A
GENTLEMAN ALWAYS FINDS OUT ~ LAYNA PIMENTEL
Blurb:
Ruined and jilted, Mariah Harris, with her
cousin, plots against the rogue who dared to insult her and her family. What
she doesn’t expect is for their plan to lead them astray…on the wrong side of
the law.
Julian Kingsley is ready to give up working
for the crown, only he’s given one last mission. He agrees, but gets more than
he bargains for. When a dalliance with a mysterious woman suddenly reveals her
connections to his case, he’s honor bound to turn her in, but his heart can’t
seem to give her up.
Excerpt:
May 15, 1816
London, England
“Edwina
Mosley, you are out of your ever-loving mind! We look like…You are dressed as a
strumpet and well…I am in breeches. I look far too feminine to be a man!” Mariah
Harris scowled and clenched her fists at her sides. This whole plot was
idiotic, and if they were not thrown in Newgate, they would certainly end up in
Bedlam.
“Yes,
of course, dear. I thought you understood our plan from the beginning. It is a
sound one, cousin. Once I stop the messenger and beg his assistance, you will
sneak out of those bushes and snatch his bag,” Edwina retorted with a drawl.
“My sources have informed me that he passes through here every night at the
same time. So, we shall not be waiting long.”
How can she be so sure? Mariah
gritted her teeth and curled her toes in irritation. “If there was ever a
moment I regret, it was telling you about this mess with Crispin. I only meant
to find out where he is staying in London and who with. My poor father is
convinced he will come back, but if he does, it will only be for food and
shelter.” Nothing more. He had
successfully made Mariah the largest fool in all of Kent. That blasted scoundrel!
“Mariah,
I am positive this plan will work. Once the satchel is in our possession, we
will rifle through for anything addressed to Crispin. From there, you will be
free to humiliate the stupid sod and carry on with your life. Now, stop being a
ninny and go hide. Hurry! I think I hear a horse.”
Mariah
wandered into the shrubbery, hoping she did not step on an adder, or even
worse, walk through a spider’s web. Good
heavens, if papa ever found out I dressed in a man’s riding outfit, he would
send me away to a nunnery for certain.
A
few moments passed before the sound of a galloping horse approached. The beast
slowed his gait by trotting as he grew closer, coming to a halt where Edwina
stood next to a wagon.
She
pleaded in a tone befitting a damsel in distress, “Please, sir. I am in need of
assistance. I implore you. I should have been home hours ago, but the cart…”
“Say
no more, miss. I will see what I can do.” the messenger stated plainly. “Should
I dare ask how long you have been stranded for?”
“Only
for an hour, sir. I am on my way to London and thought to stop in Maidstone for
the night.”
When
Mariah popped her head out, she spotted the young man climbing down from his
mount. Off in the distance, a rickety cart approached, the driver swaying in his
seat. Now, we are were done for. Before they had
left her shop, Edwina had managed to convince her that this road was not much
travelled on after dark. Only the gent delivering messages from the militia in
the north would be expected. What were the odds—on this particular night—that
another traveler would pass through?
Sliding
the sack off his shoulder, the messenger crouched down by the rear wheel of the
pony wagon she and her cousin had sabotaged.
Not
long after, Mariah heard the trundling of the other cart squeal until it came
to a stop. A middle-aged man stumbled out, falling flat on his face. Too foxed
to drive successfully, he clearly would not pose a problem to the scenario.
Now is my chance. Mariah
leapt out of the bushes and, while everyone was too distracted in aiding the
sotted fool, she grabbed the bag before running back to her hiding spot. Only
this time, she did not stop. She ran like the devil until she found the meadow
in which she had left her own clothing and horse.
Heart
racing, she dropped the cap her long hair had been tucked into, kicked off her
shoes, and quickly stripped out of the breeches and loose-fitting shirt she
wore. Then, she slipped on her cream-colored riding gown and strapped the
satchel to the mare, covering it with the blanket she had used to conceal her
dress while in disguise.
She
wasted no time taking her place in the saddle. Wrapping her cape around her
shoulders, she shifted the side so that it hid the blanket as well before
riding back to the inn where she planned on meeting with Edwina. It would be a
miracle if they were not caught after this ludicrous theft.
The
only visual she retained during the trip was the gallows, and it was that image
which kept her from slowing her pace. She had never committed a crime before,
and this would take the bucket as far as mischief went. Never in all her
twenty-one years had she stooped so low. It was unprecedented, outlandish, and
completely unforgivable.
Leave
it to the man she had foolishly thought she was in love with. No one could
drive her to the brink of madness like Crispen. His words meant nothing. In
hindsight, his pledge of love and fidelity was meaningless. His ploy to get
under her skirts had worked, and now she was ruined.
In
return, Mariah would ruin him. And I
cannot wait to see his face when he is discovered.
Where To Buy:
Secret Cravings Publishing: http://store.secretcravingspublishing.com/index.php?main_page=book_info&cPath=10&products_id=881&zenid=585eacde99281cafe90ba1f75a4d9076
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-gentleman-always-finds-out-layna-pimentel/1119659920?ean=2940149213405
All Romance eBooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-agentlemanalwaysfindsout-1532444-160.html
BIOGRAPHY
Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Layna
discovered her love of reading at an early age. When she isn’t devouring
salacious romance novels or writing, she enjoys losing herself in researching
ancient history and mythology, weaponry, and hiking. She lives in Northern
Ontario, with her husband and two daughters.
Layna is a member of the Romance Writers of
America, creator of the Romance Author at Large blog, and is a monthly
contributor at 69 Shades of Smut. For updates on her upcoming releases, or to
leave her a comment, you can find at:
Blog/Website: www.laynapimentel.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/LaynaPimentel
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorLaynaPimentel
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