“Yes. I mean, no.” She raised a shaking hand in its black leather glove. “You’re trying to intimidate me.”
He still smiled. “If I am, I’d say I’m succeeding.”
She drew herself up to her full height. She was tall for a woman, but didn’t come near to matching his more than six feet. “I told you why I’m here. I won’t fight you. There’s no need to play the villain from an opera.”
“You’ll endure my distasteful caresses but won’t let me take your cloak? Seems a little silly.”
She stopped backing away, purely because she bumped into the stone wall behind her. Her eyes flared gold with anger. “Don’t mock me.”
“Why not?” he asked lazily. He reached to release the ties at her throat.
She pressed into the wall in a futile attempt to escape. “I don’t like it.”
“You’ll get used to it.” His hands brushed along her shoulders, feeling trembling tension beneath the saturated wool. “Before we’re done, you’ll get used to a great deal.”
Bleak self-awareness hardened her expression. “I imagine you’re right.”
The amusement left his voice. “Roberta isn’t worth this, you know.”
The girl—Miss Forsythe, Sidonie—stared back without shying away. “Yes, she is. You don’t understand.”
“I daresay I don’t.” If the wench was determined to rush to perdition, who was he to argue? Especially as she smelled agreeably of rain and a faint evocative hint of woman. When he slid the cape from her shoulders and let it fall in a sodden heap, he revealed a body pleasingly curved to fit his hands.
She gasped as the garment slipped, then stood quivering. Her jaw set with truculent determination. “I’m ready.”
“I doubt you are, bella.” He paid closer attention to her clothing and spoke with genuine horror. “What on earth have you got on?”
The look she shot him indicated virulent dislike. “What’s wrong with it?”
He cast a disapproving glance over the ruffled white muslin, too young for her, too light for the wretched night, too unfashionable, too… everything. “Nothing, if you’re dressing to play the virgin sacrifice.”
“Why not?” she said with a revival of spirit. “I am a virgin.”
He rolled his eyes. “Of course you are. Which begs the question why you’re presenting me with your maidenhead instead of letting your fool sister clean up her own mess.”
“You’re offensive, sir.”
He muffled a laugh. She proved more amusing than Roberta. At the very least, Roberta would have treated him to a display of hysterics by now. He couldn’t picture this grave goddess resorting to such dramatics. Perhaps this was his lucky night after all. His lurking frustration at Roberta’s maneuvers, fading under the influence of this lovely girl’s defiance, vanished. Trapping Roberta had been no great challenge, however satisfying the prospect of swiving his loathed cousin’s wife. Seducing Sidonie Forsythe promised fine sport indeed.
“It’s my best dress,” Miss Forsythe said huffily.
He subjected the limp frill at her décolletage to a derisive flick. “Perhaps when you were fifteen.” His gaze sharpened. “Just how old are you?”
“Twenty-four,” she muttered. “How old are you?”
“Too old for you.” At thirty-two, perhaps he wasn’t too old in years but he was a million years too old in experience. And he hadn’t spent those million years wisely.
Sudden hope lit her expression. “Does that mean you’ll let me go?”
This time he laughed openly. “Not on your life.”
Her spiking fear might send her scarpering. He curled one hand around her shoulder, bare under her flimsy bodice. At the contact, something inexplicable arced between them. When startled pansy eyes shot up to meet his, he tumbled headlong into soft brown. She trembled as his hold gentled to shape the graceful curve of bone and sinew.
“What are you waiting for?” she forced through stiff lips.
He should be horsewhipped for tormenting her, but still curiosity was paramount. He raised his other hand to her jaw, angling her face. This close, he could make out each individual eyelash and the gold striations in her rich irises. Her nostrils flared as though she took in his scent just as he took in hers.
Or perhaps she was so frightened, she struggled to breathe.
“The question is whether debauching my enemy’s sister-in-law has quite the same cachet as debauching my enemy’s wife,” he murmured.
“You bastard,” she hissed, her breath warm across his face.
He smiled as dread lit her eyes. “Precisely, belladonna.”
Slowly he bent to place his mouth on hers. Her rain-fresh scent flooded his senses, made him giddy with anticipation. She didn’t move away and her lips remained sealed, but the satiny warmth intoxicated him.
He slid his lips against hers in what was more the hint of a kiss than an actual kiss. Even as arousal pounded through him, insisting that he take her, that she was here to be taken, he kept the contact light, teasing. Nor did he tighten his grip on her shoulder to keep her under his mouth. The agony of suspense bordered on the delicious as he waited for her to wrench free, to curse him for a scoundrel. But she remained still as a china figurine. Except the subtle heat under his lips belonged to a woman, not unresponsive porcelain.
Before more than a second passed, he raised his head. Astounding how reluctant he was to end the unsatisfying kiss. He dragged in an unsteady breath and struggled against the powerful urge to kiss her properly. There mightn’t be much cachet in fucking Lord Hillbrook’s sister-in-law, but he had a grim feeling that wouldn’t stop him.
Her eyes were wide and dark with shock. Because he’d kissed her? Or because for a fleeting instant, she might have enjoyed it?
“Why the hesitation?” Her tone was raw. “Get it over with.”
He tapped her cheek with a chiding index finger. “I haven’t had my dinner yet,” he said mildly and released her.
She staggered but found her balance with impressive speed. Breath escaped her parted lips in unsteady gasps. He preferred her outrage to her vulnerability. Against his will, her vulnerability ate at his ruthlessness like rust on iron. “Won’t you join me?”
She regarded him with well-deserved hatred. “I’m not hungry.”
“Pity. You’ll need your strength later.”
He let that sink in while he sat and rang the bell. Mrs. Bevan appeared with astonishing speed. She’d probably been listening at the door. Entertainment at Castle Craven was so lacking, he hardly blamed her.
“You may serve dinner, Mrs. Bevan,” he said with a cheerfulness that earned him a puzzled glance from his housekeeper.
“Aye, maister. And for yon lady?”
Miss Forsythe remained standing where she had when he’d kissed her. She was back to looking like a marble statue, but now that he’d touched her, he knew she was flesh and blood, all right.
“Two?”
The girl didn’t react. Good Lord, had that kiss silenced her clever tongue? He hoped to coax her into using it again. Not for idle conversation.
He addressed Mrs. Bevan. “No, for one. Please show the lady to her room. Mr. Bevan can serve my meal.”
“Aye, maister.” The woman shuffled out, and after a brief hesitation the girl collected her meager luggage and followed.
Jonas wished he could be there when Miss Forsythe discovered that in this ramshackle pile, her room also served as his.
ALSO BY ANNA CAMPBELL
THE SONS OF SIN SERIES
Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed
Days of Rakes and Roses
Praise for
Anna Campbell and Her Novels
“Truly, deeply romantic.”
—Eloisa James, New York Times bestselling author, on Tempt the Devil
“Anna Campbell is an amazing, daring new voice in romance.”
—Lorraine Heath, New York Times bestselling author
“Regency noir—different and intriguing.”
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—Stephanie Laurens, New York Times bestselling author, on Claiming the Courtesan
“No one does lovely, dark romance or lovely, dark heroes like Anna Campbell. I love her books.”
—Sarah MacLean, New York Times bestselling author
Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed
“Following a classic Beauty and the Beast theme, and adding her own sexy twist, Campbell creates an engaging story that sparkles with witty dialogue. The fast pace and slightly gothic atmosphere make the pages fly. She keeps readers highly satisfied with the plot’s tenderness and touching emotions that reach the heart.”
—RT Book Reviews
“I read it in one day then read it a second time… I’ll most likely read it again before book two comes out. Yes, I enjoyed it that much. I highly recommend this book and am already counting the months until I can get my hands on the next two in the series.”
—TheRomanceDish.com
“Will grab your attention from the very first line and not let go!… An entrancing, evocative romance… All of Ms. Campbell’s books are on my keeper shelf… From its Beauty and the Beast –like elements to its very non-fairy-tale-like blistering sensuality, Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed entertains. I loved Sidonie and Jonas and I can’t wait to read their story again and again and again!”
—JoyfullyReviewed.com
“A captivating historical romance, Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed should not be missed, and I look forward to the next book in the Sons of Sin series.”
—RomRevToday.com
“A beautiful love story with an unforgettable hero. This is a must-read story for those readers who enjoy darker historical romances and beastly heroes.”
—RomanceNovelNews.com
Midnight’s Wild Passion
“4½ stars! It isn’t just the sensuality she weaves into her story that makes Campbell a fan favorite, it’s also her strong, three-dimensional characters, sharp dialogue, and deft plotting. Campbell intuitively knows how to balance the key elements of the genre and give readers an irresistible, memorable read.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Readers beware: do not start reading Midnight’s Wild Passion late at night. You’ll stay up, as I did, telling yourself you’ll only read one more chapter before putting it down for the night. Next thing you know, you’ve finished this marvelous book and discovered that it’s nearly dawn.”
—JoyfullyReviewed.com
My Reckless Surrender
“4½ stars, Top Pick! Campbell’s ‘slice of life’ portrayal of society provides an intriguing glimpse at the inner workings of the ton’s members. Her characters exhibit a depth of personality, moral fiber, and emotion, defining them as the best of all people. The enthralling story is complex and passionate and readers will experience a delightful sense of satisfaction from watching Campbell’s characters grow in stature and emotional understanding. Quite a book!”
—RT Book Reviews
“Enchanting characters, sizzling sparks flying between Ashcroft and Diana, and a dark, ruthless villain lurking in the background make My Reckless Surrender a terrific read.”
—RomRevToday.com
“Prepare yourself for Anna Campbell’s most sultry, tempting tale yet! My Reckless Surrender wraps itself around readers like the most sensual of silks, Ms. Campbell’s gorgeous writing a true thing of beauty.”
—JoyfullyReviewed.com
Captive of Sin
“Smart Regency romance… delightful insight and… luscious love scenes. Readers will cheer for these lovable and well-crafted characters.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Captive of Sin is an intensely passionate story of battling emotions. Anna Campbell has superbly captured the strong feelings and actions of her characters… I can’t wait for Ms. Campbell’s next book.”
—NightOwlRomance.com
Tempt the Devil
“4½ stars! Vibrantly refreshing and sizzling with sensuality and a depth of emotion that takes your breath away, Campbell’s latest delivers an unforgettable powerhouse romance. The intensity comes from her comprehension of our deepest desires and our need for love and compassion. You won’t be immune to this remarkable writer or the unconventional stories she creates.”
—RT Book Reviews
Untouched
“Rising star Campbell’s second emotionally intense novel is reminiscent of early Laura Kinsale. Her flair for sensuality and darkness, wounded heroes, and strong women appeals to readers yearning for a powerful, sexy, and emotionally moving addition to their keeper shelves.”
—RT Book Reviews
Claiming the Courtesan
“4½ stars! This fresh, vibrant novel launches an exciting new historical voice: a don’t-miss author whose talent for bringing back the classic Avon style and melding it with a twenty-first-century voice ensures her place as a fan favorite.”
—RT Book Reviews
THE DISH
Where Authors Give You the Inside Scoop
From the desk of Anna Campbell
Dear Reader,
When I first came up with the idea for the Sons of Sin series, which began last year with Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed, I wanted to explore the effects of family scandal on my heroes and the women they fall in love with.
My first hero, Jonas Merrick, was all injury, anger, and passion. For my second hero, I wanted less of the wounded lion and more of the man who hides deep emotional wounds beneath a careless smile and a quick witticism. Someone a little closer to the Scarlet Pimpernel than Heathcliff! I also wanted to write about someone who becomes a hero in spite of himself, once he realizes that he alone can protect the woman he loves from men with much darker motives than his own rather murky purposes.
So Sir Richard Harmsworth, the dashing rake at the center of A RAKE’S MIDNIGHT KISS, was born.
All Richard’s life, he’s maintained an appearance of cool elegance. He’s learned through bitter experience that emotional involvement only leads to disaster. When he sets out to retrieve the Harmsworth Jewel, the priceless artifact that proves his right to the baronetcy, he has no idea that he’s embarking on an adventure that will change him forever.
Richard fights tooth and nail against falling in love with scholarly vicar’s daughter, Genevieve Barrett, the jewel’s current custodian. Even worse, innocent Genevieve is the one woman in the world who seems immune to his famous charm. To win her, he’ll need to dig deep beneath his spectacular façade and unearth all those heroic qualities that he’s convinced he doesn’t possess. Qualities like courage and honor, steadfastness and self-sacrifice.
These two characters were such fun to write. I’ve always been a fan of the fast-talking romantic comedies of the 1930s and 1940s where the heroine was at least as smart as the hero and didn’t give him an inch unless he worked himself into a lather to take it. I created Richard and Genevieve in that mold—I wanted passionate battles and battling passions! I hope you enjoy their bumpy path to true love and a happy ending.
If you’d like to know more about A RAKE’S MIDNIGHT KISS, please check out my website www.annacampbell.info. And in the meantime, happy reading!
Best wishes,
From the desk of Debra Webb
Dear Reader,
Fall is around the corner and I’m already plotting how to decorate for Halloween and then Christmas. Yes, I said Christmas! Time really has flown this year. Here we are in case six of the Faces of Evil—RUTHLESS.
I’m certain you were a little stunned at the end! What in the world is Jess going to do? It’s time for her to get her act together and face the reality of her situation—Spears isn’t going to stop until he has her. There is so much more for her to consider now. And Dan, oh my goodness, is he in for a surprise! Jess will need Dan more than ever now.
Vicious is next, so brace yourself! Things just get more chilling from here. The pressure is on to stop Spears and no one is safe. As the next six cases play out, look for exploding tension, life-and-death situat
ions, and even more heinous killers. That’s the thing about the Faces of Evil: Each one is more evil than the last. So don’t miss a single installment!
I hope you’ll stop by www.thefacesofevil.com and visit! There’s a weekly briefing each Friday where I talk about what’s going on in my world and with the characters as I write the next story. You can sign up as a person of interest and you might just end up a suspect! We love giving away prizes too so do stop by.
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