“She’s my brother’s intended. I can’t leave her in New Orleans.” He reached for Paulina, but she jerked back. “I’ll leave more money this time. You will never know I’m gone.”
She leaned over to nip his earlobe then trailed kisses down his neck. This was more like it. “It—is—not—the—money—I—want.” She spoke between pecks, unwilling to abandon the topic after all.
Daniel sighed. Paulina resided in luxury. She wouldn’t forfeit her comfort for weeks on a bloody ship, which meant she had another objective. He lifted her chin to look at him.
“Tell me what you want, and don’t insult my intelligence by claiming you only want me.”
He was aware of her other gentlemen benefactors, even if she believed herself discreet. His connections kept him abreast of the happenings in New Orleans, and the reports on Paulina’s indiscretions could keep him occupied for the better part of a day. If he cared to listen.
She sat back on her haunches and pushed out her bottom lip. “Don’t you want to be with me all the time?”
He linked his fingers behind his head. Paulina was a talented woman who knew how to please him, but he didn’t want to be with her all the time. He didn’t wish to be with any woman all the time, not after Cecily.
“I’m content with our arrangement.” He didn’t bother to tread lightly with her sensibilities.
As he expected, no hurt crossed Paulina’s face, only irritation. “Very well, but I would like some security. You spend more time in England than here now. I don’t enjoy your protection as I once did. Nor do you bring me beautiful trinkets as in the beginning. I am not getting any younger, Daniel. My beauty will fade and my prospects will dwindle. I need to know I won’t end up in the streets.”
He cocked a brow. “This isn’t your attempt at proposing marriage, I hope.”
“You mock me.” She crawled toward the edge of the bed.
“Wait.” Grasping her around the waist, he pulled her back.
Paulina had been an accommodating mistress these last two years. He supposed he could fulfill one of her wishes, if they could get on with other matters.
“Tell me what you really want, my dear, and dispatch with the theatrics.”
She turned in his embrace, victory shining in the depths of her brown eyes. “There is a house I fancy. I wish you to purchase it in my name.”
“A house?”
He glanced around the exquisite boudoir with the Turkish carpet, gilded mirrors, and silk curtains, all gifts he had given her. Not to mention that horrendous ruby amulet draped around her neck, the fruits of her last sulk. It was a wonder she didn’t walk hunched over from the weight.
When he had offered his protection, her home had required an extensive remodeling. He could ascertain no good reason to fund a different residence. “There’s nothing wrong with this one.”
She scooted to the far edge of the bed out of his reach and crossed her arms. “It is too small. In fact, the lack of space troubles me to the point where I fear I cannot perform my duties this evening.” She tossed a sultry look over her shoulder. “A simple promise from you, however, would ease my mind.”
Her petulant behavior was growing tiresome. Too tiresome. They had been through similar pouts when he’d last visited.
“Very well,” he conceded, “then we shall consider our affair settled.”
Paulina’s eyes widened. “Pardon? Settled in what way?”
He climbed from the bed and fastened his trousers, no longer interested in satisfying his lust with her. “My man of business will complete the transaction.” He shrugged on his waistcoat before grabbing his boots and jacket. “Consider the house your severance. Your services are no longer required.”
Paulina gaped, frozen to the spot on the bed. “But Daniel. You cannot—Oh, Daniel, don’t, please.” She burst into tears, burying her face in her hands.
He stood there in awkward silence while she sobbed. Devil take it. What was he to do now? After all, she might genuinely hold a tendre for him.
Daniel took a step forward, prepared to offer a retraction, but Paulina chose that moment to peek at him.
Her dry eyes sent a flood of indignation rattling through his veins. Was there a bloody woman alive who didn’t use tears to advance her agenda?
“Do give my best to Anderson and Molyneux.” Plopping his hat on his head, he spun on his heel and stalked from the premises with no intentions of ever looking back.
About the Author
Samantha Grace is the author of Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel. It is her belief that everyone has a story worth remembering, and she cherishes her work with aging adults, immersing herself in their tales of eras gone by. She is happily writing her next book and loves blogging with fellow authors at Lady Scribes. Samantha is married to her best friend, strives to stay one step ahead of their two precocious offspring, and lives in Onalaska, Wisconsin.
Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel
by Samantha Grace
He’ll never settle for one woman…
Debonair bachelor Lord Andrew Forest lives for pleasure and offers no apologies. But he receives a dose of his own medicine when his family’s entrancing houseguest beds him, then disappears without so much as a by-your-leave. He’d like to teach the little vixen a thing or two about how to love a man… if he can find her…
And she won’t settle for heartbreak…
After the dashing man of her dreams is revealed as a lying scoundrel, heiress Lana Hillary is ready to seek a match with a respectable gentleman—if only they weren’t so dreadfully boring. Unable to rein in her bold nature for long, Lana flirts with trouble and finds herself entangled with exactly the type of man she’s vowed to avoid.
“With heart and humor, Grace delivers a rich and winning Regency debut. Clever and charming, this tale brings in everything Regency fans love…”
—Publishers Weekly starred review
For more Samantha Grace, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author
Lady Maggie’s Secret Scandal
by Grace Burrowes
Lady Maggie Windham has secrets
And she’s been perfectly capable of keeping them… until now. When she’s threatened with exposure, she turns to investigator Benjamin Hazlit to keep catastrophe at bay. But the heat that explodes between them makes him a target too. In a dance between desire and disaster, it’s not always clear who is leading whom…
Praise for The Soldier:
“Captivating… Burrowes’s straightforward, sensual love story is intelligent and tender, rising above the crowd with deft dialogue and delightful characters.”
—Publishers Weekly starred review
“There is a quiet, yet intense power to Burrowes’s
simple prose and such depth of feelings that it
will be difficult to forget this marvelous story.”
—RT Book Reviews Top Pick of the Month, 4½ stars
For more Grace Burrowes, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
A Gentleman Says “I Do”
by Amelia Grey
Her writing talent is causing all kinds of trouble…
The daughter of a famous writer, Catalina Crisp has helped her father publish a parody that makes Iverson Brentwood’s whole family the talk of the town, and not in a good way.
Because he’s the reality behind the story…
Furious and threatening, Iverson storms into Catalina’s home, demanding satisfaction, but the infamous rake has finally met his match. With her cool demeanor and intense intelligence, Catalina heats his blood like no other woman in his notorious history…
Praise for A Gentleman Never Tells:
“Grey combines wit and charm in another enchanting, delicious romance.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 stars
“Well written and entertaining.”
—Night Owl Romance Top Pick
For more Amelia Grey, visit:
/> www.sourcebooks.com
A Gentleman Never Tells
by Amelia Grey
A stolen kiss from a stranger…
As if from a dream, Lady Gabrielle walked from the mist and into Viscount Brentwood’s arms. Within moments, he’s embroiled in more scandal than he ever thought possible…
Can sink even a perfect gentleman…
Beautiful, clever, and courageous, Lady Gabrielle needs Brent’s help to get out of a seriously bad situation. But the more she gets to know him, the worse she feels about ruining his life…
Enter the unforgettable world of Amelia Grey’s sparkling Regency London, where a single encounter may have devastating consequences for a gentleman and a lady…
“A stubborn heroine clashes with an equally determined hero in the latest well-crafted, canine-enhanced addition to Grey’s Regency-set Rogues’ Dynasty series.”
—Booklist
“The book is delightful… charming and unforgettable.”
—Long and Short Review
For more Amelia Grey, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
The Rogue Pirate’s Bride
by Shana Galen
Revenge should be sweet, but it may cost him everything…
Out to avenge the death of his mentor, Bastien discovers himself astonishingly out of his depth when confronted with a beautiful, daring young woman who is out for his blood…
Forgiveness is unthinkable, but it may be her only hope…
British Admiral’s daughter Raeven Russell believes Bastien responsible for her fiancé’s death. But once the fiery beauty crosses swords with Bastien, she’s not so sure she really wants him to change his wicked ways…
Praise for Shana Galen:
“Lively dialogue, breakneck pace, and great sense of fun.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Galen strikes the perfect balance between dangerous intrigue and sexy romance.”
—Booklist
For more Shana Galen, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
Lord and Lady Spy
by Shana Galen
No man can outsmart him…
Lord Adrian Smythe may appear a perfectly boring gentleman, but he leads a thrilling life as one of England’s most preeminent spies, an identity so clandestine even his wife is unaware of it. But he isn’t the only one with secrets…
She’s been outsmarting him for years…
Now that the Napoleonic wars have come to an end, daring secret agent Lady Sophia Smythe can hardly bear the thought of returning home to her tedious husband. Until she discovers in the dark of night that he’s not who she thinks he is after all…
“An excellent book, full of great witty conversation, hot passionate scenes, and tons of action.”
—BookLoons
“The author’s writing style, how this story is built and all of the delicious scenes, and the characters themselves are just so rich, so enjoyable I found myself smiling and absolutely enjoying every single page.”
—Smexy Books
For more Shana Galen, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
New York Times Bestselling Author
Lessons in French
by Laura Kinsale
He’s always been trouble…
Trevelyan and Callie are childhood sweethearts with a taste for adventure. Until the fateful day her father discovers them embracing in the carriage house and in a furious frenzy drives Trevelyan away in disgrace…
Exactly the kind of trouble she’s never been able to resist…
Nine long, lonely years later, Trevelyan returns. Callie is shocked to discover that he can still make her blood race and fill her life with mischief, excitement, and scandal. He would give her the world, but he can’t give her the one thing she wants more than anything—himself…
For Trevelyan, Callie is a spark of light in a world of darkness and deceit. Before he can bear to say his last good-byes, he’s determined to sweep her into one last, fateful adventure, just for the two of them…
For more Laura Kinsale, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author
The Virtuoso
by Grace Burrowes
A genius with a terrible loss…
Gifted pianist Valentine Windham has little interest in his father’s obsession to see his sons married, and instead pours passion into his music. But when Val loses his music, he flees to the country, tormented by what has been robbed from him.
A widow with a heartbreaking secret…
Grieving Ellen Markham’s curious new neighbor offers a kindred lonely soul whose desperation is matched only by his desire, but Ellen’s devastating secret could be the one thing that destroys them both.
Together they’ll find there’s no rescue from the past, but sometimes losing everything can help you find what you need most.
“Burrowes’s exceptional writing and originality catch the reader and keep the story moving.”
—Publishers Weekly
For more Grace Burrowes, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
New York Times and USA Today Bestseller
The Soldier
by Grace Burrowes
Even in the quiet countryside, he can find no peace…
His idyllic estate is falling down from neglect and nightmares of war give him no rest. Then Devlin St. Just meets his new neighbor…
Until his beautiful neighbor ignites his imagination…
With her confident manner hiding a devastating secret, his lovely neighbor commands all of his attention, and protecting Emmaline becomes Devlin’s most urgent mission.
“Burrowes’s straightforward, sensual love story
is intelligent and tender, rising above the crowd
with deft dialogue and delightful characters.”
—Publishers Weekly starred review
For more Grace Burrowes, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
New York Times and USA Today Bestseller
The Heir
by Grace Burrowes
An earl who can’t be bribed…
Gayle Windham, Earl of Westhaven, is the first legitimate son and heir to the Duke of Moreland. To escape his father’s inexorable pressure to marry, he decides to spend the summer at his townhouse in London, where he finds himself intrigued by the secretive ways of his beautiful housekeeper…
A lady who can’t be protected…
Anna Seaton is a beautiful, talented, educated woman, which is why it is so puzzling to Gayle Windham that she works as his housekeeper.
As the two draw closer and begin to lose their hearts to each other, Anna’s secrets threaten to bring the earl’s orderly life crashing down—and he doesn’t know how he’s going to protect her from the fallout…
“A luminous and graceful erotic Regency…a captivating love story that will have readers eagerly awaiting the planned sequels.”
—Publishers Weekly starred review
For more Grace Burrowes, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
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