Enter to win a $25.00 eGift Card!
The Duke and the
Lady in Red
Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James #3
Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James #3
By: Lorraine Heath
Releasing April 29, 2015
Avon
Sparks fly in the finale of the Scandalous Gentlemen
of St. James Place series, as the last wicked rogue meets his match.
When Rosalind
Sharpe gains the attention of the deliciously wicked Duke of Avendale, she’s
torn between her distracting attraction to the notorious rogue and the
knowledge that he—rich as Croesus—is the perfect target for a deception that
will put her swindling days behind her.
However, Avendale
is no fool. After he discovers the tantalizing lady packing up to leave London
with his coins in tow, he confronts her with a scandalous proposition: she can
have all the money she requires…for a week in his bed.
Desperate for the funds, Rose agrees, but on one
condition: he must never question her motives. Avendale quickly sees beneath
her mask and discovers she is more than passion and pleasure—she is everything
he has ever desired. But claiming her requires he unveil her secrets and lose
her forever. Unless he can put his own dark past aside and risk everything for
a chance at love.
As they
strode—as this man could do nothing except stride with confidence—through the
room, he acknowledged a few but was greeted with deference.
“Your
Grace.”
“Avendale.”
“Duke.”
She’d been
correct about his title. She wondered how many lesser ones he might possess,
how much property. What was he worth? Based upon the excellent tailoring of his
black swallowtail coat, trousers, and waistcoat, along with the jeweled pin
nestled in his cravat, he was worth a princely sum.
They arrived
in a room that was much darker than any of the others she’d viewed. The walls
were papered in rich burgundy and forest green. The furniture matched. A
massive fireplace dominated one of several sitting areas. Glass cabinets held
an assortment of spirits. Liveried footmen served amber liquid.
She finished
off her champagne and set the flute on the tray of a passing footman. The man
beside her—Avendale—did the same. She didn’t like noticing that he seemed to
belong here more than in any other place. That he was made of—and
for—debauchery. He was comfortable with his surroundings, would flourish here
as well as in the bedchamber. She was rather certain of it. Even in shadows, he
would stand out, prowling toward her, conquering every aspect of the night,
conquering her. She wouldn’t so much as whimper in protest.
“Would you
care for something darker?” he asked.
He grinned
wolfishly, and for a moment she feared he read all her thoughts. A shiver went
through her before she grasped his meaning. He’d distracted her. Normally she
kept her head around men, even handsome ones. Or perhaps she was giving him too
much credit, had simply sipped the champagne far too quickly so that her mind
had dulled for a moment.
“Is it
allowed?” she asked innocently.
“It is.
That’s Darling’s purpose here—to open up every manner of vice and decadence to
the ladies. But wouldn’t it be far more enjoyable if it weren’t allowed?”
He held her
gaze and she was no longer certain they were discussing liquor. Things not
allowed generally were more enjoyable. How did he know that was what she
preferred? What she thrived on? The forbidden was always more alluring. She
suspected many of the ladies would soon wonder what all the fuss had been about
now that they could walk through the doors whenever they chose.
“Did I hear
my name taken in vain?” a deep voice asked.
Turning to
the side, she came face to face with the man she’d earlier seen kissing the
woman in the dance area. That woman was now beaming with happiness and
inappropriately nestled against his side. But then Rose supposed in a place
like this nothing was entirely inappropriate. That was the entire point to it.
“I’ve been
taking your name in vain ever since you came up with this ghastly idea to allow
women into our sanctum,” Avendale said, clearly disgruntled.
“Yet, here
you are walking about with one of those ladies,” Drake Darling said. “Are you
going to introduce us?”
“I fear we
have not yet been introduced.” Avendale’s gaze ran over her. “Names are
unimportant to me.”
So he had
only a temporary interest in her. Perhaps for just tonight. A tryst, something
wicked. She was insulted enough to take offense, but not so much that she
wasn’t also flattered. But both emotions were schooled not to show. Much more
satisfying to make him pay later for his arrogance. Oh, and how he would pay.
She could hardly wait, but taking her time would make it all so much sweeter.
This is one of my favorite historical romances! The story develops at the perfect pace, unveiling secrets and the motives for the characters actions. Rose's brother Harry almost steals the spotlight from the couple as he is a very important part of their love story. The passion between Avendale and Rose runs deep and it comes through in their lovemaking. The love and emotion from Avendale, Rose and Henry is so intense that I found myself crying numerous times - make sure you have a box of tissues handy! This is my favorite of the series, so far.
ARC via Edleweiss
LORRAINE HEATH always dreamed of being a writer.
After graduating from the University of Texas, she wrote training manuals and
computer code, but something was always missing. After reading a romance novel,
she not only became hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing
lacked: rebels, scoundrels, and rogues. She’s been writing about them ever
since. Her work has been recognized with numerous industry awards, including RWA’s
RITA® and a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. Her novels have appeared
on the USA Today and New York Times best-seller lists.
Thank you for hosting THE DUKE AND THE LADY IN RED!
ReplyDelete