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Angels...”a scintillating mix of lust and sexual exploration... Ms.
Lamont has done a very nice job of bringing a bit of the exotic into
her writing.” - Dawnie, Fallen Angel Reviews
A marriage contract, nothing more...until darkly handsome Evan Channing and demure Lydia Blatchford meet. Yet the rules are simple for an arrangement such as theirs. There should be no misunderstanding, no illusions of anything more. But the rules are about to change.
Lydia wants the kind of love and romance she reads about in books. Fortunately, she hasn't specified which book, and Evan has a copy of Richard Burton's new translation of the Kama Sutra, with its ancient wisdom on love and courtship. Evan sets out to win his high-born bride, blending seductive heat with exotic lessons in love-making.
Lydia is prepared to tolerate this man she’s been sold to, but his scorching kisses send her pulses racing. Can an arranged marriage lead to love?
(Previously published under the title Love… By the Book)
** Includes an excerpt from A Marquess for Christmas by Vivienne Westlake.
Disclaimer: This is a short 30 page romantic short story with bonus material** It is not a full-length novel. Contains scenes of Victorians breaking society's rules, marital sex and ancient wisdom from the Kama Sutra.
Excerpt:
All through dinner, she was aware
of his presence at her side. His quick smile, pleasant manners, his
long, long fingers that occasionally brushed her hand. Then there was
his deep voice murmuring in her ear during the meal. It mattered not
what he said, the very sound of his voice sent alternate waves of
heat and cold through her. She was barely been able to eat a bite,
though she’d drained her wineglass more than once before the
champagne toast was served. She drank that as well.
Now, feeling a bit woolly-headed,
she walked out onto the balcony for some fresh air where a slight
breeze cooled her heated face. The men were still having their port
in the dining room while her mother and Phoebe sat and visited with
Mrs. Channing. Lydia knew she should go back inside and converse with
her future mother-in-law.
Lydia was eager to learn more about
Evan’s childhood. She knew his father had died when he was a babe
in arms, murdered during the Sepoy Uprising, and that Mrs. Channing’s
Indian in-laws had protected her and the infant Evan from a similar
fate. She must have loved her husband greatly, for she had never
remarried.
It was a tale worthy of one of her
favorite romance novels, but she wasn’t in the mood to be sociable.
Thank heavens it was a small gathering, just her immediate family,
Evan, his mother and his uncle Frederick. She’d never have been
able to deal with a crowd tonight.
When the men entered the room, her
gaze flew to Evan. He looked around the room, frowning, until he
spotted her standing by the open door. A smile creased his face as he
headed straight for her. She clutched the doorjamb as her heart
started pounding.
“There
you are,” he said, stopping in front of her. “I feared you’d
left.”
“I
just needed some fresh air,” she explained.
“Are
you well?” he asked, taking her hand solicitously. Heat radiated
from him, shooting up her arm.
“I’m
fine, just a bit warm.”
“I
am, too,” he said, guiding her to the railing looking over the
small garden at the back of the house. The scent of roses and
honeysuckle wafted up.
“Since
our engagement is official, I’ll send the announcement to the Times
tomorrow, and then speak to the vicar about having the banns read.
Shall we set a date now?”
She stiffened, staring straight
ahead. Official. The word pounded in her head. Once the announcement
was published, there would be no backing out. She closed her eyes,
not knowing what to say.
“Lydia?”
Gently, he grasped her chin and
turned her head toward his.
When she looked up, his expression
was concerned.
“What’s
wrong, my dear?”
Everything. But
she could not say so. In truth, she was afraid of the weeks to come.
Of what this marriage would mean.
How it would change her life.
He moved his hand to her shoulder.
“Are you apprehensive?”
She managed a jerky nod.
“So
am I,” he whispered.
She stared at him in astonishment.
“Truly?”
“Truly.
This is a big step for both of us. I realize we don’t know each
other very well. If you’d like a long engagement—”
“No.
Waiting will just make things worse.”
He quirked a dark brow. “How so?”
Taking a step back, she spread her
hands. “It will just give me more time to dread—”
She broke off at the injured look
on his face. “Forgive me, but surely you understand this marriage
was never my preference.”
He turned away from her and ran a
hand through his hair.
“Yes,
I know, but I hoped you had become resigned to it.”
“I
have. At least I have tried to be,” she said, the words tumbling
out of her mouth. “That’s why I think it best just to plunge
ahead. Once the banns have been read thrice, we can wed almost
immediately.”
He turned back, a frown still
marring his forehead. “Will that give your mother enough time to
plan?”
She shrugged. “All I need is a
new gown.”
“But
won’t society think it odd we married in such haste?”
She looked him in the eye. “Let
me make one thing clear. I do not give a fig for what society thinks.
If you supposed you were marrying a social butterfly, let me banish
that notion right now.”
He smiled at her. “Harry said you
were sensible, but this surprises me. I’m happy to agree to a short
engagement.” He stepped closer, towering over her. “The sooner I
can make you mine, the better.”
Her heart pounded and her breath
caught as he lowered his head and touched his lips to hers for but a
second before backing away. She drew in a deep breath. Her first kiss
and it had been over almost before it was begun. She didn’t know
whether to be relieved or disappointed.
“Shall
we go inside and discuss the wedding plans with your parents?”
“Not
yet. There is something else I’d like to say.” It was now or
never.
“Yes,
my dear, what is it?”
She licked her lips then plunged
ahead. “I know how these things work. Arranged marriages, that is.
I won’t expect fidelity from you.”
His shocked expression surprised
her. “Is that what you think, Lydia? That I’m marrying you with
the intention of cheating on you?”
“Perhaps
not now,” she said. “But in a few years… It’s not as if ours
is a love match. I won’t cut up a fuss if you decide to take a
mistress. As long as you are discreet.”
“How
very… sophisticated of you,” he said, his tone dry enough to
parch a desert.
She took a deep breath before
continuing. “And once I’ve produced the requisite heir and spare,
I assume I’ll be free to seek my pleasure elsewhere.”
The thunderous look on his face
startled her and she stepped back.
“You
will do no such thing,” he said fiercely, reaching for her.
“Ours
may not be a love match now, but I fully intend to see it turns into
one.”
With that, he pulled her into his
embrace, trapping her arms between them as his encircled her
shoulders and waist.
Covering her mouth with his, he
kissed her with a heady combination of passion and anger. Her
resistance crumbled in the face of his onslaught. She clutched at his
lapels and returned his kiss, even parting her lips when his tongue
probed them. Overwhelmed by the sensations his lips provoked, she let
her eyes drift shut as she clung to him.
When he let her go, he was still
visibly upset. “There will be no more talk of infidelity. Have I
made myself clear, Lydia?”
USA Today bestseller!
Eleven romances from New York Times, USA Today and bestselling, award-winning authors.
The blockbuster box set with more than 100,000 copies sold is back for more! We've got a lonesome cowboy, a spurned bride-to-be, a heartbroken widower and an unexpected pregnancy, along with a tasty smattering of intrigue, murder and suspense. Almost half a million words and two thousand pages of strong heroes and daring heroines who'll do anything for a second chance at love.
The blockbuster box set with more than 100,000 copies sold is back for more! We've got a lonesome cowboy, a spurned bride-to-be, a heartbroken widower and an unexpected pregnancy, along with a tasty smattering of intrigue, murder and suspense. Almost half a million words and two thousand pages of strong heroes and daring heroines who'll do anything for a second chance at love.
Lindi Lamont
Lyndi Lamont is the racy alter ego of romance author Linda McLaughlin. Writing sexier stories gives her a license to be a little naughty, at least between the pages of her books! She has written several full-length novels plus numerous short stories and novellas, ranging from historical to futuristic. She believes that love is unending and universal, and enjoys transporting her readers into a different world where her characters learn that, in the journey of life, love is the sweetest reward.
Website: http://www.lyndilamont.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/
