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Jane Austen fans in need of a good new book, look no further.
Cindy Ansteys new YA novel,Duels & Deception, is your next regency romance treat.
Only, her plans go wildly askew when both she and Robert are kidnapped by someone after her fortune.
Duels & Deceptionwill be available for purchase on April 11.
It had been hinted that well-executed duties such as these would lead directly to the start of his apprenticeship.
Still, Robert had not been keen on rushing into the countryan absence from Bath didnt seem necessary.
Nor, when Mr. Lynch had described the child at the center of the.. .
complications had he been drawn to the character that was supposed to be Miss Whitfield.
Clever, yes, that had been part of the descriptionbut not used in a flattering sense.
Too clever for her own good was how it had been put.
But he couldnt have been more mistaken.
The Lydia Whitfield that Robert had just met was a completely different young ladyin countenance and temperament.
Swaying, their gait in harmony, he quite enjoyed her proximity.
Well, here we are, at last, Mr. Newton.
The moss-covered tile roof was dotted with chimney pots and embellished with a chapel tower.
Everything about Roseberry shouted antiquity saturated with grandeur.
Very nice, he said, nodding with approval and noting her smile of pride.
The reason for her frown became quite clearwell, muddy.
Miss Whitfield set about stamping her feetknocking off a significant amount of caked, dry mud.
Oh dear, this will not do.
Its odd more than anything else.
Shadows that seem out of place.
It has happened several times this past week.
She continued to focus on one particular bush.
He squinted toward the object of her concentration, noticing only that it had been trimmed recently.
I know the grounds down to the last blade of grass.
That will not do, Robert said as he stepped forward, marching on the shrubbery in question.
However, upon gaining said bush, he found nothing untoward.
All is well, he called as he circled around and then returned to her side.
Not to worry, Miss Whitfield.
Merely a trick of light.
Laughing, somewhat weakly, she stood and then shook her head.
My imagination is running amok.
I shall endeavor to keep it in check.
Robert found Miss Whitfields flight of fancy as charming as it was surprising.
They lapsed into silence until reaching the arched front entrance.
There, the wide door opened, seemingly of its own accord.
Miss Whitfield glanced over her shoulder toward the elm trees, shrugged, and stepped across the threshold.
Partway across the marble floor, she stopped abruptly.
And so, of course, did Robert.
Mr. Chilton, what are you doing here?
Miss Whitfields tone was so frosty that Robert expected the object of her disgust to freeze on the spot.
He was a fleshy fellow in his midthirties, dressed with the eye-popping flair of a fop.
His waistcoat was an exotic, beaded bright orange with a clashing cerulean blue jacket.
Miss Whitfield, what a wonderful coincidence.
No, no, my dear.
You asked me not to visit… which I am not doing.
I was on my way toSpeldingwhen my horse threw a shoe.
How is it, then, that I find you cluttering up my hallway?
Why, the shoe came off just outside your gates, my dear Miss Whitfield.
If it had been anywhere else
Is your horse being taken care of?
Oh, yes, my dear.
The hospitality of Roseberry Hall is renown.
Your dearest mama arranged for
Have you been offered any refreshment while you wait?
It was a shame that the varnish of the seascape had darkened.
It required a squint and a closer look to make out the crashing waves and jagged rocks.
Oh dear me, no, my dear.
That is most kind of you to
Shodster, could you have Hugh show Mr. Chilton to the kitchen.
Im sure Cook can find him a glass of beer
Kitchen?
And a bite of cheese and bread.
There you are, Mr. Chilton, the staff will have you back on the road in no time.
Shodster quietly disappeared, too.
Yes, indeed, in a very pedantic way.
Robert turned to see that Miss Whitfields color was higher than it had been.
I should not have subjected you to such a scene.
Think nothing of it.
A solicitor, if possessing no other qualities, should have selective hearing.
Still, I should have seen you settled first before dealing with .
Such a superior example of .
I have yet to see.
Were you hoping to see the family in an informal setting, such as the drawing room .
She paused, obvious in her attempt to have Robert explain more fully.
He wished that he could put her out of her misery, but again Mr. Lynch interfered.
Robert had been instructed that impartiality was most important in dealing with this situation.
He could not explain until all involved parties were gathered together.
Actually, I would prefer a more secluded location, if you dont mind.
And just the presence of Mr. Kemble and Eric Drury.
With a nod, Miss Whitfield turned and reached for the bellpull hanging next to the ornate mantel.
However, before she could give the bell a tug, a voice floated down from the upper balcony.
Is that you, Lydia?
Oh, I am so glad.
I quite expected you back a full ten min- utes ago.
It doesnt serve my nerves well when you do something irregular.
You are usually as timely as clockworks.
There was no need to worry Miss Whitfield lifted her hand in Roberts direction.
Unsure of his role, Robert hesitated as well.
Oh, I was not worried, no, I was anxious .
anxious that you would miss Mr. Chilton.
No, perhaps I mean excited.
Yes, thats it.
Did you see him?
I did, Mama.
I wish you wouldnt encourage Chilton.
Oh, Lydia, how can you be so unromantic?
He is smitten, can think of no one else but you.
As I have told you before, Mama, Chiltons pockets are to let.
His interest in me is financial, not romantic.
Besides, you know that I am already betrothed.
Lynch had not mentioned an engagement.
Dont talk like that, Lydia.
It is not official.
Could we talk about it at another time, Mama?
The request sounded suspiciously like an order.
I have business to discuss with Mr. Newton.
Oh my, why did you not say that you were not alone, Lydia?
Hello, Mr. Elton.
I dont believe we have been introduced.
However, both ladies overlooked this and merely adjusted the level of their voices.
Shodster was sent in search of Uncle Arthur and Eric Drury with a request to meet in the study.
And, despite Roberts protest, Mrs. Buttle was asked to prepare a room for their guest.
That was my intention from the outset.
yo, Mr. Newton, there is no need.
A precaution, nothing more.
We have the room.
Robert was given little opportunity to protest, although he retained his satchel as a token of resistance.
Miss Whitfield led him down a smaller windowed hallway that ran along the front of the house.
The study was of such proportions that it possessed not one but two huge fireplaces.
With a smile, he noted that there was no whiff of mustiness.
The room had the atmosphere of a well-used and well- loved haven, despite its size.
What is all this?
I will not be summoned like a dog, Lydia.
Although clearly he could.
You should have come to me.
I am your elder and your guardian, and Iwillbe treated with respect.
The man was either woefully thick or purposefully antagonistic.
Miss Whitfield provided the official introduction.
The formality didnt go as smoothly as one would suppose.
Kemble would not be persuaded to accept a gentleman who could onlyclaiman association with Mr. Lynch.
Glad youre here, Newton.
Been arguing with Missy here for days.
Needs to be put straighttoldherplace.
The she and her protested quite loudly.
Thats why you are here, right?
To tell her to stick to ribbons and frills and all those gewgaws that females adore.
Leave the estate to me.
Even Robert felt nonplussed by Kembles attitude.
This man was not Oliver Whitfields heir.
No, indeed not.
He was Mrs. Joan Whitfields brother.
Tell her shes wrong and then be on your way.
Mr. Lynch has not interfered before, and I dont expect him to interfere now.
I have the right to manage the estate as I see fit.
In conjunction with Mr. Lynch, sir.
And I have been authorized to say that there will be no more funds forthcoming
What!
Until the misunderstandings have been addressed.
That is why I am here.
I will be making my recommendations to Mr. Lynch upon my return to Bath.
Who do you think you are?
Coming in here, telling us what we should or shouldnt do.
As you saw in the letter, sir.
Robert enunciated each syllable as if he were dealing with someone of inferior wit.
I am here under Mr.Lynchs authority.
Lets get on with it.
I have better things to do.
We will wait, Uncle, for Mr. Drury.
He should be here presently.
Hey ho, Shodster thought you were in need of me, Miss Whitfield.
Much to do: busy, busy, busy.
Turning, Drury almost made it out of the room before Robert called him back by uttering his name.
Do I know you?
Robert cleared his throat, hooked his thumbs into his waist- coat pockets, and tried to sound lawyerly.
Miss Whitfield was clearly surprised.
These letters included words such asinept,igno- rant, anddisaster.
Mr. Lynch had no choice but to divine the true nature of these complaints.
Drury, you didnt.
Kemble fixed a glare on the land agent.
You told me to.
I did no such thing.
Told you Id take care of it.
Indeed, you did .
yes, yes, yes.
Well, perhaps not in so many words.
Gentlemen, if I could have your atten- tion.
Now, first we shall address this years crop choice.
There is a wide disparity: apples, tea, or pineapples.
Drurys surprise outshouted Miss Whitfields.
Kemble nodded with supreme authority and then turned toward Drury.
You made mention of a new strain that would grow in these cooler climes.
Just developed, you said.
Could fill the Roseberry coffers tenfold.
Well, I think it a most estima- ble idea, butMissyhere thinks she knows better.
He studiously didnt look in Miss Whitfields direction.
Yes, Drury said with heaps of derision.
But I said tea.
Gentlemen, be it tea or pineapples, both are experimental and require time to establish.
Miss Whitfield turned back toward Robert.
Digging up the apple orchards and planting them with tea .
This is not for you to say, Lydia.
Do not listen to this green girl, Mr. Newton.
Tell Mr. Lynch that I have decided to plant pineapples
Tea!
Drurys tone was heated.
It is agreed then.
And off Kemble went instead, rushing out the door.
Well, that wont do .
You see the problem.
Robert noddedfamily politics were always complicated.
Ill have to talk to the gentlemen separately, I suppose.
That is a wise idea.
Ill tell Mrs. Buttle to set another plate.
Well, I mean to saywould you care to join us for dinner, Mr. Newton?
Why, thank you, Miss Whitfield.
I would be honored.
There was no helping it.
Robert knew it would be dinner and an over- nighter.
It could be that Kemble truly did not see that Miss Whitfield was interested in more than gewgaws.
Glancing at the figure bending over to right her uncles chair, Robert made a pleasant observation.
Miss Lydia Whitfield had definitely grown up.
