Peter grinned, sneezed again, and followed Harry into the parlor just as Esther stepped inside.
And there she is, he thought. Esther Brass. His wife. Someday, he would grow accustomed to the idea, to his tremendous good fortune. But not today.
Without waiting for her to close the door, he slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her close for a long, searing kiss that’d torment him for the rest of the day.
She smiled at him when he pulled away. “Kissing a lady in broad daylight where anyone could walk in and see,” she admonished and tsked at him.
“Too indecent for you?” he asked.
Laughing, she slipped out of his arms to close the door, then returned to give him a quick kiss of her own. “Were you on your way somewhere?”
“To find you.”
A light blush of pleasure colored her cheeks. “I’m glad you did. Oh, did you tell Gabriel about your decision to retire then?” She shot a look toward the parlor and winced sympathetically. “Is he very upset?”
“No, because I’ve reconsidered.”
“Have you?” Her eyes darted to him. “When? Why?”
“He made a strong argument against it. He pointed out that if the Thief Takers are to continue, there needs to be at least two.”
A small, baffled laugh escaped her. “You’re not serious.”
“I am, but I was thinking…” He took a deep, calming breath. Last chance, he thought. There would be no turning back after this. “I was thinking…perhaps the Thief Takers function best when there are three.”
“Renderwell, do you mean? Does Lottie know he—?”
“No, not Renderwell,” he cut in with a chuckle. “You.”
She stared at him, eyes wide and lips parted for a full five seconds. “Are you in earnest?”
“I am. We’ll start slow. You can’t—”
“Learn everything overnight,” she finished for him in an excited rush. “Of course not.”
“We’ll pick and choose our cases. Nothing in London or Edinburgh.” Nothing that might lead to chasing dangerous men down dark alleyways. Not yet. “You’ll have to work behind the scenes quite a bit, particularly if the police or press are involved.” He wasn’t surprised by her eager nod of agreement. “And you’ll have to wear your widow’s weeds again. Probably quite a lot.”
“I can do that.” She tipped her head at him, concerned blue eyes searching his face. “Is this what you want, Samuel, or is this only for me?”
“It’s for both of us.” He couldn’t stop himself from reaching up and toying with the sapphire pendant at her throat. “If you’re amenable to the idea. The idle life is not for us, I think. We can travel for a time, but you’ll miss your family before long, and I imagine you’ll want a greater sense of purpose at some point. We both will.”
“You’ve been thinking about this for a while.”
“I have.” He nodded once. “I had to be certain I could follow through with the idea before I proposed it.”
“It won’t be easy for you,” she said quietly.
“No, but it won’t always be easy for you either.”
She would be more reckless than he liked. He would be more stodgy than she preferred. They would argue and debate, fight and apologize. He would be clumsy with his words. She would take offense where none was intended. And they would keep doing it until she agreed to be a little more careful, and he agreed to be a little less overbearing. One way or another, they would reach a compromise. They would find a way to make each other happy.
She placed her hand over his own and held it there. “I’ll remember that. I’ll make concessions of my own. I promise.”
“Are we agreed then? Once Edmund is settled and we’ve tired of traveling, we’ll work together?”
“Well…” The eager pleasure returned to her face, along with a sly tilt of the lips. It was the Walker smile. God help him. “I suppose the Thief Takers could do with a proper leader.”
Like Sherlock Holmes and Jennifer Ashley?
Then you’ll love A Talent for Trickery by Alissa Johnson!
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For more info and updates about the series go to:
http://www.alissajohnson.com/
Like Lorraine Heath and Meredith Duran?
Then you’ll love Discovery of Desire by Susanne Lord!
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For more info and updates about the series go to:
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Like Victoria Alexander and Sherry Thomas?
Then you’ll love Lady Elinor’s Wicked Adventures by Lillian Marek!
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For more info and updates about the series go to:
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Like Flowers from the Storm and Lisa Kleypas?
Then you’ll love Luck is No Lady by Amy Sandas!
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For more info and updates about the series go to:
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About the Author
Alissa Johnson is a RITA-nominated author of historical romance. She grew up on Air Force bases and attended St. Olaf College in Minnesota. She currently resides in the Arkansan Ozarks, where she spends her free time keeping her Aussie dog busy, visiting with family, and dabbling in archery. Visit her at www.alissajohnson.com.
Luck Is No Lady
Fallen Ladies
by Amy Sandas
“You should not have kissed me,” she replied breathlessly.
“I do a lot of things I shouldn’t. It does not mean I won’t do them again.”
Gently bred Emma Chadwick always assumed she’d live and die the daughter of a gentleman. But when her father’s death reveals a world of staggering debt and dangerous moneylenders, she must risk her good name and put her talent for mathematics to use, taking a position as bookkeeper at London’s most notorious gambling hell. Surrounded by vice and corruption on all sides, it is imperative no one discovers Emma’s shameful secret, or her reputation—and her life—will be ruined.
But Roderick Bentley, the hell’s sinfully wealthy owner, draws Emma deep into an underworld of high-stakes gambling and reckless overindulgence. She soon discovers that in order to win the love of a ruthless scoundrel, she will have to play the game…and give in to the pleasure of falling from grace.
Praise for Reckless Viscount:
“An engaging and unusual historical romance. Beautifully sensual love scenes are woven into this intriguing romance.” —Night Owl Romance Top Pick
For more Amy Sandas, visit:
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A Talent for Trickery
The Thief-takers
by Alissa Johnson
The lady is a thief
Years ago, Owen Renderwell earned acclaim—and a title—for the dashing rescue of a kidnapped duchess. But only a select few knew that Scotland Yard’s most famous detective was working alongside London’s most infamous thief…and his criminally brilliant daughter, Charlotte Walker.
Lottie was like no other woman in Victorian England. She challenged him. She dazzled him. She questioned everything he believed and everything he was, and he has never wanted anyone more. And then he lost her.
Now a private detective on the trail of a murderer, Owen has stormed back into Lottie’s life. She knows that no matter what they may pretend, he will always be a man of the law and she a criminal. Yet whenever he’s near, Owen has a way of making things complicated…and making her long for a future that can never be theirs.
For more Alissa Johnson, visit:
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The Infamous Heir
The Spare Heirs
by Elizabeth Michels
The Spare Heirs Society Cordially Invites You to Meet Ethan Moore: The Scoundrel
&
nbsp; Lady Roselyn Grey’s debut has finally arrived, and of course, she has every flounce and flutter planned. She’ll wear the perfect gowns and marry the perfect gentleman…that is, if the formerly disinherited brother of the man she intends to marry doesn’t ruin everything first.
Ethan Moore is a prizefighting second son and proud founding member of the Spare Heirs Society—and that’s all he ever should have been. But in an instant, his brother’s noble title is his, the eyes of the ton are upon him, and the lady he’s loved for years would rather meet him in the boxing ring than the ballroom.
He’s faced worse. With the help of his Spare Heirs brotherhood, Ethan’s certain he can get to the bottom of his brother’s unexpected demise and win the impossible lady who has haunted his dreams for as long as he can remember…
Praise for How to Lose a Lord in 10 Days or Less:
“Rich with wit and charm.” —Publishers Weekly
“[A] richly emotional, wonderfully engaging romance.” —Booklist Online
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A Gift for Guile (The Thief-takers) Page 31