Excerpt Alert: Summer of Scandal, A Dare to Defy Novel
Madeleine Atherton is no typical American heiress, sent to England to marry an English lord. A brilliant college graduate who secretly dreams of becoming a published author, she wants to marry for love.
Charles Grayson, the Earl of Saunders, has secrets and ambitions of his own. Although under pressure from his mother and gravely ill father to marry his cousin, Charles cannot find the words to propose. But this fascinating American visitor does not figure into his plans, either.
Thrown together unexpectedly at Trevelyan Manor, Madeleine and Charles struggle to rise above their intense attraction. But as things heat up between them over a summer that becomes increasingly scandalous, Madeleine and Charles will both be forced to make a difficult choice. Can two dreamers dare to defy convention and find their own happily ever after?
Check out a sneak peak of Summer of Scandal by Syrie James below!
     The finishing governess her mother had hired to prepare her and her sisters for their London debuts had impressed upon them the importance of reticence in English society. “Never say anything,” Madame Dubois had insisted, “unless it is unfailingly prudent and polite.”
     The thoughts coursing through her brain at the moment were neither prudent nor polite.
     So, she merely said, “You have a reputation, Lord Saunders.”
     “Do I? What kind of reputation?”
     “I think you know exactly what I mean, my lord.”
     His lips twitched slightly. “What have you heard? Rumors about myself and . . . the ladies?”It annoyed her that he seemed to find this amusing. “Yes.”
     Lord Saunders leaned forward, hands clasped together, elbows resting on his knees as he studied her. “I am unmarried, Miss Atherton. Don’t you think a single man ought to sow his wild oats while he can, before he settles down for life?”
     “I have no problem with that. Unless the woman with whom he’s sowing those wild oats is promised to another.”
     He flinched. Madeleine felt a heat rise to her face. She hadn’t meant to be so blunt.“I presume,” he said quietly, “you are referring to my relationship with Miss Elise Townsend?”
     It had not been her intention to force the issue into the open or to goad him. And yet she had. Swallowing her misgivings, she answered, “I am.”
     He let go a deep sigh. “I suppose your sister told you all about that?”
     “Yes, but it’s common knowledge.”
     “Is it?”
     “How could you do it?” she blurted. “How could you betray your best friend like that?” She knew full well what it was like to be on the receiving end of such a blatant betrayal, knew how much it hurt.
     He didn’t immediately respond. “What can I say, Miss Atherton? It happened a long time ago.” Bitterness took over his face. “And it was a mistake. The biggest mistake I have ever made.”
     Once again, Madeleine was sorry for bringing up a subject that appeared to cause him distress. Her feelings on the matter remained unchanged, but at least he had the decency to feel bad about the affair. That counted for something.
     He turned to gaze moodily out the window at the rainy landscape as the carriage rattled along. Silence stretched between them. Well, they had a long ride ahead of them. She might as well read.
     Madeleine slowly withdrew the novel she’d brought from her tapestry bag, being extra careful not to allow a glimpse of the other, more precious cargo the carryall contained. Glancing up, she noticed Lord Saunders watching her. A flush rose to her cheeks as she shut the clasp, then opened her book, and lost herself within its pages.
Thirsty for more? No worries, Summer of Scandal is on sale September 11th, 2018 and you can preorder your copy here!
