by Gina Conkle
Today, he had surprised her with fishing poles and a basket lunch. They walked along the River Irwell, not far from Manchester, in thick grass, her hems dragging. The time wasn’t the best for catching fish but was perfect for being alone.
And perfect for sharing secrets.
“This spot,” he said, pointing to a willow tree draping the bank. Green branches trailed the water like fingers skimming from a boat.
“It is perfect.” Like life when I’m with you.
They spread a blanket, kicked off their shoes, and stretched out side by side. She untied his queue and ran her fingers through his hair.
“You know, love,” she said, stroking his hair, “you’ve upset the balance of nature with your beautiful hair. If other women only knew.”
He’d already shut his eyes, forgetting the fishing poles entirely. “My valet warns me there are many more gray strands this year.” One lazy lid opened. “He claims it’s because I’m a married man.”
“Aging you, am I?”
The corners of his eyes crinkled from his smile. “Something is.” He grabbed her hand and kissed her palm and the pale skin on her wrist. “But not you.”
Peaceful moments passed, not measured by a clock but by birds singing and the river’s flow.
His chest heaved, but his eyes stayed closed. “There’s no place I’d rather be than with you, Claire Ryland.”
“I feel the same about you. And? What is it you want to say to me?”
He chuckled, the sound coming from deep in his chest. “A man can hide very little from you, can he?”
She circled her finger on the skin above his nose. “This, among other signs, gives you away.”
Cyrus sat up, brushing bits of grass that clung to him. He leaned an elbow on an upraised knee, staring at the meadow beyond.
“When I think of growing old, I know I face a good future because of you,” he began. “But I want to grow old somewhere out here, not London.”
“And this is what troubles you?”
His pewter eyes pinned her, his voice soft. “Because your happiness matters to me.” A semblance of a grin stirred his lips. “The New Union…it’s in London.”
Her new husband was that concerned for her happiness. She sat up.
“Cyrus, you make me happy, not a place.” She waved her arm over the beautiful, river touched meadow. “I’d be happy here.”
He studied her as though checking for a fissure or a fault. They’d waited months before getting married. This was new. They were new.
She leaned close and kissed his cheek, her finger stroking the cleft on his chin. “People drink coffee in Manchester.”
“I’ve heard they do.” His voice was a pleasant rumble against her skin.
“Cyrus, I’ll go wherever you want.”
She found another bit of grass clinging to him and brushed it off. She liked taking care of him as much as he devoted himself to her.
“I’ve learned a few things, being married to you.”
“Such as?”
“We never really lose our flaws. Being with the people we love smooths out those flaws, makes us better, but flaws?” She batted the air. “They are boon companions for life.”
“And I’m better equipped at knowing my wife is about to deliver sage commentary for my benefit.”
She laughed softly at his insight. “Cyrus, you will work for the rest of your life to take care of others. It’s ingrained in you. But it’s time you do for yourself…and as your wife, I expect it.”
One brow shot up at her stern tone.
“Tell me that you want to leave London and get lost in the Midlands somewhere. That’s what people do when they love each other. They share those wants and needs.”
He reached up and pulled her down to his chest. Her head tucked perfectly against his shoulder, and he proceeded to tell her many things.
Acknowledgments
There are three people who left their mark on this story. Thank you to my awesome agent, Sarah Younger, who loves a good alpha male. What woman doesn’t? Sarah’s encouragement and curiosity about Cyrus is a joy. Even better, I appreciate her support and loyalty. My editor, Cat Clyne, deserves kudos for pointing out the good and flushing out the excess. I appreciate her championship of the Midnight Meetings series and her gentle words along the way. I could read Cat’s smile via email. Lastly, thank you Brian Conkle, for being the man who stood in our kitchen and said, “It’s your turn,” and meaning it.
Thank you for reading!
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Meet the Earl at Midnight
Book 1 in the Midnight Meetings series
by Gina Conkle
The Phantom of London. Enigma Earl. The Greenwich Recluse.
Half of his face, shadowed by gold and brown whiskers, showed male perfection, but the other half, a bizarre pattern of scar lines and puckered flesh. Lydia recoiled as much from the hot anger flashing in his eyes as from astonishment.
He’s a mysterious recluse
Lord Greenwich is notoriously elusive. His tendency to hide his face in public has earned him some choice monikers, including “the Phantom of London.” Is he disfigured? Mad? No one is more surprised than Miss Lydia Montgomery when she is betrothed to him to save her family from penury. But if Lydia wants a chance at happiness, she’ll have to set aside her fear and discover the man hiding behind the beastly reputation…
“A refreshing Georgian spin on Beauty and the Beast.” —Grace Burrowes, New York Times bestselling author of Once Upon a Tartan
For more Gina Conkle, visit:
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Kiss the Earl
by Gina Lamm
A modern girl’s guide to seducing Mr. Darcy
When Ella Briley asked her lucky-in-love friends to set her up for an office party, she was expecting a blind date. Instead, she’s pulled through a magic mirror and into the past…straight into the arms of her very own Mr. Darcy.
Patrick Meadowfair, Earl of Fairhaven, is too noble for his own good. To save a female friend from what is sure to be a loveless marriage, he’s agreed to whisk her off to wed the man she truly wants. But all goes awry when Patrick mistakes Ella for the would-be bride and kidnaps her instead.
Centuries away from everything she knows, Ella’s finally found a man who heats her blood and leaves her breathless. Too bad he’s such a perfect gentleman. Yet the reluctant rake may just find this modern girl far too tempting for even the noblest of men to resist…
Praise for Gina Lamm:
“Gina Lamm writes excellent [time-travel romance] with humor and great storytelling.” —Books Like Breathing
“Snappy writing and characters who share a surprising, spicy chemistry.” —RT Book Reviews
For more Gina Lamm, visit:
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When a Rake Falls
by Sally Orr
He’s racing to win back his reputation
Having hired a balloon to get him to Paris in a daring race, Lord Boyce Parker is simultaneously exhilarated and unnerved by the wonders and dangers of flight, and most of all by the beautiful, stubborn, intelligent lady operating the balloon.
She’s curious about the science of love
Eve Mountfloy is in the process of conducting weather experiments when she finds herself spirited away to France by a notorious rake. She’s only slightly dismayed—the rake seems to respect her work—but she is frequently distracted by his windblown good looks and buoyant spirits.
What happens when they descend from the clouds?
As risky as aeronautic
s may be, once their feet touch the ground, Eve and Boyce learn the real danger of a very different type of falling…
Praise for The Rake’s Handbook:
“A charming romp. The witty repartee and naughty innuendos set the perfect pitch for the entertaining romance.” —RT Book Reviews
For more Sally Orr, visit:
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Wicked, My Love
by Susanna Ives
A smooth-talking rogue and a dowdy financial genius
Handsome, silver-tongued politician Lord Randall doesn’t get along with his bank partner, the financially brilliant but hopelessly frumpish Isabella St. Vincent. Ever since she was his childhood nemesis, he’s tried—and failed—to get the better of her.
Make a perfectly wicked combination
When both Randall’s political career and their mutual bank interests are threatened by scandal, he has to admit he needs Isabella’s help. They set off on a madcap scheme to set matters right. With her wits and his charm, what could possibly go wrong? Only a volatile mutual attraction that’s catching them completely off guard…
Praise for Susanna Ives:
“A fresh voice that reminded me of Julia Quinn’s characters.” —Eloisa James, New York Times bestselling author
For more Susanna Ives, visit:
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Married to a Perfect Stranger
by Jane Ashford
Time and distance have changed them both…
Quiet and obliging, Mary Fleming and John Bexley married to please their families, but John was almost immediately called away on a two-year diplomatic mission. Now he’s back, and it seems everything they thought they knew about each other was wrong…
It’s disconcerting, irritating—and somehow all very exciting…
Praise for Jane Ashford:
“Ashford captures the reader’s interest with her keen knowledge of the era and her deft writing.” —RT Book Reviews
“Ashford’s richly nuanced, realistically complex characters and impeccably crafted historical setting are bound to resonate with fans of Mary Balogh.” —Booklist
For more Jane Ashford, visit:
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Earls Just Want to Have Fun
Covent Garden Cubs
by Shana Galen
His heart may be the last thing she ever steals…
Marlowe runs with the Covent Garden Cubs, a gang of thieves living in the slums of London’s Seven Dials. It’s a fierce life, but when she’s alone, Marlowe allows herself to think of a time before—a dimly remembered life when she was called Elizabeth.
Maxwell, Lord Dane, is roped into teaching Marlowe how to navigate the social morass of the ton, but she will not escape her past so easily. Instead, Dane is drawn into her dangerous world, where the student becomes the teacher and love is the greatest risk of all.
Praise for Shana Galen:
“Shana Galen has a gift for storytelling that puts her at the top of my list of authors.” —Historical Romance Lover
“Shana Galen is brilliant at making us fall in love with her characters, their stories, their pains, heartaches, and triumphs.” —Unwrapping Romance
For more Shana Galen, visit:
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About the Author
Gina loves history, books, and romance…the perfect recipe for a historical romance writer. Her passion for castles and old places (the older and moldier the better!) means interesting family vacations. Good thing her husband and two sons share similar passions, except for romance…that’s where she gets the eye roll. When not visiting fascinating places, she can be found delving into the latest adventures in cooking, gardening, and chauffeuring her sons.