by Kelly Boyce
“I suppose I could court you. We never did have a proper courtship.”
She gave a light laugh. “No, we did not.” They had spent their days meeting in secret, loving in shadows. It had been exciting, courting scandal in such a way. “And what would you consider a proper courtship?”
His hand spread the breadth of her cheek and his mouth touched the arch of her cheekbone where he placed a soft kiss. Her eyes fluttered closed. “This, perhaps? Is that proper?”
“It feels properly wonderful.”
She felt the curve of his smile upon her skin. His arms slipped around her as his mouth moved to her neck, trailing a line of heat downward until it met her collarbone. “And this?”
“Oh, yes. Very proper indeed.”
“Hm.” His hands moved behind her and pulled at the laces of her dress until the material loosened around her. “This?”
“This may be bordering on improper. Sinful, even.”
“I see. Should I stop?”
She caught his gaze, the mischief she saw there taking her back as if no time had passed at all. “You most definitely should not.”
“I do not wish to compromise you.”
“I would very much like you to compromise me. In fact,” she said, growing bold as she undid the buttons of his waistcoat and pushed the damp wool down off his shoulders. “I would very much like you to compromise me in as many ways possible.”
He straightened his arms and let the waistcoat drop to the floor. “How very scandalous.”
She lifted her eyebrows and sought his mouth, no longer able to hold back the torrent of emotion and need building inside of her. She kissed him, fully, deeply, finally allowing everything she had held in heart pour out and into him. And he returned it, exploring her with his own kiss, his hands pulling at his cravat and tossing it aside, then tugging his shirt from his breeches and over his head until it fell somewhere behind him, freeing him to rescue her from her dress.
When he spoke, his words came on heavy breaths. “I’m afraid, my lady, that I have a very urgent need to be very, very improper and wondered if you might join me on that very large bed looming behind us.”
“I think I would be quite amenable to that, sir.”
“Wonderful. Also, I’m curious as to your ability to liberate me from these boots. It will make getting the rest of my clothing off much easier.”
She laughed as her dress slipped over her hips and pooled at her feet. Oh, how wonderful the laughter felt. How long it had been kept caged. But no more.
“I believe my valet skills are a bit rusty, but I will do my best.”
And she did, the two of them giggling like untried youths, fumbling about until the boots were removed and his wet breeches peeled from his skin, revealing the muscular length of his legs and the outline of his erection through his underclothes.
He quickly turned her about and undid the laces of her stays, removing the last bit of both their clothing before he swept her up in his arms and placed her gently onto the down mattress and covered her with his heat.
“My God,” he whispered as skin touched skin. “How I have dreamed of this.”
“As have I.” She had envisioned this for so long it was difficult to believe it was not simply another figment of her imagination. She lifted a hand, touching his chest and feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath her palm. He was real. This was real.
Arran lifted above her and let his gaze roam over her nakedness. “I had almost forgotten how amazingly beautiful you are.”
She shook her head. “I am over thirty years older and have given birth to two babies.” “A fact that only adds to your beauty. You’re an angel that has fallen to earth.”
“Then will you take me to heaven, my love?”
He chuckled. “I shall certainly try.”
She pulled him back to her and they collapsed together into the soft down, their bodies sighing with pleasure.
“The memory of how wonderful you feel against me pales in comparison to the reality,” he said and tightened his arms around her. She wrapped her legs around his hips, cradling him so that his hardness pressed into her, taunting her, thrilling her. Before, their lovemaking had been rushed, furtive and yet somehow wonderful. But tonight, she planned on taking her time, relishing each moment, cherishing every sensation. Over and over again.
Arran’s mouth left hers and burned a trail down her throat, her chest, and then captured her nipple to savor the taste of her as she threaded her hand into his hair, wanting to hold him there forever and yet pull him away, afraid she would lose her mind to the pleasure he gave.
“Arran. I thought we might take it slow, but I think I have changed my mind. I have waited long enough.” Her whole body ached for him and demanded release.
“You have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that.” He shifted slightly and the tip of his shaft eased into her, hard and full. She sighed and a low moan escaped her as he pushed in further, filling her completely.
He stopped and rested his forehead against hers.
“Arran?”
“Ssh. I’m savoring the moment.”
She laughed and wiggled until his breath caught in his throat. “Which moment is that?”
“The one where I finally found my way back home.”
Tears moistened her eyes and she leaned up on her elbows to kiss him, to tell him with her touch that he was home to her as well, and she had no intention of allowing either of them to wander off again. But the kiss only made the ache increase and soon, they let their bodies do the talking, rocking against each other until words gave way to sensation and sighs and moans of exquisite pleasure. It crested within her, wrapped around her and carried her over the edge with him and in that moment she knew.
He was hers. Finally. Completely. Forever.
“I love you, my shining knight. Always.” She kissed him and in the depth of it knew their love had never abated, that it had always lived beneath everything they did, waiting, knowing. They only had to find a way to forgive and understand to resurrect it and set it free.
Arran awoke slowly with the realization that something was different. As his body caught up with his mind, and the warmth of another body seeped into his, warming some parts, heating others to an almost painful degree, the previous night filtered back.
Glory. He smiled and opened his eyes and squinted. Sunlight rushed in through the opening in the curtains and fell against the bed in a wide golden swath, illuminating the angel who slept in his arms.
It hadn’t been a dream.
She shifted as if sensing his attention and opened her eyes to stare up at him with her beautiful silver eyes. Her long, blonde curls cascaded across the pillow beneath her and down over her shoulders to rest upon her exposed breast. Unable to help himself, he bent and kissed her there, his groin stirring in response.
“Good morning, my love.”
She stretched and turned, pushing her hips against his burgeoning erection, a sinful smile lighting her beautiful features. He threaded his fingers through her hair and kissed her, softly, sweetly, before pulling away to stare at her once again. He would never tire of the view of her. For years to come, he would gaze upon her face and remember this moment when his future settled around him and with it the certainty that it would stretch into eternity.
“Promise me we shall not allow another day to pass where we will be apart. I’m not sure I could bear it,” he said.
“How shall we manage such? Shall we take turns sneaking back and forth to each other’s homes?” Her eyes sparked and her smile broadened.
“If I didn’t know better, I would think you relish the clandestine nature of such a suggestion. But I had something else in mind.”
“And what did you have in mind?” Glory slipped her hand around his waist, but it inched downward to his buttock and gave a gentle squeeze. Desire rushed through him and he struggled to keep his mind on the task at hand despite his body’s demands that he attended to its needs first.
“Somet
hing of a more permanent nature, perhaps.”
“Permanent? That sounds quite conventional.”
“I’m a conventional man. And I have waited a lifetime to finally call you mine.”
She stretched her body up to place a kiss against his lips and the thin thread that kept him from taking her frayed a little more. “I have always been yours, Arran. Every day since the first day I met you. Not once did my heart falter in my feelings for you. Not for a moment.”
“Nor did mine. No matter how hard I tried to bury them under my hurt and anger. But over thirty years ago, I promised I would marry you and I mean to make good on that promise if you will let me.”
“Mm.” She smiled against his lips as she kissed him once more, setting fire to the thread that tethered his sanity. “I must admit I much prefer the title of Mrs. Sutherland over the Dowager Countess of Blackbourne. And if, in return, I get to spend my days and nights with you, it is not even a question I need to think about. I will marry you, Sir Arran Sutherland, and I will spend the rest of our lives making up for the years we have been apart. In fact, I would be most appreciative if we could start now.”
Her hand moved between them and gripped his hardness. A low groan escaped him. “Good Lord, woman. If you keep this up, I will have no other choice but to rush you to the altar immediately.”
He rolled on top of her, relishing her laughter, free and lovely as it had once been long ago. The sound was a balm to his wounded heart, filling the empty crevices and healing the scars. He held her close and breathed her in. She smelled of fresh daisies on an early summer morning. She felt like peace.
“I love you,” he said. “Always and forever.”
“Which is what we have now, my love.” She touched his face and looked deep into his eyes until her gaze reached all through him. “Always and forever.”
Dear Reader,
Thanks so much for reading THE LADY’S SINFUL SECRET—I have been wanting to tell this secret since writing the first book and leaving the unanswered question of Nicholas’s father and how that all came about. I had a few ideas, but I never dreamed once I started writing the story I would discover a whole new family and cast of characters who demanded their own stories.
Stay tuned—you’ll be seeing more of the Sutherlands in the near future.
For those of you who were introduced to the series with this novella, find out where it all began with AN INVITATION TO SCANDAL (Nicholas & Abigail) and what came after with, A SCANDALOUS PASSION (Spencer & Caelie) and A SINFUL TEMPTATION (Marcus & Rebecca).
The next full-length novel, SURRENDER TO SCANDAL will be out in Summer 2015, featuring the very handsome Earl of Glenmor, Benedict Laytham. The poor man is in need of a wealthy bride but a pesky thing called love keeps getting in his way.
To keep up to date on what’s new, upcoming releases, a sneak peeks on cover reveals and be entered into contests, please visit my website at www.kellyboyce.com and sign up for my newsletter.
If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving an honest review at your favorite retailer. It is always appreciated!
All the best!
Kelly
Acknowledgements
When I sit down to write the acknowledgements for my books, I realize I have the same people to thank each time. This is the great benefit of having such wonderful friends and family who continue to support and encourage me on this crazy ride.
So for my family—thank you once again for creating such a solid foundation and instilling a strong work ethic and, perhaps most importantly, crazy sense of humor. Without these things, I likely wouldn’t be typing this now.
To my best friend, Lisa MacDougall for all those writing sessions after school and through the weekend that fuelled my love of the written word and made it impossible for me to dream of being anything else.
For my writing posse who answer my questions, share my frustrations and remind me all this is doable no matter how hard it gets: Pamela Callow, Julianne MacLean, Cathryn Fox, Anne MacFarlane and Annette Gallant. You ladies rock.
Nancy Cassidy—my wonderfully patient editor, thanks for making me look good.
And last but never least—my awesome husband, John. You changed my life, too.
About the Author
Kelly Boyce started writing in Grade 2 when her favorite teacher, Mrs. Matheson showed up with a box filled with plot ideas and she was hooked, but it wasn’t until she read Lisa Gregory’s Bitterleaf that she fell in love with historical romance.
It took several years after that however, before she discovered Romance Writers of America and Romance Writers of Atlantic Canada and realized how to take those stories, turn them into books and send them out into the world. Once she did, it was full steam ahead, with lots of interesting twists and turns along the way, including being a featured author in the documentary on the romance writing industry, Who’s Afraid of Happy Endings.
A life-long Nova Scotian, she lives near the Atlantic Ocean with her awesome husband and a clownish golden retriever in possession of a stubborn streak a mile wide.
She loves writing stories about relationships and creating a sense of community around the hero and heroine filled with secondary characters that take on a life of their own.
Carina Press released her first western historical romance, THE OUTLAW BRIDE, in 2011. She released two more western historical romances with Harlequin Enterprises, SALVATION IN THE RANCHER’S ARMS (August 2014) and its follow up, SALVATION IN THE SHERIFF’S KISS (February 2015). A novella, THE COWBOY OF CHRISTMAS PAST, will be released in October 2015 as part of a Christmas anthology.
THE SINS & SCANDALS SERIES is her first foray into both the Regency era and self-publishing, both of which she loves. THE LADY’S SINFUL SECRET is the fourth in the series.
THE LADY’S SINFUL SECRET
Copyright © 2015 Kelly Boyce
This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or a portion thereof, in any form. This book may not be resold or uploaded for distribution to others.
This is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
ISBN: 978-0-9936169-6-9
Cover design: The Killion Group, Inc.
Editor: Nancy Cassidy
Formatting: Author E.M.S.
