The House in Grosvenor Square
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What Readers Are Saying About Linore Rose Burkard's The House in Grosvenor Square
“A ROLLICKING REGENCY ROMANCE! The House in Grosvenor Square is a charming tale full of mistaken identities, miscommunication, intrigue, and of course, the rich opulence of the day…As soon as you get between the covers of this novel, you'll feel like you've traveled back to another time and place.” JENNIFER FAREY, VINE VOICE
“IMPRESSIVE EAR FOR PERIOD DIALECT. Linore is a writer whose love of God and the Regency period shines throughout her work. She has an impressive eqr for period dialect, and her heroine is unabashedly Christian. Linore will likely win many fans..."
"JULIE KLASSEN, Author of Lady of Milkweed Manor
"DESTINED TO BE A CLASSIC! This spectacular sequel transports the reader to days gone by. I am so glad that Linore Rose Burkard was born in this time with this talent...I find myself so emotionally involved in her books that my breath quickens as the pages turn and I am suddenly up way past my bedtime reading. What an outstanding series! I cannot wait for more!!!!!” STACEY, VINE VOICE
QUALITY REGENCY ROMANCE WITH A FAITH-BASED THEME. I'm rapidly becoming a fan of Regency romantic fiction, especially when it's written by Linore RoseBurkard! DEENA PETERSON, Book Reviewer
“GREAT REGENCY NOVELS. These books shocked me at how great they are...Burkard is a phenomenal writer. She has captured Austen's style enough to amaze me, but made it her own enough to keep me turning the pages.” TERRI HAYNES, Amazon Reviewer
“A NEW JANE IN TOWN. A delightful read. It took me back to summers sitting on the swing reading Austen over and over. It's nice to have a new Jane in town.” DIANE B., VINE VOICE
“ROMANTIC ESCAPE TO THE PAST. I love a book that I can get lost in, the kind that transports me to another place or another time….Where I feel like I am not just watching the story unfold but I am actually a part of the story. That is exactly what I found when I opened Linore Rose Burkard's The House in Grosvenor Square.” LYNN MCMONIGAL, Amazon Reviewer
“FAST-PACED TALE OF TRIALS OVERCOME AND MYSTERIES RESOLVED. “The House in Grosvenor Square is full of surprises. Burkard kept me reading as I hurried to see Ariana free from danger...Just as I'd think things were going to improve, along came another hurdle. By the time I neared the end, I stopped looking at the clock or worrying about how tired I'd be the next day because I was eager to see how things worked out...Once again Burkard has captured ...the Regency period in an inspirational tale!” KELI GWYN, Author of Their Mistletoe Matchmakers
“RIVETING REGENCY ROMANCE! Ms. Burkard's extensive knowledge of the regency era; the customs, architectural designs, the aristocrat's “lingo”, clothing designs, etc., is astounding! With an exciting storyline full of twists and turns, and a beautiful, spiritual thread throughout, this novel is a must read! Very impressive, Linore Burkard!”
DIANA FLOWERS, Amazon Reviewer
“ANOTHER EXCELLENT READ FROM MS. BURKARD. ..I was transported through time. ..I have read this book several times and it never gets old. I only keep books that I know I will re-read. This is one of those books that will continue to grace my shelf.” J.BLAIR, Amazon Reveiwer
“I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS STORY. Linore has the ability to transport her readers to 1813 so we can really feel we are part of this story... This is the kind of story you will want to read over and over again. I recommend all of Linore's books to anyone who loves Christian fiction, and to those who love a good regency romance.”
LORI ALCORN, Amazon Reviewer
“WOW, SHE'S DONE IT AGAIN. I'm not getting any sleep since I discovered this author...I find myself actually “being” in the room with her characters--not just a voyeur! In this book, her second in the series, the abduction scenes are thrilling one minute, hysterical the next--and sometime so very endearing that they bring tears to my eyes. She is an amazing “Rake” writer. Philip Moray is my favorite rake of all time. Linore puts me in mind of Marion Chesney, and even sometimes of the Queen, Miss Heyer. What a find to discover this
talented author.”
HARDT2, Amazon Reviewer
“DELIGHTFUL! “The House in Grosvenor Square is a delightful mixture of flowing narrative, clever dialogue, period adventure, and Regency descriptions that will make you want to read every book Linore ever writes!” MOLLY NOBLE BULL, Author of Sanctuary
“ABSOLUTELY WORTH READING. This book constantly had me on the edge of my seat. She kept you guessing at every turn wondering what was going to happen next. I truly hope she keeps writing books like these. I now am a major fan. TRISHA STORTS, Amazon Reviewer
“INSPIRING INDEED. I was pleasantly surprised to stumble on this series while looking for period romances. Had no idea it was a Christian romance, but don't take this to mean that there is no toe-curling emotion involved. Just what I needed. Very uplifting and highly recommended. I could hardly put it down.” DEE INGRAM, Amazon Reviewer
“JUST AS GOOD AS THE FIRST, WHICH IS RARE. Simply exquisite, from beginning to end. Full of charm and lush with period detail, the author really outdid herself. After reading this book and it's predecessor, Linore Rose Burkard definitely is at the top of my favorite authors list. I love how it feels like Jane Austen, but has more details and insight into the characters minds. A charming, entertaining, and encouraging read. Unlike a lot of sequels I've read, this one was just as good as the first!” SHIRLEY CHAT, Amazon Reviewer
“WONDERFUL BOOKS. Love every minute of this series. I wish there were more books. I fell in love with the characters and it makes me want to keep reading more and more about their lives.”
CASSANDRA HARTMAN, Amazon Reviewer
“WHAT A TREAT! I downloaded this book for my Kindle as soon as I finished the first book. What a treat! I am hooked on Ms. Burkard's novels and cannot wait to get the next one.”
DAUGHTER OF THE KING, Amazon Reviewer
“VERY COMPELLING BOOK. The House in Grosvenor Square is a very compelling book, just as the first book, Before the Season Ends is. Both of these books kept me up until 2 AM two nights in a row. (I read books all the time, and this is a rare occurrence!)”
MARLENE H., Amazon Reviewer
“JUST DELICIOUS! This book is just delicious and I ate it right up! I can only hope and pray that Linore has many more plans for Ariana and Philip so I can keep visiting them over and over again!” JANNA R. RYAN, Amazon Reviewer
“MORE, PLEASE! This book will keep you on the edge of your seat, flipping the pages as fast as you can, until the very end! ...These characters are so real to me, and I find myself hoping there's at least one more book starring Ariana and Phillip Mornay. I can't bear to let them go! MELANIE DICKERSON, Author
“A DELIGHTFUL MIX OF HUMOR, ROMANCE, AND SUSPENSE. Burkard has perfected the art of mistaken identities and misconstrued messages making the plot zip with humor and fun, along with a more serious suspense plot as well. She juggles the romance, faith, humor, and suspense easily; I absolutely couldn't put this book down.”
CHRISTINA LOCKSTEIN, Amazon Reviewer
“A REALLY FUN BOOK TO READ. Linore Rose Burkard weaves wonderfully complex dramas that make you want to go and read all your Jane Austen books as soon as you close the cover of hers. Highly recommended.” NOVEL TEEN REVIEWS
“AS DELIGHTFUL AS THE FIRST! This book has everything that the first one had, and perhaps even more! Adventure, romance, spiritual depth and on top of them all, a wedding!! I loved, loved, loved it!” M.C. FRANK, Amazon Reviewer
“LOVED IT. The mayhem that occurs in this book is astounding. I loved when they are all going to each other's houses, and missing each other by seconds. It was truly comical. This whole series had delighted me, and I am eagerly awaiting book three,
The Country House Courtship.”
TAMMY, Amazon Reviewer
“EVEN BETTER THAN BOOK ONE! I'm usually a great puzzle solver and can predict plot twists, but Linore actually surprised me a few times. I love that! The action kept pace all the way until the end...didn't lull out for the conclusion. I highly recommend this series.” M.C. PEARSON, Author
“LINORE ROSE BURKARD TAKES US AWAY AGAIN! I lost sleep reading this book, I couldn't put it down. A great read that goes by all too fast... The same wonderful clothes, language, and characters--a book you'll talk about to all your friends! I know I did!” SWEET ROMANCE FAN, Amazon Reviewer
“THE CONTINUATION OF A GREAT STORY. This book is Suspenseful Christian Regency Romance at its best.” J. WELP, Amazon Reviewer
All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the authorʼs imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to events or locales, is entirely coincidental.
To Gina G.,
Fun-loving, honest understanding friend,
multi-talented, praying woman
and shopping-buddy—
I love you, dear “bestie.”
THE HOUSE IN GROSVENOR SQUARE
Copyright ©2018 by Linore Rose Burkard
Published by Lilliput Press LLC, Ohio
Burkard, Linore Rose
ISBN 978-0-9989663-7-3 (pbk.)
ISBN 978-0-9989663-1-1 (ebk)
1. Fiction—Romance 2. Regency Romance--Fiction 3. Christian Romance—Fiction
2rd Edition.
This updated edition is based on the original text of The House in Grosvenor Square Copyright © 2009
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the express prior permission of the publisher.
Cover by DerangedDoctorDesign
Fleuron beneath chapter headings from Vecteezy.com
Printed in the United States of America.
They tell me I must bruise
The rose's leaf,
Ere I can keep and use
Its fragrance brief.
L.B.Cowman
Chapter One
Mayfair, London
1813
Inexplicable. There was no other word for Mr. Phillip Mornay’s behaviour to her that morning, and Ariana Forsythe could think of naught else unless it changed. Soon.
He sat across from her in the plush black coach, his usual dark-haired faultlessly handsome self, but not his usual self at all. He had barely looked at Ariana or any of the occupants in his upholstered coach-and-four with its high steppers since he'd come for them earlier at Hanover Square. In the past this would have been perfectly expected behaviour for Mr. Mornay, whose taciturn nature was well known. But since Ariana's betrothal to him last month, he had been wonderfully affectionate in his looks and manner. Something was amiss. With the wedding only two weeks away, Ariana found his aloofness intolerable.
She surveyed him in hopes of being rewarded with his warm gaze or little smile, but he only continued staring out the coach window (a thing he never did) appearing to be morosely preoccupied with his own thoughts. Still she studied him, for her betrothed after all, was considered among the ton to embody such heights of manly perfection that they called him the Paragon. And even Ariana, who had little patience for matters of dress, found herself sometimes in awe of him.
Today he sported a twin-tailed frock coat, buff pantaloons and polished black boots. His cravat, always a triumph, puffed lightly out from an embroidered white waistcoat; and a stylish beaver hat framed a smooth-shaven face with its neat mouth, thick brows and beautiful, dark eyes. Everything he wore looked new whether it was or not. All told, the Paragon was an imposing character; a man one did not ignore or take lightly.
“Tomorrow is the day I shall see the full of your house, is it not?” Ariana asked. She had been in Mr. Mornay’s town mansion in Grosvenor Square before, but this time she and Aunt Bentley were to get a tour, top to bottom, since she was soon to be its mistress.
The dark eyes flicked at her, and she felt a twinge of satisfaction.
“It is.”
She smiled to hold his attention but he looked away abruptly. Mr. Mornay often studied her when they were together. She was so used to finding the dark warm gaze upon her, in fact, that she felt abandoned to be deprived of it now. Have I done something to displease him?
They were en route to the London Orphan Society’s Chapel to attend a fundraising service. A lady much celebrated for her dramatic readings from Scripture would perform. Ariana had received the invitation with encouragement to invite anyone of her acquaintance. Consequently, in addition to herself and her beloved, there were four other occupants in the carriage this morning. Ariana's younger sister, Beatrice, just turned twelve, sat on her left, and her aunt and chaperon for the season, Mrs. Agatha Bentley, was to her right. Across from the ladies were Mr. Peter O’Brien, Mr. Mornay, and Mr. Pellham.
Mr. O’Brien, a future cleric, was invited because Ariana could not deny her younger sister’s imploring requests to include him. He was an acquaintance of Ariana’s but also an ardent admirer—a quality which did not endear him to Mr. Mornay. Beatrice, for better or worse, had rashly promised to marry Mr. O’Brien as soon as she reached a marrying age. She’d done this to assuage his disappointment at not winning her elder sister’s hand, and, though Ariana doubted whether Mr. O’Brien would ever wish for that event, he had been happy to accept today's invitation.
Mr. Pellham, a most amiable gentleman, was recently betrothed to Mrs. Bentley—a fortuitous turn of events, Ariana felt, since now she and her aunt both looked forward to marrying the man they loved. Looking at Phillip afresh, she determined she would bring him out of his brown study!
And then he suddenly turned and addressed her: “Did I mention I shall be occupied after the service? For the rest of day, in fact.”
Ariana's large, tan eyes sparkled into bluish-green as they tended to do whenever her feelings were stirred. “No, sir, you mentioned nothing to me.” She gave him a look laden with perplexity, which he responded to only with a brief, “Haven’t I? Well, I’ve done so, now.”
Oh, dear. He is utterly not himself! Or has he taken a disgust of me?
The carriage fell silent while Ariana decided how to answer him; until Beatrice let out a sudden loud sneeze. “Achoo!” The twelve-year-old folded her handkerchief and looked about apologetically. Beatrice had recently joined Ariana at Aunt Bentley’s townhouse in London, to stay until the wedding.
Mrs. Bentley gave the girl a severe look. Her delicately lined face wrinkled in disapproval while she pulled her gloves more tightly onto her hands.
“How long have you had that nasty sneeze?” she asked. “Do you have an ague?”
“No, no, I assure you!” Beatrice cried. Yet she had to stop and quickly cover her mouth and nose with her handkerchief to allow a second “Achoo!” to escape.
“Bless you,” said Mr. O’Brien, which brought a blinking smile to Beatrice’s young face.
“Humph!” murmured Mrs. Bentley, deciding to send the girl at the soonest convenience back to Chesterton and her family. She would not allow Ariana to contract a cold. Not with the wedding this close. Why, since the day Mr. Mornay had asked for her niece, there had been one vexation after another, each more threatening than the last, each liable to ruin the man’s hopes—and her own, for she wanted nothing more than to see the couple wed.
Her own niece, after all, fresh from the country, had unwittingly captured the heart of London’s most famous bachelor—the Paragon! He possessed three of the highest virtues of the English upper class: sartorial elegance, figure, and (most importantly to that class) a fabulous fortune. His un
expected match to her niece, a debutante, was famous—a coup d’etat, to be sure. Not since the Regent himself wed Caroline of Brunswick had there been such a general anticipation of a marriage.
In any case, she must not let a mere ague put a damper on the plans. If Ariana were to fall ill, she might raise an objection. The girl was far too liable to raise objections—that had been the trouble from the beginning. What if she were to wish for a postponement? Mrs. Bentley’s nerves couldn’t stand for it.
A sudden nasty odour pulled her from her thoughts.
“Oh, dear,” she murmured, turning to the Paragon. “Where is this orphan society? We are getting into neighbourhoods that I cannot like.”
The dignified streets of Mayfair were behind them, and now the roads were muddy and crowded with carts and working-class people. Child vagabonds could be seen huddling in doorways. Pedestrians stopped what they were doing to watch the shiny black coach with its high-steppers, and try to get a glimpse of the dignitaries who must be inside such a vehicle.
Ariana sat back. She had seen enough of the poor and indigent in London to know that compassion alone did nothing to help their plight. She had welcomed today’s invitation precisely because of her wish to help London’s less fortunate citizens. This had been a desire of her heart since coming to the metropolis earlier in the year. Her world had become a disheartening juxtaposition of unbelievable wealth against a backdrop of the ever-present poor.