Hi friends! Guess what?

The lovely Suzan Lauder is visiting my blog today, and I just met her in real life at the JAFF Writer/Reader Get Together this past weekend! 🤗

I’ve  been a fan of her writing for  🔟  years now, and it is so great to be able to meet in person!

Suzan is here to share an excerpt from the newest  installment in her Regency romance series – The Reluctant Chaperon. 📖

We hope you enjoy! 🙌🏼 

 

Cecilia, Lady Hoxley, is a matchmaker who has matched her brother, Mr. Reeve Charington, to Lexie Hales, sister of Cassie, the widow Lady Reddener. This morning, Cecilia has called on the Hales ladies early for the polite hours. She usually calls with her brother, but today she is alone. Meanwhile, Mr. Charington has missed a promised call the day before.

~~~

 ~ Excerpt from The Reluctant Chaperon ~

No idle chat preceded Cecilia’s discourse. “Have you seen my brother? Has he called here?”

To jump to such a question was impudent, yet the lady was wringing her hands and her brow was wrinkled. Why would she be so nervous about her brother calling on the Hales ladies?

“We have not seen your brother despite a promise to call yesterday.” Lexie’s tone was harsh. Her hackles had to have been raised over why Cecilia would ask such a question when it was clear that Reeve had not called, despite his statement to the contrary.

“Oh, no! He missed dinner with us last evening, so I went to his home this morning and pried from his butler that he had not returned home last night or the night before! Why would his servants keep that knowledge concealed?”

“He called two days ago, but that was the last time we saw him,” said Cassie.

The day we were out shopping?” asked Mama.

“The very day.”

Cecilia’s mouth opened, and she began to pant, her hands waving near her face as if they had nowhere to land. “Not yesterday? You are sure it was not yesterday?”

“I am sorry, but it was Tuesday. Sweeting, pray, sit. You are very ill.” Cassie stood and pulled the bell to summon a servant. Cecilia took a seat as she was told. “Now, tell us everything you know.”

“I had hoped that someone had seen him since Tuesday—the last time he was seen. His butler had attended his departure to dine at a financial backer’s home in Gracechurch Street. Had I known this would happen, I would have told him not to venture into that part of town so late in the day, but Reeve would have laughed at me and said the backer was a friend of Papa’s.”

“Have you spoken to the tradesman? Did Mr. Charington arrive at his home?”

“Why, no. I never thought to confirm if he was able to make that commitment. Oh, what if he was injured or killed by ruffians?” Cecilia resumed her irregular breaths, but at least this time, her hands fanned her face.

A maid arrived, and Cassie requested a tea made from chamomile and peppermint to soothe Lady Hoxley’s anxiety, as well as seed cakes to give her weak soul some fortification. She moved a small chair to a position near Cecilia and settled herself there. “Now, do not make rash conclusions about why your brother is not at home. Many reasons could be behind his behaviour.”

Lexie offered a smile to Cecilia. “Yes. For example, some unmarried young men go to house parties at the last minute. Perhaps he met a friend who invited him to the country.”

With a glare at Lexie, Cecilia huffed. “You never understood my brother. ’Tis no wonder he refused to marry you. He would not depart London without telling Hoxley and me where he was going.”

“Yet are you certain of that point? I do not wish to sound cruel, but you must not have understood your brother if you thought he was a match to Lexie,” said Mama.

Cassie bit her lips before she said something unkind to her sister and mother. They were treating poor Cecilia abominably. Cassie looked anywhere in the room but at the sister of Mr. Reeve Charington. Yet her avoidance was somewhat disingenuous in itself when she knew much of the man and of his visit on Tuesday morning.

With her held her head high, Cecilia glowered at the two. “If he was not moved by her charms, why did he call on Tuesday? Do not think I am unaware of his plans to call at the Hales household. He stopped by my home on his way here, in a rather jaunty mood, I should say.”

Oh dear! It looks like Cecilia may have another mismatch on her hands! I’m very intrigued to spend more time Cassandra. She reminds me of Jane Austen’s own sister – she has experienced great love before and is not looking for a second romance. I can’t wait to discover what makes her change her stance. 💗

~ Book Description ~

The beautiful and perfect widow Lady Reddener lives an admirable life. With an estate in the country, a house in town, and a considerable fortune, the former Miss Cassandra Hales has no need for a husband to complicate her days. Why does she need a man? She has her mama and sisters, as well as her best friend and neighbour, Marcus Brand, Lord Broadmead. One and all proclaim Cassie the very picture of serenity.

However, Cecilia, Lady Hoxley, matches Cassie’s vibrant and argumentative sister Miss Alexandra “Lexie” Hales with Cecilia’s own brother, the gentle yet charming Mr. Reeve Charington. Thus, Cassie finds herself in the position of chaperon while they court. What is she to do when their constant interactions draw her towards Reeve’s allurement? Meanwhile, Lexie wishes for a husband who will challenge her in debate, and Mr. Charington seeks harmony. A problem indeed!

When Marcus and Reeve go missing, Cassie’s calm world collapses, and she’s faced with her true passion for Reeve. But could it be too late?

If Reeve and Marcus are found, Cassie must discover whether Reeve shares her admiration. Can Cassie allow herself love when she has sworn herself to a life without a man? What will Cecilia say if another of her matches goes awry?

Book Two of the Cecilia’s Mismatches series is a stand-alone novel.

~ Connect with Suzan ~

Website    ❧    Facebook   ❧   Twitter   ❧   Instagram   ❧   Pinterest

~ About Suzan ~

A lover of Jane Austen, Regency period research and costuming, yoga, fitness, home renovation, design, sustainability, and independent travel, cat mom Suzan Lauder keeps busy even when she’s not writing novels based on Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, all of which are published by Meryton Press.

She and Mr. Suze and their rescue tabby split their time between a loft condo overlooking the Salish Sea and a 150-year-old Spanish colonial casita in Mexico. Suzan’s lively prose can be found on her Facebook author page, www.facebook.com/SuzanLauder; on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest as @SuzanLauder; and on her Meryton Press blog, road trips with the redhead www.suzanlauder.merytonpress.com.

Prior to publishing An Accomplished Woman of the Cecilia’s Mismatches series, Lauder had four novels, a novella, and a novelette published by Meryton Press and has short stories in two Austenesque anthologies. All are popular, most earning four-plus star ratings on Amazon and Goodreads. Accolades include Amazon bestseller for Letter from Ramsgate and The Barrister’s Bride, a Finalist for Sexy Scribbles for an excerpt from Alias Thomas Bennet, and several of her books were placed on top ten of the year lists by influential bloggers.

She even finds time to bake muffins!

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GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Meryton Press is generously giving away  1️⃣ ebook copy of The Reluctant Chaperon in conjunction with Suzan’s visit today!  

To enter this giveaway leave a comment, a question, or some love for Suzan!

• This giveaway is open worldwide.  Thank you, Meryton Press!
• This giveaway ends October 26th!

Thank you to Janet Taylor, Meryton Press, and Suzan Lauder for making this visit possible!