by Dawn Brower
He continued to glare at her brother Christian. He was talking to Gabrielle. The last time they’d been that close to each other his sister had clocked him. If he was being the wanker Rafe knew him to be, she might do it again. He almost hoped she did. Christian seemed to be on his best behavior though. Rafe couldn’t help wondering what might have changed. “For what?” he asked.
“That my family isn’t as wonderful as yours. At least we won’t see them much after we leave. Italy is a nice distance away from New York.”
Rafe grinned. She wasn’t wrong. It also made it easier to ignore their demands. They loved the idea that Aletha was marrying the future Marchese d’Bari. His father showed no signs of dying any time soon, but that didn’t make their avariceness subside. They were related to Italian nobility through their marriage. Rafe didn’t bother to tell him that the title didn’t mean much. None of them cared about it. They only wanted to live their lives and love those in it.
“Have I told you lately I love you?” She was his. Finally.
“Only several times a day,” she said and grinned. She rubbed her hand over his chest. “I love you too.”
His heart beat heavily inside of his chest. He would never tire of hearing that. Rafe was also grateful she was finally his wife. They had married in a morning ceremony and they were currently dancing at their wedding ball. Her family had insisted. They wanted to invite anyone who was important in New York society and display their new connection. Rafe’s parents had smiled and shook their heads. They understood why the Dewitt family wanted to boast but didn’t really care. They were too engrossed in each other and their family’s happiness. As long as Rafe loved Aletha, and she loved him, the rest didn’t matter to them.
“Falling in love with you is the best decision I never made,” she said. “I hope to make many more non-decisions in our life together. They turned out to be the best kind.” She was so lovely. Aletha glowed with happiness. He’d been a part of putting that look on her face. He wanted to do his part to ensure it always stayed there too.
“Are you ready to start your own business?” He trailed his fingers over her back. He couldn’t wait to make love to her. Kissing was wonderful, but it wasn’t enough.
When she’d told him about her grandfather snuffing her ideas he’d offered to help her start her own company. They didn’t deserve her intelligence. She had agreed to him investing as long as he agreed to be her equal partner. Rafe had acquiesced because he had no intention of involving himself in her company. She would be successful in whatever she chose to do.
She grinned. “As soon as we arrive in Italy I’m going to scout locations.” Aletha leaned her head against him. “Lucky for me I have a handsome husband that knows the local area and can help me pick the right place.”
They were going to have a great life. That train ride had been the best one he’d ever had. Not that he had believed it would be at the time. Miracles worked on their own timetables after all…
He pulled his wife closer and kissed her. Rafe promised to always make her feel wanted, desired, and love. He’d fall apart without her. Everything that didn’t make sense in his life, made perfect sense with her. She completed him in ways he never would have imagined. Logic had no place in love. She was his, and he was hers. As far as the rest… They’d figure it out along the way.
About The Author
USA TODAY Bestselling author, DAWN BROWER writes both historical and contemporary romance. There are always stories inside her head; she just never thought she could make them come to life. That creativity has finally found an outlet.
Growing up she was the only girl out of six children. She raised two boys into productive young men. There is never a dull moment in her life. Reading books is her favorite hobby and she loves all genres.
She is active on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. To follow her click below or check out her website for any pertinent information:
www.authordawnbrower.com
Also by Dawn Brower
Standalone
Broken Pearl
Deadly Benevolence
A Wallflower’s Christmas Kiss
A Gypsy’s Christmas Kiss
Snowflake Kisses
Kindred Lies
Diamonds Don’t Cry
* * *
Begin Again
There You’ll Be
Better as a Memory
Won’t Let Go
* * *
Enduring Legacy
The Legacy’s Origin
Charming Her Rogue (Linked Across Time 11)
* * *
Scandal Meets Love
Love Only Me (Amanda Mariel)
Find Me Love (Dawn Brower)
If It’s Love (Amanda Mariel)
Odds of Love (Dawn Brower)
Christmas at Fortuna’s Parlor (Dawn and Amanda)
Believe in Love (Amanda Mariel)
Chance of Love (Dawn Brower)
* * *
Bluestockings Defying Rogues
When An Earl Turns Wicked
A Lady Hoyden’s Secret
One Wicked Kiss
Earl In Trouble
All the Ladies Love Coventry
One Less Scandalous Earl
Coming Soon
Confessions of a Hellion
The Vixen in Red
* * *
Marsden Descendants
Rebellious Angel
Tempting An American Princess
Loving an American Spy
How to Kiss a Debutante
* * *
Marsden Romances
A Flawed Jewel
A Crystal Angel
A Treasured Lily
A Sanguine Gem
A Hidden Ruby
A Discarded Pearl
* * *
Novak Springs
Cowgirl Fever
Dirty Proof
Unbridled Pursuit
Sensual Games
Christmas Tempatation
* * *
Linked Across Time
Saved by My Blackguard
Searching for My Rogue
Seduction of My Rake
Surrendering to My Spy
Spellbound by My Charmer
Stolen by My Knave
Separated from My Love
Scheming with My Duke
Secluded with My Hellion
Coming Soon
Secrets of My Beloved
Spying on My Scoundrel
Shocked by My Vixen
* * *
Heart’s Intent
One Heart to Give
Unveiled Hearts
Heart of the Moment
Kiss My Heart Goodbye
Heart in Waiting
* * *
Broken Curses
The Enchanted Princess
The Bespelled Knight
The Magical Hunt
* * *
Ever Beloved
Forever My Earl
Always My Viscount
Infinitely My Marquess
Eternally My Duke
* * *
Kismet Bay
Once Upon a Christmas
New Year Revelation
All Things Valentine
Luck At First Sight
Endless Summer Days
A Witch’s Charm
All Out of Gratitude
Christmas Ever After
Afterword
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www.authordawnbrower.com
Excerpt: Chance of Love
Scandal Meets Love 6
Prologue
April 1816
Spring had always been her favorite season. Lady Lenora St. Martin didn’t have much else to look forward to and the very idea of new beginnings appealed to her. Every spring new life sprouted and the
barren landscape was filled with beauty and wonder. That also applied to the London ballrooms. New debutantes were launched in society and the latest crop of true English beauties was put on display for those gentlemen in search of a wife.
Lenora had never been considered a beauty…
She’d accepted her lot in life a long time ago. She had dark brown hair and hazel eyes, both boring. Her attributes along with her shyness kept her position as a wallflower secure. No one noticed her and most of the time that was all right with her. A crowded ballroom tended to bring out her worst anxieties. Her cousin Bennett, the Marquess of Holton, insisted she attend social gatherings. Lenora understood his reasons even if she didn’t particularly agree with them. Bennett hoped she’d find a suitor, fall in love, and then marry so she could have a family of her own. All of those things sounded wonderful. None of them were likely to happen. At least not with her…
This ball, the one most debutantes and their mothers clamored to attend, was a good example. The young misses were all flirting with their gentlemen suitors and their mothers gossiped with other matrons. The wallflowers did what they did best—hugged the walls. Lenora; on the other hand, did none of that. She didn’t merely stand by the wall hoping some wayward gentleman would discover her and lead her to the dance floor. That would have been too simple and probably preferred by her cousin. No, Lenora didn’t do anything by normal standards. She hated to be noticed and would have loved to have remained at home reading one of her favorite novels. So she attempted to make the best of a terrible situation and hid in the darkest most obscure corner she could find.
Spring might mean new beginnings, but it also meant new social gatherings. It led to her greatest discomfort and she dreaded it. If she’d been left alone to walk in the gardens or bask in the warmth of sunlight streaming through her bedroom window she’d have been gloriously happy. Instead she was forced into ballrooms and hiding in corners.
“What’s a lovely woman such as yourself doing in this dark corner?” His voice was as warm as honey on a hot summer day. It’s tempting sweetness washed over her and made her crave a taste…of something. He was also the biggest rake in all of London. Julian Everleigh, the Duke of Ashley was a notorious seducer. “Come dance with me little mouse.”
Lenora wrinkled her nose at his endearment for her. She adored Julian, but she knew better than to accept anything he offered. He visited her cousin often enough she should be unaffected by his flirtations. They thrilled her though and she wanted to savor them whenever he deigned to speak to her. “No thank you,” she said softly. “I’m all right, promise.”
He chuckled lightly and then tilted his lips upward into the most sinful smile she’d ever witnessed. Not that she’d seen many… Most gentlemen failed to notice her let alone smile purposely in her direction. “You shouldn’t promise something that isn’t true little one,” he said. “I don’t ever bother with a promise because I know myself too well. I’ll break them the first chance presented to me.” Julian winked at her and it sent flutters through her stomach she’d never felt before in her entire life. “Instead I’ll ensure you will never forget dancing with me. I’m quite good at it.” He held out his hand. “Now please, do me the honor of spending a few moments with me. I’m in desperate need of protection from unwanted advances.” He leaned down just enough so that she could feel his warm breath when he spoke. “Are you willing to be my savior?”
In that moment she’d have promised him anything, but she held back. He said promises were nothing to him. The duke openly admitted to breaking them often. The vow she was about to make would be empty words to him. So instead she smiled, even if it was a little wobbly. Dancing in front of everyone terrified her. “I can try…”
“That’s all anyone can ask,” he told her.
Why did he have to be so gorgeous? He was too handsome and way too pretty to be paying any attention to her. His golden blond hair rivaled the sun in brilliance and his blue eyes were more dazzling than the most exquisite sapphire. She could easily become lost in his charming veneer if she allowed herself to be. “I supp..suppose,” she stuttered over the word. Lenora cleared her throat and began again. “I suppose that is true.”
“So?” He lifted a brow. “Will you join me for the next set?”
She nodded as the strands of a waltz filled the room. Lenora almost groaned when she realized what she’d agreed to. The waltz was the most intimate dances and she’d never danced one with a male other than her cousin. Heck, she’d never danced at all with a male besides her cousin… That didn’t detract from her dilemma. A waltz with the duke would cause a stir and she’d be so close to him… Her hand shook as she placed it in his. “Lead the way, Your Grace.”
He led her to the floor and then he twirled her into the dance before she had time to change her mind, and she’d been close to doing so. The closer she’d stepped toward the light and the prying gazes of the ton she’d become increasingly more anxious. He’d been wise to take the decision away from her.
Julian was an amazing dancer, but that shouldn’t have surprised her. Everything about him or that he did seemed to be perfect. “Now,” he began. “This doesn’t seem so bad does it, little one?”
At least he hadn’t called her a mouse again… “No,” she agreed. It was actually quite exhilarating. Lenora felt as if she was floating on air.
“I’ve always considered dancing to be too decadent to be done properly in a public forum,” he began. “At least the sort I prefer.”
She pushed her eyebrows together. “I’m not sure I follow…”
“I wouldn’t expect you would,” he replied secretively. “One day you might understand. Perhaps you’ll tell me when you do.” The corner of his lip turned upward almost…arrogantly. As if only he really understood the secrets of the world…
“I suspect, Your Grace, that our paths won’t cross much in the coming years.” The duke might be one of her cousin’s friends, but she fully expected, at some juncture, to live on her own. Once she reached her majoring in a few months she planned to travel. Maybe to Italy… She hadn’t fully decided yet. “We don’t keep the same company and in time the little connections we have will dissipate.”
“Perhaps,” he agreed. “Time will tell I suppose.” He twirled her around the floor expertly.
Lenora wouldn’t ever forget this moment. She would unlikely never dance again, at least not like this. She was grateful she’d allowed the duke to convince her to participate. Afterward she’d likely find her way to her favorite corner to hide. In her darkest moments she’d be able to travel back to this waltz and recall it, and Julian fondly. If she believed she had a chance of something more with him… She shook that thought away. Loving him was a terrible idea and perhaps the only thing she regretted. This was a kindness, while out of character for him, but she shouldn’t expect anything else from him.
The strands of the waltz ended and disappointment filled her. She’d tried to brush his request off at the start and now she never wanted the dance to end. The duke twirled her one last time around the floor and then led her to where their dance had begun. He bowed and kissed her gloved hand. “Thank you for your benevolence, my lady.” His blue eyes twinkled with mischief. “And for being my protector when I need it.”
She should be thanking him. He had awakened feelings in her she’d believed long buried. Her heart burst with happiness and affection for this man. “You don’t require my protection any more than you needed to dance with me.” She frowned. Lenora still couldn’t discern his motives for insisting on leading her in the waltz. “Either way the dance was lovely. I’m grateful I didn’t insist against it.”
He laughed lightly and shook his head. “Little mouse you’re always so formal.” Julian bowed again. “The pleasure was all mine.” He glanced over his shoulder and then back at her. “Pardon me,” he said. “I must attend to something important.” His smile was bright and appeared genuine. “Enjoy the rest of your evening, my lady.” With those words he spu
n on his heels and headed in the opposite direction.
Lenora smiled as she watched him wander off. She was starting to believe she had misjudged him. He’d been charming, as expected, but also kind and generous with his time. The duke hadn’t been required to dance with her. No gentleman was. That made his attention all the more precious to her.
She wandered away from her favorite corner for willingly the first time all evening. Earlier didn’t count because Julian had to coax her away from it. Perhaps she should leave the ballroom and explore the gardens. It was starting to become suffocating in the ballroom. Lenora’s happiness was nearly bursting from within her. She hugged herself and twirled around as she made her way down the empty hallway leading to the balcony. There was a small staircase on the balcony that led down to the gardens.
Voices echoed back to her. Two male voices to be more precise and both were recognizable.
“Did she dance?” Her cousin asked. Why was Bennett so concerned about her dancing? Why couldn’t he leave her to make her own decisions?
“Of course she did,” Julian responded. “Do you doubt my ability to charm a woman?” He sounded so…disgusted. Was that because he had to dance with Lenora or because Bennett had doubted his ability? “I can coax any woman to do, well, anything,” he boasted. “But a wallflower? That’s not even a challenge.”
She’d been jubilant until that moment. Now every amount of joy she’d held inside of her deflated in an instant. He’d appeared so kind earlier… How had she gotten it so wrong?
“Attention from you should have caught the notice of all the eligible gentleman in the room,” Bennett said. “They’ll want to know why the Duke of Ashley bothered with a wallflower. Soon she’ll have more callers than she wants.”