Forbidden in February (10 page)

She mistrusted his gaze, warm and sharp as it was.

Taking a deep breath, she’d run her hands down the front of her riding habit, trying to summon her courage. It was one of the duchess’s old habits. Adele had spent three hours the night before painstakingly picking out the embroidery and removing the lace at the neck and cuffs. There was no sense putting a peahen like herself into the plumes of a peacock.

Mr. Coyne had released a sharp breath of exasperation at her hesitation, and before she could hop off the mounting block, he’d set those hands at her waist—so large they’d curled just under her breasts—and plopped her right onto the horse.

She’d grabbed for the pommel and sat rigid as a statue, her mouth open.

He’d touched her.
As bold as brass too. The imprint of his hands had lingered, twin brands of his, lying just below her breasts. She could hardly draw breath past those marks.

“You’re meant to pick up the reins,” he’d drawled. Somehow his accent had allowed him to slip more insolence into the words than should have been possible. Insolence that had raised sparks all along her skin under her remade riding costume.

And thus began Adele’s torture. Months of it.

Acknowledgments

This book would not have been possible without the encouragement of the other authors in this series—Kate Pearce, Genevieve Turner, Jennifer Haymore, and Sabrina Darby. Thank you!

About the Author

Suzanna Medeiros was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. Her love for the written word led her to pursue a degree in English Literature from the University of Toronto. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Education degree, but graduated at a time when no teaching jobs were available. After working at a number of interesting places, including a federal inquiry, a youth probation office, and the Office of the Fire Marshal of Ontario, she decided to pursue her first love—writing.

Suzanna is married to her own hero and is the proud mother of twin daughters. She is an avowed romantic who enjoys spending her days writing love stories.

She would like to thank her parents for showing her that love at first sight and happily ever after really do exist.

To learn more about Suzanna, visit her at
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Also by Suzanna Medeiros

Dear Stranger

Forbidden in February (A Year Without a Duke)

Landing a Lord series

Dancing with the Duke

Loving the Marquess

Beguiling the Earl

The Unaffected Earl — Coming Soon

Hathaway Heirs

Lady Hathaway’s Indecent Proposal

Lord Hathaway’s New Bride — Coming Soon

The Captain’s Heart — Coming Soon