Shrewish Beatrice Albright is beginning to realize that her
difficult nature has consequences. As her seventh
unsuccessful Season begins, her younger sister is taken
under the wing of her elder sisters and the invitations
have dried up. Terrified sheβll be forced into old
maidenhood and the company of her mother, she vows to find
a groom by Seasonβs end. Even if he is suspected of murder.
The Marquis of Highcroft, Gareth Berenger is just as
shunned as Beatrice since he is thought to have murdered
his first wife. But when she demands they wed since no one
else wants them, he isnβt sure. Gareth is a man of intense
sexual desires and dominant predilections and heβs already
seen the consequences if his partner cannot accept them. He
proposes instead a trial affair. If Beatrice can handle his
sexuality, then they will marry. But as much as Beatrice is
drawn in my Garethβs sensual and shocking seduction, she is
also afraid to trust and surrender fully. And there are
darker forces sworn to keep them apart and they will use
violence to take Beatrice from Gareth.
Excerpt Oh great God,β her friend breathed.
Beatrice stared at Amelia, unaccustomed to any kind of real
emotion from her empty little shell of a friend. Now
Ameliaβs eyes were wide, her mouth made an βoβ and she was
actually trembling as she stared passed Beatrice into the
ballroom.
βWhat is it?β she asked.
Her friend shook her head. βDid you not see who just
entered the ballroom?β
Beatrice turned and almost took a step back herself. The
man who had just entered was not one she was personally
familiar with, of course, but she knew him by reputation.
βIs that the Marquis of Highcroft?β she breathed.
Amelia nodded. βGareth Berenger.β
βGareth,β Beatrice repeated, staring at the man.
He remained across the room, so she could not discern
individual features in any kind of depth, but she got a
good sense of him nonetheless. He was tall, broad
shouldered and very handsome. His dark hair was too long in
front and curled around his forehead like he couldnβt be
bothered to give a damn about it. He had a strong, well-
defined jaw that even from this distance appeared clenched
and tense.
βWell, he is certainly as beautiful a man as gossip has
labeled him,β Beatrice said softly.
Her friend gasped beside her and let go of her arm
suddenly. βWhy should anyone care about that?β
βEveryone always cares about that,β Beatrice said with a
snort of laughter. βPlease, you could do almost anything
and get away with it if you are attractive. Especially men.β
βThat may be true most of the time,β Amelia huffed. βBut
not in this case. My Mama says a man like that will never
be accepted back into good Society. Not after what he did.
It doesnβt matter how much money or beauty he brings out
for everyone to see.β
Beatrice narrowed her eyes as she looked once more at the
specimen of a man who was moving across the floor. She
couldnβt help it, she moved toward the entrance to the room
to see him better. Now she could tell that his eyes were as
dark as the aura that surrounded him.
People stepped back as he moved through them, cutting a
swath through the room like he was a pariah. Of course, he
was, wasnβt he?
βDo you really think he would never find acceptance in
Society?β she murmured. βEven with all the benefits he
could bring to the lady he courted?β
βNever,β Amelia hissed. βAfter all, everyone knows he
murdered his wife.β
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