The Secret Daughter - (The Brides of Bellaire Gardens) by Anne Gracie (Paperback)

About the Book

"When two strangers meet under false pretenses during an idyllic week in the French countryside, they'll each need to face the truth to find one other again."--

Book Synopsis

When two strangers meet under false pretenses during an idyllic week in the French countryside, they'll each need to face the truth to find one other again, in a dazzling new Regency romance from the national bestselling author of The Heiress's Daughter.

Orphaned Zoë Benoît has spent the last three years in Paris learning how to be a lady. But Zoë is torn--as an independent spirit and a talented artist, she cannot help but want more than the tightly controlled life of a society lady.

On an impulsive visit to the château where her mother lived, Zoë, disguised as a maidservant named Vita, meets a handsome wandering artist, known simply as Reynard. One blissful week with the charming Reynard convinces Zoë that this is the man and the life for her--until she discovers what he's been hiding from her, and she flees, heartbroken.

Longing for the chance to redeem himself, Reynard searches far and wide for the woman he knows as Vita, to no avail. Disheartened, he returns to England to reluctantly resume his role as Julian Fox, the Earl of Foxton. However, when he sees one of Zoë's paintings, he realizes she's in London, and becomes desperate to find her before it's too late. But even if they reunite, can he convince Zoë he's worthy of her trust and prove to her that, with him, she can be a free-spirited artist and a countess?

Review Quotes

"I never miss an Anne Gracie book."
--Julia Quinn, New York Times bestselling author

Praise for the novels of Anne Gracie

"This duel between determined male suitors and reluctant ladies is grounded with authentic emotional connections and a well-crafted plot. Paired with colorful secondary characters--which include three adorable little girls, a cat, one extremely annoying mother and several quirky gentlemen--the result is a thoroughly entertaining tale. Readers are in for a treat."
--Shelf Awareness, on The Scoundrel's Daughter

"For fabulous Regency flavor, witty and addictive, you can't go past Anne Gracie."
--Stephanie Laurens, New York Times bestselling author

"[A] confection that brims with kindness and heartfelt sincerity...you can't do much better than Anne Gracie who offers her share of daring escapes, stolen kisses, and heartfelt romance in a tale that carries the effervescent charm of the best Disney fairy-tales."
--Entertainment Weekly

"With her signature superbly nuanced characters, subtle sense of wit, and richly emotional writing, Gracie puts her distinctive stamp on a classic Regency plot."
--Chicago Tribune

"Anne Gracie's writing dances that thin line between always familiar and always fresh."
--New York Journal of Books

"Will keep readers entranced.... A totally delightful read!"
--RT Book Reviews

About the Author

Anne Gracie is the award-winning author of the Marriage of Convenience, Chance Sisters, and Brides of Bellaire Gardens romance series. She started her first novel while backpacking solo around the world, writing by hand in notebooks. Since then, her books have been translated into more than eighteen languages, and include Japanese manga editions. As well as writing, Anne promotes adult literacy, flings balls for her dog, enjoys her tangled garden, and keeps bees.