Follow My Lead
Table of Contents
PRAISE FOR
The Summer of You
“How many romances really, and I mean
really
, stir the heart? This one did.”
really
, stir the heart? This one did.”
—
All About Romance
All About Romance
“[
The Summer of You
] is about people trying to cope with the everyday aspects of their lives within the walls that those around have built . . . Jane and Byrne grow on you, slowly and surely, and at the end, you can’t doubt that these two are meant for each other.”
The Summer of You
] is about people trying to cope with the everyday aspects of their lives within the walls that those around have built . . . Jane and Byrne grow on you, slowly and surely, and at the end, you can’t doubt that these two are meant for each other.”
—Dear Author
“This is a book for vacations, for quiet afternoons or evenings when it’s just you, a book, and a few precious hours to yourself, for escape and respite, and for bittersweet and beautiful historical romance . . .
The Summer of You
is vivid and touching, like a thank-you note or socially correct gesture that steps beyond mere formality, outside the boring, expected language, and instead communicates something new, something real, something genuine, something special and alive. It is worth savoring and appreciating.”
The Summer of You
is vivid and touching, like a thank-you note or socially correct gesture that steps beyond mere formality, outside the boring, expected language, and instead communicates something new, something real, something genuine, something special and alive. It is worth savoring and appreciating.”
—
Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
“Beautiful and tremendously romantic. Another winner from Kate Noble who should be on every historical-romance reader’s keeper shelf.”
—
The Book Smugglers
The Book Smugglers
“The unique writing style and voice of Ms. Noble takes the reader on a heartfelt journey of loneliness and courage that leaves the reader not only satisfied, but also emotionally spent. The scenery came to life, touching all the senses, and the deeply motivated characters told their tender and heartbreaking story so vividly that reader[s] cannot close the pages of
The Summer of You
without taking some part of it with them. Warning:
The Summer of You
will touch your heart and wring your emotions until you find yourself laughing and weeping simultaneously. Now that I am acquainted with Ms. Noble’s work, I find I want to read every book she writes.”
The Summer of You
without taking some part of it with them. Warning:
The Summer of You
will touch your heart and wring your emotions until you find yourself laughing and weeping simultaneously. Now that I am acquainted with Ms. Noble’s work, I find I want to read every book she writes.”
—
TwoLips Reviews
TwoLips Reviews
“An engaging Regency romance . . . Fascinating . . . Fast paced.”
—
Midwest Book Review
Midwest Book Review
“Sharp, clever, and adorable come to mind when I think of a Kate Noble romance. Those who are big fans of Julia Quinn, Laura Kinsale, and Tessa Dare will want to pick this one up.”
—
Babbling About Books, and More
Babbling About Books, and More
“Noble sets the perfect tone for a charming, country-set romance. By combining touches of poignancy with dry wit, she allows her characters to take center stage in a story with a traditionally delightful plot.”
—
Romantic Times
Romantic Times
“Ms. Noble has crafted a work that will touch your heart [and] make you laugh . . . The characters are all perfectly quirky and temperamental. The plot moves so well that you’ll lose track of time and realize it’s
way
past your bedtime quite easily.”
way
past your bedtime quite easily.”
—
Night Owl Romance
Night Owl Romance
“Every once in a while, you come across a book that from the very moment you start reading it, you know you’re going to love it.
The Summer of You
by Kate Noble was just such a book for me . . . Her writing is flawless and pure. I was reminded of the late, great Jane Austen . . . Byrne and Jane are extraordinary characters that instantly captured my heart . . . Incredibly refreshing!
The Summer of You
is an absolutely beautiful love story and historical romance at its finest. Ms. Noble has penned a remarkable tale . . . You do not want to miss this one!”
The Summer of You
by Kate Noble was just such a book for me . . . Her writing is flawless and pure. I was reminded of the late, great Jane Austen . . . Byrne and Jane are extraordinary characters that instantly captured my heart . . . Incredibly refreshing!
The Summer of You
is an absolutely beautiful love story and historical romance at its finest. Ms. Noble has penned a remarkable tale . . . You do not want to miss this one!”
—
The Romance Dish
The Romance Dish
“A delightfully charming romance . . . Kate Noble manages humor, the sensitivity of dealing with a parent in declining health, and the prejudices of a small town with plenty of panache.
The Summer of You
is an adorable and clever read.”
The Summer of You
is an adorable and clever read.”
—
Romance Novel News
Romance Novel News
“Kate Noble writes absolutely adorable books. There is something about the way she writes that draws me in, and I find it utterly romantic.”
—
Smexy Books
Smexy Books
Revealed
“Not just a simple romance novel, it is a damn good one.”
—
The Book Smugglers
The Book Smugglers
“Noble crafts an exciting, witty, and highly entertaining tale about an unlikely duo caught in a killer’s web.”
—
Romantic Times
Romantic Times
“Full of action and adventure . . .
Revealed
has it all . . . Ms. Noble has real talent.”
Revealed
has it all . . . Ms. Noble has real talent.”
—
Romance Junkies
Romance Junkies
“Fresh and lively and utterly delightful.
Revealed
will enchant lovers of the Regency novel, but I highly recommend it even for those who usually avoid this genre. Somehow, I think you’ll be hooked by this story as securely as I was.”
Revealed
will enchant lovers of the Regency novel, but I highly recommend it even for those who usually avoid this genre. Somehow, I think you’ll be hooked by this story as securely as I was.”
—
Fallen Angel Reviews
Fallen Angel Reviews
“[A] terrific tale of ‘love and war’ that contrasts . . . Regency High Society with the dangerous world of espionage.”
—
Midwest Book Review
Midwest Book Review
Compromised
“Noble’s clever and graceful debut Regency romance is simply sublime.”
—Booklist
“
Compromised
is a delectable and delightful debut! Every word sparkles like a diamond of the first water. I can’t wait for Kate Noble’s next treasure of a book!”
Compromised
is a delectable and delightful debut! Every word sparkles like a diamond of the first water. I can’t wait for Kate Noble’s next treasure of a book!”
—Teresa Medeiros,
New York Times
bestselling author
New York Times
bestselling author
“Kate Noble’s writing is smart and sparkling. This is wonderfully entertaining, delightfully effervescent romance.”
—Amanda Quick,
New York Times
bestselling author
New York Times
bestselling author
“An amusing historical romance . . . A lighthearted late-Regency romp.”
—
Midwest Book Review
Midwest Book Review
“Ms. Noble is a talent to watch. I look forward to her next book.”
—
Romance Reviews Today
Romance Reviews Today
Berkley Sensation titles by Kate Noble
COMPROMISED
REVEALED
THE SUMMER OF YOU
FOLLOW MY LEAD
REVEALED
THE SUMMER OF YOU
FOLLOW MY LEAD
THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP
Published by the Penguin Group
Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA
Published by the Penguin Group
Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA
Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.)
Penguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England
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Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.
FOLLOW MY LEAD
A Berkley Sensation Book / published by arrangement with the author
PRINTING HISTORY
Berkley Sensation mass-market edition / May 2011
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group,
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375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
eISBN : 978-1-101-51443-6
BERKLEY
®
SENSATION
Berkley Sensation Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
BERKLEY
®
SENSATION and the “B” design are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
®
SENSATION
Berkley Sensation Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
BERKLEY
®
SENSATION and the “B” design are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
To Harrison,
for Super Adventure Time.
for Super Adventure Time.
Prologue
A Letter from a Sister to Her Brother:
April 25, 1821
Dear Jason—
I am afraid I have to disappoint you yet again, and break my promise. I cannot come to London this year. And as you are likely able to guess, the reason is much the same as last year when I could not travel south and join you in town: I find myself expecting again. You have probably thrown your hands in the air at this juncture and exclaimed, “Again?!? Little Anna is not even a year old!” My reaction was similar. Byrne, of course, accepts his culpability in this unfortunate state of affairs—however, without any sign of remorse I could decipher.
If you decide to postpone until I can join you next year, no one will think the worse of you. Men are given far more leeway in this area than we of the fairer sex. Consider, Father did not marry Mother until he was nearly forty! Surely you are too young. Besides, I would feel much better knowing you were not to face the hordes of marriageable women without some guidance. They can be vultures, and you—baby-faced, not yet thirty, titled—are prime meat. I know, because I was once one of them. Perhaps you should come up to the lake this summer. I’m certain Anna would love a visit from her favorite uncle (being as you are the uncle who introduced her to marzipan, you absolute rotter). And Byrne says Mr. Johnston at the Oddsfellow Arms keeps a bar stool open for you . . . and a spot in the mud out front for when you decide to fall flat on your face.
Yours, etc.
Jane
Jane
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