You did it! We figured this one out! It is a truth universally acknowledged (by me for certain) that the Bitchery pretty much knows everything, and really, it's true. Scroll down to see the solution for this HaBO - and many thanks!
This HaBO is from Eirene, who is hoping to find a romance she meant read before it disappeared from Scribd:
I’m looking for a historical romance that I read once on Scribd before The Great Culling. I completely forgot to catalog it on GR so it’s now lost to me forever. (Also, it’s no longer in my Scribd history.)
It’s a book where the hero and the heroine meet in India. I think this was all in the prologue (which is mostly what I remember). The heroine gets to India with her uncle. She’s told not to wander away from him. She does. Someone tries to rob her. Mysterious but dazzling young man saves her. (There was a knife involved I think?)
They’re neighbours, maybe? I remember there being descriptions of this grand new place she’s now going to be living in. I think he even tries to offer for her but something happens? I also know that the hero is part Indian and there’s something with his family and some issue with who he’s supposed to marry? I wish I can remember what happens after that prologue, though. I think the hero is a bit angry at the heroine?
I also think the book is an Avon one? And I think it has a blue/blue-green/teal dress or the cover is of that color shade family.
This sounds pretty familiar! Who knows this one?
This might be The Sandalwood Princess by Loretta Chase, an early Avon title (1990). Avon, check. Teal cover, check. India, check. Hero who is also mysterious thief, the Falcon. Precious object that everyone’s after, including ruthless older man (not hero) with history with Indian princess (not heroine but who is awesome). if it’s not the book you want it’s still a good one!
Could it be Meredith Duran’s The Duke of Shadows?
“Sick of tragedy, done with rebellion, Emmaline Martin vows to settle quietly into British Indian society. But when the pillars of privilege topple, her fiancé’s betrayal leaves Emma no choice. She must turn for help to the one man whom she should not trust, but cannot resist: Julian Sinclair, the dangerous and dazzling heir to the Duke of Auburn.
To the marble halls of London…
In London, they toast Sinclair with champagne. In India, they call him a traitor. Cynical and impatient with both worlds, Julian has never imagined that the place he might belong is in the embrace of a woman with a reluctant laugh and haunted eyes. But in a time of terrible darkness, he and Emma will discover that love itself can be perilous — and that a single decision can alter one’s life forever.”
Ooooh, new books! Thanks for your help and recommendations! I just found the title of the book 5 minutes ago after realizing that you can search through Facebook messages from a year ago. The book in question is actually In the Arms of a Marquess by Katherine Ashe.
Three wonderful books to be sure!
I agree with Marjorie, I think this is Duran’s “The duke of shadows.”
Ok, just seen Eirene’s follow-up message. But “The duke of shadows” is a great book anyway!
Eirene, I’m so glad you remembered! I had this one in my Scrib’d “library” as well. A random observation: for books that pop up as “will be deleted on such date”, I used to delete them right then so I’d not see the notice. However, some of the titles I didn’t early-delete are still available months later. Doesn’t apply to “Great Purge” disasters, but for the mini-purges it is something to keep in mind. Thank you again for remembering!
Hi, first-time poster! I agree with Eirene. It might be ” In The Arms of the Marquis” by Katharine Ashe. They met in India, he was half Indian and they were both tricked into thinking the other one left each other by their families. They meet up in London tears later, he’s inherited the title by losing both his dad and brother in a fire and pissed off at her still while everyone expects him to marry his brother’s fiance.It’s a good book. I have The Duke of Shadows but haven’t read it yet so I’d better get on it!
Oh, yay! It is In the Arms of a Marquess by Katharine Ashe. I’ve been trying to figure out which one it was lately. Thanks ladies for narrowing it down. 🙂