence every moment of every day.Definitely not. Her good sense would never survive it.
Shedisentangled her hand and said primly, "Fortunately, we do not have such aninconvenient custom in England."
 

About this edition

• Publisher: Wild Rose Pr
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1601547013
• ISBN 13: 9781601547019
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 368