Not the Duke's Darling
Page 28
And she shrieked once again.
But when he set her down she was grinning, so beautiful, so alive.
“Yes,” he said. “Yes, I will marry you, Lady Freya de Moray, because I love you. Because my life is empty without you. And because when you’re not by my side my world is unbearably boring.”
“Oh,” she said, her eyes flooding with tears. “Oh, I do love you, Christopher. I know I’m not the most pleasant woman at times, but I’ll try to—”
He stopped her words with a kiss and then whispered against her lips, “Don’t change. Don’t ever change. I like your prickliness, your scowls, the way you argue with me so fiercely. I want a lioness, not a lamb.”
“Oh.” Her cheeks were pink. “Oh, that might be the nicest thing that anyone has ever said to me.”
His mouth twisted. “Then I shall endeavor to tell such nice things every day, though I warn you: I’m not the most eloquent of men.”
She shook her head, her lips twitching. “Do you really think I need pretty flattery? I don’t. I need only you, just the way you are—overbearing and quick-witted and entirely besotted with your dog. Don’t change, Kester. I love you as you are.”
He couldn’t help but kiss her, then, long and slow, and when he eventually raised his head he was pleased to see that she looked a bit dazed. “Are you going to be my wife, then, Freya de Moray, and scowl at me every morning over breakfast?”
“I shall certainly try,” she replied primly, though when she bit her lip it rather gave away her grave face. “Come, give me your hand.”
She took the ring and placed it on his third finger, where it fit perfectly.
He gazed at it thoughtfully. “I think we will have to have a matching ring made for you, don’t you think, my love?”
“Yes,” she said simply, and laid her palm in his.
And they walked back to Renshaw House, Tess beside them.
Epilogue
The Fairy King stretched long fingers toward his brother’s face.
But Rowan grabbed his hand, flinching at the icy cold of the Fairy King’s flesh. “Take my hair instead.”
The king hesitated.
Ash blinked. “Are you sure, Princess?”
Rowan glared at him. “Do you wish to be blind?”
A small smile tilted the corner of Ash’s mouth. “No, I confess I do not.”
“Well, then.” Rowan took a deep breath and glared at the Fairy King. “Will you take my flame-red hair instead?”
The Fairy King shrugged. “Done.” He reached for Rowan’s hair.
But this time it was Ash who stopped him. “A minute, dear brother.”
The Fairy King looked at him with something like exasperation in his silver eyes. “What?”
Ash stood. “You will let Marigold go?”
“Yes.”
“You will let the Princess Rowan go?”
“Yes.”
“And you will let me go.” Ash smiled ironically. “In return for Rowan’s hair, you will let us go with no reservation, caveat, or trickery?”
“Yes,” hissed the Fairy King, his silver eyes narrowed. “This I do swear.”
Ash bowed. “Then so be it.”
A wind blew through the clearing, pulling and snatching at Rowan’s hair. She screwed tight her eyes.
When she opened them again the world was filled with color and she, Ash, and Marigold stood in the castle gardens.
And her head was completely bare.
Before Rowan could hide her baldness, Marigold hugged her.
“Thank you!” cried Marigold. “Oh, thank you, Princess Rowan, for rescuing me from the Grey Lands.”
“Well,” Rowan said, oddly touched. “It was nothing for a friend.”
Marigold stepped back and looked at her in wonder. “Am I your friend?”
“Of course,” Rowan said. “You are my dear friend, now and always.”
“Now and always,” Marigold whispered, and smiled like the sun rising for a new day. “I must see my mother and father now. If you will excuse me?”
Rowan nodded, trying not to feel self-conscious about her bald head.
Marigold walked toward the castle, and Rowan turned to see Ash watching her with a smile.
Her hands flew to her head. “Don’t look at me.”
But he came to her and took her hands and drew them away from her crown. “Why not? I have eyes to see, thanks to you.”
“But…” Rowan stared at him in wonder. “But I’m ugly now.”
“No.” He shook his head. “Your hair is gone, but you’re just as beautiful as you’ve always been.”
And Rowan might’ve argued the point, but Ash covered her mouth with his and kissed her.
When he raised his head again he said, “Will you let me wed you, Princess? For I find that I may have kept my eyes, but I’ve lost my heart to you.”
“Yes,” Rowan whispered. “Oh yes.”
So they did and lived quite happily…
Ever after.
—From The Grey Court Changeling
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Elizabeth Hoyt is the New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty-three lush historical romances, including the Maiden Lane series. Publishers Weekly has called her writing “mesmerizing,” and in 2018 she received the RT Book Reviews Career Achievement Award for Historical Romance. She also pens deliciously fun contemporary romances under the name Julia Harper. Elizabeth lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with three untrained dogs, a garden in constant need of weeding, and the long-suffering Mr. Hoyt.
The winters in Minnesota have been known to be long and cold and Elizabeth is always thrilled to receive reader mail. You can write to her at PO Box 19495, Minneapolis, MN 55419 or email her at Elizabeth@ElizabethHoyt.com.
You can learn more at:
ElizabethHoyt.com
Twitter @elizabethhoyt
Facebook.com/ElizabethHoytBooks
Other titles by Elizabeth Hoyt
The Raven Prince
The Leopard Prince
The Serpent Prince
The Ice Princess (novella)
To Taste Temptation
To Seduce a Sinner
To Beguile a Beast
To Desire a Devil
Wicked Intentions
Notorious Pleasures
Scandalous Desires
Thief of Shadows
Lord of Darkness
Duke of Midnight
Darling Beast
Dearest Rogue
Sweetest Scoundrel
Duke of Sin
Once Upon a Moonlit Night (novella)
Duke of Pleasure
Once Upon a Maiden Lane (novella)
Once Upon a Christmas Eve (novella)
Duke of Desire
“Hoyt’s writing is almost too good to be true.”
—Lisa Kleypas, New York Times bestselling author
“There’s an enchantment to Hoyt’s stories that makes you believe in the magic of love.”
—RT Book Reviews
PRAISE FOR
ELIZABETH HOYT’S
MAIDEN LANE SERIES
Duke of Desire
“4½ stars! Top Pick! Far darker than many of Hoyt’s romances, Duke of Desire is emotionally powerful, and readers will be transfixed by this poignant tale of revenge and redemption.”
—RT Book Reviews
Duke of Pleasure
“4½ stars! Top Pick! Hoyt…[is] a powerful storyteller whose novels have a depth of emotion and originality that lifts the genre to new heights. Always unique, wonderfully romantic and highly sensual, Hoyt’s stories take readers’ breath away.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Hoyt once again successfully deploys her irresistible literary triumvirate of marvelously engaging characters, boldly sensual love scenes, and
elegant writing brightened with just the right dash of dry wit.”
—Booklist
“So many ingredients make this story phenomenal. First and foremost, the chemistry between our hero and heroine. It drives the narrative and we can’t get enough of their interactions.”
—HeroesandHeartbreakers.com
Duke of Sin
“4½ stars! Top Pick! Hoyt delivers a unique read on many levels: a love story, a tale of redemption, and a plot teeming with emotional depth that takes readers’ breaths away. Kudos to a master storyteller!”
―RT Book Reviews
“A darkly humorous and lushly sensual historical romance.…Hoyt truly outdoes herself in Duke of Sin.”
—HeroesandHeartbreakers.com
“Hoyt has created two dynamic characters.…[The book] includes a delicious collection of hot and steamy scenes. A wonderful balance of comedy and pathos, Hoyt’s latest is a deeply satisfying read.”
—BookPage
Sweetest Scoundrel
“While I’ve long been a fan of the Maiden Lane series, I think this is my favorite.”
—FictionVixen.com
“4½ stars! Maiden Lane and its inhabitants have long captivated readers, and the latest series installment is just as enchanting as fans could desire.…It is a story that takes your breath away and leaves you uplifted. Hoyt does it again!”
―RT Book Reviews
Dearest Rogue
“[This] superbly executed historical romance is proof positive that this RITA Award–nominated author continues to write with undiminished force and flair. When it comes to incorporating a generous measure of dangerous intrigue and lush sensuality into a truly swoonworthy love story, Hoyt is unrivaled.”
―Booklist (starred review)
“4½ stars! Hoyt takes an unlikely pair of characters and, through the magic of her storytelling, turns them into the perfect couple.…A read to remember.”
―RT Book Reviews
“Sexy, sweet, and emotionally satisfying.…Dearest Rogue is everything the reader of a Regency historical wants; it’s funny, fast-paced and has plenty of historical flavor and a romance that develops as naturally as a flower opening in the sun. Fans of the Maiden Lane series will cheer for this couple.”
—BookPage
Darling Beast
“Hoyt’s exquisitely nuanced characters, vividly detailed setting, and seemingly effortless and elegant writing provide the splendid material from which she fashions yet another ravishingly romantic love story.”
—Booklist (starred review)
“4½ stars! Top Pick! Darling Beast is wondrous, magical, and joyous—a read to remember.”
—RT Book Reviews
“A lovely book that I very much enjoyed reading. I love the Maiden Lane series and can’t wait until the next book comes out!”
—BookBinge.com
Duke of Midnight
“Top Pick! A sensual tale of forbidden love.…Plenty of action and intriguing mystery make this a page-turner.”
—BookPage
“Richly drawn characters fill the pages of this emotionally charged mix of mystery and romance.”
—Publishers Weekly
“4½ stars! Top Pick! There is enchantment in the Maiden Lane series, not just the fairy tales Hoyt infuses into the memorable romances, but the wonder of love combined with passion, unique plotlines, and unforgettable characters.”
—RT Book Reviews
“I loved it. I loved Artemis. I loved Max, and I loved their story. I have enjoyed every Elizabeth Hoyt book I have read (and I have read most of them).”
—All About Romance (LikesBooks.com)
Lord of Darkness
“Lord of Darkness illuminates Hoyt’s boundless imagination.…Readers will adore this story.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Hoyt’s writing is imbued with great depth of emotion.…Heartbreaking.…An edgy tension-filled plot.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Lord of Darkness is classic Elizabeth Hoyt, meaning it’s unique, engaging, and leaves readers on the edge of their seats.…An incredible addition to the fantastic Maiden Lane series. I Joyfully Recommend Godric and Megs’s tale, for it’s an amazing, well-crafted story with an intriguing plot and a lovely, touching romance.…Simply enchanting!”
—JoyfullyReviewed.com
“I adore the Maiden Lane series, and this fifth book is a very welcome addition to the series.…[It’s] sexy and sweet all at the same time.…This can be read as a stand-alone, but I adore each book in this series and encourage you to start from the beginning.”
—USA Today’s Happy Ever After blog
“Beautifully written.…A truly fine piece of storytelling and a novel that deserves to be read and enjoyed.”
—TheBookBinge.com
Thief of Shadows
“An expert blend of scintillating romance and mystery.…The romance between the beautiful and quick-witted Isabel and the masked champion of the downtrodden propels this novel to the top of its genre.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Amazing sex scenes.…A very intriguing hero.…This one did not disappoint.”
—USA Today
“Innovative, emotional, sensual.…Hoyt’s beautiful blending of the essential elements of a fairy tale into a stunning love story enhances this delicious ‘keeper.’”
—RT Book Reviews
“All of Hoyt’s signature literary ingredients—wickedly clever dialogue, superbly nuanced characters, danger, and scorching sexual chemistry—click neatly into place to create a breathtakingly romantic love story.”
—Booklist
“When [they] finally come together, desire and long-denied sensuality explode upon the page.”
—Library Journal
“With heart and heat rolled into one, Thief of Shadows is a definite must-read for historical romance fans! Hoyt really has outdone herself…yet again.”
—UndertheCoversBookblog.blogspot.com
“A balanced mixture of action, adventure, and mystery and a beautifully crafted romance.…The perfect historical romance.”
—HeroesandHeartbreakers.com
Scandalous Desires
“Historical romance at its best.…Series fans will be enthralled, while new readers will find this emotionally charged installment stands very well alone.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“4½ stars! This is the Maiden Lane story readers have been waiting for. Hoyt delivers her hallmark fairy tale within a romance and takes readers into the depths of the heart and soul of her characters. Pure magic flows from her pen, lifting readers’ spirits with joy.”
—RT Book Reviews
“With its lush sensuality, lusciously wrought prose, and luxuriously dark plot, Scandalous Desires, the latest exquisitely crafted addition to Hoyt’s Georgian-set Maiden Lane series, is a romance to treasure.”
—Booklist (starred review)
“Ms. Hoyt writes some of the best love scenes out there. They are passionate, sexy, and blazing hot.…I simply adore Ms. Hoyt’s books for her sensuous prose, multifaceted characters, and intense, well-developed story lines. And she delivers every single time. It’s no wonder all of her books are on my keeper shelves. Do yourself a favor and pick up Scandalous Desires.”
—TheRomanceDish.com
“Scandalous Desires is the best book Elizabeth Hoyt has written so far, with endearing characters and an all-encompassing romance you’ll want to hold close and never let go. If there’s one must-read book, especially for historical romance fans, it’s Scandalous Desires.”
—FallenAngelReviews.com
Notorious Pleasures
“Emotionally stunning.…The sinfully sensual chemistry Hoyt creates between her shrewd, acid-tongued heroine and her scandalous, sexy hero is pure romance.”
—Booklist
Wicked Intentions
“4½ stars! Top Pick! A magnificently rendered story t
hat not only enchants but enthralls.”
—RT Book Reviews
Advice columnist Patience Friendly’s relationship with her stubborn, overbearing publisher, Dougal MacHugh, is anything but cordial. Dougal challenges Patience to take on a rival columnist in a holiday advice-a-thon, and sparks fly clear up to the mistletoe hanging from every rafter. Will Patience follow the practical guidance of her head, or the passionate advice of her heart?
For a bonus story from another author you may love, please turn the page to read
Patience for Christmas by Grace Burrowes.
Patience for Christmas
To those who must work when the rest of the world frolics.
Chapter One
“Professor Pennypacker is wise, kind, cheerful, and witty. Why shouldn’t I loathe him?” Patience Friendly’s honest question met with smirks from her dearest friends in all the world, though she’d spoken the plain, seasonally inappropriate truth.
“You don’t loathe the professor,” Elizabeth Windham said. “You have a genteel difference of opinion with him from time to time, such as educated people occasionally do. More tea?”
Patience paid regular visits to the four Windham sisters because they were excellent company, though their lavish tea tray figured prominently in her affections as well.
“Half a cup, and then I must be going.”
Elizabeth obliged, her idea of a half portion coming nearly to the cup’s brim.
“It’s the first Monday of the month. Does Dreadful Dougal demand your time, again?” Charlotte Windham asked around a mouthful of stollen.