“What?” Her brows furrowed, and then she made a circle with her lips. “Oh.”
“Yes, my love. I will shake your hand and wish you a good night.” He took her limp hand in his, shook it, and entered the room, closing the door in her face.
Within seconds he opened it up, pulled her through and wrapped her in his arms. “I decided I am not as honorable as I thought. I won’t stick with our agreement.” He took her face in his hands and kissed her gently. “I want you right beside me in my bed every night for the rest of our lives.” She sighed and leaned on his chest. “If you insist, my love.”
“I do. Indeed.”
Aknowledgements
Of course I think my book is wonderful when I finish it, but alas, that is seldom true. So many other people are involved in the process. I would like to acknowledge them here.
First off, my beta reader, and husband of thirty- seven years, Doug. He doesn’t know that I came up with the idea of him being a beta reader as a way to get him to read my books. Since his literary choices tend to run toward the classics, it was no mean feat. Whatever works. Thanks for your input.
My fabulous critique partner, Char Chaffin, slaps my hand and cuts me off from overused words on a regular basis. Without her insight and expertise this writing journey would be very different.
Two fabulous ladies who take my offering and turn it into something better are my editor, Erin McCormack-Molta and editorial director, Gwen Hayes. Thanks for having those polishing cloths at the ready.
My brother, Brian, spent twenty-five years battling fires as an inner city firefighter. His willingness to share his expertise was invaluable. Thanks for the quick phone calls with the ‘can this happen?’ questions.
I have a group of ladies whose support means more to me than I can say. They cheer me when I’m on top, and talk me off the ledge when I’m down. Thanks, Unicorns. Love you all.
A special acknowledgement to Kay Rogal and Patti Shenberger, two lovely women who left this earth much too early. You will always be Unicorns, ladies. Enjoy the rainbow.
The Beau Monde group is comprised of so many regency experts that it boggles the mind. Ask a simple question and several immediately respond with extensive information from their wealth of knowledge. Thanks for all the responses to “just one more question.”
And to my street team, Callie’s Cohorts, thanks for all your hard work in helping to promote my books.
About the Author
Callie Hutton always knew those stories she made up in her head would be written down one day. There was nowhere else for them to go. After years of writing articles and interviews for magazines and company newsletters, she wrote her first novel. With twelve books under her belt, and a few more contracted, the relief at having somewhere to tell those stories is wonderful. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband, daughter, and two dogs. Her son and his wife are awaiting the birth of twin boys.
She is past president of the Oklahoma chapter of The Romance Writers of America, and USA Today bestselling author of The Elusive Wife, the first book in the Marriage Mart Mayhem series.
You can catch her hanging out at Facebook, Twitter, and her home base, www.calliehutton.com. She shares a monthly newsletter with two other authors, and would love for you to sign up to hear about contests, drawings, and new releases.
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Also by Callie Hutton
The Elusive Wife
Newly arrived from the country for the Season, Lady Olivia is appalled to discover that her own husband, Jason Cavendish, Lord Coventry, doesn’t even recognize her. She’s not about to tell the arrogant arse she’s his wife. Instead, she flirts with him by night and has her modiste send her mounting bills to him by day. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned…too bad this woman finds her husband nearly irresistible.
The Duke’s Quandary
London, 1814
Drake, Duke of Manchester, has everything planned. This season he’ll marry a woman who will be the perfect duchess and a docile wife. Then he’s introduced to Penelope Clayton, the socially awkward houseguest his family has tasked him to prepare for the ton. Each lesson draws them closer, and he finds himself unable to resist her. But society can be cruel, and social expectations have a way of making decisions for you.
Also new from Scandalous...
Lord of Regrets
by Sabrina Darby
Natasha Polinoff’s out-of-wedlock pregnancy—which would destroy Lord Marcus Templeton’s inheritance—sends her running into the unforgiving night. Now, five years later, Lord Templeton has finally found his beloved. And this time, the viscount will have her. Lord Templeton’s arrival fills Natasha with terrible fear... and undeniable longing. He has come to claim her, but she is no mere possession. Lord Templeton will do whatever it takes to bring her back into his arms and back into his bed. Even if it means resorting to blackmail to make Natasha his wife...
Misadventures in Seduction
by Robyn DeHart
With five siblings to care for, Prudence Hixsby ‘s duty comes first. But when the eldest—and most cherished—of her younger brothers joins the war, she trades her body for his safety by slipping into the bed of a man whose touch is both fierce and passionate... little knowing she’s just seduced the wrong man. Harrison Carlisle, the Duke of Sutcliffe, never imagined that that lovely Prudence would honour his bed and he can’t resist her, but he keeps a gentleman’s silence. But when Prudence’s brother is killed, they find themselves uniting to track down a traitorous murderer.
The Irresistible Miss Peppiwell
by Stacy Reid
Dissatisfied with his empty life, Lord Anthony Thornton seeks a deep and lasting connection... and finds himself intrigued by the Ice Maiden of the haute monde. Undaunted by Phillipa Peppiwell’s aloof nature and her distaste for the idea of matrimony, he sets out to thaw the bewitching beauty by enticing her with adventures of the most sensual type. But both Anthony and Phillipa hide secrets revealing past scandals best kept buried… and if discovered, could rip them apart.
The Wager
by Lily Maxton
Anne Middleton never plays by the rules. She is willful when she should be obedient and unabashed when she should be decorous. Worse still, she can never resist a good wager. Michael Grey—the Earl of Thornhill—knows Anne is no lady of decorum, but her bold impulsiveness slips through his armor, and propriety is forgotten. Roused by heady desire, Michael tempts Anne in a way she cannot resist—a wager. Thus begins a game of chance, where coins have been replaced by a currency that is far more illicit. And the stakes of seduction are dangerous indeed...
If you love Regency Romance, one-click these Scandalous titles...
Once Upon a Wallflower
by Wendy Lyn Watson
When Mira Fitzhenry’s guardian arranges her engagement to one of the most scandalous, yet devastatingly handsome lords to ever grace the peerage, all of society is abuzz. After all, the man has left a trio of dead
young women in his wake, including his first fiancée. As the wedding approaches, Nicholas and Mira grow ever closer, yet so does the very real danger. Will the truth bring Nicholas and Mira together or tear their love apart?
Tempting Bella
by Diana Quincy
Mirabella feels nothing but contempt for the man who wed her for her fortune and promptly forgot she existed. Sebastian has been apart from his child bride since their wedding day. When he encounters an enchanting impish beauty at the opera, he’s is thrilled to find she is none other than his long-ago bride and he is more than ready to make her his wife in truth.
Too bad the beguiling beauty has no intention of coming meekly to the marriage bed.
The Lady's Disgrace Page 20
