Emily Greenwood (28 page)
Authors: A Little Night Mischief
“Lady Vivian, what are you about?”
“Oh, Winnie. I’m in a real pickle. Lord Ellis will arrive at our front door in a matter of moments. We must hurry.”
“Lord Ellis? But he isn’t expected until next week.” Winnie planted her feet, jerking Vivi to a stop. Her brow furrowed as she captured Vivi’s face and peered into her eyes. “You didn’t knock your head, did you?”
Vivi brushed her maid’s hands away. “I haven’t lost my senses. Let’s go.”
Fingers of lightning stretched toward the ground, and thunder made the earth below them shudder.
Her maid clung to her arm. “We should hurry, my lady.”
“That is what I’ve been trying to say. Lord Ellis ambushed me at the spring, and he is on his way to Brighthurst House.”
Winnie’s eyes grew as round as shillings. “Merciful heavens, the earl discovered you in your chemise? Oh dear. This is beyond horrifying.”
“You’re not comforting me.” Clasping hands, they ran for the dower house as the wind whipped through the meadow and plastered Vivi’s wet gown against her. The first raindrops splattered the dirt as they reached the house and slipped inside.
Vivi shivered, and her maid put an arm around her shoulders. “Come upstairs, Lady Vivian, before you catch your death.”
At this point, death might be the easier solution. “Ash will send me to the nunnery for certain this time.”
Winnie squeezed her tight. “Well then, he will have to send me too. I’ll not let you wreck havoc on those poor Sisters of Mercy alone.”
Vivi almost laughed, but it was hard to find much humor in her complete ruin. “You would do that for me, Win? Perhaps it wouldn’t be terrible if you were with me.”
“Phoo!” Her maid flicked her hand. “We’ll come up with some way to get out of this. But first, let’s change you out of these wet clothes.”
They ascended the stairs side by side and bustled down the corridor to Vivi’s bedchamber. Once the door closed, Vivi wrestled with her damp gown. Winnie hurried forward to assist. With her soiled gown discarded and a dry one donned, Vivi rushed to the window to search for signs of Lord Ellis. The gravel drive was deserted.
“Egads. It’s raining like the devil.”
A blinding flash and boom caused her to jump back with a scream.
Rain pinged against the glass, deafening with its intensity, and dark clouds blotted out the sunlight.
“Tell everyone we must put lights in every window.”
“Yes, my lady.”
A deep rumble vibrated the windowpanes. Her heart hammered against her ribs.
Surely Lord Ellis would throttle her for deceiving him.
If he survived
.
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Lady Mercy Danforthe Flirts with Scandal
by Jayne Fresina
Lady Mercy likes her life neat and tidy. She prides herself on being practical—like her engagement to Viscount Grey, whose dark coloring coordinates very well with her favorite furnishings. But things start to get messy when her best friend abandons her fiancé at the altar, leaving it up to Mercy to help the couple. There’s just one problem. The jilted man is Rafe Hartley—Mercy’s former husband.
Rafe has not forgiven Mercy for deserting him when they were seventeen. Their hasty marriage was declared void by law, but in his eyes the bossy little vixen was still his wife, even if the marriage lasted only a few hours. And Mercy “Silky Drawers” Danforthe still owes him a wedding night.
For more Jayne Fresina, visit:
One Night with a Rake
by Connie Mason and Mia Marlowe
For King and Country, three notorious rakes will put all their seductive skills to work.
After all, the fate of England’s monarchy is in their hands.
Since the death of his fiancée, Nathaniel Colton’s polished boots have rested beneath the beds of countless wayward wives and widows of the ton. He’s careful to leave each lady smiling, and equally careful to guard his heart. So seducing Lady Georgette should pose no problem. But the beautiful reformist is no easy conquest, and Nate’s considerable charm fails to entice Georgette to his bed. To woo her, Nate will have to make her believe he cares about someone besides himself—and no one is more surprised than Nate when he realizes he actually does.
“Deliciously scandalous, with authentic settings, realistic characters, and wicked seductions.”
—RT Books Reviews
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4 Stars
“Had me absorbed, entertained, and looking forward to future stories.”
—Book Savvy Babe
For more Connie Mason and Mia Marlowe, visit:
New York Times
and
USA Today
bestselling author
Darius
by Grace Burrowes
A story that breaks all the rules…
Darius
is a gripping and remarkable tale of desperation, devotion, and redemption from award-winning
New York Times
and
USA Today b
estselling author Grace Burrowes. Her gorgeous writing and lush Regency world will stay with you long after you turn the final page…
With his beloved sister tainted by scandal, his widowed brother shattered by grief, and his funds cut off, Darius Lindsey sees no option but to sell himself—body and soul. Until the day he encounters lovely, beguiling Lady Vivian Longstreet, whose tenderness and understanding wrap his soul in a grace he knows he’ll never deserve…
“Burrowes creates her usual intelligent characters, exciting chemistry, and flowing dialogue…”
—Publishers Weekly
“Very compelling… Likable characters with enough angst to keep the story moving along.”
—Night Owl Reviews
Review Top Pick, 4.5 Stars
For more Grace Burrowes, visit: