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Bancrofts Of Barton Park #2
Running from Scandal
Emma Bancroft used to pride herself on her sensible nature, but good sense flew out the window during her first Season in London! Her reputation and her belief in true love in tatters, she reluctantly returns home to Barton Park. David Marton is trying to live a quiet life—until Emma comes sweeping back. With whispers of scandal all about her, he knows she will never be the right woman for him, but sometimes temptation is just too hard to resist…
283 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
10 people are currently reading
220 people want to read
About the author
Amanda McCabe
253 books166 followersaka Laurel McKee (Amanda Carmack)
Amanda wrote her first romance at the age of sixteen--a vast historical epic starring all her friends as the characters, written secretly during algebra class (and her parents wondered why math was not her strongest subject...)
She's never since used algebra, but her books have been nominated for many awards, including the RITA Award, the Romantic Times BOOKReviews Reviewers' Choice Award, the Booksellers Best, the National Readers Choice Award, and the Holt Medallion. She lives in Oklahoma with a menagerie of two cats, a Pug, and a very bossy miniature Poodle, along with far too many books.
When not writing or reading, she loves taking dance classes, collecting cheesy travel souvenirs, and watching the Food Network--even though she doesn't cook.
Amanda wrote her first romance at the age of sixteen--a vast historical epic starring all her friends as the characters, written secretly during algebra class (and her parents wondered why math was not her strongest subject...)
She's never since used algebra, but her books have been nominated for many awards, including the RITA Award, the Romantic Times BOOKReviews Reviewers' Choice Award, the Booksellers Best, the National Readers Choice Award, and the Holt Medallion. She lives in Oklahoma with a menagerie of two cats, a Pug, and a very bossy miniature Poodle, along with far too many books.
When not writing or reading, she loves taking dance classes, collecting cheesy travel souvenirs, and watching the Food Network--even though she doesn't cook.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 2, 2015
We first met Emma and David in The Runaway Countess, about Emma's sister Jane. This book takes place several years later. Emma eloped and lived to regret it, as her husband turned out to be a gambler and wastrel. After his death she has returned to Barton Park to put her life back together. David is a neighbor who has known Emma for a long time. He was attracted to her long ago, but considered her too frivolous and married someone else. That woman died while running away with a lover, leaving David with their five year old daughter. The attraction is still there between them, but neither one considers it a good idea.
I liked Emma very much. She admitted to the mistakes she made in the past and is determined to overcome them. She has a fair amount of pride and hates the idea of having to go to her sister for help. Rather than live in the main house, Emma has moved into one of the estate cottages. She is settling in there when she meets David again. She remembers him as a very stiff man, very proper and one who appeared to look down on her all those years ago. Her initial impression is that he hasn't changed at all. When she sees him again on several occasions she begins to think that he isn't as bad as he appears on the surface, especially when she sees him with his daughter. She really takes to the little girl, who reminds her a lot of herself, when she sees how much Beatrice likes to read. David asks Emma to give his daughter lessons while he searches for a governess. I loved seeing how Emma and Bea had so much fun together and how it helped Bea return to the happy little girl she had been before her mother's death. The lessons also put Emma and David in contact more often. Emma found that, when David relaxed his attitude, he could be a lot of fun and that they had more in common than she expected. She was also very attracted to him. As her feelings started to change and grow she faced the fact that because of her rather scandalous past she could never be the kind of woman David would want as a wife and mother for Bea. She was really down on herself about it. It only got worse when her husband's cousin showed up, trying to collect money owed to him. He was not a nice man at all and his presence just reminded her of what couldn't be. I loved the ending and seeing the way that David convinced her of his love.
David had always been on the serious side, except for a brief period in his youth. He had seen the problems that excessive emotion could cause and he wanted nothing to do with it. He took his sister's advice when he picked his wife and lived to regret it. Now he has brought his daughter home to the country as he starts to build a new life away from London. He worries about Bea, who has changed into a very quiet and withdrawn child. He knows he should eventually marry again and plans to choose his next wife very carefully. While he is drawn to Emma he considers her to be too much to make the kind of wife he needs. He is being "encouraged" by his sister to look at a friend of hers. He isn't really interested because his sister had been so off the last time, plus Bea doesn't like the woman at all. He can't believe how quickly Bea has gotten attached to Emma but can also see the positive changes in her. I loved his slow realization that being around Emma makes him happy in a way he had never known before. He also develops a protectiveness toward her that wants to save her from her problems. I loved his rescue of her from the ruins and his conversation later with Emma's brother-in-law. The scene at the assembly is great as he shows Emma just what she means to him.
One of the things I loved most about this book was the way it showcased a love of reading. Emma had always been a bookworm and I really enjoyed her visits to the local bookshop. It got even better when she decided she wanted to own it when the current owner retires. It also gave her a marvelous way to relate to Bea. It was fun to see them talk about books and the way that Emma encouraged Bea's interests.
I liked Emma very much. She admitted to the mistakes she made in the past and is determined to overcome them. She has a fair amount of pride and hates the idea of having to go to her sister for help. Rather than live in the main house, Emma has moved into one of the estate cottages. She is settling in there when she meets David again. She remembers him as a very stiff man, very proper and one who appeared to look down on her all those years ago. Her initial impression is that he hasn't changed at all. When she sees him again on several occasions she begins to think that he isn't as bad as he appears on the surface, especially when she sees him with his daughter. She really takes to the little girl, who reminds her a lot of herself, when she sees how much Beatrice likes to read. David asks Emma to give his daughter lessons while he searches for a governess. I loved seeing how Emma and Bea had so much fun together and how it helped Bea return to the happy little girl she had been before her mother's death. The lessons also put Emma and David in contact more often. Emma found that, when David relaxed his attitude, he could be a lot of fun and that they had more in common than she expected. She was also very attracted to him. As her feelings started to change and grow she faced the fact that because of her rather scandalous past she could never be the kind of woman David would want as a wife and mother for Bea. She was really down on herself about it. It only got worse when her husband's cousin showed up, trying to collect money owed to him. He was not a nice man at all and his presence just reminded her of what couldn't be. I loved the ending and seeing the way that David convinced her of his love.
David had always been on the serious side, except for a brief period in his youth. He had seen the problems that excessive emotion could cause and he wanted nothing to do with it. He took his sister's advice when he picked his wife and lived to regret it. Now he has brought his daughter home to the country as he starts to build a new life away from London. He worries about Bea, who has changed into a very quiet and withdrawn child. He knows he should eventually marry again and plans to choose his next wife very carefully. While he is drawn to Emma he considers her to be too much to make the kind of wife he needs. He is being "encouraged" by his sister to look at a friend of hers. He isn't really interested because his sister had been so off the last time, plus Bea doesn't like the woman at all. He can't believe how quickly Bea has gotten attached to Emma but can also see the positive changes in her. I loved his slow realization that being around Emma makes him happy in a way he had never known before. He also develops a protectiveness toward her that wants to save her from her problems. I loved his rescue of her from the ruins and his conversation later with Emma's brother-in-law. The scene at the assembly is great as he shows Emma just what she means to him.
One of the things I loved most about this book was the way it showcased a love of reading. Emma had always been a bookworm and I really enjoyed her visits to the local bookshop. It got even better when she decided she wanted to own it when the current owner retires. It also gave her a marvelous way to relate to Bea. It was fun to see them talk about books and the way that Emma encouraged Bea's interests.
February 6, 2015
I received this book for free from Goodreads First Reads. It came in the mail yesterday. I read it from the moment I received it until early this morning.
I really enjoyed this book and it was very believable, sometimes the course of true love does not run smooth. Sometimes we let the past dictate our future and we almost ruin our present and future because we are so focused on the past and the hurt we received.
This is the story of Emma Bancroft and David Marton. Emma & David met years ago and were attracted to each other but they married other people who made their lives miserable. The only good thing out of David's marriage was his five year old Daughter Bea but since her mother died she hardly speaks and she doesn't play. David & Emma both return to their homes and meet again and the sparks fly! However they almost let their love slip past yet again because of the hurt they received from the callous treatment of their exes. Bea takes to Emma and the attraction between Emma and David is too strong for them to ignore. However, the past comes calling to haunt Emma, as her rakish in-law arrives at her home, and trouble follows. Will the love between David and Emma flourish or die under this new threat? Read to find out!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes historical romance!
I really enjoyed this book and it was very believable, sometimes the course of true love does not run smooth. Sometimes we let the past dictate our future and we almost ruin our present and future because we are so focused on the past and the hurt we received.
This is the story of Emma Bancroft and David Marton. Emma & David met years ago and were attracted to each other but they married other people who made their lives miserable. The only good thing out of David's marriage was his five year old Daughter Bea but since her mother died she hardly speaks and she doesn't play. David & Emma both return to their homes and meet again and the sparks fly! However they almost let their love slip past yet again because of the hurt they received from the callous treatment of their exes. Bea takes to Emma and the attraction between Emma and David is too strong for them to ignore. However, the past comes calling to haunt Emma, as her rakish in-law arrives at her home, and trouble follows. Will the love between David and Emma flourish or die under this new threat? Read to find out!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes historical romance!
April 9, 2014
Ok, easy read. Not exciting enough to keep me reading when I had better things to do.
August 29, 2025
Amanda McCabe delivers another emotionally rich and utterly charming Regency romance with Running from Scandal, a deeply satisfying second installment in the Bancrofts of Barton Park series. This book finally puts Emma Bancroft and David Marton center stage, a pairing I've been waiting for since the previous book. While their path to love is far from straightforward, their chemistry is undeniable.
Emma, with her reputation bruised, returns to Barton Park guarded and weary. David, a widower raising his bright, endearing daughter, is determined to keep his life simple. But Emma's reappearance brings old feelings to the surface, and new ones begin to bloom despite the whispers of scandal that follow her.
What makes this story shine is the nuanced character development and the genuine emotional tension. I loved watching Emma and David navigate their pasts and find their way to each other. David's daughter is a delightful addition, adding warmth and playing a subtle but powerful role in their reunion. McCabe’s writing beautifully captures themes of reputation, redemption, and the quiet resilience of choosing love over societal expectations.
Running from Scandal is a masterful tale of second chances and love that refuses to be silenced. If you enjoy romances where characters truly earn their happy ending, this book will absolutely sweep you away.
Emma, with her reputation bruised, returns to Barton Park guarded and weary. David, a widower raising his bright, endearing daughter, is determined to keep his life simple. But Emma's reappearance brings old feelings to the surface, and new ones begin to bloom despite the whispers of scandal that follow her.
What makes this story shine is the nuanced character development and the genuine emotional tension. I loved watching Emma and David navigate their pasts and find their way to each other. David's daughter is a delightful addition, adding warmth and playing a subtle but powerful role in their reunion. McCabe’s writing beautifully captures themes of reputation, redemption, and the quiet resilience of choosing love over societal expectations.
Running from Scandal is a masterful tale of second chances and love that refuses to be silenced. If you enjoy romances where characters truly earn their happy ending, this book will absolutely sweep you away.
June 6, 2023
Nope
Nothing great
It seems the h still didn't learn her lessons, i really liked her in the first novel but in this it's still shown that she craves excitement n stuff when she keeps on thinking about seeing the hint of recklessness in the H.
I cannot understand her personality nor can i understand her motives as to what she wants to achieve.
I liked the H compared to h.
Nothing great
It seems the h still didn't learn her lessons, i really liked her in the first novel but in this it's still shown that she craves excitement n stuff when she keeps on thinking about seeing the hint of recklessness in the H.
I cannot understand her personality nor can i understand her motives as to what she wants to achieve.
I liked the H compared to h.
April 29, 2020
My be after I have read the book.
January 6, 2016
More towards 3.5 stars
I love that Emma and David are far from perfect. Both had a bad past, and this was reflected accordingly since they have known each other since small.
I find this novel sweet. I love that Emma is a bookish character and she endeavors reading. There are plenty of scenes of Emma in a bookshop and one in a library. Or Emma reading a book or talking with interest.
I do love that both seems human enough. They are not some dashing lords with vast of wealth, and that heroine is not the most darling of beauties, but both really complete each other. Both characters were carefully developed by the author, and I do love that over time, both of them grow and learn from past mistakes.
Emma tries to run away from her past. Broken and widowed because her late husband dies in a duel, she retreats back to her old home in Barton. David, also comes back to Barton to settle with his daughter.
There are plenty of scenes that evoked joy and sadness. One of it, is when Emma recounts on how she has long loves David, and trying to start a new chapter in her life.
I find the snippet of old Bancroft dairy at every chapter boring, and it does not flow well with the story. Hence, 3.5 stars from me
I love that Emma and David are far from perfect. Both had a bad past, and this was reflected accordingly since they have known each other since small.
I find this novel sweet. I love that Emma is a bookish character and she endeavors reading. There are plenty of scenes of Emma in a bookshop and one in a library. Or Emma reading a book or talking with interest.
I do love that both seems human enough. They are not some dashing lords with vast of wealth, and that heroine is not the most darling of beauties, but both really complete each other. Both characters were carefully developed by the author, and I do love that over time, both of them grow and learn from past mistakes.
Emma tries to run away from her past. Broken and widowed because her late husband dies in a duel, she retreats back to her old home in Barton. David, also comes back to Barton to settle with his daughter.
There are plenty of scenes that evoked joy and sadness. One of it, is when Emma recounts on how she has long loves David, and trying to start a new chapter in her life.
I find the snippet of old Bancroft dairy at every chapter boring, and it does not flow well with the story. Hence, 3.5 stars from me
September 13, 2016
When Emma Barton returns to her sister at the family home after her disastrous marriage ended in her husband, an unworthy rake being killed in duel she just hopes for peace an to slip back into village life and avoid gossip.
She didn't think she would meet again the man she admired and was secretly in love with many years before she got married.
But David is nursing a heartache of his own, his wife Maude was having an affair and she died running away with her love when their carriage overturned.
Trying to live down the effects of the affair on both himself and his daughter he vows not to involve himself in any kind of scandal so falling in love with what society would deem an unsuitable widow in the shape of Emma Barton is not high on his list of priorities either but the heart has other ideas.
Can these two scarred, lonely people ever find the courage to be together?
A wonderful and sweet Regency romp for historical novel fans.
She didn't think she would meet again the man she admired and was secretly in love with many years before she got married.
But David is nursing a heartache of his own, his wife Maude was having an affair and she died running away with her love when their carriage overturned.
Trying to live down the effects of the affair on both himself and his daughter he vows not to involve himself in any kind of scandal so falling in love with what society would deem an unsuitable widow in the shape of Emma Barton is not high on his list of priorities either but the heart has other ideas.
Can these two scarred, lonely people ever find the courage to be together?
A wonderful and sweet Regency romp for historical novel fans.
January 30, 2015
They both have pasts they regret but can they learn to love each other. She ran away with a man who died fighting a duel over another woman, he lost his wife to an accident while she was fleeing with her lover. Both of them have doubts about finding true love, after all that's what they believed they had the last time, both of them try to fit into what people want from them, but they're ignoring themselves.
This was fairly predictable but I liked it, they're both damaged people who discover that there might be something that they hold in common. It's an interesting dance they weave between each other.
This was fairly predictable but I liked it, they're both damaged people who discover that there might be something that they hold in common. It's an interesting dance they weave between each other.
February 20, 2025
This was my first book by Amanda McCabe and I found it to be quite enjoyable. I didn't understand why Emma married her husband in the first place, especcially after what happened at school and for that reason being cold with David during their first meeting. Other than that, it was a great introduction to a new to me author. I'll definitely be reading more by Ms. McCabe.
P.S. Bonus points for the bespectacled hero who wears glasses permanently.
P.S. Bonus points for the bespectacled hero who wears glasses permanently.
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December 29, 2014"The prodigal sister returns in this nicely written and sensitive chapter in McCabe's Bancrofts of Barton Park duet. Including a darling little girl, meddling relatives and a bit of suspense, McCabe's story charms readers and gives them an enjoyable, quick read." RT Book Reviews
Miniseries: Bancrofts of Barton Park #2
Miniseries: Bancrofts of Barton Park #2
March 17, 2016
Such a nice finish to Emma's story! I loved reading more about her and David. Sizzling chemistry! Bea was such a sweetie. And Melanie and Phillip both got what they deserved. The only thing that disappointed me was not getting to know what had happened to the treasure, if it actually existed.
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November 2, 2013Miniseries: Bancrofts of Barton Park
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews