by Cheryl Holt
As a result, Mr. Merrick had forfeited everything and been jailed, having had the good sense to hang himself in his cell before he could be shipped off to the penal colonies in Australia. His downfall had provided Matthew’s rise to prosperity, and while Matthew hated to consider Mr. Merrick’s loss, Merrick had obviously been an idiot, so no sympathy was warranted.
Yet…what about his family? If they were skulking about, feeling aggrieved and robbed of their heritage, they wouldn’t be happy to have Matthew riding in.
“Let’s switch coats.” Matthew said.
“What?”
“For the moment, you’ll be Captain Harlow.”
“A promotion! Wonderful! Will I receive an increase in wages?”
“No.”
“But I’m to be your superior?”
“You’ll never be my superior, you wise buck. We’ll just play a game on the occupants until we learn the lay of the land.”
“They’ll think I’m you, but who will you be?”
“I’ll be Private Rafe Harlow, your trusted advisor and friend.”
“If we’re using the same surname, we have to admit we’re brothers.”
“All right, but no one ever believes we are.”
And they weren’t, actually. Matthew had been raised by Rafe’s parents, taken in by them after the fire when Matthew was a little boy. Matthew’s parents had died in the tragedy, and in the chaotic aftermath, Rafe’s mother—who’d also been staying at the inn—had brought him home for what was to have been a short hiatus.
Yet no kin had ever searched for Matthew, and Mrs. Harlow had never been able to find a relative to claim him. Or so she’d said. She’d assumed herself to be barren, so she’d kept Matthew and reared him as her own. Then Rafe had come along and killed her during the birthing. Matters had gone downhill from there.
But they declared themselves to be brothers, though they were nothing alike. They were both six feet tall, with the tough, honed stature of soldiers, but Rafe was golden blond, charming, and dashing. Women studied him with keen interest whenever he passed by.
Matthew was handsome too, but his looks were more mature, more rough and tumble. His hair was dark, his eyes very, very blue, and with his dangerous air of menace and daring, he was more highwayman than gentleman. When he and Rafe stood side by side, they might have been an angel and a devil, the perfect pair for an artist to paint on a church ceiling.
“How long do I get to be a captain?” Rafe inquired.
“Probably for a day or two. I’ll have a better feel for the place if no one’s certain of my status.”
“Can I act all arrogant and officious?”
“Yes, but if you grow too obnoxious, I’ll let you know.”
“I could never be too obnoxious. I’m marvelous. Ask any of the ladies.”
Matthew snorted with disgust. “Give me your coat.”
Rafe grinned. “Once I have, can I order you around—as you’ve always ordered me?”
“No. Now shut up and give me your coat.
HEART’S DESIRE
Matthew and Clarissa
Book #2 of the Lost Lords Trilogy
Coming in July, 2015!
CHERYL HOLT is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon “Top 100” bestselling author of thirty-nine novels.
She’s also a lawyer and mom, and at age forty, with two babies at home, she started a new career as a commercial fiction writer. She’d hoped to be a suspense novelist, but couldn’t sell any of her manuscripts, so she ended up taking a detour into romance where she was stunned to discover that she has a knack for writing some of the world’s greatest love stories.
Her books have been released to wide acclaim, and she has won or been nominated for many national awards. She has been hailed as “The Queen of Erotic Romance” as well as “The International Queen of Villains.” She is particularly proud to have been named “Best Storyteller of the Year” by the trade magazine Romantic Times BOOK Reviews.
She lives and writes in Hollywood, California, and she loves to hear from fans. Visit her website at www.cherylholt.com.
Praise for New York Times Bestselling Author
CHERYL HOLT
“Best storyteller of the year…”
Romantic Times Magazine
“A master writer…”
Fallen Angel Reviews
“The Queen of Erotic Romance…”
Book Cover Reviews
“Cheryl Holt is magnificent…”
Reader to Reader Reviews
“From cover to cover, I was spellbound. Truly outstanding…”
Romance Junkies
“A classic love story with hot, fiery passion dripping from every page. There’s nothing better than curling up with a great book and this one totally qualifies.”
Fresh Fiction
“This is a masterpiece of storytelling. A sensual delight scattered with rose petals that are divinely arousing. Oh my, yes indeedy!”
Reader to Reader Reviews
Praise for Cheryl Holt’s “Lord Trent” trilogy
“A true guilty pleasure!”
Novels Alive TV
“LOVE’S PROMISE can’t take the number one spot as my favorite by Ms. Holt—that belongs to her book NICHOLAS—but it’s currently running a close second.”
Manic Readers
“The book was brilliant…can’t wait for Book #2.”
Harlie’s Book Reviews
“I guarantee you won’t want to put this one down. Holt’s fast-paced dialogue, paired with the emotional turmoil, will keep you turning the pages all the way to the end.”
Susana’s Parlour
“…A great love story populated with many flawed characters. Highly recommend it.”
Bookworm 2 Bookworm Reviews
BOOKS BY CHERYL HOLT
HEART’S DEMAND
HEART’S DESIRE
HEART’S DELIGHT
WONDERFUL
WANTON
WICKED
SEDUCING THE GROOM
LOVE’S PERIL
LOVE’S PRICE
LOVE’S PROMISE
SWEET SURRENDER
THE WEDDING
MUD CREEK
MARRY ME
LOVE ME
KISS ME
SEDUCE ME
KNIGHT OF SEDUCTION
NICHOLAS
DREAMS OF DESIRE
TASTE OF TEMPTATION
PROMISE OF PLEASURE
SLEEPING WITH THE DEVIL
DOUBLE FANTASY
FORBIDDEN FANTASY
SECRET FANTASY
TOO WICKED TO WED
TOO TEMPTING TO TOUCH
TOO HOT TO HANDLE
FURTHER THAN PASSION
DEEPER THAN DESIRE
MORE THAN SEDUCTION
COMPLETE ABANDON
ABSOLUTE PLEASURE
TOTAL SURRENDER
LOVE LESSONS
MOUNTAIN DREAMS
MY TRUE LOVE
MY ONLY LOVE
MEG’S SECRET ADMIRER
WAY OF THE HEART
