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The Duke’s Desire: 12 Dukes of Christmas #8

Page 11

by Ridley, Erica


  She touched her fingertips to her belly and nestled atop a soft cushion in the bay window.

  “There you are!” Lucien came swaggering out of the kitchen, cupping a silver spoon with a heap of… something. “Taste this one.”

  She tasted it, then wished she hadn’t.

  “That tastes nothing like Désirée’s.” Meg clutched her throat as if poisoned. “Throw it away.”

  He placed the spoon in her empty teacup instead and joined her in the window. “Are you spying on the neighbors?”

  “We’re not close enough to see through their windows.” She pointed up at the sky. “I’m watching clouds instead. What does that one look like to you?”

  “A redheaded champion, throbbing turgidly,” he answered without hesitation.

  “It does not.” She snuggled into him. “It looks like a bunny. What about that one?”

  He squinted. “It looks like… a swollen shaft, thick with sultry promise.”

  She smacked his shoulder. “Are you reading my book?”

  “It’s educational.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “It’s given me all sorts of ideas.”

  “Ideas on how to poison me with something that is definitely not your sister’s mille-feuille?”

  “I’m getting closer,” he protested, swinging her into his arms as he rose to his feet. “Do you know what else I’d like to get closer to?”

  “If you say my ‘milky white mounds of womanly flesh,’ so help me God…” she warned him.

  He opened his eyes wide in faux innocence.

  “It’s like you can read my mind,” he whispered, as he carried her to their bedchamber. “Except I was going to add something about the pert rosebuds protruding from them with innocent desire.”

  “My nipples are brown,” she reminded him. “They don’t look anything like roses.”

  “They’re sort of a tea-with-milk color,” he conceded. “I’m working on an appropriately flowery metaphor.”

  She gasped in horror. “Are you writing a book?”

  “I’m in the research stage,” he informed her. He tossed her into the center of the bed and pounced atop her. “Care to help me with my investigations?”

  “Only for the rest of my life.” She wrapped her arms about him and pulled him close.

  THE END

  * * *

  Or is it the end? Grab a Christmas bonus epilogue featuring the whole family, exclusively for fans:

  Get yours here: Exclusive Bonus Epilogue

  * * *

  What madcap romantic entanglements will occur at the Duke of Nottingvale’s long-awaited Christmastide house party?

  Join the fun in Dawn with a Duke, the next romance in the 12 Dukes of Christmas series!

  Get Yours: Grab Dawn with a Duke here!

  * * *

  Acknowledgments

  As always, I could not have written this book without the invaluable support of my critique partner, beta readers, and editors. Huge thanks go out to Erica Monroe and Tessa Shapcott. You are the best!

  Lastly, I want to thank the 12 Dukes of Christmas facebook group, my Historical Romance Book Club, and my fabulous street team. Your enthusiasm makes the romance happen.

  Thank you so much!

  Thank You For Reading

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  Facebook.com/groups/DukesOfChristmas

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  Check out the Dukes of War facebook group for giveaways and exclusive content:

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  And check out the official website for sneak peeks and more:

  www.EricaRidley.com/books

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  In order, the 12 Dukes of Christmas:

  Once Upon a Duke (FREE!)

  Kiss of a Duke

  Wish Upon a Duke

  Never Say Duke

  Dukes, Actually

  The Duke’s Bride

  The Duke’s Embrace

  The Duke’s Desire

  Dawn With a Duke

  One Night With a Duke

  Ten Days With a Duke

  Forever Your Duke

  * * *

  In order, the Rogues to Riches books are:

  Lord of Chance

  Lord of Pleasure

  Lord of Night

  Lord of Temptation

  Lord of Secrets

  Lord of Vice

  * * *

  In order, the Dukes of War books are:

  The Viscount’s Tempting Minx (FREE!)

  The Earl’s Defiant Wallflower

  The Captain’s Bluestocking Mistress

  The Major’s Faux Fiancée

  The Brigadier’s Runaway Bride

  The Pirate's Tempting Stowaway

  The Duke's Accidental Wife

  * * *

  In order, the Gothic Love Stories are:

  Too Wicked to Kiss

  Too Sinful to Deny

  Too Tempting to Resist

  Too Wanton to Wed

  * * *

  In order, the Magic & Mayhem books are:

  Kissed by Magic

  Must Love Magic

  Smitten by Magic

  * * *

  About the Author

  Erica Ridley is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of historical romance novels.

  In the new 12 Dukes of Christmas series, enjoy witty, heartwarming Regency romps nestled in a picturesque snow-covered village. After all, nothing heats up a winter night quite like finding oneself in the arms of a duke!

  Her two most popular series, the Dukes of War and Rogues to Riches, feature roguish peers and dashing war heroes who find love amongst the splendor and madness of Regency England.

  When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found riding camels in Africa, zip-lining through rainforests in Central America, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.

  * * *

  Let’s be friends! Find Erica on:

  www.EricaRidley.com

  Jewels of Historical Romance

  The Jewels are my sisters in historical romance: New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors who sparkle!

  If you enjoyed my book, download our two deeply discounted boxed sets, so you can meet the rest of the Jewels:

  Fabulous Firsts: The Red Collection

  Fabulous Firsts: The Blue Collection

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