Books › One Night of Scandal
One Night of Scandal
First published 2003 · 370 pages
A sparkling, gothic-tinged historical romance where an irrepressible debutante accidentally weds a brooding, rumored-to-be-murderous marquess.
What it feels like
Reading this feels like stepping from a brightly lit, gossipy London ballroom straight into a shadowy, wind-swept Cornish castle. It perfectly balances the effervescent wit of a classic Regency romp with the delicious, brooding atmosphere of a gothic mystery. The narrative moves at a brisk, engaging clip, propelled by the irresistible friction between a relentlessly optimistic heroine and a hero shrouded in dark rumors and past grief. The prose is sparkling and lush, wrapping the reader in a swoony, comforting warmth even as family secrets threaten the couple's budding trust. It is an absolute delight for anyone who loves the classic Beauty and the Beast dynamic, offering a deeply satisfying journey from scandalous accident to hard-won, healing love.
- Mood
- atmospheric
- swoony
- lightly gothic
- charming
- Tone
- witty
- playful
- romantic
- melodramatic
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- sunshine and grump · healing past wounds · beauty and the beast · power of optimism · uncovering secrets
- The writing
- Sparkling and accessible, balancing sharp, witty banter with lush, atmospheric descriptions of the Cornish coast.
- The arc
- Moves from lighthearted, impulsive curiosity to a deep, healing romantic devotion as shadows of the past are cleared.
- Who it's for
- Readers who crave the delicious contrast of a cheerful, irrepressible heroine melting the icy walls of a brooding, misunderstood hero.
Content notes
- grief
- past trauma
- false accusations of murder
About the book
Proper decorum has never come easily to Carlotta Anne Fairleigh -- not even tonight, when the lovely, impetuous miss is finally making her debut. As she waits to make her entrance, she can't help wondering about the darkened house next door, the supposedly abandoned home of Hayden St. Clair, the man society has dubbed the "Murderous Marquess." Certainly one small peek through his window before the festivities would be harmless...And, naturally, this latest "adventure" ends in disaster, thoroughly compromising the budding debutante's reputation and leaving her suddenly, unthinkably... betrothed! Soon she's en route to the wilds of Cornwall in the company of the handsome, mysterious marquess whose name the ton whisper with fear and loathing.Yet there is something thrilling -- and surprisingly tender -- about her dark, unreachable groom, and the desire in his eyes is undeniable. But before Lottie will surrender to the yearnings in her heart, she must unlock the secrets of Hayden's past, no matter how scandalous -- or perilous -- they may be.
Description from Open Library.
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