With This Ring

by Amanda Quick

Overview

Leo Drake, the “Mad Monk of Monkcrest,” is notoriously eccentric and unquestionably reclusive.  But he is also a noted antiquities expert, which is why Beatrice Poole has demanded his reluctant assistance.

The freethinking authoress of “horrid novels,” Beatrice is searching for the Forbidden Rings of Aphrodite, a mythic treasure she suspects played a role in her uncle's death.  Beatrice finds Leo every bit as fascinating as one of the heroes in her novels—and she's convinced he's the only one who can help her.  But after only five minutes in her company, Leo is sure he's never met a woman more infuriating . . . and more likely to rescue him from boredom.

Yet the alliance may well prove to be the biggest mistake of their lives.  For a villain lurks in London, waiting for the pair to unearth the Forbidden Rings—knowing that when they do, that day will be their last. . . .

Praise for With This Ring

“If you start an Amanda Quick book in the late afternoon, you'll probably spend the night with it.”—The Denver Post

“[Amanda Quick is] an exceptional storyteller.”—Daily News of Los Angeles

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780553574098
Publisher:	Random House Publishing Group
Publication date:	02/02/1999
Series:	Vanza , #1
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	246,240
Product dimensions:	4.16(w) x 6.70(h) x 0.84(d)

About the Author

Amanda Quick, a pseudonym for Jayne Ann Krentz, is a bestselling, award-winning author of contemporary and historical romances.  There are nearly twenty-two million copies of her books in print, including Seduction, Surrender, Scandal, Rendezvous, Ravished, Reckless, Dangerous, Deception, Desire, Mistress, Mystique, Mischief, Affair and With This Ring.  She makes her home in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Frank.

Read an Excerpt

A chill of dread stirred the hair on the back of Leo's arms.  Control yourself, man.  You study legends, you do not believe in them. "Mrs.  Poole, if, for the sake of argument, you were to find the Rings, what would you do with them?"

"Sell them, of course." She sounded surprised by the question.  "It is the only way we can hope to recover at least some of my uncle's money."

"I see."

She turned away from the window.  "My lord, is there anything else you can tell me about this matter?"

He hesitated.  "Only that it can be dangerous to get involved in an affair that lures treasure hunters.  They are not a stable lot.  The prospect of discovering a great treasure, especially an ancient, legendary one, has unpredictable effects on some people."

"Yes, yes, I can well understand that." She brushed his warning aside with a graceful flick of her wrist.  "But can you tell me anything more about the Rings?"

"I heard an unsubstantiated rumor that a while back they turned up in a rather poor antiquities shop operated by a man named Ashwater," he said slowly.

"Forgive me, my lord, but I already know that much about the business.  I went to see Mr.  Ashwater.  His establishment is closed.  His neighbors informed me that he had left on an extended tour of Italy."

It occurred to him that she was losing her patience.  He did not know whether to be annoyed or amused.  She was the uninvited guest here.  This was his house.  She was the one who had descended on him without a by-your-leave and demanded answers to questions.

"You have already begun to make inquiries?" he asked.

"Of course.  How do you think I came to learn of your expertise in legendary antiquities, my lord? Your articles, after all, are published in somewhat obscure journals.  I had never even heard your name before I began my investigations."

He wondered if he should be insulted.  "It's quite true that I am not an author of popular novels such as Mrs.  York."

She gave him a smile that bordered on the condescending.  "Do not feel too bad about it.  We cannot all write for a living, sir."

"I write," he said through his teeth, "for a different audience than does Mrs.  York."

"Fortunately, in your case, there is no need to convince people to actually purchase your work, is there? The Monkcrest fortune is the stuff of legend, according to my aunt.  You can afford to write for journals that do not pay for your articles."

"We seem to be straying from the subject, Mrs.  Poole."

"Indeed, we do." Her smile was very cool.  There were dangerous sparks in her eyes.  "My lord, I am extremely grateful for the information, limited as it is, that you have given me.  I shall not impose on your hospitality any longer than necessary.  My maid and I will leave first thing in the morning."

Leo ignored that.  "Hold one moment here, Mrs.  Poole.  Precisely how do you intend to pursue your inquiries into the matter of the Rings?"

"My next step will be to interview the person who was with my uncle when he died."

"Who is that?"

"A woman who calls herself Madame Virtue."

Shock held him transfixed for the space of several heartbeats.  When the paralysis finally wore off, Leo sucked in a deep breath.  "You intend to speak to the proprietress of the House of the Rod? Impossible.  Absolutely impossible."

Beatrice tipped her head slightly to the side, frowning.  "Why on earth do you say that, my lord?"

"For God's sake, she is a brothel keeper.  You would be ruined if it got out that you had associated with her."

Amusement lit Beatrice's eyes.  "One of the advantages of being a widow of a certain age, as I'm sure you're aware, my lord, is that I have a great deal more freedom than I did as a younger woman."

"No respectable lady possesses the degree of freedom required to consort with brothel keepers."

"I shall exercise discretion," she said with an aplomb that was no doubt meant to reassure him.  "Good night, my lord."

"Damnation, Mrs.  Poole."

She was already at the door.  "You have been somewhat helpful.  Thank you for your hospitality."

"And they call me mad," Leo whispered.

Editorial Reviews

If you start an Amanda Quick book in the late afternoon, you'll probably spend the night with it.”—The Denver Post

“[Amanda Quick is] an exceptional storyteller.”—Daily News of Los Angeles

From the Publisher

"An author must decide early on whether to write for the readers or the critics, because there is generally no way to please both." So says the heroine of Quick's latest Regency romance, an "authoress" of "horrid" novels (gothic precursors of our pulp romances) who finds herself starring in a horrid of her own. Beatrice Poole, a young widow writing under the alias Amelia York, suspects her uncle of being murdered for his role in the search for a fabled treasure, the Forbidden Rings of Aphrodite. Seeking out an antiquities expert, Beatrice finds herself allied with Leo Drake, a mysterious, sexy widower who may be her perfect match. The swiftly moving plot holds interest, and Quick (Surrender) gets her leading couple into bed with alacrity if, perhaps, with less panache than her readers expect. At one point Beatrice warns that "critics who accuse her of writing overwrought and overheated prose had not seen anything yet." The same is too true of Quick, whose camp sensibility goes only so far to excuse a tale in which "Pain and bad temper had fused into a dangerous flame in his eyes," and an aroused woman "dissolves into a warm puddle" and has eyes that "were wide, limpid pools." (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

The lonely, melancholy Leo Drake is accosted in his own Abbey one dark and very stormy night by the intrepid Beatrice Poole (aka Mrs. Amelia York, writer of "horrid" novels). Soon, Leo, Earl (and "Mad Monk") of Monkcrest, finds himself searching for the legendary Rings of Aphrodite, solving a mystery, swept up in a passionate affair -- and definitely no longer bored. Intelligent, well-matched protagonists, Quick's lively, humorous writing style, and a plot that presents the typical romance and glitter of the Regency period unexpectedly laced with poison, murder, and a few surprising turns, result in a story that won't disappoint. Quick (Affaire, Bantam, 1997) is a popular, best-selling writer of lively, sexy historicals and readers will be waiting for this one. She lives in the Seattle area.

Library Journal

The irrepressible Quick (a.k.a. Jayne Ann Krentz) returns to Regency-era England (Affair, 1997, etc.), focusing this time on a particularly charming couple whose apparent incompatibility makes their offbeat romance all the more satisfying. When the bold and willful Beatrice Poole appears one stormy night on Leo Drake's doorstep, both Beatrice and Leo—who have a shared tendency to seek out excitement are in for more than they bargained for. Leo, a wealthy Earl, spends much of his free time engaged in scholarly research. But he is growing restive. Monkcrest Abbey has been hauntingly quiet since his two sons have been sent with their tutor on the Grand Tour (Leo's wife died when the boys were still quite young). Finch the houseman tries valiantly to turn Beatrice and her intoxicated maid Sally away, certain that the reclusive Leo will refuse to see them. But Beatrice has an agenda: She's a writer and a successful author of gothic novels with a mysterious personal puzzle to solve. An uncle of hers has suddenly, and unexpectedly, died, and a family heirloom the Forbidden Rings of Aphrodite is missing from his home. Knowing Leo's reputation as an expert on historical ephemera, she insists on learning what he knows about the rings, with the intent of regaining them. When Leo tells her to give up the quest, that the rings are exceedingly dangerous, Beatrice becomes all the more determined to find them. The ensuing adventure forces Leo to leave his musty quarters and worry about someone besides himself, and it teaches Beatrice that independence is not entirely incompatible with love. A playful take on a classic tale of romance and terror, certain to delight Quick's myriadfans.

Kirkus Reviews