“Shall I return you to your family, Henrietta? Your father was most insistent that all proprieties be observed.”
“You already did return me to my family, and we’ll observe the proprieties only when privacy is denied us. I’ll marry you, Michael, gladly, but I’d like some courtship first. Not for my sake, but for—”
“Your family’s,” Michael said. “You’ll go from your father’s household to this one. I understand.”
His kiss said he did understand and confirmed for Henrietta that early spring would do for a wedding date, possibly even late winter.
Uncle Michael presided over the holiday game of fox and geese, which became a tradition that grew into a family tournament. Michael and Henrietta’s own brood joined the hunt, along with cousins, aunts, uncles, and—when the snow wasn’t too deep—the squire himself.
Then all would repair inside to enjoy the Christmas punch and listen to a version of the story of how Michael and Henrietta had found each other—and happiness—in the midst of winter’s chill. Some of the details were edited, but Christmas after Christmas, the ending was always the same, a happily ever after, forever in progress.
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About the Author
Grace Burrowes grew up in central Pennsylvania and is the sixth out of seven children. She discovered romance novels when in junior high (back when there was such a thing) and has been reading them voraciously ever since. Grace has a bachelor’s degree in political science, a bachelor of music in music history (both from the Pennsylvania State University), a master’s degree in conflict transformation from Eastern Mennonite University, and a juris doctor from the National Law Center at the George Washington University.
Grace writes Georgian, Regency, Scottish Victorian, and contemporary romances in both novella and novel lengths. She’s a member of Romance Writers of America and enjoys giving workshops and speaking at writers’ conferences. She also loves to hear from her readers and can be reached through her website, graceburrowes.com.
Also by Grace Burrowes
The Windham Brides Series
The Trouble with Dukes
Too Scot to Handle
No Other Duke Will Do
A Rogue of Her Own
HIGH ACCLAIM FOR GRACE BURROWES
“Sexy heroes, strong heroines, intelligent plots, enchanting love stories…Grace Burrowes’s romances have them all.”
—Mary Balogh, New York Times bestselling author
“Grace Burrowes writes from the heart—with warmth, humor, and a generous dash of sensuality. Her stories are unputdownable! If you’re not reading Grace Burrowes you’re missing the very best in today’s Regency romance!”
—Elizabeth Hoyt, New York Times bestselling author
A ROGUE OF HER OWN
“With flawless prose, delicious wit, and an unerring ability to bring complex characters to life, Burrowes revisits the engaging Windhams and delivers another winner; pure reading gold.”
—Library Journal (starred review)
“Plenty of humor, sensuality, and poignancy…A swiftly moving plot with engaging characters [that] is sure to charm anyone seeking an enjoyable, emotionally satisfying read.”
—RT Book Reviews
NO OTHER DUKE WILL DO
“Compelling, sympathetic characters and a rare blend of passion and humor result in another exquisite gem from a master of the genre. Gorgeously done.”
—Library Journal (starred review)
“Those who prefer their historical romances to sound and feel historical will savor No Other Duke Will Do.”
—NPR
TOO SCOT TO HANDLE
“A well-plotted, beautifully written story made all the more satisfying by its delightful secondary characters.”
—Library Journal (starred review)
“Top Pick! Burrowes’s delightful plotlines, heartfelt emotions, humor, and realistic, honest characters have turned her Windham series spinoffs into a fan favorite…a gem of a read. 4 ½ Stars.”
—RT Book Reviews
THE TROUBLE WITH DUKES
“The hero of The Trouble with Dukes reminds me of Mary Balogh’s charming men, and the heroine brings to mind Sarah MacLean’s intelligent, fiery women…This is a wonderfully funny, moving romance, not to be missed!”
—Eloisa James, New York Times bestselling author
“The Trouble with Dukes has everything Grace Burrowes’s many fans have come to adore: a swoonworthy hero, a strong heroine, humor, and passion. Her characters not only know their own hearts, but share them with fearless joy. Grace Burrowes is a romance treasure.”
—Tessa Dare, New York Times bestselling author
“The Trouble with Dukes is captivating! It has everything I love in a book—a sexy Scotsman, a charming heroine, witty banter, plenty of humor, and lots of heart.”
—Jennifer Ashley, New York Times bestselling author
“Exquisite writing, outstanding characters, a gorgeous romance, and a nail-biter of an ending. The Trouble with Dukes is the definition of a perfect historical romance!”
—Fresh Fiction
“Readers who enjoy Tessa Dare will embrace…this affecting and clever tale.”
—Booklist
Do you love Grace Burrowes?
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HIS LORDSHIP’S TRUE LADY
Hessian Kettering, Earl of Grampion, tried marrying in haste when a very young man and got years of marital drama to go with his endless regrets. He’s older and wiser now, and has responsibility for an orphaned ward who needs a mother figure. Hessian is determined that his next countess be a settled, sensible lady with a spotless reputation. Lily Ferguson seems to fit his requirements beautifully, and if she also kisses like his most cherished private dreams, that’s no reason to doubt his choice.
As an heiress from a good family, Lily Ferguson has been subjected to the attentions of fortune hunters and fawning nincompoops for years. Because the bachelors won’t take “Stop ogling my settlements” for an answer, she’s developed a reputation for being difficult. Lily finds spending time with Hessian Kettering so very easy, though. He likes a woman who speaks her mind, and Lily adores a man who actually listens to the ladies in his life. But what will Hessian have to say when he finds out Lily is not the heiress polite society thinks she is?
MY OWN TRUE DUCHESS
Jonathan Tresham, heir to the Duke of Quimbey, needs a discreet ally to help him choose a wife from the mob of young ladies eager to become his duchess. When proper widow Theodosia Haviland rescues him from a compromising situation, he knows he’s found an advisor he can trust. Theo’s first marriage taught her the folly of indulging in romantic notions, and she’s determined that Jonathan Tresham’s intended be an ideal match for him, not some smitten ninnyhammer.
When Jonathan suggests Theo should be at the top of his list of possible duchesses, she protests, though she knows that Jonathan is kind and honorable despite his gruff exterior. The last person Theo can allow Jonathan to marry is a widow guarding scandalous secrets, even if she does also harbor an entirely inappropriate attraction to the one man she can never have.
NO DUKES ALLOWED
Who doesn’t love a duke?
Find out in this Regency novella trio by Kelly Bowen, Grace Burrowes, and Anna Harrington…
Three ladies share a temporary seaside residence in Brighton to escape the London season’s gossip and matchmaking. These women are most assuredly not looking for flirtation—much less love—and they would all agree that dukes are a perishing lot of bother anyway. Fortunately for our heroines, three fellows who are not dukes come waltzing by with much more than casual flirtation in mind…
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