Frances Thorne learned at an early age to rely on herself. Yet, losing her job and her home and watching her father carted off to debtor’s prison all in one day, is too much for her to bear alone. When a generous offer of assistance falls into her lap, she ignores her better instincts and decides to take a chance. The last thing she needs is for the infuriating Lord Lucan Montwood to stand in her way.
The end of the bachelors’ wager is near, and Lucan Montwood can taste victory. Yet, on the precipice of finally gaining freedom from his debts, he’s incensed to learn that the beautiful Frances Thorne has fallen into an insidious trap in the guise of a new position. Lucan can’t deny the way her lips call to him and knows he must risk his own future to ensure her safety.
Convincing her to trust him is the hard part and resisting her is next to impossible. But falling in love with her? That’s far too simple.
Stepping around to view the statue from behind, she could not help but notice that her admiration was not stirred the same way it had been when she’d spied Lucan, fully clothed on a London street or even today at Fallow Hall. Wasn’t this statue supposed to represent the epitome in male grace and beauty?
“You are quite the avid admirer, Miss Thorne.”
Frances jumped. She spun around so quickly that her taper sputtered and flickered out.
“Careful,” Lucan crooned, his voice emerging from the shadows lingering at the outer edges of the room. “Without a lamp how can your artistic perusal continue?”
It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the dim light filtering in through the windows. The sculptures around her seemed to possess their own faint glow, soaking up the moonlight. And then she saw Lucan clearly—the glint of amber in his gaze, the flash of white in his smile, the darkness of his hair and eyebrows that made the shadows appear gray in comparison.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, still attempting to catch her breath. “I could lose my post if you are caught.”
“As I said before, I’m too familiar with dark places to be discovered.” He drew closer, never looking away from her. “Besides, I told you I would come.”
Seven insignificant words and yet her pulse raced in her throat. Silly as it was, knowing that he’d come solely because he’d said he would touched on a tender wound that she’d carried with her for a long while.
“You needn’t have bothered,” she said, though her tone lacked any bite.
Lucan’s grin broadened, as if he’d noticed. “You’re glad that I’m here.”
“Nonsense.” She gave him her most condescending glare.
Unfortunately, it had no effect on him. He moved closer. Ignoring the sudden leap in her pulse and the warm tremor that coursed through her, she held her ground.
Reaching out, he slid her spectacles up the bridge of her nose. “There. Try it again. I might believe you this time.”
USA Today bestselling author VIVIENNE LORRET loves romance novels, her pink laptop, her husband, and her two sons (not necessarily in that order ... but there are days). Transforming copious amounts of tea into words, she is proud to be an Avon Impulse author of works including: “Tempting Mr. Weatherstone”, The Wallflower Wedding Series, and the Rakes of Fallow Hall series.
2 comments:
Thank you for hosting THE MADDENING LORD MONTWOOD!
It was our pleasure :)
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