Seductive Scoundrels Series Books 1-3: A Regency Romance

by Collette Cameron

  She forced a smile as Nicolette approached.

  “Everleigh, did you and Sheffield have a falling out?” Nicolette spoke low, but her eyes brimmed with worry.

  Everleigh shrugged.

  “Not exactly. It just wasn’t meant to be.”

  “Bosh. What utter twaddle.” Nicolette slanted her gaze toward him. “He cannot stop staring at you, and you’re no better.”

  “Please leave it alone, Nicolette.”

  Everleigh didn’t mean to sound cross, but neither could she discuss something so painful.

  A fleeting look of surprise skated across Nicolette’s face before she nodded. “All right. Come sit with me.”

  She grasped Everleigh’s hand and towed her to chairs near the tree.

  “I thought we were opening presents after supper?” Everleigh sank onto the gold and cream striped cushion.

  “We are, but Theadosia said she wanted to make an announcement.”

  Just then, Theadosia, wearing a spectacular ice blue gown, floated into the drawing room on Sutcliffe’s arm. She positively glowed tonight. As difficult as the past couple of days had been, she still deserved Everleigh’s thanks for forcing her out of self-imposed isolation.

  She had enjoyed herself—mostly.

  Her attention gravitated to Griffin, only he wasn’t there anymore. Swallowing, she lowered her gaze to her clasped hands.

  She didn’t blame him for leaving. She found it hard to be in the same room with him too.

  How she wanted to take those words back. Tell him to not stop trying to win her heart.

  Why don’t you?

  Why indeed? She’d nothing to lose.

  Lifting her head, she searched the room. Drat and blast. He was truly gone, and she couldn’t very well go in search of him. Not without raising brows. There was also the worry that he might not accept her apology.

  She’d never know unless she tried. Her stomach wobbled with excitement.

  Oh, and she had to try. She had to, for he was her everything. Nothing mattered but him, not her fears or concerns. Just Griffin and what they had together.

  She started to rise when Theadosia clapped her hands. “Please have a seat or find a place you are comfortable standing for a few moments.”

  Sinking back onto the chair, Everleigh suppressed a frustrated sigh.

  “We have an announcement to make.” Sutcliffe stepped near and wrapped an arm around his wife’s waist.

  “Oh, what do you suppose it is?” Nicolette whispered in Everleigh’s ear.

  “Given the specialness of this day when we celebrate our Savior’s birth, we thought it only fitting to tell our dearest friends and neighbors our good news.” Theadosia gazed at Sutcliffe with utter adoration.

  He lifted her hand and kissed her fingertips. “We are to be parents, come summer.”

  A chorus of congratulations echoed about the room, not the least of which was the Dowager Duchess’s cry of delight.

  Everleigh took advantage of the melee to slip from the room. She headed toward the stairs, thinking Griffin might’ve have gone above to say good night to Sarah.

  A movement in the dining room caught her eye.

  Griffin?

  What the deuce was he up to?

  Looking very much like a naughty boy, he was moving the name tags around the table. From just outside the door, an amused smile curving her mouth, she watched him make a complete muddle of Theadosia’s seating arrangements.

  “I do hope, Griffin, this means you’ve placed yourself beside me.”

  He whirled around, one name card grasped between his fingers before a slow smile tinged with mischief arched his lips.

  “I was just about to do so.”

  He set the card down then stood back to admire his handiwork.

  “I’ve been doing a bit of matchmaking.” He pointed. “Jessica Brentwood and Bainbridge. Miss Twistleton and Westfall. Miss Breckensole and Pennington—”

  “You didn’t!” Everleigh rushed forward a few steps. He had indeed. “You wicked, wicked man. Gabriella will never forgive you.”

  He strode to her and clasped her hand.

  “It’s not her forgiveness I crave. Everleigh, I rushed you. I tried to force something you weren’t ready for. Please forgive me. And if you’re never ready to re-marry, I shall accept your decision. I only ask that we remain friends, that I may share your company.”

  Friends?

  Had he been nipping the brandy already? Friends didn’t do the naughty wonderful things she yearned to do with him.

  “Oh, Griffin. I was looking for you to beg you to forgive me for hurting you. I was wrong. So, so wrong. I love you too, I truly, truly do. I want to be with you more than anything else.”

  Touching his dear face, she blinked through the joyful moisture blurring her vision.

  “It would be the greatest privilege to be your wife.” An impulse sprang to mind, and she clasped his hand. “Will you marry me?”

  Chuckling delightedly, he crushed her to his chest.

  “Yes. Yes! Lord, yes. I shall marry you, you delightfully unpredictable woman.”

  She tilted her head back, eyeing the kissing bough above their heads. “I believe a kiss is in order.”

  “Go on, man,” Sutcliffe said. “Kiss her. I’m hungry, as are we all.”

  Everleigh spun around to find the corridor full of amused guests.

  Dandridge, grinning ear to ear, pulled his wife to his side and dropped a quick peck on her temple. Ophelia and Gabriella hugged each other. Nicolette eyed Westfall with a considering look. Jessica, Rayne, and Theadosia beamed at one another like they’d planned the whole affair.

  Griffin cupped Everleigh’s chin, gently drawing it upward.

  “Happy Christmas, Everleigh.”

  And right there in front of everyone, Griffin, Duke of Sheffield gave her a kiss that she nor he nor the other guests would soon forget.

  2 September, 1810

  Rome, Italy

  Everleigh chuckled and shook her head as Claire, her silken ears flapping, raced by in pursuit of the ball Sarah had thrown. Those two never grew tired of that game. The stately Italian villa they’d let for the next month boasted an enclosed courtyard perfect for energetic dogs and almost-four-year-olds.

  “Mama, did you see Claire fetch the ball?”

  Sarah bent to retrieve the slobbery orb.

  “I did, darling.” A feathery fluttering in her belly startled Everleigh. She cradled the small mound with both hands. “Well, hello there, precious. Do you hear your sister and Mama?”

  The babe moved again.

  “Griffin, the baby is moving! Here, you must feel.”

  She pressed his hand to her tummy. Another flicker caused her to giggle, and a goofy grin divided his face.

  “Energetic little fellow, isn’t he?” He bent low, murmuring to the small mound. “This is your papa, and he loves you very, very much.”

  “This is only the beginning.” She ran her palms over her stomach. “Theadosia said she could see Amber’s entire foot pressed against her belly at times.”

  His gaze fell on the simple gold band encircling her ring finger. “I wish you’d let me buy you a proper wedding ring, sweet.”

  She held her hand up, admiring the simple ring. “Not a bit of it. I found this in my Christmas pudding after I asked you to marry me. It’s perfect. It was meant to be.”

  Actually, nearly everybody found a ring that evening, thanks to Griffin’s sweet-talking the cook. Not everyone was as pleased as Everleigh had been to discover the trinket.

  Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he drew her near. “You forget, I asked you first.”

  “Yes, but I turned you down, so it was only fitting that I propose to you, scandalous though it was.”

  “How about an emerald ring you could wear with this band then?” He caressed her fingers.

  “I suppose, if you insist,” she teased.

  He knew her weakness for emeralds.

  She res
ted her head against his chest. Married seven months already. Their wedding trip had been delayed due to Caroline Chatterton’s devious machinations. Somehow, she’d persuaded the local magistrate to open an inquiry into Frederick’s and Arnold’s deaths.

  Probably by bedding the dumpling of a man.

  Everleigh hadn’t been permitted to leave the country during the investigation, which, after five months, completely exonerated her. Caroline, the fool, hadn’t been as fortunate. Seems she’d been cuckolding Frederick with a not-altogether-too-bright fellow of questionable repute, who had taken her at her word when she said she wished her husband and father-in-law were dead. She’d wanted Everleigh dead too, the fellow had confessed, but he didn’t hold with killing women.

  Ironically, Caroline—fortunate to have escaped the hangman’s noose—now sailed for the same penal colony Theadosia’s father pastored. Her former lover hadn’t been as fortunate.

  The postponed honeymoon had worked out well in the end. Everleigh had been able to attend Jessica’s and Nicolette’s weddings, as well as the dowager duchess of Sutcliffe’s marriage to Jerome DuBoise.

  Griffin was convinced he’d orchestrated that union, but the Duke of Sutcliffe claimed he’d been responsible.

  Sarah paused in her romps to trot over to her new governess, Miss Brimble. Nurse had gratefully retired to a comfortable cottage in Bristol, and Miss Brimble, being several generations younger and the oldest of twelve, proved skilled at managing Sarah.

  Maya and Jenny—the name Sarah picked for the doll Everleigh made her—sat serenely on the tolerant governess’s lap.

  “Let’s go for a walk, my dears.” Sarah gathered her dollies in her arms, and Miss Brimble stood.

  Claire, tongue lolling, had plopped herself at Miss Brimble’s feet, but the instant the governess stood, the spaniel leapt to all fours once more.

  “Miss Sarah, shall we explore the maze?” She looked to Everleigh for approval, and after receiving a nod, asked, “Shall I hold one of your babies for you?”

  Sarah tilted her head and extended both before her, considering them. She passed Miss Brimble Jenny. “Maya needs extra ’tention, so she doesn’t get jealous of Jenny.”

  Was that a hint?

  Sarah had been ecstatic when Everleigh and Griffin had told her she was going to be a big sister. Her enthusiasm waned considerably when she learned she might have a little brother, and a jot more when told she couldn’t dress the new baby in her dollies’ clothes.

  As Sarah and Miss Brimble disappeared into the labyrinth, Everleigh turned into Griffin’s embrace and hugged him.

  “I never thought I could be this happy, Griffin. I love you so much, it almost hurts sometimes.” She tilted her head into the crook of his shoulder. “Tell me again when you knew you loved me. I never tire of hearing it.”

  He pressed a tender kiss to her forehead.

  “I knew the moment you scooped Sarah into your arms in the drawing room, and my heart stood still for an instant, that I’d found the woman I was meant to spend the rest of my life with.”

  Before you go, if you enjoyed SEDUCTIVE SCOUNDRELS SERIES BOOKS 1-3 please consider leaving a review on Amazon.

  The Honorable Rogues™

  A Kiss for a Rogue

  A Bride for a Rogue

  A Rogue’s Scandalous Wish

  To Capture a Rogue’s Heart

  The Rogue and the Wallflower

  A Rose for a Rogue

  Castle Brides Series

  The Viscount’s Vow

  Highlander’s Hope

  The Earl’s Enticement

  Heart of a Highlander (prequel to Highlander’s Hope)

  The Blue Rose Regency Romances: The Culpepper Misses Series

  The Earl and the Spinster

  The Marquis and the Vixen

  The Lord and the Wallflower

  The Buccaneer and the Bluestocking

  The Lieutenant and the Lady

  Highland Heather Romancing a Scot Series

  Triumph and Treasure

  Virtue and Valor

  Heartbreak and Honor

  Scandal’s Splendor

  Passion and Plunder

  Seductive Surrender

  A Yuletide Highlander

  Seductive Scoundrels Series

  A Diamond for a Duke

  Only a Duke Would Dare

  A December with a Duke

  What Would a Duke Do?

  Wooed by a Wicked Duke

  Duchess of His Heart

  Never Dance with a Duke

  Earl of Wainthorpe

  Earl of Scarborough

  Coming soon in the series!

  The Debutante and the Duke

  Wedding her Christmas Duke

  How to Win A Duke’s Heart

  Loved by a Dangerous Duke

  When a Duke Loves a Lass

  Heart of a Scot

  To Love a Highland Laird

  To Redeem a Highland Rogue

  To Seduce a Highland Scoundrel

  To Woo a Highland Warrior

  To Enchant a Highland Earl

  To Defy a Highland Duke

  Coming soon in the series!

  To Marry a Highland Marauder

  To Bargain with a Highland Buccaneer

  Boxed Sets

  Lords in Love

  To Love a Reckless Lord

  The Honorable Rogues™ Books 1-3

  The Honorable Rogues™ Books 4-6

  Seductive Scoundrels Series Books 1-3

  The Blue Rose Regency Romances- The Culpepper Misses Series 1-5

  USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author COLLETTE CAMERON® scribbles Scottish and Regency historicals featuring dashing rogues and scoundrels and the intrepid damsels who re-form them. Blessed with an overactive and witty muse that won’t stop whispering new romantic romps in her ear, she’s lived in Oregon her entire life, though she dreams of living in Scotland part-time. A self-confessed Cadbury chocoholic, you'll always find a dash of inspiration and a pinch of humor in her sweet-to-spicy timeless romances®.

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  Dearest Reader,

  Thank you for reading SEDUCTIVE SURRENDER SERIES BOOKS 1-3! I hope you enjoyed reading the stories and loved the characters. I also hinted at couples you’ll see in upcoming books in the SEDUCTIVE SURRENDER series.

  Fans of heartwarming Regency Romances will also enjoy The Honorable Rogues™ Series and The Blue Rose Romance: The Culpepper Misses Series.

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  Please consider telling other readers why you enjoyed this book by reviewing it on Amazon. I also love to hear from my readers. You can contact me at my website below. I also have a fabulous VIP Reader Group on Facebook Collette’s Chéris. If you’re a fan of my books and historical romance, I’d love to have you join me. That link is below as well.

  Here’s wishing you many happy hours of reading, more happily-ever-afters than you can possibly enjoy in a lifetime, and abundant blessings to you and your loved ones.

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  Enjoy an excerpt from THE EARL AND THE SPINSTER, The Blue Rose Regency Romances: The Culpepper Misses Book 1.

  Even when most prudently considered, and with the noblest of int
entions,

  one who wagers with chance oft finds oneself empty-handed.

  ~Wisdom and Advice—The Genteel Lady’s Guide to Practical Living

  Esherton Green,

  Near Acton, Cheshire, England

  Early April 1822

  Was I born under an evil star or cursed from my first breath?

  Brooke Culpepper suppressed the urge to shake her fist at the heavens and berate The Almighty aloud. The devil boasted better luck than she. My God, now two more cows struggled to regain their strength?

  She slid Richard Mabry, Esherton Green’s steward-turned-overseer, a worried glance from beneath her lashes as she chewed her lower lip and paced before the unsatisfactory fire in the study’s hearth. The soothing aroma of wood smoke, combined with linseed oil, old leather, and the faintest trace of Papa’s pipe tobacco, bathed the room. The scents reminded her of happier times but did little to calm her frayed nerves.

  Sensible gray woolen skirts swishing about her ankles, she whirled to make the return trip across the once-bright green and gold Axminster carpet, now so threadbare, the oak floor peeked through in numerous places. Her scuffed half-boots fared little better, and she hid a wince when the scrap of leather she’d used to cover the hole in her left sole this morning slipped loose again.

  From his comfortable spot in a worn and faded wingback chair, Freddy, her aged Welsh corgi, observed her progress with soulful brown eyes, his muzzle propped on stubby paws. Two ancient tabbies lay curled so tightly together on the cracked leather sofa that determining where one ended and the other began was difficult.

  What was she to do? Brooke clamped her lip harder and winced.

  Should she venture to the barn to see the cows herself?

  What good would that do? She knew little of doctoring cattle and so left the animals’ care in Mr. Mabry’s capable hands. Her strength lay in the financial administration of the dairy farm and her ability to stretch a shilling as thin as gossamer.