How to Catch a Wicked Viscount (The Disreputable Debutantes)

How to Catch a Wicked Viscount (The Disreputable Debutantes)

A young lady's tarnished reputation might cost her everything in this first book in the Disreputable Debutantes series.  Shy, bookish Sophie Brightwell is expected to make an advantageous match to improve her family's fortunes. However, Sophie's plans to make a spectacular debut go horribly awry when she and her three closest friends are expelled from a young ladies' academy for unbecoming conduct. Since the ton will be sure to close their doors on these disgraced debutantes, they determine that unconventional means need to be employed in the husband-hunting market. Rakehells—the beau monde's wickedest members—might be the only men willing to overlook a young lady's besmirched reputation.    But how does one catch a rake? Nate Hastings, the devil-may-care Viscount Malverne, is the older brother of Sophie’s best friend, fellow disgraced debutante Lady Charlotte. When a terribly foxed Nate accidentally compromises Sophie, Charlotte strikes a wicked bargain: in order to avoid a scandal and the parson's mousetrap, Nate must help Sophie snare a husband. But as Nate fulfills his obligation and begins to instruct the lovely Sophie in the art of luring rakes, he soon finds himself battling his own fierce attraction to her. Praise for HOW TO CATCH A WICKED VISCOUNT: “In the stellar debut of her Disreputable Debutantes series, Bennett makes the Regency historical seem fresh and new through her vividly rendered settings, which display her impeccable command of the glittering world of the  ton ; her perfectly matched protagonists, whose potent sexual chemistry evolves into sizzling love scenes; and her expertly graceful, tartly witty writing.”— Booklist (starred review) "Readers will enjoy this expertly executed Regency with likable characters. A well-written start to a historical romance series full of rakes and the women who love them."— Kirkus Reviews  "Bennett delivers a fun start to a new Regency series in which embracing one’s bad reputation yields some pretty good results."— Library Journal "Amy Rose Bennett's HOW TO CATCH A WICKED VISCOUNT is delightful Regency romance infused with heat, energy and glamour. Bennett effortlessly captures the ingredients that make Regency romance so compelling to readers:  sparkling dialogue, passion, and the elegant ballroom manners that mask the danger and risks that lie just beneath the surface."—Amanda Quick, New York Times bestselling author "A sweet and spicy read full of sly wit and rich with delicious details that pull the reader into the scene. A delightful confection of ballroom banter and bedroom seduction.”  —Sally MacKenzie,  USA Today  bestseller “Amy Rose Bennett is a fresh new voice in historical romance with a flair for historical atmosphere. In HOW TO CATCH A WICKED VISCOUNT she introduces us to a set of lively characters embarking on a fun, lighthearted, tried and true reader favorite romp.”—Anne Gracie "Sexy, sweet, romantic and funny, How to Catch a Wicked Viscount will steal your heart away. Amy Rose Bennett is a charming new voice in historical romance."—Anna Campbell Amy Rose Bennett is an Australian author who has a passion for penning emotion-packed historical romances. Of course, her strong-willed heroines and rakish heroes always find their happily ever after.   A former speech pathologist, Amy is happily married to her very own romantic hero and has two lovely, very accomplished adult daughters. When she’s not creating stories, Amy loves to cook up a storm in the kitchen, lose herself in a good book or a witty rom-com, and when she can afford it, travel to all the places she writes about. ***This excerpt is from an advance uncorrected copy proof*** Copyright © 2019 Amy Rose Bennett   Chapter One Disreputable debutantes in the making! A shocking scandal of epic proportions at a certain London school for ‘Young Ladies of Good Character’ shakes the ton . Does your genteel daughter attend such a den of iniquity? Read on to discover ten things one should consider when choosing a reputable academy... The Town and Ton Tatler: The Society Page   Mrs. Rathbone’s Academy for Young Ladies of Good Character, Chelsea, London. Midnight, 1st February 1815   “Heavens. Take care, Charlie.” Sophie Brightwell winced as her friend entered her bedroom and carelessly pushed the door shut with her slippered foot. The resultant bang was decidedly too loud in the relative silence of the dormitory wing of the Chelsea townhouse. “You’ll wake Mrs. Rathbone for sure. If she finds out what we’re up to...” Sophie couldn’t suppress a shiver. Lady Charlotte Hastings—or Charlie to her friends—threw her a disarming smile as she deposited a band box of contraband and a battered leather satchel on the end of the single bed. “Don’t worry so, darling Sophie,” she said as she untied the black satin ribbon securing the box’s lid with a flourish. “I just passed her bedchamber and she was snoring like a hold full of drunken sailors.” Arabella Jardine, who was pe