Simon Crathorne has never felt quite βrightβ in his own
life. Even with his friends, he never fit. But now his
father is dead and he has inherited the Dukedom, and all
the responsibility that goes with it. And since his father
was always known as a highly moral, upstanding man, Simon
has big shoes to fill. Lillian Mayhew doesnβt buy the late
Dukeβs exalted reputation one bit. A lifetime of hearing
her father talk about the manβs sins and seeing the torment
her family endured at his hands has made her bitter and a
final secret she discovered as her father lay dying has
turned her bitterness to a drive to destroy the good name
of the man she feels wronged her. No matter the price.
But when Simon and Lillian meet, sparks fly and passion
erupts, leaving Lillian with an ugly choice. Can she
abandon her quest for revenge, just as she is on the cusp
of fulfilling her duty? Or will she betray a man whose past
turns out to be a murky sea of lies and betrayals neither
one could have ever anticipated? A man whose kiss could
change her life forever.
Excerpt βThere are at least a dozen beautiful women here, Simon.β
She flushed as she realized her slip. It seemed her private
use of his given name had instilled bad habits in
her. βYour Grace.β
But a light of triumph had already brightened his eyes. Her
use of his name was only encouragement to him.
She hastened to add something else, to counteract her
inappropriate statement with a fact that would crush his
interest.
βThose other women are far more appropriate than I am, as
well,β she finally whispered. βIf you are on this path to
court me, I would bring nothing to you, Your Grace. No
money, no alliance with a powerful family, in fact my
connections would bring you down in the estimation of some.
I did not come here to pursue that kind of connection to
you, I have no illusions that I shall marry, perhaps at
all.β
He smiled again, but this time there was a gentleness to
it. βAll that you say may be true. However I find that I
donβt really care that much. I do find you interesting,
Lillian, whether you like it or not, whether you expected
it or not. And since I have the power and the access and
the time, I intend to pursue my interest.β
Lillianβs lips parted as he moved even closer. She felt his
body heat now, suffusing her fine linen gown, warming her
beneath in a way that suggested naked skin and writhing
bodies. With a start, she turned away, but he caught her
wrist and held her steady.
βYou are a riddle I intend to solve,β he whispered, his
gaze holding hers.
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