“Jonathon,” she breathed and leaned back. “You’re insatiable. Perhaps you need time with your friends.”
Isabella ran her hand through his hair and cupped the back of his head. “Granville and Hamilton will also be in London,” she pointed out.
“Just one more reason to stay away,” he insisted, but she felt his lips curve into a smile against her throat.
She snorted and pulled back just enough to give him a mockingly disapproving look.
“I simply wish to stay here with my wife,” he whispered. “I don’t think I’ll ever tire of the two of us alone.”
Affection and love closed her throat and Isabella leaned into him. She breathed him in and held him close. The easy affection should’ve surprised her — scared her at least. But Isabella knew her husband and, finally, knew her own heart.
He kissed her again, lips lingering on hers. “Though I suppose,” he said slowly, “we should venture out among others, from time to time.”
Isabella smiled, soft and loving, and brushed her fingers over his cheek. “Well,” she whispered, her previous desire to travel to London rapidly diminishing, “when you put it like that...”
She pressed her lips to his, a soft kiss full of all the love she felt for this man. Never had she felt so safe, so protect, and so loved as she did with Jonathon.
Her duke.
A Note to my Incredible Readers
I hope you enjoyed this first of my new Regency series: Scandalous Encounters. They’ve been so fun to write. Coming in early autumn of 2015 will be Improper Match followed by two Christmas short stories in the Scandalous Encounters series: Improper Christmas and Improper Duke.
If you have enjoyed my stories, I’d greatly appreciate you sharing your views on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Goodreads. I’m always available through email if you have any comments, questions, or requests.
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As always, thank you so much for reading!
About Kristabel Reed
Kristabel Reed lives on the East Coast and loves to explore the steamier side of historical romance. She loves all romances, but historical ménages particularly which add an element of danger and discovery not seen in contemporaries.
She loves reading, watching old movies, random quotes, and anything Cary Grant.
Excerpt from Improper Match
The daughter of a successful merchant, Selina Lyndell never expected to marry an earl. But that’s exactly what’s about to happen. But then it all falls apart—her father is convicted of murder and hanged, vicious scandal follows her like a second shadow, and Selina herself is hunted.
Edmund, Earl of Granville, isn’t letting Selina go without a fight, be that on the streets of London, at the Old Baily, or against the ton’s vicious gossip. Nothing will stop him from clearing the family name of the woman he loves.
Chapter One
London
September 1817
“Strathmore has an excuse for turning into a house-bound bore,” James Hamilton complained as he lounged indolently in the carriage seat across from Edmund.
The words were spoken in Hamilton’s voice, but as far as Edmund Pembroke, the Earl of Granville could tell, his friend hadn’t moved at all. The only oddity this afternoon, with Hamilton at least, was that today his friend clutched a single ladies’ glove. Usually it was a comb in his hair or something equally absurd.
An hour ago Hamilton’s footman had come to him, inquiring as to Mr. Hamilton’s whereabouts. Edmund didn’t know why the man had not gone directly to the club, the most likely place for Hamilton, nor why Hamilton tasked the man with reminding him of a supposedly very important meeting.
However, Edmund agreed to assist the footman and here they were. In the carriage, making their slow way across town.
The glove in Hamilton’s hand clearly told Edmund he’d been with his mistress. Perhaps a new one. It was always hard to tell with Hamilton.
Edmund and his friend, Strathmore, had been rather indiscreet with their dalliances while traveling the Continent. If they added both their indiscretions together, it wouldn’t come close to the number of James Hamilton’s conquests. Edmund was positive there wasn’t a woman out there capable of taming that bachelor.
“But you.” Hamilton raised his gaze and glared at Edmund. “You should’ve joined me at the club last night. What pressing matters could’ve possibly kept you from such entertaining company?”
Hamilton waved the glove at him, as if it was all the temptation Edmund needed. Rolling his shoulders in a dismissive shrug, Edmund ignored Hamilton. His own tastes had never run to such loose women, even if he had enjoyed his fair share.
“I was with my footman. We were finishing the final details for Octavia’s birthday,” Edmund said, exasperated.
Also by Kristabel Reed
Countess Curvy: A Curvy Girl’s Earl
Audrey Mills is in London to organize a charity fashion event, where she meets Duncan Collins, the Earl of Thronhill. Confident in her curves, Audrey doesn’t expect Duncan to want more than a holiday fling. But when things begin to heat up, will she panic and run? Countess Curvy is a 36,000 word m/f story with explicit sex scenes and a curvy leading lady that’s curvy-licious!
Boss Likes Curves: A Curvy Girl’s Billionaire
VP of Development, Sabrina McKenna, has worked hard to get where she is with Gideon Hotels. When Gideon Marquez asks her to attend several important business functions, Sabrina agrees. It’s only after 2 months of these functions that she realizes they’ve been dating. And she’s fallen hard for her boss. Can Gideon convince her what he feels for her is forever? Or will Sabrina’s insecurities make her flee? Boss Likes Curves is a 39,000 word m/f story with explicit sex and a company-wide, international, high odds office betting pool run by an evil genius and her equally evil cohort.
Curvy’s Cad: A Curvy Girl’s Mistake?
Eliza Lyons knows she has a bit more plump on her frame than Craig Gran’s normal tall, ultra-skinny type and decides to school Mr. Grant on the pleasures of a full figure. She is in it for the fun, the sex, the bragging rights. But when she discovers he wants more, will she take that final leap? Or will Eliza bolt right back to the comfort of the uncomplicated fling? Curvy’s Cad is a 36,000 word m/f story with a sassy curvy woman and the debonair cad who wants her.
Christmas Curvy: A Curvy Girl’s Holiday Fling
Laura Dixon doesn’t leap. She planned her life and career the way she wanted them to go. And does her best to ignore her family’s advice on how to lose weight and catch a man. Maybe it was the ice skating or the Christmas music, or possibly the hot chocolate, that finally made her say yes when smart, handsome, and totally out of her league Tyler Kamari asked her out. Whatever it was, it was the right recipe for the holidays! This is a 38,000 word m/f story with explicit sex scenes, copious amounts of holiday cheer, and a curvy girl’s Christmas to remember.
Princess Curvy: A Curvy Girl’s Italian Affair
Natalia Dolcini hadn’t expected Adam Clayworth to bring her into a banking intrigue he investigated. Or for Adam to become her lover. But then Adam’s investigation turned dangerous. Natalia finds it difficult to keep her own heart safe as they race from Milan to Portofino and back again. Will their Italian affair end after the danger does? Or will it be an affair to remember? Princess Curvy is a 36,600 word story with a fashion designer curvy woman and the banker who wants her.
To Purchase: Curvy Girl’s Guide to Love.
Cursed Love: A Wicked Demon Tale
Despite the sizzling attraction and the hot sex, from their first meeting something stood between them. A secret with origins in the mystical and one that had burrowed itself deep within Nikki Kent. She needed to protect Cooper Marquez from her secret, but Cooper would risk everything to keep her safe.
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To Purchase: Wicked Demon Tales.
Improper Wager: Scandalous Encounters Page 21
