Straight Browsing From the Library: Taming a Gentleman Spy by Maggi Andersen

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Maggi will award a $50 Amazon GC plus an e-book copy of A Baron in Her Bed – The Spies of Mayfair, Book #1 to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Click the tour banner for the dates.

READ THE BLURB

John Haldane, Earl of Strathairn, is on an urgent mission to find the killer of his fellow spy. After visiting the young widow of one of his agents, Strathairn strengthens his resolve. A spy should never marry, and most certainly not to Lady Sibella Winborne, with her romantic ideas of love and marriage. Unable to give Sibella up entirely, he has kept her close as a friend. Then, weak fool that he is, he kissed her.

Lady Sibella Winborne has refused several offers of marriage since she first set eyes on the handsome Earl of Strathairn. Sibella’s many siblings always rush to her aid to discourage an ardent suitor, but not this time. Her elder brother, Chaloner, Marquess of Brandreth, has approved Lord Coombe’s suit. Sibella yearns to set up her own household. She is known to be the sensible member of the family, but she doesn’t feel at all sensible about Lord Strathairn. If only she could forget that kiss.

READ AN EXCERPT

Once the family returned to Brandreth Court, their townhouse in Eaton Place, Sibella faced another dizzying round of social events. She and Maria took an afternoon off from social calls to view the Parthenon sculptures at the British museum.

They were returning home in a hackney cab when Maria grabbed her arm. “Look, there’s Lord Strathairn.”

“Strathairn?” Sibella said. Her heart raced as the tall fair-haired man crossed the road just as their cab drew up behind a town coach.

Maria pulled down the window. “Lord Strathairn!”

“Maria!” Sibella hissed as her cheeks began to burn. He turned his head and changed direction, coming to their carriage where they’d stopped in traffic.

Strathairn removed his hat and bowed. “Visiting Regent Street, ladies?”

“Really, Lord Strathairn, do you think shopping is all we ladies do?” Maria asked in a teasing voice.

His smiling gaze sought Sibella’s. “Not at all. I have two sisters who have made me fully aware of the importance of shopping.”

Maria laughed. “We have been to the museum to view the Elgin Marbles.”

“Aah. Then I apologize. What say you, Lady Sibella? Did you enjoy the museum?”

Strangely divorced from the conversation, Sibella’s mind still dwelled on their last encounter. Startled, she whipped her gaze away when she discovered herself staring at his mouth, recalling the salty-sweet taste of his kiss. “It was quite edifying. Such antiquities are awe inspiring.”

“Indeed. I confess I haven’t yet seen them.”

“Then you are as negligent as we are, my lord,” Maria said. “Elgin brought them from Greece three years ago.”

He laughed. “I have not seen you riding of late, Lady Sibella. Your brother Vaughn told me you were down at Brandreth Park.”

“Mama came back for the opera.” Sibella placed a hand to her cheek. It felt warm even through her kid glove and she hoped he could not see what his presence did to her. “And my mare has developed shin splints and must rest.”

The traffic cleared ahead and their carriage jerked forward. “I trust we’ll see you again soon, my lord?” Maria cast a quick glance at her. “Although we are off to the country again next week. Mama intends to visit our brother Bartholomew in York.”

“I’m traveling north myself,” Strathairn said. “We might meet at the York assembly.”

“We plan to be there. I do hope you come. It’s a remarkably dull affair.” Maria stared at Sibella. “Don’t you agree, Sib?”

“Yes, it certainly can be,” Sibella said.

He bowed again. “Then I look forward to seeing you there.” At a shout from a drayman, he dodged a wagon and ran to the pavement.

Maria turned to her. “Well!” Sibella wrinkled her nose, trying to adopt a casual pose. “Well, what?”

“You are in a brown study. I’m sure Strathairn was enthralled by your scintillating conversation.”

“Oh, do stop, Maria.”

“What on earth is the matter with you? You two generally talk for ages. Had you nothing to say to him?”

“He kissed me.”

Maria’s eyes went from owlish to accusatory. “Why didn’t you tell me? And when was this?”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Maggi Andersen fell in love with the Georgian and Regency worlds after reading the books of Georgette Heyer. Victoria Holt's Gothic Victorian novels were also great favorites.

She has raised three children and gained a BA and an MA in Creative Writing. After husband David retired from the law, they moved to the beautiful Southern Highlands of Australia.

Maggi's free time is spent enjoying her garden and the local wildlife, reading, movies and the theatre. She keeps fit swimming and visiting the gym.

Maggi is a multi-published author, and writes mysteries and young adult novels as well as her Georgian, Regency and Victorian romances.

Author Website: http://www.maggiandersenauthor.com

Author Blog: http://www.maggiandersen.blogspot.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/maggiandersen

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maggi-Andersen-Author/372854959805

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Taming-Gentleman-Spy-Spies-Mayfair/dp/1908483644/ref=la_B003MJXQVG_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1381878440&sr=1-1

Publisher: Knox Robinson Publishing Ltd. http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=190

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/taming-a-gentleman-spy-maggi-andersen/1116300615?ean=9781908483645