The Earl of Heartbreak
Page 29
Though many people doubted that his union with Sarah would last - after all, he was known for breaking women's hearts and running off to a new woman every month or so - Rayne knew otherwise. As did Sarah. He was utterly and completely besotted with her, so deeply in love that he knew there would never be another woman for him. Sarah felt the same.
They were also making plans to start their family as soon as possible. Neither of them were getting any younger and while it was possible that Sarah was already carrying his child, for it was really too soon to know, they also wanted to make certain that the next Raynecourt heir was well on his - or possibly her, one could never tell - way by this time next year. If not in the world already. Even now, Rayne grew hard imagining Sarah growing round with their child - not to mention all that was required to make certain she was in a delicate condition in the first place. Not that she seemed to mind. In fact, she welcomed every new bit of bedsport he taught her with eager enthusiasm.
That was fine with Rayne for his desire for Sarah had not dimmed a bit since they had wed. He doubted that it ever would. Even when they were old and gray, he suspected that he would be chasing her around their bedchamber, attempting to lure her between the silken sheets and pillows. Sarah had, as of late, become extremely fond of his taste in Persian decor, so he doubted that he would be redecorating anytime soon. She said that she found the colors soothing and that they eased her mind when it was troubled.
Rayne would have given anything to ease Sarah's troubled mind as of late, even if it meant redecorating the whole of Oakwood, Fieldown and all of his other estates in Persian decor. She had been upset ever since she learned that her friend, Lady Sophia Reynolds, had well and truly broken her betrothal to Lord Alex Selby. Everyone, even Rayne, had thought that a love match, but apparently it had not been.
In fact, Selby had run off to the Continent not more than a week after the Duke of Enwright's house party - the very same party where Lady Sophia had called off their entire grand romance. It was puzzling. Especially since Sophia was clearly not happy about her decision. Or happy with anything really. The lady in question had been here at Seldon Park with her family for a few days, but had departed early yesterday morning, well before most of the other guests had even arrived.
It had troubled Sarah greatly that Sophia seemed to stare off into vacant corners, spoke only when spoken to, and in general acted as if she was not even present within her own body. And anything that troubled Sarah also troubled Rayne. He would do anything to ease his wife's mind on the issue, including seeking out Selby himself if that was what it took to put Lady Sophia back to rights. He had a feeling that he was not alone in that regard.
Beside him, as if she knew that he was already awake, Sarah stirred and Rayne leaned over to place a kiss on her bare shoulder. Even if she didn't like to sleep in the nude - which she most decidedly did and was something that pleased Rayne to no end - the entire south of England was still being gripped in the bloody miserable heatwave that had held sway all summer. That said, the heat was perfect for driving people indoors in the afternoons so that they might seek shelter from the blazing hot sun. It was also the perfect time to steal a little time away alone with one's wife.
"Awake, my darling?" Rayne asked as Sarah grumbled and rolled over, one hand reaching down over the bed to stroke Taffy and Toffee - which seemed to be enough to quite the still-meowing cats for the moment.
"Barely," she grumbled. "The ball ran quite late last night and even as we approached midnight, Lady Westfield was still rambling to anyone who would listen about how The Bloody Duke smiled at her. One would think he had fangs for the way she carried on!"
Rolling over, Rayne brought Sarah with him so that she straddled his hips. "Oh, Candlewood does have fangs," he assured her. "When he chooses to show them, mind you."
Sarah arched an eyebrow in his direction. "So do you, my magnificent husband. Or have you already forgotten that bite you left on my shoulder that almost made my mother swoon when she saw it and caused Colleen to shriek as if the devil himself was on her heels?"
"No, I have not forgotten." In fact, Rayne had so enjoyed that pleasure that he planned to do it again, though this time in a place that no one would see. He had been a bit careless last time. He would not be so again. "Nor have I forgotten how fortunate I am, Sarah, that you are mine. Finally."
"And you are mine," she sighed as she positioned herself so that she might slide down onto his hard length. She did desire a child after all and this was certainly the best - not to mention only - way to ensure that delightful outcome occurred. "Did you ever think we would end up here? Together and so blissfully happy?"
Rayne shook his head. "Not in my wildest fantasies. I hoped, certainly, but I never thought it would come to pass. You were forbidden to me. At least I thought you were."
"And you, my darling, were always running away. Including from me."
"No more." Of that, Rayne was certain. "I have broken my last heart."
Once more, Sarah arched an eyebrow at him. "I will hold you to that, my love. For if you break mine, I shall likely have to kill you. Or, at the very least, maim you horribly so that no other woman would have you."
He laughed then. That was his Sarah, and he loved her all the more it. "Ah, yes. Likely with a fork or a letter opener or some such implement. I remember well how you intended to fork Baron Hodge into submission."
Sarah sniffed indignantly. "I would have done it, too. You know I would have." Then she slid his hard cock fully inside of her and sighed in pure bliss.
"I know you would have, my love," Rayne growled as he began to thrust up hard into her. "I have no doubt at all in my mind."
Then, Rayne was lost to the passion Sarah created within him, loving her until they were both spent. When they finally separated, he reached down and lifted the cats onto the bed with them. They had been patient enough, and Rayne needed to recover a bit before he had his wicked way with his wife again. After all, he had something of a reputation to uphold.
However, Rayne and Sarah never did quite make it to breakfast. Or luncheon, for that matter. In fact, they only barely made it to dinner. And no one was in the least bit surprised.
Coming Soon
Not yet wed, Lady Sophia Reynolds is still utterly and completely ruined. There is no other way to term her rather dire situation. Abducted by the man she thought was her one true love and forced to suffer at his hands, she knows that she will be shamed by Society if the truth is discovered. The best way to keep her secret? Find a husband. Quickly. The only problem is, how can she ever trust a man, any man, again? Even if she could find one that she liked well enough to wed, or find one that would even have her. Which, as of yet, she most decidedly has not. In fact, she doubts that she ever will.
Lord Lewis Blackmore is the third son of the Marquess of Dunleighton and currently in the employ of Bow Street. A former member of His Majesty's army, he simply happened to be at the right place at the right time to save Lady Sophia from a lifetime in exile away from her friends and family. However, he had never thought to see her again, until his job forces him to her family's doorstep one cold November night. When he is spotted departing the Reynolds home, tongues across London begin to wag, wondering if the dashing yet scarred former military man is courting Sophia and hoping for her hand in marriage.
Can Sophia turn the gossip surrounding her and Lewis to her advantage? Will Lewis agree to play the ardent suitor until the gossip subsides? If he does, will Sophia be able to resist his charms? Or is there more between them than a shared secret from a horrible night several months before?
Find out in A Gentleman By Moonlight, coming Fall 2016!
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Then be certain to visit Bethany's web page at: www.bethanysefchick.com
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Other Titles by the author
Tales From Seldon Park
To Catch A Duke (Book 1)
Far Beyond Scandalous (Book 2)
At The Stroke of Midnight (Book 3)
A Viscount of Mystery (Book 4)
A Marquess Is Forever (Book 5)
The Secret Seduction of Lady Eliza (Book 6)
From The Viscount With Love (Book 7)
The Kiss of a Rogue (Book 8)
The Earl of Heartbreak (Book 9)
A Gentleman By Moonlight (Book 10 - coming Fall 2016)
The Seldon Park Christmas Novellas
One Christmas With The Earl (Novella 1)
On A Cold Christmas Eve (Novella 2)
The Earl Who Loved Me (Novella 3)
Christmas At Hollywell (Novella 4 - coming Holiday 2016)
The Ghosts, Inc. series
Novels
Ghosts Of Lovers Past (Ghosts, Inc.: Book 1)
Heart of Shadows (Ghosts, Inc.: Book 2)
Spellbound (Ghosts, Inc.: Book 3)
Edge of Heaven (Ghosts, Inc.: Book 4)
Time's Mirror (Ghosts, Inc.: Book 5)
Forever Bound (Ghosts, Inc.: Book 6 - coming soon)
Ghosts, Inc. Ghostly Shorts
Ghostly Shorts Anthology, Vol. 1
Ghostly Shorts Anthology, Vol. 2
And We Danced (A Thieves Market exclusive short story)
Modern Magic
Dream Date
Bewitched, Bottled, and Bewildered (Coming 2016)
The “Aphrodite’s Closet” series
Aphrodite's Closet: The Anthology, Vol. 1
(Nobody's Cinderella, Fairy Tale Theater, A Little Bit Of Magic)
Aphrodite's Closet: The Anthology, Vol. 2
(Stardust and Moonbeams, Belle of the Ball, The Enchanted Season)
Finding Prince Charming: An Aphrodite's Closet novel (Coming Fall 2016)
Also Available
Santa Search And Rescue
Christmas in Philipsburg
The Magic of Christmas
A Midsummer Night's Delusion
Much Ado About Something - A Short Story
Fairy Tale Lives (coming soon)
The Clockwork Doll: A Steampunk Novella
Crossed Hearts (A Modern Frame Tale of Romance)
Under A Golden Moon (coming soon)
About the author
Making her home in the mountains of central Pennsylvania, Bethany Sefchick lives with her husband, Ed, and a plethora of Betta fish that she’s constantly finding new ways to entertain. In addition to writing, Bethany owns a jewelry company, Easily Distracted Designs.
When not penning romance novels or creating sparkly treasures, she enjoys cooking, scrapbooking, and lavishing attention on any stray cats who happen to be hanging around. She always enjoys hearing from her fans at: bsefchickauthor@gmail.com
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Did you love The Earl Of Heartbreak? Then you should read The Kiss Of A Rogue by Bethany M. Sefchick!
There was a time when the Duke of Hathaway was a title to be respected. However that was before current duke, Lord Adam Reynolds, made an utter mess of his life by throwing over his betrothed, dallying with unsuitable women, and generally behaving like the rogue he now believes himself to be. Given the cut direct by most of proper Society, Adam has one final chance to redeem his reputation by attending the Devil Duke of Enwright's annual summer house party. Provided, of course, that he doesn't muck up this opportunity as well.Miss Abigail Northrup is the daughter of a wealthy merchant who is tired of being pursued for nothing more than her dowry and fortune. Her final social event will be her friend's grand house party before she officially declares herself a spinster. However when she encounters Lord Hathaway - in a rather questionable state of undress, no less - the morning after her arrival, she quickly discovers that he is far from a disreputable rogue. Is there more to this "Dastardly Duke" than Society sees? Or is Abigail risking everything, including her heart, for a man who is not quite as he appears?
Read more at Bethany M. Sefchick’s site.
Also by Bethany M. Sefchick
Fabulous Fairy Tales
A Midsummer Night's Delusion
Much Ado About Something
Ghosts, Inc.
Ghosts Of Lovers Past
Heart Of Shadows
Spellbound
Edge Of Heaven
Time's Mirror
Ghosts, Inc. - The Short Story Anthologies
Ghostly Shorts
The Ghostly Shorts
Modern Magic
Dream Date
Bewitched, Bottled, and Bewildered (Coming Soon)
Tales From Seldon Park
To Catch A Duke
Far Beyond Scandalous
At The Stroke Of Midnight
A Viscount Of Mystery
A Marquess Is Forever
The Secret Seduction Of Lady Eliza
From The Viscount With Love
The Kiss Of A Rogue
The Earl Of Heartbreak
A Gentleman By Moonlight
A Scandal In The Making
An Earl For Hire
My American Marquess
One Forbidden Night
The Pleasure Of His Kiss
A Lady to Desire
The Seldon Park Christmas Novellas
One Christmas With The Earl
On A Cold Christmas Eve
The Earl Who Loved Me
Christmas At Hollywell
A Season For Romance
Standalone
Santa Search And Rescue
Crossed Hearts
Christmas In Philipsburg
The Magic Of Christmas
Watch for more at Bethany M. Sefchick’s site.
About the Author
Making her home in the mountains of central Pennsylvania, Bethany Sefchick lives with her husband, Ed, and a plethora of Betta fish that she’s constantly finding new ways to entertain. In addition to writing, Bethany owns a jewelry company, Easily Distracted Designs.It should be noted that the owner of the titular Selon Park - one Lord Nicholas Rosemont, the Duke of Candlewood, a.k.a. "The Bloody Duke" - first appeared in her mind when she was eighteen years old and had no idea what to make of him, or of his slightly snarky smile. She has been attempting to dislodge him ever since - with absolutely no success.When not penning romance novels or creating sparkly treasures, she enjoys cooking, scrapbooking, and lavishing attention on any stray cats who happen to be hanging around. She always enjoys hearing from her fans at: bsefchickauthor@gmail.com
Read more at Bethany M. Sefchick’s site.