Darrington 01 - Marriage Minded Lord

by Sandra Sookoo

  “I apologize for the brevity. Next time will be longer and with more play.” He pressed his lips to the side of her neck where her pulse fluttered. “And trust me, my dear, there will be many more times. I wish to explore every bit of your delectable body.”

  “It is true that the English lack passion.” Clarice sighed and held him closer. “Educating you in this will be quite rewarding.”

  “Perhaps, and Englishmen can never turn down a challenge.” Thank God life with Clarice would never be dull.

  Felix cracked open his eyes as the midday sun speared through the window. He’d neglected to pull the drapes or even the bed curtains after the session with Clarice earlier that morning. Now, as his muscles protested the slightest action and his face felt as if it had seen the wrong end of a whipping rod, he sat up in bed. Beside him, Clarice slept, no doubt recovering from her kidnapping ordeal and subsequent bedding. He grinned. I’ve won her. For now and always, she’d be his, gracing his bed and his arm, making him happy beyond measure.

  “He did what?” The outraged exclamation from his mother rang through the hallway and into his room.

  “Bother.” Felix groaned. It would seem one of the servants had just informed Roberta that her son wasn’t alone.

  Clarice stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, and when her gaze crashed into his, she smiled on the heels of a yawn, the grin so full of love and wonder, he nearly came undone. “What is wrong?”

  The urge to burrow back into the bedding and kiss her senseless gripped him, but he needed to tend to his mother before the rest of his life could start. “Oh, a bit of parental outrage no doubt.” He leaned down and dropped a kiss on her velvety lips. “Return to the land of Nod, darling. I’m off to inform my mother of our good news.”

  She snickered then turned onto her stomach. “Good luck, cher. It will take her some time to acclimate.”

  “Indeed.” Felix slid from the bed, and after moving into his dressing room, he donned a clean pair of trousers and a loose shirt. There was no point in completing the toilet as he planned to bathe and tend to his bruises and cuts later after the conversation with his mother concluded. It didn’t matter what his parent would say. He’d found everything he’d ever wanted in Clarice. Roberta could rail all she wanted, but he wouldn’t change his mind.

  When he crept into the hallway, Roberta was waiting in a dressing gown with her red hair in a braid and a thundercloud in her expression. “I want that woman out of my house this instant.” Her hiss rang with fury. “How could you do such a thing?”

  “I’m sorry to disappoint you, Mother, but Clarice has agreed to accept my hand in marriage. She’ll be with us for some time to come, and might I remind you, as you are so fond of telling me, this house, and all the properties which come with the title as Earl of Swandon, is mine.”

  Roberta sputtered. Her mouth opened and closed as shock rose in her eyes. “Marriage?”

  “Indeed. Isn’t that what you wished for me to do?” It was indecent how much he enjoyed baiting her.

  “I did, but a lady’s companion? A woman below your station?”

  “On the contrary, did you not hear at the Amherst dinner? She’s the granddaughter of the Comte de Auvergne. We are equal in rank, but even if we weren’t, it wouldn’t matter. Love isn’t confined by titles or class. I would have asked for her if she worked in the kitchens.” He took his mother’s hand and pressed a kiss to her middle knuckle. “Please wish me well. In your eyes, my decision might not be the popular choice but it is right for me.”

  “But your duty to your title…”

  “Is not in jeopardy. I will handle whatever backlash comes about. After all, Father did train me well for the rigors of the title. Who I marry will not hinder my ability to do my duty.” He squeezed her hand. “In time you’ll realize this is a good thing.”

  “I thought you wanted Lady Drummond?” She glanced to the closed door then back at him, questions in her eyes.

  Felix laughed softly and drew his mother down the hall toward the stairs. “I’m afraid I merely used her in order to be close to Clarice. It doesn’t reflect well on me, but there really was no other way.” As he descended the stairs with Roberta on his arm, he grinned. “Besides, once I tell you all I know of the Drummond family, you’ll thank me many times I didn’t align the Darrington name with them.”

  Finally, Roberta sighed. “I apologize for my doubts, but I trust you. I…” She glanced at him. “I look forward to meeting your Clarice.”

  His heart trembled and his chest tightened with gratitude. “Good. I wish the banns to be read immediately with the ceremony to follow as soon as we can decently do it, for I intend to make certain I give you that first grandchild as quickly as possible.” Besides, keeping Clarice in his bed in order to bring her to such a state was more than enough reward.

  Just as they gained the ground floor, a strident knock sounded on the front door. Since Samuel was nowhere in sight and Felix was in a grand mood, he detached his mother’s hand from his arm then strode across the foyer. As soon as he opened the door, Lady Drummond sailed into the house.

  “Where is Clarice?” Her eyes were wild and her frown fierce. “I demand the return of my servant this instant.” Her décolletage was red and mottled with rage.

  “And good afternoon to you too, Olivia,” Felix greeted. He left the door open, for if he had anything to say about things, Lady Drummond would turn right around and leave. He glanced at his mother, who had an expression of curious confusion on her face, then back to Olivia. “I assume you’ve dropped by in concern for Clarice’s well-being, given the fact she was kidnapped and thrown into a warehouse on a wharf in anticipation of being sold into slavery?” He narrowed his eyes, but the gesture pulled too hard on the bruised skin of his cheek that he stopped.

  Behind him, Roberta gasped. “Good heavens.”

  Lady Drummond glared. “That is beside the point. She is in my employ and I want her back.” She planted her hands on her hips.

  Her lack of concern for what Clarice had gone through floored him. His protective instinct rose to the forefront. Never again would he allow Olivia within two feet of his bride-to-be. “Actually, my fiancée is currently seeking employment elsewhere.”

  “You’re marrying the chit? How droll.” A sneer lifted Olivia’s upper lip. “I’ll make certain word gets out. She won’t be accepted in polite Society.”

  “Oh, I don’t think you will.”

  “You’re challenging me? With one well-placed word, I can make things very uncomfortable for you as well.” She cocked an eyebrow.

  “No, I wouldn’t dare to challenge you.” Felix clasped his hands behind his back. “But I will give you these words of advice.” He held her gaze and hoped his expression was hard. “Clarice told me exactly how you and your father made your fortune. If you say even one word of discord against my wife-to-be or about me or my family, I will make dead certain influential people, as well as the authorities, are apprised of those facts. Is that a gamble you’re willing to take?”

  The color drained from Olivia’s face. Her mouth worked, but no words came out. Finally, she cleared her throat. “I accept those terms. Good luck with Clarice. She’s horribly independent and quite mouthy besides.”

  “One of the many reasons I love her.” Felix approached Lady Drummond who retreated to the open doorway. “If I were you, I’d find an immediate reason to leave London for a few months. I’m afraid that if I continuously see you at Society events, I might be tempted to spill a few secrets.”

  She didn’t reply, merely stormed out of the house without a backward glance. As soon as she stepped into her waiting carriage, Felix closed the door then turned and regarded his mother. “Shall we continue on? I find the events of the last day have left me parched and famished. Perhaps Samuel could be persuaded to bring tea early.”

  “Felix, I believe I owe you a huge apology,” his mother began.

  “Think nothing of it, Mother, but do bear all of this in mind when you
meet Clarice later.” Once he saw his mother settled in her morning room, he sighed. Perhaps balancing duty with family and love wouldn’t be as hard as he’d previously thought.

  The End

  Praise for Sandra Sookoo’s historical work

  Sandra Sookoo has created a strong and independent heroine who never expected to find herself in the position she is in. However, once in it she does not give up or give in to her circumstances or love very easily. I would recommend this book to readers who love an adventure and to romance lovers who enjoy a strong female heroine to match up against a sultry bad boy hero. — Kathryn Bennett, Readers Favorite (for Act of Pardon)

  Ms. Sookoo has written an incredible story for the history geek in me and the werewolf lover too! She never once makes the Civil War look rose-colored, nor does she hold back from some of the real descriptions of prisoners with lice. She doesn’t once become so gritty as to turn the reading into something horrible enough to make me want to close the book. I have to say, I loved how, Southern Lady and all, Caroline is very much a match to our hero, Franklin. Not only did she give us two characters worth reading, she continued with a story gripping us to the end — Teresa T, The Romance Studio (for A Wolfish Tangle)

  I was swept along with this story and the characters’ grand affair and passions. It is a lively love story but starts off very carnal… The characters are full-bodied and well-developed. Maggie is passionate, scandalous, stubborn and strong-willed, while Stephen is a rogue in every way and both are sure they will not fall in love. – Linda, The Romance Studio (for Lady Parker’s Grand Affair)

  To Bed or to Wed

  (Darrington family novel book two)

  Coming March 2014

  When an impromptu kiss captures the imagination, either a spark will ignite or family interference will snuff the match.

  Charlotte Darrington adores being adored by the men in her circle. She’s in London at the request of her mother, and though her parent wants her to find an eligible gentleman and start a family, Charlotte delays. In her heart of hearts, she wants a man who can hold his own and won’t be cowed.

  Nathan Brigham, Marquess of Ravenhurst, is annoyed with the interfering redhead leading his nephew into the evergreen maze. When he would have delivered a dressing down, she stops his words with a kiss. No matter that he finds her attractive and a welcome distraction from his darkly brooding life, he refuses to succumb to her charms. Above everything, he won’t become the savage man his father was.

  Once they return to London from a house party at his country estate, the two can’t avoid each other. Stolen kisses and heated glances in shadowy halls as well as a questionable visit to White’s draw them closer. He can’t forget the demons from his past while her persistence to hear a declaration begs the question: to bed or to wed?

  Scandalously Independent

  (a collection of the first two Scandal in Surrey books)

  Who said well-bred ladies had to behave properly?

  There’s nothing better than reading about strong-willed, determined women… unless those women are fighting against society’s dim viewpoints for their happy endings during the Regency era. This Scandalously Independent collection contains the first two Scandal in Surrey books.

  In Lady Parker’s Grand Affair, Maggie, Lady Parker, is happy with her quiet life in Surrey, except she’d really like to flirt with scandal one last time and hope that it will tame the longing inside her. When Stephen Tarkington accompanies her niece to England with marriage on his mind, all of Maggie’s best laid plans go awry. Romance is in the air, but a fit of teenage angst might nip a happy ending in the bud.

  In The Bride’s Gambit, Vanessa Underhill has run away from her fifth trip to the marriage altar. She refuses to take vows with a man she doesn’t know, but when her carriage to London is stopped by a masked highwayman—namely Viscount Blackpool, Collin Northington—she changes her mind. Kidnapped and well into scandal, Vanessa takes control of her fate and asks the highwayman to ruin her. In a heated moment, he reveals not only his intentions but his scarred face. Everything crumbles into chaos and she runs again.

  Available everywhere digital books are sold. Also available in paperback format.

  To Love a Sea Rogue

  (a collection of Regency pirate tales)

  They’re rogues of the sea, ruthless and without morals, men whose very word is the only law around, but in the right circumstances and to the right woman, they’re heroes worthy of love.

  In this collection you’ll find the tales of two Regency-era pirates.

  Act of Pardon features the harsh, unyielding Captain Adrian Westerbrooke and his quest to rise above his circumstances while making a life for himself and his crew. Miss Sarah Covington’s life collides with his at the hangman’s gallows as she attempts to put a knife into his chest. A fine line separates hatred from desire, and both Adrian and Sarah fight for balance between them. The two will need to find common ground in order to gain understanding—and love.

  Angel’s Master brings you the story of Ethan Williams, a pirate with a conscience. Though he knows the era of piracy is nearly done, he can’t help but enjoy his time to the last. Jacqueline Massey is more than she seems—and she bears a remarkable resemblance to the masthead on the Angel’s Fury. But that can’t be right. After all, no one’s ever seen an angel. Once he takes her hostage on his ship, Ethan struggles to show her the human side to him. It’ll take a miracle to permanently give him the angel in his arms as well as evade the American Navy.

  Available everywhere digital books are sold. Also available in paperback format.

  Miss Bennett’s Naughty Secret

  (Scandal in Surrey book four)

  Coming in December 2013

  She wants security… Miss Elinor Bennett—an American transplant to England—is at her wit’s end. Alone and abandoned following the deaths of her parents and brother in unrelated accidents, her only means of escape from sadness is spying on the new neighbor—and allowing her fingers to wander.

  He wants respect… Lord Geoffrey Ansley, bastard son of an earl, has just inherited real estate in Surrey. A solicitor by trade and half-American by birth, he wishes for peace and hopes his past won’t follow him. Discovering that the pretty redhead next door shares his adopted country is a happy accident. And though he wishes to be left alone, he can’t banish his neighbor from his mind—especially after he catches her in a secret passage just outside his bedroom one night.

  Sometimes fate is a fickle mistress… When a Guy Fawkes prank threatens to expose Elinor’s penchant for scandalous exploits and puts Lord Ansley’s much valued reputation into jeopardy, they will need to decide what’s more important—staying one step ahead of the rumor mongers or falling in love no matter the cost.

  Suddenly Tamed

  (Exotic Locales series book one)

  Coming October 10, 2013

  Only when the heart finds its true match can the soul truly fly.

  Because of her… he believes in romance again. Captain Alan Tame is wrapping up the tail end of his commission in India. Just as he’s convinced himself to return home to England and resume his life in Brighton, his gaze falls on an enchanting woman. He’s captivated by one glance and the pursuit begins no matter that it’s a crazy idea.

  Because of him… her hope for the future is restored. Devi Derbyshire is the daughter of an English military man and his Indian housekeeper. She knows exactly what she wants from life—a home, a family and the love of a good man. But her mixed heritage has clouded her options. One accidental glance across a ballroom gives her heart wings and her belly flutters.

  Because of the magic of love… Alan cajoles Devi into a dance, and that one twirl about the floor leads to so much more. On a perfumed balcony, plans are made for an assignation in the courtyard, but before Devi can meet him, she’s waylaid and locked in a tiny room, leading Alan to assume the worst. Only the belief in true love will see them through.

  About the Author

 
Sandra is a writer of romantic fiction. In the past couple of years she’s concentrated on funny contemporary romance as well as Regency-era romance, but she will, on occasion, write paranormal or sci-fi. Whether you like sweet or erotic heat levels, there’s something for everyone to fall in love with.

  When not immersed in creating new worlds and engaging characters, Sandra likes to read, bake, taste new teas, watch The Big Bang Theory and Psych as well as Finding Bigfoot, and travel. Her favorite place to spend vacation hours is Walt Disney World: it’s where dreams come true and the soul can play. When she’s not writing or inventing new recipes, she spends time with her husband—goofing off and making moments count.

  Sandra loves to hear from her readers. You can write to her at sandrasookoo@yahoo.com, visit her website at www.sandrasookoo.com, or look her up on Facebook and Twitter.