What do you think?
Rate this book
A Time for Scandal
Lady Penelope Harwood is just trying to do the right thing—so why exactly is Lord Standon getting in the way?Flattered when the enigmatic Lady Spencer befriends her, Lady Penelope is only too happy to help her new friend escape a conniving suitor. But the beautiful widow Spencer is not all she seems. Her connections to the exiled Stuart court stir up old rumours about the allegiance of Penelope’s father, and scandal soon threatens the Harwood family.
Lord Standon is tired of Society. Boring misses and dull gatherings are to be endured rather than enjoyed—that is until he comes across Lady Penelope talking to a portrait… Headstrong and unpredictable, her captivating blue eyes won’t leave his thoughts. But when he tries to dissuade her from bad company, she is less than amenable to his advice, and soon he fears she’ll be heading for total disaster.
Will the capable young Penelope learn to accept help before complete ruin? And has Lord Standon finally found a woman worth winning?
Travel back to the 1730s in this prequel novella to the Ladies of Worth series and meet Penelope before she became the sharp-witted Lady Etheridge. Journey with her as she learns lessons about life and love that give her the wisdom to guide the young lovers in the later books of the series. For here is where it all began...
Lord Standon is tired of Society. Boring misses and dull gatherings are to be endured rather than enjoyed—that is until he comes across Lady Penelope talking to a portrait… Headstrong and unpredictable, her captivating blue eyes won’t leave his thoughts. But when he tries to dissuade her from bad company, she is less than amenable to his advice, and soon he fears she’ll be heading for total disaster.
Will the capable young Penelope learn to accept help before complete ruin? And has Lord Standon finally found a woman worth winning?
Travel back to the 1730s in this prequel novella to the Ladies of Worth series and meet Penelope before she became the sharp-witted Lady Etheridge. Journey with her as she learns lessons about life and love that give her the wisdom to guide the young lovers in the later books of the series. For here is where it all began...
184 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2025
2 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Philippa Jane Keyworth
15 books114 followersPhilippa Jane Keyworth, also known as P. J. Keyworth, writes historical romance and fantasy novels you'll want to escape into.
She loves strong heroines, challenging heroes and backdrops that read like you're watching a movie. She creates complex, believable characters you want to get to know and worlds that are as dramatic as they are beautiful.
Keyworth's historical romance novels include Regency and Georgian romances that trace the steps of indomitable heroes and heroines through historic British streets. From London's glittering ballrooms to its dark gaming hells, characters experience the hopes and joys of love while avoiding a coil or two! Travel with them through London, Bath, Cornwall and beyond and you'll find yourself falling in love.
Keyworth's fantasy series The Emrilion Trilogy follows strong love stories and epic adventure. Unveiling a world of nomadic warrior tribes and peaceful forest-dwelling folk, you can explore the hills, deserts and cities of Emrilion and the history that is woven through them. With so many different races in the same kingdom it's become a melting pot of drama and intrigue where the ultimate struggle between good and evil will bring it all to the brink of destruction.
She loves strong heroines, challenging heroes and backdrops that read like you're watching a movie. She creates complex, believable characters you want to get to know and worlds that are as dramatic as they are beautiful.
Keyworth's historical romance novels include Regency and Georgian romances that trace the steps of indomitable heroes and heroines through historic British streets. From London's glittering ballrooms to its dark gaming hells, characters experience the hopes and joys of love while avoiding a coil or two! Travel with them through London, Bath, Cornwall and beyond and you'll find yourself falling in love.
Keyworth's fantasy series The Emrilion Trilogy follows strong love stories and epic adventure. Unveiling a world of nomadic warrior tribes and peaceful forest-dwelling folk, you can explore the hills, deserts and cities of Emrilion and the history that is woven through them. With so many different races in the same kingdom it's become a melting pot of drama and intrigue where the ultimate struggle between good and evil will bring it all to the brink of destruction.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 30, 2025
Lord Standon's boredom with society is checked when he finds a young lady apparently conversing with a portrait in an otherwise-deserted library at a ball - and when she defies embarrassment to respond snarkily, his attention is definitely caught. But nothing is ever simple with Penelope, as he soon learns. Her warm heart leads her to befriend a woman who threatens ruin to her family by her Jacobite associations, but she refuses to turn her back on a woman who apparently needs her help, whatever Lord Standon says. Can he extricate Penelope from her predicament without alienating her - the woman he's coming to see he loves?
A delightful mix of banter, mystery, friendship, action and romance that was far too hard to put down. I loved getting to know Penelope, appreciating her forthrightness but also her compassion - not to mention her sense of humour. And Lord Stanton is great in the way he does his best to look out for her even when she pushes him away. Of course, it's good to have a villain, and this story doesn't disappoint - fortunately they get what's coming to them, like any good villain! The historical background is also interesting and woven in neatly to be part of the story without taking over or requiring a lecture to understand. For what it's worth, this didn't feel like a prequel to me (in a good way) - it's a complete standalone story, which, yes, happens to share a character with subsequent books, but at a later stage in life. All in all, a great read and I'm looking forward to seeing what the author writes next! Recommended.
Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.
A delightful mix of banter, mystery, friendship, action and romance that was far too hard to put down. I loved getting to know Penelope, appreciating her forthrightness but also her compassion - not to mention her sense of humour. And Lord Stanton is great in the way he does his best to look out for her even when she pushes him away. Of course, it's good to have a villain, and this story doesn't disappoint - fortunately they get what's coming to them, like any good villain! The historical background is also interesting and woven in neatly to be part of the story without taking over or requiring a lecture to understand. For what it's worth, this didn't feel like a prequel to me (in a good way) - it's a complete standalone story, which, yes, happens to share a character with subsequent books, but at a later stage in life. All in all, a great read and I'm looking forward to seeing what the author writes next! Recommended.
Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.
May 31, 2025
A Time for Scandal: a book worth waiting for!!
Yes! This book was absolutely worth waiting for - from the first paragraph I couldn’t put it down - I had to find out what was going to happen! It is truly delightful. The story flows so smoothly that it doesn’t seem like a story at all - because I felt like I was a part of it! It was gentle, but NOT boring!
The interactions between Lord Standon and Lady Penelope made me laugh (and even cry!) repeatedly, an important measure of a book in my opinion. I was drawn into the story as soon as I began to read, the descriptions made me feel like I was right there - at the ball, on (and in!) the lake - in every situation I was able to truly experience this novel!
One word of warning: I made very little progress on my ‘to do’ list once I began reading. There is suspense, and I was transported to another time and place - and didn’t want to come back when it ended!
Fortunately, it doesn’t have to end: I’m off to re-read the Ladies of Worth series, where Lady Etheridge (Penelope) goes on to play a role in the lives of young lovers featured in those books.
Yes! This book was absolutely worth waiting for - from the first paragraph I couldn’t put it down - I had to find out what was going to happen! It is truly delightful. The story flows so smoothly that it doesn’t seem like a story at all - because I felt like I was a part of it! It was gentle, but NOT boring!
The interactions between Lord Standon and Lady Penelope made me laugh (and even cry!) repeatedly, an important measure of a book in my opinion. I was drawn into the story as soon as I began to read, the descriptions made me feel like I was right there - at the ball, on (and in!) the lake - in every situation I was able to truly experience this novel!
One word of warning: I made very little progress on my ‘to do’ list once I began reading. There is suspense, and I was transported to another time and place - and didn’t want to come back when it ended!
Fortunately, it doesn’t have to end: I’m off to re-read the Ladies of Worth series, where Lady Etheridge (Penelope) goes on to play a role in the lives of young lovers featured in those books.
May 7, 2025
With the magic of imagination and the skill to draw the reader back into history the author has spun an intriguing narrative.
I enjoy a historical fiction when it allows me to be immersed within the pages and I find myself wanting to do my own research to gain a deeper understanding of the period written about.
This book did both for me. I learned more about the Jacobean period and the Pretender. I greatly enjoyed the hero and his persistence to help as well as follow his heart.
The heroine was guided by her compassion but was soon embroiled within a plot!
The author does a fantastic job of keeping to the period while giving the reader intrigues and danger to sort out. There is also humor and romance to round it all out.
I recommend this book and author immensely!
I received an ARC copy of the book and all opinions are my own,
I enjoy a historical fiction when it allows me to be immersed within the pages and I find myself wanting to do my own research to gain a deeper understanding of the period written about.
This book did both for me. I learned more about the Jacobean period and the Pretender. I greatly enjoyed the hero and his persistence to help as well as follow his heart.
The heroine was guided by her compassion but was soon embroiled within a plot!
The author does a fantastic job of keeping to the period while giving the reader intrigues and danger to sort out. There is also humor and romance to round it all out.
I recommend this book and author immensely!
I received an ARC copy of the book and all opinions are my own,
May 7, 2025
Penelope had a deceased father who was involved with the Jacobite cause which put her mother, sister and her under a cloud of scandal. Lord Roderick becomes intrigued with Penelope after witnessing strange behavior by her while he is hiding away from marriage mind ladies and their daughters. What she was doing at that time along with her apparent association with a traitorous widow and his ongoing intrigue with Penelope ends up getting him involved in the ensuing situations Penelope gets into. Ultimately after overcoming all the possible scandals she and her family could end up being a part of they find their hea together
Added note …for those who prefer clean reads you will definitely enjoy this story
Added note …for those who prefer clean reads you will definitely enjoy this story
June 29, 2025
A beautifully written historical romance. I enjoyed reading about the interactions between the characters of Lord Standon and Lady Penelope as they became aquainted with one another and later worked together to thwart the plans of the evil Lady Spencer and Count Feccio. This novella has it all romance, intrigue, deceit, blackmail and historical settings and references. A very engaging and enjoyable read!
May 9, 2025
This is my voluntary review of a copy I was given.
The main female character, Lady Penelope, is young and naive... and stubborn... and protective.
The main male character, Lord Standon, is at least as stubborn and protective.
He likes her spunk, but her naivete drives him nuts, as does her distrust of him.
I loved how their story worked out. This was an enjoyable read.
The main female character, Lady Penelope, is young and naive... and stubborn... and protective.
The main male character, Lord Standon, is at least as stubborn and protective.
He likes her spunk, but her naivete drives him nuts, as does her distrust of him.
I loved how their story worked out. This was an enjoyable read.
May 30, 2025
A lovely clean story filled with historical information and language. That alone is worth it's weight in gold. Then add in Lord Standon and Lady Penelope, two outstanding characters who must find their way through suspension, possible treason issues and more. A fast paced story that will capture both your imagination and well as your heart.
May 9, 2025
This book was thoroughly enthralling from start to finish, full of mystery, intrigue, suspense and, of course, romance. Another fabulous story by Philippa Jane Keyworth!
June 8, 2025
enjoyable
June 13, 2025
È la stessa autrice di 'Fool me twice'? Non posso crederlo! Una storia melensa, improbabile, congegnata in modo puerile, scritta mediocremente...
Non so più a cosa credere
Non so più a cosa credere
June 9, 2025
I have a hard time with novellas in general as they move so quickly, and I don’t feel like there is enough time to get to know the characters well enough to evoke much depth of emotion. However, that being said, this one was well written, and I enjoyed the interactions between Lord Standon and Lady Penelope. I also liked the bit of history and the author’s use of the mode of speech used during the time period; some words I had to look up, and the glossary included at the end was very beneficial. Thanks to the author, I received a complimentary advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews