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Lord Andrew Masterson, Earl of Windenshire has had a string of bad
luck with women. While his best friends are all getting leg-shackled, he can’t
seem to get a lady to stay in his presence long enough to court them. Not sure
what he might be doing wrong, he turns to Madame Evangeline, hoping she can help him change his luck.
Betrothed since before her birth to Lord Masterson, Miss Miranda
Beauchamp has prepared to be his countess ever since. Although the Earl of
Windenshire maintains her upkeep and pays for everything she needs, she might
as well not exist for all the attention he pays her. Determined to break the
marriage contract, she’ll go to desperate measures to achieve her goal, even if
it means losing her virginity to do so.
Can Madame Eve show Andrew and Miranda there is more than a contract
between them? Or will family secrets and years of hurt be too much for the earl
and his virgin countess to overcome?
“Yes, please. Perhaps it’s unladylike to admit, but I am
starving.”
He smiled, taking her plate. “It’s actually quite
refreshing. I grow tired of petite young things who eat nothing and pass out at
a drop of the hat.”
“I am neither young nor petite.”
No, she had curves in all the right places. Making sure it
wasn’t ignored, his cock twitched as it hardened. “You seem perfect to me.”
“Ha! Far from perfect.” Again her lips formed the tantalizing
O before she asked, “Did you put
something in my tea?”
“I did not.”
“Then I have no excuse for my behavior.”
He laughed that time, filling her plate with a bit of
everything. “You have done nothing in need of excusing.”
“But I would have thought you’d prefer a perfect woman.” Her
eyes clouded with what appeared to be confusion. He supposed it wasn’t too hard
to believe; a peer of the realm would be looking for what society considered
would be important in a mate. He handed her the plate laden with delicacies and
far more food than he had ever seen any woman eat.
“Thank you, milord—Andrew.”
“You’re welcome. Now, indulge me.” he said, retaking his
seat in the high back chair. “What do you think is perfection?”
“I believe....” Taking a bite, she contemplated the
question. “Perfection for you would be a woman who is well-mannered and carries
herself with decorum at all times. She is the perfect hostess. She does
delicate needlework, plays the pianoforte, and sings beautifully. She would
complement you, if on your arm, and would never argue.”
What she described sounded like a paper doll. A woman with
no thoughts of her own. He didn’t want a vacant vessel in his bed only for the
purpose of begetting children; he wanted a partner. Andrew yearned to have a
woman look at him the way Llysa and Chandra looked at their men. Both women stood up to
their lordly men, all the while complementing and supporting Wolfe and Simon.
“Sounds bloody boring, if you ask me.”
“Really.”
“Might as well be with a living statue. I’ll bet this woman
would also stare at the ceiling and think about England while I drive into
her.”
She choked on her bite. “I suppose she just might.”
“And she probably eats enough to stay barely alive, ties her
corset too tight, and then faints at the slightest hint of impropriety.”
“Oh dear, yes, into the most dainty faints possible.”
“I would rather face the guillotine than endure a woman of
that sort.” Setting his food aside, he turned his attention fully on her. Her
face lit up as they continued to banter back and forth, showing none of the
disgust she’d found for him earlier. Standing, he grabbed her plate while
ignoring her protest. “Would you condemn me to such a cavernous, empty life,
Miranda?”
“Condemn?”
“Utter and complete boredom.” He sat on the edge of the seat
next to her. “Somehow I have a feeling you could never bore me.”
“Well, but then, I am not perfect.”
This teaser was awesome, Dominique. Congrats on the new release!!
ReplyDeletelayna.pimentel@gmail.com
I'm liking where this story is heading! Thanks for the sneak peek :)
ReplyDeleteGreat excerpt. I can't wait to see what happens next between Andrew and Miranda.
ReplyDeleteLove me some Regency!
ReplyDelete