Lady Imposter

Book excerpt: He’s not in the market for a wife. But she can pretend, can she not? No one can blame on-the-shelf companion Olivia Hales if she forgets herself when she stumbles across the shirtless man in the garden. But letting him assume that she’s the lady of the estate currently interviewing for a husband might be a big mistake. As a former captain of His Majesty’s Royal Navy, Nathaniel Oliver knows all about duty. Which is why he must deliver his apologies for the forged application his meddling, but well-intentioned motherless daughters fabricated, and take his leave. That was the plan anyway, before he met the buxom blonde on the overgrown grounds of the enchanting, ramshackle country estate, and they’re forced to take shelter together from a fierce storm. Olivia is certain her heart has been struck by lightning, while Nate wishes he was the wealthy, titled gent she advertised for. Despite recognizing that he has no hope of winning such a coveted jewel, it doesn’t mean Nate isn’t stubborn enough to try. Even if he has no inkling who he’s really in danger of falling in love with... Lady Imposter is the second book in a fun and sexy, adult Regency romance series perfect for readers who love witty banter, humor, and steamy scandals resulting in feel-good happily ever afters. **EXCERPT** Duty called. Tell the final applicant he wasn’t needed? It was a task she dreaded. To be cast last and now discarded without an audience? What man would take kindly to such news? Olivia proceeded toward the stairs, thinking, and not for the first time, how this old, neglected home could shine if only someone would devote some tender love and thoughtful care to it. Someone such as yourself? As you would as well? What? Thrive with someone’s thoughtful care? Tender love? Bah. On-the-shelf companions weren’t considered marriage material. Far from it. And the sooner she quit contemplating otherwise, the more content she would be. Safely skipping over the last questionable stair, she hopped over a chipped tile in the entry and headed for the massive front door, wrenching it open after only two attempts. Better at weather predictions than any soothsayer or tricksy knee, the ancient wood never failed to swell when rain approached. The verdant, lush green of a spring in full bloom greeted her, lent a lift to her spirits, and she fairly flew over the flagstone path that circled the old manor, intent on intercepting their errant applicant before he came back inside. Bad news was best broken under a sunny sky, or so her mama had always claimed. Olivia spared a quick glance upward and cringed. Today, a cloudy sky would have to do. Rounding the second corner, her feet stumbled to an abrupt halt. Her breath hissed inward. Her eyes nearly bugged to Bedfordshire and back. And her heart? That hurly-burly organ took off like a galloping horse—stealing away with her common sense perhaps? Because instead of swooning or shying away, instead of yelling loudly for Jacks, Olivia stood, happily, hungrily in place. She stood stock-still and she stared. Stunned. Savoring the sumptuous, unexpected sight…the play of muscle across a strong, bare back as applicant twenty-five (for who else could it be?), completely unaware of her presence, wielded a Dutch hoe in one corner of the weed-infested herb garden. Most notable of all? He was dressed in nothing more than black tall boots and tight black trousers. Obscenely tight trousers. Well now. And to think, Juliet had complained there wasn’t anything of value remaining on the grounds. Olivia begged to differ. She might have been trained to teach proper behavior to young ladies and to exhibit it herself, but she knew enough about life and death, about expectations and disappointments to know opportunity didn’t often knock. Especially opportunities for observing and admiring a strong, sweaty man wearing absurdly tight trousers. So she watched. And her dratted throat betrayed her, making some sort of begging, yearning whimper that had her unexpected treat jerking upright and whirling around. “Oh!” was all he said, a gruff sound of surprise. Oh was right. Oh great day in the gloomy afternoon, she’d never seen such a handsome man. With his shirt off. One who stared directly at her, as though he liked what he saw as well. Her. Well now. Mayhap this wouldn’t be such an onerous task after all.