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A noblewoman of frail beauty and exotic mystery fakes her own death to escape the gallows. And now she must flee. In disguise and under a false identity, she finds unexpected sanctuary in the arms of a handsome and arrogant yet gallant British lord—who must defy society to keep her safe . . . and overcome a tragic past to claim her as his own.
In this sweeping historical romance, a young Russian noblewoman sentenced to death for the murder of her lecherous fiance manages to escape to England after faking her own death. In London, she secures employment as a governess in the house of a lord--who is soon captivated by the lady's exotic beauty and manner. Original.
London, England
Lady Alicia Ashbourne wrung her hands nervously. "Luke, I have wonderful news. We have found a governess for Emma. She's a splendid young woman; intelligent, beautifully mannered ... perfect in every way You must meet her at once and see for yourself."
Lord Lucas Stokehurst, the marquess of Stokehurst, looked up with an ironic smile. "So that's why you invited me here this afternoon. And I thought it was for my charming company."
For half an hour he had been plied with tea and small talk in the drawing room of the Ashbournes' Queen's Square estate. He had been close friends with Charles Ashbourne since their days at Eton. Charles was a sociable man who had the rare gift of always seeing the best in people -- a gift that Luke did not share. Discovering that Luke would be in London for the day, Charles had invited him to take tea when his business was concluded. As soon as Luke entered the drawing room, he had known from the Ashbournes' expressions that they were going to ask a favor.
"She's perfect," Alicia repeated. "Isn't she, Charles?"
Charles agreed with enthusiasm. "I would say so, m'dear."
"Since you had such poor luck with the previous governess," Alicia continued, "I've kept an eye out for a suitable replacement. You know how fond I've always been of your daughter, and since she has no mother of her own ..." She hesitated. "Oh, dear. I didn't mean to remind you of Mary."
Luke's dark face was expressionless. Several years had passed since the death of his wife, but it still hurt to hear her name. It would hurt until the day he died. "Go on," he said evenly. "Tell me about thisparagon."
"Her name is Karen Billings. Although she has lived most of her life abroad, she recently decided to make her home in England. She's staying with us until we can find her suitable employment. In my opinion, she's mature enough to provide the discipline Emma needs, but also young enough to befriend the child. I'm certain that once you meet her, you'll see how right she is for the position."
"Fine." Luke finished his tea and shifted on the brocade settee, stretching his long legs. "Send her references to me. I'll look through them when I have time."
"I would, but ... there's a little problem."
"Little problem," Luke repeated, lifting one dark brow.
"She has no references."
"None?"
A touch of color rose from the lace collar at Alicia's throat. "She prefers not to answer questions about her past. I'm afraid I can't tell you the reason. It's a very good reason, though. You must trust me on that point."
After a short silence, Luke began to laugh. He
was a handsome man in his mid-thirties, with black hair and vivid blue eyes. His face was more notable for its masculinity than its beauty with a stern mouth and a nose that was well-shaped but a little too long. The smile he wore most often was that of a man who mocked his own importance. He had an air of cynical charm that others strove to copy. When he laughed, as he was doing now, the laughter never quite reached his eyes.
"Enough said, Alicia. I'm sure she's a fine governess. A treasure. We'll let some other family have the good fortune of employing her."
"Before you refuse, you must at least talk to her-"
"No," he said flatly "Emma is all I have. I want the best for my daughter."
"Miss Billings is the best."
"She's your latest charity project," Luke countered sardonically.
"Charles," Alicia pleaded, and her husband joined in the debate.
"Stokehurst," he said mildly, "what harm would it do to meet the girl?"
"It would be a waste of time." There was no mistaking the finality in Luke's tone.
The Ashbournes exchanged a glance of dismay Gathering her courage, Alicia approached him in a few halting footsteps. "Luke, for the sake of your daughter, won't you meet this woman? Emma is twelve years old ... on the verge of some rather wonderful and terrifying changes. She needs someone to help her understand herself and the world around her. You know I would never suggest someone who was unsuited for the position. And Miss Billings is such a special person. Let me run upstairs and fetch her. I promise it won't take long. Please."
Luke scowled, pulling his arm away from her hand. In light of her insistence, he couldn't very well refuse. "Bring her down before I change my mind.,
"You darling man." Alicia hurried out of the room, the elaborate draperies of her skirts swishing behind her.
Charles went to pour him a brandy. "Thank you. It's kind of you to indulge my wife in this matter. I don't think you'll regret meeting Miss Billings."
"I'll meet her, but I won't hire her."
"You might change your mind."
"Not a chance in hell." Luke stood and made his way past a multitude of tables cluttered with handmade ornaments and posy vases. He joined his friend at the carved mahogany sideboard and accepted the brandy snifter. Gently he swirled the amber liquid and gave Charles a wry sideways smile. "What's going on, Charles?"
"I don't really know," came the uncomfortable reply. "Miss Billings is a complete stranger to me. She appeared on our doorstep a week ago. No belongings, no baggage, not a shilling as far as I can tell. Alicia welcomed her with open arms, and won't tell me a deuced thing about the girl...
London, England
Lady Alicia Ashbourne wrung her hands nervously. "Luke, I have wonderful news. We have found a governess for Emma. She's a splendid young woman; intelligent, beautifully mannered ... perfect in every way You must meet her at once and see for yourself."
Lord Lucas Stokehurst, the marquess of Stokehurst, looked up with an ironic smile. "So that's why you invited me here this afternoon. And I thought it was for my charming company."
For half an hour he had been plied with tea and small talk in the drawing room of the Ashbournes' Queen's Square estate. He had been close friends with Charles Ashbourne since their days at Eton. Charles was a sociable man who had the rare gift of always seeing the best in people -- a gift that Luke did not share. Discovering that Luke would be in London for the day, Charles had invited him to take tea when his business was concluded. As soon as Luke entered the drawing room, he had known from the Ashbournes' expressions that they were going to ask a favor.
"She's perfect," Alicia repeated. "Isn't she, Charles?"
Charles agreed with enthusiasm. "I would say so, m'dear."
"Since you had such poor luck with the previous governess," Alicia continued, "I've kept an eye out for a suitable replacement. You know how fond I've always been of your daughter, and since she has no mother of her own ..." She hesitated. "Oh, dear. I didn't mean to remind you of Mary."
Luke's dark face was expressionless. Several years had passed since the death of his wife, but it still hurt to hear her name. It would hurt until the day he died. "Go on," he said evenly. "Tell me about this paragon."
"Her name is Karen Billings. Although she has lived most of her life abroad, she recently decided to make her home in England. She's staying with us until we can find her suitable employment. In my opinion, she's mature enough to provide the discipline Emma needs, but also young enough to befriend the child. I'm certain that once you meet her, you'll see how right she is for the position."
"Fine." Luke finished his tea and shifted on the brocade settee, stretching his long legs. "Send her references to me. I'll look through them when I have time."
"I would, but ... there's a little problem."
"Little problem," Luke repeated, lifting one dark brow.
"She has no references."
"None?"
A touch of color rose from the lace collar at Alicia's throat. "She prefers not to answer questions about her past. I'm afraid I can't tell you the reason. It's a very good reason, though. You must trust me on that point."
After a short silence, Luke began to laugh. He
was a handsome man in his mid-thirties, with black hair and vivid blue eyes. His face was more notable for its masculinity than its beauty with a stern mouth and a nose that was well-shaped but a little too long. The smile he wore most often was that of a man who mocked his own importance. He had an air of cynical charm that others strove to copy. When he laughed, as he was doing now, the laughter never quite reached his eyes.
"Enough said, Alicia. I'm sure she's a fine governess. A treasure. We'll let some other family have the good fortune of employing her."
"Before you refuse, you must at least talk to her-"
"No," he said flatly "Emma is all I have. I want the best for my daughter."
"Miss Billings is the best."
"She's your latest charity project," Luke countered sardonically.
"Charles," Alicia pleaded, and her husband joined in the debate.
"Stokehurst," he said mildly, "what harm would it do to meet the girl?"
"It would be a waste of time." There was no mistaking the finality in Luke's tone.
The Ashbournes exchanged a glance of dismay Gathering her courage, Alicia approached him in a few halting footsteps. "Luke, for the sake of your daughter, won't you meet this woman? Emma is twelve years old ... on the verge of some rather wonderful and terrifying changes. She needs someone to help her understand herself and the world around her. You know I would never suggest someone who was unsuited for the position. And Miss Billings is such a special person. Let me run upstairs and fetch her. I promise it won't take long. Please."
Luke scowled, pulling his arm away from her hand. In light of her insistence, he couldn't very well refuse. "Bring her down before I change my mind.,
"You darling man." Alicia hurried out of the room, the elaborate draperies of her skirts swishing behind her.
Charles went to pour him a brandy. "Thank you. It's kind of you to indulge my wife in this matter. I don't think you'll regret meeting Miss Billings."
"I'll meet her, but I won't hire her."
"You might change your mind."
"Not a chance in hell." Luke stood and made his way past a multitude of tables cluttered with handmade ornaments and posy vases. He joined his friend at the carved mahogany sideboard and accepted the brandy snifter. Gently he swirled the amber liquid and gave Charles a wry sideways smile. "What's going on, Charles?"
"I don't really know," came the uncomfortable reply. "Miss Billings is a complete stranger to me. She appeared on our doorstep a week ago. No belongings, no baggage, not a shilling as far as I can tell. Alicia welcomed her with open arms, and won't tell me a deuced thing about the girl...
Midnight Angel. Copyright © by Lisa Kleypas. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold.Tessa_M
Posted August 18, 2010
I Also Recommend:
I have read almost all of Lisa's books and have been rarely disappointed. This has the same elements as the rest...romance, suspense, humor and drama. The characters were developed well. The heroine is strong and the leading man is masculine and will do anything to keep his lady.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I really like this book. Being an avid Lisa Kleypas reader, this was definitely off-beat in comparison to some of her more regarded books (a.k.a the beloved 'wallflower series'). A devastating occurrence that shows up a lot in the culturally correct novels is that the author tries to strain the authenticity of the 'exotic' culture which can sometimes come off EXTREMELY foreign and hard to flow with at a first read, but beautiful, ms,kleypas gets the balance right between Russian background and beloved English woo-ing. The characters were very compelling and in my opinion I smell a sequel book in the making. Nikolas Angelovsky would be a devestating (in a good way) character to see develop and the book sets up the perfect prelude to a 'woo-ing' of Emma. But this is way off subject.. back to Midnight Angel. I didn't really understand the significants of the hook, as in silvery, sharpe HOOOK. I mean, yea it tested my superficiality , reading intimate love scenes while biting back my own skepticism at the aquirdness of a hooked hand, or lack thereof, since we're so use to the anotomically correct english love stallions (lmao). But It was beautiful how Tasia didn't mind it or become scared of it.
I enjoyed the action and drama. Always a plus in romance novels. It was also refreshing to have the male character profess his love first and well before a proposal of marriage.
The internal conflicts were developed nicely, and described wonderfully throughout the book. The imagery was very realistic and I felt jarred with dead on descriptions of feelings and emotions I sometimes felt.
Its not exactly my favorite, but as i kept reading, it grew on me, and by the end, I found myself enjoying the book and sorry to see it end.... I deinately see this book as GOOD READ!!! check it out =).. and plead with ms.kleypas to give us the story of Nikolas and Emma!!!! we know its coming <3!!!!!
recommendation: GOOD Offbeat historical romances, away from the TON and season seeking innocents, are hard to come by. Lisa Kleypas has a few that are really well done. If you liked Midnight Angel, try some of these similarly off beat romances =)
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 30, 2012
Lisa Kleypas writes awesome books! They're funny, romantic and always end so well. I love them all!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 11, 2012
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Lula1967
Posted December 12, 2011
I love Lisa Kleypas, but this is the first book of hers I've not bothered to finish. I actually thought that sections were missing because one minute the characters would be talking and then with no transition, the characters were deeply in love....with no build up/plot development. Just not a well written book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.8213595
Posted August 9, 2011
This was a bit too dragged out at times. I didn't like the idea of a hook on Lukes hand....it makes the story uncomortable. Its a okay read.
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Posted July 20, 2010
I was thoroughly disappointed with the numerous typos/grammatical errors scattered throughout the electronic version of this book. Since I paid more for the e-version than I would have for the paperback, I expect better editing. The story itself wasn't bad, although I certainly like Lisa Kleypas's other novels better.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.readingRN
Posted October 11, 2009
I Also Recommend:
I love the Russian characters...she makes an interesting twist.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.KatTopic
Posted March 1, 2009
I absolutely love almost all of Lisa's novels. This one book in particular was alittle different than most of her books...the reader will get drawn into the story from the beginning and not want to put it down...
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Posted September 9, 2002
I have read this book twice. The first time I read it without stopping until I finished it. If you are hesitating in buying this book, don't. Its worth the time you'll spend reading it.
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Posted March 25, 2011
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Posted December 8, 2010
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Posted February 27, 2010
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Posted August 10, 2011
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Posted December 30, 2008
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Overview
A noblewoman of frail beauty and exotic mystery fakes her own death to escape the gallows. And now she must flee. In disguise and under a false identity, she finds unexpected sanctuary in the arms of a handsome and arrogant yet gallant British lord—who must defy society to keep her safe . . . and overcome a tragic past to claim her as his own.
In this sweeping historical romance, a young Russian noblewoman sentenced to death for the murder of her lecherous fiance ...