Geek Girl and the Scandalous Earl
Page 29
“Well, that’s a relief,” she said teasingly. “I wouldn’t want you if you weren’t filthy rich.” She winked so he’d know she was kidding.
He brushed a soft kiss on her lips with a smile. “Also”—he reached off the edge of the bed once more—“there is the small matter of a marriage to attend to.”
In his palm lay a gold ring with a huge ruby mounted in the center. “Holy shit,” she whispered.
“Miss Marten,” he said in his earl voice, the one that was proud, haughty, and a little bit unsure at the very back, “would you do me the very great honor of becoming my bride?”
She thought about waiting. She thought about letting him stew for an hour or two, maybe taking a week or so to think about it…
“Yes,” she squealed and threw her arms around his neck. He laughed, squeezing her back. He lifted her and reached for her hand, pushing the ring on her third finger.
“Oh, and there was one more matter,” he said, reaching over the edge of the bed again. She barely looked over at him, so enamored was she of the enormous ruby he’d put on her finger.
“This device does not work anymore.” He held her smartphone out to her, tapping the dark screen with a petulant expression on his face. “How am I to play with the Angry Birds?”
Jamie laughed so hard; then she kissed him. Her earl, her Mike, her love.
Perfect for her no matter when.
Acknowledgments
The thanks I feel is almost as hard to put into words as the whole book was, but here goes!
Thanks to my wonderful husband, Scotty, who’s never left my side. You are my superhero.
Thanks to Dawn Evans, my very first beta reader and one of my best friends. Your faith in me and encouragement kept me going through some of my darkest hours.
Thanks to Heather Mosley-Beers, my partner in romance-novel-pilfering-from-Mom. Without our shared love for love stories, none of this would have happened.
To my mom, for having those books, and to my dad, who didn’t complain too much when we read them.
To my BFF Stephanie Brna, who still wants to run through the woods. Love you a lot.
To my lovely coworkers, who continually yell at me to “write faster!”
To the girls of the long-lost CRITS crew, Carissa Elg, Kara Malinczak, and most especially Kendall Grey. Our paths diverged, but without your support, I might have laid down the pen and not tried again. Much love to you all.
To Carrie Jackson, who’s helped me grow tremendously as a writer.
To the fabulous ladies of the Heart of Carolina chapter of the RWA. Your support, friendship, and knowledge has been such a help and comfort.
To my sister-from-a-past-life Denise Tompkins. I love you like WHOA, and your genius continues to astound me. To the careers, baby!
To my wonderful agents Fran Black and Jennifer Mishler of Literary Counsel. You took a chance on me, and I am forever grateful. Here’s to you!
To Leah Hultenschmidt, my incredible, encouraging editor, and her fantastic crew. You helped me take this book from the rough and turn it into something I’m incredibly proud of. My eternal gratitude goes to you!
About the Author
Gina Lamm, a wisecracking, marshmallow-addicted, dancing geek, loves nothing more than penning funny, emotional tales of love, lust, and entertaining mishaps. Married to a real-life superhero, she lives with her beloved family in rural North Carolina, surrounded by tobacco farms, possums, and the occasional hurricane. When not writing, you can usually find her fishing or playing World of Warcraft. Badly. Visit her online at www.ginalamm.net anytime.
Geek Girls Don’t Date Dukes
by Gina Lamm
She’s aiming to catch a duke.
Leah Ramsey has always loved historical romance novels and dressing in period costumes. So when she has a chance to experience the history for herself, she jumps at it—figuring it can’t be too hard to catch the eye of a duke. After all, it happens all the time in her novels.
But sometimes a girl can do even better…
Avery Russell, valet and prize pugilist, reluctantly helps Leah gain a position in the Duke of Granville’s household… as a maid. Domestic servitude wasn’t exactly what she had in mind, but she’s determined to win her happily ever after. Even if the hero isn’t exactly who she’s expecting…
For more Gina Lamm, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
Waltz with a Stranger
by Pamela Sherwood
One dance would change her life forever…
Aurelia wasn’t hiding exactly. She just needed to get out of the crush of the ballroom—away from the people staring at her scar, pitying her limp. She was still quite enjoying the music from the conservatory. And then a complete stranger—dashing, debonair, kind—asked her to waltz. In the strength of his arms, she felt she could do anything. But both would be leaving London soon…
When they meet again a year later, everything has changed. She’s no longer a timid mouse. And he’s now a titled gentleman—with a fiancée. Is the magic of one stolen moment, one undeniable connection enough to overcome a scandal that would set Society ablaze and tear their families apart?
For more Pamela Sherwood, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
Waking Up with a Rake
by Connie Mason and Mia Marlowe
The fate of England’s monarchy is in the hands of three notorious rakes.
To prevent three royal dukes from marrying their way onto the throne, heroic, selfless agents for the crown will be dispatched…to seduce the dukes’ intended brides. These wickedly debauched rakes will rumple sheets and cause a scandal. But they just might fall into their own trap…
After he’s blamed for a botched assignment during the war, former cavalry officer Rhys Warrick turns his back on “honor.” He spends his nights in brothels doing his best to live down to the expectations of his disapproving family. But one last mission could restore the reputation he’s so thoroughly sullied. All he has to do is seduce and ruin Miss Olivia Symon and his military record will be cleared. For a man with Rhys’s reputation, ravishing the delectably innocent miss should be easy. But Olivia’s honesty and bold curiosity stir more than Rhys’s desire. Suddenly the heart he thought he left on the battlefield is about to surrender…
For more Connie Mason and Mia Marlow, visit
www.sourcebooks.com
The Wicked Wedding of Miss Ellie Vyne
by Jayne Fresina
When a notorious bachelor seduces a scandalous lady, it can only end in a wicked wedding.
By night Ellie Vyne fleeces unsuspecting aristocrats as the dashing Count de Bonneville. By day she avoids her sisters’ matchmaking attempts and dreams up inventive insults to hurl at her childhood nemesis, the arrogant, far-too-handsome-for-his-own-good James Hartley.
James finally has a lead on the villainous, thieving count, tracking him to a shady inn. He bursts in on none other than “that Vyne woman”...in a shocking state of dishabille. Convinced she is the count’s mistress, James decides it’s best to keep his enemies close. Very close. Seducing Ellie will be the perfect bait...
Praise for The Most Improper Miss Sophie Valentine:
“Ms. Fresina delivers a scintillating debut! Her sharply drawn characters and witty prose are as addictive as chocolate!”
—Mia Marlowe, author of Touch of a Rogue
For more Jayne Fresina, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
Lady Eve’s Indiscretion
by Grace Burrowes
Lady Eve’s got the perfect plan.
Pretty, petite Evie Windham has been more indiscreet than her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Moreland, suspect. Fearing that a wedding night would reveal her past, she’s running out of excuses to dodge adoring swains. Lucas Denning, the newly titled Marquis of Deene, has reasons of his own for avoiding marriage. So Evie and Deene strike a deal, each agreeing to be the other’s decoy
. At this rate matrimony could be avoided indefinitely… until the two are caught in a steamy kiss that no one was supposed to see.
Praise for Lady Maggie’s Secret Scandal:
“A tantalizing, delectably sexy story that is one of the best yet from an author on the way to the top.”
—Library Journal Starred Review
“A delight…Strikingly unique characters with realistic emotions and exciting antics.”
—RT Book Reviews
For more Grace Burrowes, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
Once Again a Bride
by Jane Ashford
She couldn’t be more alone
Widowhood has freed Charlotte Wylde from a demoralizing and miserable marriage. But when her husband’s intriguing nephew and heir arrives to take over the estate, Charlotte discovers she’s unsafe in her own home…
He could be her only hope…or her next victim
Alec Wylde was shocked by his uncle’s untimely death, and even more shocked to encounter his uncle’s beautiful young widow. Now clouds of suspicion are gathering, and charges of murder hover over Charlotte’s head.
Alec and Charlotte’s initial distrust of each other intensifies as they uncover devastating family secrets, and hovering underneath it all is a mutual attraction that could lead them to disaster…
Readers and reviewers are charmed by Jane Ashford:
“Charm, intrigue, humor, and just the right touch of danger.”
—RT Book Reviews
For more Jane Ashford, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
National bestselling author
If You Give a Rake a Ruby
by Shana Galen
Her mysterious past is the best revenge…
Fallon, the Marchioness of Mystery, is a celebrated courtesan with her finger on the pulse of high society. She’s adored by men, hated by their wives. No one knows anything about her past, and she plans to keep it that way.
Only he can offer her a dazzling future…
Warrick Fitzhugh will do anything to protect his compatriots in the Foreign Office, including seduce Fallon, who he thinks can lead him to the deadliest crime lord in London. He knows he’s putting his life on the line…
To Warrick’s shock, Fallon is not who he thinks she is, and the secrets she’s keeping are exactly what make her his heart’s desire…
Praise for When You Give a Duke a Diamond:
“A lighthearted yet poignant, humorous yet touching, love story—with original characters who delight and enough sizzle to add heat to a delicious read.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4½ stars
For more Shana Galen, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Contents
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Twenty-One
Twenty-Two
Twenty-Three
Twenty-Four
Twenty-Five
Twenty-Six
Twenty-Seven
Twenty-Eight
Twenty-Nine
Thirty
Thirty-One
Thirty-Two
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Back Cover