Offer From A Gentleman [Mass Market Paperback]

Miss Sophie Beckett is the illegitimate daughter of the Earl of Penwood in Julia Quinn's An Offer from a Gentleman. Raised in his home, Sophie has a tolerable existence until the Earl marries and her life takes a distinct turn for the worse. Sophie's new stepmother hates her, and when the Earl passes away, she relegates Sophie to the role of servant. Sophie's days are pure drudgery until one night when her fellow servants conspire to help her attend a masquerade ball.

Her life changes irrevocably when she meets handsome Benedict Bridgerton and falls head-over-heels in love. Benedict is equally smitten but when the clock strikes 12, his beautiful mystery lady runs from him leaving only her glove in his hand. He searches London for her but she seems to have vanished. What Benedict doesn't know is that Sophie's stepmother has discovered her outing and thrown Sophie out of their London townhouse. Sophie leaves London and it isn't until three years later that Benedict and Sophie's paths cross once again when he saves her from the unwanted attentions of a drunken lord. Sophie recognises Benedict immediately but much to her dismay, he doesn't know her in her maid's dress. Soon, however, Benedict falls in love with Sophie all over again. Both struggle with their feelings for each other, their unwillingness to compromise their principles and the seemingly insurmountable wall separating a member of the nobility and a servant. To add to their difficulties, Sophie's vindictive stepmother discovers her presence in London and sets out to make her life even more miserable...

Quinn brings a fresh approach to this charming retelling of the Cinderella story enhancing the tale with a strong Regency setting and the warm trappings of Benedict Bridgerton's large family. Quinn has a reputation for witty dialogue and endearing characters and she delivers both in this delightful novel.--Lois Faye Dyer, Amazon.com

A retelling of the classic fairytale, this Regency romance gets off to a slow start as Quinn (The Viscount Who Loved Me) introduces a troupe of stock characters: the wicked stepmother, an aloof stepsister, and a warm-hearted but weak younger stepsister. Thankfully, Quinn doesn't make her Cinderella suffer these tired old relations for long. After her stunning debut at the Bridgerton masked ball and a heady encounter with handsome Benedict Bridgerton, Sophie Beckett, the bastard daughter of an earl, is summarily ousted from her home when her stepmother discovers that Sophie had attended the masquerade. Three years later, Sophie, now a housemaid, is rescued from her new employer's sex-crazed son by none other than her long-lost "prince." Although Benedict is attracted to Sophie and agrees to find her a position as a servant in his mother's house, he fails to recognize her from their encounter at the ball. A charming romance develops as Benedict tries to convince Sophie to become his mistress and Sophie refuses to succumb to his dangerously seductive offer. Quinn's narrative truly blossoms once she departs from the fairytale's traditional plot line. With its storybook ending and lovable characters, this bedtime romance is certain to satisfy.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

In a setup straight out of Cinderella, Sophie Beckett, treated as a servant by her stepmother and stepsisters after her father dies, attends a masquerade ball and ends up attracting the attention of one of the most eligible bachelors in town. But when one of her stepsisters discovers what she's done, she is summarily ordered to leave and she does. Several years later, she is rescued from near rape by her "prince," who doesn't recognize her, and ensconced in his mother's house as a lady's maid. Witty, fast-paced, and charming, this story features an appealing heroine strong enough to refuse "an offer from a gentleman," a hero worthy of her, and a satisfying plot that ensures that everyone gets his or her just desserts in the end. Quinn (The Viscount Who Loved Me) has written a number of well-received historicals and lives in Colorado.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

"'This year's most sought-after invitation must surely be that of the Bridgerton masquerade ball, to be held Monday next. Indeed, one cannot take two steps without being forced to listen to some society mama speculating on who will attend, and perhaps more importantly, who will wear what.' Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, 31 May 1815 'Smart, funny...reminiscent of Bridget Jones' TIME Magazine 'With her trademark style, witty repartee, humorous antics and a delightful cast of characters, Julia Quinn has penned another winner in this enchanting Cinderella love story' ROMANTIC TIMES 'A charming romance' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY" --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Sophie Beckett never dreamed she'd be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton's famed masquerade ball -- or that "Prince Charming" would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight.

Who was that extraordinary woman? Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other -- except, perhaps, this alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid's garb whom he feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers her his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale love?

Sophie Beckett never dreamed she'd be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton's famed masquerade ball--or that Prince Charming would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight.

Who was that extraordinary woman? Ever since that magical night, a radiant vision in silver has blinded Benedict to the attractions of any other--except, perhaps, the alluring and oddly familiar beauty dressed in housemaid's garb he meets and feels compelled to rescue from a most disagreeable situation. He has sworn to find and wed his mystery miss from the ball, but this breathtaking maid makes him weak with wanting her. Yet, if he offers her his heart, will Benedict sacrifice his only chance for a fairy tale love?

Julia Quinn started writing her first book one month after finishing college and has been tapping away at her keyboard ever since.

The New York Times bestselling author of fourteen novels for Avon Books, she is a graduate of Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges and lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest.