All it
takes is Fate to entice him with the very thing he never wanted.
by Addie Jo Ryleigh
Releasing August 16th 2017
Soul Mate Publishing
Soul Mate Publishing
Blurb
Respectable Lady Katherine Baxton, striving to meet the requirements of her station, has become the ultimate dutiful daughter. And now, the Duke of Blackthorn’s betrothed. Far from a love match, Kate is nevertheless determined to do as expected and marry. That all changes the night she panics at her impending future and runs, stumbling upon a private grove, a mysterious tree. . . and a half-naked man.
Respectable Lady Katherine Baxton, striving to meet the requirements of her station, has become the ultimate dutiful daughter. And now, the Duke of Blackthorn’s betrothed. Far from a love match, Kate is nevertheless determined to do as expected and marry. That all changes the night she panics at her impending future and runs, stumbling upon a private grove, a mysterious tree. . . and a half-naked man.
The
youngest son of a viscount widely thought to have purchased his title, Jackson
Cooper demonstrates his disdain for the aristocracy by affording himself every
luxury available—drinking, wenching, and gambling—while eschewing anything
representing the ton. Jackson has little care for his reputation and no desire
to marry. His escape from London is all but complete.
Until
fate—in the form of a beautiful, mysterious lady—interrupts his plans, enticing
him with the very thing he never wanted.
Kate felt his approach before she saw him.
Which wasn’t all that surprising since her body had remained mindful of his
presence. Fighting the impulse proved fruitless.
When his tall frame blocked the sun and
cast her in shadow, she knew besides giving him a direct cut, she had no
escape. If only she hadn’t ventured from her sister’s side. At the time,
abandoning Helena had been her singular option since their slow stroll through
the gathering had traveled too close to the very man standing beside her. She’d
been delaying the inevitable.
Kate was now alone, as she tried to keep
her attention on the lawn activities before her, hoping no one would witness
what was about to happen.
“Aren’t sprites confined to the trees?” His
deep voice washed over her.
She didn’t turn to acknowledge him. “How
nice to see you properly dressed for once.”
His chuckle warmed her. “Are you following
me?”
An unladylike snort refused to be
repressed. “Hardly. You are rather difficult to overlook, being the only
unknown face here.”
“That’s not true. You’ve seen
my face . . . as well as other, more interesting parts.”
Kate wished she’d listened to her sister
and worn a bonnet. Anything to mask the heat flaring in her cheeks.
Thankfully he remained at her side and
hadn’t a clear view of her face. “We have not been introduced. I can’t be seen
speaking to you.”
“Then let us go where we can't be seen.”
Her heart raced at his boldness. Why was
this man so tempting? She was spoken for, though still unofficially. Proper
ladies didn’t follow strange men to private locations, regardless of their
marital status. “Absolutely not.”
“Even if I have something of yours?”
Blast! Her ring. Given her luck lately, she
would have lost it in the grove of all places. Her aunt would toss in her grave
knowing Kate had misplaced her gift.
“A true gentleman would return it.”
His deep laugh caused her pulse to flutter.
“I’m no gentleman. Or haven’t you heard?”
Goodreads
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Buy Links: AMAZON
Buy Links: AMAZON
Addie Jo Ryleigh writes historical regency romances
that feature rakish heroes and strong feisty heroines.
Addie Jo has lived in the same
cold-winter-hot-summer area of Minnesota her entire life. Sharing in the
raising of her three extremely rambunctious boys is her very understanding
husband who endured being dubbed “The Duke” by his co-workers. Keeping Addie Jo
company while she writes (besides her wonderfully loud children) is her
yorkipoo, Bella, who is never far from her side. And recently the newest
addition to their family, a black lab named Max.
Addie Jo has always had a love and passion for
romance books and became engrossed in historical romance (particularly Regency)
soon after graduating from Lurlene McDaniel’s young adult books. Currently, she
reads any genre that has a great emotional story that keeps her reading into
the early hours of the morning.
Addie Jo has a bachelor degree in accounting and is
a financial coordinator when not playing chauffeur for her hockey-playing boys,
cuddled up with a good book, or writing her next story.
($25.00 Amazon Gift Card)
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