Lady Portia Flagstaff yearns to know the scandalous gossip which circulates in less polite society, so she risks her good name by attending a ball graced by women who are too freely available. A TOUCH OF PASSION is her dearest wish, ideally from Grayson, Lord Blackwood, a family friend and handsome man about town. But she must remain chaste until marriage.
I like the premise. What were hot-blooded normal young women to do when a corset might be so tight as to make them faint? Should they be kept ignorant of the facts of life, or did married friends share tales with singletons? Was it right for men to sample as many courtesans as they wished, while expecting to marry virgins? Along with the masked Portia I observed proceedings at the ball. Lord Blackwood makes his interest known. Napoleon is raising an army however, and fortunes will be changed.
After the war, unmarried Portia has successfully developed a cider brand, the money funding an orphans' charity on her family's estates. Society is unsure it approves. Portia and her widowed friend Rose share confidences, each in love with men who don't wish to marry them. Receiving a message to meet Lord Blackwood at Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, Portia goes happily - and next day is reported missing. Has she met a dreadful fate? Is the busy peer responsible, or innocent, as he claims?
The scene shifts with dizzying speed as Portia encounters more danger and exotic adventure than she could have imagined. Her reputation would now be in shreds - if anyone knew where she was. Does it matter, since she probably won't see home again, and even if rescue comes someone is determined to ensure she dies?
Not your average stately romance, A TOUCH OF PASSION is filled with lustful longing, fast-paced adventure and hidden menace. While I disliked Grayson's refusal to declare his love for a lady he clearly loved, his stated reason - that fine ladies are for sedate marriage and mistresses are for enjoyment - might be typical of the time, so Portia is the untypical and admirable stronger character of the two. Bronwen Evans lives in New Zealand which may help to explain how she has created a dalliance with a difference, sure to excite adult romance lovers and armchair adventure travellers.
In the latest Disgraced Lords novel from
USA
Today bestselling author Bronwen Evans, a
vivacious
thrill seeker clashes with her dutiful defenderβcausing
irresistible sparks to fly.
Independent and high-spirited, Lady Portia Flagstaff
has
never been afraid to take a risk, especially if it
involves
excitement and danger. But this time, being kidnapped and
sold into an Arab harem is the outcome of one risk too
many.
Now, in order to regain her freedom, she has to rely on
the
deliciously packaged Grayson Devlin, Viscount Blackwood,
a
man who despises her reckless waysβand stirs in her a
thirst
for passion.
After losing his mother and two siblings in a carriage
accident years ago, Grayson Devlin promised Portiaβs
dying
brother that heβd always watch over his wayward sister.
But
having to travel to Egypt to rescue the foolhardy girl
has
made his blood boil. Grayson already has his hands full
trying to clear his best friend and fellow Libertine
Scholar
of a crime he didnβt commit. Worse still, his dashing
rescue
has unleashed an unforeseen and undesired consequence:
marriage. Now itβs more than Portia he has to protect . .
.
itβs his battered heart.
EXCERPT
βI say, Grayson, the ladies are eagerly waiting.β
Robert! Her eyes flew to Graysonβs in alarm. He
immediately pressed her back against the wall, his large
body shielding her from Robertβs eyes.
He whispered in her ear, βPut your arms around me.
Pretend this is an illicit liaison.β
She did what she was told, her body afire with sensation
as his lips trailed down her neck. The material covering
his hard thighs rasping against her bare legs exposed
through her harem outfit.
βIβll be right with you. Iβm just reacquainting myself
with an old friend.β The low, husky sound titillated her
skin as his fingers caressed her bare stomach.
Robert seemed to hesitate, seeming to notice the
possessive stance behind his words. βIβll keep the other
ladies entertained until you can join us. Unless youβd
like to share the lady who has kept you so occupied that
youβd keep five exquisite beauties waiting.β
Portia froze. The feelings and desires sweeping through
her seemed to be scrambling her brain. If her brother
found her like this, in Graysonβs arms . . . Thankfully,
Grayson was in control. βNo need. The beauty in my arms
never shares. Iβll be along soon.β
Robert shrugged and clapped him on the back. Portia
pushed herself fully into Graysonβs embrace, hiding as
much of herself as she could.
Robert chuckled. βI see how it is. You always keep the
best for yourself. However, it leaves the field open on
five delicious ladies until you return.β With that he
slipped back through the door into the ballroom.
She was surprised when Grayson did not immediately push
away. He continued to hold her trapped, and warmth
radiated from his chest, infusing her breasts with a
delicious heaviness.
She tried to move. βYou can let me go now. Iβm sure the
ladies are waiting for you.β
His eyes smiled into hers. βThat almost sounds like
jealousy.β
Of course it did. She was jealous, but she was not about
to let him know that. βDonβt be ridiculous. If you
remember, I left as soon as you arrived. Why would I be
jealous?β
βSo, youβre saying youβre unaffected by me?β
What game was he playing? Portia found her gaze riveted
on Graysonβs lips, watching them move, wondering what
they would feel like. She shook her head. What had he
asked?
βOf course Iβm not jealous. Not every woman wants to fall
into your bed.β
βLiar. I can feel your heart pounding in your chest.β
βWe were almost caught by my brother. He does allow me
more leeway than most men, but dressed like this, in your
arms . . . there would have been consequences.β
He reached up and slid his fingers behind her nape, and
her breathing faltered as she watched his lips draw
nearer. βSo if I were to kiss you, youβd feel nothing?β
He didnβt allow her to reply but drew her mouth up to
meet his. He permitted his lips, soft and firm at the
same time, to play over hers like a maestro. Liquid heat
washed through her, making her light-headed. She was
losing herself in his kiss. She wanted to experience
everything his kiss had to offer, and never leave his
embrace.
After only moments she felt him begin to pull away.
Blast! She was determined to have more.
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