Excerpt of A Night of Forever by Bronwen Evans

Thank you for notifyihg me about the review it was a
lovely surprise. Here is the requested excerpt:

Arend turned back to Isobel. “May I have the pleasure of
this dance, Lady Isobel?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Did my stepmother put you up to
this?”

Interesting. That response he had not expected. Isobel
was not dazzled by his attention. He appeared to be
losing his touch.

He gave her one of his most seductive smiles and took her
gloved hand, running his thumb over her palm. “No. I
spied you from across the room and did not wish to miss
the chance to dance with the most beautiful woman here
tonight.”

To his surprise her prickly demeanor did not melt.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “But my dance card is full.”

She was lying. He knew that, and she knew he knew, or her
partner would be here to take her onto the floor.

Annoyance flickered to interest. She’d expect him to do
the polite thing and bow out, did she? Then the lovely
Lady Isobel had a lot to learn about him. Her education
might as well start now.

He made a show of glancing around. “It would appear your
partner has been detained.” And he held out his arm.
Unless she caused a scene, there was little she could do
but take it.

She did not take it. Instead, she smiled sweetly. “I’m
sorry, Lord Labourd, but I’m sure you’ll understand if I
cry off accepting your . . . kind invitation. My feet are
dreadfully sore. New slippers, I’m afraid. However—” She
turned to her friend. “—I’m sure Lady Cassandra will be
my savior and partner you instead. Since you seem so
eager to dance.”

To Arend, the defiance in her gaze, in her stance, was a
challenge incarnate. She might have won this battle but
she would not win the war. Too many people’s lives
depended on his success. The lives of the people he cared
about most. Since he was estranged from the only family
he had left, his vicar brother, he would claw through the
devil’s own flames to protect his friends.

A jolt of pure desire sizzled through Arend at the
prospect of pitting his wits against this lovely
adversary. It would be a most challenging seduction.

He took a step toward her, so their bodies brushed. She
trembled. It annoyed him how that slight touch aroused
him so swiftly.

Isobel moved quickly, almost pushing her thunderstruck
friend forward. Caught by surprise, he caught the other
young lady’s arm so she didn’t fall—and that was how he
found himself escorting the wrong debutante onto the
dance floor.

Furious at being outmaneuvered, Arend bit the inside of
his cheek to stop a curse spilling out of his mouth.

If Isobel had no secrets, she would not be so determined
to keep him at arm’s length. He was going to uncover
those secrets and do whatever it took to stop Victoria.
Or die trying.