Title: In Lieu of a Princess
Author: Meredith Bond
Genre: Sweet Regency Romance
Book Blurb:
“This isn’t her Royal Highness,” the headmistress told the man and the woman who were staring at Lucinda with their mouths hanging open.
“But it could be.”
These words turn the life of Lucinda North upside down. Within hours, she agrees—against her better judgement—to impersonate the missing Princess Louisa of Aachen-Düren. Within a week, she meets the queen and the handsome and charming Lord Melfield. Within the month, she is living at Buckingham Palace, lying about her true identity not only to Queen Charlotte, but to all of Regency society, while someone is trying to kill her. Within her lifetime, she will never regret a moment of it.
Anthony Melfield would rather not waste his time helping a spoiled princess learn how to conduct herself. He would certainly rather not have to return to society after a heartbreak. And he most definitely would rather not have feelings for the princess, no matter how sweet, funny, and beautiful she is. To top it all, he would much rather not have to use his skills to save her life and figure out who wants her dead.
Excerpt:
Lou’s eyes slipped past pale green silk-covered walls of the palace drawing room to watch the most handsome man rise from a matching sofa. His dark hair was slightly mussed, as if he’d been running his fingers through it, and his broad shoulders and long limbs spoke of a sportsman. He had strong features but the palest blue eyes Lou had ever seen—and they were staring straight at her.
She nearly dropped into a curtsy, catching herself just in time.
The gentleman bowed low before turning to an older woman who Lou hadn’t even noticed. The woman was rising from a small curtsy, which Lou acknowledged with a nod, saying in her head, You’re a princess. You’re a princess. She was certain if she didn’t continually remind herself of this that she would forget.
“Your Highness, may I be so bold as to introduce myself?” the man said in perfect German. “I am the Earl of Melfield, and this is my mother, Lady Melfield. She is one of Queen Charlotte’s Ladies of the Bedchamber.”
Lou nodded. “I am pleased to meet you, Lord Melfield, Lady Melfield,” she said in the same language. Once again, she found herself fighting the urge to curtsy. She hadn’t realized how ingrained the motion was until she had to force herself to lock her knees to keep from doing so. You’re a princess—the refrain echoed in her mind a few more times.
“Your Highness, the queen has honored me with the task of helping you to learn all you’ll need to know for your investiture ceremony,” Lady Melfield said in English. “For right now, however, I’d like to go over basic court etiquette—how to present yourself to the queen. I’ve been told that you’ve only recently arrived here in England, and things are done very differently in Aachen-Düren.”
“My mother says she would like to go over the proper etiquette for your presentation to the queen,” Lord Melfield told her in German.
As he spoke, Lou realized that his lordship was there to be his mother’s translator. She almost burst out laughing. Of course, she didn’t need a translator. They must have assumed that the princess would, however. She quickly pulled herself together before she betrayed herself and waited for him to translate the rest of what his mother had said.
Instead, he just looked at her expectantly. Wasn’t he going to translate the rest?
“That would be most welcome,” Frau Schmitz said, quickly filling in the awkward silence.
Lou suddenly realized she hadn’t introduced her companion. How had she suddenly completely forgotten her manners? “Oh, this is my companion, Frau Schmitz,” she said, rectifying the situation in an offhand way. Really! Where were her manners? She supposed they’d gone out the door once she learned the princess didn’t have any. It was just as well.
Lord and Lady Melfield nodded to her.
“And I do speak some English,” Lou added, accenting her English words.
“Oh! You do! Well, that’s going to make thing so much easier! In that case, maybe we won’t need you after all, Melfield,” Lady Melfield said, turning a bright smile on her son.
What? He was going to leave them? Lou suddenly panicked. “I understand little English,” she quickly corrected herself. “I do not speak… good,” she added for good measure.
Frau Schmitz gave her a funny look, but Lou kept her attention on the gentleman in front of her. She didn’t want him to go away. She wasn’t entirely certain why, but somehow, she felt as if all the light in the room would disappear if he left. She would be alone, and she was already much too terrified of this entire situation to manage this all by herself. No, she needed him here. His presence made this all… bearable. It was silly, but there it was.
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What makes your featured book a must-read?
Royals in danger and Rebels to the rescue! Hidden identities, a princess on the run, and three lives at stake… these royals and rebels must learn to trust and open themselves to a lifetime of love. In Lieu of a Princess is the first book of this exciting new series.
Giveaway –
Enter to win a $35 Amazon gift card:
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Runs December 27 – January 5, 2023.
Winner will be drawn on January 6, 2023.
Author Biography:
Meredith Bond's books straddle that beautiful line between historical romance and fantasy. An award-winning author, she writes fun traditional Regency romances, medieval Arthurian romances, and Regency romances with a touch of magic. Known for her characters “who slip readily into one’s heart,” Meredith loves to take her readers on a journey they won't soon forget.
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