Not a Fine Gentleman By Donna Hatch

Not a Fine Gentleman (Rogue Hearts, #5) By Donna Hatch Historical Romance Paperback & ebook, 448 Pages June 18, 2020 by Mirror Lake Press LLC

Lady Margaret secretly yearns for love, but fate has exchanged wedded bliss for a lie. When she is caught hovering over her cheating husband’s dead body, she is instantly doomed to hang for his murder. Without hope for justice, Margaret flees into the night alone.

A cynical Bow Street Constable, Connor Jackson, vows to bring the fugitive Lady Margaret to face the law—but, he doesn’t expect sparks to fly between them. Could the strong yet tender lady truly be a killer?

As more suspects—and even more condemning evidence—surface, the less certain Connor is of his duty. He must choose between his growing feelings for Lady Margaret and the demands of justice. Will the truth tear them apart or set them free to find love?

HERE IS AN EXERPT FROM THIS BOOK FOR YOU TO READ

Connor Jackson sat across the desk from Richard Birnie and gaped at the magistrate who commanded the Bow Street Constables. “You want me to hunt down Grant Amesbury’s sister? He’ll kill me.”

Truth be told, Connor wouldn’t cross any of the Amesbury men. Angering all four would be an act of suicide.

Not to mention, Grant had saved Connor’s life in battle and had treated him like an equal, a friend, all the years they’d known each other. Could he really arrest the sister of a friend?

Birnie carefully lined up the quill pens on his desk. “Lady Hennessy is accused of murdering her husband two nights past.”

Connor straightened. Murder?

Birnie met his gaze. “Not only must she face the law, but her brother wants her returned home. No gently bred lady should be out on her own. Not to mention, the murdered man’s family offered a reward, so every scoundrel after the money will be looking for her.”

A sobering thought. Connor let out his breath and shook his head. How did he get mixed up in these messes? If he refused, the eldest Amesbury family member might meet brutality at the hands of some clumsy reward-seeker who had no scruples about roughing up a lady. If Connor found her and brought her to justice, she faced execution for murder.

Either choice seemed guaranteed to destroy his friendship with that surprisingly honorable family.

“In addition,” Birnie continued. “She won’t be easy to find. According to the report from night watchman who arrived on the scene, Lady Hennessy pretended to faint right before she bolted.”

Ah. A diversion. The lady appeared to be as resourceful as her brothers. That could complicate tracking her.

“Why aren’t the Amesburys looking for her?” Connor asked. “Surely Grant could find her.”

Birnie ran his hand over his graying hair, making it stand on end. “Most of them don’t know about it yet. Grant and his wife left London early yesterday morning, and messengers have not yet caught up with them. Lord Tarrington is in route to his country house, and it may be some time before we can get word to him. In the meantime, the youngest brother, Christian, has asked that we find Lady Hennessey and bring her home.”

“Has she been formally indicted?” Too restless to sit, Connor stood and paced to the window.

Birnie said, “Yes, she has. The magistrate of that district has issued a warrant. He’d see her hang if he had any say, and who knows what influence he has with the jury. Apparently, he and Lord Hennessy were old friends.”

“This is personal for him.” Connor stared out of the window without seeing the view.

This could be personal for Connor, too. He owed it to Grant Amesbury to at least keep his sister safe from every thug seeking the reward. Once Connor returned her to her family in London, he could step back and let the family deal with her, and with the law.

“Christian Amesbury asked for you, specifically,” Birnie said. “Will you take the assignment?”

The least Connor could do was help them find their sister so they could keep her safe. She was also one of those upper crust snobs Connor had vowed would face the law just like ordinary folks. His own father had inadvertently inspired Connor’s need for bringing justice to everyone—especially the so-called beau monde. No member of the nobility should live under a different law than those which governed the rest of the people. She faced transportation at best and hanging at worst, but the Amesburys would never let that happen to their sister. Their fierce devotion to duty was only exceeded by their loyalty to their family.

Either way, Connor had two very good reasons for bringing her back to London. He could only hope justice would prevail.

“I’ll find her, sir.” Connor vowed.

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About the Author

Multi-award-winning author of more than twenty best-selling Regency Historical Romances, Donna Hatch is a hopeful romantic and an adventurer at heart. Each book she writes is filled with wit and heart and plenty of swoon-worthy romance. Donna sings, plays the harp, and loves to ballroom dance. Her family, including six children and two cats, recently left their native Arizona for the Pacific coast of the US. No matter where they live, she and her husband of over twenty years are proof that there truly is a happily ever after.

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

– One winner will receive ebooks of the first four books in the Rogue Hearts series, The Stranger She Married, The Guise of a Gentleman, A Perfect Secret and The Suspect’s Daughter – Four winners will each receive an ebook of the first book in the Rogue Hearts series, The Stranger She Married – Open internationally – Ends July 1, 2020

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