“Not dreaming,” she said, echoing the words he had told her years ago, her smile beautiful.
Floating hell, that smile hit him directly in the heart, like an arrow.
“Good,” he whispered.
And then he kissed his wife again as they stood in the drawing room he had never imagined would one day ring with such love and laughter, in the circle of his family’s arms.
The End
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading Winter’s Wallflower! I hope this eighth book in my The Wicked Winters series hit you right in the feelings and that Adele and Dom’s happily ever after made you as happy to read as it made me to write. Thank you for spending your precious time reading my books!
Please consider leaving an honest review of Winter’s Wallflower. Reviews are greatly appreciated! If you’d like to keep up to date with my latest releases and series news, sign up for my newsletter here or follow me on Amazon or BookBub. Join my reader’s group on Facebook for bonus content, early excerpts, giveaways, and more.
But wait! There are more Winters on the way. Have we seen the last of Davy the pickpocket? Who was behind the attacks at The Devil’s Spawn if it wasn’t the Suttons? And what happens when Devil Winter has to play bodyguard for a fancy duke’s daughter he can’t seem to resist? If you’d like a preview of Winter’s Woman, Book Nine in The Wicked Winters series, featuring the plucky Lady Evie Saltisford and the surly yet sexy Devil Winter, do read on.
Until next time,
Scarlett
Author’s Note on Historical Accuracy
The Sutton Waterworks was inspired by similar water companies that were formed in East London in the early nineteenth century, particularly during the period of 1805-1810. Improved technology made water companies a booming investment opportunity for many businessmen, including, unfortunately, the unscrupulous.
My inspiration for Dominic Winter came in part from Joseph Merceron, who was something of a Regency-era gangster, wielding his power and corruption over a large portion of East End London during the same time period my The Wicked Winters series takes place.
According to eighteenth century records, tattooing was already a common practice in England prior to Captain Cook’s famed encounter with tattooed Tahitians in 1769. Nineteenth century records, both written and then photographic as the century wore on, reveal a vast history of unique tattoos in all classes, including aristocrats.
I’m also deeply indebted to some excellent primary resources on carriages, fashion, and furniture of the Regency era. (Yes, Venetian blinds were in use, in case you wondered!) I sourced all the fun cant phrases Dom and his fellow bastard Winters use from Memoirs of James Hardy Vaux, printed in 1819. Now, do read on for that sneak peek I promised!
Winter’s Woman
The Wicked Winters Book Nine
By
Scarlett Scott
The reigning toast of the Season, Lady Evangeline Saltisford is betrothed to the most eligible bachelor in London and a scant few weeks from having everything she has ever wanted. Until danger comes calling, and she is forced to accept aid from a decidedly unlikely—and infuriating—source.
Devil Winter is the illegitimate offspring of a wealthy merchant and a prostitute. He detests fancy aristocrats and has no patience for a cosseted duke’s daughter. But he will do anything for his family, and when his older brother asks Devil to play bodyguard to Lady Evie, he has no choice but to accept the loathsome task.
Evie wants nothing to do with the boorish man from the rookeries who favors growls and glowers to polite manners. She is perfectly happy with her handsome, aristocratic fiancé. At least, that is what she tells herself. Until her gruff protector reveals a side she never imagined existed. A side she finds increasingly difficult to resist.
Devil is determined to eliminate the threat to Evie and cull her from his life. But being forced to remain by her side proves not so loathsome a duty. And before long, protecting the stunningly gorgeous duke’s daughter is only the beginning of what Devil wants to do…
Chapter One
London 1814
Her twin sister’s mind had turned to pudding.
That was the only reasonable explanation for the words that had just emerged from Lady Adele Winter’s mouth.
Lady Evangeline Saltisford stared at her sister, doing her utmost to ignore the hulking monster lurking in the corner of the drawing room.
“You cannot be serious, Addy.” Her eyes flicked to the glowering giant.
He was seated in a chair that was two sizes too small for him, and he looked ridiculous, surrounded by sleekly polished mahogany and all that gilt and silk. His eyes were a piercing shade of blue. Quite like the summer sky. Her stomach did a queer little flip as their gazes met and held. His bold lips tightened to a disapproving slash. She jerked her attention back to her sister, heat rising in her cheeks.
Addy shook her head, her expression mournful. “I am afraid this is no joking matter, Evie. Someone took a shot at you and Lord Denton while you were driving in the park.”
“The shot in question likely emerged from a pair of drunkards engaged in a duel,” Evie dismissed. “It had nothing to do with me.”
The beast in the corner of the chamber grumbled something beneath his breath.
Evie cast another glance in his direction. There was something riveting about his face, and she did not like it. More heat curled through her. Her reaction to him was most odd. He could not be more different from her handsome betrothed, Lord Denton, who was golden-haired and slim, with patrician features and elegant hands.
Likely, it was the novelty of such a man. Like Addy’s husband Mr. Dominic Winter, the man glaring at her hailed from the rookeries of the East End. Devil Winter was tall, broad, and feral-looking, with dark hair worn too long and massive fists, his handsome features set in a perpetual scowl. Everything about him screamed impropriety and the illicit.
And bedchamber romps.
What? No!
She was aghast at herself. Where had that errant thought emerged from? Hastily, she dashed it away.
“Devil is right,” Addy was saying, snatching Evie’s attention back once more. “We cannot be sure you were not the intended target. Until we know more, you will be safer with him watching over you.”
Evie raised a brow. “He said all that? Odd. I could have sworn I heard nothing more than a growl.”
The beast grunted.
She ignored him, tamping down the unsettled sensation trying to rise within her. Most unwanted. Unnecessary as well. She was happy with Lord Denton. Soon, she would be his wife. He was everything she had ever wanted in a husband. All she had to do was persuade her well-intentioned sister that having an ill-tempered man torn from the rookeries hanging about would be disastrous for Evie’s impeccable reputation.
“Do be nice, Evie,” Addy cautioned, frowning at her. “Devil is being quite generous, agreeing to keep you safe.”
“Father will have an apoplectic fit when he discovers what you intend to do,” she warned her sister in turn.
Their father, the Duke of Linross, had been called away from London to one of his country estates. With their mother still in Cornwall and their sister Hannah approaching her lying in, Evie had unceremoniously found herself being chaperoned by her twin sister, who was married to one of London’s greatest rogues. The potential scandal was bad enough, but her sister’s suggestion a hulking beast who went by the name Devil ought to offer her protection… Why, it was ludicrous.
“Our father will be grateful I have taken the threat to you seriously and done my sisterly duty.” Addy smiled.
“Lord Denton will not like it,” she tried next, knowing her betrothed would disapprove most heartily.
Denton adhered to propriety above all else. He had not even attempted to kiss her yet, much to Evie’s dismay.
A low growl emanated from the corner of the drawing room, followed by a deep, booming baritone. “Then Denton can go fu—”
“Yes, y
ou are right, Devil,” Addy interrupted brightly. “Lord Denton need not know. When you are here at home, Devil will never be far from your side. When you are in public, he will follow you discreetly. Is that not right, Devil?”
He grunted once more.
“No,” Evie said mulishly. “I do not want him at my side. Nor do I require protection.”
“It is necessary, Evie, for your wellbeing.” Addy was stern. Insistent.
Evie frowned. “He is menacing, Addy.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “I do not like him.”
“Heard that,” he growled. “Feeling’s mutual.”
Evie’s gaze returned to him. Their stares clashed, the connection sending a visceral jolt through her. She could not seem to look away. The certain knowledge that Devil Winter was going to cause her a great deal of trouble lodged in her heart like a thorn.
Want more? Get Winter’s Woman here!
Don’t miss Scarlett’s other romances!
(Listed by Series)
Complete Book List
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Heart’s Temptation
A Mad Passion (Book One)
Rebel Love (Book Two)
Reckless Need (Book Three)
Sweet Scandal (Book Four)
Restless Rake (Book Five)
Darling Duke (Book Six)
The Night Before Scandal (Book Seven)
Wicked Husbands
Her Errant Earl (Book One)
Her Lovestruck Lord (Book Two)
Her Reformed Rake (Book Three)
Her Deceptive Duke (Book Four)
Her Missing Marquess (Book Five)
Her Virtuous Viscount (Book Six)
League of Dukes
Nobody’s Duke (Book One)
Heartless Duke (Book Two)
Dangerous Duke (Book Three)
Shameless Duke (Book Four)
Scandalous Duke (Book Five)
Fearless Duke (Book Six)
Notorious Ladies of London
Lady Ruthless (Book One)
Lady Wallflower (Book Two)
Lady Reckless (Book Three)
Lady Wicked (Book Four)
The Wicked Winters
Wicked in Winter (Book One)
Wedded in Winter (Book Two)
Wanton in Winter (Book Three)
Wishes in Winter (Book 3.5)
Willful in Winter (Book Four)
Wagered in Winter (Book Five)
Wild in Winter (Book Six)
Wooed in Winter (Book Seven)
Winter’s Wallflower (Book Eight)
Winter’s Woman (Book Nine)
Winter’s Whispers (Book Ten)
Stand-alone Novella
Lord of Pirates
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Love’s Second Chance
Reprieve (Book One)
Perfect Persuasion (Book Two)
Win My Love (Book Three)
Coastal Heat
Loved Up (Book One)
About the Author
USA Today and Amazon bestselling author Scarlett Scott writes steamy Victorian and Regency romance with strong, intelligent heroines and sexy alpha heroes. She lives in Pennsylvania with her Canadian husband, adorable identical twins, and one TV-loving dog.
A self-professed literary junkie and nerd, she loves reading anything, but especially romance novels, poetry, and Middle English verse. Catch up with her on her website www.scarlettscottauthor.com. Hearing from readers never fails to make her day.
Scarlett’s complete book list and information about upcoming releases can be found at www.scarlettscottauthor.com.
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Winter’s Wallflower
The Wicked Winters Book 8
All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2020 by Scarlett Scott
Published by Happily Ever After Books, LLC
Kindle Edition
Edited by Grace Bradley
Cover Design by Wicked Smart Designs
This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded, or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is punishable by law.
This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events, or locales, is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.
For more information, contact author Scarlett Scott.
www.scarlettscottauthor.com
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