⭐ New Release Book Spotlight ⭐
Masque of Deceptions
by Stella Riley
Publication Date: August 31st, 2024
Publisher: Stella Riley
Pages: 336
Genre: Historical Romance
Had it not been for the scent bottles, it is unlikely that Daniel Shelbourne, Viscount Reculver, and Anna Hawthorne of Hawthorne’s Porcelain would ever have met.
Daniel’s late father left him an impoverished estate – which he had expected – and unexplained debts, which he hadn’t. Anna inherited a thriving business, along with the knowledge and passion required to run it.
Daniel needs money quickly if his family is to avoid ruin.
Anna wants to create a tribute to her father’s vision and skill.
He is desperate; she, astute and determined.
So when Anna hears whispers that Lord Reculver is discreetly selling some of his possessions, she remembers the large collection of scent bottles purchased from Hawthorne’s over the years … all of them designed by her father.
They are exactly what she needs.
Moreover, selling them to her will give his lordship some of what he needs.
All she has to do, therefore, is make him a reasonable offer.
Simple. Or is it?
When a gentleman inherits a failing estate and unexplained debts, the usual solution is marriage with a lady of means. Daniel Shelbourne, Viscount Reculver hates the very idea. But when more debts surface, an unexpected offer from wealthy business woman, Anna Hawthorne, becomes his only choice.
Will he accept it?
Daniel surveyed Anna Hawthorne thoughtfully. All the time she’d been speaking, animation had brought a touch of colour to her cheeks and a spark to her eyes. Having got her talking and in order to work his way around to a particular point, he said, ‘If it isn’t out of place, may I ask why the items purchased by my father are of particular interest to you?’
‘Because of the visitors.’
‘The visitors?’ echoed Rebecca, unwittingly helping him out.
Anna nodded. ‘During the last two summers, we have become aware of an increasing number of people asking to tour the manufactory. It’s not just Hawthorne’s, you understand. Spode, Derby and Wedgwood are all experiencing the same thing – as, I believe, are the cotton and woollen mills of the north. Apparently, seeing how things are made is becoming a popular pastime. So we thought to offer an additional attraction in the form of an exhibition showcasing the very best of Hawthorne ware over the years. And it occurred to us that your late father’s collection would make a splendid addition to that.’
‘Why?’ asked Daniel. ‘Doesn’t the manufactory keep examples of everything it makes – or at least have the ability to recreate it?’
‘Not in the case of the limited edition pieces. Six of each design are hand-made by the same craftsman … and of those six, no two are identical. Each has some small, unique detail of its own. It’s that which makes them so sought after.’
‘I’m sure. But why our father’s collection specifically?’ asked Daniel, his mild tone giving no indication of the trap he was preparing.
‘All the scent bottles in it were designed by my father,’ she replied proudly. ‘Many of them were also made by him in earlier years and those are irreplaceable.’
‘I see. And this isn’t true of any of the other collectors who buy from you?’
‘It’s true of some. But none of them are currently – ’ She stopped abruptly, aghast at what she’d been about to say.
‘None of the others might currently consider selling?’ he asked gently. And then, after a brief, uncomfortable pause, ‘It’s alright, Miss Hawthorne. I won’t ask how or from whom you learned that I might be open to offers. Since you are here to value the collection, the way in which that came about is of little consequence now, is it?’
‘No.’ The damage having already been done and deciding that her best course was to brazen it out, Anna said crisply, ‘Very well, sir. Since we are speaking plainly … the whisper that reached us has not and will not be passed on elsewhere. But, from it, Mr Lowe and I deduced that, if you were interested in selling, it was possible – even likely – that you would prefer to do so discreetly and might therefore consider Hawthorne’s rather than a public auction. Were we correct?’
His brows rising slightly, Daniel thought, You really do favour the direct approach, don’t you? Fortunately, two can play at that game.
‘Yes. But don’t also conclude that my preference for discretion will enable you to buy the collection at the lowest possible price,’ returned Daniel pleasantly. ‘It won’t.’
Angry at her own mistake and angrier still with him for exploiting it, Anna stood up. ‘Then we understand each other, my lord. I take it that the pieces will be ready for Mrs Thompson and me to begin work first thing tomorrow?’
‘They already are. Flynn will conduct you to the formal dining-room where you will have space and be free from interruptions.’
‘Thank you.’ She gave a jerky nod first to Rebecca and then to the viscount. ‘Good night, Miss Shelbourne … my lord.’ And stalked out.
As soon as the door closed behind her, Rebecca said, ‘That was wicked of you. I scarcely knew where to look.’
‘The gloves were bound to come off at some point,’ he replied. ‘Better now than later, don’t you think?’
‘I suppose so – though you might have been a bit more subtle about it.’
He gave a short laugh. ‘Becky, that lady is about as subtle as a mallet to the head. She has no idea how to make trivial conversation and is only comfortable talking about business. It’s scarcely surprising that her London season wasn’t a howling success.’
‘How do you know it wasn’t?’ she countered.
‘From her tone when she mentioned it. That and the fact that it hasn’t been repeated despite clearly failing to achieve the usual result. She’s not married, after all. And she must be – what? Twenty-three? Twenty-four?’
With a slight shake of her head, Rebecca came to her feet. She said, ‘I don’t think I like you very much in this mood, Daniel.’
In truth, he wasn’t sure he liked himself much either. But if he was to drag his family out of the pit it was in, he’d better start getting used to that. He said, ‘Go, then.’ And with a slightly twisted smile, ‘Say goodnight to Mama for me.’
* * *
Anna lay awake replaying that final, disastrous conversation over and over in her mind and thinking of at least six ways she could have taken it in a different direction. Then, abandoning this before she became so agitated that she’d lie awake all night, she contemplated the really maddening thing about Lord blasted Reculver; his ability to cut the ground from beneath one’s feet with a smile and in such a pleasant tone that one didn’t realise what he was doing until it was too late. The man was dangerous.
Well, she knew that now, didn’t she? Enough not to make the mistake of taking him at face value in future.
Try that again, my lord, she thought grimly, and I’ll be ready for you. As for what I’ll pay for your father’s collection … I’ll offer the going rate and not a farthing more. And if you need to sell – which, given that this house is woefully understaffed, it seems that you do – you either take it or advertise your empty pockets to the world by going to auction.
Stella Riley
Winner of 4 gold medals (Readers' Favourite 2019, Book Excellence Awards 2020, Global Book Awards 2022, Book Excellence Awards 2023) and 14 B.R.A.G. Medallions, Stella Riley lives in the beautiful medieval town of Sandwich in Kent.
She is fascinated by the English Civil Wars and has written six books set in that period. These, like the 7 book Rockliffe series, the Brandon Brothers trilogy and The Shadow Earl (Shadows Book One) are all available in audio, narrated by Alex Wyndham.
Stella enjoys travel, reading, theatre, Baroque music and playing the harpsichord. She also has a fondness for men with long hair - hence her 17th and 18th century heroes.
Thank you so much, Cathie and Coffee Pot.
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome, Stella :-)
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