SYNOPSIS:
When Persephone Barclay’s younger sister is compromised, Persephone must wed before the scandal spreads. Her parents scramble to present her to the Duke of Wellesbourne; except he’s precisely the kind of rogue she has now vowed to avoid. Taking flight to avoid a match, Persephone runs straight into her would-be betrothed and pretends to be someone else. But dash it all, the duke proves to be irresistibly charming! If she remains in his company, she’ll end up in the wicked scoundrel’s clutches.
Swearing under his breath, he decided he should go. He took one last look at the back door. Then it opened.
Acton was riveted to the ground. He couldn’t have moved if the garden were on fire.
Persey closed the door slowly before turning and making her way into the garden. She looked about, and it took all Acton’s control not to race out into the open and snatch her into his arms.
Instead, he made a sound like an owl, hooting several times. The noise drew her attention, and as her gaze settled in his direction, she walked straight toward him.
Acton’s heart thundered as she neared the tree behind which he was stationed. When she was close enough, he whispered, “I’m here, behind the tree.”
She found him a moment later. “Are you supposed to be an owl?”
“It was all I could think of to get your attention. And it worked.”
“It did indeed, though I don’t think an owl hoots with such intensity.”
He smiled, glad that he could at last flirt with her without incurring her wrath. “They might if they were trying to attract a beautiful, captivating female owl.”
“Is that how you see me?” she asked, and he knew the question was genuine. Little lines marred her forehead. “Or is this just something you say when you meet a woman alone in the dark?”
His smile faded. “I thought about that as I was standing here—I mean, my being here. I nearly left, but then I saw you come outside, and I was unable to move.”
“Do you mean that too?” she whispered.
“With every fiber of my being. I know you’ve no reason to believe me. And you’ve every reason to think I’ve done this a dozen times, all with the goal of seduction.”
“Only a dozen?”
8 comments:
Thank you for featuring this book and excerpt today.
I love a good historical romance. This one sounds good.
I liked the excerpt.
What is your philosophy on success and failure?
This one sounds super good and I love the cover too.
Same here! And it's available almost everywhere!
Happy Friday.
Thank you so much for hosting me!!
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