Georgie Lee - Miss Marianne's Disgrace

‘If you agree to come here and play the piano for me I can create another story.’

He smiled with all the charisma he employed to woo patrons in London, hoping she wouldn’t dismiss the idea outright.

She laced her arms beneath her breasts and stepped back, the cynical schoolmarm returning. ‘And what instrument do you hope I’ll play afterwards? I’m not Madame de Badeau, a woman to be hired as a mistress.’

He didn’t blame her for being cautious. Once he’d achieved fame, the number of people he could trust had shrunk significantly.

‘I don’t want a mistress but a muse.’

It was difficult to look at her and not think of twining his hands in her golden hair, tasting her pink lips as they parted beneath his and freeing those glorious breasts from their prim confines. He’d better not concentrate on them if he wanted to win her co-operation and keep himself free from distraction and bankruptcy.

‘I need you.’

Author Note Author Note Title Page About the Author Dedication Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Extract Copyright

Miss Marianne’s Disgrace is about overcoming the past to build a better future. Marianne, who made her first appearance in Rescued from Ruin, is a talented piano player, and I wanted to explore how music allows her to cope with a difficult life. To help me craft her scenes I dipped into my childhood piano lessons experience. I never mastered the instrument, but all the hours I spent at my parents’ antique Bösendorfer finally came in handy.

My inspiration for Sir Warren came from reading about Sir Walter Scott, the famous novelist, and from medical history.

Scott teetered on the verge of losing everything he’d earned when he became entangled in a publishing scheme and sank into crippling debt. He was determined to pay it off through his writing, and achieved his goal mere months before he died. Unlike Scott, Sir Warren’s near bankruptcy is the result of another’s scheming, but his desire to pay back investors on his own is similar to Sir Walter Scott’s. I modelled Priorton on Scott’s beloved Abbotsford.

Sir Warren’s background as a Navy surgeon was inspired by my research for a historic battlefield medicine class that I teach. Life as a Navy surgeon in the time before anaesthesia was bloody and nerve-racking, and it seemed like a good way to torture an artistic soul.

Through their burgeoning love Marianne and Warren help each other overcome their pasts and build a future together. I hope you enjoy Miss Marianne’s Disgrace.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

A lifelong history buff, GEORGIE LEEhasn’t given up hope that she will one day inherit a title and a manor house. Until then she fulfils her dreams of lords, ladies and a Season in London through her stories. When not writing, she can be found reading non-fiction history or watching any film with a costume and an accent. Please visit georgie-lee.comto learn more about Georgie and her books.

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To all the writers who struggle through challenges

to achieve their goals.

Contents

Cover

Introduction ‘If you agree to come here and play the piano for me I can create another story.’ He smiled with all the charisma he employed to woo patrons in London, hoping she wouldn’t dismiss the idea outright. She laced her arms beneath her breasts and stepped back, the cynical schoolmarm returning. ‘And what instrument do you hope I’ll play afterwards? I’m not Madame de Badeau, a woman to be hired as a mistress.’ He didn’t blame her for being cautious. Once he’d achieved fame, the number of people he could trust had shrunk significantly. ‘I don’t want a mistress but a muse.’ It was difficult to look at her and not think of twining his hands in her golden hair, tasting her pink lips as they parted beneath his and freeing those glorious breasts from their prim confines. He’d better not concentrate on them if he wanted to win her co-operation and keep himself free from distraction and bankruptcy. ‘I need you.’

Author Note Author Note Author Note Title Page About the Author Dedication Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Extract Copyright Miss Marianne’s Disgrace is about overcoming the past to build a better future. Marianne, who made her first appearance in Rescued from Ruin, is a talented piano player, and I wanted to explore how music allows her to cope with a difficult life. To help me craft her scenes I dipped into my childhood piano lessons experience. I never mastered the instrument, but all the hours I spent at my parents’ antique Bösendorfer finally came in handy. My inspiration for Sir Warren came from reading about Sir Walter Scott, the famous novelist, and from medical history. Scott teetered on the verge of losing everything he’d earned when he became entangled in a publishing scheme and sank into crippling debt. He was determined to pay it off through his writing, and achieved his goal mere months before he died. Unlike Scott, Sir Warren’s near bankruptcy is the result of another’s scheming, but his desire to pay back investors on his own is similar to Sir Walter Scott’s. I modelled Priorton on Scott’s beloved Abbotsford. Sir Warren’s background as a Navy surgeon was inspired by my research for a historic battlefield medicine class that I teach. Life as a Navy surgeon in the time before anaesthesia was bloody and nerve-racking, and it seemed like a good way to torture an artistic soul. Through their burgeoning love Marianne and Warren help each other overcome their pasts and build a future together. I hope you enjoy Miss Marianne’s Disgrace.

Title Page Miss Marianne’s Disgrace Georgie Lee www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author A lifelong history buff, GEORGIE LEE hasn’t given up hope that she will one day inherit a title and a manor house. Until then she fulfils her dreams of lords, ladies and a Season in London through her stories. When not writing, she can be found reading non-fiction history or watching any film with a costume and an accent. Please visit georgie-lee.com to learn more about Georgie and her books.

Dedication To all the writers who struggle through challenges to achieve their goals.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

England, September 1820

The crack of shattering porcelain cut through the quiet. Miss Marianne Domville whirled around to see Lady Ellington, Dowager Countess of Merrell, on the floor amid shards of a large chinoiserie bowl. Moments ago the bowl had been resting on the edge of a table while Lady Ellington had walked about the room, admiring the Italian landscapes adorning the panelling.