Bees in the Butterfly Garden (Gilded Legacy Book 1)

Review Meg Davenport grew up at an exclusive New York boarding school. Surrounded by the educated elite, she had everything most girls could dream of?except her family. But when her father dies, she seizes the opportunity to build her own future. Discovering secrets about the father she thought she knew puts her in contact with the man her father mentored and could involve her in a dangerous plot. VERDICT: This character-driven historical set in the American Gilded Age represents Lang (Look to the East; Whisper on the Wind) at her best. Though her many fans will surely enjoy it, consider giving this title also to patrons who like Amanda Harte and Tamara Alexander. (Library Journal) Raised in an exclusive boarding school among Fifth Avenue?s finest, Meg Davenport has all she?s ever needed . . . but none of the things she?s wanted most, like family or dreams of a future that include anything other than finding a suitable match. So when her distant father dies, she seizes the chance to throw etiquette aside and do as she pleases. Especially when she learns that John Davenport wasn?t the wealthy businessman she thought, but one of the Gilded Age?s most talented thieves.Poised to lead those loyal to Meg?s father, Ian Maguire knows the last thing his mentor would have wanted is for his beloved daughter to follow in his footsteps. Yet Meg is determined, and her connections to one of New York?s wealthiest families could help Ian pull off his biggest heist yet. But are they both in over their heads? And in trying to gain everything, will they end up losing it all? From the Back Cover ?A young lady of impeccable decorum never appears outside her home unchaperoned, uncoiffed, ungloved, or unhappy.??MADAME MARISSE?S HANDBOOK FOR YOUNG LADIESRaised at an exclusive boarding school, Meg Davenport has everything she needs but none of what she?s wanted most?like the love of a family, or a future not dependent on following etiquette and marrying well. So when she receives shocking news of her father?s death, Meg seizes the chance to break every rule that has governed her life. Especially when she learns John Davenport wasn?t the wealthy businessman she thought, but one of the Gilded Age?s most talented thieves.Ian Maguire knows that John?his mentor?would never have wanted his beloved daughter to follow in his footsteps. Yet she is determined to carry on his legacy, and her talent for garden design has earned her an invitation to stay with one of Fifth Avenue?s wealthiest families. With friends like those, Meg could help Ian pull off his biggest heist yet.But living in both worlds is more treacherous than Meg imagined. And as Ian?s concern for Meg turns to love, he finds himself torn between greed and guilt. Can they find the legacy they both long for, or in trying to gain everything, will they end up losing it all? Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Bees in the Butterfly GardenBy MAUREEN LANGTyndale House Publishers, Inc.Copyright © 2012Maureen LangAll right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4143-6446-9Chapter One A young lady who attains the grace of self-discipline rightfully earns the admiration of others. Indeed, her place in genteel society will not be won without it. Madame Marisse's Handbook for Young Ladies NEW HAVEN COUNTY, CONNECTICUT FOUR YEARS LATER Meg DaVenport stood barefoot on the warm, loose garden soil. she watched a butterfly hover on a breeze above the garden as if it danced before a banquet, contemplating which nectar to sample first. Yellow celandines, purple coneflowers, or red verbena? not far off, the sweet briar rose beckoned, trimmed with a skirt of pinks and zinnias. All planted under Meg's direction to attract butterflies of every sort. She knew this butterfly. As a caterpillar he had, along with so many of his butterfly siblings and moth cousins, undoubtedly been hosted among the clover beds or colorful sweet peas that festooned the white columns of