Excerpt
The Haversham Legacy by Nickie
Fleming
Excerpt Heat Level: 1
Book Heat Level: 1
Buy at www.roguephoenixpress.com
October,
1668
A woman approached the group of courtiers around the King.
She looked very young and very innocent compared to most of the other women
present. Her delicate pink gown made her stand out even more.
Charles the Second smiled pleasantly when he saw her and
beckoned, "Ah, there you are, my dear! James, may I present Lady Claire De
Vere, eldest daughter of the Earl of St. Albans."
The man he addressed made a courtly bow.
"Lady Claire, this is one of my best friends, the
Marquis of Haversham."
A bit further away, a young man watched the scene. His name
was George Templeton and he was the cousin of the marquis. He was not dancing,
as one would expect of such a young and dashing young lad. With his fair hair,
blue eyes, and his sportsman’s body, he was the dream of every girl and her
mother--even more so because he was the sole heir of the Marquis of Haversham.
The marquis was already thirty-eight years old and had never married.
James faced the girl--and it was plain to George how this
pleased the older man. Of course the lady was pretty, with her black hair, blue
eyes, and cherry-like mouth. She could be his daughter though, and most
certainly she was too innocent for his cousin’s taste. Although James had never
looked for a wife, he did not object to taking the occasional damsel to his
bed. He once told his cousin that he preferred experienced women who knew how
to please a man and did not make demands.
Yet right now he seemed to be drowning in the eyes of this
girl who could only have sixteen or seventeen years of age. She said something
and he laughed at it. Then he offered her his arm and they moved to the dancing
floor.
George began to feel a bit unsure at that exact moment. It
was as if the center of his universe suddenly shifted out of focus. He had
built his life on the certainty of becoming the next Marquis. He could
not--would not--allow something to happen to his dreams of becoming a rich and
wealthy man.
The Haversham Legacy by Nickie Fleming
Reviewed by Mindy MacKay for Rogue’s Angels
Rating: 4
The Marquis of Haversham and his wife are murdered as part of a plot to
seize his fortune and title, but there's a hole in the scheme: the Marquis's
daughter and heiress, Justine, yet survives.
Adopted and raised by a highwayman, Justine has no idea about the
nature of her true parentage. Her life spirals into one adventure after
another, bringing her up against the rigid hierarchy, throwing her into
maritime battles, and pushing her into the arms of a dashing sailor with a
vendetta.
The Haversham Legacy is a beautiful blend of the lavish and the
picaresque, combining courtly life with swashbuckling adventure. The plot moves
fast and the settings are effortless to step into. Fleming's clever use of
archetype creates a story that is easy to identify with. This book is like a
novelization of all the joy and pathos one might find in a classic
black-and-white movie. Despite a few romance scenes that range from tender to
heated, I think this is a book is fun for the whole family. However, I do wish
Justine was introduced much earlier in the story; she has such a big role and
is sure to be an instant reader favorite. For fans of history, mystery, and
intrigue, The Haversham Legacy is a must-read.
The Haversham Legacy is a beautiful blend of the
lavish and the picaresque, combining courtly life with swashbuckling adventure.
Mindy McKay for Rogue's Angels
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