Nicole Jordan, author of nearly 30 bestselling romances, has
launched a new series, Legendary Lovers, which promises to
be filled with fun, romance, and adventure. The first book
in the series is PRINCESS CHARMING.
This novel was so much fun! The cast of characters are
lively, mischievous, and just an adorable bunch of folks to
spend time with! I love the closeness of the Wilde cousins,
and love the idea that Kate has of pairing up her brothers
and cousins with their true loves, using the stories of
legendary lovers as guides.
This first story is the perfect "Cinderella" tale - Kate's
best friend Maura has the evil stepmother, the stepsisters
(not ugly this time, but sweet and affable) and the need to
be rescued. And who better to rescue her than Kate's oldest
brother Ashton. The adventures these two find themselves in
are thrilling, and the eventual steps to falling in love are
charming.
PRINCESS CHARMING has plenty of twists and turns to keep the
story moving, and sexy-hot encounters that will set hearts
to beating faster! All the required elements of a great
romance are here! I look for this series to be a very
popular one, with each book being anticipated with glee! I
highly recommend it!
Thanks to the mischievous meddling of his matchmaking
sister, Ashton Wilde meets a damsel in distress during the
midnight magic of a lavish ball. But Maura Collyer isn’t
looking for a prince—or an intimate pairing with any member
of the scandalous noble Wilde family.
Intrigued by Maura’s beauty and daring, Ash is determined
to aid in the rescue of her beloved stallion, gambled away
by her wicked stepmother to an evil viscount. As their
adventure becomes rife with peril and passion, Ash suspects
he’s found his heart’s desire.
Even though her dearest friend may be her self-proclaimed
fairy godmother, Maura is mortified at being pushed into a
romance with a notorious rake such as Ash. Dashing and
charming, he comes to Maura’s rescue just in time to help
her steal back her precious horse. As they flee across the
countryside, she can’t resist his sweet seduction. But is
her prince playing a role in a fairy tale to test an
improbable theory, or is the love awakening in her heart
proof of her own happily ever after?
Excerpt
CHAPTER ONE:London, May 1816
The flash of amber silk intrigued him, although not as much
as the lovely woman wearing it.
Lounging negligently against a column in his crowded
ballroom, Ashton Wilde, eighth Marquis of Beaufort,
narrowed his gaze as the blond beauty disappeared through
the French doors onto the terrace beyond.
Maura Collyer, his younger sister's bosom friend. What the
devil was she up to?
Curiosity warred with odd disappointment as Ash speculated
on her intent. It appeared that Miss Collyer was trysting
with one of his noble guests, Viscount Deering.
For all her beauty, he would never have taken Maura for the
scarlet woman sort. As far as he knew, she didn't even
like most men, and at four-and-twenty she was long on the
shelf. And yet she had pursued Lord Deering onto a moonlit
terrace in the middle of a grand ball for what looked like
an assignation.
His boredom suddenly evaporating, Ash pushed away from the
column and forged a path through the glittering, bejewelled
sea of company. He had expected better of Miss
Collyer–
Wry amusement twisted his mouth at the quaint thought. How
the leading member of the scandalous Wildes could condemn a
lady for flouting propriety with a lovers' tryst was the
height of irony. The Wildes were legendary for their
passionate exploits, their surname synonymous with a
blatant disregard for the rules governing the Beau Monde,
and Ash himself was currently his family's worst offender.
Still, he couldn't banish his contrary stab of displeasure
at the notion of his sister's closest friend taking Deering
as a lover.
The terrace doors had been flung open to alleviate the heat
from the chandeliers and the crush of perfumed bodies.
Upon reaching the threshold, Ash paused to let his eyes
adjust to the dimmer light on the terrace and focus on the
couple near the stone balustrade.
Although not embracing, they were standing close together
– or rather the lady was standing before the
gentleman. Her position offered Ash a view of her profile,
so he could see that her delicate jaw was set while her
hands were tightly clenched.
It did not appear to be a romantic tryst but a
confrontation, he decided. He could overhear her low,
impassioned voice imploring the viscount, although the
noise from the chattering, dancing throng behind him
drowned out most of her words.
Ash moved a step closer just as a momentary lull in the
music brought Miss Collyer's urgent declaration to him.
"Emperor did not belong to her, I tell you! She had no
right to sell him to you."
"I have a legal deed of sale that says otherwise," Deering
responded in an arrogant drawl that evidently grated on her
nerves.
The beauty inhaled a deep breath, as if striving to
maintain control of her emotions. "Then allow me to buy
him back... Please."
"You cannot afford my price, Miss Collyer."
"I can raise the funds somehow. I will sell the entire
stables if I must."
When Deering laughed in that supercilious way of his, Ash
felt the same grating irritation.
He knew Rupert Firth, Viscount Deering fairly well. Of
similar ages – a year past thirty – they had
attended Cambridge at the same time. Like Ash, Deering had
dark curling hair, a noble title, and a significant
fortune. But there the similarities ended. Most notably,
the viscount was a head shorter, with a body that was
turning to flab from an overindulgence of fine port wine.
Ash had never liked Deering, mainly because of his attitude
of snide superiority. That dislike only increased now as
the discussion continued.
"I might be persuaded... for a price," Deering said with a
smirk that made Ash itch to intervene.
"What price?" Miss Collyer asked warily.
In answer, the nobleman reached out and trailed a languid
finger along her bare throat to the low neckline of her
gown.
When she visibly gritted her teeth, Ash felt some
satisfaction that she wasn't soliciting the viscount's
advances, far from it. Yet he was surprised by his own
violent reaction: The urge to wrap his hands around the
man's throat speared through him.
Then Deering gave a low, seductive laugh that raised his
ire even further.
"I see you take my meaning, Miss Collyer. If you are truly
interested in regaining your property, you will accommodate
my wishes. You are quite lovely. I find I want you almost
as much as I coveted your magnificent stallion."
Flinching, she took a step backward, out of reach, distaste
written in every line of her face. "I regret I must
decline your proposition, my lord."
"You should realize that beggars cannot be choosers."
"I am not a beggar quite yet, Lord Deering."
The viscount moved closer, but she stood her ground. When
his fingers covered her breast and squeezed, Ash took a
reflexive step toward them.
But Maura Collyer evidently did not need defending, for she
brought her heel down hard on the viscount's instep. Even
with her soft evening slippers, the impact must have hurt.
It did, if the viscount's pained growl was any indication.
"Your stubbornness reminds me of your damned father!" he
ground out through his teeth. "I could not persuade him to
sell, but I found a way to win in the end. Your stepmother
was far more accommodating."
For a moment Miss Collyer froze, her expression one of
devastation. Only then did Ash recall the bad blood
between her family and the viscount. Deering had accused
her father of cheating at cards two years ago, but Noah
Collyer had died before the matter could be resolved.
When Deering reached for her breast again, she broke out of
her paralysis with ferocity. Uttering an audible curse,
she brought her knee up to contact the viscount's satin
breeches at an especially vulnerable point.
Deering gave a harsh groan and doubled over, clutching his
ballocks. Then Maura stamped down on his other instep for
good measure.
Ash didn't know which of his emotions was strongest just
then -- amusement, admiration, or anger.
Amusement because he'd wanted to do the same thing to
Deering for years.
Admiration because very few females outside those in his
own family had the spirit or courage to engage in a
physical brawl with a significantly larger man.
And anger because a genteel young lady had been accosted in
his own home. Specifically this young lady, who was
Katharine's friend and therefore deserved his protection.
Deering was clearly angry also; in fact, he was in a
fury. "You... will regret this... you damned vixen!" he
panted, still bent over.
"The only thing I regret is thinking you were honorable
enough to let me plead my case! I was fully prepared to
purchase my horse back, not sell myself to you!"
She was panting as much as her suffering adversary, but her
breathlessness stemmed from outrage instead of pain. Even
at a distance, Ash could practically see sparks flashing
from her eyes. When she balled her fists as if she might
strike a blow at the viscount's sneering face, Ash decided
it was time to intervene.
"It is time you took your leave, Deering," he declared,
striding across the terrace toward them.
At his sudden appearance, Miss Collyer gave a start, while
the viscount straightened painfully.
"This is none of your affair, Beaufort!" Deering snapped.
"It is very much my affair. You assaulted one of my
guests."
"I assaulted her?" he sputtered. "That she-devil was the
one who assaulted me!"
Ash bit back a smile. "I would not advertise that fact if
I were you, Rupert. You will only invite scorn and make
yourself a target for the cartoonists. Do you need
assistance calling for your carriage?"
"Bloody hell... no, I can summon my own infernal carriage."
"Then pray do so. You are no longer welcome here."
The viscount shot Ash a look of extreme dislike. "This is
no way to treat a man of my rank, Beaufort, ordering me to
leave while taking that witch's side."
"Spare me your protests. You got exactly what you
deserved. I would have hurt you myself if she had not."
Deering's expression only darkened. After another fierce
glare at Miss Collyer, though, he limped off in the
direction of the ballroom.
Alone on the terrace with her, Ash turned and found his
gaze arrested by the enchanting picture she made. Maura
stood with her fists still clenched, her cheeks flushed
with anger, her bosom heaving softly. In the candle glow
spilling from the ballroom windows, she looked fiery and
beautiful, her honey-colored hair only a few shades lighter
than the gold-embroidered amber silk gracing her tall,
lithe figure.
He was not accustomed to seeing Miss Collyer so stylishly
garbed. Her ball gown was an elegant confection, with
short puffed sleeves and a low decolletage that offered
meager coverage for the ripe swells of her breasts.
Usually she wore plain muslin or kerseymere or –
since her father's unexpected death from heart failure two
years ago – black bombazine.
Her long, white kid gloves shielded her arms from the cool
night air, but she was still shaking, no doubt in the
aftermath of rage rather than from the chill.
Seeing all that trembling intensity, Ash could imagine her
in his bed, shuddering in the throes of passion.
Aware of the primal surge of lust streaking through him, he
tamped down on his inappropriate urges at the same time he
noticed that one sleeve of her gown had been pulled down to
bare her pale white shoulder.
Stepping close to Maura, he straightened her sleeve, trying
to make his helpful gesture appear casual and brotherly.
Her flush deepened, as if she suddenly recognized that he'd
witnessed the entire event, including the viscount's
ignoble sexual advances.
When Ash finished repositioning her sleeve, she turned
quickly toward the French doors. But he stayed her with a
light touch on her gloved arm. "You should remain here for
a moment. You cannot return to the ballroom looking so
disheveled and distraught."
"I am not distraught! I am furious."
"Don't quibble. It amounts to the same thing. You are
breathing fire. You will frighten all my guests."
She grimaced in frustration but apparently agreed with him,
for after a short hesitation, she went to stand at the
balustrade, her gloved fingers clutching at the gray
stone. "Why are you even out here, Lord Beaufort? You are
supposed to be hosting your sister's ball."
Joining her at the railing, Ash answered honestly. "You
roused my curiosity when you followed Deering here. I
thought you might be having a liaison with your lover."
"With Lord Deering?" She sounded appalled, disgusted. "I
would sooner take a snake as a lover-- Not that I would
ever take a lover of any kind," she hastened to add. "Or
that it would be your concern if I did."
Ash let her intriguing denial go unremarked. "I realized
your dislike of him when I overheard your conversation."
"Did no one ever teach you that it is impolite to
eavesdrop?" she muttered.
He smiled at her question. "Any number of people have
tried to teach me polite manners, but I fear little of
their instruction took hold. In your case, however, it was
not rudeness that led me to eavesdrop."
"No?"
"No. I relish a mystery, and I was suffering a near fatal
case of ennui. When you slipped away, I was delighted that
finally something interesting was happening this evening.
And then I remained here on the terrace because I thought
you might need my protection."
She shot him an irritated glance. "I did not need your
protection. I can defend myself."
"Obviously," Ash said with dry amusement. Her hazel eyes
were still shooting daggers. "If looks could kill, Deering
would be six feet underground by now. As it was, you
temporarily unmanned him."
"I wish it could have been permanent," Maura said through
gritted teeth.
Her agitation was still visible, and she seemed intent on
shredding her kid gloves against the rough stone.
Just then, voices from the ballroom grew louder, wafting
through the open doors behind them. Not wanting an
audience, Ash reached out on impulse and peeled Miss
Collyer's fingers away from the balustrade.
"Come with me," he ordered, catching her hand in his.
Turning toward the terrace steps, he tugged her behind him.
"Where are you taking me?" she demanded, trying to pull
back.
"Only down to the garden so you can cool off. You need
time to recover your composure."
She accompanied him then, although rather unwillingly.
As he led her down the wide marble steps, Ash tried to
analyze why he felt so protective of Maura, and more
inexplicably, why he felt this unexpected possessiveness
toward her.
Her statement moments ago about not wanting a lover of any
kind gave him a strange satisfaction. He'd never heard of
Maura Collyer engaging in any romantic affairs, yet that
didn't mean she hadn't indulged discreetly.
He supposed his protectiveness was a result of her close
connection to his sister Katharine and his cousin Skye.
The three girls had become fast friends years ago at an
elite boarding academy.
Like Katharine, Maura was unique in that she enjoyed more
masculine pursuits than was typical of their peers.
Breeding race horses was most assuredly not a ladylike
profession either. After losing her father so
unexpectedly, Maura had retired to the country and thrown
herself into improving the breeding stables she'd inherited
so that she could support herself.
Ash had always been impressed by her fire and spirit. Yet
he'd kept his hands off her because he considered her off
limits.
Unquestionably he had noticed her, though. From the time
she had turned sixteen, in fact. What red-blooded male
wouldn't? He'd have to be dead not to feel the rush of
attraction for a beauty like Maura. But a gentleman
– even a Wilde – did not go around seducing
innocent schoolgirls, particularly a classmate of his
sister's.
Maura was clearly no longer a girl. Ash was intently aware
of her lithe, ripe body as they reached the gardens below
the terrace. She was also out of mourning for her father
now, which made her fair game if he chose to pursue her....
The notion intrigued him, yet he set it aside for now as he
guided Maura along a path illuminated by the occasional
lantern.
"Perhaps you should sit down," he advised, leading her to a
stone bench shadowed by a lilac tree.
She took no notice of his suggestion but pulled her hand
from his grasp and began to pace back and forth along the
flagstone path.
Amusement tugged at Ash's mouth as he settled on the bench
in her place. Prepared to indulge her, he stretched his
long legs out before him and crossed his ankles. Despite
his pleasure in watching her, though, he knew it would be
more gallant if he attempted to distract her from her
agitation.
Consequently, he broke the silence after a moment. "Allow
me to offer you my apologies, Miss Collyer."
"For what?" she asked absently.
"I regret that you had to suffer Deering's lechery."
"You are not to blame for his disgusting behavior."
"No, but this is my home, and I am responsible for the
actions of my guests."
"Perhaps, but Deering is as far from a gentleman as it is
possible to be. The gall of him," she muttered under her
breath, "thinking I would have any interest in selling
myself to him."
"You handled him well. I am all admiration. Where did you
learn that trick of incapacitating a man?"
"From my steward, Gandy. There are some unsavory
characters in the racing world, and Gandy wanted me to be
prepared should I encounter any."
"I thought Katharine and Skye were the only gently-bred
females who were skilled in self-defense. I taught Kate
that move myself."
When that brought no response, Ash continued casually. "I
should thank you. Your altercation spiced up my evening
and saved me from excruciating boredom."
His admission seemed to gain her attention for a moment, or
at least she paused to glance at him. "Why did you even
hold a ball if you are so jaded by them?"
"You know why. Because Katharine asked it of me."
"And you can never refuse her?"
"Oh, I regularly refuse her, but in this instance, I was
doing my duty as her elder brother. She claimed she was
finally ready to look for a husband, much to my surprise."
"It surprised me also," Maura allowed, resuming her pacing.
Frankly, it had startled Ash two weeks ago when Katharine
suddenly announced her desire to find a husband and
requested a ball to aid her search for eligible candidates.
But he was not interested in his sister's matrimonial
prospects just now. Instead, he wanted to know what had
led to her closest friend's confrontation with one of his
noble guests. Most particularly, why Deering would assume
that Maura Collyer's charms were for sale....
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