Title Hugh – Sons of Sagamore
Author Ruth A. Casie
Genre Medieval Romance
Publisher Dragonblade Press
Book Blurb
Family secrets filled with intrigue, treachery, and a 30-year-old murder must be resolved or he'll lose her forever.
Hugh Talbot is a self-made man who built his fortune one coin at a time. One of the wealthiest men in England, people vie to be his client. He is a loyal man who is instinctive and decisive by nature and bases his business on honesty and trust. An eligible bachelor sought after by every mother with a single daughter, he has no interest in a relationship, until he falls wholeheartedly in love with Charlotte.
Lady Charlotte Eden and her father recently from France have taken up residence at their long-neglected family estate in England. A methodical well-organized archery champion she is introduced to Hugh by a mutual friend. His support of her archery endears him to her, add his honesty and good humor and she is doomed. Theirs is not a budding romance. It is in full bloom.
When Hugh introduces Charlotte the daughter of Lord Miles Eden, the Earl of Sagamore to his family, a decades old scandal filled with intrigue, treachery, and murder comes to light. Hugh’s family is turned upside down when his father announces he is the true Earl of Sagamore who had denounced his title and legacy and that his uncle Lord Miles Eden, was killed in a duel three decades ago.
His world in shambles, Hugh’s loyalty to his family will be tested when he must decide if blood is thicker than water.
Excerpt
“You enjoyed yourself. Did Jane win any games?” John accompanied Hugh on his walk home.
“Don’t change the subject. You’re mad if you don’t investigate Charlotte’s family. Granted, the girl is bright, witty, and lovely, but what do you know about her or the Edens?”
“You worry too much,” Hugh said, as they walked on.
“I’ve never seen you like this. You. Who investigates each person who approaches you to determine if you’ll do business with them and this, something that will impact your life forever, let me say that again, f-o-r-e-v-e-r, and you dismiss the idea.”
“You would investigate my own brothers.” Hugh slapped him on the back and continued on.
“I would if a defunct earldom became suddenly activated by a man who appeared out of nowhere after being absent thirty years. What better way for him to line his pockets than to marry off his only daughter to one of the wealthiest men in England?”
“John, you’re seeing conspiracies where none exist.”
“You are a man who makes money on his reputation and quick decisions. Humor me. Let me nose around. I hope I find nothing, and afterward I will know I did everything to protect you.”
“I gathered all the information about the earl that I need. After the tragic death of his older brother and his entire family, Miles succeeded to the earldom. He relocated to France to be with his wife’s family, the Cantrelles, and managed the Sagamore estate from afar. Five years later, Juliet, his wife, died – leaving him with Charlotte. Following the death of his wife’s parents, he and Charlotte returned to England. His finances enhanced by a modest inheritance from the Cantrelle estate appears to be healthy but limited. The majority of the estate was left to Charlotte.”
“Who provided you with that information? Charlotte?”
“No. Lord Falin came to my office before I returned to Glen Kirk and mentioned his daughter pouted about me spending time with Charlotte. He spoke of the Edens. Of course, he didn’t give me explicit financial information about the earl.”
“Falin is not the most reliable source,” John said. “Now there’s an odd man. With a daughter of marriageable age and access to one of the wealthiest single men in England. I can understand him not getting involved in encouraging a relationship between you and Martha, but his wife? I think Lady Falin would be a mother with a mission.”
“Please, not Martha. She’s a lovely woman, but I’m not interested in her as a companion.”
Martha wasn’t even a lovely woman. She irritated him showing up at odd places and being somewhat underfoot. He could only imagine what he’d have to contend with if she had her mother’s help.
He glanced at John. Could his friend be right, about looking into the Edens’ background?
“You have that smug expression.”
“What smug expression?”
“The one that says you intend to investigate the Edens and Falin whether I ask you to or not.”
“I prefer not to keep it a secret from you. I’ll report back to you if I find anything about either one.”
They stood in front of Hugh’s home.
“Come in for a drink?”
“Not tonight. I did enjoy the evening. I do think Charlotte is lovely and wonderful, and I hope I find nothing.”
“You needn’t explain. I understand you’re looking out for my best interests. Just don’t get annoyed when I tell you I told you so.”
“I would never forgive myself if something happened to you because I didn’t follow my instincts. Speak to you tomorrow.” The deep lines on John’s face faded, replaced by a tired smile.
John’s relief startled him. They were boyhood friends, and while he had a knack for making money, John’s gift was finding information nobody wanted found.
Hugh entered the house and stood at the library window. He watched the retreating figure of his close friend and business partner disappear into the growing evening fog. John was right, of course. Too much was at stake. However, no matter what John found, nothing would stop him from marrying Charlotte.
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Author Biography
RUTH A. CASIE is a USA Today bestselling author of historical swashbuckling action-adventures and contemporary romance with enough action to keep you turning pages. Her stories feature strong women and the men who deserve them, endearing flaws and all. She lives in New Jersey with her hero, three empty bedrooms and a growing number of incomplete counted cross-stitch projects. Before she found her voice, she was a speech therapist (pun intended), client liaison for a corrugated manufacturer, and vice president at an international bank where she was a product/ marketing manager, but her favorite job is the one she’s doing now—writing romance. She hopes her stories become your favorite adventures. For more information, please visit RuthACasie.com or visit her on Facebook, @RuthACasie, Twitter, @RuthACasie, or Pinterest RuthACasie.
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