Charlotte snuffled once and began to dry her husband's eyes with the corner of the bed sheet. "As you said, it's over now. We'll send Margaret away under pain of a prison sentence, after she's made restitution for the cottages she destroyed.
"As for Paxton, well, he was a devil, a fiend. He assaulted, violated and murdered, betrayed his own country without an ounce of compunction or regret. He deserved no less than what he got."
He shuddered once more and whispered, "It's all true. He did. But he's dead now. He can't hurt us or anyone else ever again. Especially not my niece and sisters. Or my wife. Thank God he didn't rape you, give you a terrible disease the way he might have done to Jane.
"And while I shall hate him until my dying day, his taking you made me realize just how much I truly love you. When I thought you were dead, I literally had no idea how to go on without you."
"Oh, Thomas." She kissed his cheek tenderly, all her love, tenderness and passion in that one simple gesture.
He put her hand to his heart. "I want this to be the true start of our marriage, Charlotte. I'm asking you to forgive me for all the lies and evasions. Give me a second chance to make you happy. I was scared to admit how much I loved and wanted you. I was too proud, held back for far too long because I wanted to be certain not only of your character, but of your love for me as a man. Not as a Duke, or your rescuer, or a wealthy man. Just as Thomas, the man who loves you more than life itself."
"I do, my darling, truly," she breathed, snuggling against him until she was sure there was no part of their bodies that wasn't touching.
"I know. I'm not frightened any more. I don't have a single doubt about the wisdom of what I've done in marrying you. I love and trust you completely, Charlotte Eltham. I'm going to show you how much I love you every day and night for the rest of our lives as soon as you're feeling better."
She snuggled against his lean hard chest. "Being in your arms like this makes me feel better already."
Thomas lifted her into her arms and brought her from the chair over to the bed. "Just as being in yours does me a world of good too."
"Oh, really," she asked playfully, with an arch of her delicate brows.
"Yes, I think I'm feeling quite lively now."
"So I see. And feel. Mmm, lovely."
He pulled away then. "But you've been through too much. I should have them make up a trundle bed and-"
"Don't be silly. I never want to spend another night without you. Now no more talking," she whispered, as she moved to divest him of his clothes. "I love you. I'm fine, and well, looking forward to start that family we've spoken of." She blushed prettily.
"Are you sure? I mean, we've been pretty careless these past few nights. But I can take steps so you don't-"
She shook her head. "I want all of you, Thomas, for better or worse. And there will be no worse, I promise. Not now, when we're so in love."
"We are that, my darling," he breathed, loosening the top of her night rail to kiss between her voluptuous breasts.
"And we'll thank God for this miracle every day of our lives."
"A miracle," he agreed, slipping her out of the linen like a butterfly out of its cocoon to admire her bare beauty.
He stroked her raven tresses down her body as his caresses flowed like a river over her, cooling her scorching ardor, causing all sorts of ripples, eddies and currents to flow within her.
As his fingers glided, so too did his lips, ruching her nipples, tautening her belly, flooding her with a runnel of molten lava which scalded her until she demanded in a voice hoarsened by ragged need that he end the exquisite torment.
Thomas kissed his way back up her body, then fastened on her rosy lips as his legs slid over hers. He moved inside the warm circle of her embrace.
Her hips canted upwards eagerly, begging for his stroke. The volcanic desire within them both overflowed, blazing a trail through them both which each could feel down to their toes.
He reveled in his wife's body, and her gnawing hunger drove away the last remnants of her reserve as she touched him everywhere she could reach, buttocks, hips, groin.
Thomas quaked and trembled, awed by Charlotte's beauty, and the power of what they unleashed together. A match made in Heaven. Perfect. Complete. Forged in a furnace of trial and tribulation, rendered all the more fiery and passionate, and as enduring as steel.
AFTERWORD
The Rakehell novels came about during lunch with some friends one day. We wondered why serial killers seemed to be a particularly modern phenomenon. Then we concluded that there must have been serial killers in the past, but they had never been classified in such a manner.
We discussed the fact that in the past, where war and violence were endemic, men could literally get away with murder by, for example, not following orders, or shooting an unpopular officer in the back in the midst of the confusion of battle.
Without efficient record keeping or easily accessed data files, bigamy was common enough, as were turncoats during the war, looters, and men who took on identities other than their own.
All of these possibilities came together to add a bit of suspense to my wondering exactly what would happen if a girl decided to elope with the man of her dreams, and a different chap turned up instead!
Finally, it occurred to me I haven't had many actual full formal weddings in my novels, so as a tribute to all of my friends who have tied the knot in the past year, enjoy!
In the next novel in the series, Jonathan meets the woman of his dreams, but there are many obstacles in the way to his happiness, not least of which are more old Rakehell enemies determined to settle a few scores...
The Rakehell Regency Romance Series
Book 3
THE MISS MATCHED
Sorcha MacMurrough
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Synopsis
Reviews
Copyright
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
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Afterword
Free Preview: The Matchless Miss
All Titles by Author
SYNOPSIS
Too Many Men?
Lovely heiress Pamela Ashton finds herself driven to distraction by the number of suitors beating a path to her door now that she has inherited most of her father's estate. From the handsome but dull Earl of Ferncliffe, to the dashing but poor Captain Breedon, she is confronted with a bewildering array of men all determined to make her their own.
But does she want to be a mere ornament or possession of a greedy fortune-hunter? A breeder of children and the queen of gossip and sewing? Or is she destined for something greater?
Only the debonair local minister Jonathan Deveril seems to view Pamela as something other than a bank account or status symbol. Is it possible that Jonathan holds the key to her future, and her heart?
Jonathan's dark past holds a shadowy secret which prevents him from offering for Pamela, even though he knows he is falling more in love with her with every passing moment. A man of honour, he is willing to keep his dire
promise to his Rakehell friends, even if it means losing the one true love of his life.
As Pamela and Jonathan grow ever closer, their increasing intimacy becomes plain for all to see. The heat between them simply cannot be denied. But the menacing forces from Jonathan's former life catch up with him, putting all he loves in peril.
Jonathan is accused of betraying Pamela in the worst possible way. Have all their heated embraces been nothing more than a lie? Pamela must risk all, her heart, even her life, to win Jonathan's love, and secure the happily ever after they both ache for....
The Earl of Ferncliffe came up just then, and was about to offer Pamela the last dance. Jonathan took her hand before the other man could utter a word. "Sorry, old chap, she's mine."
Jonathan led her onto the floor for the final quadrille, ignoring her stunned look.
Once they were in their correct places in the set, she asked, "What was that all about? You and Sarah were leaving. Now you've forced her to stand up with the Earl. Not that she'll mind, but you didn't even ask me."
He raised his brows. "Did I not? How remiss of me. I meant to."
Pamela stared at him, resplendent in a dark evening with a russet embroidered waistcoat and russet cravat. "Just what game are you playing, Mr. Deveril?"
Jonathan smiled at her as if he had not got a care in the world. "Game? No game. Am I not allowed to dance with the liveliest young girl in the room?"
"I suppose," she said doubtfully.
"Unless of course you really did want to stand up with the Earl?"
She shook her head, setting her blond ringlets dancing. "I did not have any strong preference one way or the other. I just wondered at your abrupt decision to join in the ball at last, and the manner in which you took me over."
A small smile played upon his lips. "I am sorry, I shan't do it again. Obviously you would rather dance with any other man in the room than an elderly, paternal chap like myself."
"Oh, please, don't start another quarrel. I never meant to say you were old--"
"I know. I was teasing. I do apologise."
Her blue gaze met his grey one, and she could see a jovial twinkle.
"I'm sorry, Pamela. I should never have brought it up again. I know you were not being critical and I should not tease you so." He bowed. "I ask your pardon. And for the dance as well. In future, I shall most certainly give you advance notice before I drag you on the dance floor and step all over your feet."
She smiled back at him now. "You know full well that I find you the best dancer in the County, of all the men I have ever had the privilege to stand up with, of course."
"Why thank you." He inclined his head once more. "You have never spoken so warmly to me before. If I may, I would like to return the compliment. You are the best dancer of all the women in my acquaintance. Now, if you can only recognise that there is more to your life and character than endless seeking of balls and other entertainments, we shall all be very happy."
REVIEWS
Five stars, Gorgeous love story, vivid Regency romance
This excellent series of novels continues with the love story of Jonathan Deveril, the third of the Rakehells in the series we have met so far. Jonathan has led a colorful life in the past, but thanks to the Peninsular War, has found God, and devoted himself to the Church, duty, and honor.
All of his good intentions are nearly undone when he meets Pamela Ashton, the most glamorous of the local Brimley beauties. He sees vast potential within her, if only she will use her head for more than just holding up her stylish hair-do.
Pamela starts falling in love with Jonathan almost before she realises it. Included in his Rakehell set, and on a trip to Bath to stay at the Duke of Ellesmere's townhouse, Pamela grows more in love with Jonathan every day. She works hard against worldly temptation and social injustice as she aspires to be a better woman and good wife to the young vicar. The joy and wildfire passion she experiences from their almost daily contact is like nothing she ever imagined possible even in her wildest dreams.
But Pamela soon begins to wonder why, just as they seem to get so close she is sure he will propose, he backs away from their growing intimacy.
Soon news reaches her ears of the most appalling scandal touching Jonathan. In view of how he has treated her, the nightmarish tale seems to make sense. That he has betrayed her in every way possible, the better to get his hands on her considerable fortune.
But Pamela's heart tells her a different tale, to trust to love. With the help of the Duke of Ellesmere, Pamela uncovers the dark secrets of Jonathan's past that have prevented him from sweeping Pamela off her feet as he longs to.
Only through her love and the vanquishing of his enemies can Jonathan ever move from his darkness into the light of love, hope and joy at last.
This is an excellent novel, a true love story as we share all the delight and turmoil of this wonderful couple falling in love. Pamela grows up wonderfully thanks to Jonathan, his sister Sarah, and the Rakehells, and surprises us as well as herself with all she is capable of.
Jonathan is a delight, his marvelous character taking center stage amid his beguiling Rakehell companions.
The Rakehells, as usual, are excellent secondary characters that support but do not intrude upon the flow of this compelling love story.
The Gothic elements of the book are spine-tingling. The sensual elements are just perfect, promising an explosive passion which does not disappoint. The book is fast-paced, and the interaction between the couple is enthralling.
Jonathan is an enigma, and really keeps us guessing as to whether he will choose duty, or love. The suspense elements are great. I was really on the edge of my seat seeing what would happen next.
Readers of traditional Regency romance novels will be captivated by the author's command of the Regency period, the wonderful but tasteful love scenes, and her sumptuous attention to detail.
This is what historical fiction, and historical romance novels, should be: Great characters, fantastic meaty plot, and gorgeous love scenes with a couple who well and truly fall in love and get their happily ever after, despite all the trials and tribulations they endure. The Miss Matched is definitely a keeper!
-Evelyn Trimborn
THE MISS MATCHED
A Rakehell Regency Romance Novel
Sorcha MacMurrough
HerStory Books
Copyright the author 2008, 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.
Under the 1988 UK copyright laws, the author asserts the right to be identified as the creator of this work.
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: 978-1-58345-101-4
Published by HerStory Books
http://www.herstorybooks.com
Please note: The author adheres to the British standard of spelling.
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Chapter One
Late January 1814
Brimley, Somerset
"Unhand me at once, sir," Pamela said, struggling against her companion's intimate grip. "I've never been so abused and insulted in my life."
The eager young
man with jug ears only clung onto her waist more tightly. "My dear Miss Ashton, your beauty, your inestimable--"
The Rakehell Regency Romance Series Boxed Set 1 Page 66
