As a child, Sophie had a vivid imagination and a passion
for romance. With her family home near Castle Darmead, she
often visited there, absorbing all its history and stories
from the staff who let her wander freely through its
magnificent halls as it was seldom, if ever, visited by its
owner, the Earl of Banallt - a dashing figure central to
her young fanciful dreams.
Turning seventeen, Sophie thought she found real romance
when she fell head over heels in love with Tommy Evans,
even to the point of eloping with him to Scotland.
Returning home, romance morphs into a nightmare as her
family disowns her for her scandalous behaviour and her
charming Tommy turned out only to be a fortune hunter
intend on blazing through her money while drinking wildly
and bedded every woman he could, while ignoring her.
Clutching her last lingering threads of respectability,
Sophie puts up with Tommy's behaviour as best she can and
even writes stories for household expenses as Tommy
depletes her funds with his debauchery. She even manages
to carry on, even when life hits its lowest point when
Gwilym, the Earl of Banallt, arrives at her house in a
drunken state late at night intend on ravishing a married
woman he brought with him. Her childhood idol seems to be
nothing more than a shallow libertine. Like Tommy, Banallt
feels he could have any woman, but Sophie keeps him in his
place with her saber sharp retorts and over time, they
develop a fond, but platonic friendship.
After Tommy tragically dies and her parents had passed on,
John Mercer, Sophie's brother welcomes her back to their
family home at Havenwood. Sick of the scandal in her past,
Sophie vows never to be touched by impropriety again.
Knowing that, Mercer would never have allowed Banallt to
visit her. When he finds out that Sophie knew him before
and with Banallt's reputation as a rake, Mercer warns him
away from visiting Sophie again. But, can Banallt leave
her alone when she keeps intruding into his thoughts and
leaving him dissatisfied with every other woman? Mercer
also is caught in another triangle between family
principles and love as he desires Fidelia Llewellyn and she
loves him, while her family intends for her to marry
Banallt.
Carolyn Jewel has crafted a wondrous gem of a reverse take
on propriety, scandal and good intentions that leave people
vulnerable. Her writing is as smooth and lustrous as silk
as she weaves the unfolding of the story between the past
and the present. Her characters, both principal and
secondary, are well developed and one feels for them as
they are not just cardboard villains and heroes, but
complex characters faced with the rules of English upper
society in 1814. This is one terrific read that just pulls
you right into the hearts and times that you hate to put
the book down till you find out what happens to Sophie and
Banallt. So, get comfy and enjoy! This is one Scandal you
won't want to miss!
The earl of Banallt is no stranger to scandal. But when he
meets Sophie Evans, the young wife of a fellow libertine,
even he is shocked by his reaction. This unconventional
and intelligent woman proves to be far more than an
amusing distraction-- she threatens to drive him to
distraction. Unlike the women who usually fall at
Banallt's feet, and into his bed, Sophie refuses to be
seduced. And soon Banallt desires her more than ever-- and
for more than an illicit affair.
Years later, the widowed Sophie is free, and Banallt is
determined to win the woman he still loves. Unfortunately,
she doesn't believe his declaration of love and chivalrous
offer of marriage-- her heart has already been broken by
her scoundrel of a husband. And yet, Sophie is tempted to
indulge in the torrid affair she's always fantasized
about. Caught between her logical mind and her long-denied
desire, Sophie must thwart Banallt's seduction-- or risk
being consumed by the one man she should avoid at all
costs...
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