Winning what you want may cost you everything you love…
Persephone Sheridan guards precious cargo.
Her years as the caretaker of a comatose elderly noblewoman had always been uneventful. Until the day Lady Humbertson woke and bestowed upon her a mission that was never meant to be her own.
With a title that he never wanted for himself, Silas Galashields, Earl of Dornham, bears the guilt of … Dornham, bears the guilt of his brother’s death. When a stormy night brigs a strange young woman right outside his door, he offers her shelter. Not realizing that he’s offering shelter to the darkness she carries with her.
Worlds apart and yet bound by the red thread of fate, they trudge the line between bliss and ruin.
When Persephone’s horse is found poisoned, the message is clear: the people she loves are next. Desperate to protect Silas from the shadow that follows her, she makes a grave decision: reveal the secret that Lady Humbertson entrusted to her. A bloody tale sealed in a scroll, older than the Crown itself…
*If you like powerful Dukes, loving Duchesses and a marvelous depiction of the majestic Regency and Victorian era, then The Silent Curse of the Red Countess is the novel for you.
This is Patricia Haverton’s 8th novel, a historical Regency romance novel of 80,000 words (around 400 pages). No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a sweet happily ever after.
Pick up “The Silent Curse of the Red Countess” today to discover Patricia’s captivating story!
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This book jumps right in with the suspense with Penny and Poppy caring for Lady Humbertson, she has been in a trance like state since her son died years ago. The physicians don’t know why she hasn’t come back but she certainly is getting the best care the two girls can give her.
When she refuses the medicine from Poppy and then later Penny, she speaks with an urgency to Penny, telling her to take a scroll and the money with it to her former maid. She also insisted she leave immediately and tell no one.
Penny steals a draft horse and rides barely eating and sleeping, until she has not choice but to try to sleep under a bush. A farmer finds her and brings her to the Manor of Silas Galashields the Earl of Dornham. He is appalled at her state and makes certain of her comfort before he himself retires with a persistent headache. He gives her a letter to give the innkeeper so she has a place to spend the night before completing her journey.
Things don’t go as she expected they would and she ends up robbed by the former maid’s son and her horse Bessie had spooked and run. With no other recourse she heads back to accept a position with the Earl of Dorham.
As Silas is enjoying an afternoon ride he spots Bessie without her rider concerned he doesn’t see Penny, he mounts Bessie and leads his own horse heading to the Inn he had arranged for her.
With a position secured where she can also keep her horse, Penny finds herself spending more and more time with the Earl. There appears to be a forbidden attraction between them. She knows as well as he such thoughts are frivolous.
Things escalate quickly and Penny’s secrets will soon be unveiled, just not quite the way she thought they would.
These two are definitely made for one another, and it’s the Earl’s cousin’s attraction to a dairy maid that makes him realize it as all the puzzle pieces finally start coming together.
A Fast-paced, enjoyable, romantic and suspenseful tale.
I really enjoyed this book. I love the two romance stories of the upper class falling in love with servants and not caring about the difference in their stations in life. Love is the only thing that matters. I love the loyalty Persephone shows to Lady Humberton and the caring relationships between the young carer and the elderly Lady despite her being unresponsive. Despite the danger the Lady has placed her in her her loyalty never waivers. I loved the characters in this book. I highly recommend this book
Persephone (Penny) Sheridan is a really interesting and likeable character. She is truly a good person. And the way she cared for Lady Humberton and her loyalty to her even after her passing is remarkable.
Silas Galashields, Earl of Dornham, is someone that inherited the Earldom after his older brother passed away. He does not have a lot of faith in his ability to perform his duties but, luckily, his cousin Jordan is there to help him. If he can only stop drinking.
When Silas and Penny meet, there is an instant connection but Penny is still bent on getting the scroll Lady Humberton entrusted her with to Mabel. When that doesn’t work out, her path again crosses with Silas. Or rather Bessie’s path does the crossing.
Silas hires Penny even though his household is fully staffed. Thankfully Penny is good with herbs and able to use her skills to help out Silas and others in the household.
This book is very, very twisty. Just when you think you have figured out the secret of the scroll, that goes out the window. And the attraction between Penny and Silas makes things awkward for them in regards to the other staff.
I highly recommend this book. You will really enjoy the way the story unfolds. Looking forward to rereading it again.
I received an ARC of this e-book to read and write an honest review. I also purchased a digital copy of the published book.