"Two headstrong people are expecting different outcomes from their game of love."
Reviewed by Tammie Ard
Posted March 16, 2008
Romance | Historical | Romance Historical
Lilly Loring swears she will never marry; she'd rather
become an old maid than suffer a life of hurt and
unhappiness like her mother did. But when Lilly is kissed
by her brother-in-law's best friend, Heath Griffin, the
Marquess of Claybourne, she knows she has to run -- and
quick. Heath Griffin has never had to work for anything in his
life. Due to his wealth and good looks, whatever and
whomever he has ever wanted has become his. After the kiss
he shares with Lilly, he sets his sights on her. Lilly doesn't deny her attraction to Heath, just that she
won't marry him. But when she agrees to a game to determine
if he can court her, Lilly is determined he will fail.
Heath is more resolute than ever to have Lilly for his own,
but a man can only be turned down so many times before
giving up. Allowing Lilly some space is the hardest thing
he's ever done, but will his last trick work to bring Lilly
around to his way of thinking? TO SEDUCE A BRIDE is a heart-melting courtship with high
emotions. Heath is devious; a man who knows what he wants
and will do whatever it takes to get it. Lilly is
headstrong, but has a heart of gold. I just loved the
characters in this story. This is the third installment in
the Loring sisters' adventures, the first, TO PLEASURE A
LADY, and the second, TO BED A BEAUTY. I highly recommend
reading all three of them.
SUMMARY
Spirited beauty Lilian Loring wants nothing to do with men—
especially eligible noblemen who want to court her! Love,
she believes, guarantees heartbreak and is best avoided
entirely, even if her unwanted suitor is the dangerously
tempting Heath Griffin, Marquess of Claybourne. But Lily's
protests fail to convince the persistent rogue, who can't
believe any woman could resist his seductive charms. After
all, didn't Lily melt under his scorching kisses? So why
does she flee from him to hide out in the last place a
gentleman would look for a lady: a house of scandalous
repute? In bold pursuit, Heath discovers his enchanting
spitfire cheerfully instructing the demimonde in the art
of deportment and manners. Now, the thrill of the chase is
exceeded only by his powerful need to possess Lily as his
bride. But their game of temptation and courtship has high
stakes: Victory demands not only winning Lily's luscious
body but her elusive heart as well....n
Excerpt"There," Heath said softly when he at last raised his
head. "I wanted to see if my attraction to you was merely
a passing fancy, and I know now it wasn't. You felt it,
too, don't deny it."
Lily stared back at him, looking dazed, and wet her lips
before finally finding her voice. "I felt something, but
it was not at all pleasant."
Heath arched an eyebrow. "I never would have thought you
were given to falsehoods, darling."
"I am being quite truthful, my lord. I did not enjoy
kissing you. It made me too... disconcerted. Too
flustered."
"You felt out of control, and you didn't like it."
"Yes, exactly! I am gratified you understand."
"But I don't understand. I am offering you pleasure beyond
your wildest dreams, and you turn me down out of hand."
Her chin rose. "I am not the least interested in
pleasure."
"I expect I can change your mind."
Lily locked her jaw mutinously. "Your arrogance is
astounding, my lord."
The amusement leaving his expression, Heath regarded her
with all seriousness. "There is nothing arrogant about it,
Lily. It is merely simple logic. I want you, but I cannot
have you without the benefit of marriage. I'm not
interested in an affair that would only result in scandal.
So I intend to court you honorably."
"Without my consent?" she asked, her eyes flashing.
"I hope to gain your consent. And I mean to start by
kissing you again."
Looking alarmed, Lily pressed her palms against his
chest. "I am not about to let you ravish me, Lord
Claybourne!"
His gaze dropped from her face to her breasts. He would
like nothing more than to draw Lily down to her chaste bed
and ravish her, but he was bound by the rules of honor.
Heath smiled. "It is broad daylight and you are surrounded
by a houseful of people. I believe you are safe from
ravishment for the time being. But that doesn't mean I
won't use all the powers of persuasion at my disposal."
His hands covered her shoulders, lightly massaging them as
he locked gazes with her. Then bending, he covered her
mouth with his in another slow, devastating, spellbinding
kiss that sent searing heat arcing between them again.
His sensual assault stunned Lily. She felt light-headed
and dizzy; she couldn't breathe.
He was right, she thought with a feeling akin to
desperation. The attraction between them was not a passing
fancy. Nor could she blame her intoxication on champagne
this time. His lordship's kisses still overwhelmed her
senses even when she wasn't foxed.
It was some time before she realized that he had left off
kissing her.
"Don't you see?" he asked, his voice husky and
low. "Whatever this is between us, it deserves exploring."
Dazed, Lily opened her eyes. Yes, she saw. She was aching
with nameless longing... aching for him. She couldn't deny
it, couldn't hide it.
Giving a frustrated groan, she slid out from his embrace
and backed away from him. When he took a step toward her,
she held up her hands defensively and retreated further
across the small bedchamber, putting as much space as
possible between them.
Lord Claybourne stopped then, regarding her intently.
With shaking fingers, Lily tucked a loose tendril of hair
behind her ear and swallowed hard. Yet her voice was still
a hoarse rasp when she finally spoke. "You are mistaken if
you think I will meekly surrender just because you are a
marvelous kisser."
"I think nothing of the kind," he said, his tone wry. "You
haven't a meek bone in your lovely body, I'll warrant."
"No, and I will never accept your proposal of marriage,
either," Lily said firmly.
The smile he gave her was utterly beautiful and utterly
maddening. "We shall see."
Copyright 2008 Nicole Jordan
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