A Slight Indiscretion

Rogues & Gentlemen #12

by Emma V. Leech

When his older brother and father die in quick succession, Fitzwilliam ‘Will’ Lancaster finds himself Marquess of Henshaw. It is a role he has secretly coveted and spent his entire life preparing for. Unlike his predecessors, he has determined that his name be one worthy of respect, one with no shameful shadow, not even the faintest hint of anything scandalous.
And then Miss Selina Darling crashes into his life.
Miss Darling mixes in artistic circles, her friends are poets and painters and writers, and glamorous characters who are not entirely respectable. Miss Darling also has the unfortunate habit of saying exactly what she thinks, without thinking about what she’s saying. The only man in her life who adores her without reservation is her scandalous father, Mr ‘Bertie’ Darling, beloved of opera singers and pretty bits of muslin throughout London.
When the Marquess does the gentlemanly thing and rescues Selina from a tricky situation, things go quickly awry. The only way to avoid being the scandal of the century is to marry the wretched creature though it’s the last thing he wants. Before he knows what’s hit him, Will discovers himself married to a girl without an ounce of propriety and a penchant for embarrassing him in public with her dreadful friend.
Try as she might, Selina cannot stay out of trouble nor find any way of pleasing her dour and determined, joyless husband. Yet she’s sure there is another man hiding beneath his impeccably tailored clothes, just itching to get out … if only she could reach him.

***NOTE: This book and series contains mild swearing and mildly graphic and descriptive sex scenes - NOT erotica***

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Regency, Regency Romance, Historical Fiction, Fiction

296 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 15, 2018

About the author

Bestselling author hiding mostly in 19th-century England, venturing out only for chocolate and tea.

Emma V. Leech is the award-winning author of multiple bestselling series across Regency romance, Regency mystery and paranormal romance. Fall in love with swoon-worthy rogues, bold heroines, witty banter and deeply romantic happily-ever-afters. Follow Emma on BookBub for new releases and exclusive deals.

EMMA’S BOOKS

Rogues And Gentlemen
Regency romance – 17-book series (ongoing)
Sexy, tumultuous and irresistibly romantic. From pirates and smugglers to earls and dukes, these unforgettable rogues will sweep you away!

Winter Rogue
A Regency Christmas romance within the Rogues & Gentlemen world
A scandal-weary earl, a runaway heiress and a crumbling country estate snowed in for Christmas. A sensual, heart-tugging holiday novella about redemption, desire and a love neither of them expects.

A Rogues and Gentlemen Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
A collection of three romantic holiday stories featuring beloved Rogues & Gentlemen characters. Expect snowstorms, sizzling tension, unexpected proposals, mistletoe moments and heart-melting happily-ever-afters – a cosy festive escape for Regency romance lovers.

The Girl Is Not For Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
Miss Olivia Penrose is the only thing standing between her family and ruin when a brooding aristocrat crashes into her carefully laid plans. Sparks fly amid family secrets, snowy scandals and irresistible festive longing in this passionate, witty and deeply romantic winter read.

Girls Who Dare
Regency romance – 12-book series
Inside every wallflower is the heart of a lioness. When these overlooked young women make a pact to change their lives, rules are broken, reputations are risked and love becomes the most daring adventure of all.

Daring Daughters
Victorian romance – 19-book series and two compilations
The next generation of the Girls Who Dare. Their mothers risked everything for love – now their daughters are ready to be even bolder. An ongoing series of fiercely romantic stories set in a rapidly changing world.

Wicked Sons
Victorian romance – 12-book series
Their mothers dared all for love. Their sisters did the same. Now it’s the sons’ turn… dangerous, tempting and determined not to fall – until the right woman brings them to their knees.

The Venturesome Ladies Of Little Valentine
Regency romance – my current series
A quiet seaside village, a wave of scandalous newcomers and local ladies who refuse to be swept aside. A warm, witty Regency series full of secrets, second chances and delicious enemies-to-lovers romance.

The Regency Romance Mysteries
Regency romantic suspense – 3-book series
Dashing heroes, wicked villains, murder, mystery – and heroines who refuse to sit prettily and wait to be rescued. Perfect if you like your Regency romance served with danger and intrigue.

The French Vampire Legend
Paranormal romance – 4-book series
A dark, dramatic and heart-wrenching tale of courage, sacrifice and a love that not even time, war or monsters can destroy. Gothic atmosphere, high stakes and a romance that refuses to die.

The French Fae Legend
Fantasy romance – 4-book series
An award-winning saga with close to sixteen million online reads. Moving between modern-day France and the Fae Lands, these books weave powerful magic, danger and an all-consuming love that proves stronger than any enchantment.

The Book Lover
A standalone paranormal romance novella
A book-obsessed young woman, an infuriatingly charming stranger and the unnerving sense that stories might be bleeding into real life. A short, intensely romantic tale for anyone who has ever fallen in love with books… and perhaps with something not entirely of this world.

Reviews

[Debbie DiFiore · Rating 5 out of 5]

So different yet so good

I loved this book. Selena is the daughter of a scandalous Father who is accidentally compromised by an uptight, morally self righteous, broken soul of a man and a Marquess. His back story was sad but the things he said and did on the way to love made me cringe sometimes and outright cry at others. The cast of characters is so different and unusual that it startled me at first, but by the end I scored each and every one of them. I hope they are in other stories for sure. This is my first time reading this author and it sure won't be my last. I absolutely enjoyed it. And don't even get me started on Eric the emu!! Lol. Truly entertaining.

[Barbara Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a interesting story. The author used her imagination when she created the characters in this book. Each one so different from the next. A stuffy gentleman that believed that everyone should be prime and proper. No excuses, just manners and a stiff back for every situation that comes his way. A lady that was free and easy, being brought up with painters, poets and an a lady friend that dressed as a man. When these two individuals collided the world came to a skidding halt. This is a wonderful and interesting story to read. I really enjoyed reading it.

[Mary Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel, a freebie, was an easy, safe read that provided good escape. I did feel that the author had two major climaxes in the novel and would have been better with more planning the plot.

[Holly Bargo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unusual and all the better for it

It's not often that I don't quite know how to review a book, but this one has me stumped. Despite the occasional information dump, it's well-written. The characters are unusual and refreshing. The hero begins as a self-righteous, humorless orig and evolves. The heroine isn't perfect, but she's the inspiration for his evolution. This isn't your typical romance, but it's a good one.

[SassyLeg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here we have a "reversed" roles romance: the hero is uptight - "starchy" and committed to clean his family's name from the sins of his dead relatives.
Unfortunately he "crashes" against the heroine: outspoken - independent and "scandalous".
Good banter and steam.
Enjoyable.

[Lana Birky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed this whole series & I hope it keeps going on & on - there are so many endearing characters that you want to know their stories. I love the humor is this book & it really was the funniest historical romance I can remember reading.

Fitzwilliam ‘Will’ Lancaster finds himself Marquess of Henshaw after the death of his older brother & father. Will has spent his life wanting & preparing for this title & will make sure the family name gains back respectability with no scandalous behavior, unlike his brother & father. Miss Selina Darling has grown up with a father whose friends are actors, opera singers, painters, poets & courtesans - she has learned to be totally honest in speaking (sometimes not thinking how it may affect other people). Will rescues Selina when her carriage crashes during a storm & they have to find shelter & are discovered by friends, servants & family the next morning - this requires Will to do the honorable thing & marry Selina. Well, this is when all the fun begins with scandalous friends, a prig of a Marquess, our outspoken heroine - Will & Selina are so opposite in so many ways & the amusing dialog, actions & changes begin. Emma Leech has written a really different plot but what a breath of fresh air it way & the main & secondary characters were all so great. I highly recommend this book & all the books in this series!

[Beebs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just, I want to like this book. It has angst galore, for sure. It's very well written. I like it overall, but it has maybe a bit too much of showing how mismatched they are, and not enough showing why TF they should stay together.

The problem is that the author seems to have gone to so much trouble to show that this couple is mismatched and have many problems to overcome that they come across as entirely incompatible to the point of not even rooting for them to be together because they make each other so miserable. And the problem is that each one of them has perfectly legit reasons for being the way they are, and the problem is not that they're not bending enough, it's that they got married to each other. Each of them would be the perfect spouse for an entirely different person, but their personalities just do not match.

They don't even match in the bedroom, and I don't see any way in real life this marriage could be saved, because again, neither of them is wrong in the way they feel, and the ways they feel about and approach life are equally valid- they're just entirely different and in opposition to each other.

He has past trauma and shame around sex, has very deeply felt ideas about how ladies and gentlemen should act in the bedroom, and is very plain vanilla regarding sex. She is open about her desires, wants to be more adventurous and explore their sexuality, etc., and is open to doing more... idk vanilla bean-like? stuff (oral, seeing each others' bodies, lights on, ya know, the hard stuff lol). Each of them causes the other to feel inadequate and wrong, and there are few easy real life ways to navigate that because they can't give each other what the other wants in bed. He wants a sweet, demure, shy lover who needs to be encouraged; she wants a man who is wild about her & wants to have wild monkey sex. Not easily resolvable.

It's perfectly fine to want peace and quiet, and not have random people wandering about the place at all hours, and not like having unexpected visitors every day, constant chatter and activity and drama, and it's also perfectly fine to want to socialize and have interesting, artistic friends, and discuss art and politics and whatnot till the wee hours.

But two people who have those wants deeply ingrained are not going to fare well together and have a happy, loving marriage.

Yeah sorry- I can't even root for this couple. They are both great people who deserve to have happy lives, and the author has convinced me thoroughly that that's not going to happen with each other. I'm actually going to be sad when they get together in the end because both of them will have to change fundamental things about their personalities, or one of them will have to change entirely to match the other, and that's not cool.

[Martha B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indiscretion is in the eye of the beholder.

What matters most to Lord Fitzwilliam Lancaster, the fifth Marquess of Henshaw is his reputation within the ton of London society. Which, in the estimation of those who know him, makes Will a prig. Still, he just can't seem to help himself. Which is why marrying Selena Darling makes absolutely no sense, and could even be considered disastrous.

A Slight Indiscretion is one of those character-driven novels that gets better with each page. Although I usually like Emma Leech's books, I was not certain such would be the case when I started this one. I'm glad I stuck with it because I was rewarded with a sweet and tender story, even though the hero is less than likable throughout most of the story. Ms. Leech certainly packed a lot of emotion into Selena and Will's (eventual) love story, If nothing else, the ending is very special and satisfying.

Content 411: The sexual content is not overly descriptive, but there is both secular and religious swearing.

[Pontiki · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a lot going on in this book that makes it interesting. Will is so uptight because his romanticism was quashed by his father when he was young. Selina is a complete romantic, an artist, growing up in her father’s house, where there were lots of parties with artists.

They are compromised, so must marry, but Will is too rigid and judges much about Selina unfairly. This includes her friends, her sexual appetite, and her behaviour with the ton.

As they work through their differences, Will must face feeling betrayed by his best friend, a cross dressing woman, and help a gay couple, whom he eventually understands and accepts.

Lots of good moral issues are addressed in the context of Victorian England, and I enjoyed how this was handled by Veech.

Love this series of novels, glad there are so many to read.

KU

[P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gentlemen at their best

Miss Selina Darling, daughter of Bertie Darling, who is a sponsor to many artists. Parties, and poverty is Berties specialty. Selina leaves the latest party by borrowing a friends carriage in a nasty storm. Lord Fitzwilliam (Will) Lancaster, fifth Marquess of Henshaw home because of his father and brothers deaths. He was supposed to be the spare! Will needs to settle the debts owed by his family members. He meets his youngest brother Ben at his gambling establishment to discuss his next move.

Ben convinces Will to attend a party given by Bertie Darling. Will finds the gathering packing and leaves early and finds Selina`s overturned carriage. He carries her to a nearby woodcutters hut and they both stay the night together. Being discovered, the Marquess offers for Selina to save her reputation.

[E Oygard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another complex hero. Well done.

Another success for Emma V Leech. I enjoyed Will's character, older brother of Lord Benjamin Lancaster from a previous book. As a Marquess, Fitzwilliam (Will) Lancaster has a reputation to uphold. Priggish, dull and never putting a foot wrong, yet inside lonely and vulnerable (although of this he is unaware), until his path crosses with that of Selina Darling friend of artists and poets. Discovered in a compromising situation Will' sense of honour compels him to propose marriage.

I enjoy stories where the hero is not a straightforward handsome, dashing hero full of capability and brashness. Will's character has been damaged at a young age and resulted in a standoffish, correct person with a certain understanding of how gentlemen and ladies should behave. This makes the story interesting. Well worth a read.

[Vania Nunes · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most unlikely couple finds themselves imprisoned for being caught in a compromising situation.

Fitzwilliam Lancaster, the Marquess of Henshaw, was a man who lived according to the principles of morality and good conduct, unlike his father and older brother. Even though he thought of finding a wife to have a lukewarm marriage and produce heirs, never in a million years did he think that he would end up marrying Miss Selina Darling, the daughter of a dissolute man who had been disinherited when he married an actress, and whose parties he hosted were known for having artists, poets and people of low morals as guests.

But Will and Selina get married, and until they can smooth out the rough edges of coming from such different worlds and standards, the chemistry of desire between them will be their blessing and curse.
3,5 stars

[mary dewan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed. Lovely story but unfortunately the heroine was a spoiled brat. A decent, wealthy, handsome lord offers for a young woman after he tries to save her from a runaway carriage. He is a bit of a prig but a passionate one. He marries her and saves her ne'er do well father who has gambled away monies for her family residence. Then the book degenerates into him apologizing for being himself--proper, rigid, reliable and honorable. Handsome to boot. She doesn't have to change but he does and does. Any sane woman would not bemoan her fate but would work hard to ease his starchiness with joy and love--not only with her friends or what she wants. Over and over all concessions are his.... so the intriguing love story becomes one of his self-abnegation. A shame.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will is determined not to cause any scandal. His father and brother have already done enough of that. When he inherits the title from his father, he sets out to fix the problems they had caused. He is just starting to think about a wife when he meets Selina. He make a rude comment to her and several comments to her detriment about her but within her hearing. He apologizes to her but she refuses to accept it. You are saying your sorry because you feel guilty that you got caught not that your sorry you made the comment. I do not accept your apology. So of course they get caught in a compromising situation.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can a ridgid Marquess change?

I really enjoyed this book. An accident and a bad thunderstorm force Will, the Marquess of Henshaw, and Selena Darling to take shelter for the night. No keeping this a secret. The next morning family and friends show up and Will is committed to offer marriage. Poor stuff shirt Will keeps messing up. His wife is a free spirit with friends who are artists, poets, actors and Will has a hard time getting over ridgid society rules. Falling in love is never easy and can get pretty messy. An emotional rollercoaster with a box of tissues close by.

[Kotori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its not me, its you.

complicated, tortured hero repressed by his past & desiring to conform to societal expectations.
heroine a free wheeling liberated individual who has friends from the lower society of poets and artists .
plotlines address an Oscar Wilde type relationship situationship.
hero is constantly painted as a prig, and demonised, but really, was it that bad?.
idk it was decent enough but slightly annoying the superior moral tone basically political correctness and morality police invade regency England.
The story was still a sweet romance.

[Clarie Giselle Speights · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read

I really enjoyed reading about Will and Selina. Though I must confess I wanted to throttle Will for his stuffy and judgmental behavior. Selina is a far braver woman than me for she withstood his sometimes cold and cruel behavior. But the reason I like this book so much because it showed the complexities of human nature. And how will thoroughly redeem himself. I didn’t give this story four stars because it requires some editing.

[Miriamgreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

a seesaw of fun and angst with great characters
the blurb covers most except for the unacceptable treatment of the marquess to his wife when he distances himself from her
the friendship between her best friend-cross dresser and her husband is quite the most interesting plot, as well as her husband coming to the rescue of the 'molly' artist. Marquess finally learns that the only indiscretion is nonacceptance.

[sandy forguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will and Selina"Luna"

Well written with exceptional characters. selina is a free spirit unlike Will who is kind of stuffy due to his up bringing by his father who was overbearing .As their lives come together Will has to overcome his trust issues and demons from his pasts. They get their HEA and firm a bond that time will not break Would highly recommend this series and author. hope to see if Archie will ever get her own book . :)
.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

first half was terrific but…

I loved the first part of this novel, the interplay between Selina and Will, and how Will let his guard down, was moving and well done. But the second half of the book is subsumed by a blackmail plot that has nothing much to do with their story and I skimmed the pages. When Emma is on form, her novels are excellent, but this one missed the mark for me.

[Phil Ellenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

It keeps the good times flowing

Ms.Veech does just that! Her stories are always fun. Along with fun are some wonderful insights to this journey we call life. It is a delight when,even in cameo rolrs,you glimpse one or
more of the characters in her and your universe. It makes her books a must read.

[Angelsheild Angelsheild · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well rounded

I chose this book because it was free, and sounded fun. However, after having read it, I realize how good this book really is. It is Full of a wide assortment of characters, and a main character that is not afraid to live and let live. Highest compliments to this author!

[Laura Cozicar · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful little story with a few twists and turns. Two very different people are forced into a relationship due to a tragic turn of events. Despite all their differences, they are drawn to each other. It was entertaining to read as they overcome multiple obstacles and come together. Amusing characters fill out this sweet story. Can be read as a stand-alone.

[Susan Saltos · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually liked the side characters more than the main characters. Salina was okay. I didn't like Will at all. Sure, he was bullied, but he's so set in his ways it's hard to see him able to change. The fact that he did at the end was a bit unbelievable considering his brother, Ben, had been trying to tell him for years how he was acting. He wouldn't listen to his brother, but he did a woman he barely knew? He didn't even really get to know her at all. They barely spent time together. So, an okay read with great side characters, who I look forward to reading about more in future books.

*** it is better to read this series in order as side characters reappear in and out throughout different books. ***

[Vivian Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book

This was one of the funniest historical romances I’ve ever read! Will and Selina are polar opposites, yet Selina never is for loss for amusing comments! Well written, enjoyable and funny!

[Rosene Staples · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eccentric!

The story told many words of the life that speaks to me.. I personally loved poetry and arts, and this book is a genius example.. So smart and honest that I feel like it giving me advice instead of reading just another novel..

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. A mix of Artists, painters and loyal friends.A marriage to save face to a stuffy gentleman. His father and brother died leaving him Marquess of Henshaw.Well done Emma.Loved this book.Your mix of characters was fantastic.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

An array of colorful characters

This is a wonderful funny loveable story with characters who will steal
Your heart, they are considered eccentric by ton standards.
They will teach a certain Marquis what it means to have real friends
And love
Thank you ❤

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read

Always like the humor this author displays in her characters and stories. This one had quite a few colorful characters too. The happy ending ending and delightful epilogue was the finishing touch

[Judy Hornaday · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several of Emma's books now, enjoying each, but THIS ONE is FABULOUS!! You've got to read it. Perhaps a bit slow initially, but as you get into it, it gets better and better, and becomes STUNNING!