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A wallflower’s time to shine...
The Earl of Shalford needs to marry into money to save his estate. Wealthy and beautiful Henrietta Buxted should be the perfect candidate. So why does his eye keep wandering to her quiet cousin, Charlotte Wyncroft?
Charlotte watches Henrietta’s games of courtship with wry amusement. That is, until a stolen dance reveals a hidden side to the earl. Penniless Charlotte knows she’s far from a suitable match, yet, in Adam’s arms, she can dream of the happily-ever-after she’s always wanted!
‘Would you do me the pleasure of dancing the waltz with me?’
Charlotte’s happiness was complete. ‘I should be delighted, my lord.’
There was a murmur of excitement as the couples took to the floor. Belatedly Charlotte realised that Henrietta was glowering at her. Oh, no! Henrietta had probably expected the earl to offer her the waltz.
‘My lord, I think Henrietta wishes to dance the waltz with you. And I feel a little unwell, so—’
‘Oh, no! You shall not sacrifice yourself for her this time. You are not unwell, for I never saw you in greater looks, and it is you I wish to dance with—not your cousin. Let her find a partner from among her admirers.’
Shocked, but secretly pleased, Charlotte let it go. In truth, this was her wish. Right now she wanted to enjoy this dance, with this man, in this ballroom.
I hope you enjoy Charlotte and Adam’s story as much as I do. It’s particularly exciting for me as it’s my first published novel, and it began—as these things often do—with a ‘what if?’
What if, in Regency England, a young woman of good family lost her place in society? Not through scandal or drama but subtly, insidiously, through loss of perceived wealth. And what if she had already become close to a man who needed to marry well?
Marriage in Georgian society was often more to do with land, property and money than affection, love or attraction, and yet there are stories of love-matches too. I’ve tried to be true to what we know of society at that time, so this story focuses more on the drawing room than the bedroom. My ‘planet Regency’ is as much Heyer’s as Austen’s, and I love to visit it regularly.
Watch out for Harry’s story, coming next—I wonder what would happen if he met Charlotte’s spirited friend Juliana…?
Waltzing with the Earl
Catherine Tinley
CATHERINE TINLEY has loved reading and writing since childhood, and has a particular fondness for love, romance and happy endings. She lives in Ireland with her husband, children, dog and kitten, and can be reached at catherinetinley.com, as well as through Facebook and @CatherineTinley on Twitter.
Waltzing with the Earl
is Catherine Tinley’s enchanting debut for
Mills & Boon Historical Romance!
Visit the Author Profile page at millsandboon.co.uk.
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To my parents, Sheila and Tommy, with love.
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