Seducing the Single Lady

by Maya Rodale

  ******

  Damien could not take his eyes off Susannah. Yes, there was that dress. But there was also the fact that her hopeful blue eyes that kept glancing in his direction and the adorable way she nervously nibbled on her plump pink lower lip.

  Had it only been a week ago that he’d reunited with her?

  Speaking of a week…

  “You owe me fifty pounds,” Watson said by way of greeting. Damien groaned. He hadn’t forgotten the stupid wager he’d made—how could he? Nor had he forgotten payment. But he was eager to resolve the matter, put it behind him and take more care in the future with off-the-cuff comments where he could be overheard, leading to disastrous results. Scrappy brat. Hitched within the week.

  “You might have warned me about Susannah,” Damien said. “Instead of letting me make such a fool of myself.”

  He had looked at all the plain wallflowers when the woman he’d sought had transformed into the belle of the ball. You must not know about me, she had declared. Never again would he underestimate her.

  “And miss the entertaining spectacle that has ensued?” Watson asked with a laugh. “I have no regrets.”

  “I suppose I don’t either,” Damien agreed. But dear God what a tumultuous week it had been. His plans crashing down. Failure staring him in the face again. His father would have been devastated to see that contract ripped up, and he would be incredibly disappointed should Damien fail to secure Susannah’s hand in marriage. Hell, Damien would be disappointed and devastated and though he was still intent upon living the life of a good, upstanding man as he ought to do, Damien now wanted to marry Susannah for one and only one reason: he loved her.

  He had the ring in his pocket. He would propose. Tonight.

  But first he had to fight his way through the thick throng of suitors surrounding her.

  “Susannah!”

  “Hello, Damien,” she replied with a hint of a smile on her full pink lips.

  “You look beautiful tonight,” Damien said.

  “Thank you,” she replied.

  God, he should be more original or poetic, but she took his breath and his wits away. That ring was burning a hole in his pocket. His future happiness hung in the balance. He wanted to ask the question and get on with the business of living happily ever after. But if there was one thing he had learned this week, it was that perfunctory proposals were not successful. She wasn’t something to be won, she was a girl to be wooed and loved.

  Thus, instead, Damien invited Susannah to waltz. She graciously accepted. Shy smiles. Meaningful gazes. In spite of his best intentions to be a perfect gentleman, his hand slid lower down her back and she treated him to a naughty smile, which incited all sorts of seductive thoughts…

  Halfway through he could stand it no more.

  “Would you care for a turn about the terrace?”

  “Oh please yes,” she gushed and he dared to hope that she was of the same mind as he. They rushed through the other couples waltzing and pushed through the French doors onto the terrace. A burst of cool air hit them. Above, the stars sparkled brightly in the midnight sky.

  “You know, Damien, all sorts of trouble often occurs on the terrace,” Susannah remarked and she slipped her hand in his.

  “I can assure you, my intentions are honorable,” Damien said softly as he tugged her into his arms for an embrace. “You’re the one—the only one—that I want, Susannah,” he murmured.

  “Oh,” she sighed. And then she sighed again as he dropped to one knee before her. His fingers fumbling slightly, Damien withdrew the betrothal ring from his pocket.

  “Sometimes I think that I should have put this ring on your finger years ago. Days ago, even. But it wouldn’t have been right. I didn’t know you then. I didn’t love you then. It would have been an arranged marriage of strangers.”

  “That is not the destiny I want.”

  “I could have showered you with trinkets and gifts,” Damien said, “in the hopes of buying your favor.”

  “That’s not the kind of girl I am,” Susannah said softly. “I’d rather have your love.”

  “Love is what you deserve and I love you, Susannah Xavier Peregrine Grey,” Damien said. There was an odd tremble in his voice that revealed his truest feelings. “Please make me the happiest man alive and say you’ll be my wife.”

  Susannah laughed and said yes and then yes again. Just to be absolutely clear she pressed her lips to his for a kiss that promised forever.

  And with that, finally, Susannah accepted one of his proposals and Damien finally slipped the ring—a large oval sapphire encircled by diamonds—on her finger. Forever.

  Epilogue: Love on Top

  The very happily married viscount and viscountess of Bedford retired to their adjoining country estates at the end of the season. They moved into the grand house at Bedford Hills and proceeded with making new memories together in addition to all the ones from their childhood.

  There were long rides around the lands—over rolling hills, across woodland streams, through green pastures—for which the viscountess scandalously wore breeches and rode astride. Just as scandalously, the viscount encouraged this behavior in his wife and always joined her.

  No one could miss the way Lord Bedford savored long lusty looks at his wife as she strolled around in her expertly fitted breeches. But lord help anyone else who looked at her thusly.

  In warmer weather, they emerged soaking wet after swimming in the lake. There were shrieks and splashes, almost as if they had pushed each other in. But viscounts did not push ladies into bodies of water and ladies certainly did not shove unsuspecting gentlemen into lakes. Yet all evidence suggested it very much was done.

  Occasionally they ventured into the village tavern, where they chatted amiably with the new tavern maid, a beautiful lass by the name of Frannie who had captured the hearts of all the village boys shortly after her arrival from London at the request of Lord Bedford. She spoke of boorish brother, Angus, who she had left behind. Occasionally she referred to “a lovely boy named Percy” but had quite forgotten him amongst all her other beaux.

  The servants were known to remark fondly to each other about how the viscount and viscountess were always seen to be smiling from ear to ear. And when one caught a glimpse of the simple, affectionate caresses between them—his hand upon her waist, or her hand placed over his beating heart—one couldn’t help but see how they each melted from the other’s touch. Occasionally Lord Bedford even playfully tugged one of the Lady Bedford’s red curls, at which she feigned utter outrage.

  Oh, they bickered and fought occasionally. The viscountess did not shy away from standing up to her husband and he was known to heave an exasperated sigh and storm off to his study for hours. “Nothing is perfect, but it’s worth it,” the viscountess would remark with a sigh and a tear in her eye. Then there would be kisses and then the bedchamber door would be locked for hours…

  “You’re the one I love,” Susannah would whisper as she nestled into Damien’s warm embrace after a particularly intense bout of lovemaking in the afternoon. Or morning. Or evening.

  “You’re the one I need,” he would reply, tightening his embrace and finding her lips for another slow and loving kiss.

  Soon enough they welcomed babies—first a set of twins, then another girl and then another boy. All of them lived happily ever after.

  Also by Maya Rodale

  A Groom Of One's Own

  It's the wedding of the year...but who will be the duke's bride?

  A Tale of Two Lovers

  He is notorious. She is scandalous. Together they're...respectable?!

  The Tattooed Duke

  He is London's most scandalous duke. She's a reporter disguised as his housemaid. Deception has never been so delicious!

  Seducing Mr. Knightly

  He's the only man she's ever loved. She's the one woman he never noticed. Let the seduction begin...

  Three Schemes and A Scandal

  Hijinks on the way to ha
ppily ever after.

  The Bad Boy Billionaire

  A contemporary heroine writes historical romance novels based on her romantic misadventures with a billionaire rogue.

  Dangerous Books For Girls

  The bad reputation of romance novels, explained.

  See what else is coming soon from Maya Rodale!

  About the Author

  Maya Rodale began reading romance novels in college at her mother’s insistence. She is now the author of numerous smart and sassy historical romance novels. A champion of the romance genre and it’s readers, she is also the author of the non-fiction book Dangerous Books For Girls: The Bad Reputation Of Romance Novels, Explained and a co-founder of Lady Jane’s Salon, a national reading series devoted to romantic fiction. Maya lives in New York City with her darling dog and a rogue of her own. Visit her on the web at http://www.mayarodale.com.

  Acknowledgments

  This novella would not be possible without my beloved husband who helped plot the story, opined on shades of pink for the cover, and endured listening to “Single Ladies” and other Beyoncé songs on repeat. Also, many, many, many thanks to him for sending me off to a fancy hotel for a few days so I could work on this story in five-star peace and quiet with room service (and so he could escape from all the Beyoncé songs). Thank you, Baby!

  I would also like to thank Martha Trachtenberg who copyedited this manuscript. Any remaining mistakes are all my fault. My sincere apologies.

  Thanks to my fellow authors Caroline Linden, Miranda Neville and Katharine Ashe for their advice, encouragement and chatty emails that are always a welcome distraction.

  And Beyoncé! Je love your music, most of your fashion choices and your amazing talent.