The Rakehell Regency Romance Collection 6

by MacMurrough, Sorcha

  "Don't you even try. I adore the madness inside, the tumult. The driving need."

  "Mmm, I was mad from the moment I met you, about you, my love. No woman but you could ever have made my life so happy and complete."

  He looked at her with a fierce yet tender intentness. "Do you mind us trying for another baby so soon?"

  She shook her head and smiled. "Not at all. In fact, you've been so importunate, I have to admit I haven't been able to keep up with the sponges and ablutions as much as I ought."

  "I want a girl next. The image of her mother," he whispered against her hair.

  Gabrielle smiled at him lovingly. "I'll take whatever the Lord gives us so long as we're all happy and safe."

  "Amen to that," Simon gasped, losing control and driving deep within her womb, where he felt an answering throb against his sensitive tip.

  "And if at first you don't succeed," she said with an impish smile.

  "I shall most certainly try, try again. And again. And again."

  "Yes please, more," Gabrielle begged.

  "As much as you like, always. Until I drive you to the brink of madness," he promised, his eyes glowing with love.

  "I love you, Simon, always. So long as you're right there with me."

  "Mad with you and mad for you, always and forever, my dearest Gabrielle."

  Author's Note

  As usual, this novel started out as a ‘what would happen if' scenario. I was reading about the list of registered bawdy houses in London and where the women worked.

  One of the madams and her girls specifically catered for the inmates of Bedlam. One can only imagine what a job that must have been in an already shockingly bad profession.

  Thus my story of a young nurse trying to help a seemingly sane man locked away in Bedlam, with the help of some interesting friends, was born. And so yet another Rakehell is restored to the fold and his happy home, with his quest for his brothers at an end at last.

  As I have been working on this series, I've also asked the question, how did the ‘spark' or rake come to be born?

  Certainly after the Civil Wars in England, sexual mores changed quite radically. Instead of sex being perceived as sinful, it was felt that it was a sign of health in a normal male. That in fact it would be unhealthy to not indulge, as it would lead to all sorts of tensions, frustration and violence, even mental illness.

  The rake resulted: the licentious chap out to indulge his animal lusts.

  However, women's desires and frustrations were a paradox which was never successfully resolved.

  Satires of the period made quite distinct differences between wife and mistress, but never actually stated what they were! Men were also satirised if they didn't have a mistress, and were exhorted to hurry up and get one as there were far too few, and their cost would therefore rise.

  London was seen as the swinging capital where men and women could indulge their passions freely. The country was a place where one rusticated. Having to go home to a country seat was the agony of many a fashionable and libidinous woman.

  London was also notorious for its crime, filth and debauchery, though the English would have told you gleefully that the French capital was far worse (and so THE place to go for even more lewd pleasures).

  One can get an idea from the Earl of Rochester's poetry and Samuel Pepys' diary as to just how naughty things were in the capital, and the antics of Sir Charles Sedley were so hair-raising as to be viewed with dismayed horror even by the rather lascivious Pepys and satirised in Sir George Etherege's play The Man of Mode.

  One of the most fascinating things about 15th to 19th century life is that they had all of the same issues and concerns we have: war, poverty, disease, (especially venereal), famine, the role of men and women in society, homosexuality, transvestism and more.

  They also had issues with inheritance and chastity for women, and indeed the role of women was becoming so fluid and free during the Regency period that the backlash into rigid Victorian morality was almost inevitable.

  But as always, we can only generalise from all the written records left behind. What we can say is that whenever a society is at war, things become fragmented and old distinctions break down. Women have taken their fate into their own hands as wives, mother, mistresses, shopkeepers, midwives, for centuries.

  Gabrielle joins the ranks of the Rakehell wives who also stand up for their principles and rescue their husbands physically and/or metaphorically through the gift of their love.

  In the next novels in the series, another Rakehell returns to the fold, with some surprising consequences, in a parallel narrative to this one, which as you have seen, is a race to the death.

  I am sure we will all welcome the return of George Davenant, last seen in Ruthless, and again here, and can't wait to find out how he meets the love of his life at last, and the rocky road they need to travel to win their love.

  The Rakehell Regency Romance Series

  Book 17

  BEGUILED

  Sorcha MacMurrough

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  SYNOPSIS

  REVIEWS

  COPYRIGHT

  LIST OF CHARACTERS

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  SYNOPSIS

  Fresh up from the country to visit her brother in London, Miranda Lyons Dane gets involved in a daring prank thanks to the notoriously wanton beauty Georgina Jerome. The seemingly harmless game turns dangerous as Miranda is attacked by a cutpurse. Her rescue at the hands of the mysterious George Davenant leaves her feeling sure she is out of the frying pan and straight into the fire, for no man has ever made her feel the torrid heat of desire.

  Yet George is only ever spoken of in hushed whispers, for he is reputed to be the most vicious criminal mastermind the capital has ever seen. Suddenly all of the assumptions Miranda had ever made about her life are turned upside down. George offers her the role as his leading actress in the ramshackle theatre he manages.

  Despite her fears, Miranda takes the job, and finds herself growing ever closer to her enigmatic but handsome employer. George is a master of many roles and disguises, the only way he can ever keep one step ahead of the peril that dogs his heels. Miranda's entrance into his cold, hard world brings a warmth he never dared dream could be possible for a man with his dark past.

  Soon the forces which have forced George to make the most hellish choices of his life threaten to take from him the woman who is coming to mean more to him than life itself. Can George save Miranda, or will the two of them be torn from each other forever?

  Before George could stop himself, he grasped Miranda’s skirt and began to glide it up over her thighs.

  "George, what on earth are you—" she gasped, pressing her back up against the door to steady herself.

  The silky material rose inexorably. "You were the dresser. There isn’t one now, and everyone has gone. And since you helped strip me bare, it’s the least I can do. No, pray hold still. I won’t touch you," he promised, somewhat rashly considering what he sure he was about to do. The blood hammered in his ears. He just had to get closer to the heat of her...

  "Not unless you want me to," he amended quickly. "But I need to know what you’re wearing under this gown."

  "The same as you under your toga," she said prosaically if somewhat inaccurately. "Drawers."

  The champagne-coloured silk was so overwhelmingly sultry he could not help himself.
Despite his promise he ran one hand from navel to mound, admiring her flat stomach, finely toned muscles, lush but slender thighs.

  "Gorgeous. Simply gorgeous. Every man in the theatre wanted to do this tonight. Find out what you had on under that gown. Where did you get them?" he whispered, petting and stroking her like a fractious filly until she relaxed, closed her eyes and lolled her head back against the door.

  "Milly made them for Maggie, but she wasn’t here. She offered them to me."

  "Exquisite. Just beautiful. Your legs, your—" He leaned his cheek against her and breathed in. The reality was every bit as thrilling as the fantasy. Nay, more so, for she was even more incredibly lovely than his imaginings.

  "You are a most regal beauty from head to toe."

  His hands reached around to cup her bottom lightly above and then underneath the silk. He was not in the least ashamed of his actions, though he would have been horrified if anyone had ever suspected how this tiny girl could literally bring him to his knees. He was prostrate with longing for her.

  Miranda was stunned. He sounded as though... As though he really did love her! But surely it wasn’t possible. It was lust, the heat between a man and woman put into close proximity, working together on such a romantic play. It was bound to happen. It had in the case of Maggie and Hugo the former lead actors, obviously.

  But what on earth was he doing? For she could feel the light bristle of his cheek through the delicate fabric. He was actually rubbing her like a cat against a table leg. Or one about to lap at a saucer of milk. My God, he was even purring!

  "Tell me, tell me what you want, Miranda," his voice rumbled, vibrating through her lower body. "Anything you wish shall be yours."

  This was sheer madness. George was surely the most exciting and handsome man she had ever met in her life, but he was asking her for... The impossible. She would go to hell for it, she was certain. However wonderful the delights he was offering her, with his incredibly hard maleness, his clever lips and tongue, which now began to dampen the legs of the pantalettes, adding further moisture to the torridly saturated gusset, this was wrong. But it felt so right...

  REVIEWS

  "Another incredible novel from this fabulous author. Ms. MacMurrough is in top form in this latest in the Rakehell series. Exceptionally clever plotting keeps us on the edge of our seats until the end. My palms were sweating as I read the stunning conclusion. This is her most sensual novel to date. I know of no other author who can truly capture the wonder of falling in love, and the gut-wrenching turmoil of adoration and near-loss with such passionate intensity."

  -Evelyn Trimborn

  "I have read avidly every single Rakehell novel, and this latest is sure to please. By turns amusing, sensual and shocking, it is a wonderful continuation of this popular series. Miranda and George are simply superb. But then, all of her heroines are admirable, intelligent and spirited. Her heroes are remarkably sexy and virile, without being Neanderthal in the least. Her villains are as nasty as ever. Deftly developed and executed, the novel resonates long after you have finished reading it."

  -Jacqui Jerome

  "This latest novel in the Rakehell features George Davenant, last seen in Ruthless. Still working as a spy, he will do anything to locate his missing brothers. Alone on the fringes of society because of his trade, and supposed profession as a brothel keeper and criminal mastermind, as well as amateur theatre owner, he can hardly believe his luck when innocent young Miranda Lyons Dane, last seen in Experience, comes into his life, and seems to love him in spite of what he is supposed to be.

  "But George’s cunning employer Lord Castlereagh has not finished toying with his family, and making them all too aware of who wields the power in Britain. At the height of his happiness, Miranda is snatched from him, and he suffers the torment of losing the only woman he has ever loved. Clever, grippingly suspenseful, passionate and sensual, I adored this couple and this emotionally charged novel."

  -Annabelle Stevens

  "Exceptional. George and Miranda are a fabulous couple. I simply love the author's heroes; they are all noble and passionate, and sizzlingly skilled in the arts of love without being rakes. George knows the value of an intelligent and brave woman, and treats her like a goddess as they fulfill their fantasies together. I hung on every word of the book, right the way to the startling conclusion. Clever, witty, and fully capturing the flavour of life in the early nineteenth century, Beguiled is sexy and spine-chillingly suspenseful. The author’s superb ability to weave history, mystery and loin-tightening sensuality is second to none."

  -Carolyn Stone

  "At last. George Davenant, last seen in Ruthless, is in love, and still on his quest to find his brothers. Every single Rakehell hero is incredibly sexy, but George has an intense quality which will make the reader’s knees buckle! Miranda is just that, a heroine to be wondered at, as she discovers her hidden talents and inner strength with George’s incredible love. Simply fabulous: rivettingly suspenseful, cleverly plotted, sensual and gritty, you will not be able to put it down. Just make sure you take a few cold showers before you read it! Or not, if you prefer! Your partner will thank you for it!"

  - Jacinta Carey

  BEGUILED

  A Rakehell Regency Romance Novel

  Sorcha MacMurrough

  HerStory Books

  DEDICATION

  To my family, with love and thanks.,

  Copyright 2011 by the author

  All rights reserved.

  Published by HerStory Books

  http://www.herstorybooks.com

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  LIST OF CHARACTERS

  George Davenant, owner of The Three Bells pub and brothel, and The New Rose Theatre

  Miranda Lyons Dane, sister of Matthew Dane and Juliet Lyons Dane Howard. Miranda has just arrived in Town for her Season

  Georgina Jerome, a worldly woman and mischief-maker

  Alistair Grant, a Rakehell, a prominent barrister in London

  Viola, his wife and a friend of George's

  Sebastian Morrison, her brother, George's best friend

  Daniel, George's theatre assistant

  Liz, Becky, Milly, Maggie, actresses

  Hugo and Bart, actors at the theatre

  The Earl of Oxnard, one of Miranda's ardent admirers

  Antony Herriot, a Rakehell doctor, runs the free clinic for women in Bethnal Green

  Philip Marshall, a Rakehell, works with Alistair Grant

  Jasmine Marshall, his wife

  (for their story, see The Mistaken Miss)

  Lawrence Howard, a Rakehell, a teatrader recently back from India

  Juliet Dane Howard, his wife

  (For their story, see Experience)

  Matthew Dane, Miranda's brother, a Rakehell

  Althea, his wife

  Lady Pemberton, Society hostess and aunt to Miranda, Juliet and Matthew

  George Edwards, a government spy

  Lord Sidmouth, Home Office Minister

  Viscount Castlereagh, Foreign Office Minister

  Other Rakehells mentioned in passing

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

  The Duchess of Ellesmere, Charlotte Eltham, nee Castlemaine, his wife

  (for their story, see The Missed Match)

  Randall Avenel, a Rakehell, the Earl of Hazelmere

  Isolde Avenel, his wife

  (for their story, see Innoc
ence and Innocence Afire)

  Michael Avenel, a Rakehell, Randall’s eldest brother

  Bryony Avenel, his wife

  (for their story, see The Model Master)