Chloe, the widowed Lady Newbury, has learned her lesson
about believing in love and romance. Almost immediately
after their marriage, Chloe's husband began cheating on
her and was soon followed by abuse. When he was killed in
a
duel over another woman, Chloe felt only relief. Wiser
now about men, Chloe is determined never to marry again,
but to maintain her independence.
She is currently
helping search for a code book, The Political Journal,
which contains the names of members of a group calling
themselves The Electors, several aristocrats who are
murderers, criminals, and traitors to the crown. The
trail has led to Thorncliff Manor, where Chloe is a
guest. She plans to perform a thorough search during her
stay there. James, the Earl of Woodford, has also been
commissioned to find the book, his orders coming directly
from the King. James has a personal interest, because
The Electors killed his parents when he was only a child,
and he longs for vengeance.
James is a very serious man. His life thus far has been
a solitary one, in service to the crown. He has no
intention to marry, or even to have an emotional
relationship. His reaction upon meeting Chloe surprises
him, as he feels an interest he's never felt before.
With each subsequent meeting, he finds he's not only
attracted to her, but there is something "more."
Since James and Chloe are both searching for the same
book, it's only logical they keep turning up in the
same places at the same time. Eventually, they find
they're working toward the same goal and form a
partnership. Their wariness
soon starts to turn to trust, and Chloe finds herself
becoming attracted to James, despite her resolve to steer
clear of men.
THE EARL'S COMPLETE SURRENDER is my first book by Sophia
Barnes, and I'm very
impressed with her writing style. The simmering
attraction between two people determined not to become
involved is very well done. I particularly enjoyed
seeing James lower his guard with Chloe little by little.
I was delighted when James actually finally smiled,
something he has not done much of in his life. His
respect for Chloe, and his treatment of her is just the
balm she needs to help heal her broken spirit, and to
help her regain her self confidence in being a woman.
Their intimacy is more alluded to than shown explicitly,
which is a bit of a disappointment to me, as I would
have liked to witness all their walls falling. Still, I
found myself unable to put THE EARL'S COMPLETE SURRENDER
book down, as the
mystery
is just as compelling as the romance. I found THE EARL'S
COMPLETE SURRENDER,
book two of Secrets at
Thorncliff Manor to be an engaging and enjoyable read,
and I'll be sure to check out previous books by Sophia
Barnes.
An unexpected passion ignites as secrets are exposed in
Sophie Barnes's captivating Regency-set romance
Despite the diversions offered at Thorncliff Manor,
former
spy James, the Earl of Woodford, has one purpose in
staying
there. He must find an encoded book that exposes a
conspiracy within the British aristocracy. And he must do
so
without revealing his purpose to the clever, tempting
Chloe
Heartly. The lady has a knack for appearing wherever it
is
least convenient. In the library. In the salon. And,
especially, in his arms . . .
Somewhere within Thorncliff's labyrinth of rooms lies the
journal Chloe desperately seeks. When she realizes the
brooding, handsome earl is hunting the same quarry, Chloe
enters into an uneasy partnership. But in the face of
public
danger and enemies hiding in plain sight, both must
decide
how much they're willing to risk to solve the mysteries
of
the heart.
Excerpt
Thorncliff Manor, later that day
It was almost two weeks since Chloe had arrived at
Thorncliff with her parents and siblings. Owned by the
Countess of Duncaster, the elaborate guest house would
provide her and her family with the retreat that they needed
while their own home was being renovated.
The afternoon sun cast a splendid glow upon the fields
surrounding the estate as Chloe made her way along the
graveled path with her sister, Fiona. She’d always enjoyed
the outdoors and was especially fond of sharing it with her
family. Arm linked with Fiona’s, she leaned a little closer
to her sister. “I’ve missed spending time with you like
this. With all of you, that is.”
Offering a sideways glance and a crooked smile, Fiona
nodded. “We’ve missed you too. I know it wasn’t easy for you
to move out of your home after Newbury died and his cousin
arrived to claim his inheritance, but I am glad to have you
back home with us at Oakland House.”
The mention of her late husband made Chloe’s skin prickle.
Repositioning her shawl, she drew it more firmly across her
shoulders, hugging herself in the process. “I just don’t
like imposing on Mama and Papa, so I am considering other
options—perhaps a position as governess for someone’s unruly
children.”
Fiona must have caught the slight crack in her voice,
because she quickly said, “You could have some of your own
if you chose to remarry.”
“You know that’s not an option,” Chloe told her, feeling
once again an unforgiving weight pressing down on her. They
continued for a moment, accompanied by the sound of pebbles
crunching beneath their feet while birds twittered from the
treetops.
“I do hope Kip will take our advice seriously,” Fiona
suddenly said. As Chloe’s youngest sister, she was the least
reserved of the Heartly siblings, of which there were seven
in total. Kip, or rather, Christopher Maxwell Heartly,
otherwise known as Viscount Spencer, heir to the Earl of
Oakland, was the eldest.
“After we held him hostage and tried to blackmail him?”
Chloe asked, reminding her sister that they had resorted to
more disagreeable tactics several days earlier.
“Well, he would have fled our company otherwise, refusing to
listen to what we had to say,” By we, Fiona was
referring to all the Heartly sisters, as well as their mother.
“Would you blame him, Fiona? Frankly, I found your method a
little extreme—perhaps even cruel.” Chloe could not even
begin to imagine what it must have been like for Kip to be
faced with so many women all planning to get him married
posthaste, and with no possibility for escape in sight.
“Cruel?” Fiona looked genuinely surprised. “We all have his
best interests at heart, Chloe.”
“Do we, Dearest? Because if you ask me, locking him in a
room against his will and then blackmailing him into
spending time with Lady Sarah might not be what he wants.”
Fiona sighed. “Perhaps not, but I do think it’s necessary to
remind him that not all women are like Miss Hepplestone. I’m
sure Lady Sarah . . . oh look, it appears there may be new
guests on the way.”
Chloe shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand and saw a
carriage approaching. It bore no crest and was drawn by four
magnificent black horses, their tails whipping the air as
they plodded along in perfect unison. “I wonder who it can be.”
“Someone important, I’d imagine,” Fiona said. “See those
markings on the wheels? That’s a —one of the most expensive
there is.”
Stepping aside, they watched as the carriage rolled past
them, allowing a brief glimpse of the two men within. One
was older and appeared to be extremely well groomed and
stylish while the other . . . Chloe’s heart took flight,
skipping along as she met his dark and brooding gaze. He was
a young man in his prime, with unfashionably long hair
falling across his brow and temple where it blended with the
shadow darkening the edge of his jaw. Politely, he dipped
his head in greeting as the carriage continued along the
road, but his mouth was uninclined to hazard a smile and his
eyes remained sober.
Chloe watched as the carriage disappeared around a bend up
ahead. A breeze licked between her shoulder blades and she
realized that she’d allowed her shawl to slip. Repositioning
it, she pulled it tight against the breeze and recommenced
walking.
“Who was that?” Fiona asked almost immediately. “Did you
recognize either of them?”
“One of them—the older gentleman, that is—is the Marquess of
Hainsworth. I had the pleasure of sitting next to him a few
years ago when Newbury and I were invited to visit the Duke
and Duchess of Pinehurst for dinner. He was most
agreeable—both interesting and amusing.” She frowned at the
recollection. Newbury had thought her too welcoming of
Hainsworth’s company. He’d glared at her continuously from
across the table.
“What about the other gentleman?” Fiona asked, forcing Chloe
back to the present. “Might he be Hainsworth’s son?”
“No. Hainsworth has no children.” Slanting a look in her
sister’s direction, Chloe nudged her gently with her
shoulder. “I hope you’re not contemplating your prospects
already, Fiona. With our other sisters still unwed you’re
not in any hurry to—”
“Don’t be silly,” Fiona said as she nudged Chloe back,
making her stumble. “I am not contemplating marriage or
anything that might lead to it.”
“I’m relieved to hear that,” Chloe told her. “It’s terribly
important for you take your time with such a . . . permanent
decision.”
“I know,” Fiona murmured, her brow creasing in a frown that
looked misplaced upon her otherwise smooth forehead. As if
discomforted by it, Fiona suddenly smiled, erasing all
traces of any concern. “But I am curious, you know. I always
have been.”
Chloe allowed a faint smile. “Well, in this instance I’m
sure that your questions will likely be answered. As soon as
we return to Thorncliff you may inquire about Hainsworth’s
companion from the butler.”
Fiona’s eyes glowed like a pair of pearls caught in a ray of
sunshine. “Then let’s return quickly so that this mystery
may be solved.” Her steps quickened, forcing Chloe to hurry
after her.
“Honestly, Fiona, I don’t understand the urgency. He’s
either going to be a peer or gentry, neither of which is
likely to be of interest to you since you’re not in the
market for a husband.”
“If it makes any sense, I simply cannot stand the
not knowing.”
Chloe considered telling her sister that there was
such a thing as knowing too much, but she bit back the
rejoinder and kept silent instead, unwilling to take their
conversation in that particular direction.
“In all likelihood you’ll be right and my interest in
whoever he is will prove pointless.” Fiona said as
they passed a row of elm trees. Like a curtain pushed aside,
they gave way to an impressive view of Thorncliff, the
towering walls dwarfing anyone standing before them and
likening them to ants. “Come to think of it, he did seem
rather dull—as if it made no difference to him that he was
about to arrive at the most fantastic estate in England. He
should have been staring out of the window of that carriage
with keen enthusiasm. Most young gentlemen would do so, but
he did not.”
“No,” Chloe agreed as they turned onto the driveway that
would take them straight up to the front door. “Perhaps
coming here disagrees with him.”
“I can’t imagine why,” Fiona said. “It’s the most
fascinating place in the world!”
“You say so only because you have not traveled the world.”
“Perhaps that’s our answer,” Fiona suggested. “Perhaps the
man we saw, whoever he may be, has traveled to so many fine
places that Thorncliff fails to entice.”
“Or maybe he’s just not the adventurous sort,” Chloe
offered. “He may simply enjoy reading a good book, in which
case he has no need of coming here at all and probably
considers Thorncliff a complete waste of time.”
The words brought Fiona to an immediate halt. “Do
you find it a complete waste of time, Chloe?”
A rush of emotion swept through Chloe. It almost felt as if
an ebbing tide was tugging at her belly. “Of course not. Why
on earth would you think such a thing when I’ve already told
you how happy I am to be spending more time with you and the
rest of the family?”
A puff of air escaped Fiona in the form of a sigh. “Perhaps
you wanted to be kind and spare my feelings?”
Taking her sister by the hand, Chloe held on fast as she
gazed into her troubled young eyes. “No. I would never be
dishonest with you.”
“Are you certain? Because I am well aware of your fondness
for reading as well as your lack of enthusiasm for
socializing at the moment. Are you sure you wouldn’t have
rather stayed at home with your books?”
Closing her eyes, Chloe struggled to ease the nerves that
threatened to send her heart racing. “No. I would not. The
Thorncliff library is vast. I mean to explore it during my
stay here. As for socializing . . . I’ve just spent a year
in mourning, Fiona. I need time to readjust.”
“I’m sorry,” Fiona said, biting her lip. “I just wish that I
could do more to make you happy.”
“I am happy,” Chloe assured her. At the very least, she was
free now, and that was pretty much the same thing. “Come,
let’s find out who Lord Hainsworth’s companion is so we can
put your curiosity to rest.”
They reached the front door where the coach was being
unloaded by footmen. The men who’d occupied it, however,
were nowhere in sight. The butler on the other hand, was
very much present, issuing orders to each of the footman as
they carried trunks into the house.
“Excuse me, Mr. Caine,” Chloe said as she and Fiona walked
up to him.
Raising his chin in the typical butlery manner that conveyed
that his complete attention had been drawn, he spoke a
succinct, “Yes, Lady Newbury?”
“My sister and I were out walking when this carriage drove
past.” Angling her head, Chloe indicated the carriage in
question. “I immediately recognized the Marquess of
Hainsworth, but I failed to place his companion. Perhaps you
can enlighten us regarding his identity?”
Mr. Caine hesitated only a moment before bowing his head in
acquiescence. “I believe you must be referring to the Earl
of Woodford, my lady.” A brief pause followed. “Will that be
all?”
Chloe blinked. “Yes. Thank you, Mr. Caine.”
The butler nodded before turning away and resuming his duties.
“Isn’t he the one whose parents—”
“Yes,” Chloe said, silencing her sister. It was as if her
heart had suddenly been filled with lead. Shaking off the
melancholy that had swooped down upon her the moment she’d
learned of Woodford’s identity, she placed her hand against
Fiona’s elbow and guided her through the foyer and toward
the hallway beyond, no longer surprised by the solemnity
with which Woodford had regarded her from the carriage.
Somewhere, trapped inside that man, was the little boy who’d
once suffered the tragic loss of his parents, and Chloe
found that her heart ached for him.
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