To celebrate the release of How to Capture a Countess, we have a little excerpt to share with you today.
“She’s the only woman who’s ever eluded Sin. And for a sporting man . . .”
Lady Charlotte’s eye widened with a dawning respect. “Margaret, you may be on to something with that.”
“If Sin thought she’d be at my house party, he’d reconsider coming. I’m sure of it. All we have to do is find out who she is and invite her here.” The duchess’s smile faded. “If she’s respectable.”
“She is,” Lady Charlotte said. “Quite respectable, in fact.”
The duchess sent an irritated glance at her companion. “Have you become a seer?”
“Of course not. But I—that is –-you have been in correspondence with her for years. Since the year she was born, in fact.”
The duchess blinked. “I have?”
“Of course. You send her a present every Michaelmas, and a nice letter on her birthday.” Charlotte’s knitting needles ticked on. “Her name is Rose Balfour and she lives with her father at Caith Manor, outside Aberdeenshire.”
The duchess looked as astounded as MacDougal felt. “How do you know that?”
“Because you’re her godmother.”
MacDougal almost gasped, but managed to swallow it.
The duchess stared at Lady Charlotte. “Am I?”
Lady Charlotte nodded, her lace cap flapping over her ears. “Oh yes, though I suppose it’s not surprising that you don’t know it. You and Roxburghe were out of the country when The Incident occurred, and by the time you returned home, no one would speak of it in front of you.”
“But they spoke of it to you.”
“Frequently. At the time, I thought the name sounded familiar, but I couldn’t place it. Months afterward, I was writing the Michaelmas letters and there she was on your godchild list: Miss Rose Balfour.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Lady Charlotte blinked owlishly. “Because you said you didn’t want to hear her name—ever.”
MacDougal couldn’t smother his chuckle this time, which earned him a sharp glance from her grace. He quickly pretended to cough.
She turned back to Charlotte. “You should have told me anyway.”
“I’m sorry,” Lady Charlotte said meekly.
“Still, this is to our advantage.” The duchess tapped her fingers on her knee, her gaze narrowed. “So I’m Miss Rose Balfour’s godmother.”
“You’re the godmother of all three Balfour sisters.”
“All three? Lud, I’m the godmother to far too many people.”
MacDougal almost nodded. Every year, he assisted Lady Charlotte in sending out the numerous requisite packages and letters to her grace’s many godchildren, and every year it seemed that the number doubled or trebled.
“So I’ve said for ages,” Lady Charlotte sad with some asperity. “You’ve so many godchildren now that—Here, I’ll show you the list.” Lady Charlotte put her knitting aside and rose, moving between the dozing pugs to the secretary.
MacDougal began dusting a nearby side table. Fortunately, a small amount of dust puffed up as Lady Charlotte passed him, so she merely gave him a sharp look before she opened the secretary and pulled out a lengthy list that contained well over fifty names. She carried it to the duchess and pointed to a line halfway down the second page. “There.”
The duchess held the list at arm’s length, and looked down her nose at the slanted writing. “Ah. Rose, Lily and Dahlia Balfour.” She lowered the list. “Good God, are they flowers or women?”
To celebrate this week’s release of How to Capture a Countess, Karen is giving away a $20 gift card to one lucky commenter on today’s blog! Also check out her website and Facebook page for information on her Big Release Giveaway!
Giveaway open to all through September 21.
Edited to add: Gift card is to an online bookstore of the winner’s choice.
I’m really excited to read this book!! Thanks for thd giveaway. =)
I love historical romance! This sounds like an intriguing one :D
It sounds awesome! I need to find out who this MacDougal is! ha!
Sounds good! Thanks Karen and Mandi for sharing the excerpt and the giveaway!
You’re very welcome!
This book sounds very interesting
I would love to read this one. Thanks!
Looks cute :)
Woo! Another Karen Hawkins historical! I can’t wait to read this one. Looks sooo good. :)
And I hope it makes you smile. :) It’s pure romantic comedy. My last series was more adventure, so with this one, I’m returning a bit to my roots.
Hi Karen. Great excerpt. Sounds awesome. I love the cover. Thanks for the giveaway.
Thanks Crystal! I hope you enjoy it. :)
Sounds like another winner. I am really into historicals at the moment so this is definitely something I will be checking out! Congrats in the release|
Nice excerpt. Sounds really intriguing. Now I really want to read more about these characters. Congratulation for the release and thanks for the giveaway.
You’re welcome! I hope you enjoy the book!
Congrats to Karen on the new release. I hope Karen will also continue to write contemporaries.
Jane, I don’t have any scheduled at the current moment, but I hope to work one in soon. I enjoyed Glory, NC!
Karen’s books are always hilarious! I just got my Mother-in-law hooked on them, and we can’t wait to read this newest one.
Rebe, thank you! :)
Wow a new Karen Hawkins! Looks great!
I love Karen Hawkins! Her characters are so great & make me laugh!! I would love to win this!!! Thanks for the generous giveaway :)
-Selena Mc
You’re welcome! It’s nice to spread some gift card luv. :)
Karen Hawkins is NO KA OI (none is better). Looking forward to reading this book!
I like Karen Hawkins’ historicals. I’m hoping all three Balfour sisters are on the horizon.
They are indeed. I’m just finishing up Lily’s story this weekend, and then it’s on to Dahlia’s!
OO i love the humor~ This sounds like a great read!
looking forward to the new book, thanks for the excerpt & giveaway :)
This looks like a fun Regency romance!!
It’s always a great sign when an excerpt makes me laugh multiple times! I look forward to reading this.
Love this series! Can’t wait to read this one!
This sounds very interesting!
I love the cover! Sounds interesting, will have to check it out! :)
Ahahaha, godmother to too many people. Cute. Thanks for sharing the excerpt!
Really like the cover! The book sounds like a lot of fun too.
This sounds like a very fun read, at least from that excerpt. Thanks for the giveaway.
I love, love, love historicals!
Sounds really good! Thanks for the chance to win!
Congrats on the book! It sounds good.
I’m really looking forward to this one–great cover! :)
This book sounds awesome! Thanks for a great post and congrats to karen on the new release!
I love Karen Hawkins’ books and am looking forward to this new series! The excerpt sure promises great things.
What a wonderful excerpt! Thanks for sharing and hosting the giveaway.
I am so looking forward to reading this book! I love the cover, too.
Ohh! Ohh! Ohh! Sounds *soooo* good! And a stunning cover to boot!
Loved that excerpt – I know I’ll be reading this one!
Sounds wonderful! Looking forward to reading this.
Captivating storyline and dashing cover artwork, Karen! Congratulations and thank you for the giveaway opportunity =)
Thanks, Mina! I hope you enjoy it. :)
I’m new to historical romance and this is one I’ll be reading.
I love Karen’s books. Can’t wait to read this!
Love that cover!! Sounds like a good one. Thanksfor the chance.
I loved the excerpt and I can’t wait to read How to Capture a Countess. :D
Congrats to Karen on the new release! I have read and loved so many of her books & series, her humor is just great. This book is definitely on my TBR list. Thanks so much for the excert :)
Thanks, June! I’m hope you enjoy Countess. I had a lot of fun writing it. :)
I love romances. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book.
Oh, almost missed this! The cover is gorgeous. Nice throwback to Cinderella. Enjoyed the excerpt too!
What a great excerpt! I love the curmudgeonly grandmother character. This is now on my TBR.
Cute excerpt. Think I may have to add this to the TBR, whether I win or not! :)
Thanks for the giveaway chance!
Thanks for bringing this book to my attention! I loved the excerpt and really want to read the book now:)
The cover has caught my eye and then that excerpt, I can’t wait to read How to Capture a Countess!! Thanks for sharing the excerpt with us and congratulations on the release Karen! :-D