by Jade Lee
She smiled when she saw them, and then—to his shock—she laughed, so musical a sound that he was riveted. Bells could not have sounded so pure.
He was awed. It was his idealistic mind, he knew. The one that believed in unsullied beauty. She knelt down then, oblivious to the dirt that would coat her skirt, as she tickled the puppies, her laughter chiming in the air.
He found himself moving toward her without choosing to do so. He had no idea what to say to an innocent miss. He’d never known a woman who could be so sweet. And yet—
“Miss Bluebell! Miss Bluebell!”
A boy barely out of short pants came tearing around the corner. She looked up, her expression surprised as she held out her arms. He careened into them, so fast was he churning his short, stubby legs.
She said something too low for Bram to hear, especially as the boy kept talking right over her despite being short of breath. Rude brat.
“Da says…you come. Right away!”
At that moment, one of the puppies attacked the angel. It was nothing more than a growl and bite as it grabbed hold of her dress and shook. With a sharp word for the dog, she picked it up and took her time disentangling it from her skirt, but then the thing started licking her on the face.
He saw the wet tongue tasting her chin and neck. He heard her laugh, this time deeper—throatier—and he felt himself harden as he hadn’t in years. Her cheeks were flushed, her hair now flying free as the dog laved her. His mouth was dry as he watched, and he abruptly thought of so many things, all dark and carnal.
“Miss Bluebell!” the child cried, and Bram wanted to spank the idiot child for drawing the woman’s attention. Don’t look at him. Look at me! The thought was bizarre in his mind, but it was no less loud.
The woman finally managed to pull the puppy away from her face. She must have said something because the boy nodded vigorously and pointed at the inn. At first Bram thought the child was directing her to look at him, but he soon realized the truth. Neither boy nor woman had seen him, and the disappointment of that was yet another shock. What was wrong with him?
Author’s Note
Longtime fans will notice that the heroine of this book originally appeared in Winning a Bride as Megan Powel. Research after that ebook was published indicated that the name Megan didn’t come into popular use until the twentieth century. Oops! So rather than perpetuate an error, I have changed her name in this book to Mari. Hopefully you can forgive me for this mistake.
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Jade Lee has been scripting love stories since she first picked up a set of paper dolls. Ball gowns and rakish lords caught her attention early (thank you, Georgette Heyer), and her fascination with the Regency began. An author of more than fifty romance novels and winner of dozens of industry awards, Jade Lee delights readers with her vibrant, saucy Regency romances that deliver unusual stories with a lot of heart. Lee lives in Champaign, Illinois.
Thank you for reading!
At Sourcebooks we are always working on something new and exciting, and we don’t want you to miss out.
So sign up now to receive exclusive offers, bonus content, and always be the first to get the scoop on what’s new!
SIGN UP NOW!
If the Earl Only Knew
The Daring Marriages
by Amanda Forester
A sizzling scandal just waiting to happen…
Orphaned at a young age, Lady Katherine Ashton and her brother have spent most of their lives on the high seas, seeking to restore their family fortune through somewhat dubious means. After that kind of adventure, Kate knows she won’t ever be accepted as a proper society lady.
To the annoyingly clever, temptingly handsome, and altogether troublesome Earl of Wynbrook, society ladies are a dead bore. Kate, on the other hand, is scandalous, alluring, and altogether fascinating.
And Kate can’t decide which she relishes more: the thrill of chasing fearsome pirates, or having Wynbrook chase after her…
Praise for Winter Wedding:
“Pure ambrosia… Readers will delight.” —Publishers Weekly Starred Review
“A scintillating regency romance full of festive fun, intrigue, and subterfuge!” —Fresh Fiction
For more Amanda Forester, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
The Rebel Heir
The Spare Heirs
by Elizabeth Michels
The Spare Heirs Society Cordially Invites You to Meet Ash Claughbane: The Imposter
Lady Evangeline Green is living a lie. To please her family, she masquerades as the perfect debutante…until she meets the wickedly charming Lord Crosby. With him, there are no rules. She’s finally free to do as she desires—but freedom comes with a price, and Lord Crosby is not what he seems…
Ash is not Lord Crosby. He’s a con artist, a noble Spare Heir living off his silver tongue. When the Green family ruined his, he swore he’d make them pay, and he never doubted his devotion to revenge…until he met Evangeline. Now, caught in a web of lies, torn between duty and desire, what’s a con to do but deceive all of London and steal the one lady who dared match wits with the devil himself?
Praise for The Infamous Heir:
“Readers are treated to Michels’s strongest story yet. Savor this tale.” —RT Book Reviews Top Pick
“Michels’s latest is the complete package: a captivating romance with gripping suspense wrapped up in a novel to be savored.” —Publishers Weekly Starred Review
For more Elizabeth Michels, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
What the Duke Doesn’t Know
The Duke’s Sons
by Jane Ashford
A proper English wife, or the freedom of the sea?
Lord James Gresham is the fifth son of the Duke of Langford, a captain in the Royal Navy, and at a loss for what to do next. He’s made his fortune; perhaps now he should find a proper wife and set up his nursery. But the sea calls to him, while his search for a wife leaves him uninspired. And then, a dark beauty with a heart for revenge is swept into his life.
He can’t have both, but he won’t give up either
Half-English, half-Polynesian Kawena Benson is out to avenge her father and reclaim a cache of stolen jewels. She informs James at gunpoint that he is her chief suspect. There’s nothing for James to do but protest his innocence and help Kawena search for the jewels, even though it turns his world upside down
Praise for Heir to the Duke:
“Engaging characters, plenty of passion, and a devastating secret in this heartwarming read.” —RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars
“Fabulous romance with wonderful characters… I couldn’t put this book down.” —Night Owl Reviews, Reviewer Top Pick
For more Jane Ashford, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
The Untouchable Earl
Fallen Ladies
by Amy Sandas
Lily Chadwick has spent her life playing by society’s rules. But when an unscrupulous moneylender snatches her off the street and puts her up for auction at a pleasure house, she finds herself in the possession of a man who makes her breathless with terror and impossible yearning…
Though the reclusive Earl of Harte claimed Lily with the highest bid, he hides a painful secret—one that has kept him from ever knowing the pleasure of a lover’s touch. Even the barest brush of skin brings him physical pain, and he’s spent his life keeping the world at arms’ length. But there’s something about Lily that maddens him, bewitches him, compels him…and drives him toward the one woman brave and kind enough to heal his troubled heart.
Praise for Luck Is No Lady:
“Smart and sexy.” —Booklist
“Lively plot, engaging characters, and heated love scenes make this a page-turner.” —RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars
&
nbsp; For more Amy Sandas, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
