Maximilian Wallace, the Marquess of Devereaux, has steadily rebuilt his fortune by entering the business world, while still remaining an aristocrat. When Thomas Russell, a trustworthy associate who needs his help, offers Max his business empire in return for marrying his daughter, Max cannot refuse. Although marriage had not been part of his plan, he could not throw away this opportunity to restore his family to their former glory.
Sophia Russell is not as accepting of the proposal. Sophia has never disclosed that her former suitor, John Hayes, had attacked her, and she had hoped to live out her days, helping her father with his business. Intelligent and vulnerable, Sophia is terrified of the marriage bed, and does not want to be married off like an object. Realising that her choices are limited, the marriage goes ahead.
Both Max and Sophia are surprised as they begin to desire each other, and a tentative friendship soon blossoms into a passionate, emotional journey. But when Sophia becomes embroiled in a political plot, and an old family feud resurfaces, will Max trust the woman who holds his heart? And when startling revelations are revealed, will Sophia walk away from the man who has opened her eyes to love?
TEMPTATION HAS GREEN EYES by Lynne Connolly is a sensual, historical romance, with vivid descriptions that bring the Regency world to life. Sophia has suffered in her past but is still a fighter - independent and willing to trust again - and her spirited attitude is what makes her so likeable. Max is a dashing hero who occasionally struggles to trust, and it is a joy to watch him fall in love with his determined wife. With plots, deviousness and passion galore, TEMPTATION HAS GREEN EYES by Lynne Connolly is a truly enjoyable read.
She holds the key to more than a fortuneโฆ
Thereโs more to love than meets the eyeโฆ
The daughter of a wealthy merchant, Sophia Russell has no
interest in marriage, especially after a recent
humiliationโand especially not to Maximilian, Marquess of
Devereaux. But itโs the only way to save herself from
fortune huntersโand those who wish to seize a powerful
connection she prefers to keep secretโeven from her
future
husbandโฆ
Marrying Sophia is the only way Max can regain the wealth
his father squandered on an extravagant country palace.
And
while Max and his bride are civil, theirs is clearly a
marriage of convenienceโuntil a family enemy takes a
questionable interest in Sophiaโone that may lead all the
way to the throne. Forced to become allies in a battle
they
hadnโt foreseen, the newlyweds soon grow closerโand
discover
a love, and a passion, they never expectedโฆ
EXCERPT
Sophia had shown great courage coming to Maxโs house by
herself, although he would wager her maid remained within
screaming distance. Not that he meant to make her scream.
Not tonight, at any rate, and never from fear. โThen I
advise you to let it happen. Is there nothing else that
worries you? Your concern is personal?โ
She jerked a nod. โI will ensure that my portion is fair,
and I would request that I oversee where itโs invested,
but I know you can do it as well as I.โ
โYes, thatโs true. But I have no objection in you
overseeing your own investments. Or in taking an interest
in my concerns.โ
She brightened, her mouth relaxing. โThatโs very
enlightened of you.โ
โIf half of what your father says about your expertise in
commerce is true, Iโd be a fool to ignore such an asset.โ
Business was the last thing on his mind, but he
understood her concerns. That demand sounded reasonable
to him. But not the other.
โThank you.โ
โNo doubt weโll arrange financial matters later, when we
meet to sign the contract. So do you wish to discuss the
personal aspect now?โ
Swallowing, her throat tight, she nodded.
He had to go gently here, but she must know the truth. โI
have no intention of staying away from your bedroom.โ
He hated the expression that returned now. Tight lips,
wide eyes, tiny creases at the corners of her mouth, and
her pulse didnโt so much beat as flutter, it was going so
fast. But he wouldnโt let her build barriers between
their bedrooms. On impulse he reached out and took her
hands.
They were cold. When she tugged, he tightened his hold.
Before it turned into an undignified tussle, she stopped
and let her hands rest passively in his. โYour name is
Sophia, is it not? Do you prefer that, or Sophie, or
something else?โ
She shrugged. โIt doesnโt matter.โ
Then he would choose. โI like your full name. It suits
you. You have an innate elegance that I find pleasing.
Well, then, Sophia, we are to be close. You will be the
mother of my heirs. Of our heirs.โ She had a considerable
fortune of her own, thanks to her father.
Blinking, she said, โDoes it take long to make heirs?โ
That naivetรฉ shocked him and forced a laugh out of him.
Heโd never considered intimate relations with anyone
other than ladies of the night or willing widows looking
for a dalliance. Certainly not inexperienced women.
Even females paid to act as innocent virgins for the
delectation of their clientele werenโt this jumpy. โIt
takes as long as it takes. Some women fall pregnant the
first time, and with others, it takes years.โ
He pulled gently on her hands. Silk rustled when she
moved closer. This was like taming a wild animal, drawing
it closer with kindness. No sudden moves. โThe act can be
extremely pleasurable.โ
โNo!โ She said it quickly, as if unconsidered. Too fast,
a visceral response.
He frowned. Did she know? Should he ask about the
incident with John Hayes?
If he did he might receive information he didnโt want to
know. Like she was no longer a virgin. Was she in fact
fond of the man her father had caught her with?
โIs there someone else you would rather marry?โ he asked.
โI wonโt wed a woman who is thinking of someone else in
the marriage bed. I am no manโs substitute.โ That, at
least, he was sure of.
Vigorously, she shook her head. โNo, no, truly.โ At least
her hands had stopped trembling. โThere is no one.โ
Heโd had enough. He wanted her close, badly. Her scent,
the feel of her hands in his, and her charming figure had
had its predictable effect on him. While his agile mind
tried to process the information, his body was rising to
the occasion. He couldnโt reason this need away.
Why had he never noticed her in this way before? Because
she had never spoken to him directly, or because she had
avoided attracting his attention? He had no idea, but he
certainly noticed her now.
When he drew her even closer, she came, so he could
release her hands and hold her waist instead. โPut your
hands on my shoulders.โ
Eyes wideโthey were brownโshe did so. โYou will notโโ
Whatever she was about to say he muffled with his mouth.
Her lips were soft, with an underlying firmness that
pleased him. Although sheโd been speaking, when he
touched her she clamped her lips together. He was in no
mind to force her.
Her body stiffened so much, he felt it under the
unforgiving bones of her stays, but he wanted to taste
her. Sweet, so sweet, that even a closed-mouth kiss
pushed his arousal up another notch.
On Monday, he would have her. Anything else was
unthinkable.
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