No Other Duke But You--A Playful Brides Novel
Page 25
“Never fear. I shall get started at my earliest opportunity,” Thomas replied with a roguish grin.
“What about Lady Emmaline? Has she found a match yet?” Lucy asked.
“Lady Emmaline and Lord Berwick were courting, last I heard,” Cass interjected.
Derek closed his eyes in mock agony. “No more matchmaking, my love. I swear you’ll send me to an early grave.”
“That’s interesting, coming from you,” Lucy retorted. “After you were just bragging about your part in Thomas’s plans.”
Derek threw back his head and laughed. “Yes, well, seems I’ve learned from the best too.”
Cass reached out and patted Delilah’s arm. “I saw your mother in the church this morning. Are you sad she isn’t here?”
“No.” Delilah shook her head. “I think it’s best if I limit her role in my life.”
“Your mother should be nothing but happy, dear,” Lucy replied. “After all, you did end up marrying a duke, just as you said you would.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Delilah replied with a sigh. “I never really considered it.”
“Yes, but you’re forgetting that at first, you wanted to marry the Duke of Branville,” Thomas pointed out.
She turned to him, put her arms around his neck, and kissed him thoroughly and indecently. “The Duke of Branville? Who is that? As far as I’m concerned, my darling, there is no other duke but you.”
EPILOGUE
Cade Cavendish sat on the settee in the library at Huntley’s estate. Thomas and Delilah’s wedding festivities were winding down, but the children, who had been allowed to stay up late, had all come out to sit in a semicircle around his knees and stare up at him. They liked him to tell them tall tales about his daring former life at sea.
“Uncle Cade, Uncle Cade, give your speech, the one we like,” Devon Monroe insisted.
“The one about fairies that rhymes,” Bella Swift added.
“What are they talking about?” Danielle said to her husband. She stood behind him smiling and shaking her head.
Cade threw back his head and laughed. “They want me to recite the speech I memorized when I played Puck.”
“Which one?” Danielle asked.
“This one,” Cade said, before clearing his throat. He turned to the children. “If we shadows have offended, think but this and all is mended. That you have but slumbered here. While these visions did appear. And this weak and idle theme. No more yielding but a dream. Gentles, do not reprehend. If you pardon, we will mend. And, as I am an honest Puck. If we have unearned luck. Now to ’scape the serpent’s tongue. We will make amends ere long. Else the Puck a liar call. So good night unto you all. Give me your hands if we be friends, and Robin shall restore amends.”
Thank you for reading No Other Duke but You.
Delilah has been one of my favorite characters from the moment she stepped on the page in The Irresistible Rogue, and when Thomas appeared in The Untamed Earl, I knew they should be together. I sincerely hope you’ve enjoyed their story. I’d be delighted if you’d email me and tell me how you liked the book.
I’d love to keep in touch.
• Visit my website for information about upcoming books, excerpts, and to sign up for my email newsletter: www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com or at www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com/subscribe
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• Reviews help other readers find books. I appreciate all reviews whether positive or negative. Thank you so much for considering it!
Look for these other delightfully romantic novels by
VALERIE BOWMAN
The Playful Brides
KISS ME AT CHRISTMAS
A DUKE LIKE NO OTHER
THE RIGHT KIND OF ROGUE
NEVER TRUST A PIRATE
THE LEGENDARY LORD
THE UNTAMED EARL
THE IRRESISTIBLE ROGUE
THE UNLIKELY LADY
THE ACCIDENTAL COUNTESS
THE UNEXPECTED DUCHESS
The Secret Brides
SECRETS OF A SCANDALOUS MARRIAGE
SECRETS OF A RUNAWAY BRIDE
SECRETS OF A WEDDING NIGHT
Available from St. Martin’s Paperbacks
And don’t miss Bowman’s wonderful e-novellas
The Unforgettable Hero
A Secret Affair
A Secret Proposal
It Happened Under the Mistletoe
Also featured in The Christmas Brides, available from St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Available from St. Martin’s Press
Praise for the spectacular Playful Brides series by
VALERIE BOWMAN
KISS ME AT CHRISTMAS
“Memorable characters, rich sensuality, and mystery will entice readers from the very first page.”
—Publisher’s Weekly
“Bowman’s latest will have you yearning for the snowy traditions of Regency London at Christmastime.”
—Entertainment Weekly
“Scorching romance and enjoyable mystery twine together in this charming story of a hero and heroine battling strict class expectations.”
—Book Page
A DUKE LIKE NO OTHER
“Fans of second-chance romance will be charmed from the first chapter.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Chock-full of charm.”
—BookPage
“Readers are sure to be enthralled.”
—RT Book Reviews (Top Pick!)
“Another entertaining entry in Bowman’s fanciful and fun Playful Brides series.”
—Booklist
THE RIGHT KIND OF ROGUE
“Anyone who adores engaging, meddlesome characters, a dashing hero, and an undaunted heroine will find that Bowman fulfills their dreams of the perfect romance.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Poignant, entertaining … this was a fun book to read.”
—Romance Reviews Today
NEVER TRUST A PIRATE
“Thrilling, delicious, and suspenseful.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Wonderful, sprightly repartee, a fast pace, and delightful characters blend together in another enthralling Bowman romance. Always smart and sassy, Bowman’s heroines delight in piquing the hero; taunting and tempting. Together they heat up the pages and turn readers’ thoughts to what original story line she’ll come up with next for their ‘keeper’ shelf.”
—RT Book Reviews (Top Pick!)
THE LEGENDARY LORD
“A sweet and fulfilling romance.”
—Publishers Weekly
“A deliciously witty, sexy historical romance that will keep readers turning the pages.”
—Romance Junkies
THE UNTAMED EARL
“Bowman delights with a humorous tale that could come straight out of a Shakespearean play … enchanting romance.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Valerie Bowman’s stories sparkle with humor, and her characters are absolutely adorable. The Untamed Earl is an engaging and romantic love story.”
—Fresh Fiction
THE IRRESISTIBLE ROGUE
“Bowman’s novel is the complete package, filled with fascinating characters, sparkling romance, and a touch of espionage.”
—Publishers Weekly
“With its lively plot, heated sexual tension, surprising twists, engaging characters, and laugh-out-loud humor, Bowman’s latest is another winner.”
—RT Book Reviews (Top Pick!)
“You will find no greater romantic escapade.”
—Night Owl Reviews (Top Pick)
“The story is filled with humor, a twisting plot, and vibrant characters that have become Bowman’s hallmark.”
—Sarah MacLean, The Washington Post
THE UNLIKELY LADY
“Bowman keeps her prose and characters fresh and interesting; her
book is an entertaining renewal of a classic plotline and well worth reading.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Quick, lively entertainment at its best”
—RT Book Reviews
“A joyous romp in Regency England, filled with bright characters, scintillating conversations, and just plain fun.”
—Romance Reviews Today
THE ACCIDENTAL COUNTESS
“The references to Oscar Wilde’s play are more of a tribute than a straight retelling, which keeps this hilarious and lively story from becoming too predictable. Bowman is one to watch.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“A charming love story … [with] humor and tenderness.”
—RT Book Reviews (4½ stars)
“Merry, intelligent, and wholly satisfying. The plot is elaborate, and Bowman handles it with grace to spare.”
—USA Today
THE UNEXPECTED DUCHESS
“Smart, witty, sassy, and utterly delightful!”
—RT Book Reviews (4½ stars, Top Pick!)
“Engaging characters, snappy banter, and judicious infusion of smoldering sensuality will have readers clamoring for the next installment in this smart and sexy series.”
—Booklist (starred review)
“A fun, smart comedy of errors and a sexy, satisfying romance.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Valerie Bowman grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s number seven) and a huge supply of historical romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English with a minor in history at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got.
Valerie now lives in Jacksonville with her family, including her two mini-schnauzers. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS.
Valerie loves to hear from readers. Find her on Facebook, Twitter, and at www.ValerieBowmanBooks.com, or sign up for email updates here.
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CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Epilogue
Praise for the spectacular Playful Brides series by Valerie Bowman
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
NO OTHER DUKE BUT YOU
Copyright © 2019 by June Third Enterprises, LLC.
All rights reserved.
For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
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Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 978-1-250-12167-7
eISBN: 9781250121684
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St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / May 2019
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.