The Rakehell Regency Romance Collection #4

by MacMurrough, Sorcha

  He could be honest with her, but she was his wife, and had to be accorded esteem and the proper dignity of place. He had to make sure he was not too crude, too importunate with his lovemaking, and above all, that she would not be continuously reminded of his rakish past with other women through any objectionable actions on his part.

  He could see now that there was a difference between what was natural and beautiful, and what was coarse and vulgar and degrading not just to the woman, but the man as well, he thought with a frown, recalling all that Chauncey Howell had tried to do to bring Isolde down in the world.

  It was the greatest of ironies that she truly had been an unsullied virgin when she came to his door. If only he hadn't been expecting that Icognita....

  And now he had ruined her, and married her. If it had been just his own happiness at stake, he would not have been so terrified, he reflected as he re-tied his cravat just so.

  But now his whole future was resting on the success of this marriage. Or its failure. He wasn't sure how to proceed, except that he was sure he had never met any woman like her in his life. And now the rest of their lives stretched before him, a vast expanse of unknown territory that only he could make either a Garden of Eden, or a desert wasteland.

  He squared his shoulders and tried to will himself out of his predicament, and into some semblance of sensibility. If she asked questions about his past, he would be truthful, and tender with her, but only if he felt that the truth would not harm her As for her learning who he really was, deep within, well, that could never be...

  Married they might be, but she would feel in horror if she knew what he was really like, all he had done...

  No, he would have to restrain himself and keep her from probing into his most intimate secrets. He would never ever speak of his past again of his own volition. Being a rake was his old life. Isolde was his new.

  A new life he was determined to make the most of, to atone for all his terrible sins...

  Red, dark, fire, flames....

  Overcome by the bizarre images, Randall collapsed into a chair, his head in his hands. Oh God, what was he to do? He felt so trapped.

  Isolde, help me, he pleaded silently. Save me, my love...

  Then his world went black.

  Don't miss the continuation of Randall and Isolde's romance in Innocence Afire.

  Author's note

  All of my novels start out as questions in my head, and variations on a common theme in romance, in this case, love at first sight, and the consequences of marrying in haste, and sometimes repenting at leisure.

  This pair of novels came about as a result of my wondering what would happen if an unsuspecting girl came to the door of a man in desperate need of her help, without him even realising it until it was almost too late.

  Before I knew it, I had way over 120,000 words, and was nowhere near finished with their relationship growing and them developing through the power of their love. So "Innocence" grew to become a pair of novels, from Randall and Isolde meeting so shockingly and marrying, and starting to live as husband and wife, to "Innocence Afire," as Isolde must trust to love despite all appearances being against her husband Randall.

  Marriage is usually the end of most romance novels, but in some senses, it is just the beginning for Randall and Isolde. They must fight their inner demons and external enemies to protect the love they share. Through her love and sacrifice, and willingness to do anything for her beloved, Isolde helps to uncover all of Randall's secrets, and makes every one of his wishes come true.

  The Rakehell Regency Romance Series

  Book 11

  INNOCENCE AFIRE

  Sorcha MacMurrough

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Introduction

  Reviews

  Copyright

  About The Author

  List of Characters

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Epilogue

  Author's Note

  Introduction

  Randall Avenel the Earl of Hazelmere and Isolde Drake have married in haste to save her from scandal, but a happy future together is far from certain as Isolde discovers the shocking truth about Randall's past.

  Secrets which have lain hidden for decades are brought to light at last, bringing with them the most stunning consequences. As Randall seeks redemption for his sins, Isolde's innocence is set afire by the passionate love they share.

  But has Isolde really succeeding in reforming a rake? Or is Randall living a double life despite the torrid desire they share?

  Only though trusting each other and the miracle of love they share, can Randall and Isolde vanquish their enemies and the demons of their past….

  Isolde decided to celebrate the autumn equinox by taking a picnic lunch out to Millcote Forest for Randall as a romantic surprise.

  She got to the low wall of the monastery, and still mounted on her mare, was able to peer over the crumbling walls easily.

  To her horror, Isolde saw a petite woman with long dark hair walking away from Randall. They had been standing very close. Too close. She immediately saw red.

  She swung down from the saddle fuming. Leaving the food in her panniers, she stalked over to where her husband had set up his easel, and glared at him.

  "Just what sort of game do you think you're playing with our lives, Randall?" she demanded furiously.

  Randall, having just exchanged pleasantries with Eswara Jerome, who lived down the road and occasionally went for a stroll passed him as he painted, was confused at his wife's sudden arrival and her accusatory words. "Game? What game?"

  "I don't know, you tell me! You tell me why you've been so distant, moody, changeable recently, ever since you resumed your trips to London. I've tried to be a good wife to you-"

  "You are! You don't even have to try!'

  "Then why? What in the name of all the gods are you looking for? What is it that you want?" Isolde demanded tearfully, at her wits' end.

  Something sparked within him. "What I want?" He laughed bitterly. "You have no idea what you're asking, Isolde! You would run in terror if you knew."

  "But I do want to know! I need to know. I hold you in my arms, Randall, even within my body, and yet I still can't get close enough to you. I want to make all your hopes and dreams and fantasies come true, be truly one with you.

  "But there's this, this wall between us that I simply can't seem to breach no matter how hard I try. So I keep battering against it, and end up bloody, bruised and torn."

  He stared at her in horror, never suspecting his attempts to keep her safe from their enemies, as well as be unselfish, not indulge his passions so often, protect her from his rampaging lusts, might make her feel so left out and unimportant in his life.

  "Oh, darling, I didn't mean to-"

  "Tell me your fantasies, Randall. Let me be your everything," she pleaded, starting to strip off her day gown and rubbing against him, not caring that it was broad daylight and anyone might come along.

  He gazed down at her unseeingly, lost in his own confusion. "But there isn't anything you can do, don't you see?"

  "I can try, if you'll let me. I know I'm not a practiced courtesan like most of your other women, but-"

  "No, don't you see? I don't
want that, darling. This hasn't been about lovemaking! That's never been the problem between us. The problem has always been me!"

  "Then tell me, please. For pity's sake, Randall, tell me the truth, before it's too late, without holding back because you think I'm going to leave you!"

  He heaved a ragged sigh. "I don't understand love and intimacy. I fear it. I ruin and destroy everything I've ever touched. I want you unspoiled and innocent, happy and loved and safe, not damaged by being married to a man like me!"

  "But-"

  "You ask me what my dreams are? What I fantasize about? I'll tell you! Impossible though it all is, I'll tell you," he rasped. "I would give anything to have a lifetime in your arms, with never any unhappiness, mistrust or want. I long to hear you say you love me no matter what, and finally be able to believe the words. Not just in here," he said, pointing to his head, "but here." He pointed to his heart.

  She placed her hand on his, over his heaving chest. "Done. You have it, Randall. I do love you, no matter what. Please, darling-"

  He silenced her with a blistering kiss, and the dam blocking his passion finally burst. He could hear the blood roaring in his ears as she stretched up against him, stroking her hands down the length of his back until they reached his buttocks. She pulled hard, grinding herself against him, and then both their pairs of hands hurriedly stripped him bare....

  Reviews

  "Another lusty and exuberant novel full of marvelous heroes and villains, as the Rakehells in Brimley and Bath uncover a murder from nearly a decade before. Old friend are reunited, new friends made, and the hero and heroine share a luminous love that lights the pages."

  - Evelyn Trimborn, Castles in the Air

  "A superb steamy romance full of intrigue. I adored the terrific characters, especially the fallen Randall, sensual Isolde, and the raffish Rakehells. This is MacMurrough at her sultry best. You will love this series."

  - Jacinta Carey, The Starbuck Saga

  "Enthralling. The characters grab you from the first sentence and never let go. I adore the hero and heroine, and the mystery elements, which are first-rate. A sensual rollercoaster of steamy sex and suspense. Divine."

  - Carolyn Stone, In From the Cold

  "As always, Ms. MacMurrough has us eagerly following her characters as they traverse the rocky road to true love. Isolde is a wonderful heroine, feisty, brave, and sensual. Randall is all this and more. Every love scene scorches the pages, and the mystery which unfolds regarding Randall's past and family skeletons in the closet (literally!) keeps us eager to read to the end.

  "Always welcome are appearances by our old friends the Rakehells, who as usual provide a marvelously well-drawn set of secondary characters. You don’t have to read every book in the series to appreciate them, but they are all so gorgeous, why would you miss a single one?

  "Endlessly fascinating, sexy and thrilling, this is yet another Rakehell romance novel that's a certain keeper."

  - Annabelle Stevens, Love’s Sweet Song

  INNOCENCE AFIRE

  A Rakehell Regency Romance Novel

  Sorcha MacMurrough

  HerStory Books

  DEDICATION

  To my family and friends, and for Marc and Akira, truly a gift in every respect.

  Copyright USA, UK and Worldwide the author 2004, 2009

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information and storage retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

  ISBN: 978-1-58345-536-4

  Published by HerStory Books

  http://www.herstorybooks.com

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  About the Author

  Sorcha MacMurrough is a multi-published author from Ireland who has taught English literature and English and Irish history. She has lived all over the UK and Ireland, including London, Edinburgh, and Dublin. Her favorite cities to live in or visit are Bath and York. She loves old houses, castles and estates and can usually be found touring these locales to help make all of her settings come alive for her readers. Sorcha loves the Regency period and the Napoleonic era in particular, which form the beginning of the modern world as we know it.

  Her novels have been chosen as monthly "Top Picks" by Romantic Times, and she has also been nominated for a Reviewer's Choice award for best novel of the year by Romantic Times. When she is not writing, researching and teaching, she cooks, knits Aran sweaters, and enjoys spending time with her large family. She loves Irish dancing and music, and beachcombing on the shores of Donegal, Sligo and Galway.

  RAKEHELL CHARACTER LIST

  Randall Avenel, a Rakehell and rake, youngest of 5 sons, who has recently inherited the title the Earl of Hazelmere

  The Dowager Lady Hazelmere, his mother, now a widow

  Isolde Drake, Viscount Linley’s daughter

  Lady Rose, her mother, a recent widow

  Stephen Drake, the new Viscount Linley, her brother

  Rebecca Drake, her younger sister

  Susan Drake, her youngest sister

  Chauncey Howell, Isolde’s former fiance

  Jack Parkins, his friend

  Fanny Clarence, Chauncey Howell’s new fiancee

  Mr. and Mrs Clarence, her parents

  Matthew Dane, a Rakehell, Randall’s friend and duelling second

  Dr. Antony Herriot, Isolde’s cousin; runs a women’s clinic for the poor in London

  Philip Marshall, a Rakehell, works with Alistair Grant, barrister

  Jasmine Marshall, his wife, friends with Isolde

  (for their story, see The Mistaken Miss)

  Michael Avenel, a Rakehell, Randall’s eldest brother

  Bryony Avenel, his wife

  (for their story, see The Model Master)

  Dr. Blake Sanderson, a Rakehell, a doctor in London and Somerset

  Arabella Neville Sanderson, his wife

  (for their story, see Guardian of the Heart)

  Clifford Stone, a Rakehell, owner of Stone Court

  Vanessa Stone, nee Hawkesworth, his wife, a great scholar

  (for their story, see The Mad Mistress)

  The Duke of Ellesmere, Thomas Eltham, a Rakehell, lives at Eltham Castle

  The Duchess of Ellesmere, Charlotte Eltham, his wife

  (for their story, see The Missed Match)

  Jonathan Deveril, a Rakehell, vicar of Brimley and Eltham

  Pamela Deveril, his wife

  (for their story, see The Miss Matched

  Sarah Deveril Davenport, Jonathan’s youngest sister

  Alexander Davenport, her husband, a Rakehell

  (for their story, see The Matchless Miss)

  Alistair Grant, a Rakehell and barrister in London

  Martin Jerome, Blake’s cousin, an honorary Rakehell

  Eswara Paignton Jerome, his wife, a healer from India who works with Blake

  (for their story, see The Model Mistress)

  Geoffrey and Malcolm Branson, father and son, local magistrates in Somerset

  Innocence always calls mutely for protection when we would be so much wiser to guard ourselves against it: innocence is like a dumb leper who has lost his bell, wandering the world, meaning n
o harm.

  Innocence is a kind of insanity.