{"id":252930,"date":"2026-07-13T02:28:37","date_gmt":"2026-07-12T23:28:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/1kitap1.com\/en\/a-love-most-daring-joanna-barker\/"},"modified":"2026-07-13T02:28:37","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T23:28:37","slug":"a-love-most-daring-joanna-barker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1kitap1.com\/en\/a-love-most-daring-joanna-barker\/","title":{"rendered":"A Love Most Daring – Joanna Barker"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Whatever the reason, it gave me the opportunity to inspect him from beneath lowered lashes. I hadn\u2019t seen him in such formal clothing since the dinner party at the Traverses\u2019, and I hadn\u2019t properly appreciated it then. The man certainly filled out a dinner jacket. He caught me looking and raised one brow. I refused to be embarrassed and simply broadened my smile. \u201cThank you for showing me the water garden today, Mr. Rawlings,\u201d I said, perhaps louder than I needed to, but I wanted to ensure Mrs. Rawlings took notice.<\/p>\n

\u201cBriarstone has some very pretty land about.\u201d Mr. Rawlings narrowed his eyes slightly, as if knowing precisely what I was doing. Which would have been interesting since I wasn\u2019t even fully sure. I simply wanted to remind Mrs. Rawlings that she was not the only one with a claim on her son\u2019s time. \u201cOf course,\u201d he said. \u201cI would hate to have you wander off and get lost.\u201d Stroud entered the drawing room, regretfully cutting off my pert response.<\/p>\n

\u201cDinner is served.\u201d Mrs. Rawlings made to stand, but Stroud stepped forward. \u201cIf I may have a moment of your time, ma\u2019am?\u201d Mrs. Rawlings paused. \u201cYes, what is it, Stroud?\u201d He turned to Mr. Rawlings as well. \u201cI should like to address you both, actually. I just had word that my sister in Bath is ill. She begs that I come and see her back to full health.\u201d Heavens, what a prospect. Disapproving, contrary Stroud acting as a nursemaid?<\/p>\n

I could think of nothing worse for someone suffering with a serious illness. \u201cI wondered if you might allow me to go to her,\u201d he said, bowing his head deferentially. \u201cNo more than a week. The under butler should be able to manage in my place, though I realize this is quite the imposition.\u201d \u201cNo, no.\u201d Mrs. Rawlings waved him off. \u201cYou must go to her. Family comes before all, does it not?\u201d She cast Mr. Rawlings a meaningful glance, which he pretended not to notice.<\/p>\n

\u201cSir?\u201d Stroud turned to Mr. Rawlings. He nodded. \u201cBy all means. Just be sure your duties will be attended to in your absence.\u201d We stood to go into the dining room, and as I passed Stroud, I cast him a sidelong glance. He was already watching me, his expression cool and unreadable. A chill ran over my skin, a strange premonition. As if Stroud\u2019s leaving had something to do with me. I hurried after Mrs. Rawlings. That was preposterous, I told myself. Stroud disliked me, but that did not mean everything he did related to me in some way.<\/p>\n

We seated ourselves at the table, and dinner proceeded in a most awkward manner.<\/p>\n

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Praise for Joanna Barker \u201cI loved this blend of intrigue, wit, and romance. Enemies to lovers doesn\u2019t get better than this!\u201d \u2014Julianne Donaldson, best-selling, award-winning author of Edenbrooke and Blackmoore \u201cHistorical romance readers, prepare to be riveted! Joanna Barker penned an immersive plot with an intriguing mystery and a slow-burn romance that entrances.<\/p>\n

The sparkling prose will steal your breath, while the evocative plot twists keep you turning the pages. A Love Most Daring is simply stunning.\u201d \u2014Rachel Scott McDaniel, award-winning author of The Dreams We Knew \u201cI\u2019m a complete weakling for a broody hero with a tender heart, and Joanna Barker created a winner in her newest book, A Love Most Daring. This romantic Regency delight sprinkles suspense into the world of \u201cexiled\u201d Beatrice Lacey and Bow Street officer Alexander Rawlings.<\/p>\n

The story is filled with fun dialogue and mystery, but the reluctant romantic Alexander Rawlings steals the scenes and proves that not only is his stubborn heart worth winning, but this Regency romance is also worth reading.\u201d \u2014Pepper Basham, award-winning author of Sense & Suitability \u201cUnique characters and a fast-paced mystery add flavor to this sweet romance.\u201d \u2014Publishers Weekly, for A Heart Worth Stealing \u201cBeguiling. Pairs an unusual independent young woman with a compelling investigator to captivating effect.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2014Foreword Reviews, for A Heart Worth Stealing \u201cVerity is a unique and admirable heroine, and readers will fall for Nathaniel\u2019s tender side.\u201d \u2014Library Journal, for So True a Love \u201cThe sparring of Verity and Mr. Denning is crisp with underlying respect and growing attraction. . . . For those who relish Regency romances of the respectable sort, Joanna Barker delivers again.\u201d \u2014Historical Novel Society, for So True a Love 1kitap1.com\/en Other Books by Joanna Barker A Heart Worth Stealing So True a Love Otherwise Engaged Secrets and Suitors Miss Adeline\u2019s Match The Truth About Miss Ashbourne All Hearts Come Home for Christmas 1kitap1.com\/en Cover art: \u00a9 Lee Avison \/ Trevillion Images Book design: \u00a9 Shadow Mountain Art direction: Garth Bruner Design: Heather G.<\/p>\n

Ward \u00a9 2026 Joanna Barker All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing\u00ae, at permissions@shadowmountain.com. The views expressed herein are the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the position of Shadow Mountain Publishing.<\/p>\n

This is a work of fiction. Characters and events in this book are products of the author\u2019s imagination or are represented fictitiously. No part of this work may be used or reproduced in any manner for the purpose of training artificial intelligence technologies or systems. Visit us at shadowmountain.com Proper Romance is a registered trademark. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Barker, Joanna L., 1990\u2013 author Title: A love most daring \/ Joanna Barker.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This is a short excerpt from the opening of “” by Unknown, quoted for review and introduction purposes. All rights belong to the copyright holders.<\/em><\/p>\n

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