Contents:

Old rake abandoned lying in green grass in summer. Matte effect.

When Lucas is publicly humiliated, his pride is wounded and he can't stand the gossip. He decides to go rusticate in the Lakes District, where he hopes for a dalliance to take his mind off things. There he encounters the lovely Joanna. He can't help but tease her but he knows not to dally with a gently bred lady. Lucas's kisses are delicious and Joanna could easily become abandoned if she isn't careful. She knows he isn't serious so she must not refine too much on his actions.

He just can't understand why she doesn't dote on him like every other woman he knows. He enjoys the cozy home Joanna and her aunt have made and are kind enough to include him.

Then mysterious accidents begin to happen whenever Joanna and Lucas are together. Someone is out to kill one of them, but who would want to kill Joanna or Lucas and why? The pair work together to solve the mystery, coming closer by sharing an experience but Joanna may have to take matters into her own hands if this story is to have a happy ending. I loved the unique setting for this story. The Lakes District is described so well that I really felt like I was there.

It makes the typical plot into something different. The description makes me want to go there. I liked the way the hero and heroine get to know each other. It bothered me at first but as the plot goes on, the relationship develops nicely.

Old rake abandoned lying in green grass in summer. Matte effect.

The mystery was a bit obvious but kept me wondering why and how it would turn out. It was a little random though. The last third of the novel drags on too long and the ending is a little rushed. What kept me from really enjoying this novel was the hero. He doesn't have a good opinion of women, which is understandable given his past experiences, but he continually thinks badly of Joanna and assumes things about her that are obviously untrue given what he knows of her.

He can't bring himself to think anything different, yet he's constantly teasing her and kissing her and obviously falling in love. His negative thoughts are repetitive and last too long. I can see what Joanna sees in him but I think if she knew what he was thinking, she may not like him so much. I really liked Joanna. She's smart, witty, strong and brave.

Though she's in constant need of rescuing, she doesn't have hysterics and she knows how to save herself if she needs to.

I felt sympathy for her because of her father and she shows readers how difficult it was to be a woman at that time, even for a woman with a moderate fortune. Though I didn't really understand that part of the plot because it didn't seem plausible without some explanation like she's so desperate for attention and praise from her father or he'll withhold her fortune or something along those lines.

The secondary characters are great. I especially loved Rex, the Border Terrier. Bonus points in my rating are due to him. He needed more scenes and more to do but I'm a sucker for an animal companion and I am obsessed with terriers, so I loved him. I also loved Aunt Caroline. She's a good influence on Joanna and a good role model. She has a disability but doesn't want or need sympathy or pity. I liked her subplot but I'm not sure that was the right direction to take her in. I could have done without Mary. She didn't serve much purpose unless Joanna was going to end up a copy of her aunt.

Oct 23, tired rated it it was ok.

Sep 13, Nightwitch rated it it was ok Shelves: Very paint-by-numbers category regency; adequate if that's what you're looking for. The dramatic plot ended with a fizzle view spoiler [the bad guy was after the hero Pleasant supporting characters and a nice dog. Sep 13, Valary rated it liked it Shelves: Sep 25, Sylvia rated it liked it.

Smc rated it really liked it Jun 29, Sita rated it liked it Dec 20, JANE rated it did not like it Nov 27, Kara G rated it it was amazing Sep 07, Vintagebooklvr rated it it was ok Jul 15, Sharon rated it it was amazing Nov 03, Jones rated it liked it Nov 09, Sneezep rated it really liked it Nov 24, Nia rated it it was ok Aug 19, Magda rated it really liked it Sep 14, Rosemarie Exell rated it it was amazing Feb 06, Sabra Fisher rated it liked it Feb 01, Catsalive rated it it was ok Oct 19, She extracted her ivory fan from the black-beaded reticule on her wrist and opened it.

The Jersey ballroom had suddenly become very warm. It was well Aunt Caroline did not know how Joanna had trembled at his look, the inflection in his voice. And when I apologized for not avoiding him, he demanded that I grant him a dance. Poor Miss Thorne, to be required to deal with that man on a daily basis. The third dance arrived all too soon to suit Joanna. She had half-hoped that Sir Lucas would forget his request, but her hopes were dashed when he purposefully crossed the room to bow before her aunt, then Joanna.

The Abandoned Rake Sample

It is high time that Joanna be permitted to leave her state of imposed mourning. Joanna permitted him to lead her out onto the floor, joining the line of young ladies with her emotions well in control. She raised her gaze from the polished floor to find him watching her closely. His was a disconcerting gaze, for it revealed nothing of his inner thoughts, but seemed to seek hers. She curtsied, then began the simple steps, advancing, retreating, allowing him to twirl her about in elegant rhythm. Even through her gloves, she sensed a firmness in his clasp, a strength, if you would, she had certainly not found in Mr.

While the steps of the dance were familiar, the sensations she experienced were not. Every time her gaze clashed with his, she felt an odd stirring within her. When she glanced about the room she could detect no hostile looks nor censure in the eyes of the dowagers. Aunt Caroline must have been busy suggesting it was time for Joanna to resume life, perhaps even offering the notion that Sir Lucas was nobly assisting in the cause. He was considered safe now that he was a betrothed man. And a man less likely to be safe, Joanna could not imagine.

He stared down into her eyes when the pattern of the dance required them to draw close, hands raised gracefully up high. If his considering expression was anything to go by, she might be required to prove her rash statement. She found her elbow firmly clasped and Sir Lucas at her side, escorting her—as was only proper, she reminded her fluttering nerves.

Underhill is to be greatly pitied. She had endured quite enough of that this Season. I wonder who shall have the pleasure of your company in future? Surely you do not consider your life over because that wastrel has gone aloft. Consider yourself well rid of him. I was unaware that description included speaking ill of the dead. A surreptitious glance served to reveal Sir Lucas attending his bride-to-be with proper deference.

Surely he did not dare to say a word out of line? They agree with me that you did no wrong in performing that quite acceptable country dance with Sir Lucas. Indeed, it was frightfully thoughtful of the man to take pity on your plight. She consented to dance a second time with a polite young man who had not known Mr. Underhill and treated Joanna like she was arising from deep mourning for a husband.

Following an experience that she found rather lowering, Joanna persuaded Aunt Caroline that the hour was late and they both needed their sleep.

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Aunt Caroline was very easy to lead. The following days brought no great improvement. Again Joanna found herself the object of pity and consolation. And she felt such a fraud.

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When she went into gray and lavender gowns, the dowagers praised her for her courage to fashion a new life and future for herself. It seemed she could do no wrong in their eyes. Having a viscount for a father who also had pots of money most likely did not hurt, either. She had observed that people who were well to grass could behave slightly more scandalously than poorer folk.

Not that she was scandalous, not in the least. She wished she might do something to create a stir. Life was so boring that she thought she might suffocate under the sympathy of all the dowagers and those perky young girls making their come-outs this Season. They most likely appreciated the withdrawal of one who might be only passingly pretty but possessed a sizable dowry.

They were all of a muchness, these men. They dressed well and had lovely manners, but she could, sense a desperation concealed beneath their polished exteriors. Most likely they would never seek marriage unless driven. A little mousing about by Aunt Caroline brought their true straits to light. The captain was no different from all the others, showering Joanna with pretty compliments, offering a modest posy, and staying to tea, as Aunt Caroline always offered a substantial one.

She felt she performed a kindness in feeding the poor young men.

The Abandoned Rake

A half-pay officer was not a good prospect for marriage, even if he was as dashing and handsome as may be. Yes, an heiress had a difficult time of it, Joanna decided while she watched the young captain consume the bountiful tea spread before him. Should an impressionable heiress meet up with the gallant captain, he would most likely carry the day—and the heiress off to Scotland as well.

The notion amused her. An heiress as well, you say? She is to inherit not only a sizable income but also a vast estate, for her thrifty and intelligent parent has done extremely well with his investments.

He made his farewells shortly thereafter, whereupon Joanna collapsed in laughter against the pillows behind her on the sofa. That is truly placing the cat among the pigeons. And they were, from that standpoint. There was no lessening of sympathy toward Joanna. If anything, the dowagers fussed over her even more. Lady Jersey—who, after all, was not that much older than Joanna—offered more than most. Joanna finally decided that if she returned the family betrothal ring, that might aid in stopping the flow of condolences.

So the ring, carefully wrapped and accompanied by a thoughtfully worded letter, was dispatched to the Underhill home. Joanna had decided to take the position that the ring—being a family heirloom—did not belong to her, and that she felt it ought to be returned to the Underhills. The first one to notice her ringless state was none other than Sir Lucas. The slight lump beneath her glove was gone. He held her hand firmly in his, then turned to give her an assessing look. Ring was too small for you—not that it did not fit, but the stone and setting was too dainty for one who has long, elegant fingers like yours.

You deserve a ring that is magnificent. Rather, it should be noted Miss Thorne listened raptly to the words spilling forth from the dashing captain. She did not appear the least frightened of him. That infuriatingly male smile directed at her made Joanna long to give Sir Lucas a rousing set-down. Whereas you, my dear Miss Winterton, I sense in you a spirit of independence altogether unseemly in a female. I suspect you have been given far too much leeway over the years. Your aunt is a dear lady, if misguided and indulgent. I feel quite blessed to have had her serve as my mother these past years.

Appearing somewhat chastened at her reproving speech, not to mention her glare, Sir Lucas subsided. He did give her a number of speculative looks, however.