Book excerpt: Terrified of men from a young age, Lady Tabitha Maxwell has hidden in the shadows nearly all of her life. Tabby has since grown beyond that fear, but she still prefers the safety the darkness offers, especially since she has no wish to do as her father commands and marry her reprobate cousin. Her anonymity has also allowed her to cultivate a very successful – and extremely secret – career as the notorious gossip columnist, Lady A. Lord Joshua Bradford, the second son of the Marquess of Nye, is in something of a bind. A former navy man, Josh has been summoned home after his wastrel brother, Giles, perishes in a duel, leaving Josh as the heir. Now, Josh is in need of a wife – quickly – since it is quite possible Giles already sired an heir with an unsuitable woman. The task of finding a bride, however, would be a good deal easier if Josh could convince Lady A to cease writing about him in her infernal column. One night, Josh discovers Tabby’s secret and threatens to expose her. If he reveals the truth about Lady A, he can stop the rumors and finally find a proper wife. However, doing so will cost Tabby everything and leave her an outcast, something he isn’t certain he desires. Does Josh remain silent about what he knows, reveal the truth, or can he make a deal with the notoriously skittish Tabby and force her to find him a suitable bride so that they can both have what they most desire? This 131,500 word novel is written in the modern, Regency romance style for a slightly hotter and sexier read. It may not be appropriate for younger audiences.