#RomanceWednesday a delightful Regency
With her older sisters both happily married, Caro Sloane
yearns for a romantic
adventure of her own. Unfortunately the muddy, sulfur-
scented waters of Bath seem
the least likely setting for love or excitement. But the
aspiring young poet soon
finds inspiration when she runs into a familiar-and achingly
handsome-Scottish
laird.
Visiting Bath with his sickly sister, Alec McClellan is
shocked to be reunited
with Caro Sloane. He hasn't been able to forget the English
beauty since their
brief but exhilarating first meeting. But Bath is not nearly
as serene as it
appears, and soon Alec must protect Caro from a danger that
threatens to
extinguish the sparks flying between them. Little does he
know that a bit of
danger is exactly what Caro is looking for . . .
Excerpt βOne would almost think you were going out of your way to avoid
speaking to me.β
βWeβre speaking now,β he pointed out.
βI would call it verbal sparring.β Caro edged around
impatiently, forcing him to look her in the face. βBut now that
I have you alone, Iβd rather not keep trading thrusts and
parries. I would rather discuss far more important mattersβsuch
as whether you have learned anything new about the attack on
your sister?β
Pursing his lips, Alec shifted his stance just enough to allow
him to return to his perusal of the lettering on the column.
βNot really.β
βYe gods.β She restrained the urge to take hold of his arm and
give him a hard shake. βWhat sort of answer is that?β
βThe only one I intend to give,β he replied calmly.
βFine.β Caro watched the breeze ruffle his long hair, causing a
tangle of red-gold strands to curl around his ear and dance
down the freshly shaven line of his jaw. The faint scent of bay
rum tickled at her nostrils.
βFine,β she repeated, after forcing herself to exhale. βThen
Iβll just have to do a little poking around on my own.β
That got his attention. He looked around abruptly, his gaze
narrowing to a slitted stare. The movement was quick, but not
quick enough to hide the sudden darkening of his eyes.
βThat wouldnβt be wise,β he growled. βThe only thing I will add
for now is that you should stay well away from Edward Thayer.β
βWhy?β
βBecauseβ¦β He let out an exasperated grunt. βMust you always
plague me with questions?β
βI wouldnβt have to if you would stop treating me like a
feather-headed wigeon.β
Alecβs scowl became more pronounced.
βHavenβt I proved myself trustworthy and capable?β
A small muscle on his jaw twitched. βI am not at liberty to
give you any more details right now. All I can say is thatβ¦β As
he drew in a breath, he seemed to change his mind about what to
say. βThayer is a charming fellow. No doubt his smooth words
are more to your liking.β
Deciding Alec deserved a bit of teasing, Caro pretended not to
notice the roughness edging his voice. βYes, heβs exceedingly
charming.β
If his storm-blue stare squeezed any tighter, it would be
sharper than a razorβs edge.
βAnd scrupulously polite,β she added.
Alec was becoming more flustered. Small sounds were beginning
to rumble in his throat, like the growling of a bear. βI do not
have Thayerβs gift of making myself agreeable. He has a honeyed
tongue, which seems to appeal to all the ladies.β
βHoney is, after all, a great deal more palatable than
vinegar,β Caro pointed out.
He now looked utterly nonplussed.
Caro let him stew for a moment longer before huffing an
exasperated sigh. βOh, for heavenβs sake, give me some credit
for having a brain, Lord Strathcona! Of course I donβt find
Thayer appealing. When honey drips that freely, it ought to
catch naught but flies.β
The growls ceased.
Caro waited for him to speak.
Ever so slowly, Alec shifted his feet, stirring tiny puffs of
pale dust beneath his boots.
The flicker of dark leather caused a momentary spasm of doubt
as she recalled her chilling encounter in the churchyard.
Alec as evil? She couldnβt explain how, but she knew with a
certainty that resonated right down to her very heartbeat that
it couldnβt be true.
βAre you saying you would trust my word over his?β
βYes, you big lummox! I donβt know why I should, but I prefer
your snaps and growls.β
A dappling of sunlight seemed to catch on the curl of his
lashes, gilding them to a gleaming gold.
βYou are forthright, you are honorable in your own maddening
way,β she went on. Oh, no man ought to have such beautiful
eyes.
She found herself staring, and at that moment, all rational
thought seemed to dance away in the breeze. His face was
utterly intriguingβa mix of chiseled planes and well-defined
features that hinted at hidden secrets.
βAndβ¦ well, you are quite the most interesting man I have ever
met.β Her legs suddenly seemed a little unsteady, so Caro
reached out and caught hold of his lapels.
Looking up, she found his mouth was only inches from hers.
βOh, boshβI shall probably regret thisβ¦β Standing on tiptoes,
Caro kissed him. Not a mere feathering of flesh against flesh,
but a hard, hungry embrace that she let go on for far, far
longer than any proper young lady should dare.
βThere, I have no doubt shocked you.β
The tip of his tongue traced along the swell of his lower lip.
βI imagine you think me a wanton hellion, and I suppose I am.
It must be my eccentric upbringing. I donβt care very much for
rules.β
Caro knew she was babbling but she couldnβt seem to stop. βYou
may consign me to the Devil. But at least I shall dance a merry
jig on my way to perdition.β
Was that finally a hint of smile?
She finally dared pause to take a breath. A long, shuddering
breath. Now was the time to flee, before she made an even
bigger fool of herself.
But Alec suddenly shifted again, blocking her way.
βI, too, shall probably regret this,β he said as he slowly
circled his arms around her and pulled her close.
She opened her mouth. To protest?
Before she could make any sense of what she had set in motion,
their lips met again, setting off a fierce jolt of fire.
Start Reading PASSIONATELY YOURS Now
 Hellions of High Street SCANDALOUSLY YOURS
#1.0
β’ April 2015
 SINFULLY YOURS
#2.0
β’ May 2015
 PASSIONATELY YOURS
#3.0
β’ June 2015
Our Past Week of Fresh Picks
|
© 2003-2026