House of Croft, Book 2
Historical Mystery/Thriller/Romance
Date Published: 10-29-2024
He’ll never forgive her deception, or the hold she still has on his
heart…
Adrian Croft’s worst fear has been realized. His wife, the sweet woman who swept past his every defense, is a cunning spy working against him. Forced to play a dangerous game where one wrong move could see him destroyed, he must unravel her secrets while hunting a far more sinister threat.
Samantha knew her decision to marry her target would come at a price. Now, having lost her husband’s trust and affection, she’ll do whatever it takes to win it all back – abandon past loyalties, spill her secrets, and catch a killer. But will it be enough to undo the damage?
See Excerpt Below
About the Author
USA TODAY bestselling author Sophie Barnes writes historical romance novels in which the characters break away from social expectations in their quest for happiness and love. Having written for Avon, an imprint of Harper Collins, her books have been published internationally in eight languages. With a fondness for travel, Sophie has lived in six countries, on three continents, and speaks English, Danish, French, Spanish, and Romanian with varying degrees of fluency. Ever the romantic, she married the same man three times—in three different countries and in three different dresses.
When she’s not busy dreaming up her next swoon worthy romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, practicing yoga, baking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading.
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Excerpt from "A Tainted Heart Bleeds"
She
straightened her spine and turned to her husband. “I’d like for us to retire at
the same time tonight.”
There
was a sharp pause, almost imperceptible though it stood out in the slight
flinch of his hand and the rustling sound the paper made in response. A less
perceptive person would have missed it, but Samantha took note.
A
smile formed on his face – gentle and warm – while strong emotion filled his
gaze in a look so intense it stole her breath. It seemed like forever since
he’d looked at her in that way.
“Am
I to understand that you’ve an interest in bedsport, Mrs. Croft?”
She
forced herself to hold his gaze. “It’s past time, wouldn’t you say?”
“Perhaps.”
He was studying her, she realized then, like a cat might study a mouse, as
though trying to figure out whether to toy with it a little or simply pounce.
Leaning back, he set his paper aside, sipped his coffee, then stood. “Let’s
discuss it later. When I’m not on my way to an important meeting.”
And
there it was – the avoidance he hid beneath layers of seeming affection and
consideration. She saw it now, even as he bent to press a kiss to her cheek, as
he told her how lovely she looked and wished her a pleasant day. There was a
distance between them, a line he’d no wish to cross.
It
felt like a large crevice, and she’d no idea how to breach it.
“Why
don’t you meet your friends for luncheon?” he suggested, his hands on her
shoulders as he stood behind her, thumbs gently massaging. “Then you and I can
visit the Hunterian later. How does that sound?”
As
though the width of the crevice might be decreasing. “Wonderful.”
He
kissed her again and departed, leaving her with a flicker of hope. Their last
outing had taken place the day after their wedding, when they’d gone to the
theatre. It would be nice to have another, a chance to focus on each other and
reconnect.
Especially
given the decision she’d made upon her marriage to turn her back on Harlowe and
Kendrick. To instead protect her husband.
She
doubted her former guardian or the chief constable knew she’d taken Adrian’s
side in the end – that she would guard him against their plan to use her
against him – a plan now putting the two men at odds.
Despite
Harlowe reminding her on her wedding day that she had to locate Adrian’s files
and discover the names of the people listed there, he’d since told her she was
to pause in her mission.
Kendrick,
however, insisted she stay the course. He wanted her to link Adrian’s name to
blackmail threats made against high-ranking individuals, aid offered to
criminals, smuggling operations, and whatever else could help build a case
against him. Preferably something that would help put Adrian away for good. Or
see him hanged. It went without saying that she would do no such thing. The man
she’d married had proven himself to be someone she greatly respected and
admired.
She
would never betray him.
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