“I’d love to go shopping,” Bethany replied, “but I’ve been worried about you.”
“Didn’t you get my missive?” Iris asked.
“I did, but you only said you were abducted, taken to Warren’s estate, and that he came to your rescue.”
“You did leave out a lot of details,” Iris’ mother agreed.
“I said everything that was necessary,” Iris said.
Her mother’s eyes went heavenward. “Sometimes you are too much like your father. There were a lot of details you left out.”
“I figured I would explain everything when I saw you, and I did.” Iris glanced at Bethany. “I’ll explain them to you, too. If I were to write everything down, my hand would fall off.”
“Oh, you shouldn’t exaggerate.”
“It would take pages and pages to tell it all. It’s much easier, and more practical, to say it in person.”
“All right.” Her mother nodded. “I see your point.”
Bethany groaned. “You’re going to be the death of me, Iris. I’ve been circling the street in that carriage, waiting for you to return here so I could talk to you. When are you going to tell me?”
“While we go shopping,” Iris assured her. And since it was going to take all afternoon, it should be enough time to give Bethany all the details she wanted.
The footman opened the front door, and Iris heard Warren give him a greeting. She went to the doorway of the drawing room and waved to let him know she was there. After he went over to her, he gave her a quick kiss before saying hello to her mother and Bethany.
Iris was sure her face was bright red from the fact that he’d actually kissed her right in front of them, but to their credit, they didn’t tease her about it.
“I didn’t think you’d be back so soon,” Iris told him. “Wasn’t there anyone at White’s you wanted to talk to?”
“There was,” he replied. “But I missed you and wanted to come back early.”
“Oh.” She glanced at her mother and friend. “I just invited them to take Opal shopping for some dresses. I thought you were going to be gone until dinner.” She paused then ventured, “I don’t suppose you’d like to join us?”
He grimaced. “As much as I’d like to spend time with you, I’d rather not.”
“I understand,” Iris said. Had it not been for the fact that this was for Opal and that her mother was excited about it, she wouldn’t be doing this.
“We’ve been invited to a dinner party at Malcolm Jasper’s in a couple days,” he told her. “It’ll be you, me, Malcolm, Regan, Robert, and Bethany. I thought it would be nice to spend an evening with some friends.”
“I’d love to go.” And she would. This would be much better than having to endure an evening with Miss Barlow and Miss Bachman. She glanced at Bethany. “Maybe this time we won’t need to drink sherry to get through the evening.” Like they had the last time they had to attend a dinner party with Warren and his friends.
Bethany giggled at the secret joke, though her mother’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion over what was so funny.
Before Warren could ask her what she was talking about, Iris asked, “Can we have them over here sometime for a dinner party?”
He smiled. “Of course. Oh, before I forget, there’s a captain who’ll be there, and Malcolm, Robert, and I are thinking of doing business with him. I’ll have him discuss his plans during the dinner, so you can tell me your thoughts on it after everyone goes home.”
“Really?” Pleased, she placed her hand on her chest. “You’d like my opinion on a potential investment opportunity?”
“Yes. You’re the one who got an old Sovereign due to a wise investment you made.”
The fact that his response was so matter-of-fact touched her even more. “I can’t wait for the dinner party!”
“I have a feeling more sherry will be needed,” Bethany murmured under her breath, a chuckle in her tone.
“That reminds me,” Warren said, looking at Bethany, “you might want to get a special gown. Something appropriate for a bride would be best.”
Bethany gasped. “Did you talk to Robert?”
“I’m not giving anything else away, except to say he has something important to ask you this evening,” he replied.
“That’s horrible. You ruined the surprise for her,” Iris chided him good-naturedly.
“He didn’t ruin anything,” Bethany said. “I’m just glad he’s finally going to ask. I was beginning to think I’d never get a proposal out of him.”
“Well, there you go,” Warren told Iris. “All is well.”
Opal came into the room, and Iris’ mother went over to her. “I’m so happy to meet you! Iris had so many good things to say about you. Oh, I should introduce myself. I’m Iris’ mother.” Then, without waiting for Opal to reply, she added, “You’re very pretty. I can’t wait to see you in pinks and purples. I bet those are your colors.”
“I love those colors,” Opal replied in anticipation.
“We’ll see what we can find in those colors before we move on to other ones,” Iris’ mother said. “You have the kind of complexion that can accommodate many colors, and your figure will work for just about any style.”
“She’s right,” Bethany agreed, rushing over to Opal. “Once we get you in the right clothes and hairstyle, you’re going to have gentlemen clamoring for you.”
“There’s no need to have them clamoring all over her until she has her first Season,” Warren called out above the excited talk between Iris’ mother and Bethany.
Iris’ mother turned to him and smiled reassuringly. “We won’t have them clamoring until it’s time. We promise.”
Warren glanced at Opal, who was giving him a hopeful smile. He smiled at her in return and said, “All right. Have a good time.”
“You’re a good brother,” Iris replied as her mother and Bethany led Opal out the door.
Iris’ mother paused and called out, “Aren’t you coming?”
“Yes, I’m coming,” Iris assured her.
Before Iris could leave with the others, Warren took her hand and pulled her to him. “I love you,” he whispered in her ear.
“I love you, too,” she whispered in return. “I’ll miss you while I’m gone.” Then, on impulse, she gave him a kiss before she hurried out the door.
Quick Author’s Note
Someone’s going to probably wonder why early in the story, Warren thought of Opal as his half-sister but later on, he thought of her as his sister. This was not a typo. I intentionally did it because after Warren found out Opal wasn’t like his stepmother and half-brother, he could fully accept her. That is why she became his “sister” instead of his “half-sister”.
Coming Soon:
A Brand New Regency Series!
The Viscount’s Runaway Bride
(Marriage by Bargain Series: Book 1)
What Anthony Barlow, Viscount Worsley, really wants is a wife who can excite him, but what he ended up with was an engagement to his sister’s very annoying friend. So when Miss Damara Onslow intercepts his carriage, he’s immediately drawn to both her bold spirit and her beauty.
Even more exciting is the offer she makes: money in exchange for marriage. More than happy to get out of the marriage he was dreading, he agrees, and soon they are husband and wife. Never once did he think to ask her why she was so eager to get married, and the truth might be the undoing of them both.
Reserve Your Copy Today!
Don’t Miss the Books that Came Before The Earl’s Wallflower Bride!
His Wicked Lady (Marriage by Arrangement: Book 1)
Regan Alger, the Lady of Cantrell, is bored with her life. Yes, she’s been more fortunate than most. She was once married to a wonderful gentleman, and this love resulted in her young son—a boy she loves more than anything. But even a son can’t fill the void in her life. She misses having a husband, both in and out of bed, so when she happens to come across a gentleman at a ball who ignites her passion, s
he decides he’ll be her next husband. And she’s not the least bit shy about letting him know it.
Just as determined as Regan is to have Mr. Malcolm Jasper for a husband, he’s equally determined to end up with anyone but her. If he marries her, his life will be one of chaos and scandal. He’s sure of it. After all, she’s much too outspoken and flirtatious. So he jumps at the chance for an arranged marriage, thinking once he secures a reputable and quiet bride, Regan will leave him alone. Little does he know, though, his sister and her two friends know Regan wants to marry him, and they are more than happy to help Regan get what she wants.
Regan’s risk pays off. She manages to secure him as her husband. Will the gamble pay off? Or has she just doomed them both?
***
Her Devilish Marquess (Marriage by Arrangement: Book 2)
Dr. Derek Westward has been happy living his life doing everything possible to upset the Ton. Second to his occupation, it’s one of his favorite pastimes. Then his brother dies, and the worst thing imaginable happens. He inherits the title of a marquess. Now he has to secure the future of his family’s estate with an heir, and worse, he’s expected to be on his best behavior, something he’s been unable to do since childhood.
Miss Danette Everson has given up on ever marrying. At twenty-five, she’s resigned herself to spinsterhood, until her friend decides she’d be better off married. Before she knows it, she’s a bride. But her new husband isn’t the reputable gentleman she was hoping for. No, he’s got a horrible tendency to scandalize the Ton at every opportunity that presents itself. Surely, a pair couldn’t be more mismatched. Whatever were the three matchmaking ladies thinking when they arranged for her to marry the most devilish marquess in all of London?
Other Regencies by Ruth Ann Nordin
Marriage by Scandal Series:
The Earl’s Inconvenient Wife: Lord Roderick needs an heir, and the only way he’s going to get one is by finding a suitable young lady to marry. But one wrong move on his part has just betrothed him to a lady he believes tricked him into a scandal.
A Most Unsuitable Earl: Lord Edon has done everything he can to avoid marriage, including building a reputation as London’s most notorious rake. His scheming mother, however, is so determined that he’ll find a good lady to marry, she’ll stop at nothing to find him one. And the lady she finally picks happens to be London’s most notorious wallflower, the ever-so-boring Lady Catherine.
His Reluctant Lady: From the moment Mister Robinson meets Lady Richfield, he knows they are destined to be together. But it may take the threat of a scandal to convince the reluctant widow that marriage can be the most sensually and emotionally satisfying experience she’ll ever have.
The Earl’s Scandalous Wife: Lord Clement, who others refer to as “the earl who can’t find a wife,” is about to find that scandals aren’t so bad when a lady kisses him at a ball.
Marriage by Deception Series:
The Earl’s Secret Bargain: Toby and Lord Pennella have just made a bet for the hand of Miss Regina Giles. The gentleman she chooses wins the loser’s estate. But things don’t go according to plan when Toby falls in love with her.
Love Lessons with the Duke: Camden asks Helena to help him secure a bride in one month, but soon he realizes he’s in love with her and will do anything it takes to marry her, even if it involves a scandal.
Ruined by the Earl: After losing all of his money in a reckless bet, Logan needs to marry a lady from a wealthy family–and fast. So he does the only thing he can think of and picks one at random to trick into marriage.
The Earl’s Stolen Bride: Orlando Emmett, the Lord of Reddington, fell in love with Chloe as soon as he met her over a year ago. Unfortunately, she married Lord Hawkins before he could propose. Now, she’s a widow. And while he should honor the mourning period, he’s afraid if he doesn’t act fast, he might not get another chance to be her husband. So he plans a way to make sure he gets her before someone else can.
A Standalone Regency Novel that is also Currently Available:
Her Counterfeit Husband: When her abusive husband dies, the Duchess of Watkins plots a way to hide his death so his brother doesn’t get the title. Fate steps in and she comes upon a gentleman who looks just like her husband, and more than that, he doesn’t remember who he is. Has she just come across the best solution to her problem, or has she just made things much, much worse?
Other Books Written by Ruth Ann Nordin
(Chronological Order)
Historical Western Romances
Pioneer Series
Wagon Trail Bride
The Marriage Agreement (coming August 7, 2016)
Nebraska Romance Series
Her Heart’s Desire
A Bride for Tom
A Husband for Margaret
Eye of the Beholder
The Wrong Husband
Shotgun Groom
To Have and To Hold
His Redeeming Bride
Isaac’s Decision
Chance at Love Series
The Convenient Mail Order Bride
The Mistaken Mail Order Bride
The Accidental Mail Order Bride (coming September 4, 2016)
South Dakota Romance Series
Loving Eliza
Bid for a Bride
Bride of Second Chances
Montana Romances Series
Mitch’s Win
Boaz’s Wager
Patty’s Gamble
Native American Romance Series
Restoring Hope
Brave Beginnings
Bound by Honor, Bound by Love
A Chance In Time
Virginia Brides Series
An Unlikely Place for Love
The Cold Wife
An Inconvenient Marriage
Romancing Adrienne
Historical Romance Anthologies (with Janet Syas Nitsick)
Bride by Arrangement
A Groom’s Promise
Other Historical Western Romances
Falling In Love With Her Husband
Kent Ashton’s Backstory (Prequel to Catching Kent)
Catching Kent
His Convenient Wife
Meant To Be
The Mail Order Bride’s Deception
Contemporary Romances
Contemporary Omaha Romances
With This Ring, I Thee Dread
What Nathan Wants
Just Good Friends
Across the Stars
Suddenly a Bride
Runaway Bride
His Abducted Bride
Standalones
Substitute Bride
Bride by Design (under Barbara Joan Russell)
Bonus Material Books to the Romances
Bonus Material from the Nebraska Series
Other Genres
Thriller
Late One Night (flash fiction)
Return of the Aliens (a Christian sci-fi thriller)
Fantasy (mixed with romance)
A Royal Engagement
Royal Hearts
The Royal Pursuit
Royal Heiress
Nonfiction
11 Tips for New Writers
The Emotionally Engaging Character
Where to Find Ruth
To find out more about Ruth Ann Nordin’s books and upcoming titles, you can go to the following sites:
Her Author Blog: http://ruthannnordinauthorblog.wordpress.com
Her Website:
www.ruthannnordin.com
Her Timeline on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ruth.a.nordin
Join Ruth Ann Nordin’s Email List!
If you would like to receive an email when Ruth has a new book out, go to this link:
https://ruthannnordinauthorblog.wordpress.com/sign-up-for-email-list/
As a thank you for being on her list, she sends out a special scene (usually 1000 to 2000 words long) that is a prequel or epilogue to the book she is releasing. This scene is only available to
people on her email list. She will only email when a new book is out, and she won’t share your email with anyone else.
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