Earl of Darby by Aubrey Wynne 💕 Book Tour & Gift Card Giveaway 💕 (Historical Romance)

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Miss Hannah Pendleton is nursing her pride after her childhood crush falls in love with another. Determined to break a few hearts of her own, she hurls herself into the exciting and hectic schedule of a first season. Hannah finds the glitter and malice of London and its society both intriguing and intimidating. Always clever and direct, the smooth manners and practiced words of the gallant but meticulous bachelors do nothing to stir her soul until…

Since his wife’s suicide on their wedding night, the Earl of Darby has carefully cultivated his rakish reputation. It keeps overprotective mamas at bay and provides him with unlimited clandestine affairs. But when Nicholas sees a lovely newcomer being courted by the devil himself, her innocence and candor revive the chivalry buried deep in his soul. The ice around Nicholas’s heart cracks as he desperately tries to save Hannah and right a hideous wrong committed so long ago.

A petite young girl sat in a huge leather chair by the fireplace, a book open in her lap. She quickly closed the cover and stood to greet them, pulling down the skirt of her yellow Primrose muslin as she rose. Behind them a deep voice instructed the butler.

“We will expect tea within the half hour. Lady Darby will not be attending us this afternoon. She has the megrim and is requesting chamomile tea in her room.”

His deep timbre sent a warmth rushing through Hannah. As she turned to meet their host, she caught his eye and he smiled. Her breath caught.

“Pendleton, it’s good to see you!”

“And you,” said Nathaniel, as he leaned forward and shook his friend’s hand. “I’d like you to meet my sister, Miss Hannah Pendleton, and I believe you met my Lady Roberta before?”

Aunt Bertie elbowed Hannah, reminding her breathe as her aunt put her hand forward and nodded in acknowledgment of the introduction. Darby bowed over each lady’s gloved hand.

“My pleasure,” he said, lifting translucent his calamine-blue eyes to Hannah. “And may I introduce my sister, Lady Matilda.”

When Matilda joined them, Hannah had to pull her gaze from his, mesmerized by the odd translucent shade of a clear summer sky.

“It is a pleasure to meet any friends of my brother.” Her voice was soft, neither shy nor confident. Matilda pushed a blonde lock, the shade of evening primrose, from her forehead. “I apologize for my mother’s absence.” She gripped her book, her white knuckles betraying her calm tone.

Hannah’s heart went out to the girl. “Is that by Maria Edgeworth? Have you read many of her books? I so enjoyed her novel, Leanora.”

A grateful smile curled the girl’s lips. “Oh, yes. That’s why I purchased Castle Rackrent. Have you read it?”

“No, I haven’t. Perhaps I could borrow it when you finish?”

“Oh, yes. Do you read any biographies?”

“Egad! Please don’t tell me we have two bluestockings on our hands,” Nathaniel said with a laugh.

“My sister has her nose in a book most of the time.” Darby grinned, the dimple in his cheek deepening. “She’s indiscriminate and will read anything from a scientific journal to a romantic novel.”

Hannah’s eyes snapped back to the earl’s face. She had the strangest urge to step closer, reach up, and trace her finger along the cleft in his chin. Wings had taken flight in her belly. What was happening? While Gideon had always sent her stomach into a tumble, she’d never experienced a flock of birds flapping inside her. It must be exhaustion from the trip. Or those captivating eyes. Or the dimple that begged her to press her lips to his cheek. Or the stretch of his jacket across those broad shoulders and the thigh-hugging buckskin breeches. Stop being a buffle-headed romantic, she scolded herself.

Aunt Bertie looked at Hannah, then gave Darby an appreciative perusal. “Lud! This will be a delicious season. Let’s sit down and get to know one another, shall we?”

He’s inherited the title of rake. She hides behind her independence... Fate accepts the challenge.

Grace Beaumont has seen what love can do to a woman. Her mother sacrificed her life to produce the coveted son and heir. A devastated father and newborn brother force her to take on the role of Lady Boldon at the age of fifteen. But Grace finds solace in the freedom and power of her new status.

Christopher Roker made a name for himself in the military. The rigor and pragmatism of the army suits him. When a tragic accident heaves Kit into a role he never wanted or expected, his world collides with another type of duty. Returning to England and his newfound responsibilities, the Wicked Earls’ Club becomes a refuge from the glitter and malice of London society but cannot ease his emptiness.

Needing an escape from his late brother’s memory and reputation, Kit visits the family estate for the summer. Lady Grace, a beauty visiting from a neighboring estate, becomes a welcome distraction. When the chance to return to the military becomes a valid possibility, the earl finds himself wavering between his old life and the lure of an exceptional—and unwilling—woman.

Eliza is forced into marriage with no idea her life will change for the better. Married less than a year, her unwilling rake of a husband is surprisingly kind to her—until his sudden death. The widowed Countess of Sunderland remains under her in-laws’ protection to raise her newborn daughter. But her abusive father is on the brink of financial ruin and has plans for another wedding.
Nathaniel, Viscount of Pendleton, gains his title at the age of 12. His kindly but shrewd estate manager becomes father and mentor, instilling in the boy an astute sense of responsibility and compassion for his tenants. Fifteen years later, his family urges him to visit London and seek a wife. The ideal doesn’t appeal to him, but his sense of duty tells him it is the next logical step.
Lord Pendleton stumbles upon Eliza on the road, defending an elderly woman against ruffians. After rescuing the exquisite damsel in distress, he finds himself smitten. But Nate soon realizes he must discover the dark secrets of her past to truly save the woman he loves.
A sweet Regency.

A Scottish legacy... A political rebellion... Two hearts destined to meet...
Raised in his father’s image, the Earl of Stanfeld is practical and disciplined. There are no gray lines interrupting the Gideon’s black and white world. Until his mother has a dream and begs to return to her Highland home.

Alisabeth was betrothed from the cradle. At seventeen, she marries her best friend and finds happiness if not passion. In less than a year, a political rebellion makes her a widow. The handsome English earl arrives a month later and rouses her desire and a terrible guilt.

Crossing the border into Scotland, Gideon finds his predictable world turned upside down. Folklore, legend, and political unrest intertwine with an unexpected attraction to a feisty Highland beauty. When the earl learns of an English plot to stir the Scots into rebellion, he must choose his country or save the clan and the woman who stirs his soul.

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Bestselling and award-winning author Aubrey Wynne is an elementary teacher by trade, champion of children and animals by conscience, and author by night. She resides in the Midwest with her husband, dogs, horses, mule, and barn cats. Obsessions include wine, history, travel, trail riding, and all things Christmas. Her Chicago Christmas series has received the Golden Quill, Aspen Gold, Heart of Excellence, Maggie award, and thrice nominated as a Rone finalist by InD’tale Magazine.

Aubrey’s first love is medieval romance but after dipping her toe in the Regency period in 2018 with the Wicked Earls’ Club, she was smitten. This inspired her spin-off series Once Upon a Widow. In 2020, she will launch the Scottish Regency series A MacNaughton Castle Romance with Dragonblade Novels.