 |
| Rachel's Random Resources Book Tours |
 |
| Welcome to my Blog! Wander through worlds real and fictional, meet interesting people, visit exciting places and find good books to enjoy along the way! |
 |
| About the Book |
 |
| read an excerpt |
The Maid’s Masquerade by Catherine Tinley
Kent, July 1818
[Marguerite, a servant, is pretending to be Miss Van
Bergen, an American heiress, who is engaged to Lord Linford via an arranged
marriage. Lord Linford is the enemy of Marguerite’s family, and ruined her
father.]
Linford House was a large, solid house in warm brick, built
over three storeys, plus attics and cellars. As the carriage drew up outside
the front door, a pang of…something…went through Marguerite. Anger? Envy?
Resentment, perhaps? Linford had inherited old wealth and standing, which
contrasted sharply with Papa’s little cottage and modest income, and it was a
reminder of the way Linford had coldly ignored him following the failure of
their shared enterprise.
True, Linford had contracted a betrothal with a wealthy
heiress he had never met, which meant that his financial difficulties must be
pressing. Looking at the enormous house, set in miles of parkland and
surrounded by well-tended gardens, Marguerite did not doubt his need for
resources. The upkeep of a house such as this must be enormous. Plus, there was
the townhouse, as well as personal expenses for himself, his sister and their
aunt. Lady Eleanor had spoken of her own widow’s income, but she had been acting
as Linford’s hostess for a number of years.
The front door opened and Linford emerged to greet them. His
manner was jovial, indicating he was determined to be polite. Good, for
Marguerite was tired of fighting. What was done was done. Still, her foolish
heart insisted on skipping wildly as he bent over her gloved hand.
He led them inside while, with a fair amount of detail, Lady
Eleanor explained the trouble they’d had getting across Westminster Bridge,
since the miasma from the Thames had been almost overpowering. The ladies had
used scented handkerchiefs against their noses, and Marguerite had held her
breath as long as she could. It had been truly foul, and she was secretly glad
to have escaped to the fresh and nourishing air of the countryside.
The familiar scent of wood polish assailed Marguerite’s
nostrils as she stepped inside the wide hallway. How well she knew how much
work it took to clean and maintain furniture and floors, curtains and carpets!
No doubt the staff had been up since dawn, preparing for the arrival of my
lord’s family—and his additional guest.
She started, then recovered. The staff was formally lined
up—the housekeeper and female servants to the left, the butler and footmen to
the right. Of course! Miss Van Bergen, as Linford’s betrothed, was to be their
new mistress. Lady Eleanor would have instructed the housekeeper to arrange
this formal greeting. No doubt Marguerite would be expected to meet with the
housekeeper too, in preparation for the day she would take over the running of
the house. Except she was not the real Miss Van Bergen, and that role would
never be hers.
Swallowing, she managed to greet Mrs Murdock, the
housekeeper, with what she hoped was a fair degree of composure.
A moment later, that composure left her abruptly. As her eye ran along the line of maidservants, her jaw dropped. There, fourth in the line, was Martha—her former friend who knew her only as a servant.
scroll down to leave a comment
thank you!
 |
| New release anthology by various authors |
 |
| available from Amazon https://mybook.to/GhostEncounters |
| The story of the events that led to The Battle of Hastings in 1066 Harold the King (UK edition) I Am The Chosen King (US edition) AND 1066 Turned Upside Down an anthology of 'What If'' 1066 tales  |
(subscription reminder available)
PLEASE:
LEAVE A REVIEW
FOR YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHORS ON AMAZON!
 |
Amazon Author Page: |
Just a 4 or 5 star rating and a brief
"I thoroughly enjoyed this book!" will make such a difference!
THANK YOU!
