Kiss in the Dark

( 5 )

Want to read this on your NOOK? Request as NOOK Book from the publisher

Thank you for requesting this book as a NOOK book from the publisher.

Customers Who Bought This Also Bought

More About This Book

Overview
Product Details
Meet the Author
First Chapter

ADVERTISING

Overview

Deirdre Wilks, the infamous Viscountess Rotherby, is shunned by the ton, who whisper behind closed doors of her shadowy past. And now every hope she harbors of repairing her reputation is at risk when a desperate, dashing gentleman comes to her for aid.

He has heard the rumors ... but fearing for his sister, vanished somewhere in London's disreputable corners, Lord Tristan Knight must seek help from the mysterious beauty. Although her intentions are cloaked, Deirdre's warm heart and enchanting face are more befitting an angel than a sinner. And soon, Tristan realizes he can never relinquish this bold and remarkable woman.

Yet Deirdre must guard a secret –– a shocking truth that, once revealed, could destroy the passionate love he has brought into her life.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780060751876
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date: 3/1/2005
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 384
Product dimensions: 4.18 (w) x 6.75 (h) x 0.96 (d)

Meet the Author

Kimberly Logan has been writing since the young age of seven, when her mother gifted her with her very first Trixie Belden book and ignited her love of the written word. Her pencil has rarely left her hand since, and she spends her days dreaming up new tales of romance and adventure for others to enjoy. A collector of Disneyana and an avid movie buff, she was born and raised in small-town Indiana, where she still lives with her beloved Yorkshire terrier, Skittle.

First Chapter

A Kiss in the Dark

Chapter One

London, 1819

"Blast the girl!"

Tristan Knight, the fifth Earl of Ellington, raked his fingers back through his hair and began to pace the area in front of the fireplace, his movements agitated. "I tell you, Archer, if I cannot rein in Emily's antics, and soon, I shall be a suitable candidate for Bedlam!"

Standing just outside the circle of firelight, the elderly butler shook his head, his rheumy blue eyes full of concern. "She is young yet, my lord, and she has had little guidance in the past several years. I'm afraid your father allowed her to run a bit wild."

"I am well aware of what my father allowed." Tristan came to an abrupt halt, his hands going to his hips as he pivoted to face his servant. "The man wrought a bloody mess with his ambivalence and neglect and has left it to me to untangle."

As though realizing there wasn't much he could say in reply, Archer remained silent.

Tristan's brow lowered as his gaze traveled about the study, taking in its masculine décor. On the surface, nothing much seemed to have changed in the eight years he'd been gone. The massive mahogany furniture was as grand and imposing as ever, the vast collection of books lining the shelves as awe-inspiring. Only an extremely discerning eye would have noticed the fraying edges of the Axminster carpet or the faded hue of the heavy brocade draperies hanging at the windows.

"His lordship was never the same after your mother's death," Archer finally spoke again, shifting the weight of his spare frame from one foot to the other. "I'm afraid he spent most of his evenings at his club and in the gambling halls, and when he did come home, he was usually a trifle too ... inebriated to attend to any of the household affairs."

The mention of the late countess made Tristan's heart squeeze painfully in his chest. Letting out a soft exhalation of air, he sank into an armchair close to the hearth, reaching up to rub wearily at his temples. "I know. And I apologize for snapping at you, Archer. None of this is your fault. I'm afraid I let my temper get the better of me. Again."

"I understand, my lord. The Lady Emily can be a bit trying at times."

That was putting it mildly. "How many governesses is it now? Three? Four?"

"Five at last count, I believe."

Five in less than four months! Bloody hell, was his sister intent on going through every available governess in London?

"To be fair," Archer ventured, "the Mrs. Eversley incident wasn't entirely Lady Emily's fault. That cruet of vinegar did look rather amazingly like the woman's flask of nightly restorative in the right light."

"I doubt Mrs. Eversleyw ould agree with that assessment, especiallyaft er swallowing a mouthful of vinegar. And there is absolutelyno excuse for the honeyi n Miss Dalrymple's shoes or the garter snake in Mrs. Petersham's bedclothes. Why, if Mrs. Petersham had been a few years older, the poor woman might have had a fit of apoplexy. As it was, she was hysterical."

The butler's lined face flushed a dull red. "Lady Emily is rather high-spirited, my lord, but as I'm sure you can appreciate, the last few months have been quite an adjustment for her. What with his lordship's death and then your arrival... well, I'm certain all she needs is some time to accept the changes in her life."

"I have given her time. I've given her four months, but the situation seems to be getting worse instead of better, and I am fast running out of options, not to mention suitable governesses. Mrs. Petersham came very highly recommended, and this latest debacle of Emily's has sent her packing in less than a week."

"Why, my lord, I d o believe you managed to a ccomplish the same feat with your last tutor in less than twenty-four hours."

Tristan couldn't restrain the slight smile that curled the corners of his mouth at Archer's words. It was true. He had been far from the model son and heir. In fact, after years of trying to please a father who couldn't be pleased, he'd rebelled rather shamefully.

Tristan's stare went to the large writing desk in the far corner of the room, and in his mind's eye he could envision Sinclair Knight seated behind it, his expression stern as he once again lectured Tristan on the error of his rakehell ways. He and his father had never seen eye to eye on anything, and on many occasions it had only been the calming presence of Lady Ellington that had kept them from each other's throats.

As always, thoughts of his gentle mother sent a shaft of anguish piercing deep within him, and his smile instantly vanished. Images flashed across his vision. A man's scarred face. The flash of a knife. The flow of blood as it stained the cold stones of a dark alleyway.

Unable to face the tormenting memories, Tristan forcefully pushed them away and glanced up at Archer. "Emily hates me," he murmured aloud, "and I can't say that I blame her. I abandoned her, left her alone with a man who was so caught up in his own pain he couldn't even take care of himself, much less a daughter."

The butler shuffled forward to lay a gnarled hand on his arm. "She doesn't hate you, my lord. She simply isn't used to having someone in her life who cares what she does."

Pushing himself to his feet, Tristan strode over to the windows and pulled aside the curtain to look down on the street below. Dusk was just starting to fall over the stately town houses on Berkeley Square, and except for a lone lamplighter making his solitary rounds, all was peaceful and still ...

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5

( 5 )

Rating Distribution

( 4 )
( 0 )
( 1 )
( 0 )
( 0 )

If you've bought this product, tell the world how you liked it.

Write a Review

Anonymous

Posted July 13, 2005

Bravo!

As a history teacher, I enjoy books that accurately reflect a time period without becoming a history lesson. Ms. Logan has accomplished this! Her characters reflect the struggles of social class and worthiness that most Americans have not experienced. I enjoyed every page!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Anonymous

Posted July 13, 2005

A good read!

I really enjoyed reading this book and I can't wait until the next book in the series comes out.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Anonymous

Posted July 13, 2005

Great Historical Romance

The best historical romance I've read in a long time. I fell in love with all the characters. Hard to put down. I hope to read more by this talented debute author. Has much romance, mystery, and an interesting twist.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Anonymous

Posted April 14, 2005

CONSIDER YOURSELF ADVISED

I NEARLY BROKE INTO THE SONG 'CONSIDER YOURSELF ONE OF THE FAMILY' FROM THE MUSICAL 'OLIVER'--WHILE READING THIS BOOK. THIS IS A TRUE OLIVER TWIST STORY. THERE ARE A FEW SECRETS BUT EVEN THEY DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE END TO SURPRISE YOU-THEY ARE REVEALED RIGHT AWAY.ON A SENSUAL SCALE IT IS A 4-5 NOT BAD BUT NOT A SCORCHER.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
harstan

Posted December 9, 2008

more from this reviewer

fantastic brisk Regency romantic suspense

In 1819 Earl Tristan Knight panics when he learns his feisty sister Emily has vanished somewhere in London. He needs help to locate her from someone who knows the streets of the slums; rumors about haughty Viscountess Deidre Wilks hint at her childhood in those same mean streets where he needs a guide. A desperate Tristan confronts Deidre who reluctantly agrees to escort him through the worst neighborhoods of the city.--- Pretending to be his servant to provide a cover, Deidre walks the streets as if she were born to them, which in a sense she was. As they continue to search for the lost sibling, Tristan admires his companion¿s courage and spunk. Soon he falls in love with her; she reciprocates but tries to hide her feelings as she trusts no one with her well being or her secrets other than herself.--- Placing Oliver Twist in the Regency with the Rag Tag gang, Kimberly Logan writes an invigorating unique historical romance that hooks the audience the moment that Tristan confronts Deidre to help him find his sister. The story line is fast-paced and action-packed starring a refreshing female protagonist who takes charge of the situation rather than wait for her ¿partner¿ to do so. Ms. Logan has written a fantastic brisk Regency romantic suspense that sub-genre fans will devour in one energizing read.--- Harriet Klausner
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble

Kiss in the Dark

Overview

Customers Who Bought This Also Bought

More About This Book

Overview

Related Subjects

Product Details

Meet the Author

First Chapter

Chapter One

Rating Distribution

Bravo!

A good read!

Great Historical Romance

CONSIDER YOURSELF ADVISED

fantastic brisk Regency romantic suspense