The Dazzle of Innocence
by
Liza O'Connor
England, 1898
Blurb
Meriden Ford is searching for an interesting, educated young husband who will recognize her superiority and become her decoy, while
she runs the family fortune.
At their very first dance, they promise not to fall in love.
However, their mutual admiration ensures a strong friendship. When bombarded
with tribulations that would destroy most people, they survive by pulling
strength from each other. Yet even as they realize their true feelings, others
work to tear them apart forever.
A Victorian Romance thriller bringing the characters of A
Tangled Affair and the Xavier Thorn series together for a delightful,
nail-biting tale. A definite read!
Excerpt
The young lady captured David Santiago’s attention the moment she entered the ball. While a beauty, there were several others just as attractive. Yet this one radiated with such confidence, yet innocence and something else… glorious expectations perhaps.
He was not the only one to notice her. In fact, all eyes seemed
to have turned to the elegant brunette. In less than a minute, she managed to
bring the ball to a momentary stutter, something David had never seen occur
before, neither in his home country of Spain, nor here in London.
The topic of everyone’s interest seemed completely
comfortable with the effect she had on the crowd as if it were only natural
everyone would find her intriguing. Oddly enough, he didn’t perceive an ounce
of vanity in her assumption, only innocence, as if such notice was nothing
uncommon.
Somehow, she dazzled so bright that everything else dimmed
in comparison.
Surrounding her were four similar-looking young men. They
reminded him of a finely set of matched horses. He sensed their intent was to
protect rather than court her.
“Has England acquired new royalty since I was last here?” David
asked his friend, Jonas Quibb.
Jonas pulled out his spectacle and held it to his eye,
squinting. A faint smile came to his lips. “If I am not mistaken to the
identity of the young lady, I believe she is Meriden Ford. I deduce this solely
by her surrounding guard. They are Garrison’s boys and his nephew. And while I am
familiar with the boys, the young lady has never stepped foot into London
before today.”
“She does not look like a young girl in her first
introduction.” She had far too much confidence for a debutante.
His friend turned and faced him; his brow wrinkled in
amusement. “And pray tell, what is
the difference between the newly introduced young lady and those in their third
year?”
“It’s the difference of terror fed by insecurities rather
than determination fed by desperation.”
Jonas chuckled. “There is truth to that observation.
However, Meriden is the grandchild of Samuel Hawkens, so you could hardly
expect her to behave in a predictable fashion.”
“Samuel Hawkens…” David tensed in his own case of
‘determination fed by desperation.’ Only in his case, it was not marriage he
sought, but the salvation of his four sisters. He had sent his card with a
request for a meeting two weeks ago, but the request had been denied. Mr.
Hawkens’ schedule did not allow for unsolicited visits.
“Ah, see the very lovely woman behind the girl, the one with
the worried eyes? That is her mother, Sara Hawkens Ford. She hasn’t changed
much since she was last in London seventeen years ago.”
“Seventeen years? What could she possibly do for society to
ostracize her for seventeen years?
“I’m not certain whether society shunned her, or she shunned
society. Even at her lowest point in life, the Hawkens name provided her and
her sister invitations to all the balls. But after she married Ford, she never
again stepped foot into London. And I can’t say I blame her.”
“But she is here tonight.”
“For her daughter. Nothing less would have brought her out.”
He squinted into his eyepiece and smiled. “And there is the man, himself,
Samuel Hawkens.”
David studied the wizened old man who entered through the
doors and joined the group. He emanated power and strength as he took in the
room, almost as if assessing a battle. The elderly but elegant woman who stood
at his side must be his wife. The entire family had all come to protect their
little princess, the dazzling Meriden Ford. “Any chance of an introduction?”
Jonas raised his right eyebrow in challenge. “As a suitor or
investor?”
“Perhaps both.” He dared not leave any card un-played. He’d
already been shot down once. He could not fail again. His sisters’ lives
depended upon it.
“I am not well acquainted with Samuel Hawkens, but I can
introduce you to Garrison and his wife, Sara. Garrison and I are good friends.
But allow me to give you a bit of advice first. If you wish to get on with the
family, then neither flirt nor ignore Sara Ford. You will be judged on how you
treat Garrison’s wife.”
Never in his life had he received more ridiculous advice.
“Why would I be anything but respectful?”
“Why indeed,” he agreed. “What happened was not her fault.”
“Perhaps you should tell me a bit of her past before my
introductions?” While David would never intentionally slight a lady, clearly
there was something in her past that left her open to insult.
“No, you are safer in ignorance.” Jonas straightened his white
bow tie and started towards the couple. “Don’t ask for an introduction to the
girl right off. And if you are discussing anything of intelligence with
Garrison or Mr. Hawkens, include the women in your conversation. Chances are
they’ll know more than you about whatever topic you’re discussing.”
David smiled at the warnings. He had not had half so many
cautions when he had been introduced to the queen the prior day. In fact, the
only advice he’d received was focused on the depth of his bow.
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